Chapter Text
***
I hate that fucking bitch
Dahyun had always been a very calculated person. Ever since she was a child, she made very meticulous choices that would benefit her: in the moment and in the long run. Some would call her an opportunist, Dahyun liked to think of it as taking the benefits of everything life had given her.
She graduated top of her class in high school. Dahyun had surprised her peers and parents when she chose a small private college in Seoul instead of the pretentious colleges expected of her. Dahyun chose to study biology in the accelerated program because she would excel above her small group of peers. It was by the big city that had a growing community of scientists. She had multiple science opportunities nearby. She wouldn’t spend as much money on her education and she would still be successful.
Dahyun chose to live in an all girl’s dorm freshman year and chose to get matched with a roommate based on quietness and studying habits. She had chosen to find someone with a like-mindedness as her and chose to stay far away from distractions (boys). She chose to be silent and speak her mind when necessary to prevent herself from unnecessary dilemmas. She could save her energy for more important matters.
Dahyun made so many calculated decisions.
Yet somehow, she did not see Hirai Momo coming at all.
Dahyun growled as she continued her diary entry.
Every time I go to class she finds some new way to piss me the hell off. We’re in college yet she manages to act like a child every day. She annoys me like it’s her job and I’m about ready to fucking explode.
Momo had been a thorn in Dahyun’s side since orientation freshman year. Momo was very blasé about a lot of things that needed serious attention. It irritated Dahyun to no end. From the moment they had began the ice breaker activity with other students in their major, Dahyun could tell Momo didn’t care at all.
It was disappointing because Momo was very intelligent. In Dahyun’s mind, she was the only one even capable of being one of her academic rivals. Momo was the only student she’d seen who could parallel Dahyun, in terms of grades. It all became so annoying when they started classes and Momo found some sort of humor in bothering Dahyun.
She acts like a literal child. I’ve never met such an irritating person in my life. It makes her even more of a pain because she thinks everything is a joke. Everything is just so funny. I thought we left immaturity back in high school. This is ridiculous.
Back in her high school, Dahyun was the untouchable ice queen. She was student council president, founder of her school’s chemathon, valedictorian, the whole nine yards. Not to mention she was the daughter of the head master of the private academy. She had the brains and the looks. Nobody dared to mess with her. Not to mention, Dahyun was always quick to correct someone’s wrong, not allowing any sort of injustice in her presence.
Momo saw Dahyun and treated her like a joke. She would say things that purposefully annoyed Dahyun just to laugh at the reaction. Momo would correct the small things Dahyun would say in class, just to get her riled up.
I don’t like to wish ill on people but I really hope she falls and scrapes both of her knees.
Dahyun put her diary down from its seated position on her knees, feeling herself get angry all over again. She just needed to get ready for her first day of classes. The Korean woman took a deep breath and prepared herself for the day.
Dahyun did her quick workout in her room, showered, ironed her outfit, and grabbed the last of her belongings. Despite being so agitated so early in the morning, the Korean woman refused to start her days another way.
Calmly and collected.
~~~
“Son of a bitch!” Momo yelped as she scrambled out of bed. The Japanese woman grabbed random assortments of her outfit from her closet and dresser and threw them on her bed. She scurried over to her bathroom where she brushed her teeth and hair at the same time.
To put it simply, Momo was running very slim on time and she had nobody to blame but herself.
She cursed to herself as she grabbed her tote bag and ran down the stairs with her shoes tucked under her arms. Of course she didn’t hear her phone alarms, just her luck.
Momo quickly skipped steps and bee-lined to the kitchen. Jihyo raised an amused brow as she stood by the microwave, watching her frantic friend. The Korean woman was still in her house clothes, waiting for the last of her breakfast to heat up.
Momo yanked the refrigerator open and grabbed a bottle of juice and a pre packed sandwich. The Japanese woman ripped open the plastic and took a huge bite of the sandwich. Jihyo smiled, knowing Momo was most definitely running late, per usual.
“Good Morning.” Jihyo stated simply, the smile on her face bleeding into her tone.
“Morning,” Momo responded back swiftly between swallowing her bite and somehow managing to put her shoes on, “Gotta go.”
Jihyo silenced the loud beeping microwave and grabbed her meal, “Have a good first day of classes.”
“Thanks, I’ll try. Let’s hope I can make it there on time.” Momo grabbed her long board from beside the couch and paced over towards the door.
Jihyo shook her head, laughing to herself at her friend. She craned her neck, trying to yell one last thing at Momo, “Maybe stop taking those late shifts! They make you oversleep!”
“I’ll stop when they stop giving me money!” Momo retorted before shutting the door and rushing out. She made her way out of the dormitory and immediately hopped on her board, racing to class.
Momo honestly didn’t even remember what classes she had today. It was Monday, right? The Japanese woman pulled out her phone, scrolling to her schedule once more. She looked up and quickly swerved away from the incoming student she almost hit. Momo shouted an apology and kept moving forward, a small smile on her face.
Classes were starting again and her sophomore year was going to be a good one, she could feel it. As lax as Momo’s personality was, she absolutely loved learning and seeing her education thrive. It was a fulfilling feeling, especially since she’d always wanted to come to Korea. She’d studied the language for years, perfecting the tongue and familiarizing herself with its cadence and structure. It was still so surreal that she was actually in the heart of Korea studying in a field she loved.
Momo hopped off her board and made her way into the science building. She routinely greeted the front desk worker and made her way into the lab. Her first class of the day was Sophomore Practicum.
To Momo’s surprise, the classroom was practically empty except for one dark haired woman in the front. Dahyun sat front and center by the electronic board, her tablet, laptop, and pencils were neatly placed before her.
At the sound of someone entering, Dahyun turned her head to meet Momo’s gaze. Dahyun rolled her eyes and brought her attention back to her tablet.
Momo smiled and walked into the classroom, “Well hello sunshine, nice to see you again.”
“I was hoping you transferred.” Dahyun responded dryly, not even bothering to look up from her tablet.
The Japanese woman placed her hand over her heart, feigning flattery, “You thought about me? How sweet.”
Momo sat at the table behind Dahyun as she placed all of her stuff down, “Where is everyone?”
“Don’t know.”
“Weird. Even the professor is running late.” Momo looked down at her phone in confusion. Class should’ve been starting at that very moment.
Without missing a beat, the lanky professor sauntered into the classroom. The woman was in the midst of throwing her hair up with a banana clip when she stopped, slightly frowning at the barren classroom. The professor clipped her hair and furrowed her brow, looking between Dahyun and Momo, “So it was true. Well, good morning everyone… well more like you two.”
“Good Morning Professor Bae.”
“Mornin’.”
Both women responded simultaneously, in very different tones. Professor Bae made her way over towards the desk beside the electronic board. She dropped her things and spoke once more, “Momo, move up please.”
Momo grabbed her things and slid into the seat beside Dahyun. Momo dropped her tote bag on the table and placed her longboard in the space between her and Dahyun. Momo continued to rummage through her bag, in search of her materials for class. The longboard progressively leaned further and further towards Dahyun until it hit her arm. The Korean woman moved it back in the middle away from her.
Momo placed her stationery down alongside her notebook. She flipped open to a new page and began preparing her notes page. Momo’s writing caused the table to shake slightly, making the longboard start to slide towards Dahyun once more.
The longboard leaned against Dahyun’s legs. The Korean woman groaned and turned to Momo, “Keep it on your side.”
“It is on my side.” Momo responded nonchalantly as kept her head in her notes.
“ Is it? ” Dahyun quipped back sharply.
Momo lifted her eyes from her paper towards the longboard. She took one look at Dahyun before turning back to her notes. Dahyun stared at Momo, even more annoyed.
Dahyun put her stylus down and crossed her arms, fully turning towards Momo, “Well, aren’t you going to move it?”
The Japanese woman scoffed humorously, “You have capable hands, just put it back in the middle.”
“It’s your board, you move it.” Dahyun’s eyes pointed at the board in her lap.
Momo flipped her pencil and erased something on her paper, “Well you’re going to have to wait. I need to prepare my notes.”
Dahyun clenched her fist, vexed at the childish behavior, “You’re so-”
The younger woman stopped herself and just grabbed the board. She placed it down on the ground and kicked it away from them. Momo’s eyes finally lifted as she watched the tattered board roll away. She pointed a finger towards and turned to Dahyun, “That’s dangerous. What if another student walks in and slips on it?”
Dahyun rolled her eyes and raised a brow, “Do you really think anyone else is coming?”
Momo flipped her pencil once more and looked back at her notes, “Well somebody has to be coming. It can’t just be the two of us.”
“Unfortunately, it is just the two of you.” Professor Bae interrupted, making both women’s gazes snap onto her.
The older woman sighed and moved her glasses atop of her head, “You guys know how small this school is. There weren’t many accelerated biology majors in your class anyway. Many of your peers have decided to change their majors to the non-accelerated biology major,” Professor Bae rubbed her face, stressfully, “Thankfully, since I am also both of you two's advisor, it makes it easier for me. I only have to keep track of you two for this major.”
Momo scratched the back of her head, astonished at the turn of events, “Man, we’re the only survivors?”
Dahyun rolled her eyes. She folded her hands and began her question, “I was told we’d work on starting our senior final. Is that this class or Junior Seminar?”
“Both,” Professor Bae responded, “In this class, we’ll do smaller assignments to get you into the swing of your research. By the end of the year, we’ll have you two with a list of ideas for topics and experiments that you can further research and work on for junior year. Make sense?”
“Okay professor.”
“Sounds good to me.”
They both answered. Professor Bae nodded and grabbed her small stack of sheets. She handed a sheet of paper to both women, “I already know the both of you well enough so honestly, this icebreaker worksheet is just for face value. I just won’t have you two in my class doing nothing. Finish that up and then we can go over the syllabus.”
Both women nodded and began their worksheet. Professor Bae powered up the electronic board and computer. She looked over at both women, “I wasn’t able to print out the syllabus. Do you two have access to it?”
Dahyun typed away on her laptop, finally getting the document. The Korean woman nodded and smiled. Momo pulled out her phone, seeing a low battery percentage notification. Even through the cracked screen, she could see her chances of using her phone were slim to none. The Japanese woman awkwardly put her phone back in her pocket and shook her head shyly.
“Go ahead and share with Dahyun then. My apologies for not having copies.”
Momo scooted her chair closer to Dahyun, making the Korean woman sigh. Dahyun placed the laptop between them. Momo squinted her eyes at the text upon the screen. She reached over and pinched the screen, zooming into the words more.
Dahyun huffed and zoomed the screen out. Momo smirked, already knowing Dahyun had enough of her. The Japanese woman zoomed back into the screen.
“Quit it. Leave it as is.” Dahyun stated as she zoomed back out.
Momo reached over and zoomed back in, “I can’t read it. Not all of us have laser vision like you, cyborg.”
“Cyborg, real mature.” Dahyun rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time that morning.
Momo shrugged and leaned in, whispering, “I could’ve called you a Gundam.”
Dahyun smiled humorlessly, leaned in as well, and whispered back, “Stop talking.”
The Korean dropped her smile and brought her attention back to the laptop. Momo held her chest, feigning hurt, “Oooh, we’re snappy today.”
“Be quiet.” Dahyun snapped, pointing acuate finger at Momo. Momo smiled sweetly, throwing her hands up in defeat. The Japanese woman swiftly leaned in and zoomed the screen back in.
Dahyun instantly balled her fist, ready to snap when the Professor interjected, “Are you two still arguing? I thought we’ve matured past this ladies.”
Momo put her hands behind her head and shrugged, “I can’t read the screen. She has it zoomed out to like five percent.”
“She’s being dramatic. Not to mention ungrateful.” Dahyun stated as she waved off the notion.
“Oh sorry , some of us can’t use Daddy’s money to get LASIK, princess.” Momo retorted. She waved her hands for emphasis, further annoying the Korean woman.
Dahyun groaned, “How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that, you-”
“Hey! Hey! Cut it out,” The Professor snapped her fingers and pointed towards the board, “Here, just look at the screen Momo. Dahyun follow along on your device.”
Professor Bae briefly went through the syllabus. Dahyun had shut her laptop and made annotations on her tablet while Momo took note of anything important in her notebook. She’d add it to her physical print out later.
The Professor scrolled down the document, pointing at the assignments section, “Throughout the semester, you both will be doing a lot of group projects. It was originally supposed to be groups of four but, you know.”
Dahyun sighed deeply. She placed her stylus down and shut her eyes, rubbing her temples. She didn’t want to work with Momo, she preferred to work alone. But whatever the professor said, she’d have to do.
Momo mindlessly twirled her pencil and spoke up, “I don’t think that’s the best idea Professor Bae.”
“Just be quiet Momo.” Dahyun grumbled as she rubbed her temples harder.
Professor Bae raised her brow, “And why not?”
Momo pointed at the Korean woman, “Was her response not an answer enough?”
Dahyun finally opened her eyes and pinched her fingers together, pointedly emphasizing her words with her hands, “Does it not get tiring being so irritating all the time?”
The Japanese woman mimicked Dahyun’s hand gesture, “It’s a lifestyle,” Momo smiled and winked before turning back towards the professor, “But as you can clearly see by the way she talks to me, there won’t be anything productive done if we work together. I think it’ll be in everyone’s best interest to just let us work individually.”
“As much as I’d love to, and trust me I’d love to, our school uses these practicum courses as teamwork and major bonding experiences,” Professor Bae sighed deeply “They did this when I went here too, they like this unity theme. It sells to investors or whatever other business associate. I have to grade you both as a group.”
Momo pointed a finger, “You have to grade us as a group on paper ,” Professor shook her head, making Momo suck her teeth defeatedly, “That’s a load of bullshit.”
“Watch your mouth.” Dahyun scolded.
“Why? You already seem to be watching it for me.” Momo grumbled with her arms crossed.
Dahyun turned to the professor, completely over Momo in her entirety, “At this point, you can see she’s the provoker.”
Momo rolled her eyes, “I’m not the provoker. You just get angry over everything.”
“I don’t get angry over everything, you are simply just vexing.”
The Japanese woman cooed sarcastically, “Oooh vexing . We’re using big words today, huh Dahyun?”
The younger woman smiled back just as sarcastically, “It’s a high school level word. You’d know if you stayed awake for any class in your life.”
The Professor pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing loudly, “You’re both the problem, honestly,” The professor put her hand up, silencing both women before they could argue anymore, “Maybe this class will teach you two to actually cooperate for once. Since it’s just the two of you, I see no need to hold you both any longer. Please leave your icebreaker sheets on my desk, I’ll see you both next class.”
Professor Bae grabbed her coffee mug and walked out of the classroom, bowing goodbye to both women. Dahyun walked up to her desk and placed the sheet neatly on her keyboard. Momo placed the rest of her items in her tote bag and made her way behind Dahyun, placing the paper atop.
Momo turned and scanned the classroom for her longboard, “Jeez, where did you kick my board? To Timbuktu?”
“Open your eyes. It’s next to the door.” Dahyun groused, just ready to get as far away from Momo as possible. She meticulously put her items away in her side bag.
Momo finally spotted her board in the corner right by the entrance. The Japanese woman jokingly stated, “Wow, you managed to kick it in a perfect position. Good job, your highness.”
Dahyun rounded the corner of the table, looking at Momo annoyed, “Obviously, the professor put it like that. I swear, I don’t know how you’re in the accelerated major sometimes.”
“I could give you a list of reasons. You want to hear them?” Momo responded smuggly.
Dahyun scanned the woman in annoyance, “I’d rather not.”
The older woman grabbed her board and placed it comfortably at her side, “Sorry, I forgot you don’t like to hear anything except the sound of your own voice. My apologies.”
Momo playfully bowed before Dahyun, dramatically rolling her arms as she dipped low. The Japanese woman peeked up, smirking at Dahyun. Dahyun scoffed, “Get away from me.”
Dahyun went to shove Momo out of her way. The Japanese woman easily dodged it, her smile growing on her face. Momo adjusted the tote bag on her shoulder, getting back to business, “So how’re we gonna do this? Are we just going to meet up for assignments at the library or … ?”
“We’ll make a schedule with meeting times next class, once we get our assignments properly. We’ll stick to the schedule so there’s no mishaps. I want to just get through the semester smoothly.”
Momo scratched the back of her neck, “Sheesh, that sounds so complicated. Can’t you just pick days and text me them? Why do we have to have some board meeting about it?”
Dahyun scoffed disgustedly, “As if I’d want you to have my phone number in your phone.”
“You’d absolutely love to have my number in your phone. Gives you more access to me.” Momo grinned as she twirled her longboard with her fingertip.
The Korean woman clenched her fist once more, blood boiling at Momo’s being a complete nuisance in her eyes. Dahyun looked over at Momo, shaking her fist, emphasizing ever single word, “Momo, shut the fuck up.”
“Colorful words Kim. I thought you had a more extensive lexicon than that. Like that word, lexicon? It’s a high school level one, I hope you know it,” Momo teased. She walked into the doorframe and leaned against, taking one last look at Dahyun, “Anyway, just send me an email through our school emails, since you want to gatekeep your phone number. You would’ve thought you were a part of the royal family by the way you act, my liege.”
Dahyun growled, stomping her foot aggravatedly, “How many times do I have to tell you to stop-”
Momo took one last dramatic bow and walked out of the room, laughing loudly. She didn’t even hear the rest of Dahyun’s scolding. Dahyun groaned and waved off Momo’s childish antics. As long as the Japanese woman was away from her, Dahyun didn’t care where. The younger woman took one last deep breath, composing herself, and walked out of the classroom. She greeted some familiar faces as she left the building.
Dahyun made her way over to the campus café, sighing happily at the familiar smell of baked goods and coffee. She easily ordered herself a breakfast sandwich and latte and made her way to the corner table by the front window. She needed to eat and calm herself down before her Chemistry II course. She had time to spare and she wanted just a little semblance of peace in her morning.
Momo rushed down the campus block, pushing faster and faster on her longboard. Her headphones blasted some random song from her favorites playlist. Momo curved smoothly around two walking freshman and pushed faster on her board. Dahyun watched as Momo weaved by the students, catching them both by surprise. Dahyun rolled her eyes at the skater. Momo was always in her own little world.
Dahyun adjusted herself in the cushioned café chair and propped her tablet up. She chose a random recommended video essay to entertain her while she enjoyed her time between classes. The natural sunlight through the front windows lit the place entirely, making it lively and vibrant in the café. The sound of patrons and light background music blended together harmoniously, giving the place a tranquil perfectly leveled hum. The warmth of the light caressed Dahyun’s face, making her body relax into the peaceful environment.
Momo rushed into the campus cafeteria, almost missing breakfast. She swiped her ID card shuffled into the eatery, balancing her board on her side. Despite breakfast almost being over, the place was blaring with students and their conversations. Cafeteria workers and chefs yelled to one another for refills of food containers. Students laughed and chatted at their tables. Old televisions scattered around the cafeteria played different channels, all just as loud as the next.
The Japanese woman greeted the cafeteria worker and ordered a sandwich. She pressed it into the old sandwich press and grabbed the rest of her breakfast. She’d eat whatever the cafeteria provided, she couldn’t be picky anyway. Momo hated the food but what else could she do?
Momo sat at a corner seat by the back window panes, basking in the glow of the morning sun. She grabbed the napkin dispenser and propped her phone against it. Momo took a bite of her sandwich and watched an anime on her headphones, enjoying her time between classes.
~~~
The week continued on and everyone had started getting back into the swing of classes. Momo and Dahyun had all of their major courses together, thus being inescapable of each other’s presence. The only time Momo didn’t see the Korean woman was during her Composition and College Algebra classes.
Everyone in the classroom worked diligently, trying to keep up with the chemistry professor’s hasty teaching style. Beside her notebook, Momo’s phone vibrated with an incoming email. Momo took a glance and shut her eyes defeatedly. The financial aid office was emailing her about her payment plan again. Momo sighed, knowing she had to put some money down soon. She had managed to save almost two months worth of money in advance but she knew she needed to pay it off as soon as possible, to free herself from any more stress for the semester.
The Japanese locked the device and focused back on her Chemistry II notes. She’d had to figure something out, quickly. Maybe one of her students she tutors would be willing to start early. Or maybe she’d go back to high school clientele. The parents did always pay well.
Momo vaguely heard the professor ask a question to the class, making her snap back to reality. The sound of Dahyun’s voice answering made her ears perk up. A small smirk etched its way across Momo’s face at Dahyun’s answer. The Korean girl was loud and wrong.
The older woman leaned back in her chair and rose her hand lazily, “Actually Professor, isn’t it-”
And there Momo began, starting another cross classroom argument with Dahyun, simply for the fun of it.
~
The professor dismissed the class and everyone broke into conversation. Students packed up, some speedily while others talked leisurely with their friends. Momo was just ready to leave the classroom. She grabbed her tote bag and made her way up the classroom’s stairs. In her side pocket, her phone vibrated once again with a notification. Momo excitedly grabbed the device, hoping it was from a potential customer she’d offered her tutoring services to.
To her surprise, it was a campus wide email about auditions for the dance team. Momo furrowed her brow at the subject line. Since when did the school have a dance team? She opened the email and scrolled down through the body of text. Blah blah blah, dance team, all girls, in the gymnasium, and- oh?
Momo’s brows raised at the last section of the email. The dance team was offering a scholarship for a co-captain position. Momo’s eyes widened at the amount offered. The amount would be enough to cover at least half of Momo’s owed money. The Japanese woman stopped dead in her tracks at the classroom doorway, a gigantic grin spread across her face.
The Japanese woman is pushed forward as someone runs into her back, surprised by the sudden stop. Momo turned to meet none other than Dahyun, who rubbed her hurt nose.
Dahyun looked at Momo’s staring eyes, “Don’t stop in the middle of the walkway, genius.”
The older woman crossed her arms and looked down at Dahyun from her elevated step, “Ask nicely.”
“Move out of the way, jackass .” Dahyun snapped back.
Momo’s lips pursed at the sudden insult, “Oooh quick to curse words today, are we?” She leaned against the doorframe, clearly blocking the exit.
Dahyun rolled her eyes and shoved her way past Momo, pissed off at her antics. Dahyun was still very embarrassed and irritated from the argument they had in class, “You get on my fucking nerves.”
The Japanese woman laughed and raised a brow. A daring smirk on her lips as she turned towards the woman who was walking away, “I’m sorry, you wanna say that again?”
Dahyun stopped her steps, the pestering plucking on her last nerves. She spun around on her heel and walked over to Momo. She stood tall, staring at the Japanese woman dead in her eyes. She repeated herself coldly and slowly, “You get on my fucking nerves Momo.”
Momo’s smirk grew at the boldness. She leaned in intimidatingly closer to Dahyun and responded softly, “Good.”
Dahyun scoffed and stomped away, even more peeved from before. She didn’t need to deal with this, her friends were waiting for her at the rotunda. Momo chuckled at the sight and continued to walk to the other exit. She sent a quick message to all of her friends in the groupchat.
MOMO
ALL CALL. EVERYONE TO THE CAFÉ AT 2PM. VERY URGENT
Momo adjusted her tote bag on her shoulder, paced her way out of the building and towards the library. Thanks to her having a work-study job with the library, she gets special library perks. Very small, insignificant perks in the grand scheme of college, but hey, perks were perks. Momo would take what she got.
Momo greeted the student worker on duty and made her way towards the printer. She printed out several copies of her shittily made flyer for her tutoring services. She grabbed the staple gun and a roll of tape from behind the desk and hurried back outside. Once her board hit the pavement, Momo was sailing around campus, putting up flyers everywhere. Since there were several public schools nearby, Momo decided it’d be best to also post flyers in the nearby areas outside of campus.
The Japanese woman checked her phone, mentally debating on the time. She had enough time. If Momo rode fast enough, she could definitely make it back in time. Momo pushed her board and soared out of the main entrance towards the neighborhoods nearby. Might as well put all of the flyers up.
~~~
Momo stared at the pavement before her as she made her way to the gymnasium. Her brain was running a mile a minute. After meeting with her friends at the café, she managed to get Jihyo to cover her library shift and get Nayeon to come with her as support. The Japanese woman didn’t even have enough time to sit on the idea. She knew this would be her best shot at paying for the semester. In addition, Momo had always loved to dance. It was her second love beside science. To think she’d have the opportunity to dance and use it to pay for her science undergraduate degree was unbelievably lucky.
The feeling of Nayeon’s hand raising her chin snapped Momo back to reality. She looked at the older Korean woman, feeling her friend’s gaze pierce into her, “Pick your head up. You look depressed, staring at the floor, walking like that.”
Momo shook her head, “Sorry, I’m just scared. I haven’t danced in a while,” She confessed, “I barely even got time to prepare. Who sends an email so last minute-”
“They actually sent an email about fall sports earlier this month,” Nayeon corrected while picking things from under her nails, “You just don’t check your emails.”
“I do! I read all the ones with important subject lines.”
Nayeon looked at her friend knowingly, “I still don’t understand how you’re so smart but do so many dumb things, Momo.”
Momo flipped her hair jokingly, “The duality of Momo.”
Both women laughed together as they continued walking side by side. Nayeon playfully nudged Momo with her shoulder, “You’re one of the best dancers I know, come on. You’ll do fine. Co-captain is practically yours, I can taste it.”
“Gay.” Momo responded childishly.
“I know you are but what am I?”
Momo opened the door for her friend, rolling her eyes, “Yeah, real mature Nayeon.”
The two women walked into the gymnasium to be greeted by the friendly buzz of the students auditioning. They walked up side by side to the table near the entrance. There at the table sat a light brown haired woman, who greeted them with a wide smile, “Hi! Come on in! Welcome!”
Momo adjusted her duffle bag and smiled, “Hi! Do I need to sign in? I filled out the application online.”
Sana stood up and turned the clipboard towards them, “Yes! I just need you to write your name here, student ID number, years of dance experience here, and if you’re going to also try out for the co-captain position.”
Momo nodded, writing down the necessary information. Sana turned to Nayeon, “And you? Will you be trying out too?”
Momo filled the rest of the information out, ignoring Nayeon’s shameless flirting with the woman. Momo loved her friend dearly but Nayeon would flirt with a cardboard box if it gave her a response. Momo laughed to herself at Nayeon’s ridiculousness.
“ And that’s the end of that. Come on, let’s go.” Momo put down the clipboard, smiled politely at Sana, and dragged Nayeon by her collar away from the table. Nayeon protested but still followed beside her friend. Momo put her stuff down on the side and began doing light stretches. Nayeon grinned and encouraged her friend.
Nayeon shot Momo two big thumbs up and went off to the side while Sana spoke. Sana introduced herself and her team photographer, Jeongyeon. After one last encouraging affirmation, tryouts were ready to begin. Although a little tight at first, Momo slowly loosened up more and more, really getting back into the groove of dancing.
Momo had missed dancing more than ever. She knew she had to focus her time and money on her education. If she had the chance to get paid and dance, she was determined to take it. As tryouts progressed, Momo definitely grew back into her element. Everyone got split into groups and given a short dance to practice as an ensemble. Momo already had the choreography down and felt as excited as ever. She’d use a small bit of her down time to talk to Nayeon.
As long as she aced this and the co-captain interview portion, she would be set.
~~~
Momo shut the door gently, finally leaving Mina’s room, after being in there with her and Nayeon for hours. Momo shouted goodnight in her mother tongue to Mina, who easily responded back. It was a cute tradition they had together.
Momo yawned and rubbed her eyes as she flicked the lights on in her room. It wasn’t even late but the day had been draining. The dance tryouts were going to do wonders for her body, but man was she tired.
The Japanese woman grabbed the hem of her shirt, ready to get into her pajamas. She stopped her undressing at the sound of a text notification. An unsaved number texted her phone. Momo furrowed her brow.
*unsaved number*
Hi Momo! It’s Sana
*unsaved number*
I was wondering if you could talk for a minute? Call me whenever you can!
Momo scrambled, effectively tangling herself in her shirt. What quick response, they had just finished one day of tryouts. Most tryouts and responses took days. This coach must’ve been very particular about her team.
The Japanese woman successfully untangled herself from her shirt and grabbed the phone. She stared at the text message in disbelief. Momo was beyond excited but equally as nervous. There was no doubt in her mind that she’d be on the team, it was the captain position. Was she able to get the co-captain position?
Mina tapped the number, starting a phone call. She put the phone on speaker and held it near her timidly. Sana answered the phone briskly. Her voice was just as cheery as it was during tryouts. It sounded like she was in the middle of walking, “Hi Momo!”
“Hi Sana.” Momo greeted nervously.
“I hope it’s not too late. I wanted to try and catch you before you went to bed or something.”
Momo shook her head, quickly reassuring the captain, “No! No! Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to bed or anything. You’re just fine.”
“Good. I just wanted to talk to you about tryouts and everything. How do you feel they went?”
Momo sat herself down on her bed, legs bouncing anxiously as they planted themselves on the cold floor, “I feel it went really well. Everyone who auditioned was a phenomenal dancer. Even if some people weren’t going to make it, everyone remained positive and supportive of one another. It made me feel less nervous.”
Sana grinned widely at the response, “I’m glad you felt at home. Hearing that makes me really happy,” Sana paused for a moment, “I was calling because I’d like to personally congratulate you and offer you the position as my co-captain.”
The older Japanese woman’s lips split into a face-eating grin. Her voice jumped up an octave, “Really? Are you being serious?”
“One hundred percent. Coach and I actually didn’t take that long to come to the conclusion. You were a perfect pick from the start,” Sana waited for a moment, laughing softly at the sound of Momo speechless and gushing, “So I take it, that’s a yes?”
“One hundred percent!” Momo stated happily, earning a hearty laugh from Sana, “Thank you so much Sana. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Sana could be heard slowing her steps down at a halt, “No need to thank me, you’re an amazing dancer Momo,” The Japanese woman shifted her phone to her other ear, “We’re going to be attached at the hip this semester, I hope you know that. I look forward to working well with you this go around.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much Sana.” Momo thanked, profusely. She couldn’t believe everything was falling into place in her favor. She’d have to talk to the coach about the scholarship tomorrow. She needed to get everything settled as soon as possible.
“You don’t have to thank me. It was your skill honestly,” Sana continued, “Also, I want us to be able to sit down, just talk, and get to know each other a little. If you’re free tomorrow in the late morning, early afternoon, maybe we can hang out a little bit.”
Momo sat up straight, “Absolutely I am! Tomorrow works just fine. Text me the time and place and I’ll be there!”
“Well alright, that’s the spirit!” Sana joked, “Well I have to go, I need to go into this building and see if there’s any rooms available. Damn construction. Goodnight Momo.”
“Goodnight Sana.” Momo responded in her native tongue, making Sana laugh loudly. Once the call ended, Momo tossed her phone on the bed and jumped around happily. She did a little happy dance before busting out of her room and barging into Mina’s room.
Mina’s head snapped up from her book, confused at Momo’s intrusion. Momo threw her fists up happily, “I got the co-captain position!”
Mina’s lips curved into a wide smile, “Are you serious? So fast??”
“Dead serious!”
She hopped out of her sheets and ran to Momo, hugging her tightly. Both women squealed excitedly and twirled around in the hug. The congratulations fell from Mina’s lips easily and repeatedly. Both women were so proud and excited for this future venture.
~~~
Momo looked up from her phone and stared at the student union, confirming the location Sana had sent her. Momo never usually hung out in the student union, let alone the little rotunda Sana told her to meet at. The Japanese woman gulped nervously and pushed through the glass doors. She paced her way over to the rotunda to see Sana seated at one of the high tables, scrolling through her phone.
Momo took one last deep breath and greeted Sana warmly. Sana looked up from her device and smiled at Momo who approved. They both hugged and Momo sat across from Sana. Surprisingly, the conversation flowed easily between the two, like they’d been friends for years. Sana’s positive personality made Momo feel much more comfortable. They discussed the dance team of the past and how Sana planned to improve it with her help. Momo smiled while listening to Sana speak about the team. Momo admired Sana’s dedication to the team and felt determined to be just as good of a leader as Sana was.
The conversation continued on to more light hearted talk about the dance team. Sana and Momo laughed at one of Sana’s old dance team stories as she continued, “But it’s all going to be okay now. Jeongyeon will be with us this year, so hopefully we can finally have a good online presence and good photos.”
“Speaking of Jeongyeon, I want to apologize for how Nayeon had talked to Jeongyeon. I’m sorry about her flirting with you and your friend. Nayeon means well, she’s just flirty. She’s a wonderful person.”
Sana waved off the apology. She leaned forward, heeding her warning, “Just tell her to be careful. Some people take flirting very seriously.”
Momo laughed softly, “Well actually, it didn’t seem like Jeongyeon took her seriously.”
The light haired woman chuckled at the statement, “Jeongyeon is the last person to take anyone seriously. She’s really oblivious so that will never happen.”
Momo smiled in disbelief, “Seriously? That’s hilarious. I need to talk to this girl. I’ve never met someone that humbled Nayeon so fast.”
Before Sana could respond, her phone dinged with a notification. Jeongyeon texted her, letting her know that she and Dahyun were in the library.
“Speak of the devil,” Sana muttered. She paused and looked at Momo, hope shining in her eyes, “Do you have another spare five to ten minutes?”
“I’ve blocked this time out for you captain.” Momo joked, making Sana smile.
Sana nodded and stood up out of the chair, “Well alright captain. Come on. I want you to meet my friends at the library. You’ll be seeing a lot of them both throughout the season, might as well introduce you.”
Sana and Momo made their way to the library, still having light conversation. They made their way up the stairs to the second floor. Dahyun and Jeongyeon were seated at a small table, talking amongst themselves. Momo raised her brow at the sight of the familiar woman. Of course Dahyun was one of Sana’s friends.
The two stopped in front of the table, Sana smiling widely, “Sorry I’m late guys! I actually want you guys to meet Momo properly.”
Jeongyeon nodded politely and smiled, “It’s nice to meet you again Momo.”
Momo smiled back, “Likewise Jeongyeon,” Sana and Momo turned to Dahyun. The Korean woman had no intention of hiding the look of annoyance on her face. Momo smirked at her classmate, “Dahyun.”
Dahyun rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Sana’s eyes widened, realizing this was the same “Momo” Dahyun had constantly been complaining about. Sana would have to talk about that later, but now, she shot her friend a scolding look for the impoliteness. Dahyun sucked her teeth and looked up at the standing woman, “Hello Momo.”
Sana clapped her hands, effectively stopping any potential arguments between the two. She introduced them and told her two friends how Sana and Momo would probably be making a new routine together.
Momo grinned and looked between Sana and Jeongyeon, “I hope you and Jeongyeon can accept me, despite all the crazy things I say.”
Dahyun chuckled humorlessly. Momo turned her attention towards Dahyun, leaning in a little bit, “I’m sorry, got something to say?”
Dahyun crossed her arms and leaned in as well, “Do you want me to say something? Because I can, but it won’t be nice-”
Thankfully, the sound of Nayeon’s voice interrupted Dahyun’s insult. Everyone turned towards the light haired Korean woman who was marching over towards Momo. Nayeon scolded her friend for being unreachable and making them late for their class extra credit clean up. They had to squeeze it in before their next class. To everyone’s surprise, Jeongyeon’s face lit up, excited to see Nayeon. The once stern woman now turned shy and nervous.
Momo raised a brow at her friend. Nayeon (not so) sneakily tried to mutter to Momo, the statement not reaching the Japanese woman’s ears at all.
Nayeon repeated herself through her gritted teeth, making Dahyun roll her eyes, finally interjecting, “Oh brother, she said she’d be outside!”
Nayeon thanked Dahyun and bee-lined it for the stairs. Momo couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s nervous behavior. She’d never seen Nayeon act like that with anyone. What kind of magic did Jeongyeon have?
To her surprise, Jeongyeon right after voiced how she doubted Nayeon was truly her friend. Momo raised a brow. Why wouldn’t Nayeon like her? She was practically stuttering in her presence?
Momo stared at Jeongyeon crazily, “Did you not see the way she-”
“Momo!” Sana cut in before she could finish the question, “Nayeon said she was waiting for you, remember? You don’t want to be late again! We can talk later.”
Sana raised her eyebrow, silently signaling for Momo to be silent. Sana gave her a knowing look, which Momo quickly caught onto. She raised her hands up defeated and turned back towards Dahyun and Jeongyeon. She bid everyone goodbye and made her way back downstairs to Nayeon.
Yeah, Jeongyeon was definitely oblivious.
~~~
Dahyun closed her tablet as she had finally finished rewriting her notes for class. Dahyun smiled proudly. She was satisfied with herself and her progress with classes. The week had been long but she thoroughly enjoyed the new material she was learning.
Dahyun looked around her neat room, trying to figure out what to do next. Sana and Jeongyeon weren’t home from dance practice yet, so she couldn’t hang with them. Maybe she’d watch another video essay or drama recap video.
The Korean woman’s eyes caught sight of her diary on her nightstand. Nothing spectacular had happened so she had nothing new to add to the entries. Maybe she’d just talk about classes, write a short passage or something.
Dahyun grabbed a purple pen from her desk and sat at the head of her bed. She brought her knees up and placed the diary atop. The cover sounded rough and hard against the texture of her house pants. The diary was a white, dated hardcover book. It was adorned with light scratches and marks gloating its age and usage over the years. It had a gold trim along the edges and a strap holding it shut. The word “prose” was neatly etched in a neat thin serif font, small and centered near the top.
She smiled happily at the sight of her diary. It was by far her best personalized purchase. Dahyun absolutely loved to write, whether it was: a story, a poem, a silly little thought or a well thought out passage. Being able to put her ideas and feelings on paper was such a stress reliever for Dahyun.
The paper always listened. The words depended on how the writer handled the medium.
Dahyun’s fingers danced along the paper, trying to locate her bookmark Jeongyeon had gifted her. It was a small transparent aquatically designed bookmark that shined and glimmered in whatever light she was under. She tucked the bookmark into the back of her book and continued on a new line with her new diary entry.
XX•XX•20XX
ENTRY 318
Classes have started becoming fun again. I know, wow, the classes you signed up for are gratifying? Wow, shocker. The new material is actually very interesting. There’s this one professor I have that the upperclassmen all hated that I really like. The way she speaks to people is very crazy though. I’ve seen her snap at someone for a question. It wasn’t a stupid question either.
Dahyun stopped her writing and exhaled deeply through her nose. The memory of her argument with Momo in Chemistry II came flooding back into her mind. Her blood boiled again at how smug the Japanese woman was the entire time. No one dared to laugh in Dahyun’s face but she heard some snickers after class.
Dahyun broke a line in her book and started another thought.
The other day, Momo decided to open her stupid mouth and embarrass me in front of the entire class. She always finds a way to just make my life difficult. I never know peace with this woman around. She’s just so
The Korean woman was cut off by a notification dinging on her phone. She gently put her diary down and reached for the device. Sana and another number had texted her. Dahyun furrowed her brow and opened the message.
Momo nodded, displaying another forced smile at the freshman that very clearly didn’t learn a single thing in the past three and a half hours. She watched as the boy walked off, turning around several times to look at her. Once out of sight, Momo shuddered in disgust.
She knew he’d only paid for tutoring because she was pretty. Who cared? It was enough for her to be able to stay afloat for the next couple of days. Momo grabbed all of her things and scurried out of the library. Momo only had one more day of practice and she was cutting it dangerously close, taking a tutoring session so last minute. The Japanese woman hopped on her board and raced across campus towards the gym.
Momo looked down at her phone, sighing in relief at the time. She made it with very little time to spare. She hopped off her board, juggling between it and her duffle bag. Momo approached the gym, seeing a familiar figure in the distance. The woman raised a brow as she watched Nayeon run into the parking lot. She clearly had an agenda to fulfill.
Momo wasn’t gonna touch that. She did not have the time.
The Japanese woman’s phone lit up with a notification from Sana and an unsaved number. She groaned, hoping she wouldn’t get too chewed out. To her surprise, it was a groupchat.
2YEON TRUTHERS
SANA
Nayeon came in looking for Jeongyeon???!1?!11
SANA
👀
SANA
Also, Momo you’re aboutta be late chop chop
Quickly there were three more notifications that popped up. The unsaved number had responded.
*unsaved number*
omg???
*unsaved number*
Wait what
*unsaved number*
What do you mean Momo?
Momo shook her head. She didn’t have time to bother. She sent a few messages and pushed through the gym doors.
MOMO
Sorry I went overtime a little at tutoring
MOMO
I just passed Nayeon right now actually, almost there
MOMO
Wait what the heck is a 2yeon
Momo ran into the gym, scanning the gym for Sana. The Japanese woman sighed in relief at Sana’s cheerful demeanor still being present. Momo approached her co-captain, apologizing profusely and dropping her things besides Sana’s stuff.
Sana smiled and crossed her arms playfully, “Thought you’d never show up.”
“I’ll always show up!” Momo responded quickly as she changed into her practice shows.
Sana looked down at her older friend, “Nayeon said you were tutoring?”
“Yeah, got someone last minute. I don’t even know how that kid made it to college, if I’m being honest. I have to use the bathroom, sheesh.” Momo stood up and dusted off her clothes. She had a handful of practice clothes in her arms, ready to change.
Sana playfully acted hurt, “Leaving so soon darling?”
“You know I’d never leave you,” Momo blew obnoxious kisses making them both laugh. The dark haired woman turned to Sana once more, a lingering question in her mind, “By the way, who’s that other number in the groupchat? And what the hell is a 2yeon?”
The light haired woman rolled her eyes, “You guys really do hate each other that much. It’s Dahyun. You and her texted me the same thing about Nayeon and Jeongyeon. I might as well have all the shippers in one space.”
“You’re nuts. I’ll be right back.” Momo chuckled and ran over to the bathroom. She quickly did her business and got changed. She was very grateful that Sana didn’t chew her out. She’d have to apologize when she went back.
Momo sighed and ran her hands through her hair, mentally preparing herself for practice. Although it wasn’t even longer than five minutes, she craved these peaceful moments to herself. She was constantly on the move.
An email notification brought Momo back from her reverie. Professor Bae had sent an email. Their Sophomore Practicum class was canceled on the upcoming Monday. The professor instructed them to brainstorm smaller experiments they could potentially work on for their first assignment.
Momo sighed in relief. She could potentially sleep in for once. Momo smiled to herself and tapped on Dahyun’s number in the groupchat. No harm in messing with her.
MOMO
No class on Monday. Don’t have to see your face for three whole days
Almost instantly, Dahyun responded.
DAHYUN
I thought I told you to email me
MOMO
You expected me to listen to you?
Momo locked her phone and changed into her practice clothes, not even bothering to see if Dahyun would respond. She grabbed the last of her things and walked out of the bathroom clapping loudly.
“Happy Friday ladies! Let’s get this show on the road!”
~~~
Dahyun was a very punctual woman. She liked to do things on time and made sure she was always ahead of her work. She wanted to have her Monday morning free so she could actually relax for once.
Dahyun absolutely hated that Momo had access to her number but now she could use it to her advantage. Saturday was a perfect day to get the experiment ideas out of the way. It was a simple assignment she could’ve knocked out on her own but of course the assignment had to be collaborative.
The Korean woman took one last bite of her toast and brought her plate over to the sink. She began to think about her plan for the day. She needed to get ready and start her assignments. Dahyun would be at her desk for the majority of the day. It was a peaceful place, she wasn’t mad. She’d have studying music playing in her headphones while the day passed by.
She shook the excess water off her hands and shut the faucet. Dahyun sighed and opened her phone to her and Momo’s messages. She hadn’t saved Momo’s number nor did she plan on doing so. She just needed her work to be done and hated that she needed Momo for it. As much as Dahyun loved doing her solo work, she refused to do any work by herself. There’s no way in hell she’d let Momo take any credit for her work.
DAHYUN
We need to finish the assignment for sophomore practicum today
It only took a minute before Dahyun’s phone rang with Momo’s responses.
MOMO
Dang.
MOMO
What happened to hello? Good morning? How are you?
Dahyun wasted no time responding, trying to get straight to the chase. Soon enough, both women were in the chat texting back to back, instantly.
DAHYUN
Cut the shit, I’m not doing this with you this morning
DAHYUN
We need to sit down and brainstorm some ideas
MOMO
Why can’t we just do it on Monday?
DAHYUN
Because I want to actually enjoy my Monday morning off. I don’t do things last minute
MOMO
Well tough luck princess, I have to work all day today. Just do your half and I’ll do mine.
DAHYUN
So I can do all the work and you can take credit? Please.
MOMO
I’m sorry, is it just Kim Dahyun in the accelerated major or is it Hirai Momo and Kim Dahyun?
MOMO
I can hold my own weight. Just do your part by yourself.
Momo put her phone off to the side, tired of talking to Dahyun. Momo had managed to snag a shift at the library for Saturday and absolutely hated it. It was an all day shift and she honestly just wanted to be in bed. The sleepy Japanese woman rubbed her face and stood up, ready to reshelve some returned books.
Dahyun’s comment had left a sour feeling in Momo’s spirits. She hated when people treated her like a slack off. She might have an easy going personality but she was very serious about her studies. She was a straight A student and made sure to keep it that way constantly. Dahyun was the one person, especially, who treated her like she was stupid.
Momo put her dated headphones over her ears and pushed the cart of books around the first floo. She routinely started moving and shelving books into their proper places. The woman just let the music consume her, knowing she had a long shift ahead of her.
~
The morning moved into afternoon and Dahyun had finally finished all of her work except for her Sophomore Practicum assignment. Dahyun groaned knowing she couldn’t do her half without Momo. They had to work collaboratively on this assignment, especially since it was just them in the class. There was no room for slacking off. She hated Momo’s nonchalance about the entire thing.
Dahyun glanced at her phone, seeing the last message Momo had left her. She didn’t even bother arguing with the Japanese woman. Dahyun wanted to get this work done by today.
The younger woman put her pride aside and texted Momo once again.
DAHYUN
Where are you?
It took a few minutes before Momo responded shortly.
MOMO
Somewhere that’s green 🎶
Dahyun rolled her eyes, not surprised by such a childish response.
DAHYUN
Where are you? So we can do the assignment
MOMO
I’m not going back and forth with you on this. Just do your part on your own. It’s not that hard. We can figure something out on Tuesday and just choose one idea.
DAHYUN
It’s a group assignment asshole. You can’t do a group assignment alone.
MOMO
Since you’re so smart, find a way to do a group project alone. I’m busy.
Dahyun growled, finally fed up with Momo’s shit. It was time to take matters into her own hands. Since Momo wanted to be difficult, Dahyun would be annoying to all hell. She was going to get what she wanted.
The Korean woman walked out her room and marched upstairs to Sana’s room. She knocked politely, entering when Sana beckoned her in. Her Japanese friend looked at her happily while her phone laid comfortably on her chest. Sana’s happiness brought a genuine smile on Dahyun’s face. Even deep in the pits of anger, Sana managed to make Dahyun a little joyful. The Korean woman walked over to Sana’s bed and flopped down, sighing loudly at the impact.
Sana sat up under her covers, surprised at her friend’s behavior, “Well hello. What an entrance.”
Dahyun put her arm over eyes dramatically, “I have to be difficult today, give me a second.”
“Take your time. I’m guessing you need something?”
Dahyun nodded. She sat up, propped up on her elbows and looked at her friend, “Can you text Jeongyeon to text Nayeon to see where Momo is for me, please?”
The Japanese woman raised a brow and smirked. She fully sat up now. Sana turned to her phone quickly, “Let me call you back Tzu,” She hung up the call and looked at her friend suspiciously, “What do you need Momo’s location for?”
The Korean woman threw her head back and groaned, “Sana don’t be like that please. She’s being a hard ass so I need to take matters into my own hands.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure. Whatever it is they call it,” Sana responded sarcastically, “Let me text Nayeon. No guarantee she’ll answer right away.”
“I’ll take whatever I can get.”
Sana easily typed the message and tossed her phone off to the side. She looked over at her friend, a knowing teasing look on her face, “You two haven’t been talking in the 2yeon groupchat. I feel like I’m talking into the void.”
Dahyun rolled her eyes, smiling at her friend’s theatrics, “You literally made that groupchat yesterday. Nothing’s changed with those two.”
“Oh on the contrary, madame. Nayeon has decided to help the team.”
The younger friend leaned forward, raising a brow, “Shut up. Are you serious?”
Sana nodded, “Very. Jeongyeon told me yesterday so now I have Nayeon’s number. She’s going to be Jeongyeon’s assistant.”
Dahyun’s face scrunched up, in mild disgust and incredulity. Dahyun had not been the biggest fan of Nayeon ever since she found out the woman was flirtatious. She believed Nayeon didn’t need to be anywhere near Jeongyeon, if Dahyun was being honest. Call her harsh but she just wanted the best for her friends, especially since Jeongyeon was too sweet and oblivious for her own good, “She doesn’t seem like a photography girl.”
“That’s the funny part, I don’t think she is,” Sana shook her head and chuckled softly, “I don’t understand that girl sometimes.”
Sana’s text notification sound went off, catching both women’s attention. She easily picked up the device and read the message, “Cool, she responded. She said Momo’s at the library.”
Dahyun rolled her eyes and threw her hands up in frustration, “We literally can do our assignment there. Why is she so uncooperative?” The Korean woman stood up, smoothed out her spot where she laid, and looked at her friend appreciatively, “Thanks Sana, I have to go. I want this assignment done now.”
The two friends hugged and Sana waved goodbye to Dahyun as she exited her room, “No problem. Tell Momo I said hi!”
“Tell her yourself!”
~~~
Momo sat at the front desk computer, feeling the grueling work hours start to weigh on her heavily. The Japanese woman rubbed her sore neck tiredly. Momo let her head drop onto her folded arms, finally getting some rest. The sound of the library front doors opening made the woman sigh to herself. She mindlessly said her routine greeting for patrons, “Welcome to the library. If you need any help, we can help you here at the front desk.”
Momo didn’t even bother to look at the patrons that entered. They barely looked at her as is. It was the same old thing. She checked the time on the front desk computer screen and sighed once again. She had several more hours to go. Thankfully, she got paid double on weekends so she really could relax more this week.
To Momo’s surprise, a figure stood tall before her. Momo’s eyes trailed up to meet none other than Dahyun’s gaze upon her. Even on such a lazy Saturday, Dahyun was dressed in a sophisticated long sleeve with frilled ends, expensive looking Japanese denim, and mint condition looking loafers. The white headband brought the entire look together, making Momo laugh internally. The entire outfit screamed Daddy’s money .
Momo groaned, knowing she was going to get an earful from the woman. Dahyun crossed her arms and looked at Momo like a parent would to a scolded child. The Japanese woman dropped her head back down onto her folded arms, “What do you want?”
“Don’t ask me stupid questions. You know what I want.” Dahyun responded easily.
The Japanese woman pinched her fingertips and her thumb together, trying to emphasize her seriousness, “Can you please, for once, do what you do best and leave me alone? I’m working.”
“Then take your break and come do your half of the assignment.” The Korean woman retorted easily. She was here now and didn’t plan on leaving without the assignment done.
Momo rubbed her temples and screwed her eyes shut. Today of all days, she felt even more annoyed with Dahyun than usual. She didn’t have the usual patience she did during the school week. She was just tired and wanted to get through the last couple hours of her shift.
Momo’s voice came out with a bit of venom, completely over the useless repetitive conversation, “Some of us can’t afford to just up and take breaks. I have a job to do, as you can see. Do you know what a job entails Dahyun?”
Dahyun raised her brows and looked around the library. It was dead, to say the least. There were a few students lingering around, just studying or reading books. If anything, it wasn’t overly busy like it would be during finals. There was no need to even worry about anyone.
“So do you have a job to do or… ?” Dahyun’s hands rolled, trying to formulate a possible answer sarcastically.
The Japanese woman opened her mouth but clenched her fist tightly, stopping the snappy comment from leaving her lips. As much as Momo wanted to say a couple colorful words back, she was still on the clock. Dahyun smiled smugly. It was fun not being on the short end of the stick.
Momo rested her hair on her laid out arm and shut her eyes, “Go away. I have to work today and you’re not messing up my money.”
“Well tough luck, because I have work to do today and you’re not messing up my grade,” Dahyun peeked over the front desk, eyeing everything on the desk, “Since you work here, can you get us a study room? Preferably just one hour?”
Momo looked up at the woman, agitated by her persistence, “What part of ‘I’m working” do you not understand-”
To both of their surprises, one of Momo’s supervisors made her way over to the pair. Momo groaned lowly under her breath while Dahyun cheered internally. Just their luck.
Lisa fixed her hair mindlessly and looked between the pair, “Is everything alright? Are we having trouble finding something today?”
Dahyun smiled and greeted the Thai woman happily. Both women smiled into their friendly hug. Dahyun knew Lisa for a while; both of their mothers were business associates. They were never super close but they were cordial and friendly.
Momo furrowed her brow at the interaction. Since when did they know each other?
“It’s so nice to see you again. I haven’t seen you since the beginning of summer. I love this hair color on you Lisa.” Dahyun complimented.
Lisa smiled happily, “Thank you! I see you’re wearing the shirt we gifted you. I’m so glad we went with that color, it looks great on you.”
“Of course I’d wear it. I’m so glad your mom went into this new fashion venture. This is a fantastic material.”
Momo had to stop herself from rolling her eyes to the back of her head. Of course the two rich kids knew each other. Talking about business ventures and fabrics weren’t things in Momo’s vocabulary. They spoke with such rich people finesse it was almost nauseating.
Lisa looked between Dahyun and Momo, “Did Momo help you find everything you needed?”
“She was actually just leaving.” Momo responded with a fake smile.
Dahyun lifted her finger, silencing the Japanese woman, “No actually, I was just in the process of getting us a study room. Momo and I have an assignment due soon, you know, we’re in the accelerated biology major together.”
Lisa grimaced, “Oh man, you guys are some of the strongest people on campus. I’ve seen that program break people in my year.”
“We’ll stay strong, don’t worry,” Dahyun lifted a hopeful fist, making Momo roll her eyes while Lisa laughed at the enthusiasm, “I just need to steal Momo for an hour, if that’s okay? We’ll get the assignment done quickly. It’s really simple homework, honestly.”
The Thai woman waved off the request simply, “That’s completely fine. Momo hasn’t taken her break yet either. I was coming over to see if she’d switch. Momo, take the keys for Room 4. I’ll fill out the rest of the info.”
Momo felt her blood boil at Dahyun’s inability to just leave things as is. Momo had specifically avoided taking her break so she could leave two hours earlier. She had planned to come here and here came Dahyun, trying to have things her way, regardless of Momo’s feelings.
Momo nodded at her supervisor, giving the Thai woman a tight lipped smile as she tried not to snap at Dahyun. Dahyun’s smile grew as she thanked Lisa for the key and looked over at Momo expectedly. The Korean woman raised a teasing brow, waiting for Momo to follow her.
The two made their way upstairs to the study room. It was a tiny room with wooden door and no window, like the others, allowing for privacy. Dahyun put her bag down and placed her tablet, water bottle, and side bag on the table. Momo slumped into the hair across from her, empty handed and annoyed. She looked over at Dahyun expectedly.
Dahyun looked at Momo crazily, “No notebook or laptop? How are you going to take notes?”
“You wanted me here so I’m here,” Momo leaned back in her chair apathetically, “Just write all the stuff down yourself.”
The Korean woman opened her tablet, propping it up, “You’re such a pain in the ass,” Dahyun opened her notes for the assignment, reading off the list of experiments she’d gathered, “One idea I had was to do an experiment about how biodiversity affects an environment’s temperature. We could go to the local river and take samples from there.”
Momo shook her head, “That’s too easy for an accelerated major.”
Dahyun crossed off the idea and continued, “Okay, then we should do watershed testing on the local creek. We can test its water quality and estimate its quality change over the next couple years.”
The Japanese woman smacked her lips boredly, “We don’t have the proper equipment for an experiment like that.”
“We can literally just ask Professor Bae.” Dahyun countered.
“I don’t feel like asking around just to be led in circles.”
Dahyun huffed and crossed out the idea with her stylus, “We can do a physical profile of the local lake as a whole. We can measure for dissolved oxygen, pH, and total dissolved solids of the water samples at different depths.
Momo scratched her head, looking at her nails uninterestedly, “Nah, that sounds like too much work.”
Dahyun put her stylus down, finally frustrated with Momo’s antics. She threw her hands up in frustration, “You keep rejecting all of my ideas. How are we supposed to finish the assignment?”
The Japanese woman smirked smugly and crossed her arms, leaning back into the chair, “Don’t know. I probably would’ve come up with better ideas if I had time to think alone .”
The younger woman laughed a dry humorless laugh and tilted her head, squinting her eyes at the difficult woman, “So this is what it’s about? You’re not getting your way and you’re throwing a little bratty fit?”
“Exactly, glad we’re on the same page,” Momo clapped, a mocking round of applause for Dahyun’s discovery, “It feels good to finally be in your shoes for once.”
In that instant, Dahyun reached across the table and yanked Momo up by her shirt collar. She pulled her hand back, ready to slap Momo but stopped herself. Momo didn’t even flinch at the action. In fact, the Japanese woman looked at the threatening hand rather boredly, “If you’re going to hit me, at least bring your hand back further. Make the slap hurt or you’re just going to be wasting your time.”
Momo felt herself smile seeing Dahyun so angry. Dahyun felt her rage worsen at the stupid smile on Momo’s face. Momo just had to have a smug comment for everything. Momo just didn’t care about anyone but herself, Dahyun thought. The Japanese woman just found joy in irritating Dahyun to no end.
The older woman continued to egg on the Korean woman, “Come on Dahyun, you should know this. It’s high school level biology. Force is equal to mass times acceleration. You’re obviously not that heavy so you need to put more acceleration into your hand-”
“Shut up!” Dahyun interrupted her thunderously, fed up with her incessant talking and teasing, “Shut up! You’re always so arrogant and agitating, my God . Will you ever just shut up?”
Momo’s smirk widened as she leaned in closer, voice still as teasing as ever, “Make me.”
Dahyun had always been a very calculated person. She made very meticulous choices that would benefit her: in the moment and in the long run.
But for once, Dahyun found herself moving thoughtlessly. There was no prior thought, no judgment on if her decisions were good or bad. There was no second thought on the cause and effect of her actions.
Dahyun knew Momo needed to be shut up and humbled, yet in that moment she couldn’t think of a logical way to truly silence the Japanese woman. She was relentless with her teasing and annoying nature and it had pushed Dahyun further than ever pushed before.
Dahyun found her lips crashing harshly onto Momo’s. Her lips effectively silenced Momo.
Momo gasped at the contact, not imagining this scenario in any sort of reality she lived in. Dahyun’s lips were perfectly moisturized and soft, despite the rough contact. Momo’s eyes shut tightly, not knowing if she hallucinated the moment or if she were truly getting kissed.
Dahyun pulled away, her face stern and determined. Momo breathed heavily. Shetruly couldn’t wrap her head around what had just happened.
The Korean woman pulled Momo intimidatingly closer, making Momo gulp. Her eyes jumped from Dahyun’s lips and back up to her eyes.
Dahyun leaned in closely, her voice low and demanding,
“Like I said, do as you're told and shut up.”