A Miracle of One Year, Girlfriend

1. The Appearance of Star Fairy Bori

[Night / Hyejeong's Room]

Rain was falling quietly outside the window.

The room was dark, and only the phone screen glowed faintly.

Hyejeong was curled up on the bed watching a video of her girlfriend's stage performance.

이혜정

Sisters...

이혜정

I really miss you.

The Girlfriend members in the video were smiling brightly.

That smile was so warm that Hyejeong teared up for no reason.

이혜정

me too...

이혜정

I want to be around people like that.

It was then.

Ding-dong.

A small bell sound was heard from somewhere.

이혜정

... what?

As Hyejeong lifted her head, a small starlight was floating in the middle of the room.

Sparkle. Sparkle.

The starlight grew larger and larger, then transformed into the shape of a small puppy that looked like a Maltipoo.

이혜정

... barley?

보리

bruise!

이혜정

No... why is Bori here?

이혜정

No, wait.

이혜정

You just glowed, didn't you?

보리

It's not a bruise; from now on, I'll speak.

이혜정

......?

보리

Hi, Hyejeong.

보리

I am the star fairy Bori.

이혜정

no.

이혜정

I'm dreaming right now.

보리

It's not a dream.

이혜정

So, have I finally gone crazy?

보리

That's not it either.

이혜정

Then what is it?

Bori jumped up in front of Hyejeong.

보리

I came to give you a miracle.

이혜정

miracle...?

보리

huh.

보리

A miracle that lasts exactly one year.

Hyejeong stared blankly at Bori.

이혜정

Why me?

보리

Because you've endured alone for so long.

At those words, Hyejeong's expression hardened.

이혜정

... Don't say that.

보리

Hyejeong.

이혜정

I'm fine.

이혜정

just...

이혜정

It's just a bit tough.

보리

know.

보리

That's why I came.

As Bori lifted her small front paws, starlight spread throughout the room.

In that light, the figures of the Girlfriend members faintly emerged.

Kim So-jeong, Jeong Ye-rin, Jeong Eun-ha, Choi Yu-na, Hwang Eun-bi, Kim Ye-won.

Hyejeong's eyes widened.

이혜정

... older sisters?

보리

The people you miss the most.

이혜정

no.

이혜정

Don't show me things like this.

이혜정

I feel like I'm going to cry.

보리

It's okay to cry.

이혜정

no.

이혜정

I look like a kid who cries all the time.

보리

Even if you cry, a precious person is still a precious person.

Hyejeong bit her lip tightly.

보리

Hyejeong.

보리

I'll give you 365 days.

이혜정

... 365 days?

보리

Time to spend with the GFRIEND members.

이혜정

what?

보리

However, there is a condition.

이혜정

condition?

보리

After a year, everything returns to normal.

이혜정

then...

이혜정

Do my older sisters forget me?

보리

That depends on how you spend the year.

이혜정

What does that mean?

보리

A miracle is not a gift, it is an opportunity.

이혜정

......

보리

Have a year without regrets.

Hyejeong clutched the blanket with trembling hands.

이혜정

me...

이혜정

Can I really meet the older sisters?

보리

huh.

이혜정

Did you eat together too?

보리

huh.

이혜정

And have a conversation too?

보리

huh.

이혜정

Even someone like me...

이혜정

Can I stay by your side, older sisters?

Bori quietly looked at Hyejeong for a moment.

And he said very gently.

보리

Hyejeong.

보리

You are not 'someone like me'.

이혜정

......

보리

You are Lee Hye-jeong.

At that moment, the starlight in the room grew stronger.

이혜정

Wait, Bori.

이혜정

I'm not mentally prepared yet...

보리

Miracles usually start suddenly!

이혜정

Hey, wait a minute!

The light enveloped Hyejeong.

이혜정

Aaaargh!

*

[Morning / Unfamiliar Living Room]

Warm sunshine.

The savory smell of rice.

Laughter heard from afar.

Hyejeong slowly opened her eyes.

이혜정

... Where is this place?

Unfamiliar ceiling.

Unfamiliar blanket.

A strange room.

Hyejeong suddenly stood up.

이혜정

what.

이혜정

Was I kidnapped?

Then the door opened.

정예린

uh?

정예린

I woke up!

Hyejeong froze in place.

이혜정

... Yes... Yerin unnie?

Yerin smiled brightly and waved her hand.

정예린

Hi, Hyejeong!

이혜정

...... uh?

정예린

Why are you so surprised?

정예린

Cutely.

이혜정

Wait a minute.

이혜정

I'm dreaming right now, right?

정예린

It's not a dream.

이혜정

Then is it a hidden camera prank?

정예린

That's not it, either?

이혜정

Then am I dead?

정예린

no!

정예린

Why are you being so extreme right from the start!

Just then, a voice was heard from the living room.

정은하

Yerin unnie, is Hyejeong awake?

Hyejeong's heart sank.

이혜정

... Eunha unnie's voice?

Eunha peeked out in front of the door.

정은하

Hyejeong, did you sleep well?

이혜정

......

정은하

uh?

정은하

Why did it freeze?

Hyejeong opened and closed her mouth.

And opened it again.

이혜정

I...

이혜정

I'm really sorry, but...

정은하

huh?

이혜정

Could you possibly pinch my cheek just once?

정예린

why?

이혜정

I want to check if this is a dream.

정예린

okay!

Yerin playfully pinched Hyejeong's cheek lightly.

이혜정

ouch!

정예린

Does it hurt?

이혜정

... It's not a dream.

정은하

cute.

이혜정

no.

이혜정

I feel like my heart is going to burst right now.

정예린

It must not explode.

정예린

I should eat breakfast.

이혜정

I am...

이혜정

With my older sisters...

이혜정

Breakfast?

정은하

huh.

정은하

Everyone is waiting.

이혜정

All of them?

정은하

huh.

정은하

Sojeong unnie too.

At those words, Hyejeong froze again.

이혜정

Sojeong unnie too?

정예린

huh.

정예린

Our leader has been asking since earlier when Hyejeong is going to wake up.

이혜정

Really?

정은하

really.

Hyejeong clutched her heart.

이혜정

Excuse me, just a moment.

이혜정

Let me breathe...

정예린

Breathe, breathe!

정은하

slowly.

정은하

are you okay.

*

[living room]

Hyejeong cautiously followed Yerin and Eunha out into the living room.

Breakfast was set on the table.

And the people sitting there.

Kim So-jeong.

Choi Yuna.

Hwang Eun-bi.

Kim Ye-won.

Hyejeong stopped in her tracks.

이혜정

... hello.

Sojeong raised her head.

김소정

Did you wake up?

이혜정

yes yes.

김소정

Let's eat.

이혜정

yes?

김소정

I'm hungry.

이혜정

Ah... yes...

Eunbi stared intently at Hyejeong.

황은비

Why is it frozen like this?

이혜정

I am in a situation where I can't help but freeze right now...

황은비

Are we that scared?

이혜정

no!

이혜정

It's not that I'm scared...

이혜정

I liked it so much...

The dining table fell silent for a moment.

Hyejeong's face turned bright red.

이혜정

No, actually, as a fan!

이혜정

As a fan, I love it so much!

정예린

Aha, as a fan?

정은하

Really, just as a fan?

이혜정

Why are you sisters acting like this...

Yuna handed over the water cup while suppressing a laugh.

최유나

Drink some water first.

최유나

Calm down.

이혜정

thank you...

Yewon smiled gently.

김예원

You can adapt slowly.

김예원

Of course I'd be surprised if this situation happened suddenly.

이혜정

Yewon unnie...

김예원

huh?

이혜정

really...

이혜정

You are so kind.

김예원

I haven't done anything yet?

이혜정

Existence.

황은비

and.

황은비

Look at the comment.

정예린

Hyejeong is no joke.

이혜정

no!

이혜정

I mean it!

Sojeong quietly looked at Hyejeong and spoke.

김소정

Sit down.

이혜정

yes?

김소정

If you keep standing, the food will get cold.

이혜정

... yes.

Hyejeong cautiously sat down on the chair.

Sojeong is on the left.

On the right is the galaxy.

Eunbi is in the front.

Hyejeong couldn't move even with the spoon in her hand.

정은하

Why aren't you eating?

이혜정

I am not in a condition to eat right now...

김소정

Eat.

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

I will eat.

김소정

Is it the army?

정예린

lol

이혜정

sorry...

김소정

There is no need to apologize.

김소정

Just relax.

이혜정

Comfortably... you mean?

황은비

That looks like the hardest part.

최유나

Still, we can take our time.

김예원

Hyejeong, try this side dish.

Yewon pushed the side dish in front of Hyejeong.

이혜정

thank you...

Hyejeong took a bite.

And my eyes widened.

이혜정

it is delicious.

정예린

of course!

정예린

I picked this one.

황은비

Is that all you chose?

정예린

Choosing something delicious is also a skill.

황은비

That is a truly amazing ability.

정예린

You just ignored me, didn't you?

황은비

yes.

정예린

hey!

정은하

Here we go again.

Hyejeong looked at the sight and smiled softly.

김소정

He's laughing.

이혜정

yes?

김소정

It looks better than before.

Hyejeong's hand stopped.

이혜정

... Do you watch things like that, older sister?

김소정

You can't see it.

이혜정

why?

김소정

Because you are the one who will be living with us for a year.

Hyejeong held her breath.

이혜정

My sister too...

이혜정

Do you know?

김소정

I heard it from Bori.

이혜정

Everyone?

최유나

huh.

최유나

We heard it too.

정은하

We didn't believe it at first either.

김예원

But Bori was making a shooting star in the air.

황은비

I'll admit that a bit.

정예린

It was total fantasy!

이혜정

then...

이혜정

Are you sisters okay?

김소정

what.

이혜정

I suddenly entered your lives, you know.

A moment of silence followed.

Hyejeong bowed her head.

이혜정

I just...

이혜정

I was worried it might be a nuisance...

Sojeong put down the spoon.

김소정

Hyejeong.

이혜정

yes.

김소정

No saying that while you are here.

이혜정

yes?

김소정

The word 'nuisance'.

Hyejeong looked at Sojeong.

김소정

We decided.

김소정

I decided to accept you.

정은하

that's right.

정은하

So you don't have to feel too sorry.

정예린

And I think we'll have fun!

황은비

Sister, aren't you speaking too lightly?

정예린

So what?

정예린

It looks like it'll be really fun.

최유나

I just need to make sure Hyejeong isn't uncomfortable.

김예원

We might have something to learn from Hyejeong too.

Hyejeong's eyes turned red.

이혜정

why...

이혜정

Does everyone tell you that?

정은하

Then how do I say it?

이혜정

just...

이혜정

You can say you don't like it.

김소정

If I didn't like it, I wouldn't have accepted it.

이혜정

......

김소정

So, eat.

Hyejeong nodded.

이혜정

yes...

*

[A short while later / Living room]

After finishing breakfast, Hyejeong was sitting on the sofa.

I still couldn't believe everything.

Just then, Bori jumped onto the sofa.

보리

how is it?

보리

The first morning of a miracle.

이혜정

Bori...

보리

huh?

이혜정

Am I really allowed to be here?

보리

That again.

이혜정

sorry...

보리

Hyejeong, this year is not time you were punished.

이혜정

......

보리

It's time I received a gift.

이혜정

But it's scary.

보리

what?

이혜정

If I become happy...

이혜정

I was afraid it would hurt more when it ended.

Bori quietly sat down next to Hyejeong.

보리

Then you won't be happy?

이혜정

that...

보리

If you do nothing out of fear of getting hurt, nothing will be left in the end.

Hyejeong looked down at her fingertips.

보리

Hyejeong.

보리

There is only one thing you have to do for this year.

이혜정

What is it?

보리

Trying to live as if you are alive.

Hyejeong's eyes wavered.

Just then, a voice was heard from behind.

김소정

What are you doing?

Hyejeong turned around in surprise.

이혜정

Sojeong unnie...

김소정

I need to tidy up my room.

이혜정

My room?

김소정

huh.

김소정

The room you will stay in.

이혜정

really...

이혜정

Do you have a room too?

김소정

Then, should I let them sleep on the floor?

이혜정

no!

김소정

Follow me.

Hyejeong cautiously followed Sojeong.

*

[Hyejeong's Room]

The door opened.

A small but warm room.

Bed, desk, and small wardrobe.

A star-shaped light was placed by the window.

이혜정

... pretty.

김소정

Do you like it?

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

So much.

김소정

Tell me if you need anything.

이혜정

It's already more than enough.

김소정

That word is also forbidden.

이혜정

yes?

김소정

I'm holding back because there's enough.

김소정

Don't do that.

Hyejeong couldn't say anything.

김소정

Tell me if there is anything you want.

김소정

If there is something you don't like, say so.

이혜정

Is it okay for me to do that?

김소정

Pig.

이혜정

Sister...

김소정

why.

이혜정

I feel like I'm going to cry.

김소정

Cry.

이혜정

yes?

김소정

If you want to cry, it's okay to cry.

Hyejeong eventually shed tears.

이혜정

I...

이혜정

I will really work hard.

김소정

Not working hard.

이혜정

yes?

김소정

Live comfortably.

이혜정

That's more difficult...

김소정

Then practice.

이혜정

... Will you help me, older sister?

Sojeong looked at Hyejeong for a moment and smiled softly.

김소정

huh.

Hyejeong's heart pounded hard.

김소정

For one year.

*

[Evening / Living Room]

A day passed, and everyone gathered in the living room.

Yerin was opening a bag of snacks, and Eunha brought a blanket.

Yuna was quietly touching her guitar, and Eunbi was sitting looking at her phone.

Yewon sat next to Hyejeong and handed her a warm cup of tea.

김예원

Drink up.

김예원

You'll feel more relaxed.

이혜정

thank you

정예린

Alright then, the first day commemorative meeting!

황은비

What kind of meeting is it?

정예린

Hyejeong's Adaptation Project!

정은하

Oh, that's good.

최유나

That's a cute name.

이혜정

You don't have to hold a meeting just because of me...

김소정

I have to do it.

이혜정

why?

김소정

Because we have to set the rules.

이혜정

Rules?

김소정

It's necessary if we want to live together.

정예린

first!

정예린

Let's all eat breakfast together!

정은하

I wish it were possible.

황은비

You can't eat if you have a schedule.

정예린

I said "if possible"!

최유나

second.

최유나

Don't keep your worries to yourself.

Hyejeong flinched.

최유나

Especially Hyejeong.

이혜정

Me?

최유나

huh.

최유나

You seem like the type to keep things to yourself.

이혜정

... Is it obvious?

황은비

perfection.

이혜정

ah...

정은하

Third.

정은하

If you want to cry, don't hold it in.

이혜정

Doesn't that only apply to me?

정은하

We are included too.

김예원

Fourth.

김예원

No lying.

김소정

Fifth.

Everyone looked at Sojeong.

김소정

Forbidden to disappear.

Hyejeong's expression froze.

김소정

Don't disappear just because things are tough.

김소정

Don't hide without saying a word.

이혜정

......

김소정

Promise me.

Hyejeong clenched her hands tightly.

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

I promise.

정예린

good!

정예린

Then let's link our fingers!

황은비

Are you an elementary school student?

정예린

You're supposed to link pinky promises for important ones.

정은하

I'll do it too.

최유나

me too.

김예원

Let's do it together.

Sojeong silently reached out her hand.

With trembling hands, Hyejeong hooked her finger onto everyone's fingers.

정예린

Now, promise!

모두

promise.

Hyejeong smiled.

I laughed for the first time in a long while.

*

[Night / Hyejeong's Room]

Hyejeong lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

It was an unbelievable day.

Bori was sitting in a circle next to the bed.

보리

How was the first day?

이혜정

It feels like a dream.

보리

It's not a dream.

이혜정

know.

이혜정

That makes it even scarier.

보리

It was still good, right?

Hyejeong smiled faintly.

이혜정

huh.

이혜정

That was good.

보리

Then that's it.

이혜정

Bori.

보리

huh?

이혜정

me...

이혜정

Is it okay to be really happy for this year?

Bori placed her front paw on the back of Hyejeong's hand.

보리

huh.

Tears welled up in Hyejeong's eyes.

보리

Hyejeong.

이혜정

huh.

보리

The first day of the miracle is over.

The stars outside the window twinkled.

보리

There are 364 days left.

Hyejeong held her breath.

Those words settled in my heart like reality.

Happiness began, but the end was moving along with it.

1. The Appearance of Star Fairy Bori