Nineteen - Season Finale

Season Finale Part 1

Days went by smoothly between Siren and Yujin. Though sometimes they're still awkward with each other, their relationship has become more stable and so far hidden from everyone.

"There's only a week left before the school year ends," Yujin comments while they are walking holding hands to go home.

"That fast? I didn't notice it."

She nods slowly. "Yeah. I really hope we could be classmates next school year."

"Hmmm. Are you sure about that?"

"H-ha? Of course! Why... You don't want to?" Yujin's words trailed off a bit with a hint of sadness.

"It's not that I don't want to." Siren answers with assurance and squeezed her hand gently. "It's just that... I'm afraid that I might not control myself."

"Ha?"

"You know, like hugging you or... Kissing you."

As if on cue, Yujin's face turns bright red making her laugh.

"I'm just kidding. Of course, I won't kiss you in public. Maybe I'll just hug you."

"But... Won't they notice it?"

Siren shrugs her shoulder. "I guess it's fine now."

"But..."

"They can speculate all they want. As long as we don't say or confirm anything, everything they say will remain as rumors." She takes a quick glance at her and smiles. "So, you don't have to worry."

She nods an answer; her face showing satisfaction. It's true that hiding a relationship is hard and can be unfair but she knows that what they're doing is just right. The fewer people know, the more calm and quiet it will be.

"By the way, what will you be doing this weekend? Wanna go on a date?"

Yujin's face lights up with the mention of the word 'date' but it immediately wears off when she remembered she had a commitment that day.

"Oh, you can't?" She asked when she noticed her facial expression darkening. She nods slowly. "Why?"

"One of our teachers gave us a test so I have to study for it."

Siren grunts. "Can't they give us a break?"

"I'm sorry..."

"It's fine." They finally stop at the intersection where they'll be going their separate ways. "You want me to send you home?"

"No, It's fine. It's already getting late."

She chuckles and pinches her cheek lightly. "Can't you get a hint?"

"Ha?"

"What I'm trying to say is, I wanted to stay a little longer with you. But I guess you don't want that so..." Siren purposely hangs her words and turns around when Yujin grabs her arm and whispers.

"T-then can you send me home?"

"Again with the whispering. I told you, my hearing is kind of bad. Speak more loudly." She bridges the gap between them making the distance a bit too close for comfort.

"Is... Is it really okay for me to cling like this?" Yujin still keeps on whispering, but only enough for Siren to hear.

"I should be the one to ask you that since I'm the one who clings on to you."

"Of course it's okay! I... I Like it."

A smile forms on her lips as she lifts her head and went even closer. "Then, I like it too. So, don't stop clinging to me."

Yujin instinctively closes her eyes as she could feel Siren's warm mouth against hers. The kiss was short but meaningful.

"W-we're in public..."

"So? There's no one around." Siren reaches up to her hand again. "Let's go. It's getting late."

"Okay..."

"By the way, do you want to study at my house this weekend?"

Yujin nods, looking like a child given candy. "Yes!"

"Then, I'll see you on the weekend."

-

A loud scream disrupts Siren from what she's doing. She turns around and sees her sister, Sorelle standing in front of her door as if frightened by something. She ignores her while shaking her head and goes back to cleaning her room.

"Are you sick? Or is it the end of the world? What is going on here?" Sorelle asked on exaggeration as she watch her sister doing the impossible.

"You're so noisy! Get out of my room!" She pushes her lightly to reach her closet.

"No! I must document this!" She screams once more before she reaches for the phone in her jogging pants and started recording Siren. "This might never happen again!"

"What the?! Stop it!! What the hell?!" Siren covers her face using her hands as she tries to avoid her sister from appearing in the camera.

"C'mon, say Hi!"

"No!"

"Why are you cleaning, anyway? What made you do the impossible?"

Siren clicked her tongue. "A friend will come over." She rolls her eyes when Sorelle gasps loudly.

"You have a friend?! Wow!"

"Shut up!"

"That's news! What kind of person would be friends with you?"

She stands up straight and puts both of her hands on her waist, her eyebrows almost meeting with annoyance.

"If you're planning on pestering me like that and not helping me then go away! You do not help at all!"

Sorelle laughs loudly before putting the phone back into her jogging pants. "Of course, I'll help you! Will she stay here for dinner? I should cook something."

"Nah. I think we'll be done before it gets dark."

"Let her stay for dinner!"

And after much debate and argument, they finally come up to the conclusion of inviting Yujin to stay for dinner and not scare her and tell crazy and embarrassing stories about her. She plops down on the bed, completely exhausted from cleaning but satisfied with the outcome. She could imagine the sparkles in her room as she look around.

'I should do this more often.'

Her eyes got fixed on the wall, where her accessories are. It includes hairpins, lanyards, and headbands.

One particular headband catches her attention. It was the headband they bought when they went to the amusement park with the others.

Peach's face shows up on her mind, all smiles wearing the mickey mouse headband. The wind blows slowly adding to the dramatic effect. Siren sits up and looks away, her heartbeat faster and crazier.

'No.'

She shakes her head violently to erase that thought and to calm herself up. She really hates this kind of reaction whenever she thinks of Peach.

Sorelle's loud voice calling her to eat dinner finally distracts her. She thanked her silently as she went outside, glancing at the headband one more time.

-

Saturday

Yujin comes after lunch, looking all cute wearing her jumper and pink sweatshirt underneath it, her hair neatly tied up with a bunny hairpin to the side. Siren welcomes her warmly and introduces her to Sorelle, who, in her confusion, is all dressed up. And when she asked why, all she answered was, "I have to look good to your friend! The first impression matters, you know?"

Afraid of her sister doing or saying anything against her, she immediately sends Yujin to her room.

"Be comfortable and sit anywhere you like. I'll prepare snacks for us so wait here." She quickly gets out and grabs food before her sister could say anything and rushes back to her room. Yujin sits on the edge of the bed looking all timid and polite.

"Are you okay? You look so tense."

"Y-yeah. I'm fine..." She places the tray on her study table and sits beside her. "Your sister is really pretty..."

She snorts and grins. "Don't let her hear that."

Yujin chuckles lightly at her response. "You seem to be really close with her."

"Yeah. I have no choice. Our parents left us when we were young so we only have each other to depend on." She smiles and holds her hand upon seeing her reaction. "Don't worry. I'm okay. I actually never got the chance to meet them so it's not that-"

Her words were interrupted when Yujin hugged her. Siren hugs her back, memorizing her sandalwood scent.

"I'm here... I'm here and I'll make you happy so that you will never feel sad anymore."

She smiles as she hugs her tighter, burying her face in her neck. "Thank you. I'm happy... Thanks to all of you, especially to you."

"Siren..."

"Hmmm?"

"I love you..."

Her smile fades but she didn't let go of the hug. She feels comfortable like she always does this but a part of her feels sad and disappointed.

'Why can't I say it back?'

Her eyes once again glimpsed that thing and right there and then, she got her answer on why she can't say it back.

'I'm sorry for being so selfish, Yujin.'

- - -

"Shall we do this again, Jin?"

Siren asked as they are walking towards Yujin's house.

"Is it okay?"

Siren let out a chuckle. "You really can't get a hint, huh?"

"Huh?" Her eyes widen as she gets what Siren means. "Yeah, let's do this every week."

"That's my girl."

Silence.

"Siren..."

"Hmmm?"

"Can you say it?"

They both stop walking, the alley is quite dark with only the lamppost giving them light.

"What is?"

"That you... Like me?"

Siren stared at her, unable to do so.

'It's just three words, is that so hard?'

Siren reached up and slowly lift her chin to give her a slow, and sensual kiss.

'C'mon, Siren. Say it.'

She closed her eyes tightly, and one person came up to her mind.

'I'm sorry...'

"I like you."

Siren opened her eyes to see Yujin almost in tears. Before she could say anything, she envelops her in an embrace.

"Let's go. It's getting late."

To be continued in Part 2.