Chapter Text
The door goes then, unlocking with a loud mechanical click and before Sakura can say anything in response to Chaewon’s older sisters accusation, Chaewon strides in, wearing her gym gear, her face changing from a easy smile to a mask as she sees her sister seated opposite Sakura in the living area.
Shiro runs over to her and she greets him enthusiastically but doesn’t make a move to sit down yet. Unsure of the situation she had found herself in.
“I didn't expect you over”, Chaewon says to her sister, keeping her voice casual though her body was tense. Sakura could tell by the way she held herself.
Sakura bites her lip and crosses and uncrosses her legs awkwardly as she looks carefully between the two sisters. Should she have not invited her in? Would Chaewon be mad at her? Had she crossed a boundary?
“It’s lucky Sakura was over dog sitting for me while I went to an appointment or I might have missed your visit”. Chaewon notes. She looks at her sister trying to read her. Her sisters expression looked complicated. But the dominant emotion was hurt.
Sakura suggests politely to the tense room, “I'll head off then - leave you two to catch up, I wouldn’t want to intrude” and Sakura gets up off the sofa to go - avoiding both of their gazes.
“Wait, Sakura, could you stay here, please?” Her sister suggests, her tone authorative. It reminded Sakura of how Chaewon sounded when she was giving the girls instructions as the leader of the group.
Sakura feels too intimidated in that moment to object and she sits back down.
Chaewon looks over at her sister, confused.
“Why do you want Sakura to stay?”. Chaewon asks.
“Chae, why didn't you tell me?” Her sister asks, her voice filled with emotion.
“Tell you what?” Chewon asks.
“That you're in love with your bandmate Sakura. You've been dating in secret, haven't you?” She says as though she knows without a doubt that it is true. Though Sakura have confirmed nothing to her.
Chaewon suddenly looks terrified, her hands begining to shake.
“I don't know what you're talking about.” Chaewon insists.
“Chaewon”, her sister says, her voice softer this time as she sees the distress her sister is in.
Then Chaewon starts to cry hard. Sobs bursting out from her chest.
“Please don't hate me, please don't tell mum and dad. Please, I beg you”. She sobs.
Sakura gets up and moves to embrace Chaewon as she cries.
“Oh Chae, honey” Sakura says, her voice breaking. It hurt to see her like this.
“Please don't cry”, Sakura says and she wraps her arms around Chaewon tightly, as if she can protect her from whatever happens next. From hate. From her parents. Sakura had decided in that moment she would do anything to protect Chaewon from hurt. Anything.
“Kim Chaewon. How could I hate you? And of course I will not say anything about this to mum or dad.” Her sister insists.
She looks over at Sakura, worry evident on her features.
“But shouldn’t you hate me?” Chaewon asks, her voice cracking with emotion.
“Mother and father say it is evil to love someone of your own gender” Chaewon says very quietly, her eyes red and puffy from crying.
Her sister sighs. “I have my own mind and I can choose my own beliefs” She insists.
“It’s okay Chae. I promise. I could never hate you no matter who you fall in love with”. Her sister says softly, walking closer towards them.
“Just please stop crying” She adds softly. Looking over to Sakura. Her eyes gentle.
Chaewon hides into Sakura’s chest, still sniffling, though she had calmed down a little.
Sakura strokes Chaewon’s back soothingly.
“It’s okay, just let it all out. It must have hurt having to hide this from your sister and family” Sakura says gently.
Sakura’s expression hardens slightly as she looks over to Chaewon’s elder sister. Acting protectively as she says, “Please understand this is not Chaewon’s fault. She didn’t choose this. None of us choose who we fall for. So please consider your words and actions with Chaewon about this. I will not see Chaewon be made to feel guilty for her feelings.”
Chaewon’s sister nods in understanding. “I would never want to upset you Chaewon. I love you” she reassures her. “I am just a little hurt you felt you could not tell me about this. That you felt like you had to hide it from me.” She explains.
Chaewon moves from her hiding spot to glance over at her sister. “I’m sorry...I was just so scared how you would react. I thought you might hate me or disown me.”
“Why don’t we sit down and talk about this properly. You can tell me everything” Her sister suggests.
Chaewon bites her lip and nods. Shy all of a sudden.
She pulls back from Sakura’s embrace so she can look at her. “I’m sorry for being such a mess.” She says to Sakura looking embarrassed.
Sakura smiles at her. “It’s fine Chae. You have nothing to be sorry about.”
Chaewon swallows. “Okay. Well…It’s up to you if you want to stay here. But if you feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to. I’ll be okay on my own.”
Sakura shakes her head, and tidies a stray hair of Chaewon’s. “I don’t feel uncomfortable. It’s fine. Really. of course I’ll stay.” She assures her.
Chaewon nods and takes Sakura’s hand in hers. “Okay if your sure” and leads her to sit down on the sofa with her, opposite her sister.
Sakura can she how her sister watches their interactions with curious eyes.
And Sakura suddenly feels nervous. Because this was Chaewon's elder sister. And now she knew they were dating. Had been dating.
“I'm sorry, Sakura. Our family are very old fashioned. But I know better than that. I would really like to get to know you if you would be willing.” She says.
Sakura nods. “Yes, of course. I'd like that. I would be nice to get to know you. Chaewon talks about you a lot”.
“So...you're currently dating my sister.” She states, smiling and raising a brow.
“When did this start exactly? I hope you are treating her well.”
Sakura blushes and looks down at her hands, shy.
Chaewon squeezes one of her hands in encouragement.
“It is very recent. And I hope that I am treating Chaewon well. I am trying my hardest to treat her how she deserves.” Sakura admits.
“You seem very kind and well mannered Sakura and you are very pretty. It looks like my sister has good taste” She observes with a smile.
Sakura blushes even harder if that is possible and averts her gaze - shy.
Chaewon smiles genuinely and wraps an arm around Sakura. “She is so pretty that it stuns me sometimes.” Chaewon admits, looking at Sakura with such love and admiration.
“I have been having a rough time lately but Sakura has always been there to support me. We grew closer through that and I realized I had fallen for her as she spent more and more time together. Everyone had noticed the change in my feelings for her. It took alot of courage but I eventually grew brave enough to confess to her, and ask her out.” Chaewon explains.
“It was the scariest thing I have ever done” Chaewon admits.
Her sister smiles. “It is always scary to be honest about our feelings. So I am guessing she accepting your confession then?” She asks looking over to Sakura for confirmation.
Chaewon nods and Sakura nods shyly.
“How old are you Sakura?”
Chaewon seems to relax beside Sakura. And Sakura replies politely. “I am 26 years old so, I am a bit older than Chaewon”.
Her sister nods. “That’s reasonable.”
“And you're from Japan?”
Sakura nods. “Yes, I was born and grew up in Japan. Though I have lived in Korea for many years now, for work and it has almost become like a second home to me.”
“Who knows about your relationship? Do your parents know Sakura? Your other group members?”. She asks.
Sakura nods. “Yes, and they support our decision.”
“And what are you intentions with our Chaewon? Is this serious to you? Or casual? Do you intend to date long term. What would you expect from Chaewon? As the eldest I would expect you to support our Chaewon financially if needed.”
Chaewon protests, “Isn’t this too much to ask.” blushing bright red.
Sakura feels nervous under her elders sister's gaze. She had not felt this nervous since their debut showcase. Because those were some heavy questions.
Sakura hesistates, trying to seem more confident as she answers, though she can feel Chaewon's stare. "Well...we haven't really spoke about it but I hope that it can be long-term. I am very serious about your sister. I am here for as long as she wants me. And of course, I would be more than happy to support her if that is what she wanted though I doubt she would allow me to. I have made and saved up a lot of money over the years since my early career in Japan. So money would never be an issue."
*** TBC in Part Two***