Haerin's POV
"I can't believe that I will be doing this again," Y/n said while rolling up the sleeve of her t-shirt. Well, I couldn't believe she was getting this excited just because of the rain.
Wasn't she just recovered from a fever a while ago?
Now, we're on the veranda of the house, watching the rain fall on the garden.
The rain was heavy, but no storm was involved. Because of that, Y/n seemed to take no precautions. Before I knew it, she already ran to the middle of the garden, letting herself being caught in the rain.
There she spun around a few times, closing her eyes, but in the end, she stared at me.
She stretched her hand out, "Would you like to join me?"
Strangely, I had no hesitation, my face immediately lit up with excitement, "Let's dance together." I really couldn't resist her energy, could I?
I ran and leaped before her. She caught me and we twirled and laughed as the raindrops soaked through our clothes.
After a while, she put me down and held my hand.
"It becomes my thing to play in the rain on the first day of the rainy season," she said nonchalantly.
"Is there any specific reason?"
"Hmm...." she thought for a while. Was she considering telling me or not?
"I take it as a chance to wash away negative thoughts. Might as well consider it a fresh start. I used to think there was something wrong with me. People kept hating me as if I had done something evil. The rain kind of cleanses my mind I guess." She grinned. How could she say something like this while smiling?
I cupped her face with both of my hands, "You are not a bad person."
"I know?"
"What's with the question tone?"
We just stood in silence for a moment before bursting out laughing.
"I'm proud of you for getting through it."
She smiled weakly; I guessed it was a sense of relief.
"It's relieving to share your mind with someone... I guess I will tell you more next time."
-
"So, you're telling me both of you caught a cold at the same time?" Minji facepalmed. "Just what were you guys doing back then?"
I was about to lie, but I sneezed instead. Bless me.
Hanni unnie gave us medicine to take, "You should be grateful we still have these."
Dani seemed to be busy keeping us warm. She lit up the fireplace and things just got way better. I should have done this earlier.
We spent some time hearing the episode of their trip before they decided it was time for all of us to rest.
We went back to our rooms respectively, but I didn't want to end my day this way. I sneaked out to Y/n's room as always.
I shifted into a cat after knocking on her door.
She just laughed when she saw me, "Really?". She lifted me and brought me in. She laid down herself first before putting me beside her gently.
"Is there anything you want to say?" she asked.
Why did I come here? I just didn't want to end my day without seeing her, for an unknown reason.
I meowed, not giving her a clear response.
"Yeah yeah, I guess you have no specific reason."
It was a minute of silence before she finally talked again. "You know, it feels like you can read my mind. I want to talk to you... about something."
Although hesitance could be seen in her eyes, she continued, "Something has been bothering me. It might sound rude of me, but if you were to explain your past in one word, would it be in a negative word?"
That was a first... It's not common, or maybe it hadn't occurred yet, she asked about my past.
I took it seriously; I guessed I have to answer that in person.
Slowly, I was turning into my normal form, sitting next to her, "I won't say it negatively, but it's boring."
I grew up with Hyein, living in her enormous size house. Nothing really happened. I lived a normal life, there were happy memories, but sad memories as well.
Gratefully, no trauma and such things.
Why did she specifically ask this?
"I see... I guess it's all dream then," she casually said.
"Dream?"
"Yeah, it's a dream I had, but it felt so real. You were in it, saying something unexpected to me. I just wanted to confirm, that's all."
I could tell she didn't narrate the full story, but I couldn't get the full picture of it either way. Me? Saying something unexpected? And it had something to do with my past that she had to get it confirmed?
I just hoped I didn't say something recklessly that hurt her in any way.
"Did I say something stupid?"
"What?! No. You said that you couldn't tell me a happy story of your past, so I kind of got worried about it, but you seem to be unbothered now. I guess all of them were just my dream."
"I see."
Then, it brought us to silence once again. Was I really this bad at maintaining a conversation?
"Haerin?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
I was taken aback, what exactly is that thank you for?
"Thank you for calling me a good person. I know it's a simple thing, you might not think of it that much, but it means so much to me. I might still have some things in me to adjust, but your words... give me the power to be better. So, thank you for that." she cupped my face.
"I don't say something that means nothing, Y/n. You can take all my words seriously."
She smiled and wrapped me in a hug.
"You're an amazing person as well, kitty."
It felt inconsistent to hear "kitty" after mentioning a "person". Not that I minded though.
Still in the same position, "Tell me about your story next. I'm curious."
I hummed, resting my head on her chest. This was the best decision I made this night.