For the small amount of time Ari was able to sleep through, the hand-in-hand relaxation was absent for her mind would not let her forget the promises the girl had once sworn on, her words that she'd given her, and the love she had received. If one of those had changed, just one, she might've been able to find the strength to prevent the cycle from repeating.
Oblivious as to the reason for Ari's change in mood the next morning, Younghee thought it had something to do with her living condition. Picking up a cup of hot water to hand to her, she naturally brought the topic up, "I've been thinking, isn't sleeping on the couch uncomfortable?"
Blowing away the steam, Ari's reply was colder than the small gusts of air, "no, it's fine. I would've said something if it was."
"Still, I feel a bit bad."
"Why would you feel bad? You've let me stay here rent free for weeks, shouldn't I as the freeloader be feeling bad?"
"That's not what I meant.. you know I'd let you stay for however long you want anyway. Even if your apartment didn't have a problem then."
"If you keep saying things like that, I'll really take your word for it."
"That wouldn't be too bad," she murmured. Looking over at Ari who was scrolling on her laptop, she swallowed nervously, "anyway, we should get you a bed and a room, you need your privacy too."
"Younghee, you just said you'd let me stay for however long I want and now you're driving me out? You're so heartless," she chuckled coldly.
"Huh? No I meant we should look for a new place together."
The delicate fingers that were tracing the mousepad stopped before she turned to Younghee,"...what?"
"Oh sorry… That's really out of the blue, isn't it.."
"You want to live together?"
"…I mean, we're already kind of doing that and… it'd make movie night easier.."
"…"
Younghee clutched her arm with her hand and looked away uncomfortably. Maybe she was right… This is a bit overboard.
-
Before the night progressed to serve as chaos for Ari, Younghee had taken a call in the middle of a late night study session to discuss something with Harin. Leaning back on the chair with a small desk lamp and a pen in her hand, it felt therapeutic despite the heart-racing topic.
"You're going to ask to move in with her!?"
"Well technically we're already living together. I just feel like she'd be more comfortable sleeping in her own room than on the couch," she said in a low voice as she peered down at the empty living room whilst Ari was washing up.
"…Hey, you're not trying to make a move on her right?"
"No, I'm just doing what a normal friend would do."
"Hmm, would you go that far for me?"
"No way, the most I'd do is help you find your own place after kicking you out."
"Meanie.."
-
Actually…, her grip on her arm got firmer, rather than that, she doesn't seem very happy today.
"Sorry, forget it. I shouldn't have suggested—"
"Sure," Ari smiled before closing her laptop and picking up the cup again, her eyes flickered over to Younghee for a split second as she gritted her teeth.
"Huh?"
"Do you have somewhere in mind already? I wouldn't mind as long as it's near campus so I'm good with anything. Ah, but," she paused before taking a sip of the water that had now cooled down slightly, "I'll need to talk to my landlord first about not needing the place anymore."
"Ari."
"Yeah?"
Younghee gulped as her mind replayed the look in her head, the look from her that told her to ask for forgiveness, the look that appears every time they're on the verge of collapse, the look of warning.
"Did I do something wrong?"
Ari's bit the inside of her lips, surprised and expectant. For those few seconds of silence, it was almost as if the anxiety that grew in Younghee was the extinguisher for her anger as she finally shook her head and forced another smile.
Meanwhile, with the sudden disappearance of Yun Sera, Nari's old friends had reached out to her asking if she'd seen her around and being just as quick to ghost her once they learnt Nari was as in the dark as they were. Or at least she was until the red head reached out.
Sera: AAX Hospital, room 202
Sera: Don't tell the others
The grey hospital hallway was filled with patients waiting for treatment and the sound of phone calls during it's busy hours. Amongst the sea of worried people, Nari was one of them, her thumb pressing against her index finger anxiously as she walked up to the reception desk. A few minutes later, the door to a room on the second floor slid open quietly. Yun Sera opened one eye and sat up as she saw Nari draw the curtain shut behind her, a triumph smile appeared on her mouth as she saw the hesitant look on her face.
"Are you alright..?"
"I'm fine, I just ran into a door by accident," Sera rolled her eyes.
"Still.. How did this even happen?" Nari sat down by the bed.
"It was an old door so you know, some pieces of wood were loose and cut me." Hearing a buzz from her phone, an idea quickly formed in her head, "hey Nari, could you do something for me? Since I don't want anyone to see me like this.."
"What is it?"
"Well you see, there's this group dinner thing a few people in my department arranged and it's in a few days..." She turned her phone faced down and intertwined her fingers together in a plead, "obviously I can't go now so could you go for me? You won't even have to pay, it's on one of the seniors anyway so please?"
"Huh? But I don't know anyone in your department.. and wouldn't that be really awkward?"
"Oh come on, he's on good terms with the professors so I really need to do this. Plus, Minjee said she'd be there so you won't be alone!"
"Minjee? Why?"
"It's the senior she likes hosting it, so," Sera shrugged. Realising Nari didn't seem very convinced, she grabbed her hand, "it's fine, I'll talk to her so you won't be alone. She knows she made what happened last time too big of a deal anyway so don't worry too much. So what do you say, hm?"
"...Alright."
As much as she didn't want to, Nari knew agreeing to what Sera wanted would mean an end to her loneliness, because Yun Sera held the key to their friends, the key to companionship.
Reconciling with friends you've fallen out with is already a hard task itself even when both sides wish to do so, but it becomes almost impossible if one side is against a reunion. It doesn't matter how hard you force it because they'll always hold a hatred for you in their heart. Even with Sera as the middleman, Nari's attempt to rekindle a friend back was unsuccessful.
Seeing a black ponytail pass by her in the university corridor, Nari quickly turned around and grabbed the girl's arm.
"Minjee.. I--"
"Let go."
Nari parted her lips in disbelief, about to carry on regardless until she turned to face her.
"I don't care how you roped Sera back into your little games, but I don't want to talk to you, ever, and nor do the others. So leave me alone."
-
Huh? Sliding her headphones off, Younghee picked up her phone that was ringing on her desk and raised a brow, it's only 8pm, why's she calling so early?
"Hello?"
"..."
"Nari?"
Holding the phone up closer to her ear, she tilted her head as no sound came from the other end for a while before the call quickly ended.
Younghee may have had a hunch but she wished she wasn't right as she opened the door to Nari's apartment, but sure enough, there were a few empty green bottles on the coffee table and she was passed out on the couch.
Sighing, Younghee carried her to the bedroom then got a glass of water from the kitchen and placed it by the bedside table before pulling the blanket over the sleeping one. She pecked Nari's forehead before getting up to leave until she felt a hand pull on her arm. "Woah--"
A shaky voice was paired with a hint of alcohol as it hit Younghee's ears and nose, "...Seo Younghee.."
"What's wrong? Do you need water?"
She felt the hand loosening as it made it's way up her until Nari had a full grip of her shoulder, pausing before squeezing down a little. Staring at Younghee blankly, her hand pressed down a few more time before the other held on to her too and pushed her down onto the floor.
Trapped under the drunk, Younghee tapped her arm to let her go but flinched as a drop of tear fell on the bridge of her nose. Even in the darkness, the watery eyes glistened, packed with unexplainable emotions and confusion. A small cry escaped from the girl's pressed lips before she fell on top of her, with hands now trembling as they retrieved to cover her own mouth.
"Hic.."
Feeling a warm hand on her back, the crying finally started freely.
Without knowing why she was so upset, there was nothing Younghee could do but hold her tightly until the sobbing softened. But that wasn't all selfless; seeing Nari cry made a part of her ache too.