“what is happiness, i ask without receiving an answer—”

A sweet melody flowed through the quaint store. It was the type of tune that brought a smile to one's face. It was a happy sound, the kind of happy where one couldn't stop smiling. It was the type that could make one forget everything and just feel hopeful.

Migyung’s eyes were closed, a toothy smile on her face. Her head swayed to the melody as if being played by a puppeteer. She had no control over her actions but she didn't want to stop, she liked this feeling. It was the kind of feeling she had never felt before, not even when she danced.

Giddy, bubbly, tension-free… happy.

The notification sound of her mobile phone broke the tranquility, making the woman open her eyes and check the message. If it was possible, her smile widened as she pulled the phone closer. It was a text from Hoseok.

Hoseok:
Hey!
Are you at work? Am I disturbing you?

Migyung:
Yes, I'm at work but it's okay.
Wassup?

Hoseok:
Oh, just wanted to know if you woke up on time after our late night exertions ;)

Migyung:
Pfft—
You talk as if we ran a marathon instead of just eating noodles.

Hoseok:
I like to think we did more.
You told me you have a crush on me after all XD

Migyung:
I DID NOT!!
I just told you, you are handsome. Gosh! I did not know men could be so petty.

Hoseok:
Ha! Whatever you say, Miss Kim.
I gotta go now.
Have a good day!

Migyung:
Yeah, you too…

Migyung sighed looking at the texts. She had a goofy grin on her face, so wide she could feel wrinkles forming. The thought scared her for a moment but she couldn't stop smiling. Especially after what happened last night.

The memory made her blush the same way she had blushed after blurting out her thoughts out loud. Oh, how she had wished to shrink and just jump in her bowl of noodles! But she had only cleared her throat, feigned nonchalance and went back to slurping the soup. It helped her hide her blush and Hoseok to sit back in his seat. They hadn't shared many words after that, just when he had offered to drop her home and later exchanged numbers.  

She covered her face with both of her hands now and let out a loud squeal, kicking her legs under the table. She didn't know how to comprehend these new feelings, she just knew she was happy. Happy after a long time. Happy because of a guy. She had forgotten how being happy felt.

“I remember saying no smoking, drinking, or drugs in work hours,” a stern voice made Migyung’s heart leap out of her chest, her body almost flying off the chair as she tried gathering her bearings. She cleared her throat, taking longer than necessary and then bursting out in a fit of real coughs. Wrong choice of reaction, she thought.

After calming down a little, she met her boss’s inquisitive eyes and amused smile. “I’m not on drugs or anything, Miss Cho. I was simply…”

“Yes, you were simply what?” Hwayoung prompted when the other woman trailed off. She wracked her brain, she really did but she couldn't come up with an excuse and so, she sighed in defeat and blurted out the truth. “I met a guy. A good guy.”

It made the writer stop, her eyes wide but her face relaxed as she looked at the woman sitting on the front desk. She wasn't looking at her but by the looks of her face, she seemed happy. It was something new but it also made her feel a bit concerned for the older woman.

"That's good," Hwayoung let out, walking towards her slowly and putting the plate in her hand on the desk. Migyung stared at the white buns, probably filled with red bean paste before looking up. The younger woman looked like she had more to say.

She carefully put her hand on Migyung's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze as her blue eyes pierced through her brown ones. They were dead serious as she spoke, "Just don't use him as a crutch, Unnie."

Crutch.

The word echoed in Migyung's mind as she watched Hwayoung retreat into her office, the door shutting behind her. She couldn't help but think hard about her choice of words. The young writer rarely called her Unnie and when she did it was because she was talking as a friend, a person she liked and cared about.

Was she using Hoseok as a crutch? She didn't know for sure, she just knew she liked his company, liked how he talked to her. She had seen him check her out on multiple occasions, so she wouldn't dare to say he was different from other guys. That would be like calling him a saint instead of a man. But he was indeed different because he was interesting. In some ways he was like her, hiding his true nature in the dark of night.

She wanted to think a little more about that, about him and how he seemed to have affected her life in such a short time but she put that aside. The sound of a car pulling up outside the store made her look up, her face morphing into a cold mask that showed none of her emotions. A woman stepped out of the shiny red Lamborghini, her face a reflection of her own.

Migyung didn't want Mijung ruining her happy morning. She didn't need her there but she was and maybe, just maybe she would step out for a smoke after her twin was gone.

She decided to get busy with work as Mijung opened the door, the bell at the top clinkering, announcing her arrival. "Welcome!" she greeted as usual, as she would do with any other customer but didn't look up.

"Hey to you too, sister," Mijung said, a smirk on her red lips as she sauntered over to the desk, letting her arms support her weight as she stared at the woman opposite her. "Good to see you working and not high with needles sticking out of your arms."

She sighed, trying not to grit her teeth as she finally looked up. "I am not up for small talk, Mijung. Spit it out." The other woman chuckled. "You've changed so much little sister. From being a timid, smiling girl to a druggie, feisty woman. I'm glad you have grown up. Anyways, since I don't have enough time either, here you go."

Migyung raised an eyebrow seeing her twin passing her a cream coloured envelope. "What's this?" she asked, taking the envelope and looking up again.

"An official invitation from Chairwoman Kang. She wants to talk to you in person, said it was important." At her answer, Migyung couldn't help but smile, albeit without humour. "She really wants to make me a part of her academy, doesn't she?"

Mijung shrugged, her eyes anywhere but at her. "I don't know what's the big deal but just come and meet the old hag once. It would put an end to my suffering." It's always about you, isn't it? Migyung thought to herself and put the envelope in a drawer without opening it.

"I'll visit if Miss Cho lets me. I'm not free much these days," she said with a haughty flair as she went back to typing. The other twin scoffed and turned around to leave only to stop and look back.

"How did you find out about my habit?" Mijung glared at her, referring to her comment about self-induced vomiting at the family dinner. Migyung returned her hot glare with her chilly stare and replied, "Your knuckles."

Mijung's nose flared in annoyance and anger as she looked at the raw skin of her knuckles. "Don't pretend to be a sister to me, Migyung."

This time the said girl scoffed. "Of course, I won't. That bond broke the moment you decided to clip my wings for your own selfish needs."

A/N:

Migyung is so self contradictory, isn't she?

What do you think about this chapter?
Will Migyung go to meet Chairwoman Kang or not?