I Still

The badminton competition on the second day was held at noon so Younghee had a lie in. Had it not been for Ari waking her up on time, she would've slept the day away. Though despite her best efforts, Ari could only manage to get her out of bed fifteen minutes before they had to leave on time, throwing the whole apartment into chaos as they scrambled to get ready.

"We made it.." An out of breath Ari panted as they got to the gymnasium in time. She looked around at the other participants as she fanned herself with her shirt then tugged at the hairband on her wrist. "Youngyoung."

"Yeah?"

Ari walked behind her and started to brush through Younghee's hair with her fingers, "you should probably tie your hair up so it doesn't get in the way... There, all done." She smiled as she gave the ponytail a small flick. 

"Thanks, I'll go get ready."

Ari nodded. She found an empty spot and sat down and watched as Younghee warmed up. With her on a court and a racket back in hand, Seo Younghee was starting to look like the Younghee she knew again. 

Feeling the stares from Ari, Younghee let the shuttle that she had been hitting against the wall fall as she turned to give her a small wave and an almost shy smile.

From the other end of the gymnasium was someone who was less than happy to see the two of them like that. But what could she do? She wasn't even in the picture.

"What are you looking at?"

Nari turned to the girl next to her. They were introduced to each other simply because the student council president needed one more pair for the race but after collecting their prizes, they somehow ended up viewing competitions together. They got along well enough and the president was too busy with the festival to accompany Nari so even though this person was practically a total stranger, Nari would've still preferred her company than none at all.

Nari shook her head, "nothing."

"Hm.. Who do you think is going to win?"

She looked between everyone on the court then pointed at a random guy, "that one."

"The vice president?"

Nari turned to her in surprise which made the girl laugh.

"What, did you not know? Then why did you choose him?"

"I just picked someone random. That's Minju's brother?"

"Her twin, Lee Jumin. It's cute how their names match, no?"

Nari nodded absentmindedly as her eyes trailed back to Younghee. Her gaze followed her as everyone began to go to their assigned courts to start the first round.

Since both the 1v1 and 2v2 contests were happening at the same time, with the singles taking up half a court rather than a full one, a lot of the spectators ended up moving to get a better view of who they wanted to see play. Though Nari stayed where she was as she could still just about see Younghee while staying out of her view.

Apart from the sound of shoes squeaking against the wooden floor and the whoosh from racquets hitting the air, there were the occasional announcements from referees when a match had ended but it was usually too quiet to hear in the large space that you could only really tell who won by looking at their reactions if you don't keep track of the scores, and most people didn't. To save time, everyone played one set so the winners for each round was decided quickly.

Nari chuckled as a triumph smile appeared on Younghee's face. She's going to win.

As much as she had been staring at Younghee, there was someone staring at her too.

What the… so you can smile.. The girl next to her followed her gaze to Younghee who was taking a sip of water from a bottle Ari handed her. When she glanced back at Nari, she noticed she wasn't smiling anymore. You're way too easy to read.

As the final rounds started, the gymnasium was filled with more and more people, some even having to lean against the wall because there were no more places to sit. There were two rounds left for both the singles and the pairs so they were now all playing on a full court. Since it was a change for the ones that had been playing in half a court, it took them a while to get used to the change and for those who adapted quicker, it was easy for them to get ahead at the start.

Younghee was one of those people and ended up winning the second to last round with 21-13.

"Looks like your pick made it," the girl next to Nari said.

"Huh?"

She nodded at Jumin who had also advanced to the last round though her attention quickly turned to the group of people that had just walked in to congratulate him. Among them, one in particular seemed closer to him than the others but when he saw Younghee, his face completely lit up like he'd seen his idol. Before he could go talk to her, an instruction for the finalists to get ready was given.

"Don't sweat it."

"To be fair, it was close."

"Yeah, she only won because of the last serve."

"Guys, I'm fine. It's not even a proper tournament," Jumin laughed, trying to brush everyone off whilst his sister that was supposed to be comforting him too, or rather making fun of him for losing, was busy taking a phone call.

"What? Oh my god, why do people keep doing this… if you don't want to participate, just don't sign up," Minju grumbled as she hung up. She walked over to Doyoung and suddenly grabbed him by the ear, "come on, let's go."

"Ow, ow! Go where? I'm done for the day!"

"We need to find someone for the Women's basketball game. Go use your charm on someone."

Doyoung managed to get her grip off his ear that had turned red and grinned, "I know who we can ask," he excitedly pointed at Younghee.

Minju furrowed her brows as she stared at her then shook her head, "no way."

"What? Oh come on, don't tell me you still have a grudge against her."

"It's not a grudge. I just don't like her so no."

"So you're being biased? You can't do that, president," Doyoung teased.

"Shut up. She wouldn't agree anyway, she doesn't even play basketball."

"Why does that matter? Half the people who signed up don't, it's just for fun."

"You're only saying that because you think she would win."

"Of course… I still remember that tournament in middle school.."

Minju slapped the back of his head. "Stop it with those googly eyes. You look like Unnie… She wasn't even that good."

"Hey, you were completely in awe watching her too. Just admit it, the only reason you still don't like her is because of her."

"…" Minju looked to Younghee again, this time her expression was a lot harder to read. "Go ask her."

Doyoung nodded, quickly making his way over to her. He gave a small wave to get Younghee's attention. "Hi, remember me?"

She nodded.

"I know you said no last time but the girl's basketball is missing a player, do you think you can stand in?"

"No, you're gonna have to find someone else."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because I don't want to."

Doyoung blinked, "ah... yeah, sorry. Erm, congrats on your win." He trailed back to Minju with a dispirited look on his face who just laughed at him.

Later that day, Younghee had gone to the student council's office to claim her reward while Ari went to help a friend out at their food stall. They had agreed to meet there later but it took Younghee longer than she thought to get the simple gift card as the office was empty when she got there.

She waited outside for a while before the student council president showed up, today, her hair in simple space buns and a mini braid. The girl unlocked the door and switched the light on, going to grab a small envelope. As Minju handed it to Younghee, she couldn't shake off the strange feeling that she was staring with distaste.

"Is something wrong?" Younghee asked.

"Do you not remember me?"

"Sorry?"

"Lee Minju, we went to middle school together."

"Were you in my class?"

"No."

"Then why would I remember you?"

"You remember Harin Unnie."

"Harin's my friend."

"You treat a friend like that?"

Younghee paused, "ah… it's you, the kid that used to follow her around everywhere." She laughed, "how did playing puppy work out for you? Is Harin still in touch?"

"…" Minju frowned, "don't act like you know everything."

"I know enough and I know Harin didn't feel what you felt, at least not for you."

"Unnie didn't deserve what you did to her."

"As the student council president, I would think you're smart enough to realise what happened wasn't all my fault. Unless you're really just that dense."

Minju scoffed, "alright, then what about Baek Nari?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you hadn't showed up that day, do you think they would've made that post about her?"

"What post?"

"... See? You're still so oblivious."

"Wait, what are you talking about?"

Minju sighed and pulled something up on her phone. The previous post made about Nari on the school forum now quoted in a report she had submitted. 

The final day of the sports festival had now rolled around and it was time for Ari's swimming competition. Younghee gave Ari an encouraging wave as she looked up at her from the pool but her mind was somewhere else. 

A strange and familiar feeling was developing.

Following the sound of a horn, the competitors dived into the pool. Ari's perspective turned into rapid waves made of blurry sights - but despite the anxiety and nerves, she was experiencing a high she had long forgotten. The feeling of bliss accelerated as she pushed off the wall, now leading. She felt her clear heartbeats when her hands met the wall again but by now, there was something missing. Someone.

Her eyes darted between the spectators with a lost look on her face as the announcement for her win was made. Ari's reflection stared back at her as she dropped her head; a face that resembled a younger version of herself with an 'I told you' look.

...

Why did I think you'd change...?

Ari pushed her hands against the deck and lifted herself out of the water. She reached a hand out, about to grab the towel offered to her before feeling light-headed all of a sudden.

Huh? 

She could see the people around her start to worry but for some reason, she couldn't hear anything. There was a ringing in her ears as she felt her vision shake followed by the sound of her collapsing by the pool.

Ah. I forgot to eat.

Her eyes twitched as she felt her consciousness wave back in. From the hardness of the bed and a faint perfume scent, Ari could tell she was in the infirmary and someone was there with her. Hearing the sounds of rustling as Ari turned her back on her, Younghee laughed softly.

"Are you awake?"

She stayed still for a few seconds as if wanting to convince Younghee she was still asleep then sighed.

"Where did you go?"

"I had something to take care of. Sorry, I didn't think it'd take that long."

Is that the same excuse you'd use if I asked about that?

"I saw you two talking the other day... Younghee, do you like her?"

"No."

"I haven't even said who it is yet."

"It doesn't matter." I still...

Ari stared outside as the room fell silent. She felt the afternoon breeze through the slightly cracked open window on her face before turning to face Younghee. As unsure as she was, she still felt safe with her.

"I'm hungry."

There was a surprised look on Younghee's face before she gave a nod, "is there anything you want to eat?"

"I had something in my bag, could you go get it?"

Younghee grabbed Ari's bag and paused as she took out a plastic box with a sticker on-top that read 'Yeon Café'. 

"Where did you..."

"Huh? Oh that? I heard their food was good so I ordered some this morning." Ari opened the box and carefully picked something out. "Do you want to try it?"

A seemingly innocent question and a friendly face, yet why did it carry malice?