itotoro

Sooyoung has only started driving—really driving, not those random drills at driving school—for the better of two months. It's a function of their unpredictable schedule and Sooyoung's general aversion to taking risks, but with budget cuts and Chaewon's silent insistence, Sooyoung found herself finally taking the plunge.

That doesn't stop her from freaking out when she almost cuts too close to the car in front of them. She curses as she steps on the break. Jinsol is used to it already.

Red light. Sooyoung takes a breather.

“Still good?” Jinsol asks.” We can stop for a gas break—”

“We're stopping nearer the city.”

“Well. How about hot chocolate? You can take a left here—”

“Can it wait?” Sooyoung grits her teeth. Green light. She puts her foot on the gas, careful not to rear-end the car in front of her.

“It can.” Jinsol shrugs in Sooyoung's periphery. “How about a drive-through coffee? Hundred meters. Plenty of time to think.”

Sooyoung considers. “Just drive-through?”

“It should have a parking lot.” She can hear the grin in Jinsol's voice. “And, well, we're twenty minutes ahead of schedule. I bet Haseul's limo is still far behind.”

“Sold. Tell me where.”

Jinsol guides Sooyoung to a coffee shop a little off the road.

A quick check of the rearview mirror shows Hyunjin fast asleep, with Hyeju dozing off on Chaewon's shoulder. Which is expected; the members with energy to burn went for Haseul's chauffeured limo and its built-in Karaoke machine.

So Sooyoung waits in the car as Jinsol grabs coffee for two. It doesn't take too long; Jinsol returns to the parking lot and takes the passenger seat, two cups in one hand as she closes the door with the other.

“How was the line?” asks Sooyoung.

“None, actually. Just took some time with the menu.” Jinsol hands her a cup. I got you a spiced choco latte.”

Sooyoung takes a sip. Just the right zing to wake her up. “Not bad.”

“After all that time I spent choosing the perfect one for you?” Jinsol scoffs. “Stingy.”

“Thanks, Sol.”

Jinsol grins to herself. “You look like you needed it, you nervous wreck.”

In the guise of sipping coffee Sooyoung lets her sight linger as Jinsol sips from her own cup.

Them, alone like this—something feels different after that night at the beach. With Sooyoung inebriated and sitting closer than she usually would, and Jinsol draping her prized blanket over Sooyoung's shoulders. Jinsol giggling in her ear and Sooyoung liking the closeness.

Before sleeping that night Jinsol kissed her cheek. Sooyoung wanted more.

After that was one last day at the beach with neither of them bringing up what happened.

“You want some?” Jinsol is looking at her, cup held out in offering. There's some of it haphazardly on her lips. “It's good.”

Sooyoung finds herself wiping it, thumb lingering on the corner of Jinsol's mouth before she pulls her hand away.

Jinsol's eyes are wide. “What?”

Sooyoung takes a long sip of coffee. It stings.

Jinsol is staring at her, mouth agape.

“You like me, don't you?”

Sooyoung almost spits her coffee back into the cup.

“I think you do.” Jinsol's words speed up. “You wouldn't do that for any of the other members.”

Red light. “I totally would—”

“No you wouldn't.” Jinsol is smug. “And here I was thinking you wanted to forget what happened at the beach.”

Sooyoung blinks. “Huh?”

“I kissed your cheek. Because I like you.” Jinsol wiggles her eyebrows. “And you like me too.”

Sooyoung's thoughts are moving past the speed limit. “You meant that?”

“Of course I did. I thought you turned me down.” Jinsol still has coffee on her lips. “You owe me for that, by the way. Give me a kiss.”

“You are so weird.”

Jinsol closes her eyes. “I'm waiting.”

Green light. Sooyoung takes the risk before embarrassment can take over, and presses her lips to Jinsol's.

It tastes like vanilla. She pulls away. A quick check of the rearview mirror shows Hyunjin still fast asleep, with Hyeju and Chaewon's eyes wide open.

“Spiced chocolate.” Jinsol grins. “Not bad.”

Sooyoung feels like she just got rear-ended. “God—”

Jinsol kisses her again, with more. She pulls away with a smile that Sooyoung still feels on her lips. “I'll go get them coffee.”

Actually, tonight isn't different from any of the previous nights. Heejin is still busking by the fountain of the local park, she's still raising funds for the at-risk-of-closing dog shelter, and people are still passing her by. There's just a couple thousand Won in her guitar case but there's still enough time for optimism before guards chase her out.

Tonight is a little better; Heejin's diaphragm is holding up as she belts the notes to her favorite Ariana Grande song, and she nails the guitar solo she practiced over the weekend. The auntie who stops to listen once in a while asks if she had dinner, which is still wrapped in eco-friendly wax paper.

A middle-aged man tosses a half-used box of cigarettes into her case. Heejin sings a little louder. Not the worst thing thrown into her case; maybe she can sell them to Jeno for some extra funds.

Then someone sings along to Heejin's song.

Heejin's fingers fumble on the fret of her guitar. It dulls the sound of the strumming but Heejin's attention is focused on the easy lilt of the woman's voice. Perfect harmonizing, notes easing into Heejin's rapidly slowing performance.

Her eyes meet the woman's: a stranger her age, dressed for the cool evening, in her hand a 5000 Won bill that she throws into Heejin's guitar case right before picking up the box of cigarettes. Which she then proceeds to crush in her fist.

Heejin's hands freeze over the strings of her guitar. “Uh.”

“You're really good.” The woman smiles, and it should be cute, but it's threatening when the cigarette box in her fist shrinks to the thickness of an apple pen. “Do you have a blog? Or a soundcloud?”

Heejin is also bad at stranger conversation. “Uh, no.” Then she adds a little more because the woman in front of her looks like she's expecting a longer answer. “I'm just raising funds for the dog shelter in Gibong-ro”

“Wow, you're so kind! And pretty too.” The woman glances at the cigarette box. “But these are bad for your vocal cords and the environment—”

“Oh no,” Heejin cuts. “I don't smoke. Someone just threw that in—”

“Threw it in? That's so weird!” The woman exaggerates a frown, catching Heejin by surprise.

It makes her laugh. “It's not the weirdest thing my guitar case has seen.”

“Oh, I can only imagine.” As easy as the woman frowns she laughs, loud and unapologetic. Endearing. She tucks the cigarette box into her pocket before extending a hand to Heejin. “I'm Jiwoo. I have a train to catch, but I'd really love to hear you sing again.”

Heejin takes her hand. The bits of tobacco and the warmth of her palm add to the handshake experience. “I'm Heejin. You sang well.” Then she adds a little more, keeping Jiwoo's hand in hers. “I'll be here tomorrow, if you want to sing along again. It'll liven up my usual busking routine.”

Jiwoo smiles, and it makes Heejin feel a little optimistic. “I'd love that.”