Yeh Wolf.

Soojin thought that she’d always be the provider, the cook, and that one person whom Shuhua would always go to whenever she’s hungry. She’s a wolf with an enormous appetite, after all. However, Soojin did not expect that the pup would eventually grow into a fine wolf and would no longer be dependent on her. And, as much as Soojin celebrated Shuhua improving her skills when it comes to cooking, somehow, deep inside her heart, she feels... empty.

She misses her little wolf.

“Soojin!!” Shuhua called, wiping off some sweat on her forehead from the oven’s heat. “Look! I baked some cookies!” She proudly exclaimed, showing off the tray with a wide grin.

“You baked these?” Soojin tried her best not to sound discouraging. After all, the cookies were somehow… burnt. But it’s always the effort and thoughts that count, right? “They look… nice.” She hesitated, taking a piece and laughing awkwardly before eating it.

It tastes good!

“How was it!?” Shuhua asked excitedly, eyes wide in anticipation. If she had a tail right now, it would never stop wagging in excitement as she watched every inch of Soojin’s expression.

Soojin slightly regretted judging Shuhua’s cookies previously now that she’d gotten a bite. Smiling genuinely, she gently patted Shuhua’s head, which made the Taiwanese lean further to Soojin’s touch with her eyes half-closed in happiness.

She looked like a baby wolf.

“It tastes good,” Soojin praised, lightly scratching Shuhua’s chin. “Where’d you learn this?”

“Debby!” Shuhua beamed. “I’ve been practicing with her recently…” She blushed, and despite Soojin feeling quite envious as to why Shuhua would choose Debby’s company instead of her, she still felt warm seeing Shuhua shy.

“Is that why you’ve been coming home late?”

Scratching the back of her head, Shuhua sheepishly replied, “Yeah.”

Soojin raised a brow. It’s not just about coming home late. But Shuhua doesn’t respond to her messages too until she’s back.

Sensing Soojin’s skepticism, Shuhua quickly added, “And I’m sorry I couldn’t reply to your texts! I was too engrossed with learning more skills--”

“You could’ve just asked me,” Soojin interrupted; the feeling of jealousy slowly building up.

“That wouldn’t be fun!”

“What… did you say?”

This time, Shuhua gulped. Soojin just asked her in between gritted teeth. And that only meant the Korean was pissed.

“I mean, it would…” ruin my surprise! “Be boring?” Shuhua mentally prepared herself with Soojin’s wrath, shrinking on the floor while shuddering in fear from the Korean’s icy glares. Time to sleep on the sofa again later tonight.

“Boring…” Soojin repeated, munching on the cookies a little aggressively before turning her heel against the maknae.

“Soojin? Hey, where are you going?” Shuhua was about to follow the older woman, but Soojin quickly raised a hand to stop her. Albeit confused, Shuhua obliged. After all, she could feel Soojin’s chagrin.

“I’m heading out,” came Soojn’s cold response.

“Let me join you!”

“No!”

“No?” Shuhua pouted. Usually, Soojin would not respond to her questions, but she knew it’s okay for the Korean to follow her around. Hearing Soojin’s rejection, however, Shuhua felt her heart sank. Still jealous?

“It might get too boring for you,” Soojin murmured. But Shuhua heard it loud and even felt the chills from the Korean’s sharp hiss.

Right. Jealous Soojin is deadly.

“Okay…” Dejected, Shuhua slightly whined but sighed nonetheless and went back on trying to bake a perfect cookie that would honestly look decent enough to be called a cookie.

Nodding, Soojin was about to head out, but Shuhua quickly grabbed her wrist and stopped her. Turning to look at the maknae, Soojin’s eyes softened from Shuhua’s beseeching gaze.

“Will you be home late?” The Taiwanese asked. It’s still 11:30 AM, but Shuhua already had a hunch that Soojin might take too long shopping tonight. After all, Soojin frequently uses long walks as a way to clear her mind. And oftentimes, the Korean gets too deep and lost in thought that she forgets time still exists, going home later than usual and beyond curfew.

It’s Valentine’s Day.

Seeing the maknae’s persistence and those hopeful, pleading eyes, Soojin sighed in defeat before finally shaking her head. “I’ll try not to.”

Convinced, Shuhua loosened her grip but still held Soojin’s wrist. With hesitation, she added in a whisper, “Don’t forget what day is today…” Finally, letting go of Soojin’s hand, Shuhua quickly distanced herself and beamed a smile before she waved farewell. “Take care! See you later!”

Soojin felt guilty leaving Shuhua after their whole fiasco --or at least after feeling bitter-- but she knew she needed to calm herself down or else she might just not enjoy today’s special event with her baby wolf.

Wait. Shuhua’s no longer a baby wolf.

Smiling one last time, Soojin finally walked out of the dorm but not without saying, “I didn’t forget.”

When the Korean was finally out of sight, Shuhua jumped and squealed like a baby, waking up even the hibernating Miyeon from her room.

“Shuhua! Tone it down! It’s so earlyyy!”

Yelling an apology at Miyeon, Shuhua danced her way back to the living room to fetch her hidden recipes she printed from Debby’s apartment. Her baking skills will now finally be put to the test by making the best chocolate dessert that Soojin would love for the rest of her life! She contemplated whether she’d make a Tiramisu, Mousse cake, Brownie, Cookie--- oh, the choices are overwhelming!

“Time for Chef Shuhua!” She cheered, preparing the needed ingredients for all of the desserts she mentioned. If she can’t choose what to make, then why not impress Soojin with all of it!?

She did a good trick about her baking skills earlier, right?

“I guess going home late and making Soojin mad is all worth it~” She sang, tying her hair up in a bun and letting out a determined huff. Raising her fist in the air, Shuhua then shouted, “Fighting!”

“SHUHUA, I SAID TONE IT DOWN!”

Minnie should really ask Miyeon out already.

Meanwhile, Soojin wasn’t actually heading out to just walk, as Shuhua might’ve assumed. Thankfully, she found an excellent excuse to go even if she was really upset about the Taiwanese opting to learn from her friend instead of spending time with her, learning new recipes together in their kitchen.

Well, to be honest, Soojin didn’t want to teach Shuhua either. It may be hard to admit it herself, but she still wanted Shuhua to continuously ask her to cook special meals for her. Or even try new recipes because Shuhua was craving for it. Even if she would typically scowl or sigh in annoyance with Shuhua’s countless requests, Soojin’s pride would always soar in happiness whenever the maknae depended on her. She couldn’t let go of the baby Shuhua she once protected when they were still trainees.

Passing by a kitchen store in the mall, Soojin sighed wistfully before a smile tugged the corner of her lips. Perhaps, it’s time that she accepts this new and grown-up Shuhua now. Seeing her so happy independently, Soojin couldn’t help but wonder. Will Shuhua still need her?

Whatever was the answer, Soojin knew to herself that she won’t leave her baby wolf.

“It’s Chef Shuhua now,” She smiled, purchasing a quite luxurious set of baking tools. And a toaster, too! “I guess I’ll just have to look forward to her dishes.”

And maybe we can cook together now. It won’t be a one-sided relationship anymore.

Soojin blushed.

With all their past actions, moments, gifts, and memories, are her feelings still considered one-sided? Does Shuhua like her too the way she sees her?

“I guess I’ll just find out later…” She muttered, clutching the paper bag handed to her.

Maybe confessing during Valentine’s Day isn’t so bad? It worked out for Yuqi and Soyeon the previous year, so perhaps it’ll be the same with her and Shuhua?

Soojin could only hope until she gets an answer.

Looking further into the mall, there’s one more thing she needs to buy before finally heading home. Checking her phone for the time, she mentally took note that she needs to be quick if the shop closes early. It’s Valentine’s, after all. Roses quickly get out of stock!

“Yuqi noooooo!” Shuhua whined, catching Yuqi on the act of stealing her precious chocolates for Soojin. “That’s not for you! Go to Soyeon unnie already!” She slapped the Chinese’s back a little too hard, but the