I LOVE YOU SO
Chapter Twenty-two
❛ Going through this together. ❜

WHEN IT COMES to friendship, there also comes great bravery. You need all your might to gather up all the strength you have within your wonder filled body, and that use strength to protect the ones you love. It also takes a great deal of sacrifice in order for that to happen, so you can protect the future of your friends lives.

"Players, welcome to the fourth game. For this game, you will be playing in teams of two. Please look around and find someone you wish to play with. When two people agree to play together, shake hands to show you have become partners. Let me repeat the instructions . . ." At the sound of the robotic woman, everybody began to fuss around, scanning the room for a possible partner to work with.

Analysing each word, in detail, Aera's eyebrows began to furrow deeply. When two people agree to play together. "So . . . we might go up against another pair, like Yutnori or elastics, but we could go against our partner," placing her chin on top of her palm, with her elbow rested on her knee.

"You're right," nodding slowly, Sang-woo wrote down some notions within his mind, he did a double-take at Aera who sent him a pointed look, "what? I said you were right?"

"Nothing, just wanted to hear you say that twice," forcing a radiant smile on her tense face, Aera drummed her fingers on her cheek. She ignored the disapproving eye roll she got from him. Pulling her eyes away from him, her rosy lips widened and out tumbled a long and exhausted yawn."This is your fault Sae, that I'm tired," grinning wildly with a delicate hue of light pink pinching at her cheeks, Aera closed her eyes briefly as she felt the wisps of her hair being flicked away from her face.

Nudging Aera's knee by swaying her own leg towards the side, "I asked you so many times if you wanted to go to sleep you idiot," throwing her hands up, a soft chuckle fell out of Sae-byeok's lips as she glanced towards her fingers that fiddled with a long strand of Aera's unruly hair. "- I couldn't forget one thing you said though. About how you couldn't wait to go back home and sleep under the stars by the river," Sae-byeok murmured under her breath, a sly grin tried to push its way across her lips that were already holding a soft smile.

Blinking slowly, a bundle of fond emotions started to bloom within Aera's chest, "hang on, you heard all of that?" With her eyes enlarging, she pointed her index finger towards Sae-byeok, "I thought you were already asleep at that point?"

Deep into the untroubled night, when Aera was huddled against Sae-byeok's homely chest, there was a point where Sae-byeok stopped drumming her fingers delicately against Aera's back, that was when Aera believed that she fell into a deep slumber. Being unable to do so herself, Aera stayed up for the majority of the night.

Every so often Aera would hear soft snores against her ears, and it took every bit of her strength, not to, burst into heavy laughter. She'd drag her finger, very feebly against the freckles on Sae-byeok's cheeks, as if they were fragile. She tried to count each one to help her drift off into dreamland, but that didn't work. The corners of Sae-byeok's lips dared to tug upwards, her cheeks tickled from Aera's touch.

So then, when that didn't work, Aera began to let her mind do the speaking, she rambled about the different things that circled her mind, believing that Sae-byeok was still in deep sleep.

"Not really," wriggling her lips into a wider smile, Sae-byeok swallowed gingerly before cupping Aera's ear with her hands, her gentle lips hovered just next to it. "I liked the part when you said we could, hm what was it?" She teased softly with a side ways grin. "Ah!- It was hm to cuddle under the Jeju sunrise whilst eating matcha flavoured ice cream? How adorable," pulling away with her foot tapping against the surface of the stairs, Sae-byeok fixated her eyes on to her hands, trying to get rid of the pink that blossomed on her cheeks.

"Sae . . ." Stammering, being taken aback, Aera felt a rush of something undetectable going through her body, it felt warm, even though she stayed frozen, her eyes widening. Not able to take in what she just heard, she shook her head slightly, "you did not hear that," Aera hid her face within Sae-byeok's fluffy hair with bashful chuckles.

"Whatever you say."

"Promise me you didn't."

"I can't make promises I can't keep Aera."

"Kang Sae-byeok!-" Aera whined as her harmonious laughter rang melodically through Sae-byeok's ears, making them warm up, it even echoed continuously within her head as Aera's laughter decreased. A skill Sae-byeok picked up from when they used to spend all night together at the park. When Aera had to go home she'd chuckle softly whilst bringing Sae-byeok close into a shy embrace. The laugh would lock itself within a section of Sae-byeok's mind, a literal memory box full of her favourite moments with Aera.

She'd replay Aera's unique chuckle within her mind from time to time, when she needed comfort, like she was doing on the steps, as they watched people try to find a partner for the next game.

Mi-nyeo's shrill voice was the only sound that drowned out the others. ". . . And I'm stronger than most guys too. Guess what? I know how to con just about anybody I see. I'm very smart, I just never got the chance to study. Huh?" In a much more desperate manner, she scuttled towards Sang-woo who hung his head low. "Hey, let me play with you. Then I'll be your dream girl all night long-"

Aera leant her cheek against her hand, it was sort of sorrowful to see Mi-nyeo flailing about, hopelessly trying to convince the men to team up with her.

Mumbling to herself, "what happens when someone doesn't find a partner," almost colliding her temple against the raven girl's head, a deep crease formed on Aera's forehead as she thought hard about the possible outcomes.

"They probably get killed," avoiding Aera's fretful gaze, Sae-byeok swallowed fearfully, though she tried to not show it, for it would only make Aera more on edge. Sae-byeok could see how Aera picked at her nail beds apprehensively, being overwrought at the piece of information she'd just received. Not wanting Aera to end up hurting herself, with a warm hand, Sae-byeok clamped it gently on top of Aera's balled up fists, which earned her a soft glance from Aera. She returned a heartening smile, "but you won't be one of them okay? We won't."

"We don't know what the next game is. We can't be sure. What if it's dangerous to pair up?"

"Aera haven't you gathered already? This entire hellhole, is dangerous- we're going through it together, remember?"

"You're right," massaging her thumb on the surface of Sae-byeok's palm, " . . . through it together," an uneasy sigh left Aera's lips, "but I still need time to think about this, there's so many games with teams of two, with so many possible outcomes," being careful not to shake Sae-byeok's palm, the pit of her stomach churned slightly, "I can't mess this decision up."

"Okay," inclining her head slowly, "I won't be going any where though," picking off a fallen eyelash from under Aera's eye, the tip of Sae-byeok's cold nail tickled her cheek tenderly. Despite the looks they were receiving, Sae-byeok still edged closer towards Aera with a prideful grin as the speckles of light cocoa within her eyes grew vibrant the more Aera's features into focus.

Feeling a fluster of heat forming on her cheeks, Aera gradually slouched back on to the steps, her hands still blanketed by Sae-byeok's slender fingers. She stared fixedly at them, unable to conceal her timid smile, one she tried covering by fixing it into a paper thin line, but her eyes betrayed her as they glowed brighter.

Seconds ticked by and Aera's skin grew warmer, it always happened whenever Sae-byeok's soft hands were interlocked with hers, she always got a jittery emotion within her chest, making her have an urge to dance around the room with Sae-byeok by her side. Manoeuvring her knees slightly over to the side, unable to handle everything, Aera tried her hardest to focus on the bustling conversation before her, but it was exceedingly hard.

". . . Want me to choose instead, huh?"

Aera traveled her eyes on to Mi-nyeo, who was using her pointer finger to indicate her idea. For the few days she'd known Mi-nyeo, Aera had never seen a whole new degree of desperation within Mi-nyeo, she'd torn down every single one of the members' self esteem. Though, this behaviour wasn't anything new, and the players were quite used to it by now.

Aera began nibbling on the corner of her lip, half hoping that the remaining player without a partner wasn't Mi-nyeo. In spite of the fact that Mi-nyeo was irksome since Aera got into this chaos- she was still somewhat her friend.

To the left of Aera, a sort of weight from Sae-byeok's earnest gaze, was taken away from her shoulders as Sae-byeok sharply turned to face Mi-nyeo, "stop embarrassing yourself, no one will want to play with you like this." Aera watched as Sae-byeok's now darkened pupils flickered towards the others, "and you should all be honest. You don't want a girl to team up with or an old guy."

"Of course we don't. We could die," the religious man shot back. "We nearly died in the previous round. And it was Adam's rib the Lord used to make Eve after all. And that's the reason why we're choosing men."

"Oh but we didn't die, did we? That heart, God made for you, is still beating isn't it? Oh but how you say? With the help of us women, you see," gesturing indignantly at herself and the females within her team, you could almost see a flame ignite itself within Aera's pupils as she glared steadily at him, making sure it punctured his soul.

Nodding quickly at Aera with a sly grin, "as a woman, I agree with Aera," Ji-yeong clicked her tongue at the man with a slightly identical expression as Aera, "we're not playing in Eden right now."

"I'm glad someone is on the same page, would like to see some of you men have some sense too," being extremely overtaken with exasperation, Aera crossed her arms tightly, making her hands untangle from Sae-byeok's smooth ones, a huff nearly forced itself out of Aera's slightly pouted lips.

"You know what," gaining Aera's attention, a crafty smile painted across Ji-yeong's mouth, "Aera, how about we partner up together, we'll win and show them how great we are," asking with ease, the corner of her lips dragged into a side-ways smile. Though, it faltered when she felt a harsh gaze upon her, making her skin prickle uneasily, but Ji-yeong wasn't at all affected, she knew Sae-byeok would intercept.

"That would be a fantastic idea," Aera raised her eyebrows highly at the other player's and extended her palm whilst flapping her fingers, ready to take Ji-yeong's hand.

Abruptly springing up on the balls of her feet, the side of Sae-byeok's leg knocked against Ji-yeong's arm. Thus knocking Ji-yeong's hand away from Aera's in the process. A snort dared to tumble from Ji-yeong's lips as she examined the bitter expression on Sae-byeok's dulled face. She was able to chuckle slightly as Sae-byeok's back faced her.

"Uh, hold on a second," the sound of Gi-hun's quizzical voice caused Sae-byeok to halt in her tracks, guiltily his eyes casted towards the side briefly at the sight of Aera following after Sae-byeok as well, "where are you two going?"

From her peripherals, Sae-byeok could see Aera trying not to trip over her own feet. Messily, Aera snaked her arm around Sae-byeok's torso, thoughtlessly, for stability. A sort of triumphant grin tried to fight its way across Sae-byeok's lips, she would've sent Ji-yeong another indifferent glare, but she continued frown, for her eyes trained on Gi-hun, "why, you want girls?"

A weight could be felt on Gi-hun's shoulders, ones that caused them to droop as he was unable to answer the question, Aera's dejected glance didn't help his guilt at all. He exhaled slowly, his eyes wondering towards the other team members.

"Maybe he'll change his mind," mumbling beside Sae-byeok with a slight frown. Aera shrugged slowly, she trailed her eyes back towards Gi-hun who was standing alone, the sides of her mouth lowered even more, worry filled her eyes. Aera definitely didn't want Gi-hun to be the only player without a partner either.

Sensing the silence that blanketed both her and Sae-byeok, Aera flickered her eyes over towards Sae-byeok, her hand shaking Sae-byeok's side slightly to gain her focus. "Sae?" They stopped by the side of the blank room, one that was closest to the exit. Blinking slowly and stopping in front of Sae-byeok, "hey," Aera asked once more with her hands gripping lightly on the taller girl's shoulders, "what's on your mind?"

There was a more despondent aspect to Sae-byeok's expression, than an angry one. Twiddling with a strand of Aera's hair, she tilted her head, her eyes slightly somber, "thought we were going through this together," lifting her shoulders up slowly then bringing them down, Sae-byeok forced a grin before scanning the area. "Doesn't matter though," shoving Aera's palm lightly from her shoulders with stiff and distant eyes, "it's your decision."

Angling her head to the side, Aera thought hard, before landing her eyes on Ji-yeong, who ambled next to her with a nonchalant expression. A flitter of realisation flew by Aera's dark eyes, "oh- you thought-" Closing her eyes and shaking her head whilst stretching her lips into a tiny grin, "we are Sae," Aera chuckled softly.

Holding a breath, "then why did you-" Sae-byeok bit on her tongue to stop herself from speaking any further, she subtly rolled her eyes with a tight lipped frown at the sight of Ji-yeong staring expectantly at her.

"Why did I what," tugging on Sae-byeok's sleeve, Aera pulled her eyebrows together, she bit on the inside of her cheek anxiously, her eyes flickering between both Sae-byeok's dark eyes, not know what she did wrong.

Trying to shake away the fact that Aera held out her hand to someone she only knew for a week, Sae-byeok darted her eyes away and shoved her hands into her pockets, "don't worry," she murmur. Glancing towards the digital clock, "we've got four minutes, have you made your decision yet?" Asking softly, rocking on her heels slowly in apprehension as she awaited for Aera's answer, Sae-byeok avoided Ji-yeong's eyes.

"What decision again?"

"The decision," a hint of doubt entered Sae-byeok's voice. Gesturing with her hand in a circular motion, "are we going through this together, or not," her tone grew flat, as she watched Aera's shoulders fall.

"Right . . ." Swallowing thickly and running a palm across her cheek, Aera rubbed a hand across her right arm, clearly uneasy about the decision she wanted to make. Sae-byeok narrowed her eyes at this, her chest tightened for she could feel what answer Aera was about to choose. "I do want to go through this with you-"

"Then what's holding you back," trying to maintain a serene exterior with an unwavering tone, it wasn't really possible for a trace of dejection entered Sae-byeok's voice. Her palms gripped onto Aera's shoulders lightly, almost desperately, as she tried to reason Aera into battling the dangers ahead with her.

"It's just," holding her chin a little higher, "there's a chance that, as pairs,we could go against other pairs. I don't want to be going against either one of you. It doesn't matter how we partner up. There's always going to be one of us, who might end up going against the other two." Covering her top lip with her bottom lip, Aera retreated, a peaceful smile finding its way across her face.

"Smart thinking Aera," tapping her foot lightly against the hard floor, Ji-yeong sent Aera a sideways grin with prideful eyes, she then moved her shoulder to the side and stuck out her foot with raised eyebrows, "well then I vote to leave-"

Swaying slightly, Aera reached out and gently gripped her fingers on to Ji-yeong's cottony sleeve, "no, you're staying," she sighed shakily.

"What?" Spinning on her heels to face Aera, a glimmer of fury flashed by Sae-byeok's eyes as they hardened, "what are you doing," shaking Aera's shoulders with a light force, Sae-byeok's expression fell in disbelief, "you said we'd go through this together?" Fiddling with Aera's collar, she tucked her bottom lip under her top teeth as she exhaled slowly, "we can't if . . ," shutting her eyes gently before opening them again, "we can't if we're not even partnered up."

Aera's eyes glazed over with tears, she pushed the sides of her lips upwards, trying to conceal her doubt. "Just trust me on this," training her eyes deep within Sae-byeok's distressed pupils, "it makes me feel better that you two are safe, together."

"Have you lost your mind?" Sae-byeok urged faintly, her voice wavered over Aera's decision. She tried her hardest not to break her tough front, she feared that if she did, the hurt wracking within her chest would ruin her completely. "You said, that there might be a chance that . . . the two of us could kill one of us."

"Yeah," Aera straightened her stance, a whole new level of courage settled within her pupils, "exactly."

"- Then why are you leaving," gritting her teeth tightly together, Sae-byeok sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes dashing all over Aera's solemn features. Slowing her breath, "won't that make you the one to-" Sae-byeok's pulse was beating rapidly, she released her loose grip on Aera's shoulders.

"Or it could be the other way around, and one of us could kill the two of us- but I won't let that happen."

Frequently blinking and combing through her hair hastily, Sae-byeok gingerly crossed her arms, trying to force the large lump that formed within her throat, downwards.

"Shit then . . ." Ji-yeong piped in with her bottom lip covering her too teeth, eyebrows furrowed, "I can leave. If I'm up against you two, I'll make sure you guys win, whatever it takes."

"Don't," Aera demanded and widened her eyes at the sight of Ji-yeong strolling away, "I want to leave, for all of us." Dragging her sincere eyes onto Sae-byeok's firm expression, "please just . . ." Aera sighed heavily, "just trust me," was all Aera could mumble whilst being under Sae-byeok's strong gaze.

"Fine."

"Really?"

Wiping at her nose, swiftly, with the back of her palm, Sae-byeok couldn't train her eyes on Aera for more than a second. "You're right but . . . we might not even go up against each other," but we could, Sae-byeok's gloomy thoughts thrashed around within her skull. Unable to master a proper reply, not even a forced smile, her jaw stayed clenched, ". . . you better survive," she stated as the surface of her tongue tasted salty with her lone tears that touched it, "I don't want to lose you again."

"Sae, I wouldn't even dream of leaving you again, and I won't get bored of saying this because I-"

"I mean it Aera," the white around Sae-byeok's pupils were tinted pink, making the dark rings under her eyes more clearer.

"You won't . . . I promise Sae," keeping a brave face, Aera tried to make her voice more determined sounding, but it trembled with uncertainty.

A rough and noisy silence blanketed over them. Aera opened her mouth to speak whilst spinning on her heel to face Ji-yeong, but the shorter girl with honey brown highlights beat her to it, "I only trust you because you're my trustworthy partner, Hwang Aera."

"And I trust you because you're my trustworthy partner," nodding with a soft smile illuminating on her friendly face, Aera continued, "good friends always have each other's back, and I just know we'll always do that, after all, we are good friends, are we not?"

"We're not good," lifting her sunny smile higher, making her chin elevate higher, "we're great, if not better," Ji-yeong lifted up a fist up half-way into the air, with a jolly grin, "go kick some asses Aera, best of luck!" She waved her arm slightly in an encouraging manner.

"Thank you!- Oh and I want to see you alive and well after this, you got me? Best of luck, my trustworthy partner," with a buoyant smile that never faltered on Aera's determined face, she also matched Ji-yeong's gesture and brought a fist up beside her, swinging in the same way Ji-yeong did.

Tightening her jaw, Sae-byeok interrupted the wholesome interaction, "Aera you should try and find someone now, before time runs out." Finding it easier to keep her back turned on Aera, every tissue within Sae-byeok's heart was telling her to partner up with Aera, but she had to respect Aera's decision. After all, Aera did make up a good theory for the next game- they just had to hope that they weren't going up against each other.

"Want to do this?"

Aera could hear Ji-yeong's friendly voice echo behind her, a gentle smile made its way across Aera's face at this, knowing that Ji-yeong and Sae-byeok were safe together. A sense of loneliness dawned over Aera's shoulders as she roamed around the white room. Many of the players were already in pairs, prepared to battle against the upcoming danger together.

She constantly reassured herself that she was making a good decision, just like all the other decisions she made. Though, as mentioned in the very first paragraph: when it comes to friendship, there also comes great bravery. You need all your might to gather up all the strength you have within your wonder filled body, and use that strength to protect the ones you love.

It also takes a great deal of sacrifice in order for that to happen, so you can protect the future of your friends lives.

( 3888 words )

DEAR ALL,

I hope this chapter made sense, basically Sae and Ji-yeong are still going to play the marble game together, and even though Aera isn't playing with Sae, there's going to be the same amount of angst! So don't worry, there's still angst and a chance for you to cry‼️

Update: I finished writing the marble chapter- screaming, crying, throwing tables😩

WITH LOVE, SYLVIA