Chapter Text
The suitcase wheels hummed across the polished terminal floor at Narita, a monotonous rumble against the backdrop of her own exhaustion. Yoona hitched her backpack strap higher on her shoulder and joined the flow of passengers heading for customs, her neck stiff and aching from the long flight. She fished out her phone. 4:20 PM. It was a little later than she had planned, but it didn’t matter now. No one was waiting up for her or breathing down her neck. The resignation letter she had sent a week ago had probably thrown the office into chaos by now. For her part, she could finally enjoy her break without jumping every time her work group chat buzzed.
Once she was out of the airport and on the train, the scenery outside the window began to change. The dense concrete blocks gave way to more open space. Japan was in the final stretch of its rainy season, and the sky was a washed-out pale gray.
The homestay she had booked was tucked down a quiet little alley near Shinjuku. Inside, there was a modest bed and a south-facing window. Through the glass, she could see a few potted plants on the roof across the way, their leaves gleaming and slick from the rain.
She dropped her suitcase in the corner and collapsed onto the soft bed. A thin crack stretched across the ceiling from the light fixture to the corner where it met the wall. Yoona lay there watching it until her eyelids grew heavy, then pushed herself upright. She hadn’t come all this way just to waste time lying in bed. After washing her face and changing into fresh clothes, she grabbed a small bag and headed out.
Shinjuku was beginning to wake as dusk settled in. Most of the neon signs were still dark, yet the roadside izakayas had already filled the streets with the rich smell of grilled skewers. Yoona drifted wherever her feet took her. She would stop now and then to look at the perfectly arranged cosmetics in drugstore windows or stand at intersections to watch the crowds flow past.
She snapped a few photos and sent them to Haewon to reassure her that she arrived safely. Haewon had never stopped worrying about the solo trip and answered with another reminder to stay safe.
Yoona quickly texted back and was about to put her phone away when something caught the corner of her eye.
Someone was approaching fast.
Before she could even react, someone wrenched the strap of her shoulder bag. The sudden pull sent her stumbling forward and nearly knocked her off balance. The soda bottle slipped from her grip and smashed against the pavement. Glass scattered in every direction. Sticky soda splashed across her calves and soaked into her shoes. By the time she looked up, a figure in a black hoodie was already several meters away, gripping her bag as he darted through the crowd.
Yoona stood frozen. She tried to shout, but no sound came out. People nearby could only watch. A few gasped in shock, but nobody chased after the thief.
Then someone burst out of the crowd.
They sprinted after the thief. Short hair lashed in the wind as long, powerful strides closed the distance in no time. Yoona could only stand there, watching everything unfold like a scene from a movie.
That person caught up to the thief in the hoodie, grabbed him by the collar with one hand and yanked the bag free with the other. The thief lost his hold, and slammed into the ground, hurling curses as several bystanders rushed over to pin him down.
Yoona still couldn’t move. The stranger walked over and held out her bag. Now that she was closer, Yoona could finally see that person clearly. It’s a young girl. Even flushed and breathing hard, her features were striking. She stood a little taller than Yoona, and her broad shoulders filled out the shirt well.
The first thing out of her mouth was Japanese. Yoona didn’t catch a word of it, but when the girl tilted her head, pointed at the bag then pointed at her, Yoona got the idea and quickly took it. She didn’t know much Japanese beyond basic greetings and ordering food. The girl looked at her with bright eyes, waiting for a response.
“Thank you.” Yoona managed in English. Her voice was a bit raspy so she cleared her throat. “I mean, thank you so much.”
The girl’s eyebrows raised slightly. That tight line of her mouth relaxed just a little. She said something else in Japanese and made a vague gesture near Yoona’s face.
Panic set in. Yoona fumbled for her phone to open a translation app, typed in Korean. “Thank you. I don’t really speak Japanese. I really appreciate your help.” She translated it to Japanese and flipped the screen over.
The girl read then also pulled out her own phone, typed something and showed Yoona the Korean translation. “Are you hurt?”
Yoona quickly typed back “I’m fine”, and showed her.
The girl nodded, and suddenly burst out laughing.
Yoona had no idea what was going on and worried the app had mistranslated something embarrassing.
The girl got her laughter under control, cleared her throat, and said in a much more serious tone.
“Sorry, I’m Korean, actually.”
“Oh... Oh?” It took a second for the words to register. Korean. With an accent, sure, but still Korean. The realization hit Yoona and she felt like an idiot. “Then why did you use the translation app to ask me?”
“Just wanted to tease you.” The girl smiled warmly. “You looked cute with that translation app.”
“Cute?”
“Yeah. Cute.” She repeated it.
Why was she getting teased like this all of a sudden? Yoona shoved her phone back in her pocket and looked at the girl still grinning at her. For some reason, she wanted to know her name.
“What’s your name?” So she asked.
“Bae Jinsol.” The girl offered her hand with a friendly smile. “And you?”
Yoona placed her hand in hers.
“Seol Yoona.”
“Seol Yoona.” Jinsol repeated the name softly before letting go. “So, you here with family? Or friends?”
“No, alone. Just... needed to clear my head.”
“Ah, I see. Mind if I ask if you’ve eaten yet? If not, I know a good place nearby.”
“I haven’t forgiven you for teasing me earlier.”
“Then let me buy you dinner.” Jinsol winked. “Anything you want. My treat.”
“I want the most expensive thing.”
“Lucky for you, I know a ramen place that charges two thousand yen a bowl.” Jinsol tilted her chin toward the street corner. “We can talk on the way.”
Yoona glanced down at the soda soaking her shoes and calves before lifting her gaze to Jinsol. Her hair was still damp with sweat and her shirt remained rumpled from the chase. A breeze drifted in from the end of the alley, carrying the scent of grilled meat and takoyaki. She stepped forward, her sole crunching over a shard of glass.
“Fine.” She was hungry anyway.
“You’re not worried I might be some psycho?” Jinsol fell into step beside her. “Just gonna walk off with a stranger like that?”
“You got my bag back, so I don’t think you’re bad.”
“What if it was a setup?” Jinsol asked playfully. She lowered her voice, trying to sound menacing. “What if I teamed up with that guy to fake a kidnapping?”
Yoona gave her arm a light slap. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
But her gut told her this girl was harmless.
Jinsol exaggerated a wince, rubbing her arm as if it hurt, but she was smiling again a second later.
Yoona followed Jinsol into a narrow alley washed in the warm glow of yellow lights. The curtain at the ramen shop swayed in the wind, offering brief glimpses of the steaming counter and the cramped wooden bar beyond.
As soon as they ducked inside, a wave of steam and the rich smell of miso and soy sauce hit their nose. The smooth texture of the wooden counter, polished by countless patrons, felt solid under their fingertips as they sat down.
Although they had only just met, conversation over the meal flowed smoothly. Yoona learned that Jinsol was from Yangsan, which explained her accent. Jinsol had been working here for two years and usually returned to Korea during the holidays. Yoona shared her own hometown and the job stress that had pushed her to quit. When Jinsol heard she was using this trip to decompress, she gave her full support.
Jinsol did most of the talking, but she always gave Yoona room to speak and listened with genuine attention. Yoona’s solo trip had shifted in a small but unexpected way. She was still traveling alone, but she now had a companion to share a meal and chat with.
The food was great and reasonably priced. Yoona made a mental note to come back someday. Jinsol actually paid, whipping her card out so fast that Yoona couldn’t even offer to split it.
They walked outside together. The night air hit them with leftover warmth and the lingering scent of ramen clinging to their clothes.
“Which way are you headed?” Jinsol walked a few steps ahead, then turned to face her, walking backward.
“Near Shinjuku. Maybe fifteen minutes on foot.”
“I’ll walk you back.” Before Yoona could object, Jinsol pressed on. “You almost got robbed, and it’s dark now. I won’t sleep well if I let you walk back alone.”
“You really do stick your nose in everything.”
“My biggest flaw. I’m a busybody.” Jinsol shot Yoona a wink, waiting for Yoona to catch up before falling into step beside her.
They wandered through alley after alley, passing convenience stores glowing with warm light and izakayas that had already closed their doors for the night. The walk took longer than expected because Jinsol kept pausing to point out little things whenever something caught her attention. Yoona could still feel the faint stickiness left by the dried soda under her shoes, but it no longer bothered her. Without either of them noticing, they ended up walking close enough for their arms to brush every so often. Every time it happened, Yoona considered moving half a step away, but she stayed where she was. Jinsol did the same.
“Here we are.” Jinsol stopped beneath the homestay, her voice softer now that the street noise had fallen behind.
“Thanks a lot. For chasing the thief, and for the ramen.”
“You’ve said thank you like ten times already. One more and I’m gonna get mad.”
“Go ahead then.”
Jinsol laughed and stepped closer.
“You free tomorrow?” She scratched the back of her head, looking a little awkward. “I’m on short vacation. I didn’t have any plans anyway.”
“Yeah.” The word came out faster than Yoona expected. It was true, though. This trip was her own, no schedule to tie her down.
“Then wanna hang out together?” Jinsol’s eyes lit up, practically sparkling. “I know some really cool spots.”
Yoona suddenly realized she had been clutching her key for way too long, the metal warmed by her grip.
“What time?” She heard herself ask.
“Ten? I’ll come pick you up.” Jinsol took half a step back and waved. “Good night.”
“Good night.”
Yoona watched until Jinsol disappeared from sight, then looked down and saw she was smiling like a fool.
Back in her room with her legs feeling like jelly, she flopped onto the bed and watched the neon glow from outside paint shifting colors across the ceiling.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her out of her drowsy haze.
Haewon unnie
Today 09:27 PM
Haewon unnie: How’s it going over there?
Haewon unnie: Anything interesting happen?
Yoona: met such a busybody today
Haewon unnie: Man??
Yoona: woman
Haewon unnie: so what did she do?
Yoona: chased down a guy who stole my bag
Yoona: bought me ramen
Yoona: spoke japanese to me at first
Yoona: only admitted she was korean after watching me struggle with a translation app ㅡㅡ
Haewon unnie: And??
Yoona: she said I was cute
Haewon unnie: Are you making this up or something?
Yoona: im being serious.
Haewon unnie: Uh huhhhh
Haewon unnie: Just be careful okay?
Yoona: got i grandma ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
She rolled over to face the window. Some drunk outside was singing in a wavering drawn-out voice that could easily lull someone as exhausted as her to sleep. But she was too sticky and smelled too much like ramen to skip a shower.
Tomorrow was another full day ahead, and she would have company this time. She realized with a pleasant little flutter that she was actually looking forward to it.
🌸🌸🌸
Morning light poured through the window with that crystal-clear quality unique to early hours, a clean blue that welcomed Yoona to her new day. She took a shower, got dressed, and finished the homestay breakfast just in time to meet Jinsol.
Bag in hand, she headed downstairs. She spotted Jinsol leaning against the wall across the street. Jinsol had on a white tee beneath a navy Adidas jacket, black shorts that just covered her knees, and a cap pulled low over her face. As soon as she noticed Yoona, she gave her a wave and tipped the brim up slightly.
“Morning.” Her gaze traveled from Yoona’s face down to her outfit. “Nice clothes.”
Yoona pretended to adjust her bag strap. “Shall we go?”
“Let’s go.”
🍂🍂🍂
They headed for Kamakura. Jinsol suggested it, saying it was only about an hour away by train. Once they arrived, they could hop on the Enoden line and spend the day wandering around. Yoona had no objections. She didn’t have a plan anyway, so following along was easy.
They sat together on the train as the scenery outside gradually shifted from clusters of high-rise buildings to quiet neighborhoods and a distant stretch of coastline. Jinsol chatted on and off, laughing about how she got lost and ended up crying when she first moved to Japan. She told Yoona how learning to say sumimasen had gotten her through almost every awkward situation and insisted the oden from the convenience store near her apartment tasted better than any she had had in Korea. Yoona only hummed now and then. Most of the time, she simply watched Jinsol, captivated by her animated expressions. There was a lightness in her voice that somehow made everything sound more entertaining.
After getting off at Kamakura Station, they followed a narrow uphill path lined with modest houses and vine-covered walls. Jinsol led Yoona into an even smaller side street that ended at a quiet little shrine. Moss clung to the stone lanterns at the entrance, making it obvious that few tourists ever stumbled across the place. They passed through the gate and found a massive ginkgo tree with its broad canopy spreading overhead. Whenever the wind picked up, the leaves rustled like distant waves. A stone bench rested beneath the tree, and they sat down side by side, leaving about a fist’s width of space between them.
“How did you find this place?” Yoona asked, squinting as the wind filtered through the branches and carried a pleasant humidity.
“Last fall when I was feeling down and just wandering around.” Jinsol looked up at the ginkgo canopy. “The leaves were all gold then. When the wind blew, the whole yard looked like it was raining gold. I sat on this bench and cried for half an hour.” She ended with a sigh then turned to Yoona with a smile. “But things are better now.”
Yoona felt a sudden urge to ask why Jinsol had been crying, but the question died on her lips. She didn’t feel like she had the right to ask that.
“How long are you staying?” Jinsol asked.
“I fly back Friday.”
“That’s only a few days left.” Jinsol dropped her gaze and scuffed her shoe against the gravel. “There are still so many places I want to show you.”
“Then let’s go. It’s not like I’m leaving tomorrow.” Yoona stood up and extended her hand.
Without hesitation, Jinsol grinned, took her hand, and pulled herself up to lead the way.
🌊🌊🌊
Kamakura’s shoreline seemed endless, with pale gray sand smooth and firm beneath their feet. The sun was starting its descent, softening the light as their shadows stretched across the beach in long overlapping angles. Yoona slipped off her shoes and walked barefoot along the sand by the water. Waves washed over her feet before retreating and leaving behind smooth white foam.
Jinsol walked beside her with her cap turned backward and her shorts rolled above her knees.
“Cold?”
“No.” Yoona smiled at the feel of water kissing her feet. “It’s nice actually.”
They walked along the shore for a long time. The sky shifted from golden yellow to orange, then deep purple, while the sea mirrored the changing colors.
Jinsol picked up a flat shell, angled her body, and sent it skipping across the water. It bounced three times before sinking. She turned to Yoona with a smug grin.
Yoona also picked up a shell and tried to copy her, but her shell only skipped twice before veering off and sinking.
“Not bad for a first try.” Jinsol clapped, smiling. “Keep practicing for two years and you might beat me.”
“I don’t plan on spending my time practicing this.”
“What do you want to spend your time on then?”
It sounded like such a simple question, yet Yoona had no idea how to answer it without being vague. Before quitting her job, she thought it was about escaping the office, the endless paperwork, and the boss who rejected her ideas. Now she was standing on a beach beside a girl she had met only two days earlier with damp sand beneath her feet, and she found she couldn’t articulate a clear response.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged and kicked lightly at the sand. “Maybe I’ll just think about it and figure it out later.”
“Then take your time.” Jinsol’s reply came with a smile that seemed even brighter in the light.
They found a small family restaurant near the beach for dinner. The place wasn’t huge but it had surfboards and photos hanging on the walls. Yoona ordered spicy miso ramen while Jinsol got a bowl of white broth that was clearly not spicy.
“You can’t handle spice?” Yoona remembered Jinsol had also ordered a non-spicy bowl yesterday.
“You could say that.” Jinsol grimaced, handing her chopsticks.
Yoona picked a piece of chashu from her bowl and placed it in Jinsol’s.
“Try it. Consider this my thanks for showing me around today.”
The chashu had soaked up the spicy broth. Jinsol picked it up and took a careful bite. After a few chews, the heat quickly spread across her face, and Yoona caught the pained look in her eyes. She burst into laughter, poured her a full glass of water and handed it over as Jinsol drank half of it in one go with her cheeks still burning.
Jinsol puffed her cheeks. “It’s way too spicy.”
“Sorry, I didn’t think it’d be that bad for you.” Yoona suppressed her laughter and handed her a tissue. “Order whatever else you want. My treat tonight.”
🌑🌑🌑
Night at the beach was far darker than in the city. By the time they reached the station, the last train had already departed. Jinsol checked her phone map and sighed.
“A taxi back will be super expensive.” She looked at Yoona hesitantly. “There’s a capsule hotel nearby. Want to crash there for the night?”
Yoona didn’t need long to think, pulling her bag strap higher. “Yeah, let’s check it out.”
The capsule hotel sat on a small street near the station with a narrow entrance and not too many guests. Jinsol booked two neighboring capsules with a sliding door between them. Yoona climbed into her space and found it was actually roomier than she expected. The mattress was fairly soft, with a reading light and a small storage shelf. She stowed her bag neatly and heard rustling through the thin wooden partition, followed by Jinsol’s voice.
“Good night, Yoona.”
“Good night.”
She lay back and looked up at the warm yellow reading light. A tiny smudge of dust along the edge of the lampshade looked like a bird with its wings folded. Her fingers idly brushed the corner of the blanket. The washed cotton felt soft and comforting beneath her hand. She heard Jinsol shift in the next capsule, followed by the faint creak of the mattress before everything fell quiet again. The space was so small that she could hear her own breathing. The quiet surrounded her and slowly carried her into a deep sleep.
☕☕☕
They slept until they naturally woke, or rather, Jinsol came around first while Yoona was stirred awake by a series of gentle knocks at her door. She slid it open and found Jinsol crouching outside with her hair in a messy tangle, a wrinkled T-shirt, sleepy eyes, and two canned coffees from the convenience store in her hands.
“Morning.” Jinsol yawned.
Yoona took the cool can and pressed it against her cheek to wake up. “When did you get up?”
“Not long ago.” Jinsol stood up and rubbed her eyes. “Didn’t hear anything from your side so I didn’t want to call you.”
After washing up and checking out, it was already lunchtime. They found a small noodle shop near the station. Jinsol stole a piece of seaweed from Yoona’s bowl, popped it into her mouth, and washed it down with a long drink of ice water.
Yoona couldn’t help laughing out loud.
“Can you please not make that face every time I drink water?” Jinsol said with her cheeks puffed out, her voice all garbled.
“I’m not making any face.” Yoona rested her chin on her hand, watching her. “You’re just way too expressive.”
🎡🎡🎡
Yokohama was their next stop. It wasn’t far from Kamakura, about an hour on the train. The wind at Yokohama was a bit stronger than in Kamakura and carried that distinct salty tang of the sea. They walked along the waterfront promenade, past the red-brick warehouses converted into shopping areas.
As dusk settled in, they boarded the Ferris wheel. It towered above the harbor and offered a sweeping view from the top. Bridges in the distance glowed with strings of lights while the water below caught the reflections, making it look as though someone had scattered crushed glass across the surface. The transparent cabin rose slowly and smoothly. The higher they climbed, the more clearly they could hear the wind slipping through the narrow gaps with a faint chill.
The city below looked like a sprawling star map, rivers of light winding between skyscrapers. Yoona couldn’t take her eyes off the view and kept snapping photo after photo.
Jinsol moved up beside her.
“Beautiful, right?”
“Yeah.”
The cabin kept rising and the wind kept getting louder.
Yoona felt Jinsol’s hand hanging by her side, so close to hers. A moment later, Jinsol’s fingers brushed against her own. Yoona neither pulled away nor reached back. She simply let their fingers meet as the Ferris wheel rose to its highest point.
As the wheel began its descent, Jinsol slipped her hand into her jacket pocket. Yoona caught the faint blush on her cheeks and the way she suddenly fell silent. Pretending not to notice, she turned her gaze toward the ground slowly drawing closer, unable to keep a smile from tugging at her lips.
💖💖💖
After wandering around a few more places, it was getting late. Jinsol took Yoona to a friend’s apartment in Yokohama where she often crashed during work trips. The friend was traveling and had given Jinsol the okay to bring Yoona over. The apartment had two bedrooms and a living room with a sofa that pulled out into a bed. They ordered fried chicken and beer, then settled on the floor in front of the sofa with two cans and a box of sauce-drenched chicken
Jinsol only drank a few sips before her face turned red.
Yoona looked at those two faint pink patches on her cheeks and found it kind of amusing.
“Your alcohol tolerance really is something.”
“I know.” Jinsol pushed her beer can away. “That’s why I usually don’t. Today’s fun.”
“Fun why?”
“Just fun.” She looked up with those soft eyes. “Just really fun.”
Yoona couldn’t handle that gaze for long so she dropped her head and picked up her beer. The cold drink slid down her throat and tamped down some of the flutter in her chest.
After showering, Yoona changed into a fresh shirt and athletic shorts Jinsol lent her. She sat on the sofa drying her hair, listening to the running water in the bathroom until it stopped.
The bathroom door opened and Jinsol stepped out. Wet strands clung to her cheeks and neck. She wandered over with her head tipped to one side as she dried her hair in the same careless half-hearted way she always did.
Yoona found her messy effort unbearable.
“Come here.” Yoona held out her hand.
Jinsol was confused as she handed over the towel. She sat on the floor in front of Yoona with her back turned. This height difference put Yoona’s palm perfectly over the back of her head. Yoona wrapped the towel around the damp strands first and soaked up the excess water, then she ran her fingers through the soft wet hair, stroking bit by bit. Jinsol’s hair was even softer than it looked, slick and slightly cool against her fingertips when wet, like the leaves of some aquatic plant. Yoona kept her eyes down, carefully brushing stray strands off her neck and using the towel’s edge to dry the last lingering drops.
Jinsol sat perfectly straight as though she had forgotten how to breathe.
When it felt dry enough, Yoona set the towel on the sofa armrest. Jinsol rose from the floor and sat beside her on the sofa.
The space went quiet all of a sudden, the air carrying the scent of body wash and damp shampoo.
A few strands of Jinsol’s hair stuck up every which way, giving her that ruffled little animal look. Yoona didn’t know when the thought had crossed her mind. She just kept looking at Jinsol’s downcast eyes fixed on the floor, at her slightly flushed eyelids from the alcohol, at the shape of her lips. Before she could think twice, she leaned in close enough to catch the smell of beer on Jinsol’s breath and the cool mint of toothpaste hitting her senses.
Jinsol’s eyelashes fluttered as she looked up. The tiny gap between them made Yoona feel like she could see the whole galaxy reflected in those bright eyes.
She heard Jinsol say her name, but she didn’t wait for the rest. Jinsol’s lips forming her name had already erased whatever boundary was left.
Jinsol froze for a second when their lips met. A heartbeat later, she cupped the back of Yoona’s neck and drew her closer.
The bitterness of beer and the coolness of mint layered over the softness of Jinsol’s lips made even the briefest contact unforgettable. Light kisses fell on Yoona’s mouth until at some point they weren’t enough anymore, until they both understood to tilt their heads so their noses brushed against each other’s cheeks and their lips could meet more fully.
Her heart pounded like war drums against her ribs, each beat vibrating in her eardrums. Their lips parted for only a moment as they caught shaky breaths before crashing back together. The rest of the world disappeared. So did the fact that they had only known each other for a few days. All that mattered was losing themselves in each other.
Jinsol whispered something between kisses, but Yoona barely heard a word. Her hand tightened around Jinsol’s shoulder before gliding to the nape of her neck and pulling her in. She lingered over the fading taste of beer on Jinsol’s lips, convinced it was enough to make her drunk.
Yoona remembered slipping off the edge of the sofa and sinking into the cushion. She remembered Jinsol bracing herself on either side of her hips as the borrowed shirt bunched beneath her hands. She remembered the soft light spilling from the lampshade and bathing Jinsol’s brow and cheekbones in gold. Jinsol’s lips found the corner of her mouth before grazing her ear and wandering down her jaw to her neck. Every kiss left behind a warmth that seeped beneath her skin and coiled around her racing heart.
Jinsol’s fine, soft hair slipped through Yoona’s fingers. Her breath pressed into the hollow of Yoona’s throat, rising and falling like some slow melody. Yoona shut her eyes. The ticking of the old wall clock in the corner seemed amplified, tick, tock, tick, tock, overlapping with her heartbeat.
They got up from the sofa with their hands still clinging to each other, their steps a little unsteady as they moved toward the bedroom.
The cool sheets welcomed Yoona’s back, a sharp contrast to Jinsol’s warmth.
Her fingers moved over Jinsol’s face. They began at her forehead, swept along the curve of her brow, slid down the bridge of her nose, lingered at the tip, and finally came to rest on her lips. Jinsol’s lips parted just enough for a warm breath to brush across Yoona’s skin. Yoona slowly outlined her lower lip with her fingertip. Jinsol tilted her head and pressed a gentle kiss into Yoona’s palm before letting her lips drift to the inside of her wrist. Yoona followed every movement without looking away, almost forgetting to breathe as she waited to see where those lips would land next.
The moonlight crept inch by inch across the sheets, across Yoona’s hand resting by the pillow, across Jinsol’s arm braced on the mattress. Yoona didn’t know when she had grabbed the hem of Jinsol’s shirt, wrinkling and rolling it up so she could feel the bare skin underneath. Jinsol supported the curve behind Yoona’s head with one hand, and Yoona didn’t resist at all. She just tilted her head back and offered more of herself into that hand.
Jinsol’s lips stole control of her breathing again. A few gentle kisses along her neck were enough to make each breath catch before it turned deeper and slower. Yoona cupped Jinsol’s ear and let her fingers trace its soft curve before sliding to the nape of her neck. Words gradually faded away. They no longer needed them. Their hearts beat out of sync beneath their ribs yet somehow found each other through the warmth between them. Soft, indistinct sounds rose with every unsteady movement, every brush of skin, every touch and every wave of heat.
Everything went white for a moment. Yoona felt like she was on a churning sea, waves lifting her up and setting her back down gently, cradling her, soothing her.
When Yoona came back to herself, Jinsol was still looking at her with that intense gaze, and she was burying half her face in the pillow. Another kiss landed on her ear, ticklish enough to make her flinch. Jinsol turned Yoona’s face from the pillow, cupped her chin, and kissed the corner of her mouth. Their clothes had vanished at some point. There wasn’t a single spot between their bodies that wasn’t touching. Even the smallest movement could make the other shudder, but it felt so real and so intensely good that neither of them wanted to pull away.
Eventually, Yoona ended up curled in Jinsol’s arms. The sheets beneath them were a tangled mess. She buried her face in the hollow of Jinsol’s neck, closed her eyes, and breathed in deep while Jinsol’s hand held her and stroked her gently. In that warm hollow, she could hear Jinsol’s heartbeat, which had also missed its beat and was now steadying.
On the edge of consciousness, Yoona felt Jinsol’s lips press against her hairline, and then a whisper so soft she almost missed it landed at her ear.
“Good night.”
💋💋💋
The days that followed were filled with small trips. Neither of them said anything, but they both quietly wished time would stretch a little longer. Among the places they went was Hakone, where they tried the hot springs, rode the mountain train, and in the sulfurous steam of Owakudani, took a bunch of blurry photos of each other that barely showed their faces.
Jinsol was terrible at taking pictures. She always pressed the shutter before Yoona was ready, so her camera roll ended up filled with these weird snapshots of Yoona squinting, turning away, or with her hair flying everywhere.
Yoona grabbed the phone to delete them, but Jinsol wrapped her arms around her from behind and wouldn’t let her.
So Yoona left them as they were.
On the afternoon of Thursday, they finally returned to the homestay so Yoona could pack. The room looked a little messy after several days of short trips, suitcase spread open on the floor, half-folded clothes at the foot of the bed. Jinsol sat on the bed watching Yoona pack and lamented that she had been remiss for not getting a proper souvenir.
“You gave me your time.” Yoona folded a shirt neatly and placed it in the suitcase. “Even though it was unexpected, you made a trip I was supposed to take alone so much more fun. Isn’t that enough?”
Jinsol didn’t answer. She walked over to help Yoona arrange things in the suitcase.
Yoona knew Jinsol was fighting back tears. Even after knowing Jinsol for only a few days, Jinsol’s emotional, soft-hearted nature was obvious. She was the type to shed tears easily over a movie scene, and now she was on the verge of crying over saying goodbye to someone she had met not long ago.
But after everything they had done together, did time really matter?
Yoona watched Jinsol with her head bowed, studying the layout in the suitcase as if contemplating the best way to pack a canvas sneakers without taking up too much space. Jinsol’s hair was not even that messy, yet Yoona could not fight the urge to touch it. Damn it, she was going to miss this so much. How had she grown so weak, letting Jinsol slip into her heart like this, making her crave the feeling of running her fingers through her hair, longing for the way Jinsol held her to sleep, missing her clumsy yet desperate kisses, and so many other things she could never say out loud?
Jinsol grabbed her wrist and pressed her thumb gently on the inside of her wrist bone. “Can I stay here tonight?”
She didn’t wait for an answer before pulling Yoona in for a kiss. When Jinsol’s lips pulled away, Yoona opened her eyes and saw that her lashes were a little wet. She brushed her thumb under Jinsol’s eye, held her face gently, and pressed a kiss to the corner of her eye.
✈️✈️✈️
Yoona’s flight departed at 6:30 PM. Narita Airport’s terminal was spacious and bright. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the runways as evening settled in and the horizon faded into the distance. After checking in her luggage and collecting her boarding pass, Yoona made her way to the security entrance. Jinsol stayed by her side for as long as she could, holding Yoona’s hand the entire time.
“Text me when you land.” Her eyes were already red from crying earlier.
“Okay.”
“Eat properly when you get back. Don’t just live on instant noodles.”
“You talk like you know me so well.”
“You told me yourself.”
Passengers with suitcases streamed past them. The loudspeaker announced that the flight to Seoul was now boarding. Yoona let go of Jinsol’s hand so she could wrap both arms around her waist and press her face into the hollow of her neck, briefly brushing her lips against her jawline before pulling back.
“I’m going now.”
She ran toward the security gate, fighting the urge to look back. She knew the woman behind her kept watching until she disappeared behind the glass partition.
She checked her phone one last time before boarding.
Haewon unnie
Today 6:12 PM
Haewon unnie: What time do you land?
Haewon unnie: Want me to pick you up?
Yoona: around 9:30
Yoona: no need to pick me up
Yoona: I'll take a taxi
Yoona: got you a souvenir
Yoona: actually, got stuff for everyone
Haewon unnie: Ok
Haewon unnie: So what's up with that busybody girl?
Yoona: we're just staying in touch
Haewon unnie: Ooooh so is it gonna be a thing?? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Yoona: you're so annoying
She tucked her phone away. Walking down the jet bridge, she could see the open sky through the windows. A plane was landing in the distance, the faint rumble of landing gear dropping reaching her ears from far away. She took her seat, a nice spot right by the window, fastened her seatbelt, and put on her headphones.
💬💬💬
The next morning, Yoona woke up to a phone full of unread messages. After getting home last night, she showered, sent out safe-arrival texts, then slept like a log. She took her time reading and replying to everyone, intentionally saving the messages from Jinsol for last.
Jinsol sent “Good morning” along with a photo.
It had been taken on the Kamakura coast. The setting sun had scorched half the sky in shades of deep red and orange, while the ocean washed up in a blend of deep blue and soft gold. Yoona’s silhouette stood on the right side of the frame. Her shirt billowed in the wind as the shallow waves lapped at her ankles. One hand was raised as though she were pointing toward something far in the distance.
Bae Jinsol 💛
Today 9:42 PM
Yoona: not bad
Bae Jinsol 💛: JUST NOT BAD? 🥺🥺🥺
Yoona: okay it’s good ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Yoona: do a little better next time ㅎㅎㅎ
Bae Jinsol 💛: Will do 😉😘
A faint smile touched Yoona’s lips as she turned onto her side to face the window. Her fingers moved smoothly across the screen. Seoul morning light filtered into the room through a gap in the curtains while a breeze drifted through the cracked window. It gently stirred the jacket hanging over the back of the chair, where it still carried a trace of Japan’s warmth.
There was still so much that she and Jinsol had yet to say. Even so, those unspoken words already existed in that summer filled with wind, the sea, and Ferris wheels. They rested safely in both their hands. For now, each of them carried one half, waiting for the day they would meet again and open their hands to make the pieces whole.