Something was wrong.
The smooth movements that Mina always did, and the bright smiles that she gave to the people and photographers at the airport were somewhat forced this time.
Dahyun had never seen the older like this.
With every flash and call directed at her, Dahyun noticed how the older one hid more and more behind her cap.
She followed her from behind, just like her shadow, realizing how the group's busy schedule began to bear fruit in one of the members – the fatigue and tension in the olders body was visible.
Her eyes lingered on her mate's open palm, hesitating a little bit on taking it.
Dahyun hastened her step a little more and finally took Mina's warm hand – Mina who turned her head briefly and gave her a sweet look from under the strands of hair that fell on her face.
The older one eventually returned her gaze to her feet and tightened her grip on Dahyun's small hand, pulling her forward between all those security guards, cameramen, and the members of the group.
🍊🍊🍊
—Are you okay? —Dahyun said in a whisper when she saw how Mina – her roommate – buried herself in the sheets of the bed as soon as the door of the hotel room opened with a green light.
—Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. —She answered lying down, closed eyes covered by her forearm. —I just need to rest.
Dahyun was very convinced that that was not normal.
It wasn't like the tiredness they always got after traveling. Mina looked exhausted, more than usual. The sparkles in her gaze were gone and those little purple circles under her eyes appeared – barely visible, but they were there.
In a calm way, Dahyun approached Mina's place, extended one of her arms and opened her palm on the forehead of the older woman, who only jumped a little in surprise.
With a slap on her arm, Mina moved Dahyun's hand away.
—You're so hot! —Dahyun opened her small eyes and shot her eyebrows up.
—That doesn't mat-
—I'm bringing Jihyo and the managers! I'll be back-
Dahyun was about to turn around and do what she explained but Mina grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her back slightly.
—You can't.
—You are burning. I can't leave you like this.
—I said no. —She blurted out in a serious tone. There was a tired look in her eyes, a look that made Dahyun feel sorry for her. —Tomorrow is the concert. You can't say anything.
—But–
—Like i said, i just need to rest,
Dahyun. —Mina let go of the minor's arm. She laid her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. —I'll be better in a few hours.
Dahyun thought it was something unfair... to force herself like that, to squeeze her body until she got every single drop of energy. It was totally unreasonable.
Her mind had made a choice. If the older didn't want her to say anything, then she wouldn't.
But then her heart spoke. She have to tell someone about it. What if Mina got worse?
The korean woman moved from her place, taking long steps towards her black backpack – which she threw on the sofa that was next to the window – she opened it and took out her laptop, ready to do some research on how to treat that temperature that Mina had.
She sat down in that chair and began typing as fast as her fingers allowed. She clicked on the search button to "Ways to cure the flu" giving millions of results within seconds.
Rest and liquids. Sweat the flu. Lukewarm baths. Antihistamines.
So many options and Dahyun didn't know where to start. Mina was already resting so that was good, maybe now she just needed food, medicine and a lot of vitamin C.
The youngest was confident that no one would suspect anything, after all, the whole world knew that Myoui Mina's favorite hobbie was to be in bed all day.
🍊🍊🍊
—Unnie? —Dahyun whispered quietly. The oldest seemed to be sleeping.
Mina was facing down and with half of her face hidden in the pillows.
The korean noticed how she slowly opened one eye, looking up at her hands – to the huge glass of orange juice she was holding. Small drops of the liquid stained her pale fingers.
—I brought you something.
Reluctantly, the older one began to move between the sheets, raised a hand and ran it through her messy black hair in an attempt to make it look good.
Dahyun walked over and held the glass out in front of Mina, waiting for her to take it. Those eyes looked curiously at the drink that was spilling from the glass – it was about to fall off the edges.
—It was a challenge to bring it up here... —Dahyun said, her eyebrows went up briefly.
Mina reached out her arm and carefully took the glass between her hands, the juice trembling slightly as she brought it to her lips.
A frown and a small pout appeared on her face after taking a sip.
—What the hell is this? —She said in disgust.
—Orange juice. —There was a small innocent smile on her lips. Mina narrowed her eyes in suspicion, took another look at the crystal glass. The younger continued. —Uh... mixed with other things that i'm not quite sure what they are, but ... what i do know!" is that the entire alphabet of vitamins is there.
—Where did you get it? And why does it taste awful? —Mina arched an eyebrow, brought her eyes to the pale girl who had her eyes on her shoes, seeing them as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.
—I ordered a glass of juice in the lobby dining room.
—Uh-huh... —She nodded her head, silently waiting for the second part of the answer. They both knew it was not a simple juice.
—I ... uh, i may have bought little bottles of vitamins, —Dahyun started fiddling with her fingers. She let out a small sigh before continuing. —And i may also have mixed them a bit with the juice.
—Dahyun-ah, how many bottles were here?
Being so attentive to her fingers, Dahyun saw the drops of the juice still running on her skin, she decided to take it to her mouth and lick it. Immediately her lips pursed at the bitter taste, she squeezed her eyes lightly.
—Ugh. Like 12.
—Do you want to kill me?
—No! I just wanted you to recover faster!
—That's not how it works! —The Japanese said with the highest tone that her throat allowed. The juice was beginning to spill from her hands.
In a quick movement she took the glass to the bedside table. —Maybe you should stop hanging out with Momo and Sana, you start to think like them.
Dahyun approached the older one with a pout on her lips, sat to the side and laid her head on Mina's shoulder. She let out a silent "unnie" on a whimper. She almost looked like a puppy begging for mercy for her disasters.
With the back of her hand, Mina simply stroked Dahyun's ash blonde hair.
—I already told you. I'll be better in a few hours. —Mina said silently, now she was putting her hand around the girl's waist, gently taking her in a hug. —You don't have to do this.
—But i want to. —Dahyun answered quickly as she got closer to the Japanese.
Dahyun felt how Mina's grip became a little bit tighter on her waist, which made her turn to see how the older one had her eyes completely fixed on her. It was too close. Enough to feel the heat emanating from her body. Enough to notice the intense color in her irises and the small smile on her lips.
—Thank you. —The older said, her soft honey voice filled the small space between the two of them.
Mina leaned in and pressed her forehead against Dahyun's, allowing her to feel that warmth that drained the energy out of her body, she slowly began to close her eyes.
Nervously Dahyun opened her mouth to say something, anything... though no sound came out. She had her mind all set trying to figure out why her heart was beating against her chest, since... having the older one this close shouldn't be a problem. It shouldn't be.
Hundreds of times she had done the same with Momo and Sana.
Why was it different with Mina?
She could almost laugh hysterically because of her nerves, because of the tingling on her back caused by the gentle touch of the Japanese, because of the hot breath against her neck, because of Mina. Just Mina.
The air began to leave her lungs.
A flurry of knocks on the door took them out of the trance they were in. Dahyun got out of bed slowly, not wanting to break up one of the very few moments she had with her unnie. She ran her hands over the black shirt she was wearing, fixing the invisible wrinkles on the fabric.
She turned the handle and opened the door.
A young hotel employee was hugging a pair of peach colored blankets, she began to say various things in thai – to which Dahyun barely understood a damn thing – the woman gave her the blankets and then the pale girl took them after saying goodbye with a "Thankyou", she closed the door behind her as the young woman disappeared down the hall.
When she turned, Mina's gaze was on her again.
At that moment, Dahyun realized how cute and delicate that girl looked in bed – strands of hair slightly covered her eyes, her oversized white shirt made her body look smaller than usual, that sweet pink blush made her want to pinch her cheeks. Without a doubt, Myoui Mina was a beautiful sight.
—Ah, this can't be. —Mina said as she lowered her gaze to the blankets. Her eyes widened considerably, she shook her head. —Dahyun-ah, it's like 30 degrees here.
—Maybe this way you will recover faster, unnie. —She said while unfolding the huge blankets. —At least you have to try, Don't you think?
Mina made a disgruntled sound, lay back on the bed and started whimpering.
The youngest began to approach with the blankets in open arms, threw herself on top of Mina and began to tuck her in as if it were the coldest day of the year.
Dahyun was seriously stubborn.
—What other plans do you have, huh? —Mina mused with difficulty. Now being wrapped in that pile of blankets left her breathless.
—I plan on giving you all my attention and pamper you all day. —Dahyun came over and caressed the older girl's cheeks with her fingers. —Sounds good, unnie?
—Way too good.
—Is there anything you want? —Dahyun raised her eyebrows slightly.
—Other than getting out of here? —She snapped sarcastically. —Maybe a regular orange juice.
Dahyun gave a little nasal laugh and nodded, scanned the Japanese from head to toe and nodded once more.
—I'll be right back.