**Chaeng wasn't able to sleep well last night. She was even up the whole night, yet here she is full of energy like she had an eight hour of sleep.**
**What's wrong with you, Chaeng? She asked herself as she took her seat in front of the piano. Unlike the first time she sat on it and played something, today, her melody is somewhat more… lively. Like every note is describing how the ray of sun brushes your cheeks while lying down in a bed of flowers. As if you are playing with the shape of clouds and giggling while you trace each curve in the air.**
**Everyone turned to her, swaying at the tempo of her music. Glistening with a smile like it’s the best thing they’ve ever heard since they arrived at this place. It’s indeed a magical morning for them.**
**Mina entered the café and saw everyone smiling with their eyes pinned in the direction where their piano was sitting. She peered at the person playing behind it and saw her. Yes, it’s her, smiling at every press of the key. She could see in her face that she’s enjoying it. That she’s having a great morning and spreading it to everyone.**
Ryujin: Looks like something good happened last night.
**Ryujin whispered behind Mina, which made her jumped from where she’s standing.**
Mina: Shit, Ryujin! You scared me!
Ryujin: Oops! Sorry. Well, it’s not my fault if you didn’t see me walked in front of you.
Mina: You did?
**Ryujin rolled her eyes, and then stood beside her. She’s glad that her sister’s finally opening herself up again without her pushing her.**
**Well, a month ago, when a cute guy checked-in for a week, Ryujin did everything she could to convince Mina that maybe it’s time for her to appreciate people around her, which point out to the cute guy who always wears a pullover even though the air is a bit humid.**
**Ryujin finds him cute. So, one day she introduced him to Mina. And this cute guy seemed to find Mina interesting, too. But Mina wasn’t giving him even a little attention. She just nods at him or gives a short smile whenever he speaks to her behind the counter. Then one morning when he’s having his coffee, he told Ryujin that he’s giving up since Mina’s not showing interest in him.**
**“Why didn’t you even give him a chance?” Ryujin asked Mina while she’s leaning at the counter one morning, and Mina’s busy decorating the cheesecake she pulled from their fridge. Then what she only got from her was a shrug. That made her gave up on pushing her to see someone. Maybe she’s not really ready yet to open her heart. Or maybe she’s still mourning from what just happened to her lover. But whatever her reason is, Ryujin is still praying that one day, she sees her smile again. Just like when Jeong was still alive.**
Ryujin: You like her. Don’t you?
**She said casually, but Mina could feel the warmth in it. Mina even knows that Ryujin is watching her even though she’s older than her.**
Mina: Wha—what makes you think that I am? We just met several days ago, and I don’t see anything wrong if we become, you know, friends.
**Friends. She thought about it again. Just like when Chaeng asked her to join her in a dinner, to be friends. But whenever she hears that word, it’s not what her heart is telling her. It’s like the word “friends” is a forbidden word. That it shouldn’t be used when describing what she wants from her.**
**Ryujin sighed and faced her, which force her to disengage her gaze from the girl playing behind the piano.**
Ryujin: It’s been a long time since you smile like that. And it’s been a long time since you put on your make-up and dressed up for dinner. You don’t even say yes to me whenever I ask you to have your dinner here before you leave. But last night, you just wore one of your favorite dresses, fixed your hair, and put your make-up on. Now tell me I’m wrong.
**Then she put her hands on her waist not giving Mina a chance to deny all her observations. And Mina swallowed hard ‘cause she could see from her sister’s eyes that there’s no point in concealing the truth. Besides, she’s a bad liar, so even if she’ll deny it, Ryujin won’t believe her.**
Mina: I find her… interesting. But I don’t want to say that I like her already, you know. What if I’m wrong? What if I’m just missing to be with someone? I don’t want to hurt anyone, especially… her. She’s a nice person and she doesn’t deserve that.
**Ryujin let down her hands on her side and stepped closer to Mina. She could see from her eyes that she’s scared, but she could also see that this Son Chaeyoung is starting to change her. She just hopes that Mina could find the courage to face it.**
Ryujin: I know it’s hard, but maybe… maybe it’s time to free yourself from everything. I mean, I know it’s scary and all, but what if she’s the one who’ll change everything… from you? I don’t think you two will meet, if it’s just for nothing. And with the way she stares at you last night, I know… I know she has something for you.
**Ryujin reached for her left arm and squeezed it. She’s not waiting for her answer. She’s not even expecting her to say something. She just wants her to feel that she’s there, supporting her and that it’s okay to risk for it.**
*****
**Chaeng didn’t see Mina entered the café, but she’s wishing that she’ll come early so she could hear her play. It isn’t a concerto for Mina to watch, but Chaeng is still doing her best and giving all that she had learned from her mom just to impress her. Well, not really impress her in a way that she’s flaunting what she could do, but rather show her that this piece represents what she’s feeling right now. That she’s thankful and ecstatic from last night.**
**It was the kiss that made her up all night. Maybe for some, it’s just a kiss on the cheek. But for her, it was something other than that. There’s something in it that she couldn’t explain. Is it because it’s her first good night kiss? No. She doesn’t think so. It’s better than that. Well, maybe because they were in a perfect moment. She thought. Like the lights complemented everything around them. The serenity of the night was working well with their conversation. And the red-dressed elegant girl standing in front of her completed the scene that she only sees in her head. I want to continue this story until the happily ever after. She told herself as she presses the last note in her piece.**
**Finally, she’s done. And when she raised her head, she could feel all pair of eyes staring at her. But she didn’t dare to search for them and thank them for listening ‘cause what caught her attention is Ryujin squeezing Mina’s arm a few feet away from her. They were standing close to the entrance. Maybe Mina stopped at the door when she heard her piece playing in the background.**
**What’s going on? Has something happened? She stood up instantly and got worried about the scene that greeted her. It looks like they’re in a serious conversation, and that maybe, a not so good thing happened. She wants to walk towards them and ask. But who is she to interrupt the two? She’s not part of anyone’s life yet, so why act as if she is?**
**Then Mina saw her staring at them, which made Ryujin glanced at her side. Didn’t actually turn to see the person behind her ‘cause she already knew who it was.**
Mina: Why don’t you…
**Ryujin nodded even before Mina finished her premise.**
Ryujin: Why don’t you two have your breakfast first? I’ll make something for you two since I know you just only had your coffee.
**Mina went back to her sister with a furrowed forehead. She’s indeed supporting her with everything—tolerating, might be the right word to describe it.**
**Then Ryujin left her, standing a few feet away from Chaeng, who froze in front of the piano, worried. Mina could see from her reaction that she has a different understanding of what just she saw. So, she walked towards her and hid her worries by giving her a huge smile. There’s nothing to worry Chaeng, she wants to blurt out.**
Mina: Good morning!
**She greeted her shyly.**
Chaeng: Hi! Good morning! Is… is everything all right?
Mina: Oh… yeah. I mean, everything is well. It’s just sometimes Ryujin worries about me, but there’s really nothing to worry about.
**Chaeng pressed her lips and nodded. Then she walked towards Mina, whom she knows hiding her real feelings.**
Chaeng: All right.
Mina: Anyway, that’s a beautiful piece. You made everyone smile with it. Can I hire you?
**She said jokingly.**
Chaeng: Hmm…
**Chaeng wrinkled her nose and swayed her head from left to right pretending that she’s thinking about it. Then she smiled, forgetting how worried she was a minute ago.**
Chaeng: I know you can afford me, but my performance is actually… seasonal.
Mina: You mean, it depends on your mood?
Chaeng: Exactly!
**Then they walked towards Chaeng’s table. Mina doesn’t have any intention of joining her despite Ryujin’s suggestion to have her breakfast first before she works in the kitchen.**
Mina: So, what’s your plan for today?
Chaeng: Hmm… not really sure. But I’ve read something in one of the pamphlets tucked in in your counter that there’s a lot of activities here. I mean, bungee jumping, zipline, trekking, even camping. But I’m not sure if I want to try any of it. Maybe I’ll just end up walking around again. Just like on my first day.
Mina: Seems like you’re not an adventurous one, huh? Scared of heights?
**Chaeng looked away. Is it too childish to be scared of heights? Does it make her boring if she’s not into those things? Well, she’d rather walk in the garden or sit in front of a view than doing crazy stuff.**
Chaeng: A bit.
Mina: Well, me, too. That’s why even though I’m living here, I haven’t done any of it yet.
**Chaeng turned to her abruptly. Surprised that they’re having the same dilemma about heights. But that being a scary cat is somewhat handy, isn’t it? At least if they’ll walk together in town or any part of this place, they won’t need to argue about what to do first and what’s not.**
Mina: Anyway, why don’t I make you breakfast first while you’re thinking about your schedule today?
Chaeng: Uhm… sure. Why not?
**Then she watched Mina walk away. Why don’t you join me later? She wants to ask. But then she realized how busy Mina is. And that she couldn’t just abandon her business just to be with her. Besides, she doesn’t even know what Mina’s thinking. If she still wants to spend some time with her or not.**
**She sighed heavily and pulled her phone in her pocket. It’s only seven-thirty yet she knows Tzuyu won’t mind.**
Chaeng: Hey!
Tzuyu: Chaeng?
**She’s still in her bed, no doubt about it. Yet she’s not bothered that she’d woken her up.**
Chaeng: Yeah!
Tzuyu: What’s up?
Chaeng: Hmm… I think the dinner’s a success. I mean, we talked a lot of stuff. Me being here, and a part of her.
Tzuyu: That’s nice. If she talked about her life with you, then it’s a good sign.
Chaeng: You think so?
Tzuyu: Why would you even bother talking about something important to you, if you’re not interested in the person you’re talking with? Well, that’s just my take. I don’t talk to people that I’m not interested in, just a waste of time.
**The thing is, she has a strong feeling that Mina’s also having an interest in this talking thing. And what makes her speculation stronger is the good night kiss she received from her last night. But… should she really need to make it a big deal?**
Chaeng: On point. But… do you have a good night kiss whenever you end a date? I mean…
Tzuyu: She gave you a good night kiss? Where? Did you two just kiss on the lips?
**She’s now fully awake and Chaeng could affirm that since she’s shouting so loud that it hurts her ear so much. Chaeng’s even betting that she’s already sitting up straight on her bed, wanting to know more.**
Chaeng: Hey! It’s… it’s not like that. It’s just on my cheek.
Tzuyu: Who cares? I think she’s interested in you, too. Hmm… now I’m expecting you to have a girlfriend when you come back. Okay?
Chaeng: Okay?
**She exclaimed.**
Chaeng: How can something big happen in two weeks? It’s such a short time for that!
Tzuyu: Again, who cares? Well, I guess you bringing a girlfriend back here is better than giving me a great story. And I’m choosing the former, all right?
**Now Chaeng couldn’t believe that her best friend has now decided what she should bring with her after two weeks.**
Chaeng: You’re unbelievable. Like seriously.
Tzuyu: No, Chaeng. I’m just doing you a favor ‘cause I know you’ll not act on it accordingly.
**Won’t she? Well, this is a different story now, and she could feel that. She knows she won’t allow this thing to slip from her hand. And the only thing she thinks about right now is, have a piece of her little by little.**
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