Chapter 41

Chaeyoung stared at the sky with her mind going elsewhere. After learning about Jihyo's situation, she found herself in deep thoughts. She's now in the rooftop where Jihyo said they can start training her ability. It was peaceful and comfortable to have some alone time. She laid on the wooden bed and carefully admire the stars.

"Hey I was looking for you. Why are you here?" Mina suddenly interrupt her thoughts.

"Oh sorry just want some time alone to think." She smiled and gladly welcome the girl. Mina silently sat beside her. The sky is clear for the night.

"How was your day? I heard you have to go and clean some mess?" Chaeyoung tried to act casually to the girl. She can't let Mina notice how sad she is at the moment.

"It goes well. How about you? what did Momo said?" Mina laid beside her.

"Hmm she said I still need to practice my ability to further see my limit and the side effect." She lied. I can't tell her the truth. Chaeyoung can't or Jihyo's plan will be a waste.

"Is that so."

Silence. Chaeyoung don't know what to say anymore. She's afraid if she were to talk more, she might spill the truth. She hates lying but she has to.

"Chae." Mina called. They're both staring at the night sky.

"Hmm?"

"Akira told me that you love me."

Chaeyoung immediately sat up from the sudden revelation of truth. Somehow, she wanted to look for a certain short haired girl and smack her from spilling the beans.

"She said that?!" Her eyes wide from the shock. Mina didn't look at her and just stare at the sky.

"Yeah and I just realized that you really are." Mina sighed. The surprise turned into confusion.

"How?" She tilted her head and frown.

"When I learn about it I tried searching in the net." Her voice suddenly lowered. If Mina was normal she would actually thought it was the embarrassment. She tried not to laugh from the cute deed from the girl. Seriously? search on the net?

"Then what did you found out?" She asked. A smile playing in her lips. Her problems are already buried at the back of her mind. Mina's presence is enough to comfort her thoughts.

"I found out that you are showing me how a person is in love." She answered, still looking at the sky.

"And what do you think?"

"I- I think I know why now." Mina let out a sigh and sat up. Chaeyoung looked at her in curiosity.

"Why what?"

"Why my heart reacted like this when I am with you." She pointed to her own chest. "The jealousy, the light feeling, the weird tug in my stomach, the possessiveness, and the thought of being with you every time." Chaeyoung tried to bit her lower lip to avoid smiling like crazy and interrupt the girl.

"and what is it?"

"It's love." She looked at Chaeyoung with her eyes full of emotions for the first time. It wasn't cold nor empty. She can actually feel it again. A feeling where you are floating, having fast heart beat, and a smile creeps in those former cold ones. She finally realized her own heart.

A satisfying and comforting warmth envelop her wellbeing. It was Chaeyoung who pulled her in a hug. She can't believe it herself but if it was a dream, she wanted to make all out of it.

"I'm happy. You finally did love me back." She whispered. Mina returned the hug.

"I am happy too. I- I can feel it." Different emotions swarm inside her. An she eventually cried for the second time. Chaeyoung was crying too. Oh God, how many times will I cry today? but at least it was from happiness this time.

"But I think there's one more thing to confirm it." Chae pulled away and smiled to her. Her dimples showing and eyes twinkles from the tears. She brushed the tears away from the beautiful lady in front of her.

"What?"

"Close your eyes." She instructed. Mina blinked in confusion but still followed and closes her eyes. Chaeyoung chuckled to the obedient girl. Slowly leaning and closing the gap, she kissed the woman she always wanted to have. Under the night sky, on the witness of the stars she claimed what she thought should be hers from the beginning. The kiss was feather like, no intention of lust but only love. An innocent kiss for the innocent moment.

Mina could feel her heart jumping inside her. The overwhelming warmth in her cold heart was melting the ice around it. Simply basking itself on the new found emotions just for the girl. The sweet taste of her lips, a strawberry flavor. Chaeyoung pulled inches away from her, but their forehead is still pressed together.

"So what are we now?" She softly asked, a beautiful smile playing in her lips.

"Of course you are mine." Mina smiled with the same light to it. "I am possessive you know." She revealed. Chaeyoung chuckled from it. Please don't let this moment end.

"I clearly know that already."

...

"I can't believe that I am capable of feeling this again." Mina stared at the stars. They're now lying back again, but this time they're holding hands.

"You have it in you. It's just locked away." Chaeyoung was lying on her side to clearly see the woman beside her. She don't want to miss any smiles coming from the assassin. She's afraid that it would be the last time and she'll wake up in a dream where her love was only forgotten.

"The reason why I didn't see you this morning was because I'm afraid to say something that would hurt you without being certain to what I feel." She confesse, eyes fixed on the dark canvas of the night. Chaeyoung didn't answer and continued to listen to her silently.

"The reason why I am afraid of losing you is because I care for you. The reason why I cried that night where I was supposed to kill you is because I myself don't want to. I don't really get it at that time. It's hard to figure out something devoid from you."

"You know I won't blame you even if you can't realize it now." Chaeyoung smiled seeing how sincere the girl is. This side of her never change.

"I know but I'm afraid that if I were to realize it later. I might be too late." Mina's eyes struggled to keep the tears away. It's the first time she can finally fully feel it itself and the feeling is overwhelming. Chaeyoung saw a tear escaped from Mina's eyes. This is the first time she saw Mina baring herself in front of her, sharing her worries and thoughts. I'm more than afraid Minari.

"I am here." Chaeyoung pulled the girl in her embrace and let her be tucked on her neck. She slowly ran her fingers on the girl's locks and whispering comforting words. She found herself amused by the idea that it was her weeping this morning and now she's the one coaxing the girl.

Mina stopped crying and let herself drown on the younger woman's scent and comfort. She found herself a place and home. I'll definitely protect it.

"By the way did I just took away your first kiss?" Chaeyoung pulled from the embrace and looked down to her.

"Ani."

Chaeyoung's eyes widen. Woah I am not her first kiss? But I reserved my lips just for her for how many years and she just...

"I'm not your first kiss?!"

Mina found it amusing seeing the woman's reaction. She decided to tease her more.

"No it was someone drunk I met in the bar."

"You go in a bar?"

"Hmm why? do I look like I'm not?"

"Woah daebak you are my first kiss and then here I thought I am yours." Chaeyoung pulled away completely. Mina laughed seeing the pouting girl.

"Jealous?" She teased.

"Ani." She huffs in annoyance.

"Oh should I go to that woman now and demo what happened?" she tilted her head to tease her more. Chaeyoung rolled her eyes and tried to sat up but Mina stopped her by her wrist and pulled her down. That caused for their lips to meet again.

"That's what you did in our first kiss."

Chaeyoung's face blushed. She don't know if it was the embarrassment or the girl beside her.

..

Aki and Tzuyu watched from the door of the rooftop as the two girls being lovey dovey in front of them. Tzuyu shook her head with a smile.

"I didn't know Mina has it." Akira blinked in surprise.

"Oh sure she did. She's quite whipped when she's in love you know." Tzuyu smirked remembering the Mina she met in the cage.

"Hmm well that's for sure." Akira agreed remembering the massacre. "Do you have someone too?" She added.

"I have." Tzuyu smiled.

"Let me guess it's the captain right?" Akira teased.

"Is it obvious?" Tzuyu turned to her in surprise.

"Well no but I'm just sharp myself." She shrugged and chuckled. She remembered the first time she met Jihyo and Tzuyu in the rooftop on that night. It's quite obvious to see who's paired with who.

"Should I praise you with that?"

"Nah I won't be happy if it's coming from you."

Tzuyu laughed hearing the honest reply.

"Let's leave them, it's getting too much. I'm getting ant bites here." Akira shivered and started walking back inside. Tzuyu just chuckled and followed her. In the living room, they saw Chaeyeon, Sakura, Sana and Dahyun happily talking to each other.

"What's the catch?" Akira sat beside Chaeyeon.

"Oh we we're thinking of having a welcome party for you three and Chaeyoung's." Sana chirped. She and Aki is already in good terms now. How? Dahyun did something magical to let the girl forgave the younger woman. Akira didn't know herself what kind of bribing or sweet talk she did but surely the deady glares turned into a casual one.

"Really? I'm in!" Akira happily raised her hand.

"Tzuyu will arrange everything." Sana added. Tzuyu looked at her with a frown.

"And how come I am to arrange everything?" She complained.

"Because you are the only one good at it." Sana winked at her. She's actually winning the girl's favor. Tzuyu rolled her eyes knowing her agenda.

"Then I'll take Dahyun with me to assist." She crossed her arms.

"What? No!" She declined and hug Dahyun beside her.

"Dahyunnie we can't let your girlfriend to come with us." Tzuyu let out a sigh and look at her friend. It's as if she's saying her that she'll-mess-up. Dahyun nodded to her and gave a sign of okay without Sana noticing. Tzuyu smiled triumphantly and Sana was left baffled.

"Aki want to come?"

"Sure!" She immediately answered.

"Let's invite the elites too." Tzuyu added.

"Then it's a plan." Chaeyeon smiled and they started planning on what they should buy. Meanwhile, the door opened. Revealing Nayeon and Jeongyeon.

"Jeongie!" Akira exclaimed. Jeong showed her a smile. It looks like they're already fine seeing that their hands is intertwined tightly.

"Let's do a welcome party for five people then." Sana chirped and everyone smiled.

"That would be better." Nayeon agreed.

And the night continued with them introducing themselves to the new part of the family.

...

Momo is in her lab with Jihyo. They're talking about her remaining time and Chaeyoung's situation about her abilities.

"It's her decision to do this." Momo sadly put down the result papers of Chaeyoung.

"I am against of her using her powers but she begged me to teach her how to control it." Jihyo let out a sigh.

"I think It'll be fine as long as she won't pass the limit usage everyday. I can ask Dahyun and Tzuyu to help me have a limiter for her."

"Thanks Momoring." Jihyo smiled at her with gratitude.

"But about you, are you sure to do that? They'll get angry you know." Momo looked at her in concern. Jihyo chuckled and shows her gummy smile.

"We need to it for the plan. It'll be better that way." She crossed her arms with confidence brimming in her eyes. Momo can't help but smile too.

"Well you are the Captain."

...