"Hey, cavity. Wake up!"

Hyejoo poked the panda by the cheeks as the girl remained unresponsive, continuing her deep slumber whilst completely ignoring the sulking wolf.

The older girl clicked her tongue as her hands crossed in annoyance, "I'm going to pull your teeth out if you don't wake up," Hyejoo threatened.

Silence.

"I'm dead serious, Kang Hyeri."

Ah yes, full name. It is surely a good time to obey what she wants you to do. If not; better pack your bags and keep some prayers with you.

Getting called by her full name, Hyeri grunted as she stretched her arms and limbs out with whines heard around the room, "God please, what do you want from me?! And here I thought I get to spend this day all alone with no one annoying me nor disturbing me."

"Well, you're a clown. That's for sure. You expect no one to give you a day off from all the teasing and bickering? In this house, nobody gets to live their life peacefully," scoffed the wolf, giving the younger girl the judging eyes she gives everyone.

Hyeri can't help but nod her head in much agreement. What the older stated were mere facts she or anyone can't avoid.

Heaving a deep sigh, she inquires, "First, cavity and now clown? Seriously? Is that the best nickname you got for me?" Hyeri sat up as she crossed her arms.

Her hands seemingly reached for a nearby pillow as she threw it to the other girl in which Hyejoo swiftly caught it by her bare hands.

Ignoring the random antics made by the younger girl, Hyejoo grumbled, "Cavity suits you. You're like a candy, sweet and addicting but when you eat too much it'll give you a toothache."

"And how does that suit me? What did I even do to you?" Hyeri gave her a puzzled look, one eyebrow quirked up.

The innocent look on the panda's face almost made Hyejoo burst out into a bitter laugh but she decided not to as it will only make things more confusing for the younger girl.

"You're a clown judging by what you think; totally screams clownery," Hyejoo responded, ignored the girl's endless questions again.

Hyejoo crossed her arms, a proud smirk fully displayed on her face. As for the younger Hye, well, she just looked at her with an annoyed and tired face.

Smacking the girl by the butt, Hyejoo ordered, "I want you out from bed and fully dressed in five minutes. I'll be meeting you outside, hurry up or I'll nonstop throw snowballs on your face."

The wolf was in a hurry considering the fact that no one knew they were heading out.

Well, you could say Gowon was a part of this. After all the convincing and a bunch of negotiations, Gowon agreed to help Hyejoo with her plan.

The mission of escaping the dorm was a success as Gowon held a thumbs up from the door, watching the two Hye make a beeline for the building's exit.

Gowon heaved out a deep sigh before looking at the other girls who were busy with what they are doing, "I guess I have to ready my script for what I will say to Jinsoul later."

—

"Where are we going? Aren't we going to eat samgyeopsal?" There goes another set of questions. Hyeri clinged onto the wolf's arm, slightly shaking them convincing Hyejoo to respond.

The older gave her a stank face, "When did I say that?" Hyeri expected the reaction and so she cackled, earning another weird look from the girl beside her.

Hyejoo thinks she's far too cheery for eight o'clock in the morning. It's not like she isn't used to it so she just shrugged her shoulders to the panda.

"I heard you whisper it on my ear hoping that it would wake me up and it did!"

"It's too early to eat samgyeopsal," the wolf informed.

Hyejoo pushed the girl slightly away from her to maintain social distance but held the younger's hand tightly in case anything happens.

The girl held back tighter, surprising the older a little but as Hyejoo looked at Hyeri, she realized that the panda was doing it platonically.

Hyejoo mentally facepalmed and told herself not to expect anything from Hyeri anymore.

"As much as I love surprises, I hate waiting for the answer!" The panda whined, shaking Hyejoo's arm in a way to convince her to spill the tea.

However, Hyejoo doesn't seem to be revealing it any time by now which made Hyeri pout and didn't do anything next knowing that she'll just waste energy.

"You'll know when we get there," Hyejoo muttered, focusing at the front as they walk hand in hand.

Hyeri sighed as she gave up convincing the wolf to tell her where they are going,"I had an odd sense of deja vu just as you said that," she told.

The two Hye sat down at a bench after getting their subway tickets as they wait for their train to arrive. Hyejoo played games on her phone as a form of distraction while Hyeri curiously watched the older play, amazed at her skills.

"Hyejoo-yah."

A voice called the said girl, making Hyejoo stop playing her game as the two look at the girl beside them.

The girl looked back at them with surprised eyes. Hyeri bore her eyes towards her then gasped. Wait-- Am I looking at two Hyejoos right now?  The panda thought, still not tearing her eyes away from the person.

"Oh, eonni. What are you doing here?" Hyejoo nonchalantly replied, facing her older sister with a bored look as if not wanting to see her at all.

Hyejoo, but older, snickered at her younger sister's reply before ruffling the wolf's hair, "Had some fun with friends you don't have. What about you two? Heading somewhere?"

"Yeah, to kill boredom."

Her sister's hand went from her hair to her back as she began patting them, "Well if you guys want and have time to do so, our house is open for you two. I'm sure mom and dad would be happy to see you visit home with her, Hyejoo," she informed before winking at Hyeri, who seemed to be flushed at the moment.

Looking at how Hyeri reacted, Hyejoo bore her eyes to her sister with a stank face before smacking her hand away from her back as she smiled cheekily, "We're actually going to Uijeongbu, wanna tag along?"

Noticing the actions made and the reason behind it, the older gave Hyejoo a sly smirk, "No, thanks. I still have to go visit someone and drop these off. I'll meet you back at home."

"Alright, fool. See you around," Hyejoo's lips set in a grim line as her sister waved goodbye to them, giving the wolf another teasing look before finally walking away.

Hyeri snapped out of her trance as soon as Hyejoo 2.0 walked away, "Wait-- we're actually going to your house?" she asked, completely in disbelief.

"Am I having deja vu right now but with a different person?" The panda held her head with her hands, ruffling it as she seemed confused with the situation.

The time she spent with Jinsoul back to her hometown came flashing back as she looked at Hyejoo with a puzzled look.

"Stop ignoring me!" Hyeri yelled but still earned nothing from the girl beside her. I'm hopeless, she pouted.

"Anyway, that was the most soulless conversation I have ever heard."

"What do you mean? That's how me and my sister normally talk."

Hyejoo finally spoke, causing Hyeri to sigh in relief knowing that she will not spend the whole day talking to no one anymore. Silence drains her energy.

"For all the years since I have met you, I never really got your sister's name," the panda admitted. Curious to know what her sister's name is.

She doesn't even know why she didn't asked about her sister in the past years even though she's aware that Hyejoo has an older sister until this day happened.

Hyeri shrugged her thoughts off when the wolf began to speak, "It's because I never brought her up. Plus, it's something uninteresting to know."

"Come on, please tell me her name!"

The older thought about it for a moment. Remembering how the panda reacted to whatever her sister did, it made her hesitate. However, Hyeri made much more noise than earlier which is enough to convince her.

Unlike Hyeri, noise drains her energy.

"Her name is Son Minjoo," Hyejoo closed her eyes, closing her eyes then heaved a deep sigh. "I'm saying this just so you could shut up," she flicked Hyeri on the forehead.

Hyeri, on the other hand, ignored the pain caused by the flick on the forehead as her eyes sparkled at the thought of finally getting her sister's name.

It was as if flowers were gracefully falling behind her as light shines towards her and only her. Birds chirped into rhythmic tones, warm fresh air welcomes her face, and the busy noises from the train station seemed to fade away.

"Son Minjoo...I think I have a crush on her," Hyeri stared at the distance with heart eyes, getting lost in her imaginations.

Meanwhile, Hyejoo gave her a stank face. She can't believe Hyeri would admire someone like her sister. Just by thinking about it, she wants to make Gureum bite her sister.

"You can't just have a crush on someone you just met," Hyejoo crossed her arms, giving Hyeri a strange look.

The other girl finally snapped out off her trance with what the wolf said, slightly tilting her head in confusion, "I don't think you get what love at first sight means," Hyeri chuckled right after.

"Now I'm starting to think you have a thing for girls much older than you," the wolf scoffed.

"Age doesn't matter."

"That only applies to adults."

"I'm twenty-two."

The mention of her age made Hyejoo remember that they have the same age and are now grown ups. She felt like it was just yesterday when they were just young adults, looking forward to what future brings them. Oh how time flies so fast.

Not wanting to keep the same conversation further, Hyejoo changed the topic based on whatever was lurking in her mind, "We look the same, how come you never had a crush on me?" she blurted out.

Hyejoo closed her eyes as she mentally facepalmed for asking such question. It was too sudden that she didn't had time to think what they could talk about instead.

It was like she wanted the ground to eat her at the moment, nervous of how Hyeri would react. All this were hidden behind her calm and uninterested feature.

However, Hyeri didn't do anything else but smile, "Honestly, when I first saw you I was speechless for a bit. I literally had my eyes on you the day you entered the company and when I heard you were about to debut in just a day ahead, I was like 'Wow, I get why she got in easily'."

Her response made the girl beside her open her eyes in shock. Obviously, she didn't expect that kind of response. Hyejoo thought the younger Hye would tease and annoy her because of the question.

But to her surprise, she answered kindly.

"So you're saying that you had a crush on me before?" Her face tinted slight red, inhaling a gush of air to refrain herself from squealing at Hyeri's response.

Hyeri chuckled, "I'm informing you about this so you'll understand what love at first sight is!"

"Alright, I get it. You're in love with me."

"I mean, who wouldn't?"

There was a silence, only the sound of busy people walking around in the station. An endless noise and it seems like the two were the only ones who are mute.

"Hey stupid," called Hyejoo in which Hyeri answered, "Yeah?"

The wolf paused for a moment to breathe. Shifting her sitting position to face Hyeri with an unexplainable look.

Hyeri can't quite pinpoint what Hyejoo's facial expression was. Was she nervous? afraid? angry? Maybe all of them.

It took a bunch of hesitations as Hyejoo opened and closed her mouth for a few times, clearly wasn't sure if she'll ask her question or not.

It might also come out as offensive if she'd be careless so she should be wise with her words. However, when it comes to Hyeri, she has always been become careful with what she says.

You could say Hyeri is an exception but Hyejoo would deny it. According to her, she just doesn't like seeing the younger girl hurt in any way.

Not wanting to make Hyeri wait any longer, Hyejoo inquires, "Do your parents know your uhm... into the same gender as you are?"

The wolf patiently waited for her response despite the fact that she's nervous to hear it, her heat banged to her chest continuously. If it weren't for the noises around them, Hyeri would've heard her heart beating fast.

Opposite from what she was expecting; Hyeri flashed a bright smile at the girl who was completely about to pass out any minute by now.

Patting the wolf's head, she answered the question, "Sweetie, they knew about it since I was in middle school." Hyeri continued what she was doing to Hyejoo's hair as she noticed how tense the girl was, the panda can't help but laugh.

"How?" Hyejoo asked curiously as the other halted from her laughing session.

"The special connection both parents and their children have, they just know some things their child don't even know just yet," Hyeri beamed whilst thinking about how awesome her parents are. She's so glad she's born as their daughter.

Hyeri began telling the story, "They were noticing some things and they had a hunch until the day I introduced the girl, I once told you guys, to them."

"The hesitation was there but as I thought about it for as long as I can, I realized the love they have for me were too strong for them to neglect me," she continued.

"That...that feels nice," Hyejoo told as she clearly felt the relief of being accepted by your love ones. Hyeri indeed grew up in a great family.

She wondered if her own family has been noticing some things too. Do they support her?

"I know, right? Being able to act freely as yourself is the best feeling ever, that is why I never hesitate to do what I want do knowing that I am just simply being me!"

"Hmm, explains why your motto is 'to dare is to do'"

The younger Hye laughed, clapping her hands like a happy seal. Hyejoo found the action cute even though she always witness Hyeri laugh like this, it still doesn't fail to make her smile and laugh along.

"Although, I haven't introduced Jinsoul eonni to them yet," Hyeri informed, ending their laughter.

This seemed to have ignite a fire inside Hyejoo's heart. Almost as if her hopes came flowing back to her. She knows she have a chance.

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"What?"

Hyeri chuckled at the older's confusion, "My brother only knows about it. I told you we don't keep secrets from each other."

Hyejoo was suddenly reminded of her and her sister, who doesn't keep secrets from each other as well. Both of them have great relationship with their siblings, a best friend they could ever ask for.

"Have you considered introducing her to them?" She asked while internally praying that she'll be at least given a chance to express her love towards the girl.

The younger girl went silent for a minute, thinking about the thought thoroughly, "It would actually be nice but I feel like I need the right time to do so. All I know for sure is, today's not the day," she chuckled once more.

Another silence engulfs the atmosphere as the two stared at the distance; watching people walk back and forth, the trains arriving and departing, sounds of speakers booming around every corners.

"Hey, Hyeri," the wolf broke the silence as Hyeri responded, "Hmm?"

"Do you maybe uhmm..." Hyejoo gulped in the nervousness, "Maybe, you'd want to help me come out to my...parents?"

The panda smiled so bright she outshines the morning sun as she squealed excitedly, reaching out to take Hyejoo's hands and held it tightly.

"I feel like helping is my main purpose in life. Anything for a friend in need!"

Hyejoo couldn't help but smile back as a light bulb above her head lit as bright as Hyeri's grin, an idea forming in her mischievous mind.

It's now or never.

[ TIMESKIP - At Uijeongbu ]

"Since my previous questions had been answered, I prepared new ones! Let's start with this one, where are we going now that we are here at Uijeongbu?"

The two Hye arrived at the said place after almost an hour of sitting inside the train with nothing interesting happened on the ride to Uijeongbu.

"We're gonna go and check Café Rosy first before we head to my parents' house," Hyejoo replied with enthusiasm. It's been a while since she saw her parents which made this trip even more exciting.

Hyeri's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Really? I've been wanting to visit your shop. Today's the perfect time!"

Both of them walked a few miles from the station before finally reaching the said place.

As they walk through the door, they felt like they have been transported to Paris. The service and food is absolutely amazing, and the music echoing throughout the room makes the experience so wonderful and relaxing.

The two were instantly greeted by one of the staff members. Each worker is genuinely nice and helpful. They keep everything in the restaurant clean and well maintained.

Hyejoo and Hyeri immediately headed to the kitchen, not wanting to catch attention from the customers peacefully hanging by the shop.

In there, both of them were met by Hyejoo's mom who seemed to have a shocked face seeing the two girls in the place.

Spending no more other minute, Hyejoo's mother came rushing towards her and engulfed her in a big warm hug. After the sweet reunion, the woman faced Hyeri who seemed to be excited meeting her.

The older woman came to hug her as well, they are indeed warmly welcomed at Hyejoo's hometown.

"Good gracious, you kids. You didn't even informed me you were coming! I didn't get to prepare anything," The woman gave Hyejoo a playful glare as the wolf did nothing but laugh, pulling her mom into a side hug.

Hyeri flashed another bright smile, she thinks Hyejoo's mom vibes with her pretty well. "It's alright, Mrs. Son. Your daughter didn't inform me we were going here as well! She just told me when we were already at the train station."

"Typical Hyejoo," She laughed, "You know, she gave me a gift on my birthday without telling me that she would since she'd rather write letters than actual presents so I am surprised she gave me one, even her father was surprised. Still, I'm thankful for the gift, my baby," Her mom came pinching Hyejoo's fluffy cheeks as the girl whined, pulling away from her mother's grasp.

"Mom, TMI!"

Her mother laughed at her daughter's response, giving Hyejoo a playful smack by the back before wiping her non-existent tears away.

As she finally calmed down, she asks, "Don't take this the wrong way but what brings you two here?" The woman looked over at the two with a puzzled look although with a sweet smile.

Like a burnt cake covered up with whip cream and icings to make it look better than it was.

Hyejoo shrugged her shoulders and sighed, "Nothing much, I just want to check up on you and dad. We also met Minjoo eonni along the way, she said she'll be back home later," she informed, in case her mom doesn't know.

"Also, we're here to learn how to bake!"

"But Hyejoo, you already know how to."

"Well, yeah but Hyeri here needs lessons and I thought you'd be a great teacher," the wolf admitted, proud to say that her mom's a great baker. Probably the greatest baker in town.

Yet again shocked with her words, her mother smirked, "Sudden compliments? You always surprise me, Olivia."

"It's Hyejoo!"

--

When Hyeri is making a cake, she is in her own world; you could see her creating new universes in her mind as she whisked and measured.

It was as if the coordinated, yet organized, freedom of her actions did the same for her brain. And so as Hyejoo's mother made the cake, Hyeri would often smile and quickly type a few notes in her phone.

A bunch of bananas is carefully mashed and prepared for baking in a hot oven. The thrill is palpable when the yellow cake dough is watched through the oven's clear window. Hyeri's joy grows as the banana cake's thick and creamy dough rises higher and higher.

The timer beeps, and the warm orange light inside the oven transforms the golden brown banana cake like a pair of red high heels from the Louis Vuitton boutique. The panda's attention is drawn to the beautiful appearance, and she keeps her gaze fixed on the oven for the remainder of the baking time.

With the buttery scent of the cake pervading the room, the last minute of waiting feels like an eternity. Finally, the timer's ringing signalizes that the wait is finished.

It has been perfectly baked. When the oven door is opened, a burst of warm heat clashes with the kitchen's temperature. The warmth of the cake and the neutral scent of essence pervade the entire shop, providing sunshine and making the café especially bright and inviting.

A careful touch to cake is like stroking a soft and moist one-month-old newborn. Hyeri slices the freshly cooked cake, allowing herself a taste of her own creation (with the help of Hyejoo's mom). The texture and appearance of one piece is seen as compacted soft fur when held in one hand.

It's the nicest part of the day since her concerns and exhaustion vanish with each mouthful. Hyeri's head is compelled to encourage her hands to swallow it as rapidly as possible when she smells it.

The sensation of it on her tongue is overwhelming and relaxes her mind. It's fascinating to eat the cake because it's as soft as ice cream and as fragrant and sweet as caramel.

After a few bites, there's a nagging feeling that the chocolate icing is missing. It has become much more appealing with the addition of dark brown chocolate frosting to the top of the cake.

Chocolate frosting slowly melts over the cake's top before coating it and hardening. Their mouths moisten at the sight of banana cake with icing.

The other two went to get their own spoons and gobbled the chocolate banana cake after Hyeri had already tasted it.

As their sweet craving was fulfilled, the three of them hummed contentedly.

"Mhmm, I suggest we take this home and serve it as our dessert for lunch," Mrs. Son recommended as Hyeri shyly nodded her head,earning a low chuckle from the older Hye.

"Sounds like a plan."

--

The three of them went home as Hyejoo's mother gave the shop's full guidance to the staff members. Some of them were Minjoo's friends so she trust them with their café.

As soon as they went home, Hyejoo's sister arrived as well while bringing home meat as their lunch.

Hyeri drooled at the sight of the meat. She's been craving this the whole day and now she's finally going to eat some. It was like prayers heard by the heavens above.

More like Hyejoo knows how much she wanted to eat meat today so she told her sister to go buy some while she's outside.

Now, the table is set and the five of them sat down their seats as they cook the pork and beef at the griller in front of them.

"I saw a cake at the fridge earlier and tasted jt, it was good! Who made that?" Minjoo inquired, staring at the other four with a curious look on her face.

"Hyeri baked it! It is indeed great, she learns pretty fast than when I taught you," their mother chimed, chuckling at her own remarks as Hyeri held back her laughter. Not wanting to get beat up by another Hyejoo but scarier.

Minjoo snickered then rolled her eyes, "Yeah, but not as bad as Hyejoo tho." The peace was broken as the mentioned girl sent daggers towards her sister, only for her to receive a mocking look.

"You two are as bad as your father."

"Hey, why am I suddenly included?" Their dad gave them a funny look, as the three of them bursted out laughing.

Hyeri, who couldn't hold back her laugh anymore, laughed along with them as the burning feeling in her throat finally faded away.

After a minute, the laughing session ends as they continued with their lunch. Of course  with the casual conversations, catching up with the recent happenings in each others' lives.

Remembering their conversation earlier at the train station, Hyeri took a glance at Hyejoo who was busy eating and smiling at her family. The sight of the girl smiling, made her grin in happiness. It was like she haven't seen Hyejoo smile genuinely for a while as it felt like she's watching the sun set by the beach.

On contrary, Hyejoo was peace for Hyeri.

As she was still smiling like an idiot to Hyejoo, the girl turned her head to look at the panda and now they're looking at each other.

Like a scene in a movie, the two were lost in each other's eyes as their surroundings seemed to slow down. They were only focus on each other and nothing else.

Hyeri saw how Hyejoo's eyes sparked at the sight of her staring back. She saw love. But then Jinsoul came flashing through her mind as she finally snapped out of her thoughts.

She suddenly remembered what she has to do as she gently nudged Hyejoo by her elbow, signalling her that it was time.

The older Hye quickly picked up her message and nodded, heaving a deep sigh before speaking.

"Mom, dad. I have to tell you something."

The atmosphere became tense and Hyeri knows the others saw how it changed as well.

"Yes, what is it?"

All four of them stared directly at Hyejoo, which made the girl cower in much more nervousness.

Never in her life she felt this tensed, not even during their own concert, facing thousands of fans and performing in front of them.

Noticing and feeling how agitated the wolf was, Hyeri reached for the girl's hand and held them tightly. Telling her that she is not alone and would always have her by her side in case anything goes not as they planned.

Heaving another deep sigh, Hyejoo bravely announced;

"I like girls."

The other three family members did nothing but stare at her with no emotions expressed in their faces, completely nothing.

"Well, that escalated quickly," was all her sister had to say as she continued eating her food, pretending that she is out of the conversation

"I..I'm sorry--"

"Well, I like girls, too." As much as how weird that came off, it wasn't the right time to react to what her father said. They knew what he meant anyway.

Tears began to well up Hyejoo's eyes as she held it back, her mother came to hug her, "Oh, honey," she rubbed her back in a way to soothe her.

"It's...okay?" Hyejoo sniffed, wiping the built up tears around her eyes, stopping them from falling down her rosy cheeks.

Her father caressed Hyejoo's hair in an adoring way, "Of course, it is. Just don't be ever apologetic about it, not even to us."

"You can be whoever you want to be and you will have our full support."

Both of them said as Minjoo placed down her chopsticks before cheering for her own sister, showing her that she supports as well.

Hyeri smiled proudly at her fellow member before giving her a thumbs up, at least trying to brighten the once serious atmosphere up.

The older girl returned back the favor and grinned happily, her mother finally letting her go out of her grasp and returned to their respective seats.

There was an awkward silence for a minute as Hyejoo, the silence breaker, came breaking it again.

"Also, I still have another thing to say."

Then there goes the tension coming back in a blink of an eye. Minjoo was about to complain but her mother gave her a look only them can understand.

Thanking her mother, Hyejoo continued, "I am under the impression that you two already know who she is but I want to introduce Hyeri..."

"...my girlfriend."