4 Chapter 3

"Come in," Chaeyeon pushed the door of her room open. She stepped aside and gestured for Sakura to enter. She stopped herself from sniffing audibly when Sakura passed smelling like a cherry blossom, living up to her name.

She loves that about Sakura, especially when she hugs her. It made her want to prolong their hug everytime—well aside from Sakura's warmth and softness—Sakura really does smells good. The first time she went inside Sakura's bathroom, she had looked for her shampoo. She found a cherry blossom bath wash instead and and a floral shampoo.

"Tidy as always, I see." Sakura commented as she glance around the room. She cleanly placed her backpack on the table near the door knowing Chaeyeon would scold her if she just threw it carelessly like she always does.

Chaeyeon set her bag beside hers before removing her shoes. Sakura saw it and began following her. She searches the organized shoe rack and smiled when she saw the shark plush slippers. They had bought it together a month ago. It looked new as she slips on, then she glanced at Chaeyeon who plodded to the kitchen wearing the match.

"I'll cook for you today." Chaeyeon winked at Sakura and began washing the frying pan. Sakura sat at the stool facing Chaeyeon. Their dorm is the exact copy.

"What will you cook?" Sakura asked as she rest her elbows on the table top then her cheeks on her hands. When Chaeyeon glanced at her, she almost melted at Sakura's cuteness. She resisted the urge to kiss her best friend's forehead.

"Have you had tteokbokki before?"

Sakura shook her. "I haven't completely explored Korean delicacies yet. I'll be honored to have you introduce it to me." She smiled and fluttered her eyes adoringly at Chaeyeon.

Chaeyeon wasn't able to resist this time as she lean forward to plant a soft kiss on Sakura's forehead. "Sit still, look pretty."

"Omo! This is really good! Especially with more cheese." Sakura shoved probably her 50th spoon—or should I say chopstick—in her mouth. "And hotdog never tasted this excellent before! Hmm!"

Chaeyeon sat beside her and watches in amusement. "I think you're exaggerating a little bit, Saku-chan."

Sakura took another bite. "I'm not!" Then she placed her chopsticks down. "I want to eat more, but sadly I'm so full I feel like I'll explode any minute."

Chaeyeon took her plate and put it on the sink. If Sakura will eat like this everytime she cooks, then she would gladly do it everyday with no complaints. A smile made its way on her face when she checked out her satisfied best friend rubbing her stomach with her eyes closed. "Drink some water." She produces a glass of water and placed it in front of Sakura before washing the dishes.

"Now I'm thinking you should have joined the culinary. But then your dance skill would be wasted," said Sakura. She thought when Chaeyeon was cooking, that it was like watching her dance. Her best friend is really easy on the eye, she can watch her all day long. But she prefers watching her dance rather than cook. Whoever she falls for would be very lucky. She thought as she observe Chaeyeon wipe the plates. The woman looked up and sent her a blinding smile. Sakura felt her heart skipped a beat and immediately like earlier, she pressed her hand on it.

She shot up from her chair. "I just remembered, I—uhh gotta go. Thanks for feeding me, I... I'm sorry for leaving so abrupt. See you later, Jjae." She grabbed her bag on the way to the door and left.

Chaeyeon stared at her door, bewildered. Then her eyes landed on the shoe rack. She grinned, took Sakura's shoes---actually her shoes—and waited for Sakura. Several seconds later, someone knocked on the door. She opened it, revealing Sakura, looking ashamed.

"Forgot something, I assume?" Chaeyeon asked with a hint of tease in her voice. Sakura hanged her head down in shame. Chaeyeon giggled when she saw how red her best friend's ears have become. "Here," she handed her shoes to Sakura. "You can borrow it as long as you want."

Chaeyeon watched Sakura changed her footwear. Imagining how cute it must be to see Sakura walking outside with those plush slippers. She giggled again and Sakura looked up to her this time.

"What?"

"You're really cute you know. I won't ask why you had to leave abruptly but let me hug you before you go." Chaeyeon opened her arms and waited for her best friend.

Sakura finished doing her shoelaces and stepped into Chaeyeon's arm, wrapping her own around Chaeyeon's waist. She immediately buried her face on the crook of Chaeyeon's neck, it became a habit of hers, a mannerism rather. Sakura wouldn't tell anyone, especially Chaeyeon, but it was her favorite place in the world. When Chaeyeon started pulling back, she resisted prolonging the embrace.

"See you when I see you?" Chaeyeon whispered. Sakura only nodded as she let go of Chaeyeon.

"Bye, Saku-chan..."

"Bye, Jjaeyeon..." but Sakura didn't move an inch. Chaeyeon tilted her head to the side and hummed in a questioning way. Sakura didn't know why her body won't move either. She can, but something's stopping her. She wants something, but she lacks the courage to ask for it. She looked down. Just go Sakura, she ordered herself. She looked down to focus, because Chaeyeon's cute tilted head is distracting her.

"Saku-chan? Is something wrong? Did you forget anything else?" Chaeyeon grabbed Sakura's arms.

Maybe, it was telekinesis. BFF connection, perhaps. Or maybe Chaeyeon just really knows her. Sakura don't know. She doesn't know how Chaeyeon had guessed what her body wanted, what she, herself, doesn't know she wanted.

"Did I... forget something?" Amusement oozed from Chaeyeon's voice and it made her look up. Then she felt soft lips on her forehead that left Sakura stunned. "Still not satisfied?" Chaeyeon asked then leaned once again to place a kiss on Sakura's right cheek.

Sakura can feel her face burning. She noticed that she had placed her palms on Chaeyeon's collarbone. "I'm...fine, o...okay now. I—I...uhh."

"How about me, Saku-chan?" Chaeyeon asked. Sakura looked at her quizzically before noticing her best friend's pink cheeks. Chaeyeon is blushing as well, Sakura realized. Somehow, it sparked courage inside her. Pushing on her toes, she planted a kiss on Chaeyeon's forehead. When she pulled back, Chaeyeon's pink cheeks pops out from her paleness. Sakura giggled and pulled away.

"Goodbye, for reals this time." Sakura is aware of her huge smile but didn't think too much about it. She accepted happiness inside her. She turned around and started walking away.

She heard a whisper, "Goodbye, Saku-chan. Saranghae."

She pressed her palm on her chest. Her heart pounded fast against it and she let it happen this time.

*****

Chaeyeon sat on the floor. Checked the time on the wall clock then stared at the door of the studio. Sakura was late. It was passed time her usual Sakura breakfast delivery. Chaeyeon started to worry. Maybe Sakura overslept or she was just really busy. They had been texting each other yesterday Sunday, it was all well between them. Sakura possibly forgot to inform her of her busy schedule. Anyways, Chaeyeon stood up and began practicing the routine she will be performing two weeks from now. She still held hope that Sakura would come.

"Are you okay?" Momo asked during five minute break. Sakura didn't come. Chaeyeon texted her but she didn't reply either, now she started worrying.

"I'm fine unnie, just haven't had something to eat."

Eunbi appeared out of nowhere. "Omo. Sakura didn't bring you breakfast today?"

Saying out loud somehow made Chaeyeon sadder. She sighed and gulped water from her jug. She tried giving light to the situation. Sakura might be busy she forgot to text Chaeyeon that she won't be bringing her a breakfast. Or maybe Sakura is still sleeping up to now. Chaeyeon hoped she's fine, and would wait patiently for her.

Lunch came. Chaeyeon went to the cafeteria with Eunbi and Momo. It was crowded but they manage to find a seat near the entrance. She examined the room, looking for her best friend's dark red hair. She blurted out a random meal when Momo had asked her what she wanted before proceeding to glance around the cafeteria. She did that until the food arrived. She was obviously dismayed.

"Can't find Sakura?" Eunbi asked as she sit beside Chaeyeon.

Chaeyeon nodded and regarded the Bulgogi in front of her. At least, she didn't requested something crazy. She sighed and began eating. Even having eaten nothing for breakfast she wasn't really hungry. She pulled her phone from her pocket and brightened when she saw one message.

She unlocks her phone and immediately disappointment washes over her.

JoYul: How are you unnie? Miss you :* When can we see you again?

Chaeyeonnie: After this semester maybe, I miss you too Yuri-ah. How's Yena?

Chaeyeon put her phone down and decided to finished her meal first. Even though Sakura's not there, she knows the girl wouldn't want her to starve.

On the way back to the studio, she checks her phone again.

JoYul: That duck? Still annoying as ever, she denied eating my cheese but I saw her took it. Jinjja :3 She should be thankful I love her.

Chaeyeonnie: Kekeke I'm sure she is. Tell her I said, "Just ask for the cheese next time, Yuri-ah might give it to you, add a kiss for extra measure."

She pocketed her phone and when she glanced up she saw Chaewon about to turn around the corner. She rushes to the girl, leaving Eunbi and Momo. "Chaewon!"

Chaewon stopped in her tracks and looked back at Chaeyeon. She brightened with recognition. "Chaeyeon-unnie!" She enveloped Chaeyeon in a hug when the woman got closer. She became a fan of Chaeyeon after watching her dance.

"Hello. How are you?" Chaeyeon briefly hugged her back before pulling away.

Chaewon waved over Chaeyeon's shoulder before answering her, "I'm doing well. I'm free for today."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. But unfortunately not on Saturday. The teacher allowed Sakura-unnie and I to catch up, since she's absent today." Chaewon pouted. "Poor unnie, she got sick all of a sudden."

"Sick!?" Chaeyeon exclaimed and Chaewon jumped on her spot.

Momo and Eunbi emerged behind Chaeyeon and greeted Chaewon who didn't reply, still in shock because Chaeyeon's frenzy.

"Perhaps, you didn't know?" Chaewon asked in a wavering voice. She gave the other two unnies a strained smile.

Chaeyeon softened and gentled her voice. "I'm sorry for scaring you, Chaewon. But did you just say, Sakura is sick?"

"Ne... she's sick. I visited her room because she didn't show up earlier morning for ingredients gathering." Chaewon appeared less tense and gave Momo and Eunbi a proper greeting.

"I see," Chaeyeon mumbled.

Momo placed her hand over Chaeyeon's shoulder and squeezed to grab Chaeyeon's attention. When the woman turned to her with apprehensive look on her face, Momo tried her best to give her a reassuring smile. "Go take care of Sakura-san for the rest of the day. I'll give a sensible reason to Hyoyeon-seonsaeng. Right, Eunbi?"

Eunbi nodded and copied Momo's reassuring smile. "Go!"

Chaeyeon didn't need to be told twice, she jogged away. She fished out her phone from her pocket.

JoYul: I'll forward that to her, but I don't know if I'll be able to give her the cheese even if she asks nicely.

Chaeyeonnie: Oh Yuri-ah, I know you can't resist Yena.

To Saku-chan

Chaeyeon-chan: Expect me at your door in ten minutes.

Chaeyeon transitioned from jogging to running. First, she have to buy all of the medicine Sakura might need. "Saku-chan, wait for me!"

Sakura smiled as she place her phone beside her. She tried fixing her hair but decided it was no use. She hoped Chaeyeon would let her messy look pass because of her sickness. But the want to look good for Chaeyeon never went away. She sighed and rested her hand on her chest. She had them placed there before but she noticed the difference. She's really lucky to have Chaeyeon. Would I be luckier if... I'm the one she falls for? She thought. No, don't be ridiculous.

Their friendship is the best thing she has in this world, and she can't possibly ruin it for her selfish feelings.

She sighed and waited for Chaeyeon while listening to the pound of her heart.