Chapter 18 Come Home Bae-by #3
Her words echoed a truth he’d known deep down.
Yesoh had always been different. Their connection, even as children, held a spark that went beyond friendship.
But he never saw her that way, she was much younger than him, and those two years felt like a decade as teenagers.
He’d been so caught up in his loyalty to Cahya, in his fear of disrupting their carefully constructed world, that he’d failed to acknowledge his true feelings that were awakened the second he set foot in New York.
“Thanks, Bae,” he said, taking her hand, grateful for her unwavering support.
Bae grinned. “That’s what little sisters are for, Wyn Wyn. Now, are you going take me shopping like you promised or not?”
He laughed, the tension easing. Bae’s visit, meant to be a distraction, had become a catalyst. He had a lot to figure out—his feelings for Yesoh, his friendship with Cahya. But for now, he’d savour this moment with his sister, drawing strength from her honesty and unwavering belief in him.
The wind whipped around them as Wynter and Bae walked down Fifth Avenue. His plan was simple: he’d follow her around, let her pick whatever she wanted, and swipe his card whenever necessary.
“Do you really mean anything?” Bae asked, eyeing him with a mischievous glint. She’d dressed up in her usual mix of colors and patterns—pink tights, a pastel skirt, and a baggy hoodie adorned with a glittery-eyed rabbit. Wynter had long since stopped questioning her style choices.
“Anything within reason,” he replied, smirking.
She gasped with excitement, immediately grabbing his hand and dragging him into a nearby store.
Wynter could see why she’d chosen it—one glance inside and he was surrounded by pastel colors, oversized bows, and clothing racks lined with ruffled skirts, glittered handbags, and floral hair accessories.
Everything was drenched in that dreamy, whimsical feel he’d come to associate with the shoujo manga Bae read endlessly.
“Oh my gosh, look at this!” She held up a jacket covered in patches of baby blue clouds and tiny pink hearts, the sleeves wide and puffy. “This is something I think Sawako from Kimi ni Todoke would wear.”
Wynter shrugged. “Yeah, I can see that, it’s also very you.”
“Just ‘that’s you’? You don’t think it’s cute?” she teased, holding it up to her shoulders and doing a twirl.
“It’s cute,” he said with a slight nod. “But I’m no fashion expert when it comes to your preferences.” He motioned for her to keep going. “Let’s see what else catches your eye.”
They moved from store to store, Bae’s choices getting more elaborate by the minute.
She tried on skirts decorated with stars and moons, dresses printed with huge-eyed characters, and sparkly earrings shaped like strawberries and hearts.
Each time, she’d look at Wynter with that eager sparkle, waiting for his approval, and each time he just gave a nod and a relaxed, “If you like it, I’ll get it, no hesitation. ”
As her pile of shopping bags grew, Wynter simply adjusted them on his arms, never once complaining. He saw the way her eyes shone with excitement as she put together her next outfit, layering colors and patterns he could barely wrap his head around.
Eventually, they settled down for a break at a little café, both of them clutching mugs of hot chocolate. Bae was practically glowing as she talked him through every item in her bags, listing out the outfits she’d wear to school.
“Thank you for today,” she said, pausing to give him an earnest smile. “I know my style isn’t exactly… mainstream.”
Wynter just shrugged again, taking a sip of his drink. “You like it, don’t you? That’s all that matters. Besides, you’re gonna look like a comic book character strutting through Nottingham. It’s quite grey and dull, I’m happy you can bring some color into a place like that.”
She laughed, eyes shining. “You mean that as a compliment, right?”
“Of course,” he said with a smirk. “It’s you, Bae. Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
As they headed back into the chilly afternoon, Bae looped her arm through his, her bright bags swinging by her side. Wynter didn’t say it, but watching her light up had been the best part of his day; he hoped she’d never stop shining.
But even still there was only one lingering reminder on his mind—Yesoh. He had to speak to her, he had to make things right.
That night, Bae crept into Wynter’s room, her eyes glinting with mischief as she spotted his laptop, left open and unlocked on his desk.
She glanced back toward the door, listening for any sign that he was coming back, but the apartment was silent.
Wynter was busy in the kitchen, preoccupied with making dinner and, as usual, blissfully unaware of her schemes.
With a grin, Bae settled in front of the screen, her fingers poised over the keyboard. Channelling her best “Wynter” voice, she quickly typed out a message:
“Hey, meet at my place tomorrow night. No questions asked.”
She sent it to the group chat—Jax, Sydney, Cahya, and, most importantly, Yesoh. She knew the vague, urgent tone would grab their attention, especially Yesoh’s. Satisfied, she closed the laptop, leaving everything exactly as she’d found it.
A few minutes later, Wynter wandered back in, tossing a casual glance her way.
“What are you doing in here?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Just… Making sure you haven’t lost anything important,” Bae replied innocently, standing up and brushing off her hands. “You really should lock your laptop, though.”
Wynter shot her a suspicious look, but before he could press further, his laptop buzzed with replies—each one confirming that they’d be there.
Bae grinned to herself, already picturing the look on his face when he realized he was hosting an unplanned gathering. And best of all, Yesoh would have no choice but to face him, the way Bae had wanted them to for ages. He might kill her for it though, but she didn’t mind.