레드벨벳 평행 우주

제17화. 돌파구

Nervous of how Irene might not like her ideas, Seulgi stands outside of Irene's room, attempting to go inside without knocking.

She hesitates because she knows how cold Irene can be.

Seulgi

Here goes nothing...

Seulgi opened the door and went inside with her fingers crossed.

Irene stares at Seulgi who's currently frozen at the moment.

Irene

Who gave you permission to barge into this room?

Seulgi

Hey... I mean, uhm---

Irene

Get out.

Seulgi

But I just came in...

Seulgi

I even dressed up like you...

Irene

Did I order you to do so?

Seulgi

N-no... I just--

Seulgi

Hey! Do you even know how much courage I had to muster up to barge into this room?!

Irene

And now you dare to raise voices?!

Seulgi is flustered. She just realized what she did...

To get to Irene's level, Seulgi sat on the floor as well.

Seulgi

I didn't mean to... You see, it's frustrating to have dressed up like this then get kicked out right away. I'm sorry.

Irene

Why'd you even come here in the first place...

Seulgi

I wanted to check on you...

Seulgi

Are you okay? You didn't even come out of this room yesterday... I heard you haven't been eating too.

Irene couldn't answer.

Even she doesn't know how she's feeling.

She's feeling guilty and mad at the same time. She's even more frustrated of the fact that she's being checked on by someone she just met.

Seulgi

It's okay, you don't have to say anything... I know you're feeling down. I just asked so you'd be aware...

Irene

Aware of what?

Seulgi

That I'm concerned about your feelings.

Irene just can't believe what she's hearing. The thought itself is already funny for her.

Irene

Stop messing around. We're practically strangers.

Seulgi

We won't be. If you'd stop treating me like one...

Now Irene is totally speechless.

Seulgi

Won't you even ask me? Why I dressed up like you?

Irene

So... why?

Seulgi

I dressed up like you because I know you'd be uncomfortable to talk about your feelings with me...

Seulgi

I figured that... maybe if I dress up like you, you'd feel like you're dealing with another Irene... and not with a dumb Seulgi...

Seulgi

I thought that you'll be able to express more, just in case.

Seulgi

So, here's another queen for you...

Irene couldn't help but smile at Seulgi's cringe-worthy reason.

Irene

You're really something else...

Seulgi

W-wow... It's actually my first time seeing you smile...

Irene

Who said I was smiling?

Seulgi

You were, just a moment ago... Now that I think about it, you're starting to look like Ju Hyun...

Seulgi

And now I'm starting to--- miss her...

Irene

S-since you're Irene for tonight... Then maybe... I can be that Ju Hyun whom you miss--

Seulgi

Then excuse me for this one...

..

Irene

W-what are you doing?

Seulgi

You said you'll be Ju Hyun...

It was starting to get awkward, so Seulgi had no choice but to look away...

Seulgi

Sorry... I went a bit overboard, didn't I?

Irene

I-it's okay, I'm sure you miss her so---

Seulgi

Irene...

Irene

Huh?

Seulgi

The other day... Thanks for lending me your shoulders... but now I want to return the favor.

Irene

What?

Seulgi brings Irene with her to sit on the floor...

Seulgi

I'll be with you tonight... I know how it feels to stay alone for too long...

Seulgi

And I don't want to see you experience the same thing...

Seulgi

You...

Seulgi

You can lean on me... For as long as you want.

Without realizing it, Irene actually rested her head on Seulgi's shoulder.

And just as how Seulgi promised, she stayed all night, watching over her.

...