In Words and The Silence (1/1)

Where’s that hyper ball? Sooyoung idly wondered as she stepped in and closed the door. According to her guesses, Yoona shall be running around creating havoc in her attempt to cook something edible and set the house in fire. After all, she knew Yoona and stove was a pairing made in Hell, and for setting the house… well, let's just agree that Yoona had a weird taste in furniture. Her room was neat alright, but it’s full of Rilakkuma, and a giant box stuffed with only God knew what. Yoona’s Rilakkuma fever, though, was overwhelming to the point where the pillows’ cover, eating utensils, towels, and the dustbin, had Rilakkumas on it. Not to mention the countless stickers and plushies. Sooyoung shuddered as she remembered the Rilakkuma frying pan Yoona gave to her as a birthday gift. The day after, when she tried to cook with it, Yoona exploded and fussed over the frying pan and gave her a nasty look for the rest of the week because nobody’s allowed to burn Rilakkuma! It’s a crime! Rilakkuma is supposed to be BROWN, not BLACK. Even if its form is a FRYING PAN! The Rilakkuma frying pan was then put in the drawer, untouched and unburned, far from Sooyoung’s reach (and Yoona’s fuss) afterwards. Stuffing her shoes into the shelf, Sooyoung walked towards the living room, eyes roaming to find the inhuman existence of Im Yoona. She made sure to open every drawer in case Yoona had learned an ability to reduce her body into a dwarf size and was now trying to hide away from her. She didn't find her. Instead, she was greeted with neatly arranged couch and small pillows. The remote was elegantly seated on top of the table, which located in the center, with a pack of UNO cards available beside it. She slowly reached out and poked the couch, humming to herself as she did so. “Hmm, the fluffiness is good enough.” She retreated her fingers. “Free of dust, too,” mumbled Sooyoung appreciatively as she inspected her undusted fingers. She let her gaze roaming around the room, taking in the cleanliness of the living room. The corner of her eyes twitched subtly as she failed to find any bits of Rilakkuma there. Thank Goodness. Satisfied with the living room, she walked towards the dining room. Letting out an appreciative whistle, she set the bag of groceries on the table. Just like the living room, there was nothing wrong in the room either. There were several extra chairs added, she noted gratefully, and a vase of flowers… flowers? She shook her head, finding the sudden romance-y amusing. There was no Rilakkuma—meaning that three sets of Rilakkuma utensils were hidden somewhere only Yoona knew. As far as Sooyoung was concerned, everything’s been perfect. Sooyoung strode towards the kitchen, her hope soared high in the sky— “Oh?” Bags of groceries, cooking ingredients, brooms and used plates, un-dished glasses, bowls, frying pan, spatula—all scattered all over the place she called kitchen. The corner of her eyes twitched, twice, as the only thing in place was the Rilakkuma frying pan—in the drawer. Her shoulders dropped as the mess unraveled in front of her, and she distinctly heard her hope crashed rapidly to the ground. “Of course I have to work for my bonding time,” she sighed. “But why should that goof ball pull out everything and make a mess?” Mouth grumbling about the unfairness of life, Sooyoung rolled up her sleeves and set to work. There was so much to do and so little time. Damn that choding. Her eyes traveled to the bags of groceries, and she sighed once again. Well, at least she didn’t forget to go shop and buy foods. *~;:>o<:;~* Yoona was staring at the white board, which had been hung on the wall, when some noises came from downstairs. She figured that it must be Sooyoung, judging from the time presented in the clock. Now that she thought about it, Sooyoung would’ve discovered the mess she created in the kitchen by now— “Well, it’s her fault for making an event out of nowhere! She has to be busy, too!” exclaimed Yoona to herself, trying to justify her antics. Silence. “Nah, I’m not going to go downstairs and help her. Not going to happen. Never.” Yoona stubbornly huffed and crossed her arms. The clock in the wall tick-tock-ed, filling the resumed silence as the doe-eyed girl fought her urge to run downstairs and maybe apologize for the mess and say sorrynotsorry and— Her stomach growled. “Err,” she patted her stomach awkwardly, “there, there. You’re not hungry now, are you? I can’t just throw away my pride and run downstairs to ask for food to Sooyoung unnie, you know.” Yoona, of course, hadn’t expected a response—but her stomach growled again, louder this time. She groaned, feeling ashamed at her stomach’s greed and hunger. “You’re hopeless,” she scolded her stomach. “Whatever sin I’ve committed to have you as my stomach…” Her gaze traveled to the closed door, contemplating, when— “YAH IM YOONA! STOP LAZYING AROUND! COME DOWN AND HELP ME NOW!!” bellowed a voice from downstairs. Sooyoung’s voice, Yoona noted, eyes rolling in exasperation. Her pride wouldn’t be wounded this time, it seemed, since Sooyoung had asked for her help before she committed lose to her stomach. Taking a last, long glance at the white board on the wall, Yoona allowed a smile to form on her face before exiting the room. *~;:>o<:;~* “Well, isn’t this awkward.” Taeyeon crossed her arms and glared at the commenter. Seohyun looked lost, Tiffany busied herself staring at her pink nails, while Yura exchanged glances with an older girl beside her. The older girl, whose difference with Yura was only present from her darker hair and more mature face, raised an eyebrow to which Yura replied with a shake of her head and a shrug from her shoulder. “You think it’s awkward? Yah, Kim Hyo! You said you couldn’t attend our bonding time!” Hyoyeon pouted. “But Taeng~~~ the date for my dancing is changed, okay? And as I have nothing to do, I figure out that I might as well meet you guys—and this is your reaction? Coooooold.” “Aish,” grumbled Taeyeon, her hands raised to block Hyo’s pout from her view. “You should inform Sooyoung! Call her. See if she can accommodate you.” “Um, Taeyeon-sshi—“ “What did I say about breaking the ice, Yura?” “Ah, yeah, Taeyeon unnie…” the girl corrected herself, “We, um, my unnie and I, we can step back, if Hyoyeon-sshi wants to go but can’t.” Seohyun gasped. “No!” Hyoyeon gasped. “Seohyun, what do you mean no?” Seohyun swatted the back of the other’s head. “Because it’s not polite to tell them to go home! And besides, it really is your fault this time, unnie.” Hyoyeon rubbed her head, pouting harder. “How about we go there now? After we arrive in front of her house, she won’t dare to ask me to go home, will she?” Taeyeon rolled her eyes. “Fine, let’s go there. But no whining if Soo truly asks you to leave, got it?” “Ne, ahjumma.” Taeyeon turned to face Yura and the older girl. “So, let’s go? Sorry for disturbance, and by the way, I’m Kim Taeyeon,” she greeted smoothly, her right hand extended to expect a handshake. The older girl smiled and accepted Taeyeon’s hand. “Kwon Yuri. Sorry if my dongsaeng ever causes a problem. I hope she never set the office on fire?” “Unnie!” Taeyeon laughed. “Thankfully, no. So, I’ll be driving today, are you guys ready to go?” At their nod, Taeyeon led the group to her car. Yura and Yuri naturally fell into steps behind the chatting group, their hands interlocked. Yura fell the other’s thumb grazed against her skin, writing patterns, and soon she figured what the thumb’s want to say. “Yeah, they’re interesting bunch, but kind people in general,” she replied, squeezing their interlocked hands. “I’m glad you agreed.” *~;:>o<:;~* “YOONA! YOONG MY DEAR DONGSAENG! YAH IM YOONA!” “NEH! COMING!!! Geez, this unnie really…” grumbled Yoona as she exited her room, the door left opened. She made her way downstairs as her mouth kept running off with the endless grumble, “What more does she need, really… I’ve bought groceries, neatly arranged the living room and dining table, made sure the bathroom is clean… and I’ve stayed away from the kitchen for ‘the sake of humankind’, as she said! And she’s still shouting as if I’ve done nothing.” The grumble stopped when she spotted Sooyoung peeking through the peep hole on the door. Raising her brows, she approached the older girl— TINGTONG! She flinched as the bell rang. “Unnie, open the door.” “No, wait!” exclaimed Sooyoung, whirling around to face her with panicked expression. “I’m in trouble. There’re six people! Seven with me. Yoong, do you think you can give a sanctuary for a person—“ “NO!” TINGTONG! “Aww come on!” pleaded Sooyoung with puppy dog eyes. “I can’t just ask Hyo or Tae or Tiff or Seohyun or Yura to go home!” “That’s five people, unnie,” counted Yoona, arms crossed in front of her chest. “You said six.” “Yura’s unnie is coming, too!” told Sooyoung, feeling more and more miserable by seconds. TINGTONG! “Well ask her to go home,” said Yoona nonchalantly. “I can’t be that rude to someone I don’t really know!” replied Sooyoung. “Come on Yoong, please? Yura’s unnie is gorgeous and beautiful, you won’t regret it—“ TINGTONG! TINGTONG! Yoona rolled her eyes. “Oh and she’s raven haired too!” Yoona scoffed and turned around. “Wait Yoong, I’m serious! Look through the peep hole yourself!” TINGTONG! TINGTONG! TINGTONG! “Fine fine, whatever, just greet them before our neighbors come running thinking that a debt collector comes to abuse our bell and kill us from annoyance, unnie.” *~;:>o<:;~* While Sooyoung was busy nagging at Hyoyeon for coming up unannounced and leading the group to sit in the living room, Yoona took it upon herself to check over the boiling chicken stew and a big bowl of spaghetti Sooyoung had made. Her sensitive ears generously caught every overloud noises the group made, which included their introduction (Sooyoung had told her how they still introduced themselves every time they gathered). “Hello. I’m Tiffany, Tiffany Hwang. I love pink. Hate bugs, alive or not. My voice is loud, it puts speakers to shame.” “I’m Kim Taeyeon! Tiffany calls me Taetae! And Sooyoung calls me—“ “Dwarf.” “—right, what she said. Can’t have that word coming out from my own mouth, can I?” “Annyeong! Kim Hyoyeon'here, the freeloader of the day! Seohyun calls me Hyoding unnie, taken from Hyoyeon Choding. Not Taeyeon’s twin even if we share the same family name and height! She’s an ahjumma, while I’m still young and free—“ Yoona furrowed her brows as a crack was heard, following with some barbaric sounds of war and muffled yells overlapping each other’s. And then a cough. “Ok, while the dwarves are busy battling their age out, I’m Choi Sooyoung, the host for today’s session. The shikshin of the group, they said. Jessica who’s absent today calls me Summer. I call her Winter, by the way—“ “Yah shikshin, do you think we’re holding a documentary now?” Another crack and a round of barbaric sounds plus muffled yells were heard again. Yoona shoved a big bite of roasted rib into her mouth and chewed it thoroughly. “Honestly, unnies, you’re scaring Yura and her unnie off! Calm down! Ok, I’m Seo Joohyun, the group’s maknae, although if Yura’s about to join in… I’m no longer will be.” “…………” “Aww.” “I will step back, Seohyun, you don’t need to be sad.” “Don’t! Yura you don’t understand, I fell silent because I’m touched that my sufferings will come to an end at least.” “Seohyun!” “How could you!” “I take my aww back.” “Shush unnies. It’s Yura’s turn now!” “Er. Okay, I’m Yura. Kwon Yura. Seohyun’s PA. Please take care of me.” And then the noises died down. Or at least, it didn’t reach Yoona’s ears. The doe eyed girl swallowed and pursed her lips, figuring that the mentioned names were six so far. Didn’t Sooyoung say there were seven? Should I go there and introduce myself? And see if there’s really seven? Muttering to herself about Cinderella and seven dwarves, Yoona set down the last dish on the table and washed her hands on the sink. She was going to go to the living room when Sooyoung came into the kitchen. “Yoona my dear dongsaeng!” declared Sooyoung happily, “I see you’ve set the foods. Thank you!” “So long as you won’t nag me for tasting here and there,” said Yoona with a huff. “Of course not! So, about the rooms…?” Yoona facepalmed herself for forgetting that particular point. “Unnie, are there really seven including you?” “Yep.” Yoona sighed and hunched her shoulders. “Well then, might as well introduce myself to them? And then I’ll pick my one day roommate.” Sooyoung beamed. “That’s my Yoongie. Okay!” *~;:>o<:;~* Yura felt Yuri’s thumb grazed over her palm again. Focusing, she smiled as she caught on what her unnie’s trying to say. What’s the surprise you’ve been telling me about? “I think Sooyoung unnie will bring it to us in a sec, unnie,” said Yura softly. Yuri looked at her and opened her mouth, “Really?” Yura’s smile widened. “Really.” Yuri retreated her hand and nodded. Yura kissed her cheek and leaned back. Taeyeon, who was observing the siblings’ interaction quietly, smiled at Yura when the girl’s gaze was on her. “You look like a detective, unnie,” piped Yura. “Your eyes are eyeing me like a hawk.” Taeyeon grinned. “Sorry, I’m just wondering why Yuri-sshi seems to communicate with you through writing symbols on your palm.” Yura glanced at Yuri who shrugged and smiled. Sighing, Seohyun’s PA leaned forward and whispered in a conspiratorially manner, “It’s because my unnie has a secret.” *~;:>o<:;~* Sooyoung dragged Yoona to the living room with excited steps. She had been waiting for a chance to introduce and stick her to the group, but Yoona always refused to say more than a few formalities lines every time they happened to meet. Maybe today it would change. “Yoona, this is the group which introductions I’m sure you’ve overheard before. Guys, this is Im Yoona. She’s tall, has an obsession towards stars, and despises anyone who dare to use Rilakkuma’s frying pan to, well, fry.” Yoona could only… throw her arms in the air, frustrated at the description. “Please don’t take her seriously,” said Yoona, covering Sooyoung’s mouth with her hand when Sooyoung opened it again. Maybe she was going to tell them about her hobby in impersonating the Lion King’s baboon, Rafiki. “Im Yoona imnida. You can call me Yoona. Sooyoung unnie calls me Yoong, though. It’s my nickname since I’m a toddler I think. I rival Sooyoung unnie in terms of eating and height, and I like watching the weather forecast.” Taeyeon raised her hands. “What are you watching the weather forecast for?” “Moral obligations,” replied Yoona. “You won’t understand.” Hyoyeon raised her hands. “How old are you?” “Older than Seohyun-sshi by four years, according to Sooyoung unnie.” Tiffany raised her hands. “Are you working or are you in college?” “College,” she replied. “I’m on my way to the Magister degree, like my parents want me to. I’ll finish it in a year, hopefully.” Taeyeon raised her hands again. “I’m starved; is it already the time to eat or not?” Sooyoung wriggled from Yoona’s hand and glanced at the clock. “Ooooh,” she said. “It seems like it really is the time for dinner!” She bolted towards the kitchen, yelling for Yoona to lead the guests to the dining table. Rolling her eyes, Yoona gestured for the group to follow her, her eyes swept around to count the heads present; six, bar her and Sooyoung. “Hello, Yoona-sshi, I’m Kwon Yura,” greeted Yura with a bow when Yoona’s eyes rested on her. Yoona bowed back and smiled. Her smile stilled however when Yura pulled another girl to stand beside her, and announced to her, “And this is my unnie, Kwon Yuri.” Raven-black hair. Tanned skin. Yoona blinked while the said girl shoved Yura lightly and muttered ‘stop it’. Yura only laughed and pulled the other to follow TaeTiSeo, who had made their way to the foods. “Yoona-sshi, are you coming?” Yoona snapped out from her thought. “Ah, n—ne.” Why does my heart go dugeun dugeun? Yoona shook her head and walked towards the kitchen, carefully distancing herself from the siblings by two meters. She’s gorgeous—but why does it seem like everything’s more than that? *~;:>o<:;~* Yoona twirled the spaghetti with her fork. She tried to keep her gaze firmly on her plate because one, she wasn’t that close to look at the others comfortably and two, she was getting annoyed for no reason every time she looked at the siblings who happened to sit across her. She didn’t even know why. It was just, she felt her head drummed up whenever she caught Yura fed her unnie and the other way around. This is not normal, whined Yoona in her head. Is it because I haven’t watched the weather forecast for like, days? Kwon Yuri watched the girl across her with interest. Ever since Yura called her and told her that she needed her to accompany her doing a bonding time with her co-workers, she almost said no and ended the call without hesitating. That was until Yura said that she’d regret if she refused. It was a different case then. Yura never lied to her; if she said she’d regret it, there was a big chance that she’d really do. So she agreed. And came to her office to discover that her dongsaeng’s co-workers were a bunch of hyperactive people with a dynamic she didn’t get yet. But Yura’s reassurance that they were kind, she could see where the younger’s coming from. They did greet her and try to involve her in the conversations. But she knew it wasn't Yura's supposed surprise. When they arrived there, she was planning an escape shall the need arises. But then the host's housemate appeared, and... “Your unnie is awfully quiet, isn’t she, Yura?” said Taeyeon before she shoved a spoon of chicken stew into her mouth. Yura grinned. “She’s not used to her voice, unnie.” Everyone looked up from their foods, including Yoona, and Sooyoung’s spoon stopped mid-air. Yuri released a soft, silent chuckle while Yura placed her hand on top of her unnie’s and squeezed it lightly. “I have said that my unnie has a secret,” began Yura. “Well, the secret is that she couldn’t speak from the moment she was born. Appa said even the doctor didn’t know why.” Gasps were heard. Yoona looked at the said girl who sported a slight smile on her lips. She couldn’t speak? “The doctor didn’t dare to investigate because babies are fragile,” said Yura. “At least according to Appa’s story. So unnie grew up without knowing how to speak and what’ll her voice sound like.” “Umma refuse to have another baby if unnie’s situation isn’t solved. But I’m here now, aren’t I? Well, that’s because Appa’s cousin who lives overseas offered to help.” Yura looked at Yuri and smiled sadly. “Unnie moved out to live with Appa’s cousin when she’s six year old and undergone treatment from him. While Umma and Appa made me here in Korea.” Taeyeon who was in the middle of sipping her tea choked at the ‘made me’ part. “For twenty years, I grew up only knowing unnie’s existence through letters and photos sent by post. I could only imagine how it was, going through the day not being able to interact with voice, but unnie never complained in her letters to us. I thought highly of her because of that, wondering when would I be able to meet her. So imagine my surprise when last year, someone boarded the plane to Korea and visited the house… and said that she’s my unnie. Said. Not wrote. Appa cried. Umma looked like ten Christmas rolled into one has come early.” “Appa didn’t cry,” a low, husky voice replied. Yoona looked at the tanned girl in shock. She remembered this voice. Could she be, could she… be… The ketchup girl! It almost seemed like Yuri could hear Yoona’s mental shriek, because her gaze met Yoona’s when she repeated, “Appa didn’t cry. He just has sweaty eyes.” Yura rolled her eyes. “Yes well that’s what he said. Anyway, forgive my unnie if she can’t speak too much. She has been cured only since a year ago, which is relatively short if you compare them to twenty six years of silence…” “Ooooh,” sighed Hyoyeon in contentment. “Suddenly this bonding time feels soooo motivating and inspiring.” “How did it feel, when you’re finally able to speak?” asked Seohyun carefully. “Brilliant,” replied Yuri shortly. “So brilliant.” “So that’s why I said that I spend weekends to bond with her,” said Yura with a wide smile. “We’re catching up with everything, plus exercising unnie in using her voice. Her voice is so melodic and gentle, don’t you think?” “Indeed,” replied Taeyeon, her eyes twinkling jokingly. “I think somewhere in the other universe you’re doing well as a singer.” “I bet you’ll be a singer too in there, Tae,” quipped Sooyoung. “Your voice is gold.” “Hey, maybe you’re forming a team with our Taetae there,” said Tiffany in amusement. “Oh! Oh! Right!” exclaimed Yura. “We’re sooo going to try karaoke sometimes, Yul unnie!” *~;:>o<:;~* Raven-black hair. Tanned skin. Left Korea at age six. Wrote letters. Wrote, never said. Yul unnie. Yul. *~;:>o<:;~* Having been living together for three years, Sooyoung’s mind progressing had had a matching pace with that of Yoona’s. So when Yoona’s brain reached a point, so did Sooyoung’s, which was clearly indicated by her fork, which dropped and clattered onto her plate. Her eyes immediately switched back and forth towards Yoona and Yuri. “Oh God,” she said. The others raised their brows, bar Yura who smiled knowingly, and Yuri whose eyes were on Yoona’s every movement. “Oh God,” repeated Sooyoung when she saw the unmoved Yoona. Confused, Taeyeon opened her mouth, “Wha—“ “OhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGod!” chanted Sooyoung as she jumped from her seat, ushered Hyoyeon and Tiffany and Taeyeon from the table and forcefully pushed all of them to the living room. “YURA, COME ALONG! YOONG, YOU SAID YOU’RE SLEEPY BEFORE SO GO TO YOUR ROOM! BRING YURI WITH YOU AND SLEEP TOGETHER OR SOMETHING—WE’RE GOING TO WASTE THE NIGHT WATCHING FROZEN AND HUNGER GAMES!!” Yura burst out laughing at that, and got up from her seat to follow the group. She did a ‘fighting!’ gesture for her unnie without Yoona looking, and left the dining room with springing steps and slow whistles. *~;:>o<:;~* Yuri stared at the girl across her seat, who hadn’t budged for around five minutes now. Resting her head on top of her joined knuckles, she waited. Oh, she could flip the table and force the younger girl to get over it already, but she understood her shock. She herself was frozen when Yoona mentioned her nickname earlier in the introduction session. She had transformed into a stone for five good minutes before transforming back into ‘a giddy ball’, as Yura called it. A breath later, Yoona set down her eating utensils and stood up from her chair. Her gaze was kept into the ground when Yuri heard a whisper, “Follow me.” She stood up and followed the younger going upstairs. The journey’s silent, and Yuri wondered if maybe she was mistaken and what if she actually forgets me. But she disregard the thought away because Sooyoung had acted too grand and Yoona wouldn’t froze five minutes if it was the case. Except maybe for Sooyoung’s suggestion of sleeping together. Yuri blushed. Oh the implication, her brain said in a singsong voice. She was thankful that Yoona didn’t turn around, merely kept striding forward ahead of her. When they passed a room with a sign ‘Yoong’s Nest’ hanging on its door, Yuri was going to ask if they didn't pass on the supposed place accidentally, before her eyes widened and her hearts started to jog around. Yoona stopped in front of a ladder, and then climbed on it. Yuri eyed the ladder slowly, her heart knew too well where it would lead them to. She smiled. *~;:>o<:;~* Stepping in her last step and safely arrived on the rooftop, Yoona took a deep breath and fisted her hand. Her palms were sweaty. Why were they sweaty? Right, because Yuri’s here. Yura's unnie. Yuri. Yul. Yul unnie. Her Yul unnie. Does she really? Asked Yoona repetitively on her mind. She couldn’t believe it. She wanted to, but still found it hard to believe. She had only put the whiteboard on the wall several hours ago, and suddenly the one who gave it to her appeared? It couldn’t be any weirder than this. Yoona sat gingerly on one side, patiently waiting for the other to come onto the rooftop while her dugeun dugeun heart tried to calm down and failed spectacularly. When the tanned girl finally stepped into the rooftop, Yoona felt her voice caught in her throat and the world’s buzzing it praises into her ears. Beautiful. Yoona sat there stunned as the moonlight shyly poured its shine to the beauty; the black raven long locks sparkled while the tan glowed brilliantly in what little stage Yoona’s rooftop could be compared with. The doe eyed girl held her breath in as memories rushed into her minds; she felt like she had shrunk back into little Yoona seeing her rooftop companion for the first time. Except that the distance between them wasn’t as long as the last time. Yoona’s calm composure had completely blown out when Yuri finally found her place beside her and sat next to her, thigh pressed against thigh. What was it again she thought she was going to ask? Clarification? News? What? Damn, why did her brain get a flood of syntax errors now, of all times? “Hi,” Yuri finally initiated after the younger’s silence almost froze the Hell over. “H—hi,” replied Yoona nervously. OhmyGodohmyGodohmyGod— “The stars are bright tonight,” said Yuri, her face made a funny expression as her voice entered her own ears. “God, my voice sounds funny,” she mumbled. “Your voice’s melodic,” muttered Yoona before she could stop herself. “Eeek!” Yuri laughed. Silent, honest laugh. “Thanks,” she said and after a beat added, “Yoong.” Yoona was sure her insides were turning into a puddle now. “What’re my favorite foods?” Yuri bit back her smile as Yoona tried the method to identify her. “You like everything as long as it’s edible and can satisfy the monster in your stomach,” she slowly recited Yoona’s innocent answer twenty years ago. Trying hard to fight down her blush at her younger self’s innocence, Yoona tried another. “What is the hobby we share?” “Reading books,” replied Yuri softly. “Now that I think about it, stargazing too. And writing in a whiteboard, I think.” “Who’s the first one to bring a whiteboard?” “Me.” Yoona’s thought that the Yuri in front of her was a faker had long gone out from the window, but she continued the ‘interrogation’ as nostalgic memories flooding in between them, “What is our secret?” Yuri looked at her and beamed. “That you were beautiful,” she whispered. “And still are.” Yoona blushed. “You are beautiful too,” she whispered back. “Unnie,” she added with a smile. Yuri laughed again. A big one. A relieved one, and Yoona thought that it was creepy how she could identify what kind of laugh Yuri was having right now. Maybe it was because she was having the same laugh too. “Yoong,” the gentle voice which was quickly rocketing to be her favorite one said. “Yoong. Hi.” “Hi,” replied Yoona back, a goofy grin conquered her face. “Hi, Yul unnie. Long time no see.” “I promise you that we’ll meet again,” she gently said. “And I promise myself that I’ll wait,” supplied Yoona all too happily. Somehow, in between their exchanges, their hands had found their way into each other’s and smoothly intertwined together. If it was awkward, neither mentioned it. “So, unnie…” began Yoona slowly, “what first thing did you buy in Sunny unnie’s shop?” “Huh?” Yuri looked at her, startled. “How do you know Sunbun?” Restraining herself from exclaimed ‘Sunbun?!’, Yoona replied, “Well I… how to say it… ah. The ketchup battle?” Yuri’s jaw dropped as those three words rang a bell inside her mind. Her eyes quickly sized Yoona up and down until recognition dawned on her eyes. “YOU!” she squeaked. “That’s—that was you?” Yoona laughed her alligator laugh. “You only know it now, unnie?” “I turned my back on you, remember. I didn’t see your face. I hid because my voice’s still squeaky.” “Alright, reason accepted. But your voice’s sounded a lot better now?” asked Yoona, noting the absence of the said squeakiness. Yuri hummed and nodded slowly, “Yeah. Must be because it’s you I’m talking to.” The doe eyed girl blushed and looked away, wondering why in the world did God gift Yuri with such ability to smooth-talking after twenty six years of silence. “So that I can tease you forever,” replied Yuri, her smile broke into a grin as Yoona panicked at the fact that she had been voicing her thought out loud. “Calm down, Yoong,” she said, lightly squeezing their intertwined hands. “God, I must look so silly to you,” mumbled Yoona with face flushed. “Silly, no.” Yuri leaned down until her lips were next to Yoona’s ear, “Adorable as hell, yes.” “Unnie!” squeaked Yoona, while Yuri broke into laughter. The doe eyed girl was too cute for her own good. The girl pouted, although inside she was rolling around spazzing because it was the first time she heard Yuri’s laugh, the first time she heard Yuri’s voice, and the first time she had been able to be this close. “How do you go through the wait, Yoong?” she heard Yuri gingerly ask. Her voice cracked in the end, she thought maybe because she was nervous. “I do what you said, unnie,” replied Yoona softly. She inhaled deeply once and, with her mustered up courage, moved to lean her head onto the older girl’s shoulder. She breathed in relief when Yuri broke their intertwined hands to snake her arm around the younger’s waist. “I count the stars.” Yuri let out a startled gasp. “You count?” “One to ten.” “And repeat?” “Since you weren’t appearing, yes, I repeated it over and over. Because as you said, maybe, I missed a number and everything becomes invalid—“ Yuri leaned her head on top of Yoona’s and kissed the younger’s forehead lightly. “I’m sorry for making you do that.” “Don’t be sorry,” said Yoona quickly. “It gives me a reason to continue stargazing. Gives me a reason to wait for another night to come too, since stars aren’t visible at noon.” “Do I mess you up?” asked Yuri worriedly. She thought about how much her words had been disturbing Yoona’s life and wondered if she was worthy to even be there right now. Her worries were shooed away, though, as Yoona snuggled into her and she felt the younger shook her head. “No. You give me a reason to go forward.” “I hope you’re not planning to stop going forward now that we’ve already meet each other,” said Yuri jokingly. Yoona laughed, lifting her head from the other’s shoulder to slap it lightly. “Of course not,” said Yoona in amusement, and then her face turned serious. “In fact, I’m planning to go hand in hand with you now that we’ve already meet each other,” she told her, her gaze traveled into the other’s slightly parted lips. “Of course… assuming that you don’t reject my hand.” Yuri swallowed thickly. “Yoong… are you sure?” Yoona smiled. “My nights with you and the whiteboards had been the turning point of my life, unnie,” she explained. “And my fortune cookie told me that what makes me happy in the past will make me happy in the present.” Yuri inhaled jerkily when Yoona leaned towards her even more. “And frankly, unnie… …I think you will make me even happier in the present.” She couldn’t say no. Not with her intentions to visit the house regularly now that she knew the address. Not with her intentions to stalk the younger’s and find whoever Yoona might see as a boyfriend material. Not with her intentions to torture interrogate those said men regarding their intentions to Yoona. Not with her knowledge that her sympathy for the younger when they were child had been blossomed into love even when countless distance set them apart. Not with her intentions to keep being there for the younger now that their path had crossed again. So Yuri leaned in, her lips met Yoona’s halfway, her hand smoothly tucked Yoona’s hair behind her ears as they moved gently along the rhythm of the night. Yoona’s hand rested on her shoulder naturally as she nipped on the younger’s bottom lip and Yoona sighed into her mouth, giving her the entrance she was seeking for. They touched. They kissed. And they loved. It was long until Yoona tugged on Yuri’s shirt, and they pull away from the kiss, each silently gasping from the lack of air. Their forehead touched as they leaned in again, nose-nuzzling against each other. Their hearts drummed loudly into their ears when they kissed, and drummed even louder against their chest as the kiss ended, but their gaze met and they discovered, contentedly, that their love was still there. “Be mine,” they whispered to each other at the same time. “Yes,” they whispered back to each other, again at the same time. And they laughed. Along with the stars and the moonlight, breaking the silence they had been all too familiar with in the past, filling the promise they tied through the whiteboard in Yoona’s room, starting a page for their journey to the future, together. They could see it opened, see it started with three simple sentences: I love her. She loves me. In words and in the silence. And no one could steal it from them. THE END  Omake“They’re holding hands,” whispered Taeyeon, binoculars pressed tight into her eyes. “Oh, Yuri leaned in—I think she has just whispered dirty things to Yoona’s ear since—ack! Soo! Don’t move too much!”“You’re heavy, midget!”“Yoona leaned onto her shoulder,” said Taeyeon, ignoring the complaint. “Yuri rested her head on top—ack kyeopta! Whoops, sorry, can’t resist,” mumbled Taeyeon when Tiffany smacked her lightly. Sooyoung shook her head."They did that? Now I can kinda see why Yoona ignores every man who have confessed to her..."“Does any of you bring camera? Why doesn’t any of you bring camera? Oh right, we wasted the batteries to take selfies before,” Taeyeon shook her head. “Regret’s always coming late.”“Just focus on them, midget,” hissed Sooyoung, her shoulders started to ache from supporting the shortie’s weight. Hyoyeon tried to jump, unsatisfied by the less-than-articulate Taeng reporter, while Yura smiled in amusement at the others’ eagerness at snooping on her sister.“Oooh they snuggled on the rooftop, what a romantic scene. But—wait they—THEY—theyki—kkkik—kkis—ACK THEY  KISS ASDFGHJKL MY HEART THEY FREAKIN’ KISS OMAGAHMYKOKORO—“Sooyoung gave up and slumped down, bringing the blabbering mess Taeyeon to the floor with her while Tiffany and Hyoyeon fished out her phones to take a picture of an overdosed-with-love Taeyeon. Yura was already rolling in the floor with laughter, while Seohyun’s feet tapped against the floor several times impatiently. When Tiffany and Hyoyeon finally looked at her, Seohyun asked,“Have you done? Can we watch Frozen now?”“—THEY FREAKIN’ KISS OHMAGAH WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT MY INNOCENCE WOULDBEBROKEN IN A BONDING SESSION—““Sooyoung unnie, I think you put too much sugar on Taeyeon unnie’s pudding.”“—I CAN'T HANDLE IT MY GOD WHY AM I THE ONE WHO FEEL SO AWFULLY DUGEUNDUGEUN—“Seohyun sighed, “Fine. Let’s call an ambulance. Seriously, unnie, that should teach you not to snoop on them with such weak heart…” ...aaaand it ends! Ack! It ends! It ENDS! The last on-going story in my care bar one finally reaches its end. Ack! Excuse me for a second while I spazz for myself—

*squeals into my pillow loudly*

...ok I'm ready to continue. So, thank you for all my readers! 64 subscribers and 12 people who upvotes, not to mention those who has generously showered this weird story with them comments. I'm sooo thankful to all of you. I hope the end doesn't disappoint you, and that we'll be able to meet in another story later! Thank you for riding the gloomy rollercoaster with me, see you next time! <( ^^)7-stoodoverdaline.