Work Text
Kwon Eunbi
"Are you going to be alright, Eunbi?" my mom asked, concern etched on her face."Yes, ma!" I replied immediately, wanting to ease her worries, especially given everything we faced after Dad left. I could see the strain in her eyes, which made my heart ache."I'm so sorry, sweetie. If only I were good enough—""Mom, you are more than enough for me! You don't have to carry that burden—I want you to focus on yourself. We're strong women who can support each other!" I said, trying to reassure her.I had always done my best to be strong, not just for myself but for her too. The Kwon women don't give up easily, despite life's challenges."I'm so happy to have such a wonderful and strong daughter," my mom said, her voice trembling as she kissed my forehead.I could see how much she was trying to hold it together, and it made me wish I could take her pain away. With a gentle wave, she said goodbye, and I could feel her worries linger in the air.Once I was alone again, I couldn't shake off the weight of my parents' high expectations. As businesspeople, they always wanted me to pursue a similar path. But deep down, my passion lay in being a leader and an honest politician. I dreamed of guiding others in the right direction, aspiring to be the best leader in Seoul, Korea. Yet, I understood that every great journey starts small.Before school began, I decided to gather the girls for a vacation. I knew I'd be busy with the student council since I became President after Jihyo graduated last May. I didn't want to let her down or disappoint anyone; they all depended on me to create a supportive environment.Since school starts next month, I chose to meet at Chaewon's house. Honestly, I didn't feel like cleaning my place after they left, and Chaewon was like family; I had known her since middle school. My dad had worked for the Kim Group for a long time, and I felt a protective bond over her—a bond I cherished deeply.A distant memory of Chaewon pleading with me to make her pain go away. I could only watch as Chaewon poured her heart out. For the first time, I witnessed the real Chaewon—broken and vulnerable. It hit me hard; she bore her burdens in silence, just like my mom.As I hoped for quieter days ahead, I reflected on how chaotic our student council room had become. Nayeon-unnie and Sana-unnie often dropped by, and while I wouldn't mind having a girlfriend visit—if I had one—Kwangbae still couldn't grasp my feelings. She was always busy laughing and playing games with Yena. I wished she could see how her kindness drew others in. To me, she was perfect. Anyway, I pulled out my phone to our group chat.KwonCeleb: @everyoneFeatherChae: Yes?Doggo: Yo!Ssamu: SupDucky: Yes, baby?Joyul: She's not your baby...GiantMaknae: I feel single...GamerKKura: Aren't you and Yujin dating?GiantMaknae: NO!Joyul: Omo omo! She's blushing here!GiantMaknae: Yah! Unnie! I'll expose you too.
Joyul has removed GiantMaknae from the chat.
Doggo replied to GamerKKura: Not yet ;)
Ducky added GiantMaknae back to the chat.
Joyul: YAH! UNNIE!KwonCeleb: WILL YOU ALL PLEASE BEHAVE?! I HAVE SOMETHING I WANT TO SAY!After I typed that, everyone left the message on 'seen,' and finally seemed ready to listen.Kwangbae: We stan an independent woman!Pangtomi & GiantMaknae: ...A wave of warmth washed over me hearing her support, but my anxiety quickly drowned it out. How do I respond?KwonCeleb: Anyway...Ssamu: Omo, it took her two minutes before she replied.Ducky: Omo omoJoyul: Omo omo omoKwonCeleb: Will you just let me finish?It was hard to manage my impatience with Joyuriz, but I needed to remember they were all joking and supporting me in their ways.Ssamu: Wanna hang out at my house for the whole month before school starts?Pangtomi: Yes yes, unnie!Nabuki: Sure, unnie!Minguri: Let's watch Netflix too.Kwangbae: @FeatherChae, @GamerKKura, bring food!Pangtomi: I'll bring bread, unnie.FeatherChae: I'll cook us some good food!GiantMaknae: YEHEY!GamerKKura: I'll bring games too since I heard Chaewonnie has a gaming room.Ssamu: I made that for Yena unnie...Ducky: Yah! You wanted to try it too!GamerKKura: Can I move into your house instead, Chaewonnie?Doggo: Omo omo @FeatherChae!Kwangbae: My parents are fighting again. She's sleeping on the couch tonight.Nabuki: Gwaenchanh-a Saku-chan!GamerKKura: :(They continued to chat, and while I didn't have their full attention, I felt happy seeing them laugh and bond. This was what I wanted for us—a safe space where we could all be ourselves. I turned off my phone and began packing for my month at Chaewon's. Wearing red was a must; I wanted to look my best. I hoped our senior year would be different—filled with friendship, support, and a little less drama.
Kim Chaewon
"Kim Chaewon, daughter of Kim Hyun-ki and fourth-generation heir to Kim Group, transfers to Bloom Public Middle School," my father read aloud from an article adorning his desk.
"Kim Chaewon transfers out of IZ*ONE University's Middle School a quarter before the commencement of the academic year. A multitude of press and reporters from South Korea have gathered outside our residence, demanding a statement regarding your decision to depart from your institution."
"Father, I—"
"The board of directors, the entire faculty, and your grandfather are all inquiring as to why you would make such a precipitous choice. I have spoken with the faculty, who informed me of your exemplary performance, with straight A's and no issues in your extracurricular activities," his tone became increasingly condescending, and I could discern his voice escalating with each passing moment.
"Are you not cognizant of the challenges you are about to face? I have allowed you your independence and have never interfered with your possessions following her passing. So why—"
"Please trust me," I implored softly.
"Why?" he replied, his tone finally returning to a more level demeanor.
"Because I possess the capability to expand Kim Group on an international scale," I asserted confidently. He regarded me with a stoic expression before nodding.
I sighed before I was interrupted by our head maid."Your mint chocolate ice cream has arrived, Ms. Kim."
"Thank you kindly, and please refer to me by my name, as you are my senior," I replied gratefully. She smiled and inclined her head before excusing herself.As I savored a spoonful of my mint chocolate ice cream, I awaited the arrival of my friends. They were seldom punctual, predominantly due to their propensity for childishness and, naturally, my residence's considerable distance from the city.Tomi typically was the earliest to arrive, due to my habit of inviting her here. It was surprising that Eunbi, once the first to arrive, had now been beaten by Tomi, who arrived thirty minutes prior all the time. Minju and Eunbi had been my companions since middle school, having attended my father's institution, IZ*ONE University.IZ*ONE University is categorized into four divisions: IZ*ONE University Primary School, Middle School,
High School, and IZ*ONE University. My bond with Hitomi strengthened significantly after I transferred during my final year of middle school. Admittedly, it was a hasty decision; however, I ultimately saved Tomi, a moment I have never come to regret.As I observed a black van entering our gate, I instantly recognized its occupants. Given Eunbi's competitive nature, it seemed plausible that she had proposed collecting everyone for a ride. It was, after all, a mutually beneficial arrangement, alleviating everyone's travel burdens while allowing her to arrive concurrently with Tomi. The thought of my friends' childish antics elicited an involuntary smile from me.I hurried down the numerous stairs to greet them as they entered my home. My father and I resided separately due to his preference for proximity to his office, in stark contrast to my desire for solitude."Chaewon-ya~" cooed Eunbi, startling me to such an extent that I felt my eyes widen."Omo, Unnie, you startled me!" Yujin exclaimed, placing her palm against her chest."Yah! Yujin-ya," Eunbi shot her a playful glare, eliciting laughter as we made our way to the living room."Chaeyeon, Kkura-chan, did you bring the food?" I heard Kwangbae inquire from behind, continuing to munch on her potato chips.I often marveled at where all the food and fat went, considering her consumption frequently exceeded that of an average person."We shall share it with everyone later, Kang-chan," Sakura declared with a smile, attempting to conceal the bag of snacks behind her.Chaeyeon, equipped with superb culinary skills, scarcely needed to distract Kwangbae from her cooking plans, but I had simply assigned the chef to prepare meals for himself and the household staff.To my left, Yuri and Yena were engaged in flirtation, while to my right, Yujin and Eunbi bickered, and Wonyoung, Minju, and Nako endeavored to quiet them. I paused to allow everyone to pass when I noticed a chubby-cheeked girl lagging. Observing her tying her shoelaces, I found the process seemingly interminable, so I approached her."Pangtomi~ allow me to assist you with that."I knelt and tied her shoelaces with care.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!
Why was my heart racing so rapidly? Once I had finished, I found myself frozen in place. It felt as if Tomi-chan was drawing me in, an intoxicating sensation."Chaewon-unnie, it is all right now," Hitomi said, averting her gaze, a blush adorning her cheeks."Cute," I involuntarily exclaimed, and her face flushed an even deeper shade of red."Now I truly feel single," Wonyoung interjected from behind me."Yah! You have Yujin!" I retorted, sticking my tongue out at her. She rolled her eyes and sauntered away.Rising to my feet, I made my way to the living room, where Eunbi and Yena greeted me with teasing smirks. Yuri seemed to direct her gaze toward Hitomi—or perhaps I was simply imagining it.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jo Yuri
"So you've finally decided to move on, huh?" I teased Hitomi, recalling how she expressed her desire to move on from Chaewon unnie not long ago."S-shut up," she retorted, glaring at me. "At least I get noticed, unlike you and your duck."I blushed, lowering my head and hugging my knees closer to my chest. Hitomi looked at me with concern and slid in a side hug."I'm sorry, Yuri-chan. You know I was teasing you, right?" she offered me an apologetic smile, her mochi cheeks puffing up.No wonder Nako likes you, Hii-chan. If only you knew how much she liked you, maybe you could move on from Chaewon unnie."Guys, we should play truth or dare," Yujin said, capturing our attention."Yeah, yeah! We should add a twist to it," Yena said, raising her hand like an excited elementary student. There she goes again—always the center of attention.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hold back a small grin. Does she have to be this adorable and annoying all at once?"You better not say—""Soju! Soju!" Yujin interrupted Eunbi unnie. "The person who doesn't want to do the dare or tell the truth has to drink a shot of soju!" Yujin declared excitedly, only to get hit on the head by Eunbi unnie."Yah! Most of you are minors! We might make a mess of Chaewon's living room," Eunbi unnie protested while Yujin sulked beside Wonyoung."It's alright; I mean, teach them young," Chaeyeon unnie said, shocking everyone with her unexpected comment. Eunbi unnie looked utterly betrayed by her fellow mom. "But what about the living—""We can go to my bedroom," Chaewon unnie suggested, giving Eunbi unnie her best puppy eyes, fully aware of how much Eunbi spoiled her like a little sister."Fine..." Eunbi unnie finally relented, and the two jumped up, bouncing around the room before racing to Chaewon unnie's room.Chaewon unnie had prepared lots of food for us to bring along with the soju. Wonyoung and Yujin, unfortunately, received carbonated drinks instead, and for some unknown reason, Eunbi unnie chose Sprite over soju for herself.Chaewon unnie's bedroom didn't feel like a typical bedroom because it was so wide and spacious. I mean, her house—her mansion—is huge, and it's located by the coastline. She's very rich, and I'm reminded of that every time I visit.
"Ok, kids. Let's form a circle— Kwangbae, we agreed to eat together!" Eunbi unnie yelled, snatching the chicken from Kwangbae, who just sneered, crossing her arms like a child who'd just had their toy taken away.
Sigh, and to think some people are still kids when it comes to food. Our positions from left to right were me, Hitomi, Nako, Wonyoung, Yujin, Yena unnie, Kwangbae, Chaewon unnie, Minju, Eunbi unnie, and Chaekkura."We should start from the eldest," Kwangbae said while back-hugging Chaewon unnie and holding her waist possessively.Were they dating? That's impossible... I mean, I knew Chaewon unnie had a thing for Minju because a specific duck quacked it to me.What about Hii-chan? I glanced at her from my peripheral view and saw her pouting. She looked so hurt and broken by the sight in front of us, especially since we were sitting across from them. And then there was Yena... ugh, just thinking about her makes my heart do somersaults.She's infuriatingly cute and confident all at once, making it impossible not to notice how she somehow steals the spotlight. I bit my lip, frustration bubbling up again as I thought about how effortlessly she pulled everyone in.
"I don't care anyway, so ask away," Eunbi unnie said, brimming with confidence. Why is she so cool while I just stumble over my words? Ugh!The game was about to begin, but all I could think about was Yena and how much she made my head spin.
Choi Yena
Does Yuri like Hitomi? Why does she have to keep glancing at her now and then and why am I feeling this way and thinking about this anyway? I mean Yuri's just my best friend ever since middle school. She's just a best friend, Yena. Nothing more, nothing less.I got snapped back to reality when Yujin fell on me after she got smacked by Wonyoung. If I didn't feel uneasy right now, I would have laughed at them. I pushed Yujin away instead and I could tell that she was shocked by my actions."Unnie, did I do something wrong?" Yujin whispered to me since she didn't want to catch the attention of others because she knew the last thing I wanted was attention."No, I just feel uneasy right now. I'm sorry," I apologized to her and gave her a reassuring smile."Oh I'm sorry too, unnie," she said and smiled like a big puppy."I don't really care anyway, so ask away," Eunbi said and Yujin and I immediately paid attention."Why can't we just spin the bottle?" asked Sakura, "won't that be more exciting?""No! I want to start with Eunbi! HMPH!" Kwangbae said hugging Chaewon tighter this was something I saw every day in our classroom so I wasn't used to it. They were always playing around and I would sometimes join in. People who didn't know how they were in our class would probably think they were dating."Aigoo~ you're such a kid, Kwangbae. Let's just spin the bottle," Chaewon said while bopping Kwangbae's nose. Ok... I think they're dating. Wait... doesn't Chaewon like Minju???? "Fine," Kwangbae sighed and leaned her chin on Chaewon's shoulder, "let's spin the bottle and hurry! I'm hungry," she bit Chaewon's shoulder and Chaewon just didn't mind and spun the bottle instead. The tip of the bottle pointed at Chaeyeon."Chaeyeon, truth or dare?" asked Chaewon."Truth," said Chaeyeon."Have you ever-""Have you and Sakura done it already?" asked Kwangbae cutting Chaewon off."Eh," Sakura and Hitomi said at the same time. Nako didn't hear it because Wonyoung covered her ears."Eh, wae? Nani nani?" asked Nako but no one answered her."Omo omo Kwangbae," Yuri said teasing the older because of the sudden question and Kwangbae just sent her a finger heart.Ok, I felt uneasy again and I have no idea what this feeling is."Just answer the question so others can go next," I said without realizing the expression my face displayed."Y-yes..." Chaeyeon said shyly, while Sakura just kept blushing and looking down beside her, "Yena, are you ok?" asked Chaeyeon worriedly, as she tried to change the subject."I'm fine. I just want it to be my turn next," I let out a light laugh while I lied. I tried to shake it off and put up a playful façade. But inside, I felt like a balloon slowly losing air, a smile plastered on my face that didn't quite reach my eyes. Everyone seemed to have bought it except for Yuri who kept glancing my way this time, but I kept avoiding her eyes.
Everyone teased the two and Chaeyeon finally spun the bottle and it pointed at Yujin."Dare," Yujin said as she stood up proudly."I dare you to shout the name of the person you have a crush on," Chaeyeon said smirking. Every one of us seniors knew who she liked because she was closer to us than the sophomores. Yujin had a huge crush on Wonyoung ever since they were in kindergarten.Yujin looked taken aback by the question and she immediately sat down and drank her Sprite because Eunbi gave the two freshmen Sprite instead of soju."UGHHHH! You're mean, unnie," Yujin whined and everyone laughed at her."I'll spin it now," Yujin said and spun it, "omo omo Hitomi Hitomi," Yujin said as the bottle was now slowly stopping at Hitomi, but it suddenly stopped at Yuri, "Omo omo Yuri unnie!""Hmm truth," Yuri said smiling and it was so cute."Do you like or love someone right now?" Yujin asked and my ears perked up."Yes and I'm not afraid to admit this because I have loved this person ever since middle school," she looked so happy but I was hurting inside, "but this person is so oblivious and stupid for never noticing how I feel," she said seriously.As I listened to Yuri's words, my heart sank a little deeper with each confession. I had always thought she viewed our friendship as something special, but hearing her talk about loving someone else made me feel like I had been left out in the rain. It was a strange mix of disappointment and an odd sense of acceptance. She seemed so happy, and yet here I was, feeling the weight of her oblivious crush hanging over me like a cloud.
Who did she like? Damn, that person must be so stupid to not see how much Yuri loves them. I knew it although... she always liked someone else.Yuri spun the bottle and it landed on me."Unnie, truth or dare?" Yuri's voice cut through my thoughts, and I wondered if she could feel the heaviness in the air around me."Dare," I replied, mustering up some bravado. It felt like a way to distract myself, to act as if everything was still normal."I dare you to kiss the first person who comes to your mind right now," she said smugly. My cheeks flushed, not from embarrassment, but from the fleeting wish that Yuri would be that person... Yuri? No, that couldn't be right. We were just best friends, weren't we? The others urged me on, laughter ringing in my ears, and even though I felt down, I faked a playful grin."Okay, challenge accepted," I said, keeping my voice light. But deep down, I couldn't help but wonder if I was losing something I never truly had.
Jo Yuri
I knew this was a risk, and it might seem funny because she could end up kissing someone else. My heart was breaking, but I had to say it. I felt so foolish... I felt like such an idiot, Jo Yuri.I noticed her stoic expression, and everyone was waiting in anticipation. The tension in the room was so high and intense that you could almost hear everyone inhaling and exhaling slowly, along with the sound of the air conditioner blowing cold air.Suddenly, she stood up and walked toward me.
THUMP!
Why... is she walking toward me?
THUMP!
Why is she crouching in front of me?
THUMP!
She cupped my cheeks, her warm hands sending an electric jolt through my skin. My mind was racing, caught between confusion and excitement. Was this happening? Was she checking to see if I was okay, or was there more to it?"I—uh..."My words stumbled out, tangled with the chaos of my thoughts. Her eyes locked onto mine, swirling with a mix of emotions that mirrored my own. Each heartbeat felt louder than the last, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest.What is she doing? Do I want this to happen? My heart raced.No one had ever looked at me like that before, like they were searching for something deep inside. I was a mess of nerves and adrenaline, anticipation bubbling inside me as the room faded away, leaving just the two of us at this moment.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jo Yuri
"Aish! What the hell!" I yelled, foam from my toothpaste started flying everywhere on the sink and mirror."Are you alright, Yuri-chan?" Nako asked, wiping her face with a dry towel."I'm fine. It's just that I can't shake off what Yena unnie did earlier," I said, a smile creeping onto my face despite my pink cheeks. Nako grinned back at me."It's alright, Yuri-chan! Take it as a sign that maybe Yena unnie likes you too because she was thinking of you," Nako reassured me before heading to the guest room where we would be staying."Yena unnie, the things you do to me..." I sighed, spitting out the foam but unable to suppress a happy flutter in my chest as I thought about her. With a light heart, I went back to the guest room."You'll clean your mess before you sleep, right, Yuri-chan?" Nako yelled, knowing I was lazy and probably planned to do it early in the morning."Ne~," I replied, still smiling as I returned to clean up the mess my toothpaste had made. I tried to bury the moment deep down, but it just kept resurfacing.
I knew this was a risk; it might seem funny because she could end up kissing someone else. But the thought made my heart race, and even with the anxiety, I felt a thrill. I couldn't help but feel hopeful... and maybe a little foolish for how much I wanted this.
Her stoic expression had everyone in anticipation. The tension in the room was so high you could almost hear the synchronized breaths, harmonizing with the hum of the air conditioner.
Suddenly, she stood up and walked toward me.
THUMP!
Why is she walking toward me?
THUMP!
Why is she crouching in front of me?
THUMP!
She cupped my cheeks, and her warm hands sent an electric jolt through my skin. My heart leaped with excitement. Was this happening?
"I—uh..." My words stumbled out, trapped in a whirlwind of emotions. Her eyes locked onto mine, a swirl of feelings reflecting at me. Each heartbeat felt louder than the last, and I couldn't help but feel butterflies dancing in my stomach.
What is she doing? Do I want this to happen? Yes, my heart raced.
No one had ever looked at me like that—like they were searching for something deep inside. The chaos around us faded, leaving just the two of us in this moment. Anticipation coursed through me, and when her soft lips brushed against my forehead, I felt like I could float.
"Omo omo," Yujin exclaimed excitedly, and soon everyone followed suit. My cheeks burned, but it was a mixture of embarrassment and happiness because she was still so close, not letting go of my cheeks.
"Are you alright, Yuri-ya? You're heating up," Yena unnie said, worry etched across her face as she gently placed the back of her hand on my forehead, checking my temperature with that sweet smile of hers.
UGH, I wish the Lord would just take me now. I’m thankful Chaewon unnie has several guest rooms; however, we all decided to pair up, except for Eunbi unnie and Chaewon unnie. There was Chaeyeon unnie with Sakura unnie, Yena unnie with Kwangbae, Wonyoung with Yujin, and lastly, Minju and Hitomi.As I lay in bed, several thoughts were swirling through my mind, but one stood out and filled me with hope and excitement. This was just the first day of our stay at Chaewon unnie's house, and I couldn't wait to see what other surprises Yena unnie had in store for me.
Kang Hyewon
As I continued to watch Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One, I felt a familiar warmth in my chest, a reminder of my first love. Each line of dialogue echoed through my mind, stirring memories I had long cherished but learned to let go.I thought back to my middle school days, particularly my secret relationship with Kim Chaewon. Those two years were filled with first experiences—first crushes, first kisses, and the exhilarating thrill of secretly dating. Chaewon was, and still is, in many ways, a force of nature. She radiated confidence, beauty, and talent; it was hard not to be captivated by her.I recall how we integrated into our friend group with Eunbi, Yena, Chaeyeon, and Minju, who joined a bit later, creating our little world. We shared dreams, laughter, and countless adventures, from hanging out after school to supporting each other in our respective pursuits. Eunbi always played the role of the glue that held us together, her nurturing spirit guiding us in a whirlwind of teenage chaos.Although we eventually drifted apart, I have come to accept that those moments were a vital part of growing up and they shaped who I am today. Watching Bella and Edward struggle with their decisions reinforces the complexity of love and the choices we make. It reminds me that every relationship, no matter how brief, teaches us something valuable.Yena and Chaeyeon proved fierce rivals in their talents, pushing everyone to pursue greatness. And Minju, always bursting with dreams despite her clumsiness, exemplified the determination I admired. Their energy inspired me, although my confidence wavered under their brilliance.In reminiscing, I realize it's not just nostalgia; it's a recognition of growth. Each laugh shared and tear shed contributed to my understanding of love and friendship which helped me mature.There's an acceptance now, knowing that while those days are behind me, they were not in vain. They taught me resilience and the beauty of letting go. I closed my eyes for a moment, allowing the memories and lessons to wash over me like a gentle tide.
Chaewon and I had been secretly dating for over two years. We got together after graduating from primary school, and our relationship was healthy and supportive. I was waiting for her because we had agreed to go on a date today; she was free since she had after-school classes related to her company.
I was watching Tasty videos on YouTube when I suddenly felt my eyes covered by a soft pair of hands. I immediately knew who they belonged to.
"Did I keep you waiting too long?" she asked sweetly.
I blushed and gently removed her hands from my eyes, kissing her fingertips lightly.
"No, not really. I understood you were busy with everything happening lately, Ssamu," I said, using the nickname she cherished. She earned it after wearing a green dress to a singing competition, and when she dyed her hair red, she looked like a turnip.
"Well, I'm here now, so let's have some Ssamu time!" she exclaimed excitedly, grabbing my hand and running toward the amusement park.
When we arrived at the ticket booth, I reviewed the available ticket options:
VIP Pass (No waiting in line) — 62,000₩
All-Day Pass — 32,500₩
All-Day Pass (Plus Buffet) — Additional 8,500₩
Afternoon Pass — 27,000₩
The VIP Pass offered additional perks, including a buffet at the cafeteria and a private space. However, since Chaewon wanted to treat me, I didn't want her to spend so much money on the VIP option.
"Ssamu, since it's still early, we can just get the afternoon pass and go to the movies right now," I suggested, smiling as I rubbed my thumb on her palm, our hands intertwined.
"I know you don't want me to spend much, but Kwangbae," she said teasingly with a smirk. She was so cute and knew how to make my heart flutter. Then she added, "Kwangbae, I own this amusement park," puffing out her chest proudly.
I glanced at her, then back at the cashier inside the ticket booth. The woman smiled at me, leaving me confused about why we were waiting in line.
"T-then why did we have to line up?" I stuttered.
"Oh," she said, startled, and then furrowed her brows in confusion. "To be honest, I don't know either. I guess I was just so excited that I forgot about it in the moment."
At that moment, I realized I was deeply in love with her, and I wanted my heart to stop falling because I knew... I knew I would have to let her go.
We went inside, and she pulled me toward the buffet to eat first, knowing I didn't enjoy eating at home because of my family problems. She loaded my plate with takoyaki and vanilla ice cream, two of my favorite foods. After that, we headed to the merry-go-round, which had little pets instead of horses as carriages. Knowing my love for dogs, she chose the puppy carriage for us.
Next, we tackled the roller coaster, where she insisted she was brave. However, she ended up screaming for dear life and squeezing me tightly, nearly crushing my soul. Finally, we reached the top of the Ferris wheel, where we could see the entire amusement park below us.
I looked at her—so beautiful sitting across from me with her face pressed against the window, smiling from ear to ear like a child completely enthralled by what she saw. The view was breathtaking. We were young, and we made mistakes So, I knew couldn't allow her to be with someone like me.
"Chaewon-ya," I whispered, my eyes glued to the ground, struggling to find the words.
"Hmm? I'm not responding because you're not calling me by my nickname," she teased, but the lightness in her voice was overshadowed by the tension in the air as she gazed out the window, her lips forming a little pout.
"Kim Chaewon, please, I need you to listen... I'm being serious," I insisted, my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay strong.
This was it.
I could feel the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders, reminding me that staying was simply not an option. She was destined for greatness, while I was caught in a cycle of abandonment and pretending.
"Kwangbae, are you alright? Is something wrong? Are you not feeling well?"
She knelt in front of me, lifting my chin, her eyes searching mine for answers. I could see the concern etched on her face, and it shattered me.
"Let's break up," I blurted out, and her hand fell away as disbelief washed over her features. "I don't love you anymore, and I—"
My voice cracked, and tears started streaming down my cheeks, the bitter taste of betrayal lingering on my tongue. I was lying, and it hurt more than I could bear. "I don't think we're working anymore, Chaewon."
Her eyes widened, desperation creeping into her voice. "If this is about me not always being around, I can talk to my dad. I can make it work! I can still be here for you." Her heart was breaking with each word, and it felt like I was shattering her trust, leaving the pieces scattered between us. "We don't have to break up, Kwangbae. I see it in your eyes. You can't be serious. Please, look at me."
I turned away, feeling the weight of her gaze like a burning brand on my skin. "It's not you, Chaewon-ya. I swear. Don't stop taking your after-school classes. You deserve so much."
"Please... don't say that. I don't want this. I love you, Kwangbae. We can figure it out together," she pleaded, stepping closer, urgency flooding her words. But deep down, I knew what I had to do.
"It's not a reflection of you, Chaewon. I... I don't love you anymore. Let's just stay friends, and I can give you time. Please trust me."
Each word felt like a dagger to my heart, knowing how wrong it was to say them.
Do it. Let her go because mistakes are just mistakes. My existence's a mistake.
She shouldn't love someone like me. She shouldn't be with someone like me.
"Let's break up."
I turned to face her, trying to keep my expression neutral, but the emptiness in my eyes was telling a different story.
She searched desperately for the love that once sparkled there, but it had vanished, leaving only disappointment in its wake. The Kang Hyewon she cherished felt so far away.
I hate this. I don't want to hurt you, Chaewon, but staying would be selfish. I don't deserve you. I drifted away from her light, knowing this was the hardest decision of my life. I'll regret it every day, but I had to do it for both our sakes.
We both stepped out of the carriage. Even after breaking her heart, she still walked me home. During the walk home, no one dared to speak first. The silence was deafening.
"Goodbye," I said, turning to enter, but I felt her grip on my sleeve tighten as I saw the desperate plea in her eyes. "Chaewon, I—"
Her lips crashed against mine, salty with tears. I kissed her back, forgetting the pain from my head hitting the wall. We clung to each other in a desperate dance of longing and regret. I felt myself melting as heat surged within me. She bit my lip, prompting a gasp from me. As she deepened the kiss, her tongue explored my mouth with a confidence I hadn't expected.
She pulled back, breathless. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she released my hair and stepped away.
"No, it's okay," I replied, the words tasting like ashes.
Every fiber of my being screamed for her to stay, to forget the past, to ignore the pain. But the memory of our breakup, the reason for our separation, flashed before my eyes. Chaewon deserved better than this, better than me. I had to be strong.
"I'll go now," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
She turned and walked away, her shoulders slumped. I watched her go, each step tearing at my heart. I wanted to call out to her, to beg her to stay. But I couldn't. For her sake, I had to let her go.
I sighed as I entered my house. Broken glass was scattered across the floor, and empty beer bottles lay strewn on the couch. It was a familiar sight—one I had become accustomed to.
I went up to my bedroom and cried myself to sleep that night. One thought persisted in my mind, no matter how hard I tried to shake it off.
I want to taste her again.
"Are you alright, Kwangbae?" Yena asked, sitting up in her bed, which woke me up from my trance."I'm fine. What do you mean?" I replied, pretending to be confused."You're crying, and you never cry while watching Twilight," she pointed out. I hadn't realized I had been crying, so I quickly wiped my tears away. "You've watched it a gazillion times already," she continued, half-asleep as she rubbed her eyes and moved her arms in circular motions."I'm fine. It just hit me differently today," I said, giving her a reassuring smile and gesturing for her to go back to sleep. Instead of returning to bed, she tossed off her blanket, walked over, and sat beside me."I'll sleep with you tonight because you seem lonely," she said, casually pushing my laptop aside without bothering to shut it down. As she cuddled up next to me, she accidentally crushed my feet."Ouch... my foot," I groaned, and she just laughed at me. I laughed too. "Pfft, maybe you just feel lonely because Yuri didn't choose you to be her roommate," I teased. "Come on, be honest.""No," she shook her head, "she's just a best friend."I felt grateful to have Yena as my roommate because she truly understood me and my situation at home. Even though I was close to Eunbi, I couldn't bring myself to share my feelings with her; a wave of shame washed over me.Deep down, I worried that she might see me differently because I was the child of a criminal. I couldn't shake the thought that, given her dad was a politician and her mom was a lawyer, she might not want to be friends with someone like me. As for Chaeyeon, I honestly have no idea why I decided not to tell her.We cuddled together, and I heard her snoring lightly until she opened her eyes and looked at me."What are you looking at?" I asked sarcastically."I was just wondering if you've ever liked someone but then decided to stop loving them because you thought you weren't good enough for them. You wish for them to be with someone else, but at the same time, you want them to be with you," Yena asked seriously. "Don't answer if you've never felt that way; I mean—""That's such a specific question, and yes, I've felt that way before," I replied, noticing her ears perk up as she became fully awake."Who broke your heart, Kwangbae?"I smiled and hugged her closer, secretly admitting to myself that her cheeks felt like soft cream buns. I fell asleep first, knowing that Yena was denying her feelings for Yuri while she wondered about who I liked.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Miyawaki Sakura
16 SHOT, WE GO SHOTTA ANY BLUDDAH~RAH-TA, RAH-TA~KA-KAH, KA-KAH, KA-KAH~RAH-KA-KA-KA-KA-RAHH!~Wake up, it's 6:42AM!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~16 SHOT, WE GO SHOTTA ANY BLUDDAH~RAH-TA, RAH-TA~
KA-KAH, KA-KAH, KA-KAH~
RAH-KA-KA-KA-KA-RAHH!~Wake up, it's 6:43AM!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~16 SHOT, WE GO SHOTTA ANY BLUDDAH~RAH-TA, RAH-TA~KA-KAH, KA-KAH, KA-KAH~RAH-KA-KA-KA-KA-RAHH!~Wake up, it's 6:44AM!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~16 SHOT, WE GO SHOTTA ANY BLUDDAH~RAH-TA, RAH-TA~KA-KAH, KA-KAH, KA-KAH~RAH-KA-KA-KA-KA-RAHH!~Wake up, it's 6:4-"LEE CHAEYEON, WAKE UP RIGHT NOW OR I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE COLD SHOULDER ALL DAY!" I yelled, my voice hoarse from sleep. She startled awake, immediately wrapping her arms around me in a sleepy hug."It's too early in the morning to shout, my love~," she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.I would find it endearing if it weren't for the incessant beeping of her alarm, which had woken me up a good fifteen minutes earlier. Who sets alarms a minute apart and still manages to sleep through them? Only my future wife, that's who."If only someone would wake up when their alarm goes off," I grumbled, glaring at her. She just smiled, unconcerned, and pecked me on the cheek."Can I sleep some more?" she asked, her voice now a seductive whisper as she began trailing kisses down my neck. I knew I was weak against this, but the image of her blissfully unaware while I lay awake listening to her alarm clock was enough to make me want to throw something."Fine," I sighed in defeat. I expected a celebratory kiss on the lips, but no. The traitor fell back asleep instantly. Great. Now I was wide awake, and the maids wouldn't be serving breakfast for another hour.Frustrated, I got out of bed and headed toward the minibar by the pool. I was still wearing Chaeyeon's IZ*ONE University practice uniform, which was surprisingly comfortable even after a night of sleep. It smelled faintly of her perfume, a constant reminder of the woman who had both stolen my heart and my sleep.I strolled past the living room and spotted Hitomi completely engrossed in one of her poetry books. She was so absorbed that I thought I could sneak up on her like a ninja on a top-secret mission. I quietly approached, channeling my inner stealth mode, when Minju suddenly barged in like a tornado."Oho! Unnie, I didn't know you were usually up this early!" she exclaimed, completely derailing my silent operation. Hitomi turned to look at me, and I could tell she thought I was being creepy. Well, there goes my ninja career—now all I could do was awkwardly wave like a deer caught in the headlights."Yeah, unnie. You're mostly one of those who wake up 30 minutes before breakfast," wondered Hitomi."Chaeyeon's alarm woke me up and—"They both looked at me, waiting for me to continue, and I suddenly felt a wave of shyness wash over me. My mind raced with thoughts of what Chaeyeon and I had done earlier, and I hesitated, my cheeks flushing."It's nothing," I said, trying to sound casual, but my voice came out quieter than intended."I know it isn't nothing, unnie if your face is turning red," Minju teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I could feel my embarrassment deepening."No, it's not—" I stammered, feeling my heart race."Nope, there is no such thing after Chaeyeon unnie's confession last night," Hitomi concluded, her statement making the air around us thick with shyness."So umm, do you guys want to go by the poolside?" I asked, eager to change the subject and break the awkward atmosphere, feeling the weight of being the eldest.We arrived and spotted a familiar face at the bar. It was Kim Jisoo, skillfully mixing drinks and tossing various items in the air, catching them effortlessly in her hand."Unnie!" Minju shouted, running to hug her older sister, whom she hadn't seen in months.Unfortunately, Minju tripped over a floaty and ended up diving into the pool."MINJU GATTO!" everyone exclaimed, laughing at her as she swam back to us."You're all so mean," she said, sniffling, while we continued to laugh at her. "Huhu, what do I do~""Achoo!" Minju sneezed, and we couldn't help but laugh at the poor girl."Oh! Unnie, you're here early?" Chaewon said as she walked towards us, wearing a bathrobe. She smoothly pulled Minju closer and draped the robe over her."Oh my! Are you courting my sister, Chaewonie?"Jisoo unnie asked with a sly smile."I don't know, maybe?" Chaewon replied, returning the smirk. I could see Minju blushing; the scene was honestly so cute."I'll help her dry off now. Oh! I almost forgot," she said as she walked over to Hitomi. "I called our pastry chef today, so you can have all the bread you want, Tomi-chan.""Ah, thank you, Chaewon unnie," Hitomi said shyly as Chaewon patted her head and left with Minju."You know you should tell her before you lose her to my sister," Jisoo unnie said as she went back to the bar to prepare a mocktail.Jisoo unnie is an international model and actress. She used to be just an ambassador for Dior, but she is now one of their shareholders. She is also one of IZ*ONE University's top students. After graduating, she transferred to YG University for college."Oh, umm, I don't like Chae—""Yeah, tell your eyes to lie for you too because you really can't hide your facial expressions," I interrupted Hitomi's statement, causing her to look down, blushing."Oh, oh! You really can't lie, Tomi-chan~" Jisoo unnie teased. "Here, have these." She was handing us some pink drinks, and Hitomi and I were both hesitant. "There isn't any alcohol here; it's a Strawberry Daiquiri mocktail that I just tried. If you don't have it... then more for me!""No, no! We'll take it, unnie. Thank you~" I said as I took one and slid the other to Hii-chan because we were now seated on bar stools in front of Jisoo unnie."Mmm~ Daebak, unnie~"Hitomi and I exclaimed as we took a sip of the mocktail. Jisoo unnie smiled and took a sip of hers too. It was very refreshing and not overly sweet."By the way, why are you here, unnie?" I asked, taking another sip because it was addictive."I wanted to go over some things with Chaewon," Jisoo unnie said, looking away. I could tell something was up, and Hii-chan seemed to have noticed it as well."This early in the morning, unnie?"I asked, raising an eyebrow. Jisoo unnie choked on her drink, prompting Hii-chan to give her some water from the pitcher beside her."I guess I should just tell you two," she said, looking at us very seriously. Hii-chan and I leaned in closer. "The real reason I came here this early is...""Is...?" we both repeated, leaning in even closer."Is because Chaewon and I are engaged," she said with a completely serious expression. I glanced at Hii-chan, who looked like she was about to cry. It was unexpected; they seemed completely different and had awful chemistry. Don't get me wrong, but they just seem unlikely as a couple."Really, unnie?!" I half-questioned and half-exclaimed."Pfft," Jisoo unnie kept cracking up, and Hii-chan looked so done. "You should have seen your faces.""Unnie..." Hitomi said calmly, which made me a little scared, but Jisoo unnie still kept laughing.At this moment, I truly don't know how to feel about this situation. I'll just keep taking small sips of my mocktail."Unnie," Hitomi said in her serious and cold tone, which made everything seem so scary, and Jisoo unnie stopped laughing."Okay, sorry...," Jisoo unnie stifled a laugh while Hitomi and I sighed at our unnie's childish behavior.However, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching us. When I glanced over, I saw Yena's ponytail disappearing into the living room. I suspected she had heard what Jisoo unnie said and left before realizing it was just a joke. Typical suspenderz.
Lee Chaeyeon
I woke up with a jolt, the memory of Sakura's angry voice flashing through my mind. Had I upset her? I glanced at the clock on my bedside table—it was 7:00 AM. Panic surged through me.I rushed to the bathroom, and the cold water splashed against my face, doing little to calm my racing heart. As I brushed my teeth, the sound of the electric toothbrush felt like a jarring counterpoint to the silence in the room. I combed my hair, my hands trembling slightly.I went out to find my game-addicted future wife because she was usually grumpy when she woke up because of my alarm. As I entered the gaming room, I glanced over to see Yena and Hyewon in an awkward position—Hyewon straddled Yena's lap in the bumper car."Ok..." I said, raising an eyebrow, trying not to assume too much."It's not what you think!" Yena shouted, her cheeks slightly flushed as she tried to explain.
"Hyewon and I aren't dating, if that's what you're thinking! Because I would never date someone like he—""Excuse me, you motherfucking duck! I wouldn't date you either," Hyewon shot back, her embarrassment evident, "but to simply explain... we're stuck."I crossed my arms, curiosity piqued. "Could you please umm tell me more?""So Yena kept waking me up last night because she was curious about something," Hyewon continued, glaring at Yena, who was just pouting, "and she ended up waking me up completely. We came here to play games, but when we wanted to go back to the room, we realized we accidentally locked ourselves out. So, we were planning to sleep in the living room, but Yena was too scared because of the shadows, which is why we decided to stay here.""But how are you two in that position?" I asked, genuinely intrigued.Hyewon rolled her eyes. "So this duck right here was scared of being kidnapped, so she placed a seatbelt on us.""It's buy one, take one! I don't wanna be lonely when I'm kidnapped!" Yena whined, emphasizing her point, while Hyewon just smacked her lightly.I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. It was a crazy situation, but it made for an interesting morning!"So I woke up earlier and the lock for the seatbelt is on Yena's side. I tried to reach it but the seatbelt kept on tightening so I ended up falling on Yena in this position waiting for someone to at least come here and help because I DID'T WANT TO SKIP BREAKFAST ESPECIALLY WHEN I HEARD CHAEWON TELLING HER STAFF TO PREPARE A FEAST!" Hyewon yelled the last part, while Yena and I just covered our ears because she would only be this loud if there was food.I helped them get unstuck and Kwangbae immediately laid down on the floor stretching her arms and legs, meanwhile, Yena rushed to the gaming room's bathroom."Can both of you help me find Kura?" I asked Yena and Hyewon when Yena returned."Of course! It's the least we can do since you helped us just now," Yena replied, wiping her hands with a tissue napkin."I heard some noises coming from outside by the poolside," Hyewon mentioned as she sat up."Then let's start there," Yena said, pulling us both outside to the pool area.When we arrived, we saw Hitomi, Sakura, and Jisoo unnie engaged in a serious conversation. We decided to eavesdrop and scare them for fun. The three of us crouched behind a huge swan floatie."Stop kicking my leg, you duck!" Hyewon half-whispered and half-yelled at Yena."Can you hurry up, then?" Yena shot back at Hyewon. Hyewon was about to respond when I shushed them."Quiet! I can't hear anything because of you two," I scolded."Sorry," they both said in unison as we stopped, close enough to listen to their conversation.“Mmm~ Daebak, unnie~"Hitomi and Kura said, and Yena and I glanced at Kwangbae ready to run to them just to take a sip, but we held on to her."By the way, why are you here, unnie?" Kura asked, and we moved closer because we were curious as to what an international actress was doing here early in the morning."I wanted to go over some things with Chaewon," Jisoo unnie said."Her voice is shaking," Yena said, "she must be lying," Hyewon and I nodded, and we were getting suspicious."This early in the morning, unnie?" asked Kura."I'm so proud of her," I told Yena and Hyewon, while they gave me an "Are you serious?" look. "We get that you're whipped," whispered Hyewon as she crossed her arms."Yeah yeah," Yena added, "respect the singles," I felt shy, so I just looked down and went back to listening. We all heard Jisoo unnie choking, and we took a peek to check on her, seeing Hiichan offering a glass of water. We all lowered our heads again."I guess I should just tell you two," Jisoo unnie continued, and we leaned closer. "The real reason why I came here this early is...""Is....?" we heard Sakura and Hitomi say in unison, curiosity hanging in the air like a thick fog."Is because Chaewon and I are engaged," Jisoo unnie finished, and it felt like the world around us paused for a moment.I blinked, trying to process what I'd just heard. My heart raced as I glanced around at the others. Their faces mirrored my disbelief—wide eyes, mouths agape. I felt a wave of shock crashing over me, nearly knocking the wind out of my sails. Chaewon? Engaged? The words repeated in my head, but still, they didn't seem to fit together."What did she just say?" I whispered, hoping someone would offer a plausible explanation.We immediately ran back to the living room, our hearts pounding, the shock still coursing through our veins like electricity. It felt surreal. We weren't surprisingly caught by them; all I could think about was Chaewon's face when she found out we knew. Would she be happy? Would she be overwhelmed? The thought of her reaction made my heart flutter and race even faster.All I could do was stare into nothingness, the reality of Jisoo and Chaewon's engagement replaying in my mind over and over, my heart still struggling to keep up with the shocking news.I squinted, watching Hyewon drop to her knees. Wait, what just happened? Why did she suddenly fall like that? A puzzled expression crossed my face as I scratched my head."Maybe she's just really hungry and super excited about food?"I glanced over at Yena, relieved that she seemed just as confused."Honestly, I have no idea either. It's not like Hyewon to just drop to her knees out of nowhere," she said, biting her lip as she reached out to comfort Hyewon. "But maybe you're right. She could just be overwhelmed... and maybe a bit hungry."Just then, I saw the change in Hyewon; the disbelief in her eyes was quickly replaced by sorrow. My heart dropped as I watched her shoulders shake, every sob a reminder that something was seriously wrong. Yena and I exchanged worried glances, our earlier lighthearted theories quickly vanishing."Hyewon, are you okay?" Yena asked softly as she knelt beside her, concern dripping from her voice. "It's alright to feel upset. We're here for you."My playful demeanor vanished, replaced by overwhelming worry for our friend. "Come on, Hyewon, talk to us. What's going on?" I urged, hoping she would open up.For a moment, it looked like she was hyperventilating, and my heart raced. But then it all stopped, and she managed to say she was fine, just hungry and lacking sleep. Relief washed over me, but I couldn't shake the lingering worry. A part of me hoped that was truly all it was.After what happened, we went to Chaewon's room to ask for the key to Yena and Kwangbae's room. I twisted the knob and found it unlocked, so I opened the door without knocking. The three of us were shocked to see Minju asleep on Chaewon's bed in a bathrobe."What are you doing here?" Chaewon asked as she emerged from the shower, her hair still damp and drying from a blow dryer. The noise seemed to wake Minju, who was equally surprised to see us standing in the doorway."N-no, I mean, what are you doing with Minju in your bed like... that?!" Yena exclaimed, which caught the attention of others. At that point, everyone began to gather outside their rooms, and shock spread across their faces.I glanced around at everyone and noticed Yuri staring at Hyewon, who was still holding onto the hem of Yena's shirt. Kkura, Hiichan, and Jisoo unnie were also there, clearly taken aback by the scene.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Yabuki Nako
It was a week after the misunderstanding surrounding the whole "Chaewon is marrying Jisoo unnie" thing, and honestly, I expected Chaeyeon unnie and Yena unnie to be flustered. They were the ones who spoke up to Chaewon unnie, so it made sense that they felt the weight of it all. But I can't help but feel worried for Kang-chan and Hiichan. It's tough seeing them down, especially Hiichan, who I know is dealing with a lot right now.On a personal note, it stings a bit to watch Hiichan struggle. I've had a crush on her for a long time, and knowing she likes Chaewon unnie just hits differently. I want her to be happy, but it's hard not to feel a little hurt in the process.Despite everything, I just can't shake off the feeling that I'm losing my chance with someone I genuinely care about while she seems so drawn to someone else.We both just transferred to IZ*ONE University because of a scholarship. She got in because she was a great cheerleader ever since she was in Japan. I knew of her because she was always on TV and I was a fan of her. I was on a ballet scholarship, but they changed it into an idol because they told me I had idol qualities. I used to do ballet with Mina unnie when she was still here."Nako-chan," Yuri called me as she entered our room."Ne, Yuri-chan?"I replied, though I could barely muster the energy to look up. She sat beside me, and I felt the weight of my thoughts pressing down."Nako-chan, here, have some takoyaki that Hiichan and Eunbi unnie made," Yuri said, handing me a toothpick. We had to share a plate, but I barely felt like eating."Thank you, Yuri-chan," I murmured, taking a bite.The taste was momentarily comforting, but it faded quickly. I didn't even bother to sway my body in delight; it all seemed so pointless."Hehe, cute, Nako-chan," Yuri said, trying to feed me another piece, but I could see the concern in her eyes.We sat in silence for a moment, but it felt heavy, laden with unspoken words. Finally, Yuri broke the stillness."Do you think Yena unnie and Hitomi will ever notice our feelings for them?"Her voice was soft, and I couldn't help but watch her fingers playing with the sheets, a distraction from my spiraling thoughts."Honestly, Yuri-chan... I don't know," I admitted, my heart tightening. "Maybe they will someday or not at all. But... what does it matter anymore? I feel like we've already missed our chance to say anything important."As I said this, memories washed over me. I remembered that first day, standing frozen as I watched Chaewon unnie comforting Hitomi, the way Hitomi looked at her—like she was the only one that mattered. It felt like a curse, wishing for something that didn't belong to me. I'd wanted Hitomi to look at me like that, to see me as her savior, but it felt so far out of reach now.To her, Chaewon unnie was her savior because of what she did for Hiichan. Although she never told me the details, I could tell it must have been something that made Hiichan's heart flutter. I sighed, a heaviness settling in my chest."Sometimes it feels like we're invisible, Yuri-chan," I whispered, eyes downcast.
I just don't think it's meant to be. Love's unfair. Seven billion people in the world, but all I want is you... but it's not me for you. It's her.
Kim Minju
I was called by my manager for an audition for the new K-drama, The Effeminate. It's a period drama featuring Silla's 36th King, King Hyegong. It seemed they wanted me to get the role immediately because the director had heard that I was Kim Jisoo's sister."Minju, we're here," my manager said, gesturing for me to get out of the car. "The director personally asked for you, but you still have to do well in the audition.""Ne, unnie! I'll always do my best," I replied, raising my fist. "Fighting!"I knew it was unfair to the other actresses who wanted the role, but I had to survive in this industry. I also needed to stay active in my acting career and promotions to maintain my scholarship at IZ*ONE U. As full-ride scholars, we were required to keep up with our extracurricular activities and academics."By the way, Minju, are you dating Kim Chaewon?"Manager Hyeon asked me as she pressed the button on the elevator.It was a question I was used to being asked because of how Chaewon unnie treats me, but deep down, it always disappointed me. She's like that to everyone she's close with, and I often wished it meant something more. I forced a smile, knowing I'd learned that the hard way."Ani. We're just really good friends, unnie," I said, trying to sound upbeat, but Hyeon unnie looked surprised. "She's like that to everyone, unnie." I could sense her nodding in understanding, but the silence that followed felt heavier than usual.
DING!
We arrived at the fifth floor and headed to the audition room, my heart racing with anticipation. But as I looked around at the long line of girls, a wave of frustration washed over me. So many talented individuals were here, putting their hearts and souls into this audition, yet I could feel the weight of the system pressing down on us.When I stepped inside, I was immediately struck by the director's disinterest. Instead of paying attention, he was glued to his phone, chatting away with other directors and jotting down notes that hardly seemed relevant. It infuriated me. This was so typical!I couldn't help but feel the harsh reality of how political this whole process was. It didn't matter how much effort we all put in; it was all about who you knew and how well you fit into their narrow vision.My frustration bubbled to the surface. It was so unfair! But deep down, I knew that I had to play the game if I ever wanted a chance. Society was rigged this way, and it made me feel powerless, even as I desperately clung to the hope of being seen and heard."Yo!" someone shouted, causing everyone to stop what they were doing."Who does she think she is?" a girl behind me remarked."She just interrupted everyone. She's a public nuisance," added another.I was getting curious about who she was since I couldn't see her clearly from where I was seated at the back, but that voice sounded awfully familiar."Yo! Yeong Iseul Oppa!" the girl shouted, giving the director a bro hug. As she stepped into the light, I could finally see her."OMG, she's so hot!" the girl behind me who had just complained exclaimed."How does she look so handsome and beautiful?!""I want to marry her. She's just... ugh!"I swear they were just insulting her a while ago. Aigoo, Yuri's gonna kill all of you.Yena unnie went to the casting director who was named, Yeong Iseul. She smiled at him and the crew, and then she sent a huge smile to the girls who were auditioning. She saw me and waved, so I had to wave back... earning snickers and glares from the girls behind me."Oppa, do you mind if I watch and help with the casting?" Yena unnie asked him, explaining why she had interrupted everyone. She wanted the girls to know that their efforts were appreciated."I don't mind at all, Yena-ya," he replied, gritting his teeth as he whispered something in Yena's ear.I guessed he was eager to finish this quickly and wanted me to audition so he could say I was the right fit for the role. Yena took a seat beside the director and focused on how the girls were performing. She offered tips and helped them act out the scene if they seemed too nervous.Watching Yena unnie interact with the girls, I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her. It was clear why Yuri loved her so much. Yena had this incredible ability to lift everyone's spirits, offering them encouragement and support when it mattered most. I noticed how she patiently guided the nervous girls, whispering little tips and sharing gentle smiles that seemed to dissolve their fears.As I observed her, it struck me how genuine her care was. She didn't just come to watch; she truly wanted to help each girl shine. It reminded me of the warmth of summer, a comforting presence that made the daunting audition process feel a bit more manageable. I could see how someone like Yuri would be drawn to her—she was like a guiding light, turning the coldness of self-doubt into a soothing warmth.Yena's kindness and dedication made me wish I could be more like her. At that moment, I understood why Yuri felt such a deep connection with Yena. She was more than just a friend; she was a source of strength and positivity. I admired her for that, and it made me appreciate the bond Yuri and Yena shared even more."Kim Minju," the director called, and I walked towards him, mentally preparing myself.Yena unnie gave me a thumbs-up and an encouraging smile. Although she teases me often, she is very supportive."Hi, everyone. I'm Kim Minju, and I'm here to audition for the role of In Eun-Jung," I said professionally as I bowed. "I will be performing the scene where she is with King Hyegong in the palace garden.""Let's have Yena act as Hyegong then," Director Iseul suggested, leaning forward. The entire crew followed his lead, and he added, "Proceed when you're ready.""Eun-Jang, I searched everywhere for you. Don't you see how worried I was? I even slipped and fell in the mud, getting my hanbok dirty, while you were here all along," Yena unnie read with emotion."Why?"I said, my voice trembling, a surge of memories washing over me. Each word felt heavier than the last, tightening my chest as if I were standing face to face with someone who held a piece of my heart." Eun-Jang, are you alright? You look troubled—""Why? Why, why?!" I exclaimed, every syllable laced with the weight of unspoken feelings. "Why do you treat me like this?" I paused, gathering the swell of emotion that threatened to spill over. "You act like you care, but you're so friendly with everyone. Why? Can't you see how much you confuse me?" The desperation in my voice rang true, echoing the pain of loving someone who seemed unattainable.I thought of my first love, of how her laughter filled my middle school days but how quickly it turned to silence when she chose someone else. The ache of that memory pained me anew, wrapping around my heart like a vice."Why, Hyegong... why can't you just let me move on normally?"I managed to say, my voice breaking as tears spilled down my cheeks, the facade of acting stripped away completely.At that moment, I wasn't just performing; I was reliving my history and my heartache. I searched for their faces, desperate for them to understand the truth in my words. The silence hung thick, the weight of my confession settling in the room as everyone remained captivated and breathless."Thank you..."I whispered, my voice barely above a breath, before turning to leave. I felt the rawness inside me as I walked away, my manager close by, hands filled with tissues as she understood the storm that had just passed through me.
SCREECH!
The motorcycle almost hit me, and when the driver lifted her helmet, I couldn't help but smile."Minju unnie, are you alright? I'm so sorry! Aish, unnie! Why can't you look at where you're going?""Minju, are you ok?" Manager Hyeon asked her tone a mix of worry and annoyance. "Who are you? Don't you know she has to be in a K-drama shoot next month?! Why can't you look where you're going?""Ehh? She just crossed and-""That's enough, Yujinnie," I said while smiling at the situation, my heart racing a little. "Hyeon unnie, this is Ahn Yujin. She's a close friend of mine."I introduced the two, and they awkwardly bowed to each other, the tension lightening as I felt a flutter in my chest."Anyway, why are you here, Yujinnie?" I couldn't help but ask, genuinely curious."I was going to the auto shop with Yena unnie today, but she just canceled on me because of an emergency. I also remembered that you were here, and I didn't want my outfit to go to waste, so I thought, why not bring Minju unnie instead?" She beamed at me, her energy infectious."So I was the second option?" I teased, pretending to pout."Yes," she said, her expression completely serious, but her eyes sparkled with mischief."Ah- YUJIN YA!"I whined playfully. I couldn't help but feel a warmth spreading through me at the thought of spending time with her."Ahem ahem," Hyeon unnie cleared her throat, attempting to regain our attention. I had completely forgotten the real reason for my day. "You can have Minju after we get her things from our car."As we walked towards the van, Yujin pulled her motorcycle behind us, her presence lighting up the space around me. I felt my heart race a little more with each step we took together.In the weeks following our first encounter, I realized that the little quirks and quirks of Ahn Yujin were slowly but surely stealing my heart. I found myself looking forward to our conversations and the playful banter we shared. It was then that I recognized the feelings bubbling within me—I was beginning to like her, and it felt wonderful.
Choi Yena
I was worried about Minju. I could tell she was losing her focus halfway through the audition, and I felt an urge to run after her. Just as I was about to make a move, DING! My phone buzzed in my pocket.
Pomeranian sent you a message.
My heart skipped a beat; it had been so long since I'd heard from her."It's been so long since I've heard from you," I sighed, a mix of relief and excitement washing over me.Pomeranian: Can we meet at Yue Hua High School at 3 pm today?Ducky: Don't worry! I'll be there!I quickly typed my reply, feeling a surge of anticipation. I scrolled through my contacts to find Yujin's number.Ducky: I have to cancel today, Yujinnie!!!Doggo: Whhhyyyyy, unnie???Ducky: I have an emergency! I'm so sorry!Doggo: It's ok, unnie... I'll just ask Minju unnie!Ducky: I'm sorry I'll make it up to you! She's on her way out, so you better hurry if you want to catch her!Even as I felt guilty for canceling on Yujinnie, excitement bubbled up inside me. This was the chat I had been waiting for! I quickly tucked my phone away and raced to the VIP parking area to grab my Tesla Roadster.
"Ms. Choi, where are you going in such a rush?" the security guard asked, chuckling at the excitement evident on my face."I'm meeting someone very important to me, sir," I replied, waving goodbye as I got into my Roadster and drove to Yue Hua High School.After a 30-minute drive, I arrived in front of the high school and spotted her. She looked as beautiful as ever. My little Pomeranian, Wang Yiren, was there, waving at me like a kid at the playground."Hey," I said, unconsciously staring at her."You know, I might melt," she replied, pinching my cheek."Hehe, I'm sorry," she giggled, looking so cute. "I just really missed you.""I've only been gone for like three months," she teased."Hey! Three months is way too long!" I whined."Yena.""Huh?"I felt a pair of lips hovering just beside mine, and I felt teased."I missed you too, ducky," she said excitedly."I know, baby," I replied, returning the kiss she gave me on the cheek before starting to drive."Oh, and before I forget," she placed her hand on the gear shift.Understanding what she wanted, I intertwined our fingers as she continued to speak. "Three months was indeed enough time for me, and I agree that we should date."I glanced at her in shock before looking back at the road."Look, Yiren, I don't want to force you into this. If you feel pressured...""I'm being serious, Yena. Today is day one, and I want the whole world to know."
Kang Hyewon
I studied her face, the way her brows knit together, her lips slightly parted as if she were on the verge of saying something but couldn’t quite find the words. The glow of her phone screen reflected in her eyes, a veil of sadness dimming their usual spark."Are you alright?" I asked softly, my voice laced with concern.She didn’t look up. Her fingers hovered over the screen, frozen in thought."Kwangbae…" she murmured, the weight of whatever was on her mind pressing down on her shoulders. I hesitated for only a second before opening my arms."Come here, you hamster," I whispered, the nickname slipping out naturally, an attempt to coax even the smallest of smiles from her.She leaned into me, and I pulled her close, wrapping her in warmth. I rested my chin gently atop her head, feeling her breath steady against my chest."You know I'm here for you, right?" I murmured, my hand threading through her hair in slow, soothing strokes. "You don't have to face it alone."For a moment, she didn’t respond. Then, ever so slightly, I felt her nod against me.The post went up.
wangyiren.official
Out on a date with @choiduck. Wanted to look good for this announcement, so she really dyed her hair. Ugh.Liked by kimsihyeon, onda.official, choiduck, and 567,983 othersThe comments flooded in almost instantly.onda.official Finally, you gays! @wangyiren.official @choiduck Congratulations on coming out!wangyiren_bestgirl Nuuu! She's taken, but her gf's cute and handsome at the same time. idk who to crush on.And then, almost as if in response Yena suddenly posted—
choiduck
She's back... and taken. By her phone :(
Liked by kimsihyeon, wangyiren.official, onda.official, and 892,386 othersI rolled my eyes, the ghost of a smile tugging at my lips as I typed my reply.wangyiren.official @choiduck You made me wait for you at the salon, and I had nothing to do...yena.girlcrush They both look so good huhu I wish I looked good too.I glanced up from my phone, meeting her eyes across the couch. The teasing glint was back, her sadness from earlier momentarily forgotten. Maybe—just maybe—tonight would be a little brighter than she expected.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jo Yuri
I scrolled through Instagram absentmindedly, my thumb flicking up and down the screen. My eyes landed on a new post from wangyiren.official.Liked by kimsihyeon, choiduck, onda.official, and 748,032 othersThe caption was short but unexpected.wangyiren.official I'm changing careers now. icb im a photographer nowView all 682,345 commentschoiduck Thank you!kimsihyeon Whipped @wangyiren.officialA pout was evident on my lips as I refreshed the page again, checking for any replies or updates. But before I could scroll any further—"Okay, could you please stop staring at your phone every few seconds?!"Nako’s voice rang out, laced with frustration. Before I could react, she reached over and snatched my phone right out of my hands."Hey!" I protested, reaching for it, but she held it out of my grasp, her eyebrows furrowed in exasperation."You've been glued to that thing for the past ten minutes. What's so important that you can't even focus?" she huffed, waving my phone in the air."You were right, Nako. I was too late," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. It was a painful realization that she was happy now, dating a model—and not just any model, but Wang Yiren.Nako shot me a "so what" look, her eyes narrowed."She's Wang Yiren, Nako!"I cried out, my heart feeling heavier with each word."And you're Jo Yuri!" Nako snapped back, her voice rising to a level that startled me. "You're a stubborn woman! You never back down from a challenge!"The sudden intensity in her voice took me off guard. THUD! I stumbled as she pushed me off the bed, her grip surprisingly tight as she shook me."Jo Yuri doesn't just give up because of some model!"I was too stunned by her sudden aggression. I mean I feel like a cupcake is threatening me right now. I could hear the thud of my body hitting the floor echo in my mind, and the unnies rushed in, startled by the commotion. Hyewon unnie appeared with a cake, her frantic energy drawing even more attention to our little drama.Kura unnie held Nako back, but I felt confused and hurt by what happened as Chaeyeon unnie and Eunbi unnie helped me."What's going on here?" Eunbi unnie asked, glancing worriedly between us, but Nako just stormed off with Kura by her side. I couldn't shake the feeling of being abandoned in that moment."Jo Yuri, what happened?" Eunbi unnie pressed, concern etched on her face, pulling me back to reality."We weren't fighting, unnie," I said, trying to explain but feeling everyone's confused gazes on me. "We just... we got caught up in the moment. I think we were both overwhelmed."Yet deep down, I knew it was more than that. I could feel Nako's frustration, and I couldn't help but feel hurt that she'd let it out on me, especially when I was already grappling with the news about Yena and Wang Yiren. It stung more than I'd like to admit.Eunbi unnie nodded and hugged me, "Do you wanna talk about it?"I looked at everyone and nodded."I have to go check on Nako too," Chaeyeon unnie said and we all understood, "I'll lock the door for your privacy when I leave.""Please, unnie, and thank you," I thanked her and she left locking the door behind her."Is this about Yena?" Eunbi unnie asked, and I cried, "Let it out, Yuri. We're here for you, Yuri."I hugged Eunbi unnie tighter, I saw Kwangbae holding a glass of water before me."Thanks, unnie," I said as I took a sip of-"UNNIE!"I yelled and Eunbi unnie got shocked too."Why? What's wrong?" Eunbi unnie said as she glanced at Kwangbae and me worriedly, as Hyewon unnie scratched her head."I forgot that it was soju that I brought.”Eunbi unnie got up and smacked Kwangabe. Eunbi unnie also grabbed a pillow and kept hitting Kwangbae."Yah! Is food the only thing on your mind? Who even pairs soju with cake?!" Eunbi exclaimed, still striking Kwangbae, who was on the floor trying to crawl back to her cake. I couldn't help but giggle at how silly my unnies were.They looked at me and giggled, too, until I felt a pillow hit my face, causing me to spill the soju on my shirt. The good thing was that the glass fell on the bed."Yah! Kwangbae!"Kwangbae laughed and threw another pillow at me, while Eunbi unnie rushed to get the glass away from us, and the three of us ended up having a pillow fight.We all had a pillow fight until we heard a knock on the door. Eunbi unnie was about to get it, but seeing her tended to Hyewon because she got knocked out in the middle of the fight... I got the door instead."I'll get it," I ran to the door and saw a duck giving me a worried look. I panicked and closed the door in front of her face.
Miyawaki Sakura
"Nako! Nako-chan, slow down!"I yelled as she sprinted farther into the garden's flower maze. She finally stopped because I accidentally slipped and cut my knee."Unnie, are you okay?" Nako asked as she ran towards me. " Aish! You didn't have to follow me, unnie. You just got yourself hurt again," she kept on scolding while also helping me. " Aish, unnie, I feel like I'm older than you.""Yah! I'm still your unnie, Nako-chan," I scolded and glared at her, while she just chuckled at me."Alright, unnie," she said nodding her head."What happened Nako-chan? You don't get aggressive unless it hurts you.""Yuri was sulking about Yena unnie being with someone else and she said she was too late," Nako said not looking at me."The whole story, Nako," she kept avoiding my gaze, "I want the whole story.""U-unnie," Nako whimpered, trying to hold back tears. I held her, and we both sat down on the grass.It hurt to see her like that because we've known each other ever since we were both in Japan and were little kids. Nako and I mostly had happy memories and were seldom hurt by things because we were both loved and this was just the second time I saw Nako cry. The first time was when her parents got divorced. My family saw Nako and me as sisters so they decided to adopt her, but to respect her wishes, we made her use her last name, Yabuki instead of Miyawaki."I'm ready to talk, unnie," Nako said as she wiped her tears, held my hands, and faced me."I'm here to listen, Nako-chan.""When I saw how shattered Yuri was, knowing Yena was with someone else and that she hadn't even confessed her feelings yet, it pierced right through me. I felt completely overwhelmed, unnie. What if Hiichan has already told someone that she likes them, and they feel the same way? The thought is tearing me apart. I know I shouldn't be so selfish, but I can't help it—my heart aches for Hiichan. Every time I think about it, I can't hold back my tears. The fear of losing her is suffocating, and I just wish things were different."She held my hand tighter because she was already tearing up so I gave her hands a small squeeze to reassure her."Unnie, I always knew that I liked Hiichan because she is the one that kept me going ever since back in Japan," I was shocked because I can vouch that we never met Hiichan in Japan."We didn't meet Hiichan in Japan, Nako maybe it was someone else-""Stupid, unnie! We didn't meet Hiichan face to face in Japan, but she was always on TV," Nako said after she hit my hand gently, but it hurt. I can't help it if I'm physically weak. "Her family owns Honda Motors and she's on TV because she competes in the National Cheerleading Competition every year since she was five-""Shouldn't she be in the kids' category-""Of course, she used to be in that category, unnie! Who would let a five-year-old compete with adults?""Ah sorry," I chuckled."Unnie, I'm serious. The way she would keep persevering to reach her goal is motivating and I can't help but like her, unnie," Nako held her chest and smiled, as her tears were now slowly stopping. "But when we moved to Korea to expand the business, I couldn't see her anymore because the show wasn't aired here. I felt broken, but you were there for me, unnie and then we met Chaeyeon unnie, the love of your life." I blushed at the statement."Yeah, I remember how she was our first friend here," I said reminiscing the memory."Hehe you're so whipped, unnie," Nako teased, and I playfully smacked her arm."This isn't about me so you better get back to the topic. I'm not easily distracted, Nako-chan," I said while crossing my arms."That's because Chaeyeon unnie isn't here," Nako sighed, and I gasped highly offended."At least I'm not single like-""Anyway, I was glad that you met Chaeyeon unnie because she also became like my mom," Nako subtly cut me off, but I didn't call her out because she's still a kid, "I'm happy she encouraged me to apply for a scholarship at IZ*ONE U because I got in a great High School that already has a university and the fact that Hiichan was there too. I fell more in love with Hiichan, unnie because I really got to know her."I felt like a proud mother and sister because of how Nako opened up to me again. I'll be honest I haven't been spending much time with her because I was always with Chaeyeon so I haven't been a great unnie to her for a while."It hurt me again, unnie, because she told me she liked someone else..." Nako's smile faded and she looked down at the grass. "Someone better and greater than me. I understood why Hiichan liked this person. They're a great person inside and out."Who could possibly be the person Hiichan liked?! My mind raced, but then it clicked for me, albeit a bit late. How could I have missed it all this time? Everything suddenly fit itself into place. I remembered our first day of this vacation.
"Why did you stop, Nako-chan? Come on, let's hurry to the living room," I urged her to move faster, but she looked so downcast.
"Where's Chaewon and Hitomi?" Eunbi unnie asked us when we arrived in the living room.
"Oh, I think we left them in the hallway, unnie," Nako said while raising her hand, seemingly unaware of the underlying tension.
"Cute~ Nako," Yena cooed, but I felt the atmosphere shift as I caught Yuri whispering to Hitomi.
"So you've finally decided to move on, huh?" I heard her say, but I quickly turned to focus on Chaeyeon, reminding myself that eavesdropping is bad.On our second day, while at the poolside with Minju and Hitomi, I witnessed something that should have screamed 'warning signs' at me:
Chaewon patted Hitomi's head just before leaving with Minju.
"You know you should tell her before you lose her to my sister," Jisoo unnie nudged Hiichan, her voice dripping with teasing urgency. I brushed it off as another one of Jisoo's playful digs.
"Oh umm, I don't like Chae—" Hitomi started to protest, but I jumped in, thinking I was just playing along, "Yeah, tell your eyes to lie for you too because you really can't hide your facial expressions."
I chuckled lightly, completely oblivious to the blush creeping onto Hitomi's face.
"Oh oh! You really can't lie, Tomi-chan~" Jisoo unnie teased, and I just laughed, enjoying the moment without a second thought.
And then Jisoo's prank...
"It's because Chaewon and I are engaged," she said, her serious face catching me completely off guard. I glanced at Hiichan, and my heart dropped when I saw her expression—she looked ready to cry.
So that was why..."She likes Chaewon," I murmured slowly, realization dawning on me like a bolt of lightning. Nako nodded, holding me closer, and it hit me just how many signs I had overlooked. How could I have been so naive? It was all there, right in front of me the entire time.
Lee Chaeyeon
"Aish, where are those two?" I searched every room in this mansion, "why can't this month just be a peaceful vacation like everyone initially planned?" Ok, no I seem weird talking to myself."Yujin, you know perfectly well what would happen if went on a public date!"
Wait... was that Wonyoung? Was she with Yujin? What do they mean by date? Were they dating in secret?
"Wonnie, you know I understand but why are you also against telling our friends?" I heard Yujin say.I knew it was bad to eavesdrop, but sometimes you just can't help tea."I have my reason, Yujinie," Wonyoung said and I heard Yujin groan. Her footsteps were getting louder which meant that she was going out and I was about to get caught. I ran at full speed to the other end of the hall, but I still heard what Yujin said to Wonyoung."I'm going to Yena unnie then!"
CRASH!
"UNNIE!!!!! MY BREAD CATCH THEM!"I was shocked because I accidentally bumped into Hiichan and now her bread was flying everywhere and I was attempting to catch them. I was doing a great job until one bread hit the floor before I could grab it.I looked at it, then slowly lifted my gaze, and I saw the devil staring right into my soul."You dropped the bread I baked for Tomi," Chaewon said, her voice laced with an intensity that sent chills down my spine. If words and looks could kill, I knew for a fact I'd be a goner right then and there.Chaewon was currently helping Hiichan to her feet, her arm protectively wrapped around her. I could hardly focus on anything other than the palpable tension in the air. Was it just me, or was Chaewon's anger radiating off of her in waves?I couldn't help but think: were these two dating? No! I had to stop spiraling into these thoughts because that had already led to the Chaewon, Minju, and Jisoo fiasco on the second day! But, it was rare to see Chaewon this upset, and I couldn't shake the feeling of genuine fear creeping into my chest."Umm, I caught almost everything hehe," I showed her most of the bread she baked except for the cheese bread.""The cheese bread was the one I looked forward to the most, unnie," Hiichan said tearing up as she stared at the cheese oozing out from inside the bread."Why were you running anyway? There wasn't anyone who was chasing you," Chaewon was still giving me her cold stare. I swear that if both of them were a couple no one would dare want to anger the little tiger."I was trying to find Nako because she was sad and she had a fight with Yuri," I said trying to avoid eye contact with both of them because they knew it wasn't the full story."Ok... then, Tomi and I will just be on the balcony enjoying the bread-""Oh, Wonyoung are you ok?" Tomi asked cutting Chaewon off.I turned around and saw the small bean pole whose face was now puffy and I knew the reason why."I'm alright, unnie," Wonyoung said giving us a thumbs up and a huge smile, "I'm not feeling well at the moment. I'll just go out and get some fresh air alone.""Alright, don't stay too far," I nagged our maknae."Ne, unnie~"Wonyoung left and as soon as I turned around the two also left me as I was talking to Wonyoung. Damnit! I had to go find Nako and Sakura again."Kura! Nako! My babies?!" I kept yelling around the house.
Honda Hitomi
"What do you think was the real reason she was running, Chaewon unnie?" I asked, taking a bite of my sausage bread. "Mmm, oishii~"I continued to eat while waiting for her response, but she was busy scrolling on her phone."Unnie~ please look at me~"I showed her my aegyo."I'll just finish this, Tomi," Chaewon unnie pat my head and I'm not gonna lie it made me blush."Don't look at your phone.""Talk to me."Chaewon unnie finally dropped her phone and smiled at me."Ne! Tomi-chan~""Unnie, what do you think was the real reason why Chaeyeon unnie was running as her life depended on it?""Hmmm... I think it had something to do with Wonyoung because when I went to the washroom earlier, I saw Wonyoung and Yujin enter the room where Wonyoung left off earlier. I think Chaeyeon heard something she wasn't supposed to," Chaewon unnie explained slowly to me because I still wasn't that good with Korean."Unnie, how's it going with Minju?""Oh, we're not dating... I actually think I like someone else?"I couldn't believe my ears when Chaewon said she wasn't dating Minju. A wave of relief washed over me, and I felt a giddy smile spread across my face. For so long, I had watched her crush on Minju, her eyes lighting up every time she mentioned her name. It had been heartwarming but nerve-wracking to witness. I knew how hard she had fallen for Minju since our freshman year—the way her cheeks flushed and the dreamy sighs she let slip whenever Minju was around had given me hope for them, but deep down, I worried that it wasn't meant to be."Really? You're not dating Minju?" I asked, barely able to contain my excitement. The thought of Chaewon finally moving on filled me with happiness. I could hardly keep the smile off my face as the realization sank in. This was a new chapter for her, and it filled me with joy to think about the possibilities. I had seen Chaewon struggle with her feelings for so long, and now that she was open to the idea of liking someone else, it felt like a weight had lifted."So you're saying you like this someone and you'd choose her rather than Minju if they were both in a difficult position?""That's oddly specific... but it's her. It was always her, but lately, it's more of you."I had waited for this moment for so long. Ever since Chaewon unnie transferred to our school, we had developed a bond that I never expected. Always a call away, she was a source of comfort for me during the toughest times, especially as I faced my struggles with bullies.I often found myself daydreaming about her, replaying our conversations and the way she made me laugh. Each time my phone vibrated with a message from her, my heart would race, and I would eagerly respond, not wanting to miss a single chance to connect.As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into years, I found myself growing closer to her. I hung on to every word and every smile she shared. There was a warmth in her presence that wrapped around me like a cozy blanket, and I couldn't help but hope that there was something more between us.I could see the curiosity in her eyes mirroring my longing. I didn't know what got over me, but I felt an irresistible pull drawing me closer. I leaned in, and to my disbelief, she did too. Before I knew it, the world around us faded away, and Chaewon unnie's lips were on mine.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Ahn Yujin
"Yujin-yah, are you okay?" Minju unnie asked, her voice tinged with an edge I couldn't quite place."I'm fine, unnie," I waved my hand dismissively, trying to shake off the heaviness in the air. "I'm just happy that I at least have someone to go with me here since Yena's emergency was actually a girl." I sighed deeply, and Minju unnie let out a soft giggle."Yeah, it was Wang Yiren," she replied, her eyes darkening as she looked down. "I hope Yuri's doing alright.""She'll be fine, unnie because she's a strong person. She won't get shaken up by this," I reassured her, though I could sense something deeper bothering her. Minju's expression hardened slightly. "I can't believe Yena would date Wang Yiren instead of Yuri. I mean, doesn't she see how great Yuri is? This is just...ugh."She scrunched her nose, looking genuinely frustrated."When did you and Yuri get close, anyway? I recall it was Yena unnie who you were close with," she continued, her confusion evident. It was cute but also reminded me of Wonyoung.
I miss that bunny, but she had to learn that if she wanted to be with me, she shouldn't hide me. It's been two years and we were just months away from our third year I mean, come on. I'm still a patient girlfriend tho."Unnie, you know how oblivious Yena can be," I said, trying to comfort her. "I think she's just...not seeing what's right in front of her." I reached out to squeeze her shoulder, hoping to ease her annoyance.Minju looked up at me, a mix of anger and disappointment flashing across her face. "It just doesn't make sense! How can she not see Yuri's been there for her all this time?""I know it's frustrating," I replied gently. "But maybe things will change. Yena might realize it one day. You just have to give it time."She sighed heavily, her frustration softening a little. "I just want Yuri to be happy...and I feel like it's gonna be hard if Yena keeps ignoring her feelings.""She'll get there, unnie. Just keep supporting Yuri. You're good at that, and you make her stronger.""Ma'am, your bike's engine is fixed," the worker said, and I thanked him, handing over the cost of the repair."Let's go, unnie," I grabbed Minju's wrist, leading her to my bike. My eyes landed on Wonyoung's helmet, colored candy pink with a huge "W" on it. A wave of emotion washed over me—I missed my bunny, my Wonnie, my girlfriend."Yujinie..." she said, gripping her seat and my hand so tightly I could feel her tension."Yes, unnie?" I responded, trying to keep my voice light."How high up does this go?""Oh, not that high up, unnie. You can look down now," I said, feigning innocence while holding back a grin. I wanted her to feel a bit of that thrill too."Ok..."Minju unnie glanced down just as the ride stopped, and I could see the panic in her eyes before we dropped. Being seated in front made it all the more exhilarating for me."YUUUUJJJJJJIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!" She screamed as we plummeted, and I joined her with a loud declaration of pure excitement."WWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I yelled, letting the adrenaline rush take over. Once the ride finally came to a stop, I looked back at her; she was shaken and her legs seemed to falter. I couldn't help but feel a swell of affection."Unnie, hop on," I said, turning around to show her my back. "I dragged you to ride the coaster with me even though you were scared, so this is the least I could do.""Thank you, Yujinie," she said with a soft smile, and without hesitation, she climbed onto my back. I could feel my heart warm—teasing her was all in good fun, but taking care of my unnie was what truly mattered to me."Unnie, how about we grab dinner first and then ride the Ferris wheel? I heard that this Ferris wheel has an interesting story.""Sounds good! Let's eat first, Yujinie," Minju unnie replied. I gave her a piggyback ride as we headed to the cafeteria.I ordered jjajangmyeon while she chose udon noodles. We decided to eat lightly and just get ice cream for the ride."DAMN!" I exclaimed. "Unnie, you have to try this." I offered her a bite of my jajangmyeon."As expected of three generations of being in business, I wonder what Chaewon unnie's generation would be like," Minju unnie nodded, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I mean we'd all be grown up by then and we might not get together like this again, unnie. I still hope Yena unnie won't get bored and would still play with me even if we're grandmas already!" I couldn't help but chuckle at her sentimentality; it was so like her to think that far ahead.
"You're really sentimental today, Yujinie," Minju unnie giggled, and I just shrugged, deciding to drop the thought of her complicated feelings toward Chaewon."Hehe..."As I watched Minju unnie's reaction to Chaewon unnie's family earlier, I couldn't help but notice the change in her demeanor. Whenever Chaewon's name came up, it was like a switch flipped. She'd light up with enthusiasm, but there were moments when I could see a trace of tension in her smile, a complexity that made me wonder what was going on in her head.We finished our food and joined the line for the Ferris wheel. A lot of people were lined up behind us, and I was relieved we had decided to eat something light and quick. At least we wouldn't starve, plus we grabbed ice cream on the way here. Just then, I overheard a nearby couple chatting."I heard this Ferris wheel has a backstory—some legend about love lost and found," one said, and my curiosity piqued."I wonder what the story about this Ferris wheel is," I told Minju unnie, glancing at the towering structure ahead of us."Maybe the staff knows about it. Should we ask them?" she replied, licking her ice cream."Nah, let's just ask Chaewon unnie later when we get back," I suggested. Minju unnie nodded, and after a few minutes, it was finally our turn.As we reached the highest peak, I gasped at the breathtaking view. "The view is breathtaking, unnie! Daebak, unnie!""Oh, Yujinie.""Hmm?""Look, someone vandalized this carrier," Minju unnie pointed out the writings by the window side, "they were initials of past lovers... I'm guessing."S + K.B 4ever was etched inside a heart, and beneath it, I could see the words "1 주년 (first anniversary)" followed by another message."If you ever come back, I want you to know that I will never stop loving you," I read aloud.
My heart sank. Memories of Wonyoung flooded my mind—how she always kept her feelings hidden from everyone. I understood her trust issues so well; I was the first person she ever opened up to, and now, knowing how vulnerable love could be made me ache for her."I feel sad for them," Minju unnie said, trying not to tear up, "we should still tell Chaewon unnie about this writing though.""Unnie, do you think that this was the story about this Ferris wheel and that they... you know, came back?" I asked, still entranced by the words carved into the seat."I don't know, Yujinie... sometimes the longest relationships don't last," her words hit me like a wave, leaving me momentarily stunned. "Sometimes we meet people at the wrong time, or it's just that we weren't meant to be."I couldn't help but think of Wonyoung again, hoping her heart wasn't lost somewhere along the way. What was it about this Ferris wheel that captured so many stories? I wished we had time to search for answers, to learn if love could truly return, just like those lovers seemed to hope."Unnie, can I ask for some advice?""Sure, daeng daeng~" Minju unnie teased me."I'm in love with Jang Wonyoung, unnie and we've been dating since two years ago."
Jang Wonyoung
I stepped out of the house to find Yujin because I wanted to apologize. I knew where she usually went; she often retreated there whenever she needed time to think or just to let loose. She had a habit of changing the engines of her bike even when there was nothing wrong with it. She just wanted her own space, and I understood that. Today was our biggest fight yet, and I blamed myself for it. I hated that I had major trust issues, stemming from the fact that both of my parents cheated on each other.Yujin was my first love, and I always relied on her because I trusted her. My trust in her wasn't just based on how much she showed me why I could trust her or how she always protected me. It was because she was Ahn Yujin—my best friend, and my whole world revolved around her. I love Ahn Yujin just as she is and for whoever she chooses to become, with or without me.I understood where Yujin was coming from—her need for independence, her desire to be authentic and free. I admired that about her. But I also wished she could see things from my perspective. The pressure of being open about our relationship felt overwhelming at times, especially with the eyes of the world on us. I didn't want to hide who we were to each other, but the timing wasn't right. We needed to communicate our feelings carefully. I just hoped she could understand that it wasn't about keeping her secret; it was about protecting what we had built together."Aitowa nankagaDandan wakattekitaNanga attemo huuYurusu kotodatte..."I sang as this song reminded me of Yujin. A certain memory seemed to usurp my thoughts.
"Hey! You bean pole!"
SPLASH!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Look at her shivering! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Good one, Yuna!"
"That's what you get for being with Kai!"
"Yeah, you attention seeker!"
The icy water hit me like a shock, soaking through my thin coat. It was winter, and the cold bit into me so harshly that I couldn't stop shivering. My tears mixed with the icy water, streaming down my face. It wasn't just the cold—it was the unfairness of it all.
Kai and I weren't even dating. We were neighbors. That was it. We just happened to walk home together every day after school.
"I-I'm n-not dating him!"
I cried out, my voice trembling. I was trying to steady my chattering teeth, but I knew it wouldn't matter. They'd never believe me. They didn't want to believe me.
"Yah! Who do you think we are to believe what you're saying?!"
Yuna shouted, and then it happened—she shoved me hard. I fell, the snow beneath me solid and unforgiving. Pain shot through my back, and I felt something warm and sticky spreading beneath my coat.
It hurt. Everything hurt.
They didn't stop. Snowballs pelted me, stinging my face and arms. I flinched, trying to shield myself, but they kept coming. They spat on me too, laughing like it was some kind of game.
"Yah! Yuna-yah! What do you think you're doing?"
The voice cut through the chaos, but I couldn't see who it was. My vision was blurred by tears and the dimming light of the sky. The cold had sunk so deeply into me that I couldn't move anymore.
Everything faded.
When I opened my eyes again, I was met with a bright, sterile light. The pain in my back was sharper now, and I couldn't sit up without wincing.
"Ugh," I groaned softly.
"A-are you alright? Here, let me help you, Wonyoungie."
It was Yujin. Her familiar voice immediately filled me with warmth, a kind of safety that made the pain a little more bearable. She helped me sit up, her hands steady and gentle.
"You shouldn't try to do too much right now," she said, her tone filled with worry. "You almost had hypothermia. Do you know how scared I was?"
"S-sorry... I'm really sorry, Yujinie," I whispered, my voice cracking.
My chest ached, not just from the cold, but from everything that had happened.
She moved closer, her warmth wrapping around me like a shield.
"You're not a burden, Wonnie. Never think that. You will always be my constant. Never forget that."
Her words made me break down completely. I buried my face in her shoulder, sobbing until my parents arrived.
My mom's face was as cold as the snow I'd fallen in. She looked at me with that same disappointment I'd always seen, the unspoken reminder that I wasn't like her. I wasn't strong, or brave, or the perfect daughter she wanted.
My dad, on the other hand, was gentler. He loved me, or at least he said he did. But I knew the truth. I'd seen it myself—him with another woman in his office. That love felt hollow, tainted.
And yet, in that moment, with Yujin beside me, I clung to the one thing that felt real. Her presence. Her care. It was the only thing that made me feel safe in a world that always seemed so cold.
"Wonyoung, let's go," my mom told me strictly, as I let go of Yujin.
"Mrs. Jang, the doctor said Wonyou-"
"We already discharged her, Yujin. No need to worry about her anymore. She's just a waste of your time," my mom told Yujin.
I saw Yujin clenching her fists and biting her lip which almost bled because we both knew that if she talked back her family would have nothing anymore and we wouldn't get to play and see each other anymore.
My dad was a successful music producer, while my mom was a corporate lawyer and she had a firm with her friends. Yujin's mom was my mother's secretary and her dad was our head security guard.
Her parents both met because of my mom; however, my mother was a bully and she treated Yujin's mother like a slave. We never knew the reason why or it was just basically because of her personality.
"I'll be fine, Yujin," I reassured her with a smile and held her hand.
She relaxed, unclenching her fists and letting out an exhale. Her apologetic smile brought me some comfort, even though my back was throbbing with pain. I knew I had to endure it while changing into my casual clothes.
"Let's go now," my mom said, grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the room, leaving Yujin waving goodbye.
When we reached the car, my mom quickly shoved me into the back seat before taking her place in the passenger seat, seemingly unconcerned about how I was feeling.
"I told you we shouldn't have brought that child into our home," my mom complained to my dad. "Look at how dependent our daughter has become on her. She can't even stand up for herself. How ridiculous is that?!"
"Dear, why don't we let Wonyoung rest at home and let her take a day off tomorrow? She needs it," my dad suggested, but my mom was dismissive.
"No," she replied firmly."She decided to go to that public school, Starshit Primary School—"
"It's Starship, Mom..."
I interrupted, only to receive a glare from her in response.
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes at me, and my dad looked back and gave me an apologetic smile.
"I told you that you should have gone to IZ*ONE University in the first place because it has a primary, middle, and high school. Plus, their students are top-notch. Now you're stuck in JYP Middle School with those bullies, and guess what?! Yujin even got accepted there because she was an athlete."
"Well, I mean, Yujin's father is athletic, dear," my dad told my mom. "She did great during the inter-school track competition, right, Wonyoung?"
"Yeah! She was so fast I couldn't even see her," I answered excitedly.
"That's probably because she was behind everyone," my mom said sarcastically.
"She only came in second, dear. It's not a big deal. You should have seen Choi Yena, the daughter of Choi Jeong Hwan and third-generation heir to Choi Group. Up until now, the Kim Group still can't beat the Choi's in entertainment and variety. That family is all talented and skilled; not one of them is a black sheep. I'd appreciate it more if you had friends like her who could help you climb the corporate ladder when you grow up."
"But I don't know her, Mom—"
"That's why I've decided that you're going to IZ*ONE University next year," my mom said.
I was about to protest, but I saw my dad shaking his head. I kept quiet for the rest of the ride because that was all I could do.
The memory made me sigh as I remembered how lucky I was to have Yujin. I also found myself in front of the shop."Oh, Wonyoungie!" I heard Sungchan Oppa call my name."Sungchan oppa!" I yelled back and hugged him. He used to go to Starship Primary School with us, and he was one of Yujin's friends.They'd kept in touch over the years, but something felt off. I could sense it in his tone and the way he couldn't meet my eyes."Woah daaebak! You've grown taller, Wonyoung," he said as he patted my head, but the warmth of his words didn't reach me like it used to."Hehe~" I giggled, but inside, I felt a knot tightening. "Have you seen Yujin, oppa?""Nope," Sungchan oppa said, averting his gaze.My heart sank; I knew he was lying. Yujin was right here, and he was hiding it from me. Why? Did he think I couldn't handle the truth? I could feel the betrayal clawing at me, the tension pooling in my chest."It's ok, oppa," I said, trying to brush off the unease. I patted his shoulder and forced a grin, though it felt shallow. "I'll just look around, oppa.""Alright, but stay close," he looked at me with worry, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being kept in the dark, like a child who didn't deserve the truth. That thought cut deeper than I wanted to admit."I'm no longer a kid, oppa, but ok," I replied, waving goodbye at him, though my mind was racing with what could be going on.I stepped into the part of the shop where they fixed vehicles, every step imbued with an unease that only intensified as I ventured further inside. Then it hit me like a wall.I froze as I saw Yujin. She looked happy, but it felt wrong. She was with Minju unnie, placing my helmet on her head. A pang of betrayal surged through me when I saw Yujin's handkerchief in her hands, gently patting Minju unnie's head. The warmth that spread across my chest shattered in an instant, replaced by a cold emptiness.I felt like I was hit by a ten-wheeler truck. My mind spiraled with overthinking as a rush of emotions crashed over me—hurt, confusion, and a sting of betrayal. Yujin didn't even glance my way.It was as if I didn't exist to her anymore. My heart just broke, and the last thing I knew was that I blacked out, consumed by a disorienting wave of despair.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Choi Yena
"Yiren," I whispered her name, feeling frustrated and fond."Hmmm?"She asked as she looked back at me, her innocent curiosity making it hard to stay annoyed."How long will we keep this up?"I couldn't help but let the disappointment seep through my words, hoping she would understand."What do you mean, Yena?"She pretended as if she didn't know, a playful gleam in her eyes."It's nothing, Yiren." I smiled, trying to shake off the feeling. It was hard to stay upset with her after all these years. I grabbed her hand, deciding to let it go for now. "Let's go get ice cream."I led her to the ice cream truck by the park, the familiar sight bringing back many memories."Wait here. I'll buy us some ice cream."Even if she was being evasive, I couldn't help but feel grateful for our friendship, no matter the misunderstandings.I lined up and waited for my turn. I didn't like pretending, but I felt safe with Yiren and didn't have to worry. On the other hand, my heart longed for Yuri, but I was a coward. I didn't want to risk it, especially since she might not even be interested in girls. When the woman called me for my order, I was snapped back to reality."Ma'am, what would you like to have?""Oh, one strawberry and chocolate ice cream, please," I told the vendor."Here you go, ma'am," the lady smiled at me; she was pretty too.
"Thank you..." I glanced at her name tag. "Chaeyoung."Chaeyoung smiled at me."You know, I also know someone named Chaeyoung.""Hehe, I think I know her too," she said, giggling."Oh, we might know the same Chae—""Hey, stop flirting!" a random guy yelled from behind me. "You're holding up the line.""See you next time, Chaeyoung!" I yelled as I ran back to Yiren."I see you've met someone else now," she said as she stood up, tapping her foot on the ground."Nope, she's just a friend, and I already have you," I smiled and handed her ice cream to her."By the way, you got a text, and I answered it for you," Yiren said shyly, her voice soft as she looked at me.I trusted Yiren with my phone because I had nothing there but games. But now, I felt a twist in my stomach."Oh, who texted?"I asked, my heart racing a little."Toothpaste Lover?"Yiren said unsure, and I burst into laughter, the tension easing up for a moment. Tears streamed down my face from laughing so hard."Oh, it's Chaewon," I said, trying to catch my breath. Yiren just mouthed "Oh." "What did she say?""She said that the hamster had a huge fight with a small dwarf and that she needed you quick." Instantly, I felt a knot in my chest. Yuri and Nako rarely fought—this had to be serious. "I told her that you'd be there in a while.""Thank you, Yiren," I said, my tone apologetic. "I'm so—""You don't have to say it because I was the one who invited you anyway," she replied, holding my hand, but I could see the glimmer of disappointment in her eyes. I hated that I had to leave her like this, right in the middle of our time together."I have to go. I can't believe they're fighting," I said, panic creeping into my voice. I didn't want to worry Yiren, but deep down, I was anxious. "I'm so sorry for cutting our time short."Yiren smiled weakly. "It's okay. I understand." Still, I could see the sadness in her expression, and it tugged at my heartstrings.I ran to my car, guilt gnawing at me but my concern for Yuri pushed me forward. I drove as fast as I could—15 minutes instead of the usual 30, running a few red lights along the way. I knocked on Joyul's door, my heart racing with worry.I stood there, still processing the scene that had just unfolded. I saw her huge smile disappear the moment she caught sight of my worried face, and then she slammed the door in my face.
SLAM!
"Yul? Did I do something wrong?"I asked, my voice trembling slightly as I slowly placed my hand and forehead against the cold door. The warmth I usually felt with her was missing, replaced by an icy tension that I couldn't understand.Silence."Yul, please talk to me..." I sighed, a deep unease settling in my stomach, "are you alright?"Nothing. Just silence stretching between us like an unbridgeable chasm."I heard you fought with Nako..." I glanced at the door, hoping for some sign of her presence, but there was only that suffocating quiet. "You can always talk to me, Yul."Still nothing. The silence felt heavier now, and a sense of dread began to creep in."Jo Yuri, come out."My voice took on a firmer tone, knowing that my use of her full name usually snapped her to attention—but this time it felt different. There was no response, no rushing to the door like she would normally do. Just a deafening silence that left me stunned and confused. What had gone so wrong so quickly?
BANG!
I fell hard on the floor, face first because I was still leaning on it. Perfect timing for an elegant entrance, right?"Ugh, Yul! Warning next time!"I grumbled, now staring at the ceiling while holding the bridge of my nose like it was some sacred artifact."I'm not Yuri," I blinked and saw Eunbi unnie's face peering down at me, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. But what caught my attention was Hyewon unnie's body just dangling off her shoulder like a very much unconscious rag doll."You scared me!" I yelped, scrambling to sit up. "What's Kwangbae doing umm dead on your shoulder?""She's not dead," Eunbi unnie said, rolling her eyes, "She's just knocked out from our epic pillow fight. Who knew feathers could be so deadly?""Ah, so it's a battle royale situation?" I asked, trying to imagine Eunbi unleashing her fluffy wrath on Kwangbae."Exactly! You should see the battlefield!"Eunbi said winking, before walking out and closing the door behind her. Great, now I'm left here with the worrywart."Unnie...""Hmmm?" I looked up at Yuri, who had shifted her gaze away, a blush creeping up her cheeks. She looked like she was about to implode. "What's wrong, Yul?""Your nose is bleeding!" she exclaimed, pointing at my nose like it was a crime scene."Really?" I replied, half-amused and half-concerned. "It's nothing! I've seen worse on reality TV.""I'll help!" she insisted, her eyes wide with concern as if I were on the verge of a dramatic collapse. "Chaewon unnie said she had a first aid kit in every room.""Wow, talk about being a Girl Scout!" I said, laughing despite the slight sting. "It's like they're expecting a nosebleed apocalypse."Yuri rushed around the room in search of the kit, clearly worried about my 'tragic' situation. I couldn't help but smirk. If this was her level of panic over a little nosebleed, I could only imagine how she'd react if I needed a band-aid.She headed towards the bathroom to get the kit, so I sat on the bed and tried to slow down the blood dripping from my nose. When she came back, she placed a cotton ball on my nose and I saw her stifle a laugh."Yah! Take off the cotton if I look funny!" I whined."You look alright, unnie," she said, clearly trying not to laugh at my face."Hmph!" I crossed my arms and turned away from her."Are you really an unnie?" Yuri asked, looking at me with disgust."Yah! I'm your unnie, Joyul!" I told her, making an "excuse me" face."Yeah, yeah, whatever... Yena.""Yah! Yuri—""Choi Yena.""Aish! I'll leave—""Don't," she said as she hugged me, and we both fell onto the bed, with her landing on top of me. "Don't say anything." I held her waist and brushed her hair while she cried into my shoulder."Unnie, it hurts," Yuri said, hitting my chest and shoulders lightly. I held her tighter because, to be honest, her punches didn't hurt."S-she doesn't see how much I love her, unnie," she whispered, the words catching in her throat.It wasn't him, it was her ."U-Unnie, she's wi-with someone else now," she gasped, her breathing ragged. My heart plummeted. I pulled her closer, her face buried in my shoulder, her sobs racking her body. "Unnie, what do I do? I love her so much, but she's so dumb . Unnie, what do I do? I'm so selfish... I want her to be mine."Each sob tore at my own heart. Seeing her like this, shattered and broken, was unbearable. I felt a surge of anger, a familiar jealousy bubbling up within me. It wasn't the first time. She always seemed to gravitate towards others, her heart seemingly incapable of resting with me. I had accepted it, resigned to the fact that Choi Yena would never be the one for her.But watching her crumble like this, witnessing the depth of her despair... it ignited a fire within me. If she keeps breaking your heart, Joyul... I won't let you fall apart. I won't hesitate to fight for you, even if it means sacrificing everything.
Kim Chaewon
I pulled Hitomi closer to deepen our kiss, and I straddled her on my lap as we continued to make out. Our first kiss together turned into a heated make-out session. We just wanted to taste each other, and I never realized how much Hitomi meant to me. She bit my lip and pulled away, and we both stared at each other in shock because of her action and also because I groaned..."U-unnie, I'm so sorry. I got so caught up in the moment and I—"She stopped rambling and shyly looked away the moment sunk into her that we just made out on my balcony. Her mochi cheeks were turning a light shade of pink, and I wanted to tease her, but she was just too cute, so I decided not to."It's alright, Tomi."I caressed her cheek and gave soft kisses on her knuckles. I felt her relax a little, and I pulled her closer so that I could cuddle her and feel her warmth. She always felt cold, but her body temperature was warm, and I loved that because it always reassured me."Unnie?" she whispered as we cuddled."Hmmm?""What are we?" she pulled away from the hug, which somewhat disappointed me because it was no longer warm."Hmmm..." I saw her looking at me cutely, and it was as if she was expecting me to tell her that we were something more than friends. Which was true, but I wanted to do this right. "We're more than friends," she blushed and looked down at our intertwined hands. I guess I unconsciously did that. But we aren't girlfriends," she clearly looked disappointed right now. "Yet.""Yet?"She expectantly looked at me, and I giggled because you could see how bright her eyes shone."Tomi~"She smiled at me, and I felt like my heart melted.
Uwu
"I want to be someone you deserve and someone who can truly make you happy, so I want to do this," I said, pointing between myself and her. "I want to make us work, Tomi. I'm trying hard not to be distracted by your cute mochi cheeks since you're pouting at me.""Can I court you, Honda Hitomi?"I asked, giving her a finger heart because I was really tempted to squish her cheeks right now."Ne, unnie!" she exclaimed as she cuddled closer to me, and my heart was doing backflips because her cheeks were pressed against mine and they were so soft! "But unnie...""Hmm?"She pulled away slightly and wrapped her arms around my neck. I liked this because she was finally taking charge, just like I told her years ago when we first met."Where were we again, unnie?" she asked, leaning in slowly, and I leaned in too."You can drop the honorifics, Tomi," I said, and she smirked at me before pushing me back in my seat."We were eating bread, Chaewon-yah," she replied.I was startled as she slipped off my lap and sat back down beside me, grabbing a piece of bread and leaning against my shoulder."Oishii~" she giggled and did a little dance.I wrapped my arms around her waist to give her a back hug."Cuddles, Tomi," I murmured. I heard her giggle as she leaned into me. "I still want cuddles at least," I whispered and kissed my forehead, and we stayed like that for a while.
Kwon Eunbi
"You're so heavy, Kwangbae," I said as I tossed her onto her bed in her shared room with Yena."Ugh," she groaned, shifting her position.Hyewon used to be so shy and would always cling to Chaewon because they had grown close during their last year in primary school. She was honestly adorable, and I have loved her since then. But I knew she liked Chaewon because she would light up every time the girl returned from her tutorial class.For a while, it hurt to watch. When Chaewon transferred schools during our last year of middle school, Hyewon changed drastically, and I found myself falling for her again. I admired how she faced her struggles, broke down, and then worked hard to become a better person. Yet, there was still something about her that I couldn't quite understand. She never allowed me to take her home.At one point, I assumed Hyewon also liked Yena because she always let Yena walk her home. It was always either Yena or Chaewon—never me. Even though Chaewon never explained why she transferred, I sensed it had something to do with Hyewon.I left Hyewon in her room and went to find Nako and Chaekkura."Chaeyeon! Nako! Kkura!" I called out, my voice ringing through the garden as I spotted the three of them sprinting towards me, laughter spilling between them like sunlight."I'm sorry I took so long," Chaeyeon panted, her cheeks flushed as she caught her breath, "I was running around the house, and they got lost in the flower maze."Nako, glancing sheepishly at the ground, mumbled, "We kind of forgot where we started, unnie." I noticed the glimmer of tears in her eyes and chose not to pry; I knew Nako had her battles to fight."Chaeyeon, please carry your girlfriend back to your room," Kkura said with a playful lilt, lying back on the floor with a grin."And Nako, you'll be sleeping with Chaewon tonight because Yuri will be with Yena."The three of them turned to me, eyes wide with anticipation and mischief."I know... but we also know how much Yuri will need Yena."Nako and I exchanged glances, and I felt that familiar tug in my chest — a sweet, bittersweet kind of longing. Chaeyeon and Kkura looked so comfortable together, and I couldn't help but wish for a moment like that too."Nako, you and I will be informing Chaewon," I said with a scrunched nose, a giddy mix of excitement and envy bubbling up. I could almost picture how cute it would be to be carried like that, to feel the warmth and care of a certain someone."Oh, she's on the balcony," Chaeyeon replied, lifting Sakura effortlessly in her arms.Nako and I watched, a mixture of admiration and playful bitterness coloring our expressions. I couldn't help but smile, even as my heart ached just a bit. That kind of love... I want it too."Ok, unnie," Nako said, her enthusiasm bubbling over as she grabbed my hand, trying to lead us to the balcony."It's this way, Nako," I gently corrected her, pulling her in the opposite direction.She followed me, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, casting glances down as Chaeyeon stifled her laughter beside us.When we finally reached the balcony, a beautiful scene unfolded before us. Hitomi was nestled comfortably against Chaewon, who was enveloping her in a warm embrace. As Chaewon brushed Hitomi's hair tenderly, I couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth at the sight. Then, something magical happened—after years of silence, I heard Chaewon sing again."Neurin yeohaeng neowa na hamkke tteonan i yeohaengcheoreom aju cheoncheonhi hanahana nune damgo shipeoyo," she sang softly, her voice rich with emotion as it floated through the air, wrapping around Hitomi like a warm blanket.The moment was so sweet, my heart swelled with joy for them. I wanted to rush over and hug Chaewon, overwhelmed with happiness that she had found her voice again. But as I turned to Nako, I noticed her stance had changed completely. She was kneeling beside me, her mouth agape, eyes shining with tears that threatened to spill.At that moment, I felt a deep sense of empathy for her. I understood the bittersweet pang in her heart, the helplessness that often follows unspoken feelings. Nako had always been so full of light, and yet here she was, witnessing something so pure and beautiful that it hurt.I wanted to reach out, to comfort her, and let her know that it was okay to feel this way, to feel both joy for others and sorrow for herself. This was love in all its forms—complex, messy, and achingly beautiful.
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Kim Minju
Yujin and I arrived around midnight, the house was quiet with everyone already asleep. After our Ferris wheel ride, we found ourselves in a deep conversation about her feelings for Wonyoung. Yujin understood the girl so well, yet there was a quiet longing in her voice as she expressed how she wished everyone would know they were dating.I could see it in her eyes—she was grappling with insecurities, especially regarding her family's financial situation and the pressure of being accepted into IZ*ONE U on a track scholarship.As Yujin headed to her room, which she shared with Wonyoung, I slipped my feet into the pool, seeking clarity. The cool water was refreshing, but my thoughts felt heavy. I recalled how Yujin's smile faded momentarily when she spoke about her struggles, and it struck me how disappointed she seemed.Her insecurities clung to her like a shadow, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was burdened by the belief that something was wrong with her."Why are you like this, Kim Minju?" I whispered to my reflection in the still water. I had to confront the truth—I cared for Yujin deeply; my feelings were unmistakable.But I was her unnie first and foremost, and I had to push those romantic feelings aside once again. It was painful to see her so vulnerable, and I wished I could do more to ease her burdens.But for now, all I could do was be there for her, constantly reminding her that she was enough just the way she was.
"I'm in love with Jang Wonyoung, unnie, and we've been dating since two years ago," Yujin confessed, her voice trembling as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
I felt my breath hitch, a wave of disbelief washing over me. My instincts had whispered that something was going on between them, but I had been so naïve to believe they were only best friends. My heart shattered again, the weight of reality crashing down on me.
"I'll be here to listen, Yujinie," I managed to say, moving to sit beside her.
I wrapped my arms around her in a comforting side hug, though my heart felt heavy.
"Unnie, it's just that I know how much pressure Wonyoung's family places on her... especially her mother," she said, frustration and sadness blurring her expression.
She ran her fingers through her hair, struggling to contain her emotions.
"Her mom also hates my family, but my dad has it worse because what Wonyoung doesn't know is that my parents and her mom used to be those cliché high school trios; her mom dated my dad, but he cheated on her with my mom. Then when he needed somewhere to go, he didn't tell Wonyoung's mom he was married to mine, and he used her to secure a job at their place."
My mind was racing, trying to process all of this. "Woah," I eventually said, still in disbelief. "And Wonyoung never knew?"
"Yes, because her dad doesn't know either, and her mom just pretends she has no past relationship with my parents," Yujin sighed, her shoulders slumping as she hung her head against the windowpane.
I couldn't find the right words. The tangled web of their families sounded like something straight out of a drama, and here I was, utterly shocked and speechless.
"That's some family history..."
I whispered, grappling with the complexity of it all, feeling lost in this revelation. What could I even say?
I watched Yujin with a heavy heart, her smile lingering sadly as she spoke.
"Do you hate your parents... I mean... you know," I asked, feeling the tension building as she leaned back, hands behind her head.
"No," she replied, surprising me with her conviction. "Who would ever want to hate their parents? I mean, I couldn't stop them from what they did in the past, and they're doing everything they can for me now." As she looked up, I could see the battle against her tears reflected in her eyes, and it made my chest ache.
"Yujinie, you can st-"
"It's just unfair, unnie," a single tear slipped down her cheek. "It hurts so much because sometimes I wonder what life would have been like if they at least did their best when they were young because right now, it hurts so much. I always envied Wonyoung before because she had everything, yet she hated her mother, and I get why. But sometimes, life is just so unfair." It felt like my heart was breaking watching her like this; her bright, happy smile seemed like a distant memory.
"Unnie, I'm trying, but why doesn't it seem enough? Unnie, why?"
Without thinking, I pulled her into a hug, feeling the warmth of her fragile frame against me as she let the tears flow. I held her tightly, shielding her from the pain that seemed all-consuming.
After a few minutes, when her tears began to subside, I suggested ice cream, hoping it would lift her spirits just a little. We walked home in a comfortable silence, my worry still lingering but knowing I was there for her, just as she needed me to be.
"Why are you like what, Kim Minju?" A familiar voice broke my trance."You know exactly what I mean," I scoffed at her, but I felt a familiar warmth in my chest. It was strange how her voice could lift the weight off me, making me smile even when I was unsure if I should."A hardworking and aspiring actress? A great friend? A role model in school? An incredibly gorgeous Kim Minju Angel?""You flatter me, unnie," I couldn't help but grin at her compliments, though they felt bittersweet. There was a part of me that longed for the attention and affection she used to give me, the way she made me feel special without hesitation. I shifted my gaze to the stars above, their twinkling light reminiscent of how I felt when she was around—shimmering, alive."Let me sit beside you, so scoot a little," she sighed. I did, even though the pool was massive and there was plenty of room. But the proximity was comforting. "Do you remember what I told you back then?""Nope," I teased, watching her expression change to disbelief.It felt good, almost exhilarating, to see her eyes widen in shock."Yah! You promise—""You sang it to me," I reminded her, laying back and taking in the vast sky.Her voice, like a melody, lingered in the air, intertwining with the stars."Do you remember how it goes?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the heavens."Neowa na hamkkeramyeon mweodeunji Ok gachi tteona bollae?"I replied, unable to hide my smile at the memory. "How did you come up with it anyway?""I thought of how much you meant to me that time." Her feet floated above the water, and she pulled her knees close to her chest, her eyes finally meeting mine. "Are you mad?""Nope, just confused," I admitted, turning away from the stars to face her. "I mean, I was at first because I liked you back then... I liked you a lot and got so many mixed signals."I paused, the words spilling out."Then I realized I was just being selfish. If I loved you... I had to let you go. I saw how you looked at her, and it was the same look I'd give you.""You know I loved you at some point too," she said, and my heart skipped. My first love confessed to me, and it shattered my misconceptions a bit. "It was just a little early last year... a year after I canceled our arranged marriage.""Is that why you didn't tell me?"I could feel my heart ache at the thought. The truth was, I was genuinely happy about the arranged marriage and I was disappointed when it was called off."Out of guilt?""Yes... and you deserve better."Then, do better, I thought, wishing for us to have faced this honestly together."It's alright because when I needed saving, you always became my knight in shining armor," I teased, but it was seriously how I felt. The way she could just show up and ease my burdens felt magical. Suddenly, she splashed me with the water, and I couldn't help but laugh."Yah! I'm being serious.""You're just teasing me!" she whined, and it was adorable. This was the side of her that I missed—the playful banter, the carefree joy."You never showed this whiny side of you to anyone aside from me before," I remarked, my heart swelling with nostalgia."I mean I had a reputation," she huffed, placing her fist on her chest. "I am the great Kim Chaewon after all.""Mhmm, but she isn't so great with her friends," I jabbed playfully, but underneath my teasing, I felt a hint of frustration. The mixed signals she gave me before left a knot in my chest."Yah! Kim Minju!"Yet as we bantered, it was enough for me to know that at some point, I had meant something to her too. With that simple revelation, my heart lightened a fraction. Maybe I still loved her, still longed for the affection she could give—if only she would let me back in."Alright, alright, I'll stop," I said, trying to stifle my laughter."By the way, before I forget, I want you to be the first one to know that I'm courting Hitomi," Chaewon unnie said with a huge smile on her face.My heart dropped. I wanted to be happy for her, but the news felt like a punch to the gut."I'm happy for you, unnie. Fighting!" I managed to say, forcing a smile that I hoped masked the storm brewing inside me."Me too, so umm... Minju-yah," Chaewon unnie cooed, her excitement infectious yet unbearable."Hmm?"I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions raging within."Cheongsojomhaji~"And just like that, she dashed off, leaving me standing there, stunned. I should have seen that coming; the phrase was from our first acting gig together, a memory that now felt bittersweet."Yah! Chaewon unnie!"I took a deep breath, my chest heavy with a mix of emotions. I was happy for her, truly. But here I was, my heart shattered for the second time in one night. I had to accept things as they were; sometimes, wanting someone meant letting them go."Let's just move on," I whispered to myself, forcing the sadness to the back of my mind as I put on a brave face.It was all about being strong for Chaewon unnie, even if it meant hiding the pieces of my own heart that were breaking.
Yabuki Nako
I was supposed to share a room with Chaewon unnie tonight, but after what happened earlier, I don't think I'll be able to sleep well. I just saw my crush kiss her crush, and it really broke my heart. Now, I'll be rooming with Eunbi unnie, while Kang-chan has taken Chaewon Unnie's place."Nako, are you alright?" Eunbi unnie asked as she stepped out of the shower and began drying her hair with a towel."Are you okay with me sleeping beside you, Eunbi unnie?""It's fine, Nako," she replied with a reassuring smile. "What are you reading?""I was just going over the school newspaper," I said, handing her the paper. Eunbi unnie nodded as she glanced at the page."Oh, I remember those articles about the international competitions," she said, her lips curling into a small smile.The bold headline caught my attention again:HONDA HITOMI, titled as BEST FLYER at NCA All-Star National Championship 2020Underneath, there was a picture of Hitomi mid-performance, her expression fierce and determined. The article highlighted her incredible skill and dedication, mentioning how she had been in cheerleading since she was three years old.Despite being a freshman, she had already made a name for herself, leading the cheerleading team to victory."I remember when Kwangbae took this photo," Eunbi unnie said, pointing to the lower-left corner of the picture. "She was so happy about it because she got a solo shot of Hitomi.""That was when we got close, unnie!" I excitedly told her."Yeah! I remember how awkward we were at first until Hitomi introduced us," Eunbi unnie replied with a laugh. "I also remember how you got lost because everyone around you was so tall.""Unnie!"I playfully smacked her arm. "But we met during Yena unnie and Yuri’s scandal. I was in the ENOZI Rumor printing room too. I accompanied Yuri and Hitomi there. I clearly remember you scolding the editor of ENOZI Daily for not having control over their other papers.""The scandal is still here!"Eunbi unnie pointed out the page and took a picture of it, preparing to show Yena unnie and Yuri tomorrow to lighten up their spirits.What they didn't know was that Yuri liked Yena unnie, I thought to myself. I shared this with Eunbi unnie, and she just pinched my cheeks and bopped my nose, which made me giggle despite everything."Let me tell you a secret, Nako," Eunbi unnie ushered me closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief."What is it, unnie?"I leaned in, curiosity sparkling in my own eyes. Her excitement was contagious, and I found myself hanging onto her every word."Yena loves Yuri with all her heart," she said with a smile, and I looked at her, shocked and wide-eyed."Really?!""I thought you had a hunch about it?" she replied with a confused look, her brow furrowing slightly."Yes, I do!" I nod furiously, jumping from the bed in surprise. Seeing Eunbi unnie's playful gaze focused solely on me made my heart flutter a little. "It's just... the confirmation—aren't Yena unnie and Yiren dating?""That is Yena's secret to tell because I can only tell you that much," Eunbi unnie said with a knowing smile, patting the space next to her. "Let's sleep, Nako.""Alright, unnie," I yawned, feeling a wave of comfort wash over me as I positioned myself next to her.She pulled me closer, and her warmth enveloped me. For a moment, I couldn't help but wonder how someone could be so caring and responsible.As I snuggled into her embrace, I felt safe. Maybe I didn't fall for someone like Eunbi unnie, but right now, it felt amazing to be held by her. I realized that even though I might not see her romantically, I could cherish her kindness and warmth in my way. That was something special, too.
Wang Yiren
"I'm glad you're dating Yena, Yiren," my dad told me as I stood at the center of his office, "she's the right one for you. Remember what I told you, Yiren?""I must do everything I can to make Choi Yena stay," I said looking down."I'm glad you remember, and you should" my dad smiled at me, "Choi Jeong Hwan used to be my best friend, Yiren but when he had Sungmin, he didn't even agree to the arranged marriage I set you two up," my dad gritted his teeth and clenched his fist as he remembered how Yena's dad rejected his proposal for an arranged marriage.My dad was ambitious and critical, as he was also abusive and a control freak. I did everything I could to make sure I didn't date Yena just because she was forced to, but she found out the moment my dad approached her when we met by accident at the mall. Yena offered to pretend that we were together so that my dad wouldn't keep hurting me, and it saddened me because she was so excited to tell Yuri that she liked her. I ruined Yena's happiness because of my father. Yena never blamed me and kept treating me as if I was her real girlfriend and I enjoyed every bit of it."You may leave now, Yiren," my dad said and shooed me away, which snapped me back into reality.I bowed and left the room; I was heading to my room when I got a call from a Yena unnie and I felt a little better. I just didn't know why she'd call me at two in the morning."Did you miss me already?" I teased the older one, trying to lighten the mood."I'm not Yena," a husky voice with a hint of an accent replied.It was different, not the soft and cool voice I was hoping to hear. Disappointment washed over me."Oh," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral, "what do you want, Yuri?""I want to talk to you about Yena unnie," she said, her tone stern. "Where can I meet you?""At this hour? Did you think I was awake and free?"I complained, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice. I had just had one of those days."Then I'll go to you," she shot back, stubborn just like Yena had described."Fine," I finally relented. "Meet me at the Yummy Summer Café in fifteen minutes." I hung up before she could respond, my mind still lingering on the fact that I wasn't talking to Yena.Arriving at the café five minutes early, I ordered some pasta and settled into a secluded corner. Being famous meant I had to watch who I spent my time with. When Yuri finally arrived, I couldn't help but find her attempt at intimidation cute; she looked like a sad puppy."Go get something," I told her, not wanting her to just watch me eat. She looked startled, and I rolled my eyes, "I don't want you to just stare at me."She quickly turned and dashed to the counter, and I found myself understanding why Yena liked her so much. But that didn't mean I would ever give Yena up.When Yuri returned with spicy chicken feet and a chocolate shake, a bright smile lit up her face. The way she cradled her food made her look even more like a little puppy. I snorted, unable to contain my amusement."What?" she asked, trying to maintain a stoic expression, but I could see through her facade."You're the one who wanted to meet and talk," I shot back, and it caught her off-guard, making her flustered."I just want to say congratulations..." she said, suddenly looking down and gloomily picking at her food."Yena and I aren't dating," I said plainly, noticing the slight glimmer of hope in her eyes. I hesitated, knowing I might regret my words. "I can't share all the details, but I can tell you that Yena and I are not in a real relationship. We just need everyone to believe that we are.""Why?" she asked, sounding surprisingly earnest. It annoyed me that she pretended to be clueless about it as if she truly didn't understand."Because she likes someone else." I held my ground, not wanting to give her the satisfaction. "No... she loves her with all her heart. But no matter how much she loves that person... she won't leave me."I noticed her process that information, her gaze dropping as she resumed eating."Is that all?" Yuri said, taking a sip of her shake, her uninterested tone irking me even more."Yah! Aren't you going to ask who?"I couldn't believe she wasn't more curious."Nope," she said nonchalantly, grabbing another chicken foot. "Knowing that you and Yena unnie are just fake girlfriends is enough for me."I was taken aback by how unbothered she was. This girl was dangerously bold, and I appreciated it. If circumstances were different, we could have been the best of friends."Can I have some of your pasta?" she asked, already reaching for my plate."Yah! Jo Yuri!" I protested, but the protest felt weaker than I intended.Eventually, we hit it off, exchanged numbers, and even took a little walk before I drove her home since she'd taken a cab earlier. As I stared at my phone, a smile crept onto my face. Today, amidst the disappointment of not hearing Yena's comforting voice, I had made a new friend.
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Jang Wonyoung
Yujin and I were finally high schoolers, and we were excited to be studying at IZ*ONE University, the school we had dreamed of attending for so long. It was our first day there, and I felt grateful that we were friends with most of our classmates, thanks to Chaeyeon, Kkura, and Nako unnie, who had all studied at JYP Middle School. However, I haven't met Chaeyeon Unnie yet during that time because she transferred to IZ*ONE University in her second year after receiving a better scholarship. I had only seen her when she came to pick up Nako and Kkura unnie."Wonnie," Yujin embraced me in my room.After seeing her with Minju unnie, I was starting to feel skeptical."Yujin, my parents might see us," I said, turning towards her. She looked at me with sulky eyes. "You know how much they want me to excel here, so they'll monitor everything."She pulled her arms away from my waist and kissed the top of my head, and then my lips before sitting down on my bed."Hey, I just made my bed," I pouted at her, and she quickly fixed it, which made me smile at this adorable puppy."Better?" she asked with an awkward smile.I loved it—how could I not—especially when she looked so happy with Minju unnie? No. I am Jang Wonyoung, and I am Ahn Yujin's girlfriend and future wife. This giant puppy does everything for me, and I should do the same for her."Screw it," I said as I smiled at her with newfound confidence."What?" she asked, looking confused, and I grabbed her wrist, leading her downstairs with her following behind me.Both our parents were shocked, especially my mom, because I was holding Yujin's wrist.Yujin looked just as surprised as my mom when I declared, "I'm dating Ahn Yujin, and you can't stop me!" I looked at her, and the shock was still evident on her face.I couldn't help but smile at her, "I am completely in love with her and I want to be with her... all my life," I looked at her and I just felt so happy how could I not want to be with her! She's everything I love and she's all I need.I saw her look down and tried not to let her tears fall because I knew she had waited so long for this too, and she had waited well."Jang Wonyoung, stop this nonsense!"My mom's voice cut through the air, sharp and fierce as she grabbed my hand from Yujin's and yanked me to her side. Confusion flooded my mind."What have you done to my daughter?!"I glanced back at Yujin, her eyes wide with shock, but it was the next moment that paralyzed me. My mom pushed Yujin aside, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing."Don't you dare touch my daughter, Hu Dae!"Her tone dripped with venom when she said Yujin's mom's name. It sent a chill down my spine. Why was there so much hatred embedded in that simple name? My thoughts raced as I stood there, bewildered. The tension between the two women was palpable, and I wondered what history lay behind their animosity, leaving me caught in the middle."I should have known you were scheming behind my back, telling your daughter to get close to mine, luring her in with whatever twisted tricks you've got up your sleeve, you bitch!" my mom spat out, her voice dripping with venom.I watched my dad sip his coffee, seemingly detached from the chaos, while Yujin's dad shifted uncomfortably, avoiding both of their glaring eyes."Mom, please don't call Yujin's mom..."Everyone, including the maids, was now looking at us."...a female dog."Yujin tried to stifle a laugh as I struggled to avoid saying the "b" word and defend her mother, which Yujin was clearly not doing."Don't call Yujin's mom that, Mom, because you're also the same at times."My mom looked so shocked, while everyone else was trying not to laugh."Why are you being ungrateful?""Everyone thinks you're just like that, Mom, and I'm not taking it back. You're not decreasing my allowance because I said 'sometimes.'"I pulled my hand away from her grasp and walked over to Yujin's side."I love her, Mom, and if you can't accept that, then I'm leaving. I've done everything you asked, and I will continue to do so as long as you let me stay with Yujin. They'll still live here because they'll soon be your in-laws anyway. AND I'M GOING TO BE HER FUTURE WIFE, AND YOU CAN'T STOP ME!" I yelled out, grabbing Yujin's hand so we could finally leave my house and get to school. Once we arrived in front of her bike she just kept smiling at me and I hugged her.As we stood in front of her bike, her smile lit up the dusk, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. I felt an overwhelming surge of affection as I hugged her tightly."You're exhausted, I bet," she said softly, holding me securely in her arms."Shhh," I shushed her, feeling her gentle laugh vibrate against me. "I wanna be recharged at the moment, so hold me tighter.""I know," she replied, pulling me even closer as she pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. "I love you too, Wonnie."At that moment, her gaze was so intense, as if I were the only woman in the entire universe. It made my heart swell, knowing that Ahn Yujin looked at me like I was the most precious thing in her life. I trusted her completely, and her love enveloped me in a way that felt both profound and exhilarating.I looked up at Yujin, my heart racing as I pressed my lips against hers. Time seemed to stand still; it felt like we were wrapped in our own little world, just the two of us, lost in the moment."I hate you..." I murmured, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips. The look of shock on her face made my heart flutter. "I hate that I love you... because I don't want you to leave."Her smile was like sunshine breaking through the clouds."I'm not going anywhere," she assured me, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. "I promise you, Jang Wonyoung."God, how could I not fall deeper in love with her? Just being near her made everything else fade away.
"Alright, alright, we'll be late now, so let's head to school."I cupped her cheeks gently, stealing another soft kiss from her.As she reached for my helmet, I instinctively grabbed it from her, catching her off guard again."I saw you place this on Minju unnie, so I'm going to spray alcohol on it! HMPH!" she pouted, and I couldn't help but laugh.At that moment, as we bickered playfully, I realized just how lucky I was to have her in my life."Wait, you were actually there?" Yujin asked, her voice trembling with concern."Yes, and I knew you needed a friend at the time," I said, trusting her completely. "I trust you because you love me more than I love you."I kissed her nose gently and continued to spray alcohol on the helmet, focusing on the task, even as my heart swelled. As I looked at her, I felt a warmth spread through me; she always knew how to make me feel cherished."Yeah," she replied, a playful smile dancing on her lips as she gained confidence. "I mean, I'm pretty great at loving you."I paused, looking into her eyes with sincerity."You are, Yujin. But remember, it's okay to lean on your friends, too. Not just me, okay? You're allowed to need more than just a girlfriend."I hoped she understood—she didn't have to shoulder everything alone. I wanted her to see that friendship was also a kind of love, and she deserved to feel supported in every way."Aish! Let's just get to class," I sat down on her motorcycle wrapped my arms around her waist, and leaned my head on her back.
Kwon Eunbi
"Prez!" I turned around and saw Lee Sian charging towards me like she was in a race, her hair bouncing with each frantic step."Hey," I said, plastering on my sweetest smile as if I hadn't just enjoyed a blissful vacation while she slaved away."Hey is all you say to me," she huffed dramatically, her hands on her hips and a faux offended look on her face, "after we haven't met for like months?""Ummm... yes?""You're mean..." she scoffed, narrowing her eyes at me. "I shouldn't have voted for you.""Yah! You're just bitter because you had to work and I got to lounge around at Chaewon's house!"I stuck my tongue out at her playfully, feeling a burst of mischief as I sprinted towards the council's room."Yah! Kwon Eunbi, come back here!" Sian yelled, her voice echoing down the hall.The funny part? We were both from the first floor, and I was about to give her the ultimate workout as we dashed up to the fourth floor of HEART*IZ.The university felt like a sprawling maze, with buildings scattered everywhere to accommodate all the students. We had COLOR*IZ and HEART*IZ for the high schoolers. COLOR*IZ for the freshmen and sophomores, HEART*IZ for the seniors, and, of course, the obligatory after-school study rooms that nobody used.Despite being a track athlete—and let's face it, definitely faster than her—somehow Sian was keeping up. Maybe it was her sheer determination to regain her honor after that vacation shade. She was the one who always brought out my silly side, which was perfect for relieving stress... even if I was currently using the stairs as a makeshift obstacle course."Yah...," we were both now wheezing, the hallway suddenly feeling like it was three miles long. I was crawling on the floor like a human slug while she clung desperately to my leg."Kwon Eunbi... take that back...""Take what back? The part where I have a fabulous life and you're still stuck here slaving away?"I shot back between breaths, trying not to burst into laughter at our ridiculous state. We may have been a tangled mess, but it was the best kind of chaos."What are you two doing?"I looked up to see Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu staring at Sian and me while Tzuyu held up her phone, recording. Sian and I jolted to our feet."We were head—""We were cleaning the floor in our unique way," Sian cut me off, and the three of them erupted into laughter."I'm telling Jihyo," Tzuyu teased, and I felt the color drain from my face. "Our new president is starting the school year by cleaning her floor with her own body.""Don't you dare tell God Jihyo," I pointed a finger at her, but she just slapped it away, laughing."She's my girlfriend," Tzuyu smirked while glancing at Dahyun and Chaeyoung behind her. They shrugged, confirming her statement."I tell her everything."I couldn't help but pout; I knew how Jihyo could be.With the sound of their laughter still echoing, the three of them headed into the student council room to get ready for our early meeting before the opening ceremony."Hey, how about I treat you to lunch after this?" Sian smiled at me, trying to cheer me up. It worked a little. "It was my fault anyway that Tzuyu got a video."Her reassuring smile boosted my spirits, and I followed her inside. I knew it was partly my fault for making her chase me, but she never wanted me to blame myself too much.As I entered the room, I saw most council members gathered. Secretary Chaewon and Treasurer Nako arranged materials, while Vice President Chaeyeon discussed plans with Committee Chairpersons Wonyoung and Hitomi. The rest, including Minju, Yujin, and Chowon, chatted eagerly about the upcoming school year.This was our team, and I felt a swell of pride. We were ready to make this year unforgettable."Yujin and Wonyoung aren't here yet," Chaewon announced, her voice steady and professional. As the secretary, she was always on top of things, meticulously taking down the minutes."Let's wait for just five more minutes," I suggested, earning nods of agreement. The spacious room buzzed with light chatter as everyone exchanged stories and stretched a little.My gaze drifted towards Chaewon, who was holding Hitomi close, her expression bright and content. It warmed my heart; she truly was like a little sister to me. But then, my thoughts shifted to Nako, who seemed lost in her world, her head resting heavily on her arms."Chaewon's bolder when she's in love," Chaeyeon commented, sliding into the seat beside me. Being the vice president, she often had her finger on the pulse of our council dynamics.Just then, a loud thud interrupted our banter.The door burst open, and in rushed two familiar figures—sweaty and panting, looking like they had just sprinted a marathon."We... made it!" Yujin exclaimed, collapsing to the ground in a mock dramatic fashion."God, Jihyo! What happened to you two?"Chaeyeon asked, her tone shifting from playful to concerned as she quickly fetched a towel. Nako was already on it, pouring water into two glasses with her characteristic caring spirit."We got lost on the way," Wonyoung replied, shooting a playful glare at Yujin, who was gulping down water as if it were a lifeline."It isn't my fault that the school's so huge!" Yujin protested, her cheeks flushed, but there was laughter in her eyes."You didn't listen to me!"Wonyoung retorted, now standing with that fire only she could muster. The tension between the two felt almost electric, so I decided it was time to step in and restore some order."It doesn't matter whose fault it is; we have a meeting to get to. So hurry up and change into your uniforms," I instructed, gesturing towards the bathroom. The two exchanged bewildered glances before I added, "There are spare uniforms available for council members, so don't abuse this privilege. You have three minutes."Without another word, they both dashed off, and laughter rippled through the room. When they emerged, freshly changed, everyone had settled back into their seats, ready for the proceedings.Our council room was truly impressive, resembling a professional boardroom, which always made me feel important and professional."Now, as we kick off today's meeting, the chairman will begin with a welcome speech and introduce the council members," Chaewon shared, her tone authoritative yet warm. "After that, the student council president will give a speech, and then we'll head to the classrooms to reconnect with everyone."I nodded, my heart racing a little with excitement. This was what we had all worked for, and I felt a swell of pride to be part of such a dynamic team. It was our chance to lead, to inspire, and to make this year unforgettable."Thank you, Chaewon," I nodded at her, watching as she settled back into her seat. "Regarding last year's proposals about what to improve... what did we miss?""You wouldn't believe it if I told you," Chowon chimed in, a playful glint in her eyes, while everyone else looked at her, curious—especially Yujin and Wonyoung, who were new to the council."Why? What is it?" I asked, realizing I hadn't given the proposals much attention since they were buried under a mountain of paperwork from last week."Hyewon still insists that we need another cafeteria and a completely new menu," Chowon said, while Yujin struggled to suppress a laugh. Wonyoung, seated beside her, squeezed her hand under the table as if trying to silence her."Typical Hyewon," I chuckled. "She's been pushing for that since freshman year and it's always brushed aside."Nako chimed in with a knowing smile. "I know our school's budget is, well..." she glanced at Chaewon, who gave her a subtle nod to go ahead, "...unlimited and huge, but it's never considered important enough. It's just one of those things."Chowon leaned back with a grin, "Honestly, it's always the same conversation. Each year, it's like clockwork!"We all burst into laughter, imagining Hyewon's enthusiastic pitch for a second cafeteria. It was funny how some things never changed."How about we host a food stall competition among us seniors during our break?" Chaeyeon suggested, her eyes lighting up. "Fifty percent of the profits could go towards us, and the other fifty percent can go to the school budget and charity.""That's a fantastic idea," Dahyun stated, and I nodded in agreement, along with Chaeyoung and Tzuyu. The mood shifted quickly; we all recognized the potential in Chaeyeon's suggestion."It's settled then," I declared, feeling a wave of excitement. This was going to be our first council project of the year, and it felt great to see everyone onboard."Wait 'til Kwangbae hears about this," Yujin said with a smirk, addressing Wonyoung and Minju, who were seated side by side."I bet she'll do her happy dance again, and who knows—her gear second might come out too," Minju added, giggling, and we all shared a laugh again.As the laughter died down, I could sense the shift back to serious business. "Alright, so let's make sure we draft a proper proposal before we bring it up to the administration. We have to outline the benefits clearly," I said, my voice steady.Nako nodded, "Agreed. If we want them to take us seriously, we need everything in place."With renewed focus, we all leaned in to discuss the details, excited to turn our fun idea into a reality while maintaining our professional edge.
Honda Hitomi
Chaewon unnie was walking towards me with a huge, radiant smile on her face, and I couldn't contain my excitement. She had promised to walk me to my classroom on the first day of class, and I felt like I was floating."Tomi! Hitomi!""Chaewon!" I practically beamed, ready to rush towards her, but then Nayoung suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me away. Both Chaewon and I froze for a moment, our eyes locked in surprise."Hitomi, come on! We're gonna be late!" Nayoung insisted, tugging at me, but I stood my ground. I shot a pleading pout her way, and she looked at me confused. I pointed at Ssamu, who was standing nearby with her arms crossed and an unmistakably annoyed glare directed at us."What?" Nayoung asked, glancing over at Chaewon."What what?" Chaewon stepped forward, her eyes still sparkling."What what what?" Nayoung shot back, puffing her chest out confrontationally."What wha—""Can you move? You're blocking the door," Haeyoon said flatly, and both Nayoung and Chaewon turned sheepishly at the interruption.They stepped aside, bowing apologetically, and Haeyoon smiled at me while teasing the two, holding my shoulder."Let's go, Hitomi!""I'm alright, Haeyoon unnie," I said, unable to hide my grin as I intertwined my fingers with Chaewon's. I could feel myself blush as gasps echoed around us, and I squeaked out, "I'll be walking with my girlfriend, unnie. You don't have to worry!" I bolted away, practically glowing with embarrassment but too happy to let go of her hand."Did you just announce that we were girlfriends?" Chaewon teased, smirking as she cuddled me close, and we finally slowed our pace."I don't know. Maybe?" I giggled back, and she poked my cheek, making my heart flutter."Come on, let's bring you to your classroom!" she said, and we strolled toward my class, not caring about the whispers and gasps swirling around us. It felt like we were in our little world, holding hands, and I felt so lucky.When we arrived at my classroom, I spotted Nako, and my heart soared at the thought of having my best friend by my side. Chaewon leaned in, giving me a quick peck on the cheek before she left, and just as she did, everyone bombarded me with questions. I couldn't help but giggle through it all, still feeling giddy from Chaewon's presence."Hitomi, are you dating Chaewon now?"I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "We're something... just no label yet," I finally managed to say."Are you Chaewon's first girlfriend?" they asked, and I thought, I think so? "Did you two kiss?" Who asks that out loud?! I went crimson, heat flooding my cheeks as everyone oohed and aahed, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. It was so obvious; my face had given them the answer.I scanned the room for the source of the teasing voice and spotted Yuri and Yena unnie by our classroom door, snickering at my predicament."Unnie! Hitomi's embarrassed now," Yuri said, playfully slapping Yena unnie's shoulder."Hehe, now I can tease Chaewon," Yena unnie declared, grabbing Yuri's hand and dragging her toward her room."Hitomi, isn't Yena dating Yiren?" someone chimed in. Are they also dating? I couldn't help but wonder. My classmates bombarded me with questions about Yuri and Yena unnie's relationship status. It was all a bit confusing. They certainly acted more like a couple than just friends, but wasn't Yena unnie dating Wang Yiren?Just then, Nako and our teacher walked into the room, and suddenly, the buzz of curiosity faded as everyone returned to their seats. I offered Nako a warm smile, but she just looked at me, and my heart sank. She looked so broken, and that feeling of unease settled in my stomach. I wondered what happened with Yuri.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Choi Yena
RRRIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNGGGGG!
The bell rang just as I bounced into my classroom, my heart racing with excitement because today, I'd be with Kwangbae and Chaewon! I spotted both of them darting out towards the auditorium for the opening ceremony, and I zoomed over, arms flung wide to wrap around their necks."Eyyyy!!!" I exclaimed, squeezing them tightly. Whoops!Both of them shot me a glare because I might have grabbed a bit too hard. I quickly released them, arms shooting back down to my sides like they had a mind of their own."You guys weren't planning to leave me behind, right?" I asked, trying to play it cool but probably failing miserably."Nah," Kwangbae replied, waving me off with a smirk that could only mean trouble. "We just thought you were going with Yuri.""Come on, Kwangbae," I pouted, trying to give her my best puppy eyes. "I'm a pals before gals person!""Yeah! Says the one who abandoned Yujin for Yiren," Chaewon teased, and I gasped dramatically."And left us when Yuri called her just to ask for help," Kwangbae chimed in, both of them shooting me playful, mischievous looks."Hey!" I protested, looking down and fidgeting with my hands in mock shame. "It was an emergency...""How is asking a friend for song recommendations an emergency?!"Chaewon exclaimed, raising her arms, and I couldn't help but pout even harder as they both burst into laughter."It's okay if you don't want to tell us that you and Hitomi are already in the kissing stage, Chaewon-yah!"I teased, almost doubling over with giggles as they stopped in their tracks. Chaewon shot me a glare that was both fierce and adorably flustered."Who told you that?"Chaewon practically growled, grabbing my cheeks and squishing my face. Uh-oh! I realized right then that I was not coming home alive today. Mom, Dad, and Sungmin oppa, I dearly loved you all!"H-hi-hitomi's face," I stuttered out, immediately regretting my decision as I saw the confusion on her face. "She was being asked by her friends earlier, and when I asked her too, she couldn't hide how red her face got!""Oh..." Chaewon's cheeks turned a glorious shade of pink as she stared off, lost in her thoughts."I'm so happy for you, Ssamu..."Kwangbae said with a soft pat on Chaewon's head before wandering off to join the others. I caught a glimpse of Kwangbae's eyes—they looked oddly solemn, and her tone held a hint of longing. That had to mean something! Chaewon and Kwangbae were super close friends, just like Yuri and I were.As my mind wandered, I couldn't help but wish I had the guts to confess to Yuri. But alas, she liked someone else. Just like that, an idea popped into my head!"Chaewonie~""Whatever it is, leave me out of it," Chaewon shot back, her pace quickening as she tried to catch up with our group.I pushed her and she fell flat on her face."Yah!"I laughed, sprinting after her the moment she darted away. We zoomed past our squad, and it felt like the entire school was watching Chaewon and me as we raced around the auditorium. The faculty didn't mind; they knew Chaewon was usually uptight, but ever since we became friends, she'd become so much more playful. I could tell they enjoyed seeing her bloom.I was running so fast that I didn't notice the person in front of me—oh no!"Oof!" she exclaimed as I landed unexpectedly on top of her."Oh my! I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was—"As I scrambled to regain my composure, I finally took a proper look at her, and my breath caught in my throat. She was absolutely beautiful, with a captivating smile that seemed to light up the space around us."Yena, are you alright?" Chaewon called out, helping me to my feet. I completely forgot I was still on top of the girl, utterly mesmerized by her beauty."Yeah! I'm fine," I replied, finally turning to Chaewon with a smile before turning back to the girl. "I'm Yena.""I know," she replied with a soft smile before walking away, leaving me momentarily spellbound.I pouted, feeling a little deflated. "She didn't tell me her name," I murmured to Chaewon, still lost in thought."You don't need to know her name," a husky voice cut through my daze. I turned around to see Yuri standing there, her arms crossed and a glare etched on her face."Why?"I asked, a bit confused and hurt by her tone."Let's just get seated."Yuri grabbed my arm and started dragging me away. I shot a confused look at Chaewon and the others, who merely shrugged in response. Feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just missed out on something special.
Jo Yuri
Her name didn't matter, but I knew exactly who she was. Kim Hyung-seo, better known as Bibi, was one of my rivals in the national singing competitions. So why was she here? It was infuriating. I wasn't a sore loser or anything, but something about her presence always irked me."Yul, are you alright?" The duck asked, grasping my hand. I didn't feel like being her sweet Joyul right now, so I yanked my hand away and shot her a glare.Our friends exchanged glances—some were shocked, others concerned. They were so accustomed to our sweetness, even with our constant petty bickering."We were alright earlier, Yul," Yena unnie said, her voice laced with worry. "Did I do something, Yul?"She kept pressing, searching for an answer, her eyes darting over to Sakura unnie, looking for support."Yuri, are you alright?"Sakura unnie chimed in, her concern was evident."I'm fine, unnie," I snapped, heat rising in my chest. Yena held my hand again, and that was the last straw."STOP!"I shouted, my voice echoing through the auditorium, drawing everyone's attention. I instantly regretted it, bowing my head in apology as I stormed out of the room."Yu—""STOP FOLLOWING ME!"I couldn't help it. I pushed her hand away from my shoulder, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. I met Eunbi unnie's shocked gaze and took a deep breath."I'm sorry, unnie. I thought you were Yena unnie.""It's fine, Yuri," she reassured me, but the knot in my stomach tightened. "Did the two of you fight or not sort it out last time?""We did," I replied curtly. "But I'm just... not feeling well, unnie."It was true, but the truth was I was angry and jealous too. Jealous of the ease with which Yena and Bibi seemed to coexist, while I felt like I was drowning in this whirlwind of emotions."Do you still want to sing for later, or should I ask someone else?" Eunbi asked, her tone gentle but probing."I can do it."I forced the words out, clinging to the familiar comfort of performing."I'm glad, Yuri because I know you're a strong girl," Eunbi unnie smiled, which made me feel just a fraction better. "Let's head back now—""But Yena—""You can sit with us in front, Yuri.""Thank you, unnie."I managed a smile, feeling the weight of unsaid things pressing down on me as Eunbi unnie and I headed toward the Student Council. I couldn't shake the anger bubbling inside me, or the jealousy I felt towards Yena for just being... so damn easygoing. It was a look I wished I could pull off too.
Bibi
"Bibi-yah, what took you so long?" asked Jae Jae unnie, her warm smile instantly lifting my spirits."I bumped into Yena," she continued, the joy in her voice causing a flicker of hope in my heart.My pulse quickened at the mention of her name. "Did she remember you?"My smile faded slightly. "She didn't seem to remember me, unnie," I replied, my voice tinged with sadness. I tried to hide my disappointment, but I could feel Jae Jae's comforting hand pat my head."It's alright. But I have to leave now because I still have to attend the meeting for the start of college.""I'll be fine, unnie," I assured her, forcing a reassuring smile onto my face, grateful for her support even in this moment of mixed emotions."I know. When they bother you, you don't hesitate to fight," Jae Jae teased, and despite my melancholic mood, I couldn't help but chuckle."Aish, unnie, just head back to your building," I playfully pushed her out of the auditorium, feeling a little lighter with her encouragement.Jae Jae unnie, Doyeon unnie, and Jiyoon unnie all graduated years ago and were now thriving in college—except for Jiyoon unnie, who was already making waves as an anchor. They were my pillars, cheering me on as I navigated this new school after transferring because of Jae Jae's recommendation.I missed the old days when we would gather to sing and share our dreams in the Mystery Club. Remembering that accident when we got locked in an escape room with Yena made me nostalgic. I missed the camaraderie we had, and it felt like I missed out on so much when she stopped coming around.As I sat awkwardly, the reality of being new hit me. Students were already caught up in their circles of friends, leaving me feeling out of place."STOP!"I heard someone shout from the left side of the auditorium, and my attention turned to a familiar girl standing, glaring at—Yena?! A surprising wave of excitement washed over me, but it evaporated just as quickly as I wondered whether they were girlfriends."They're not girlfriends if that's what you're thinking," said a girl beside me, snapping me out of my thoughts."Oh umm, I wasn't really—""Nah, it's fine, you don't have to be flustered," she said, completely catching me off guard. "Everyone new here thinks they're dating, but they're just really good friends. Plus, Yena is dating Wang Yiren.""The model, Wang Yiren?"I asked, intrigued and a little envious. I was curious about Yena's new life and wondered why she hadn't recognized me. My heart sank again, but at least there was something about Yena that still brought me joy."I'm Bibi, by the way."I extended my hand and smiled, grateful to realize I made a new friend in this daunting environment."I'm Na Goeun," she replied, shaking my hand, and my heart swelled with happiness."Who's the girl who yelled at Yena though?" I asked, wanting to dive deeper into this new world."She's Jo Yuri, the new songbird," Goeun informed me. The mention of "songbird" sent a pang of nostalgia through me; I missed singing.I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and unease. Goeun sensed how lost I was. "They really value singing here, and Jihyo unnie was the best, but she graduated and transferred back to JYP U.""Oh, they're back," I pointed to Yuri and another group of girls."That's our Student Council President, Kwon Eunbi—they're a squad, you see," Goeun continued, sharing details that piqued my curiosity further."Kwon Eunbi's the eldest and she's the niece of the chairman. Lee Chaeyeon's known as the feather because she dances lightly and she's also the vice president. Miyawaki Sakura is Chaeyeon's girlfriend and a well-known gamer, and then there's Kwangbae or Kang Hyewon, the total foodie and ice princess. Lastly, there's Choi Yena and Kim Chaewon, the heartthrobs... or heartbreakers, and the two most popular girls.""Oh," was all I could manage, taken aback by the depth of her explanation. It was a lot to process, and yet it intrigued me."They're just the senior squad," she laughed, noticing my shocked expression."The sophomore squad includes Minju, Nako, Hitomi, and Yuri. Minju's an actress and model like her sister Jisoo, Nako used to be a ballet student but is better suited to be an idol, Hitomi's the school's pride in cheerleading, and she's dating Chaewon. Oh, and Jo Yuri—my rival.""Oh, so you're also a songbird?" I asked, my heart fluttering at the idea."Not yet, because there are lots of great singers here," she replied with a shy smile. We both turned our attention back to the stage as it was finally starting, but my mind was racing with thoughts about Yena and her friends. I felt that maybe, just maybe, I had found a place to belong.The chairman welcomed us with his speech, and then the student council took their oath. Next, it was Yuri's turn to sing, and she seemed very familiar. Taking a deep breath, she began to sing.Honja na isseodo geuriwojyeoNeoui ttaseuhan misogaJeo haetsalmajeodo ne nunbit gataModu neoro boyeoMy loveI remember her... she was the girl who always clung to Yena, but Yena was always oblivious.
"Yena, come on! Let's go! Jiyoon and Doyeon unnie are waiting," Jae Jae unnie called out as she rode her bike, which had a little cart attached for kids to ride in.
"Unnie, just a moment!" Yena was speaking to a kid beside her who was pouting, trying not to let Yena leave.
"Yena-yah, we won't give you MyChew if you aren't here in ten seconds!" I yelled, and Yena immediately kissed the girl's forehead and hugged her before she dashed over to us.
"I'm so sorry, Joyul, but it's MyChew!" Yena shouted as she ran and jumped into the cart, waving at the girl. Joyul pouted and glared at me as if I had done something deserving of her wrath.
"Who is she?" Jiyoon unnie asked Yena, who was now happily eating the MyChew Jae Jae unnie had given her before we set off on the bike ride.
"Oh, she's Jo Yuri," Yena replied with a smile. "She's incredibly talented, her voice is amazing, and she's just incredible!" Yena raved, flexing her admiration, causing Jae Jae unnie and me to laugh.
"What?" Yena said, pouting at us while taking another bite of her MyChew.
"It's just that you used the word 'incredible' a lot," I said, trying to stifle my laughter.
"You must be so proud of her, Yena-yah," Jae Jae unnie remarked, and it hurt a little because I realized I liked Yena romantically.
"Will you marry her, Yena?"
"No, I'll only date her, not marry her," Yena replied.
We all laughed until we arrived at Saera's Girls' High School, where Doyeon and Jiyoon unnie were waiting for us. We were known as the Little Detectives and the Mystery Club, even though we were from different schools. One thing I promised myself was that I would always protect Choi Yena.
"Is she the reason why you stopped seeing us, Yena? Or the reason you forgot me?" I mumbled, forcing a bitter smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
???
"I heard he just got out of prison and is coming to Korea," a man in a suit said to the person sitting in the chair, legs crossed with an air of menace."Hmm... let my granddaughter know about it since she's in charge. After all, it was her idea," the old man replied with a twisted grin, his gaze lingering disdainfully on the beaten-up man to his left."Now, where were we?"The beaten-up man squirmed, fear evident in his eyes."Fine, fine... I'll give you a chance to tell me something useful," the old man said, savoring the moment as he ripped the duct tape from the man's mouth, his smile widening with wicked delight."Kang Hyewon—""What about her?""She's the answer to your problems," the old man raised an eyebrow, interest piqued yet laced with malice. He signaled the man to continue, relishing the suspense. "Her mother went missing years ago because she discovered something about *** *****. Her husband was an ex-convict related to the murder of your daughter-in-law.""You know, my father had a deep fascination with tigers," the grandfather mused, his tone chilling. "He always told me that a tiger's stripes were earned, not given. Just like how people earn their fates."He chuckled darkly, the sound echoing off the walls as he looked at the man, who awkwardly responded with a nervous grin."Am I free to go?"The man asked meekly, barely meeting the old man's gaze. But the older only grinned wider, a predator savoring a catch, leaving the air thick with an ominous tension."No," the horror left the man's face as soon as he was shot."I never knew little Kwangbae had some dark secrets," the old man sighed as he stood up. "I'm sorry, little Kwangbae, but there must be no loose ends."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Kang Hyewon
“Hyewon, listen to me," my mother seemed hurried, her voice urgent and almost shaky, "we're leaving tonight, don't tell your father."
"Mommy, I-I'm scared.”
I whimpered, clutching my puppy plushie tighter as if it could shield me from this strange twist.
"It'll be fine, sweetheart. I’ll get the car.”
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. I wanted to believe her, but my heart raced with worry.
We were leaving somewhere, and I didn't understand why. I dressed nicely, hoping that would somehow make everything feel normal again. I didn't know what was happening, but I felt this bubbling excitement mixed with a big knot of fear in my stomach.
It had been so long since I'd spent time with her like this, and all I could think about was where she was taking me. My mom was always so busy with her lawyer things—who was she running from?
SCREECH!
A loud roar suddenly pierced the air, and I rushed to the window, my heart thumping loudly. I spotted Mommy walking toward our building in a fancy coat, the sound of her heels clicking against the pavement and slicing through the noise.
I grabbed my bag and plushie, dashing down to meet her in the lobby, excitement bubbling inside me.
"Mommy!"
I called out, fear and hope mixing in my voice.
She wrapped me in a tight hug, her warmth the only comfort I felt. But when I pulled away, the smile on her face didn't seem real, and I realized she wasn't saying anything.
Panic sloshed around inside me as the minutes ticked by. It felt like something was wrong, and my little mind struggled to figure out what.
When we finally stopped, it wasn't a familiar place, but a huge house that towered over me, shadows looming around it. She led me inside, and a lady in a maid's outfit was waiting. Mommy whispered something to her, and the maid nodded, but I just felt more lost.
"Come on, Hyewon," the maid took my hand, and I glanced back at my mom, worried.
"What about Mommy?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"She's just going somewhere, Hyewon," the maid assured me, but I could feel something was off—a sinking feeling in my chest. It didn't sound right. "Stay here for the meantime. I'll be back with cookies and milk."
"Okay..." I mumbled, though my heart wasn't calm at all.
As the maid left, I looked around the room. It was beautiful, like something out of a princess story, but it felt wrong.
My tummy ached, and I felt small and trapped. I thought about my dad, his rough hands, and the odd things I learned from him. Pickpocketing and escaping—that's what he taught me.
I spotted a balcony and suddenly, a sense of urgency took over me. I placed my plushie on the bed, hoping the maid would think it was me if she checked. My tiny heart pounded louder as I hurried to the balcony, my feet moving before my brain could catch up.
Climbing down the pole, my pulse raced with fear. What if I never saw Mommy again? What was happening? I had to escape this place.
I heard footsteps echoing through the house. My heart jumped, and I didn't know what to do. I just ran. I ran as fast as I could and squeezed myself into what seemed like a cabinet. It was so dark inside, and I could hardly breathe. My whole body was shaking. There was a tiny peephole, though, so I pressed my face against it, desperate to see what was happening.
That's when I saw people. And... I saw mommy. Relief and fear hit me all at once. I wanted to call out to her, to run to her and feel safe again. But I froze when I saw the person in front of her. They were holding a gun.
A gun, pointing at mommy.
I clamped my hands over my mouth, trying to keep from crying out. My chest hurt from holding my breath.
"Let's talk about this, Haewon," the woman pointing the gun said, her voice tight but strangely calm. As my vision cleared I saw, she had her hands raised in surrender. But—wait. Haewon? That was Mommy's name. The person with the gun... was her?
My mind raced. My mom was holding the gun? No, no, no. That couldn't be right.
The other woman, the one trying to reason with Mommy, spoke again, stepping closer.
"Your daughter," she said, her voice shaking. "She's upstairs—"
BANG!
The gunshot was deafening. My ears were ringing, and my whole body jolted.
I peered out through the peephole, horrified. The woman who had been speaking to my mom was on the floor now, motionless. Blood was pooling around her, her eyes glued to the cabinet I was in, and her lips moved weakly.
"Haewon..." she whispered before her voice stopped forever.
Mommy ran off, and then another gunshot rang out. I couldn't move. My breathing was loud in my ears, but no matter how much I gasped, it felt like I wasn't getting any air. Tears streamed down my face, and I was shaking so hard it hurt.
I stayed in that cabinet for what felt like forever, listening, and waiting. The house was so quiet, but I didn't dare come out. The woman’s eyes were scaring me. After what felt like hours, I finally opened the door. My legs felt wobbly as I stumbled out.
I didn't know where else to go, so I ran. I ran through the house, through the backyard, and out into the open. The ground turned wet and soft beneath me, and suddenly, I was in the ocean.
That's where I screamed.
I screamed so loudly my throat burned. Everything spilled out of me—the fear, the confusion, the betrayal. Mommy had... Mommy had killed someone.
The person I loved, the person I thought would always keep me safe, was a murderer.
When I finally stopped, my whole body felt empty. I dragged myself back to the house. It was quiet and daddy still wasn't home.
Later that afternoon, the police came. They asked me where mommy was, but I didn't know. How could I know?
They decided to move Daddy and me somewhere else. And that's when everything changed.
"KWANGBAE!!!!!" I heard Yujin scream beside me, her voice piercing through the cloud of my thoughts."Ouch," I flinched, wincing at the volume."Why couldn't you just call me softly?""We did, but you were in your world again," Eunbi said, her worried gaze mirroring that of the whole squad.I could feel their concern wrap around me like a blanket, but it felt suffocating at times."I'm fine," I reassured them, even as doubt nagged at the back of my mind. A tiger and a duck were still looking at me with those familiar, worried eyes. "I was just thinking what food I would get from the kiosks now!""It's always food that's in your head, Kang-chan," Sakura laughed, playfully linking arms with Chaeyeon.I tried to match their lightheartedness, but deep down, I felt the weight of the moment press against me."Yeah, you're such a glutton, unnie," Yuri said, lightly punching my arm before side-hugging me.I watched as Yena finally pulled her gaze away from me, grateful for the distraction, but a little part of me longed for her attention to stay, to realize her feelings for Yuri."I also cooked you malatang, Kwangbae," Chaeyeon said, a certain pride in her voice that made my heart flutter. Instantly, I let go of Yuri and rushed to her side."OMYGADNISSUE!"I exclaimed with uncontained excitement, grasping her free hand. At that moment, it was as if everything else melted away, and my worries faded into the background."Yup!" she replied, her smile lighting up the space around us."This is why both of you are my parents," I said, enveloping them in a tight hug. The gravity of my words hung in the air, straddling the line between affection and unspoken grief."Yah! Jo Yuri, isn't Kang Hyewon yours?"Sakura teased, and I felt a familiar twist in my chest—half-embarrassment, half-longing.I hated the idea of clinging to this fractured representation of family, yet here I was, nestled between my two makeshift "parents," who were my two closest friends, holding on to the remnants of a broken home.Despite my role as the older sister in the group, the weight of those words filled me with a bittersweet longing. It was a hollow place, wanting but never quite fitting in, yet I felt a fierce need to hold on to this connection, no matter how fragile it felt.Role-playing again was both comforting and painful, reminding me of a childhood I desperately wanted to maintain, even as I yearned for something more whole. In that fleeting moment, amid the laughter and warmth, I found myself lost in the chaos of what we were—a family forged not by blood, but by the bonds we created together.
Kwon Eunbi
Spacing out was something Hyewon did regularly, and ever since I'd met her, I'd always been intrigued by what went on in her head. As one of her closest friends, it hurt that she couldn't share her thoughts with me. The unanswered questions weighed heavily on my heart. Why couldn't she trust me? Why did I feel like I was always waiting in the shadows for her to finally come to me? I sighed, feeling a familiar ache of sadness building inside.A hand clasped around mine, pulling me back to the present."Nako-ah?"I said, bewildered by the warmth of her gesture but grateful for the comfort it offered."It's alright, unnie. I'm here," Nako reassured me, her sincerity softening the edges of my heartache.I couldn't help but wonder why I hadn't fallen for someone as sweet and attentive as Nako. She deserved to be loved in return, and yet my heart was still tangled up in Hyewon's uncertainty."Hey... psst," Yena suddenly fell into step beside us, breaking my spiraling thoughts."What?"Nako and I responded in unison, earning a bemused look from Yena."Are the both of you dating?" she whispered, and warmth flooded my cheeks. Where was this question coming from?"N-no, we aren't," Nako stuttered, her face reflecting my surprise. I could see the confusion on Yena's face deepening."O....k?" Yena said, and thankfully, she didn't push further. "Anyway, Nako, you're close with Yuri, right?""Yeah, isn't it obvious?"Nako replied with a hint of sarcasm, which made Yena pout, making her lips resemble a duck's even more."Does Yuri like Hyewon?"Yena asked, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.I felt a pang of irritation mixed with curiosity. Why did everyone seem to be rooting for Hyewon to be with someone else?"Why don't you ask her? And aren't you dating Yiren?"Nako shot back, and I echoed her question, my heart racing. Why hadn't we heard from her about that?"Yeah, but you know... I just wanted to know so I could help them," Yena murmured, her voice barely above a whisper but loud enough for us to catch. "It's nothing. Just forget I asked."Then Yena darted off to catch up with Ssambang and Annyeongz, a growing void of silence left between Nako and me.I squeezed her hand tighter as we approached the cafeteria, noticing how Chaewon and Hitomi exuded that unmistakable "we're so in love" energy. It stung—a reminder of the love I craved but couldn't grasp entirely."I guess the people we love will take a while before they can see us that way, unnie," Nako said with a smile that melted my heart.Here was Nako, an oasis of comfort in my storm, yet I couldn't shake the weight of longing I felt for Hyewon. I felt torn, wondering why it had to be Hyewon taking up so much space in my heart.Wait... was I falling for Nako? I still liked Hyewon, but something about Nako made my heart race in ways I didn't fully understand. How could I justify these feelings when Hyewon was still so entrenched in my mind?It had all spiraled since last month when I had witnessed Nako's breakdown at Chaewon's house. That vulnerable moment peeled back layers of vulnerability in me that I had not anticipated."Unnie, are you alright?"Nako asked, her concern drawing me back to her. I could feel my cheeks flush—not just from the warmth of her kindness, but from a deeper confusion. She was undeniably cute."Ne! I'm fine, Nako-ah," I smiled, but it felt forced. She smiled back, and I sensed the potential for something more. "Let's go have lunch before Hyewon decides to devour everything."Nako laughed, the sound brightening my mood momentarily. But beneath that lightness, I was grappling with my emotions—conflicted and uncertain. I had to untangle these feelings and understand my heart because I didn't want to be caught in a web of affection for two people at once. Hyewon had always been my comedic relief, the bright spark in my life, while Nako provided a different comfort—a steady presence that felt like home. Be still, my heart. So Kang Hyewon—
Just this once, I ask of you... look my way.
Miyawaki Sakura
Alas, I regret starting Hyewon and Yuri's roleplay because now Chaeyeon and I are stuck in this mess. I find myself here as the overbearing mother-in-law, adamantly rejecting Yuri as a suitor for my daughter."You can't marry our child, Yuri," Chaeyeon says, a smirk on her face as we step into the cafeteria.I roll my eyes, trying to feign indifference while secretly interested in their antics. The laughter from the two grates on my nerves, but I can't help but feel a small twinge of amusement at their unwavering enthusiasm.As we enter, Hyewon dashes off to the food stalls, eager to grab whatever she can to accompany Chaeyeon's delicious homemade malatang. Alongside Chaeyeon and Yuri, we head to our usual table, and I can't help but notice we're among the last arrivals, all thanks to their roleplay antics slowing us down. Nako and Eunbi stroll hand in hand, sparking a thought that perhaps there's something genuine between them, or maybe it's just innocent enough to keep me guessing.The seating arrangement is the usual chaos, with Chaewon sitting next to Hitomi, while Yena finds herself across from Minju. Yujin is paired with Eunbi, and Wonyoung is seated next to Nako. Meanwhile, Yuri shares her space with me, and Hyewon sits beside Chaeyeon."You seem closer to Eunbi than Hitomi these days, Nako," I tease as she plops down beside me, instantly blushing at my comment. "Don't tell me you've moved on already?""Not yet," Nako shakes her head, "We're just friends, but we'll see where my heart takes me."I nod, fully understanding the complex web of feelings among us. Nako is attached to her long-time crush, now with someone else, and both she and Eunbi still navigating their feelings—it's a tangled mess. But even amidst the chaos, there's a comfort in our togetherness that I cherish."What are you thinking about?"Chaeyeon asks as she arranges the malatang on the table, planting a soft kiss on my cheek that sends a warm flutter through me."That IZ*ONE's forever," I reply, smiling at her. I see the confusion bloom on her face."What do you mean?""The twelve of us are the students who represent IZ*ONE U. We embody everything IZ*ONE," I clarify, chuckling at the look she gives me. "It doesn't have to make sense; it just feels right."That brings a soft laugh from her, and she kisses my cheek again, this time lingering a bit longer."That made no sense at all, but I guess we do represent the university," she murmurs, holding my hand and bringing it closer so she can kiss the back of it when she thinks no one's looking. "IZ*ONE forever then."I can't help but smile, feeling entirely done with the antics surrounding me, yet undeniably grateful for the love I share with Chaeyeon. In moments like these, it all seems worthwhile."Ok, now my parents are reminding me that I'm still single," Hyewon said as she sat beside Chaeyeon along with her takoyaki, cake, sprite, and cola."What's with the Sprite, unnie?"Yuri asked, confused because we know Hyewon loves Coke and everyone seemed to be waiting for Hyewon's answer."Oh! Here you go, Eunbi," Hyewon said as she gave Eunbi the Sprite.Everyone was shocked, and our mouths were now agape facing Hyewon as she took a bowl of malatang."What? I share sometimes too," Hyewon said and continued eating, while we all smirked."Kwangbae, I didn't know you had it in you~" Yena teased, and Hyewon just glared at her, which caused the duck to hide behind Chaewon."Chaewonie, Kwangbae's going to kill me," whined the duck, while Chaewon just rolled her eyes."That's your fault for teasing her," Chaewon said as she pushed Yena back to her seat and placed half of her pork cutlet onto Hitomi's plate, and everyone just laughed at Yena."Hmph, you're making me miss Yiren," Yena huffed and continued to eat her gamjatang.I glanced over at Yuri, she was just laughing at what Yena said, and she no longer seemed bothered by it. Did she move on already?"I bet you wish Yiren would transfer, unnie," Yuri teased, and now everyone was shocked again; even Hyewon stopped eating and glanced in Yuri's direction before eating again."But even if she did, she'll still choose me over you! Bleehh!" Yuri stuck her tongue out at Yena, and the latter just pouted and sulked as she continued eating."Umm, I wanna say something," Yujin said as she glanced at Minju and Wonyoung. I swear I didn't know she was dating at this point."No, I wanna say it," Wonyoung said as she intertwined her hand with Yujin's and smiled at the latter. Yup, they were going to say that they were dating."Yujin and I have been dating for two years now.""Oh, that's all," Yena said as she took another bite."What do you mean?"Yujin asked shocked and was now scanning everyone's faces."You all knew?"Wonyoung asked us, and we all nodded."I mean, you aren't that great at hiding how you look at each other," Hitomi said as she leaned on Chaewon's shoulder."And the fact that you're always together," Nako said as she smiled at the two."And your birthdays are like a day apart."Everyone looked at Yena with a stoic expression on their face."What?"Yena asked, confused."That has nothing to do with this, unnie," Yuri sighed, and Yena just sulked again, which made everyone laugh once more."Sometimes I wonder what you see in her," Wonyoung whispered to Yuri, and Yuri just chuckled."I wonder what you see in Yujin too."Yuri retorted and pointed her chin at Yujin and Yena, who were now annoying Chaewon with nonsense questions, and Hitomi was just trying to calm the tiger. Wonyoung gasped and giggled with Yuri because their loved ones were crackheads.I looked to my left and saw my crackhead helping Hyewon place more malatang in her bowl. I leaned on Chaeyeon's shoulder, and her attention went back to me."Miss me?" she asked as she kissed my temple, and I nodded as I started to lean into her.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
???
"How was school, little tiger?""It was the usual, Grandpa," answered the girl, her knife slicing through the steak with a precision that mirrored her unease."How's the Honda Foundation?"The grandfather asked, his voice smooth yet chilling, as he twirled his glass of red wine, his sharp gaze fixed on Chaewon. She tensed at the mention, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her face."Don't tell me you're falling for her, Kim Chaewon?""No," she replied, placing her cutlery down with a deliberate clink, her eyes locking onto his with a defiance that barely masked her anxiety."She's merely a pawn for our expansion in Japan.""Then why do you look so bitter?"His eyebrow arched, a glint in his eye that spoke of both concern and dominance. Each detail of Chaewon's demeanor was under his scrutinizing watch as if he could peel back the layers of her thoughts with a simple glance."You better not lie to me, little tiger."His voice dripped with an icy calm that suggested the consequences of deceit would be far from benign.
Kim Chaewon
His tone was calm, but it sent shivers down my spine, making me wish I hadn't ever been like him. I messed up so badly, Mom... I'm becoming someone I hate, and it's all my fault."I'm not lying, Grandpa," I glared back at him, refusing to back down. His smug smile only fueled my anger as he leaned back in his chair, too comfortable in his power."What are you gonna do with the girl once we have her company?"I loathed the way he smirked like he was toying with me."Ditch her.” He grinned at my answer."Like you said, we don't need weaklings in our family.""Great! Let's continue eating," he said, dismissing me like I was nothing.The silence between us felt suffocating. I could taste something metallic in my mouth and touched my lip to discover it was bleeding. Had I bitten it too hard in my fury at him? No, I was furious at myself, for being here, for questioning my worth.After we finished eating, I bolted to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me. I buried my head in my pillow and screamed, the frustration boiling over. I was so sick of the things I had done when I was young and reckless. My mother was right... I was becoming just like him—merciless and cold.I thought I had changed after meeting Hitomi and the amazing people who surrounded me now. They believed in me and saw potential beyond my grandfather's twisted legacy. But all he saw in me was an extension of his ruthless power. A weakling, just like he said.Tears welled in my eyes as I thought of my mom. I wish you were still here, Mom... I need you right now. I felt guilty, and ashamed of the anger I directed at Grandpa when it was a reflection of my turmoil. I missed you so much, and it's all falling apart without you. I felt my eyelids grow heavy, and I allowed myself to finally get some shut-eye.
Today marked the anniversary of my mother's death, a day that always felt heavy on my heart. To clear my head, I wandered the streets of Seoul, trying to refocus my energy on my after-school studies.
With Hyewon and I no longer together, the pressure of academics felt even more daunting, especially since my grandfather wanted me to run against Eunbi for student council president.
I sighed, thinking about how much weight I carried, and that's when I heard the sounds of someone sobbing nearby, coming from the playground.
I hesitated to intervene until I recognized her. Anyone who followed the news would know her name. She was Honda Hitomi, the daughter of Honda Ryu, the CEO of Honda Motors, who was recently imprisoned for financial fraud. They had moved out of Japan, but I never thought they would end up in Korea. Her bright pink cheerleading outfit clashed painfully with the sadness radiating from her.
"Here," I said softly, placing the strawberry milk I had just bought next to her cheek.
She looked up, her tear-streaked face breaking into a small smile as she accepted it. Her sobs softened, and I took a seat beside her on the merry-go-round, opting for comfortable silence. Sometimes, words were just heavy.
"Thank you," she whispered, taking a handkerchief from me. "I'm sorry if I bothered you, but I'm alright now." The smile on her face hardly reached her eyes.
"You're not bothering me," I replied, leaning back to stare at the sky, "to be honest, it seems I might have bothered you."
"No," she shook her head, but her smile still felt fragile, "I'm thankful you stayed."
"I was bullied, kicked out, and banned from the cheerleading squad," she confessed, her voice quaking.
The admission knocked the breath from my lungs. Hitomi had been heralded as one of the best cheerleaders of our generation. Why would she be banned?
"Why?" I blurted out before checking myself. "I'm sorry... I was just shocked because your aura seems so bright, so full of potential."
"It's alright," she chuckled, but it lacked the warmth of genuine joy.
Her eyes, however, betrayed her true feelings. They were filled with a sadness that stung my heart. This girl was so full of hurt, and yet, I couldn't help but find her endearing; there was a softness to her, an innocence marred by the chaos in her life.
"Everyone in my school knows what happened to my father," she hesitated, and I instinctively held her closer, offering comfort. I felt her tension dissolve slightly.
"He's Honda Ryu of Honda Motors. The company was sued for financial fraud last year, and we moved to Korea... I joined cheer because it reminded me of home. My dad wanted us to leave before his arrest because he didn't want us to see him like that..." Her voice broke, and once again, tears spilled down her cheeks.
The sweet scent of her, a mixture of vanilla and peaches, wrapped around me, a soothing balm that reminded me of my mother. I pondered my initial intentions for helping her; I had wanted to leverage her family's company for Kim Group's expansion in Japan.
But now, after seeing her like this, I questioned myself. Maybe it was time for a change, something uncalculated. That realization led me to the boldest decision of my life—I decided to transfer from my school.
A bright light suddenly started to burn my eyes."Ugh," I groaned, squinting against the relentless glare of the morning sun."You're up late," came the infuriatingly familiar voice of Jinyoung."Why are you here, Jinyoung?" I shot him a glare as I sat up, my annoyance only amplified by the smirk on his face."Bringing you breakfast, of course," he declared, setting a tray of food down in front of me with a flourish. "After all, I have to be the perfect husband for my soon-to-be bride!"I rolled my eyes at his teasing."Easy, Jinyoung. It's an arranged marriage, and I happen to like someone."He simply rolled his eyes back at me, shooting me that smug look that always made me want to throw something at him."Yeah, yeah, potato, potato," he said. He grabbed a chair and swung it around to sit next to my bed. "I get it. I wouldn't want to marry someone I wasn't into either. We both like—maybe even love—someone right now. And I'm gay. But let's be real, it'll probably never happen for us, Chaechae."I glared but didn't argue, knowing deep down that he wasn't wrong. Our grandfathers and fathers were best friends, intent on merging their companies, leaving us to deal with the fallout. Happiness wasn't in the cards if it meant defying them."Just... don't drink your problems away, Chaechae. Trust me, it won't help. You've got to face this head-on."I nodded, knowing he was right. I just wished the weight of our families' expectations didn't hang so heavily over us."They won't ever back down, even if we tell them we have someone else," he sighed, and my appetite vanished like smoke. "Maybe in another life...""I didn't know Bae Jinyoung could ever throw in the towel like that," I teased him, but he shot me a hard look."What's her name?" He asked, his tone shifting."Why do you care?"I shot back, my defenses rising."Because, unlike you, I can keep an eye on her for you, as long as you do the same for my boy," he replied matter-of-factly.I nodded, knowing he would, and reached for the contract he produced. "Yes, this is necessary."I chuckled, and he joined in, both of us fully aware of our family dynamics. The Bae legacy was all about contracts and agreements. I reflected for a moment on my first crush—his sister, Bae Joohyun. It was more of an infatuation; after all, who wouldn't admire her?"Alright, just write her name here and sign here," he instructed, pointing to the designated spots on the contract.As I signed it, I felt his gaze on me, knowing and expectant."It was always her, wasn't it?" he asked, a slight smirk tugging at his lips."Always."
Ahn Yujin
"You promise to take care of her and love her like she's the only woman alive," Wonyoung's dad said to me, and I kept nodding because I truly loved her—she was my everything. "Understand?""Yes, sir." I saluted, trying to keep that composure, but he chuckled, and I could see Wonyoung rolling her eyes behind him, trying to suppress a smile."Will you let us go on a date now?" she asked, stepping closer to me and slipping her arm around mine. The warmth of her touch made me smile, but her dad chose that moment to clear his throat, and I snapped back to attention, making Wonyoung jump slightly. I wanted to pout because I already missed her warmth, but here I was like a soldier on a battlefield with my commander's gaze fixed squarely on me."Omo, you scared me," Wonyoung exclaimed, taking a step back and facing her dad."Dad, come on! We'll be late for the movie," she whined, but he just chuckled lightly, a sound that was both warm and unsettling."Go wait for Yujin downstairs, honey," he instructed, gesturing toward the door.Wonyoung pouted but complied, casting me a concerned look as she disappeared."Yujin," her dad said, suddenly serious. I was still grinning from Wonyoung's kiss on my cheek, but that smile faltered when I turned back to face him. "I can tell you love my daughter a lot, maybe even more than she loves you."The compliment warmed my heart, but I knew from experience that such praise often came with strings attached."I appreciate that, sir," I said, nodding."However," he continued, his voice suddenly dripping with icy, calculated authority, "you must break up with her."I felt the world tilt beneath me, thoughts whirling like a wild storm. Was it because I was poor? Was it my gender? Was it our family history? My chest tightened; my instincts screamed that I needed to fight for Wonyoung. My parents taught me that love was worth battling for."I'm not goi—"But then I saw it. The warmth in his expression vanished as he locked his icy gaze onto mine. It was as if Jekyll had turned into Hyde, and I was staring into the heart of a monstrous facade.As I stood there, the weight of his words sunk deeper into my mind, churning like a storm."I don't ask twice, Yujinie," he sighed, his voice heavy with venom, sending chills down my spine. "But I'm not so harsh, either."That smile of his, so perfectly crafted, felt like a mask veiling something darker."I'll give you until graduation to end things. In exchange, I'll ensure your family has a life in Japan. Your mom can have a high position in our company there."Each word dripped with a promise I knew I couldn't ignore. His presence loomed over me like a shadow, suffocating yet inescapable. He stepped closer, and I felt incredibly small as he placed a hand on my shoulder. I couldn't shake the uneasy feelings his touch ignited."No more poor Yujinie, alright?"I nodded, feeling weak and trapped, a mouse in the grip of a snake. He had a point; my parents had always sacrificed everything for me. Their dreams had faded into the background so I could chase mine. Why shouldn't I return the favor? The thought nagged at me like a persistent splinter. I stared at him, feeling torn, caught in a web of guilt and duty.I felt myself silently agreeing with him, a part of me recognizing the truth in his words. But that truth felt like a heavy chain, wrapping around my heart and squeezing tighter. What was I supposed to do? The crossroads loomed ahead, and I was paralyzed, unsure which path to take."I trust you won't tell Wonyoung?" The smile returned, but this time, it was laced with menace, masking the true horror of what he was asking of me."Y-yes, sir," I stuttered, avoiding his gaze as my heart raced."Call me Yeong-jae, Yujinie." He chuckled, the sound unsettling. "You better go. We wouldn't want to keep the princess waiting."I bowed and left his office slowly, my mind reeling. As I descended the stairs, I was lost in thought about the ultimatum I had just received. The oppressive feeling clung to me like a shroud when I suddenly felt a pair of soft arms wrap around my neck, followed by a gentle kiss."Did he scare you?"Wonyoung asked, her forehead resting against mine, her eyes glimmering with concern."Nope," I lied, shutting my eyes, knowing she could sense my anxiety if she looked too closely."You're pale, though," she remarked, her arms moving to encircle my waist as she searched my face for answers."I'm just fine," I insisted, but I could feel my mind wandering back to what her father had said.The offer was tempting—an escape from financial struggles, a chance for a different life. But how could I ever trade that for Wonyoung?"Yup, I'm sure," I added, finally leaning in to give her a soft kiss.The sweetness of the moment felt like a temporary balm, pulling me away from the chaos of my thoughts, if only for a little while."Now come on, we're gonna be late."She smiled, but I noticed the fleeting worry in her eyes as I placed her helmet on her head. We hopped onto the bike, but even as we drove to the mall to watch *One the Story,* my mind was elsewhere. The film was about a group of girls who came together, creating great things only to lose it all—ah, just like Wonyoung and me... worlds apart.I couldn't help but feel like I was teetering on a precipice, and every passing moment pulled me further away from her. I just needed to hold on a little longer.Wonyoung, I'm not giving up on us. Trust your Yujinie; we'll always be together.
I vowed silently, hoping she could see through the façade of my smile.
???
"Uncle, who was that boy you told me again? The one with cat eyes and a sister who looks just like him?"The man, gripping his phone tightly, stared out of the dimly lit room, the shadows creeping along the walls as he stared at his daughter, from the windowsill, oblivious to what he had in store for them."Hwang Hyunjin or In-yeop?" the man crackled from the other end, a hint of unease creeping in."Hyunjin... so that's his name," he smirked, his gaze fixed on the motorbike fading into the night, the sound of its engine echoing ominously in the silence."I want him for my daughter.""Sure, as long as you also deliver what you promise, Yeong-jae," came the measured reply, the weight of the words hanging heavy in the air."No problem on my part," Yeong-jae smiled, but it was twisted, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.He slid a section of his bookshelf open, revealing a dark, narrow passage that reeked of dampness and despair.He whistled the nursery rhyme 'Pop Goes the Weasel,' the melody hauntingly cheerful against the encroaching dread as he walked down the corridor.Finally, he arrived at a cell, its iron bars cold and unforgiving. He smiled at the woman huddled in the corner, her sobs echoing eerily in the stillness, a sound that seemed to reverberate through the very walls."What do you have to say for yourself, Ran Hee?"He leaned closer, his voice low, the slightest tremor of something sinister lacing his tone.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Kwon Eunbi
"Ugh! I'm so stressed!" I yelled as I slumped down on the table, resting my head on my arms, feeling the weight of my worries crashing down."Well, I'm glad I never joined the council," Hyewon replied beside me, casually eating her food like she didn't have a care in the world. Sometimes I envied her effortless attitude."Remind me again why you're here?"I looked up, giving her a judging look, an eyebrow raised in disbelief."Because you're a loner with no friends, and you knew I would come if you bribed me with food.” She said nonchalantly, taking another bite. Her honesty was refreshing but stung, even though it was a joke."Ouch! But anyway, I deserve a break."I closed my folders, trying to push the weight of my responsibilities aside, and organized my stuff before shifting my seat to face her directly."What did you order, anyway?""Chicken and beer because we're staying up all night," she replied, still not bothering to look at me.Her words felt like a warm blanket, soothing my stressed-out mind, but the idea of staying up made my stomach twist even more."Correction, I'm the one staying up all night," I shot back as she handed me a glass and a plate, but even I could sense the exhaustion creeping in."Nope," she shook her head with that stubborn confidence of hers. "I'm staying awake with you.""Oh, okay..."My heart fluttered unexpectedly, a blush creeping onto my cheeks. We fell into a comfortable silence while we ate, but inside, I was a mess.I was starting to fall for Nako, but my heart kept drifting back to Hyewon. The way she carried herself, her charm, her deep understanding—it was all so captivating. She embodied every quality I looked for in a partner: tall, respectful, responsible, both handsome and beautiful, and smart. Plus, her mother being a lawyer made her all the more impressive.But every time I felt a spark for her, guilt washed over me. I didn't want to complicate our friendship with these feelings, especially when I felt like giving up on everything else. I couldn't help but wonder if she knew just how much she meant to me."Oh, that reminds me, Hyewonie," I said, my curiosity piqued. Hyewon paused mid-chew, her eyes locking onto mine as I asked, "When is your mother coming back from her business trip?"Immediately, I noticed her expression tense, something flickering behind her eyes that looked all too familiar—fear. She set her chopsticks down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, gaze fixated on her feet. My heart sank a little. She looked panicked as if my question had unearthed something deeply unsettling. I had never seen her like this before."Are you alright, Hyewonie?"I asked, a wave of concern washing over me. It scared me how easily she slipped into this state, and I felt an urge to comfort her."Hey, Hyew—"Just then, Chaewon appeared, wrapping her arms around Hyewon's neck from behind. Hyewon jumped slightly, clearly startled, but immediately relaxed once she realized who it was. I watched as Chaewon intertwined their fingers, and Hyewon seemed to find solace in the gesture. There was something about the way Chaewon smiled at me, tender and protective, before turning her attention back to the window, gently caressing Hyewon's hands with her thumbs.I hated this feeling creeping in—being overshadowed by Chaewon yet again. Ever since we were young, I had always felt like I played a supporting role in her main act. My father's favoritism toward Chaewon had left scars. He never reached out to me after the divorce, always showering her with gifts and affection. I couldn't help but feel like I would never measure up to him—or to Hyewon."I'm done with my paperwork," Chaeyeon chimed in, handing me her folders as she sat down beside me."Thank you," I replied, seriously grateful for the distraction from the tension."Are you two getting a bit too cozy over there?" Chaeyeon teased, giving Hyewon and Chaewon a pointed look.As if on cue, Chaewon released her hold on Hyewon and settled next to her. It was strange how Hyewon seemed to brighten up a bit. And I've lost to Kim Chaewon again..."We wouldn't want another scandal like last year," Chaeyeon added, leading us all to chuckle.Hyewon joined in too, the shared memory easing the earlier tension. I was grateful for that, but the thought lingered—why hadn't Hyewon mentioned her mother yet?"Lee Chaeyeon cheating on Miyawaki Sakura with Kwon Eunbi," Chaeyeon joked, and laughter erupted among us as we recalled the ridiculousness of that time."I remember Sakura complaining about why we even paid the editor off instead of letting him post it because she wanted some drama," I added, my laughter joining the mix as we reminisced about our past misadventures. It felt good to laugh like this, together.Time slipped away quickly, and soon we found ourselves a little tipsy, losing track of how much we had indulged in. Something was comforting about sharing these moments, busying ourselves enough to forget everything else, even if just for a while."Chaewon?"I heard my dad's voice call out, and I knew that tone all too well."Uncle!"Chaewon exclaimed, jumping up to give my dad a warm hug. A pang of sadness hit me as I watched the easy affection they shared."What brings you girls here?" he asked, though it was clear he was really waiting for Chaewon to answer."Oh, we're helping Eunbi with council work and—""It's already late, and she shouldn't have kept you out this late," he interrupted, his eyes narrowing as he directed a disappointed look at me.I felt my heart sink; I couldn't help but glare back. Why did it feel like everything was my fault again?We were stuffed into this private room, and I knew I was only there to help with pictures and to play my part in his campaign for mayor."No, it's all—""You girls should head home now," he said sharply, cutting off Chaeyeon this time.He ruffled Chaewon's hair affectionately and finally let her go of his hug, like a father who completely adored her."I'll call a driver. See you next time, Chaewon."He kissed Chaewon on the forehead, and I felt the emptiness in my chest deepen as he walked away."Don't mind him," Chaeyeon whispered to me, but all I could manage was a weak smile."Let's sleep at my house tonight since Mom is probably out and I'll be alone. Plus, I owe you for staying with me."They all nodded, but I could barely focus as I watched Chaewon and Chaeyeon head for the lobby first. My dad's favoritism stung like a fresh wound; it wasn't Chaewon's fault, but that didn't make it hurt any less.I watched as Hyewon meticulously helped me organize the folders in my bag, her movements precise and deliberate. The weight of the unspoken hung heavily between us, and when she finally spoke, her tone was unexpectedly serious."I'm sorry, but can we not talk about my mom anymore?"Hyewon said, her eyes fixed on the task at hand, yet I sensed a flicker of concern within her."Oh, okay... I'm sorry," I replied, feeling the heat of my own emotions rising to the surface.Holding her hand, I gathered whatever courage I had left. Perhaps it was the alcohol loosening my tongue, or maybe I was just tired of hiding."What's wrong?" She asked, her tone still flat but her gaze faltering for a moment. I could see the confusion etched on her face, but I needed her to understand."Just this once, I ask you... look my way," I said, my heart pounding.Tears threatened to spill over as I tried to hold it together. But she just stared at me, uncertainty clouding her expression."What do you mean?" she asked, the words barely above a whisper."I love you, Hyewon. I've loved you ever since we were kids, and I—""I'm sorry... I never knew how you felt about me," she responded flatly, detaching her hand from mine as if my words were a lifeline she didn't want to grasp.A heavy silence filled the space between us, and her reaction hit me like a cold wave.And just like that, she walked away, leaving me alone in the room, the weight of my confession still hanging in the air, but her indifference cutting deeper than I ever expected.
Choi Yena
"Yiren," I whispered, and she turned to face me, a mix of curiosity and annoyance on her face."What?""I'm scared to head out and I need to take a dump," I admitted, clutching her arm playfully. She rolled her eyes, a familiar playful annoyance that made me smile despite my nerves."Just go," she said, giving me a gentle shove off the bed. My butt hurt now. "He won't kill you.""But he might ask why I haven't been taking you out on dates anymore," I confessed, kneeling slightly and fidgeting with my fingers like a child caught in a lie."Then tell him you were busy training for track or something," she suggested a hint of mischief in her voice."Oh, come on, I can't do that...""Why not?" she sat up, giving me her best confused look, the kind that made me feel both small and slightly guilty."Because we accidentally ran into each other at the mall, and he caught me yelling that track was finally over because the games were done," I mumbled, catching the glare she shot my way."Well, that's on you," she declared, pulling the sheets up and turning away like she was ready to dismiss me. "You're on your own.""Fine..." I huffed, tiptoeing toward the door, my heart racing a little.I was crashing at Yiren's house because her dad was catching wind of our less-than-active dating life. It made sense for me to stay over for a few days; it solved both of our problems. Her dad wanted us to be together, and my fans were becoming a bit overly obsessive lately. I mean, who wouldn't be when you're this attractive, right?Yuri knew about our little 'relationship' status, and she was all for it. But honestly, I just hoped the guy she liked would notice her soon. Every moment I spent with Yiren was making me fall harder for her, and it worried me. Was she giving me false hope, or was it all in my head?"Can you stop sighing so loudly and just open the door and go?" Yiren said, frowning at me again. "I'm trying to sleep here.""Aish! Okay, okay," I stammered, hands trembling as I felt my nerves rising again. I quickly opened the door and sprinted out, heading to the bathroom. Since we were at her vacation house, Yiren didn't have a private bathroom in her room, which was ridiculous if you asked me!I made it to the bathroom and let out a sigh of relief. Just needed to run back without bumping into her dad. After washing my hands, I raced back toward the room when a shadow caught my eye.Hiding behind the door, I squinted to see a familiar figure. "I heard the yakuza hid his daughter here," I heard a man say, his voice teasing yet serious. "If we got our hands on her, we'd have half of Japan by now."My heart raced with a mix of curiosity and intrigue. What in the world was happening?"Hmm... true," said Yiren's dad, "but she's dating one of the Kims, so it'll be hard to get her because they always protect their family... especially Hyun-sik." Grandpa Hyun-sik? What does he have to do with this? I furrowed my brow as I tried to dissect the conversation. It was all so tangled and confusing."He should have paid his people to be more tactful.""He's going after Honda Motors, right?"
Oh, right, the company that got sued for financial fraud.
"His granddaughter is smart, taking action just a few months after it all started," he continued.What was he talking about? What was Chaewon's family involved in? My mind raced as I tried to piece it all together."No wonder she transferred schools; she's using her daughter as a pawn to buy the company. Truly remarkable for someone her age—just like her grandfather... ruthless."Just then, a wave of unease washed over me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I was trembling, scared, and frightened as hazy images began to flash in my mind, vivid yet unrecognizable. They felt so real, like fragments of a dream and a nightmare tangled together. The more I focused, the clearer they became, but I couldn't grasp them—who were they? What did they mean? The sound of their footsteps grew louder and closer, pulling me back into a moment of suffocating dread.I started hyperventilating; then, just like that, I blacked out. It felt as if I was sinking into an abyss I couldn't escape.
Wang Yiren
I was trying to get back to sleep, but I somehow couldn't because I was wondering what was taking that duck so long. I was tossing and turning until I heard the door open."What the hell took you so long?" I quietly exclaimed, and Yena just shrugged her off."I don't remember," she said, looking a bit disheveled.I gave her a confused look, and she smiled at me, but it felt... weird."I might have fallen asleep on the toilet or something," she laughed a little, but it didn't seem sincere. Then, she added quickly, "I was just thinking about something important... like, you know, how we used to build those blanket forts as kids? I was reminiscing and lost track of time."Her presence didn't seem warm anymore like it was her in front of me, but at the same time, it felt like someone else."Let's just head back to sleep."A memory that I tremendously tried to bury, suddenly resurfaced.
"Yiren, meet Choi Yena," my dad said, nudging me forward.
She was standing there, smiling so brightly it felt like the sun had come out just for her. Her hand was extended toward me, confident and carefree.
"I'm Choi Yena, and I'm a happy virus!"
She declared with a grin, grabbing my hand before I could even respond and pulling me toward the playground.
"Hey, slow down!"
I yelled, stumbling to keep up with her.
She just laughed, running faster.
"Now where's the fun in that?"
Her laugh... it was the kind of sound that made you believe everything could be okay. At that moment, I thought she was going to make my life so much better. I thought being with her would make living easier.
And it did. At least, for a while.
It has been three years since that day. Yena has been a constant presence in my life; her energy is infectious, and her smile has a way of brightening even my darkest days.
Even now, she doesn't realize how much she means to me. I've started developing feelings for her—this loud, oblivious person who never seems to notice because she keeps talking about a girl named Jo Yuri from Stone Music University.
That day, we were heading to Choi Entertainment because she promised me sweets. She knew I'd been upset about my parent's divorce, and she wanted to cheer me up in the way only Yena could.
Yena always made things better.
Or so I thought.
"I wish I never told you I was feeling sad," I muttered under my breath as we slipped in through the back entrance. The hallways were dimly lit, the silence unsettling.
That's when we heard it.
"Hey, what are you little girls doing here?"
The voice came from behind us, gruff and menacing. Yena's hand tightened around mine as we turned to face the shadowy figure.
"We're just taking a walk, sir," Yena said with a nervous laugh, her grip on my hand growing even tighter. "What about you, si—"
The moonlight chose that exact moment to filter through the window, illuminating her face.
"You're Choi Yena?!" The man shouted, stepping forward and grabbing her arm.
"Run!"
Yena screamed, shoving me away.
I stumbled back, fear gripping me as I bumped into another figure. He was grinning, his eyes dark and predatory.
"Hey, little girl~" he cooed, his hand reaching out to brush my cheek.
"You're pretty good-looking—"
Before he could finish, Yena tackled him to the ground, her foot slamming into his groin with a force that made him cry out.
"Run!"
She yelled again, but I couldn't move. My legs felt like lead. She grabbed my hand, pulling me along with her.
"When they catch up, I want you to keep running!"
"W-what about you?"
I stammered, tears blurring my vision.
She turned to me with a shaky smile, her eyes squeezed shut to mask her fear.
"Don't worry, you Pom Pom. I'll catch up, I promise."
Behind us, the first man's voice echoed.
"There they are!" He was holding a knife now.
"Run!"
Yena shouted, shoving me forward with all her strength.
I ran. I didn't stop. I didn't look back. And because of that... because of my cowardice, Yena suffered.
I should have been stronger. I should have stayed. Maybe then she wouldn't have lost her innocence. Maybe then she wouldn't have lost her mind.
Months later, I transferred to IZ*ONE University. The memories of that night had disappeared from my mind, my parents telling me I'd been in a coma from complications with lymphoma.
I believed them. Until the day I asked my dad the question I was too afraid to ask before.
"Dad... what really happened to Yena?"
He hesitated for only a moment. Then his words struck like a thunderclap.
"She was... violated, Yiren."
I froze, the floor beneath me seeming to fall away.
He saw the shock on my face and used it against me, like a predator circling its prey.
"But what's so funny, Yiren is that they brought her to my hospital, and the doctors found she had no recollection of what occurred."
"What do you mean?"
I whispered, my voice breaking as tears streamed down my face.
He smirked.
"Choi Yena has been diagnosed with dissociative amnesia. And no one but us and the Chois knows. So do your father a favor, my little princess, and keep this to yourself."
I nodded.
I shouldn't have.
If I had fought for her then, if I had spoken up, maybe Yena wouldn't have had to carry the burden of my silence. Maybe I could have saved her...
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Kim Minju
"Unnie, where are we going in such a hurry?""Because Grandpa decided not to tell us he's letting his little tiger marry that Bae kid," Jisoo unnie said, rushing as she jogged and dragged my arm toward Kim Group."You mean even though Tomi and Chaewon unnie are dating, Grandpa would still make her marry Jinyoung oppa?" I asked in shock. I couldn't wrap my head around it. First of all, both of them are gay; second, they're dating other people. Also, I only call him Grandpa because Jisoo unnie does."You know that old man doesn't care at all," Jisoo unnie stopped running as we arrived in front of Kim Group's entrance. Her expression was serious. "But he does care if you're the one Chaewon is marrying.""W-what?!"I retracted my hand and took a step back at her words, feeling a storm of confusion and emotion swirling inside me."Grandpa wants an heir now; however, he's willing to wait if you and Chaewon get married."My heart raced; did she really just say that? Part of me felt a rush of excitement at the prospect of being with Chaewon, maybe because I still had feelings for her. But another part of me felt guilty—what about Hitomi? They were dating, and I didn't want to be a homewrecker."Unnie, I-I don't know what you want me to do..."I sat on a bench in front of the building, feeling the weight of the situation crash over me. Jisoo unnie sighed when she saw me break down, covering my face with both my palms."Minguri, do you remember when I was engaged to Jennie unnie?" she asked, sitting beside me and rubbing my back to comfort me little by little."Ye-yeah," I chuckled weakly, the thought bittersweet. "You both were best friends but liked Rosé unnie.""HAHAHAHAHAHA, yeah..." she wiped a tear from her eye after laughing, but then her expression turned sad. "But Rosé's gone now..."I immediately stood up in shock."U-unnie, you mean Rosé unnie is... passed away?"I covered my mouth, overwhelmed. That wasn't a possibility I wanted to entertain."No, you pabo," she laughed so hard she fell to the floor, rolling around and lightening the mood, just like she always did.Sometimes, I seriously wondered how we were related and if this was South Korea's Best Actress."Are you done?"I said sarcastically, offering my hand to her, grateful for her ability to brighten the moment."But Rosé's gone back to Melbourne for a while to visit her family," she said, dusting herself off."You two still going strong?"I asked, genuinely happy for her and Jennie. Their relationship seemed solid, and I admired their bond, especially knowing what they'd gone through."Yeah, we are," she smiled as she held my arm and walked toward the building, "Nini and I have no bad blood about it because she realized she loved Lisa all along.""That's great to hear, but won't Chaewon be with Grandpa right now?" My mind flickered back to the arrangement."So what?" Jisoo unnie said, and I glared a little, feeling a mix of frustration and uncertainty about my feelings for Chaewon."We both know you still like her, and you only had a petty crush on Yujin."I blushed because it was true. I hadn't been subtle at all, even when trying to convince myself otherwise."Look, you may fool everyone else, but you can't fool me," Jisoo unnie said coolly, "I'm your sister, and I taught you how to act, so whatever you're hiding, unnie always knows." Her words pierced through my conflict.I nodded, taking in her advice, knowing she always had my back. But the truth was, I was torn. I still loved Chaewon, but I didn't want to hurt Hitomi or disrupt things for everyone involved. And yet, a part of me still thought about the possibility of saying yes to Grandpa. Daebak, love was complicated, but I knew deep down that my unnie would always be someone I looked up to, guiding me through the maze of emotions I felt.
DING!
The elevator doors opened, and I felt my heart drop at the sight of Chaewon, Bae Jinyoung oppa, his sister Irene, Atty. Jang Hu Dae—who was Wonyoung's mom—and a sobbing Hitomi on the floor. What was going on?"Ah, just in time, Jisoo-ya!"Grandpa exclaimed, and for a brief moment, I noticed a flicker of shock on Jisoo unnie's face. But just as quickly, she masked it with a bright smile as she rushed to hug him. An uneasy feeling twisted in my stomach."Unnie?"Confusion washed over me as I looked around. Everyone except those two looked at me with pity, pain, and... hate."What's going on?""You see, my little Minju, Kim Group is going international, thanks to your future wife here."Grandpa pointed at Chaewon, who stood there with her head lowered, fighting back tears. It felt like the world was crumbling beneath me."Wha-what do you mean? I-I don't understand, Chaewon unnie," I called, rushing toward her, desperate to make sense of it all. But to my shock, she couldn't look me in the eye. "Unnie...?" I had never felt so rejected before, as if I had hit rock bottom."Don't mind her, Minju-ya,"Grandpa said, his smile unsettling me further. I shot him a glare, feeling anger rise within me. Was he going to brush this off? My gaze turned to Jisoo unnie, whose face was unreadable, though I sensed she too was struggling with something deep.As Grandpa continued speaking, his voice droned in the background, "As for you, Hu Dae and Irene, thank you for showing your loyalty to me. You each get a 20% share of Honda Motors."I watched them bow, while Hitomi's cries echoed in my ears, filling me with a sense of dread.My heart ached for Chaewon and for Hitomi, who was clearly in pain. Why was this happening? Everything felt overwhelming—like I was trapped in a whirlwind with no escape. I was just so confused, and my mind raced with questions I couldn't even formulate.
Honda Hitomi
One day ago, everything felt so perfect. Chaewon was my light, my anchor. I had always believed love was a beautiful force, something that warmed your soul and made everything brighter. With Chaewon, I had felt that warmth to my core.She was my muse, the person who made my heart race and brought laughter into my life. I was deeply, irrevocably in love with her—everything about her captivated me, from the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her dreams to the soft laughter that felt like music to my ears.That's why I had taken the drastic step of wanting to give away my company. I thought it would ease my pain, and bring me comfort. I believed in her so much that even if it hurt to let go, it was worth it if I could find peace.Then came the day she asked me to meet her grandfather. She smiled at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement about introducing me to her family. I thought it was another step we were going to take in our relationship.I was wrong. Everything was falling apart. The storm of betrayal loomed overhead, darkening all the colors of my world. How had I been so blind to the reality unfolding before my eyes? Chaewon, the girl who had once been my sun, was now shrouded in shadows I never thought she would cast.Now, as I sat there, watching the chaos unfold, I felt the weight of my trust crushing me. "She's just a pawn..."Those words replayed in my mind like a broken record. What happened to the girl who looked at me with so much warmth? What happened to the love I thought we shared?As I looked over at Chaewon and her grandfather, I felt a rush of realization flood over me. I had always thought my company caused her pain, that I was somehow contributing to her misery by keeping it. But now, I saw it so clearly: she had been sabotaging my company all along. The subtle rumors, the whispers that had seeped into the industry about my business being shaky, flawed, tarnished—the signs pointed back to her.All the hard work my family put into building that company was being dismantled right before my eyes, and it was her doing. Chaewon had convinced me that my company was a burden, that it was the root of her suffering when in truth, it was my family's legacy, something we poured our hearts and souls into. She had manipulated my emotions, and I had fallen for it, offering up everything I held dear just to soothe her pain.Now, as the truth hit me with stark clarity—Chaewon was using my love for her as a weapon against me. Everything I thought I knew crumbled away, leaving behind a profound sense of betrayal intertwined with the love I once cherished. I was left standing there in the aftermath, grappling with the realization that I had been a pawn in a cruel game I had never asked to play. And all the promises made felt like hollow words echoing in a room full of shadows."Don't look at her," Chaewon said in a low growl, and I trembled.This wasn't the girl I loved; the warmth had shifted into something cold and calculating. I was terrified, caught between the dissonance of my past affection and the undeniable truth that I had been played."Why? How could you have become so soft, just like your father?"Her grandfather snapped, both he and Chaewon trying to intimidate each other. At that moment, the walls around my heart felt like they were shattering, leaving me exposed.Chaewon stood protectively between us, her expression hidden from me, leaving me engulfed in confusion. My instincts kicked in, and despite the tumult in my mind, I couldn't let go of my heart—a heart that still longed for her. I stood up, a move driven by something deeper than reason, and took her hand. For a brief moment, her grandfather was caught off guard, and so were Jisoo unnie and Minju.I looked at Chaewon as she intertwined our fingers, and time seemed to pause. She kissed the back of my hand, and that familiar smile lit up her face, momentarily washing away all the chaotic uncertainty swirling within me. In that instant, I was reminded of the love I once knew, the love I still felt, even if it was tangled now with despair and betrayal.How could I unlove her so easily? My heart ached, telling me to stay, even as my mind screamed warnings of the pain that lay ahead. I knew I was walking a dangerous line, one that could lead me to ruin again, but every fiber of my being wanted to be by her side.I was lost, torn between the girl I adored and the monster I feared she had become. But love isn't logical; it's messy and unpredictable, and sometimes, it keeps us tethered to those who hurt us the most. So, as I stood there, gripping her hand, I made my choice. I would stay with Chaewon, even if it meant risking my heart again. Because despite everything, my heart couldn't let go of the love I still had for her.I watched as Chaewon's face crumpled with every word she spoke, her voice trembling yet carrying a fierce determination."I know how disappointed you are in Dad. After Mom died, he started giving more to charity instead of focusing more on family," she said, directing her gaze at her grandfather. There was a raw honesty in her tone as if she was trying to reach the depths of his heart, though I could see she was struggling against a wall of stone."But you're wrong about his intentions."Her grandfather scoffed, a cold, dismissive sound that made my stomach twist. He didn't interrupt her, but I could sense the disdain pouring off him."Dad wanted to fulfill what Mom wanted," she continued, and I admired her courage as she looked up at him.At that moment, her walls were crumbling, and the tears she'd been holding back finally welled up in her eyes."She wanted to give back what you took, Grandpa, and it's been three years since I visited her grave because I felt guilty and disappointed that you might see me as weak."She squeezed my hand tighter, desperation radiating from her grip, and I could feel the weight of her pain."I thought... maybe you also didn't want to seem weak. That's why you always put on your façade and acted so—""You're wrong, Chaewon-ah," her grandfather interrupted, his voice laced with a chilling pity that made my heart race.I saw the fear flicker in Chaewon's eyes, her hands shaking beneath mine."I was always this merciless.""Grandpa—" she started, her voice low and shaky, but he cut her off with a wave of his hand, the air suddenly heavy with tension."Chaewon, do you know who killed your mother?" he asked, clicking his tongue in mock consideration.The smile on his face was far from warm; it was twisted, indulgent. I could see Chaewon tense up, her body trembling as the realization of his intent loomed heavy around us."Kang Haewon."The name hung in the air, a dagger piercing the fragile hope Chaewon still clung to. I glanced at Minju and Jisoo, both equally stunned and afraid. Chaewon's face went pale, disbelief clouding her features, and for a moment, she seemed to fracture under the weight of the revelation.Her grandfather, who should have offered her comfort, was instead a figure of horror, relishing in the destruction of her spirit. I could scarcely wrap my mind around it as Chaewon stood frozen, caught between despair and the desperate hope that even now, perhaps some semblance of family could still be salvaged."What a small world, Chaewon-ah!" he cackled, a twisted grin spreading across his face."Your best friend's mother killed Ran Hee and ran away, leaving her only child to the care of her father, an ex-convict. Poor little Hyewonie... Is that what you're thinking now, little tiger?" he taunted, his voice dripping with malice.I felt my heart drop as the reality settled in. Chaewon looked stricken, her eyes wide with disbelief as she processed his words. I knew, then, that Hyewon unnie was the daughter of the person responsible for Chaewon's mom's death."How sure are you that it's her?"Chaewon demanded, her voice trembling as she released my hand and grabbed her grandfather's collar in a fit of desperation. I could see the fight in her, but also the flicker of denial, as if she couldn't fully accept the truth he was laying bare."Because the CCTV footage of our backyard showed little Hyewon sprinting minutes after your mom was killed," he said, slapping her hand away with an unsettling calmness as if dismissing her anguish like it was nothing.He straightened his collar, the underlying cruelty in his smile making my skin crawl."I believe that's all the proof you need," he declared, reveling in the torment he had created.As he walked away, I could see the storm of emotions brewing within Chaewon—a mix of disbelief, anger, and heartbreak. She was overwhelmed, and my heart ached for her as we stood there, the weight of the revelation hanging heavily in the air."Chaewon unnie?"Minju walked towards us, and I could hardly muster any emotion for her at that moment. There she was, stepping in to comfort Chaewon while I remained an outsider looking in. Chaewon fell to her knees, and I shot her a glare, but I let Minju get closer. It was obvious that Chaewon needed her, and I couldn't deny that.Hondo Motors had been taken away by the person I trusted most; it felt like a betrayal, but that was just a company. I could always rebuild if I worked hard. Right now, though, my focus is on Chaewon. She had just learned the truth about her mother's killer, and the fact that it was Hyewon unnie's mom complicated everything beyond my understanding."Get up," Jisoo unnie said as she pulled Chaewon by her collar. Chaewon just stared at Jisoo unnie, her eyes empty."No use crying over spilled milk, Chaewon," Jisoo sighed, "this isn't going according to plan... anyways, get over it. Plus, Hyewon probably didn't know—""How would you know how I'm feeling?"Chaewon slapped Jisoo unnie's hand away."Hyewon didn't know?" she scoffed."She knew all along because she knew exactly how my mother looked because we dated for three fucking years!"Wait, Hyewon unnie was Chaewon's ex?! That explained the sad eyes she had been giving me, but now wasn't the time to dwell on that; Chaewon was in pain."Y-you what?"Jisoo unnie seemed to short-circuit Chaewon's outburst as Chaewon unnie ran off.I instinctively started to run after her, desperate to help, but Jisoo unnie held onto my hand, keeping Minju and me in place."Unnie, why?" we both protested, but Jisoo shook her head slowly."Let her go... she needs her space. Don't worry, she'll come back when she's ready."As I stood there, watching Minju's concerned face, I couldn't help but feel indifferent. She had always been the one to comfort Chaewon, just like Yena. They were the ones there for her through all of this. I realized with a sinking feeling that I had never truly been there for Chaewon the way they had. I was always on the sidelines, just an observer in a game I was losing.It stung to admit that I wasn't even an option for her. I felt a spark of determination, that maybe I could still run after Chaewon and somehow make a difference, but Jisoo's words echoed in my mind."Have some self-respect," she said, "you were used. You were simply there."Still, I couldn't just stand by. Even if it meant accepting defeat, some of me still wanted to try—to be there for Chaewon, even if it was futile. But for now, I could only stand back and hope she would eventually come back to us.
Kim Jisoo
I sighed as I drove Minju and Hitomi to 'On the Ground,' a bar and restaurant owned by my girlfriend. Honestly, I felt a mix of frustration and admiration—frustration that our plan had blown up in our faces, yet admiration for Chaewon's grandfather and his cleverness. The whole setup had seemed simple enough: bring Minju along to charm him into softening his stance. Who could have predicted he had so many tricks up his sleeve?"First of all, let me explain the plan to both of you," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite my irritation. They both nodded and sipped their drinks, probably oblivious to how badly this could go."Chaewon was told that after breaking up with Hitomi, she would marry Jinyoung— and speaking of the devil..."My eyes followed Jinyoung as he entered the restaurant and plopped down beside me."Technically, I already figured that part out because I called Hyun-sik's secretary and said I didn't have an appointment with him," Jinyoung said, and I could see the confusion deepen in the girls' expressions. Great, just what we needed."I'll handle this," I replied, hoping I could simplify this mess.They nodded, but I could tell the whole thing was weighing heavily on Chaewon, especially given what had just happened with Hitomi."Chaewon mentioned that Minju was the key to her grandfather's heart because she reminded him of Chaewon's mom— at least in appearance because Chaewon's mom is nowhere near as clumsy—""Hey!"Minju exclaimed, her pout making me grin despite the situation. I couldn't help myself; her reactions were just too entertaining, and it eased some of the heaviness in my heart."Okay, so Chaewon called Jaehwan because he was close to you." I gestured at Jinyoung, who nodded along. "She told him to inform you that the two of you were supposed to get married soon because she knew how close your grandfathers and fathers had been since childhood."It struck me again how much Chaewon resembled her grandfather. The way she orchestrated all this was impressive, but it made me feel a twinge of sadness for Hitomi."The fact that she's so precise reminds me just how much she resembles her grandfather," Jinyoung commented, and we all shuddered a little."She got you to let her sign the contract?" I asked, raising an eyebrow."She was protecting Daehwi all along, and I know she did it to earn my trust. But I still owed her, so why not?" He opened his briefcase like it was some grand reveal."Aren't you going to open it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued, leaning in closer along with the other two, hoping for something that could help us out of this mess."Nope, client-lawyer secrecy, you know?" he smirked, looking at the girls as they frowned. Why did he have to be so smug about it?"But unnie, did Chaewon really love me?" Hitomi asked, her voice quivering. My heart sank as I turned to her; this whole situation was such a mess, and my chest tightened with sympathy for her."It's best to ask her yourself, Hiichan," I said, placing my hand on her head and ruffling her hair gently. "Don't worry too much. Now let's get you girls home."I paid for our drinks since nobody had much of an appetite after everything that had happened. I helped the girls into my car first, stealing a glance at Jinyoung, who still seemed to be holding back some information."So who is it?" I asked, my frustration creeping back in. He sighed, and I knew whatever he was about to say would probably add another layer to this already complex situation.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Kim Chaewon
I kept running, my feet moving almost on autopilot, leading me to a place I thought would feel like home. But when I arrived, the lights were off, and an unsettling silence engulfed me, broken only by the violent sound of glass shattering against the floor and the echo of a man's screams piercing through the dark.I stood there, frozen, overwhelmed by the chaos around me. My heart raced as I felt an inner conflict tearing at me. Part of me urged me to dive in, help, and rescue her from whatever nightmare unfolded. But another part—darker and almost seductive—whispered that it might be better to let the chaos continue, to allow her to experience pain that played out unchecked.I sighed, a heavy weight settling in my chest, and knocked on the door. The sounds inside seemed to waver as if they could sense my hesitation."Who's there?"The man called out, his voice a mix of anger and fear, pulling me deeper into the uncertainty."Kim Chaewon," I replied.The door opened, and I saw Hyewon standing there with her eyes wide open, while her father towered over me."What do you want?" he asked, trying to close the door quickly."I want both of our problems to be solved, sir."Hyewon looked at me, but I focused on her father. He seemed intrigued and scratched his head, pondering my words."Well, what is it?" he asked, opening the door wider and gesturing for me to enter.I looked around the cramped space, my disbelief washing over me like a cold wave. Shards of broken alcohol bottles and dirty laundry lay strewn across the floor. At the same time, piles of unwashed dishes towered grotesquely in the sink. How could Hyewon live here? The thought made my heart ache. I had always thought she led a charmed life, but this was unthinkable. As I walked toward what I assumed was the living room, a hand suddenly grabbed my arm."What are you doing here?"Hyewon's voice wavered, her gaze fixed stubbornly downward as if it were too painful to meet my eyes. I withdrew my arm forcefully, trying to assert control over the chaos seeping into my mind, and chose to sit on their couch instead."Chae—""I'd like to discuss where Hyewon will be living until she graduates college, sir..."My voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.Hyewon and her dad looked shocked at my words, a familiar ache gnawing at me as I noticed the glimmer of fear in Hyewon's eyes. After a few pregnant moments, her father laughed, his when-I-don't-know-what-I'm-talking-about smirk sending a chill down my spine."And how do you plan to take her away from here? With money? Bribery? Is that how low you think we are?"I felt embarrassment flush my cheeks, flustered by how impulsively I'd come here. What was I doing?"You see, Chaewon, I know something that you don't, and that information is—""That Mrs. Kang shot my mother?"I said in a voice stripped of emotion, forcing myself to maintain eye contact. I caught a glimpse of Hyewon tearing up, looking away, and a weight settled in my chest. She looked guilty as she turned away, and it struck me then—maybe that was why she decided to break us up. She had her reasons, shrouded in layers of pain and secrecy. Her dad's shock faded quickly, replaced by a smug expression that made my stomach twist. He had so many tricks up his sleeve, that I could feel his gears turning."I bet you know all about business, but I think you've forgotten to keep your emotions in check," he said, a cruel smile on his lips. "Before I turned to crime, I was your grandfather's favorite student."This overwhelming realization crashed over me like a tidal wave, stirring feelings of frustration and panic within. I was supposed to understand everything; knowledge was power, but right now, I felt more lost than ever. Everything I had learned and my family's history with Hyewon was overwhelming. I felt lost and frustrated because I had been raised to understand everything; knowledge meant power, and being uninformed made my choices even harder. It felt like a betrayal, and I could almost grasp the invisible thread tying it all together, only to have it unravel in my hands.I felt stunned, much like how I imagined Hitomi must have felt when she chose to betray her friend. It wasn't a good feeling, knowing something about someone only to be faced with the stark reality that you hardly knew them at all. Everything was falling apart, and I was at the center of it, powerless to change the course it was set on."I could have destroyed Kim Group years ago, but I owed your mother a lot."He leaned back in his chair, a smug smile playing at the corners of his lips."You aren't a Kim, Chaewon..."His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I tensed up, my mind racing with possibilities, each more horrifying than the last. Please, don't let this be the worst-case scenario."Your mother had an affair because your dad was as merciless as your grandfather. She grew tired of the fighting and the lying, so she came to me; I was her best friend at IZ*ONE U, and your father was her bully. She called me to pick her up, and one thing led to another—we both made a mistake because we were married. Haewon was pregnant with Hyewon at the time. We ignored each other for weeks until your mother called to say she was pregnant with you. Her pregnancy softened your father's demeanor and made him more caring toward her."I sat there, stunned, grasping fragments of his words: A) Hyewon is my half-sister, and we had dated. B) My mom had an affair? C) I'd prefer to be a Kim.The smugness in his voice only deepened my shock. How could he just lay this all out so casually? It was like he had all the answers, while I was left reeling and speechless. I couldn't even process the whirlwind of emotions inside me.
Kang Hyewon
Chaewon is my half-sister? It felt like my head was spinning, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over me like waves. Why did everything have to be so complicated? I loved her... romantically. I couldn't help it. She was also with Hitomi now. I stole a glance at my father, whose smile felt like a sick joke, before turning back to Chaewon. Her shocked expression was clear, and I wanted nothing more than to bridge the gap between us, to tell her that everything would be okay, even with the chaos swirling around us."And by all means, take her away from here," my dad said, leaving us alone as if he didn't care about the ruins he left behind. The door slammed behind him with a harsh finality that cut through the silence, leaving an echo of his sociopathy hanging in the air. My stomach twisted in knots at the absurdity of it all.The tension in the room was ice cold as I hesitated, torn between wanting to comfort her and fearing the consequences of my feelings. She was my sister now, and yet all I could think about were the moments we shared—the laughter, the warmth, the love that was still tucked away in the corners of my heart."Pack your things," she said in a monotone voice. Those words felt like a punch to my gut. I looked at her, really looked at her, and saw the conflict in her eyes. I wasn't even sure if she wanted me there, even as she stood so resolutely."But—""Just do it," she urged the coldness in her voice slicing through my thoughts. Did she have to sound so distant? I needed a friend right now, not a stranger. "Please?""Okay..."I trudged upstairs, trying to push the packing business aside, but my head was filled with an overload of information. I was overwhelmed by my feelings, my father's madness, and the fact that Chaewon might never see me as anything more than a sister now. I returned downstairs and saw Chaewon with a little puppy, and for a brief moment, the cuteness of it made my heart flutter."Oh, it looks just like you," I said as I sat beside her.She gave me a weak smile, but my heart ached to see her that way."You think I look like a dog?"I chuckled, wanting to lighten the mood, but the reality of our situation still hung heavily between us."I'm sorry..."I whispered, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on us. Chaewon stood and offered me her hand, and I felt a surge of longing mixed with the fear of complicating things further."You have nothing to apologize for," she replied, picking up the dog with her right arm while intertwining her other hand with mine. The warmth of her grip sent a jolt through me, and for a moment, I had to fight the urge to lean in closer. "Our love story probably wasn't meant to be, I guess... It hurts, though, because even after we broke up and when I was with Hitomi," she paused, squeezing my hand, and I could tell she was as conflicted as I was."It was always Kang Hyewon who had my heart."The words were bittersweet and tore me apart."I would have kissed you if you weren't my half-sister," I joked lightly, trying to mask the turmoil inside me."Ouch!"She playfully when I winced from her punch, but the laughter felt hollow, a thin veil over the reality that loomed above us. After organizing my things in her car, I watched her petting and playing with the dog. I couldn't suppress the fondness swelling inside me. I missed having Chaewon as my girlfriend so much that it hurt."You're bringing the dog?"I asked, captivated by the way she cared for it."Yup, because it's yours now," she said with a smile, handing it over and kissing my cheek.It felt so intimate, and I had to remind myself of our barriers."Gross, but, luckily, it's cute," I murmured, my heart fluttering at her kindness. Where do we go from here?"We can't call it 'it' forever, so why don't you name it?""Hmmm... Zeze?""Zeze? I guess that's alright.""Where am I going to live anyway?""With me," she said so casually, and I nodded. So much for avoiding the tangled mess of our emotions. "Chaewonie, what are you going to say to your dad and grandpa?""Nothing, because maybe the Kim Group deserves what I'm going to do to it once I take control."Her determination sparked something within me. Despite the twisted circumstances, I would back her up. Whatever it took, I was in. Silence filled the car again, but I felt a little lighter just having her close. Because of Zeze, I grabbed the puppy and played with him, trying to drown out the storm of emotions swirling between us. But deep down, I knew our fight was just beginning.
???
"I didn't think you'd contact me after all these years, Uncle," a man in a thick padded coat said with a teasing lilt, "You were right. She did come knocking on my door."Kim Hyun-sik turned to face him, a sinister glimmer in his eyes."I still can't figure out why you chose to expose us, Kang Min-joon. You were the best computer science student at IZ*ONE University—"Min-joon scoffed, a slight smirk playing on his lips."You only wanted me to hide your secret because I was a hacker, didn't you? That's why you offered me a scholarship after I accidentally hacked one of your servers.""But we helped enhance your skills so you—""Could be your pawn and hack for you?" Min-joon interrupted, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Seems like you miscalculated when I hacked your server and found out you were dabbling in weapon dealing."Hyun-sik's demeanor darkened as he leaned back in his chair, the atmosphere thickening with tension."And here you are, running back like a dog. But you're still as perceptive as ever, which is why I admire you," he sighed, feigning indifference."You brought it up, though..." Min-joon responded, playful yet pointed, settling into his seat across from the older man."Did you tell her what I instructed you to?" Hyun-sik pressed, his voice low and dangerous."She believed it. But do you want her to think she isn't a Kim?" Min-joon raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing but laced with seriousness."Chaewon's drive comes from her desire for revenge. In doing so, she'll forget little Hyewon and focus on striving to bring me down," Hyun-sik replied with a cold chuckle. "The Kim Group has progressed significantly. It gets boring when you have no rivals. Maybe pushing Chaewon and making her more aggressive will grant me one last fight before my health declines."Min-joon's expression shifted, reflecting the weight of his words. "She reminded me of you when I was talking to her," he noted, and Hyun-sik smiled, a predatory gleam in his eyes."Ran Hee always told me that," Min-joon added, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice as he thought of his late best friend."Aside from that, I have something that might pique your interest," he said, his casual demeanor contrasting sharply with Hyun-sik's lurking menace."I'm listening," Hyun-sik leaned forward, anticipation simmering beneath his intimidating facade."Ran Hee's alive, and she's at Jang Estate."
Honda Hitomi
It has been a week since Chaewon and Hyewon unnie didn't come to school. I'm incredibly worried about them after the events in the Kim Group Chairman's Office. Jisoo unnie told Minju and me to keep it a secret, and we're struggling because others keep asking where Chaewon is. I can't say anything because my heart still hasn't healed."Hiichan?""Ne, unnie?""You know we can always understand, right?"Sakura unnie said as she sat beside me."It's really complicated, unnie," I sighed, pulling my knees close to my chest. "I know we're supposed to enjoy Sports Week, and the council has—""Don't worry about the council." I was astounded by what she said since I'm in such a high position in the council. "Eunbi told the others you're taking a break from things.""Alright, unnie...""You know Chaewon isn't the only girl in the world."Sakura unnie smiled, tilting her head towards the direction where Nako was."Nako?"I asked, but she chuckled softly, a sound that did little to ease my heart."Why don't you try opening your world to others? You've always had your eyes on Chaewon."She side-hugged me, and I leaned my head on her shoulder, seeking comfort in her warmth."But there will be no one like Chaewon. I always felt safe with her."I felt my tears fall, and Sakura unnie held me closer as if trying to shield me from my heartbreak."You've always told yourself that Chaewon was your world, Hiichan." She rubbed my back gently, encouraging me to let it all out. "You need to cry, you know.""What if, unnie... what if everything she told me was just a lie?"The thought slipped from my lips before I could hold it back.Sakura turned to me, her expression softening with concern. "Hitomi," she said gently, "you deserve to be loved for who you are. Maybe you should start seeing Nako in a new light too. You never know what might blossom if you open yourself to different feelings."I shook my head, a painful knot tightening in my chest."But it was always about Chaewon. I can't just forget that.""You won't forget her, but it doesn't mean you can't find happiness somewhere else," Sakura urged. "You might be surprised at what love can look like when you least expect it."Do you know that feeling when you give and devote yourself to one person, but they always love someone else? That sinking feeling had been my constant companion; I pushed away the thought that Hyewon unnie and Chaewon unnie might have been together. Yet, the memory of Chaewon's gaze, always lingering on Hyewon when she thought no one noticed, stung with undeniable clarity.I pushed away the thought that Hyewon unnie and Chaewon unnie might have dated because after Chaewon unnie transferred to stop everyone from bullying me, she always went to every track race and stared sadly at Hyewon unnie. It wasn't Minju she watched when she thought she was unseen. It was Hyewon.And then I remembered—every time we were together, Chaewon made me feel like I was the only one. But was that love? Or was it something else, a fleeting connection hiding a deeper truth? My heart ached at the realization that maybe Chaewon had never truly loved me in the way I had hoped.As I let those words linger, I wondered what it would mean to let go of this ideal. Could I ever truly accept that Chaewon's heart belonged to someone else? And if that was the case, did she ever love me? The question hung heavy, a weight I couldn't shake off.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Choi Yena
I found myself back in Yiren's room, and my head hurt a lot. It felt as if I had been struck by a baseball bat. I knew what that felt like because Yujin accidentally hit me when she tried out for the baseball team. I had gone along to support her. She was carrying the bat on her shoulder, and as she turned around, she accidentally swung it low. Since I was shorter than her, I got hit."You're awake?" Yiren said, carrying a glass of water as she opened the door."Yeah..." I smiled at her, and she smiled back weakly."Today's your last day, right?""Yup," I said as I got out of bed and stretched. "I'll be leaving later, after lunch, and I have a date.""You know that my dad is stalking you?" she said, looking worried."Don't worry, I know."I hugged her to help her relax, but she pushed me away."Just... I'm a little uncomfortable with skinship right now, Yena...""Did I do something inappropriate last night?""No, it's just complicated. I think I'll take a walk."Yiren left me alone in the room, and it bothered me why she seemed tense around me. Did I do something to make her uncomfortable? Regardless, I needed to shower because I had a date with Yuri—a friendly date.I recently discovered that I was completely in love with Joyul and wanted us to be more than friends. However, the world kept messing with my life. I found out that Yiren's dad was abusing her and that Joyul liked someone else—probably Kwangbae. How does Kwangbae manage to attract so many girls by just talking to them once?!I stepped into the bathtub and placed my head underwater to calm my thoughts, but I kept getting flashbacks. I saw two men talking, felt like I was drowning, and remembered someone taking my hand. It all felt so real. I pulled my head out of the water and stared at my reflection. My eyes looked sad. I missed being truly happy.
Ahn Yujin
"I miss them," I whispered as I stared into the night.I was on the rooftop of our new house. My mom had decided to buy a new place for us because she was tired of Mrs. Jang's complaints. She now works as Sungmin Oppa's secretary at Choi Entertainment. Yena unnie helped my family when we moved out because we accidentally ran into each other on the street. It turned out that her brother needed an experienced PA since he had just become a board member.Things haven't been going well for the twelve of us recently. Eunbi unnie has been skipping meals and is on her way to becoming a workaholic. Chaewon and Hyewon unnie have disappeared, and Minju and Hitomi have been very distant lately. I feel like we're all drifting apart, and I don't want that. Wonyoung and I are barely keeping our group from falling apart because we rarely see each other, and at lunch, we barely even speak. I also haven't been able to enjoy my dates with Wonyoung because I keep remembering what her father said."What are you thinking about, honey?" my mom asked as she sat beside me, her warmth wrapping around me like a soft blanket. "Don't worry; I won't reprimand you for being up here at 2 in the morning.""Really?" I replied, a bit surprised but so grateful for her understanding."Mhm," she nodded and gently brushed my hair with her hand. "I know you've been sneaking up here ever since we moved, and that's okay with me as long as it helps you heal from whatever you're facing."Her words made my heart swell. I felt so lucky to have her in my life. No matter what I was going through, she always knew how to make me feel better. When she had to quit her job, I could see how much it weighed on her, and I felt awful. But even then, she took me out for jajangmyeon, smiling through it all and reassuring me that we were going to be alright."But you should be ready by six because our house is farther from Jang Estate, which means we're also far from IZ*ONE," she continued, a grin brightening her face as she kissed my forehead. It was moments like these that reminded me how much she cared.In the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the thought of Mr. Jang's offer. It felt tempting in some way, presenting a chance for a different kind of life. However, as quickly as the thought came, a wave of guilt washed over me. How could I even consider that? I was Wonyoung's girlfriend, but I was also my mom's daughter. I couldn't bear to let either of them down.Moments like this made me truly appreciate everything my mom had done for me, but at the same time, Wonyoung had been my rock through everything I'd been through. He was making me choose between them, and he had completely valid points. I needed to focus on being better for both of them, and that realization left me feeling both relieved and burdened.I took one last glance at the moon and headed back to my room, where I found green tea ice cream on my bed. I eagerly dug in, enjoying each bite before drifting off to sleep. My peaceful slumber was interrupted when my phone rang. I couldn't believe my eyes—Hyewon unnie was calling!"Unnie?!"I exclaimed as soon as I picked up the phone, excitement bubbling in my chest."You don't have to shout, you giant puppy," she replied with a chuckle, and I couldn't help but laugh along. It felt so good to hear her voice."When are you going back to school, unnie? Is that why you called?"I asked, hopeful to hear some good news."Yujin, Chaewon, and I are leaving for the States, and we will no longer be studying at IZ*ONE U..."I felt my heart drop."Unnie, why?"My voice trembled, and I could feel the weight of sadness creeping in."I'll tell you next time, Yujinie," she said softly, and I heard Chaewon unnie's voice calling for her from the background."But don't tell the others where we are; just tell them we're alright. And Yujin, I'm sorry. Please also tell Eunbi that I'm sorry, and she deserves better," Hyewon said softly."What did you do to Eunbi?"I could hear Chaewon asking faintly, concern evident in her voice.I held my breath, my curiosity piqued as I waited for more information. My unnies always encouraged my eavesdropping skills—after all, tea is tea. The pause felt heavy before Hyewon finally responded, "Just tell Eunbi what I said.""But I want to know—"Chaewon began, but she was cut off as the call ended abruptly.A mixture of heartbreak and relief washed over me. I was glad they were okay, but I desperately wanted to know what had happened. I pouted a little, torn between my desire for details and the need to respect their privacy. But wait a minute—why were they together? My heart raced with excitement. I couldn't wait to tell the group and tease them that I was their favorite friend since they called me to inform me first!
Kim Minju
"Unnie, why won't you tell me who Chaewon unnie loves?"I had been pleading with Jisoo unnie for weeks, my heart heavy with curiosity and frustration, but she remained stubbornly tight-lipped."HAHHAHAHA! You know your unnie is hard-headed, Minju," Rosé unnie chimed in, her laughter echoing around the room as she walked past me to give Jisoo unnie her drink. Jisoo unnie smiled and kissed Rosé's cheek, their affection radiating in a way that I desperately longed for. I missed Jennie unnie because she would always call out their antics, reminding me that not all love stories were as sweet."Must you two always do that when I'm around?"I rolled my eyes, but inside, I felt a simmering sadness. It made me feel left out like I was on the outside looking in. Jisoo unnie smirked, leaning in to kiss Rosé again, ignoring my discomfort."Oh, for the love of God."I sighed, a mix of irritation and longing gnawing at my insides as I left the room. Just then, I almost collided with Jinyoung Oppa."Oh Minju, you're here?"He said, surprised and caught off-guard. His presence was unexpected, and the way he looked at me sent my heart racing."Umm, I live here, oppa..."I reminded him, my frustration bubbling beneath the surface."Oh right!"He scratched his neck and looked away, probably still trying to figure out why he was here, likely for Jisoo unnie and the secrets she continued to withhold. He was also the one who had let slip Chaewon's feelings to her."Oppa, Jisoo unnie is a bit busy at the moment, but I can pass your message to her," I informed him, hoping he could provide some insight into the situation. He nodded, and it felt like a small victory to finally have the chance to talk in the living room."I'm here to ask Jisoo about you," he replied."Oh, would you like some tea, coffee, or juice?"I offered as he settled onto the couch, trying to keep my thoughts distracted."You are just like what your sister has told me," he chuckled, breaking the tension, and I managed a weak smile. "I'm alright, though, since I just ate on the way here."I sat down across from him, but my heart skipped a beat when he slid a piece of paper towards me. When I saw it, shock coursed through me."But the lawyer-client agreement—""Chaewon told me to show you this since she made Jisoo promise not to tell you," he interrupted, and at that moment, a flicker of hope ignited within me. My heart raced at the thought that Chaewon trusted me and that she let Jinyoung share this with me.
"Your seal is very impressive," I remarked, caressing the seal in the lower right corner of the paper, desperately trying to mask the pain that surged when I saw the name of the person she loved. I needed Jinyoung Oppa to hurry up so I could retreat to my room and let all of this out."The black and gold symbolize the justice our law firm provides; however, ever since Kim Group bought it, it hasn't been very just to the innocent," he said, glancing down with a heavy sigh.
"When my sister knelt to his dirty money and failed to protect the innocent, it changed her. Seulgi noona broke up with her weeks later."I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "I heard about that from Wonyoung, who heard it from Seulgi unnie," I replied awkwardly, wishing he would just end this conversation soon."Sometimes I wonder why you aren't Chaewon's wife because you two would have clicked so well," he mused, and my smile was bittersweet. Jisoo unnie was right, but the thought only left me feeling more frantic."She declined our marriage contract because she was with Hyewon."The clarity hit me like a punch to the gut. It would always be Kang Hyewon for her."Oh," Jinyoung tensed but managed to smile at me. "But you still love her, right?""Not that it matters now..."
I glanced towards the door, wishing for an exit from this painful conversation."It does, because my sister fought for Seulgi for three years, and now they're happily married.""You don't understand my situation, Oppa!" I blurted out, overwhelmed and trying to keep my composure. I stood up, my voice raising without meaning to, and Jinyoung's surprise only urged me to move faster. "I'm sorry, oppa. I... just really need to—""Tell me what's wrong, Minju-ya."My heart raced as I finally burst."I love her, oppa. I've loved her for ten years since I first saw her at the theatre, but she never noticed me!"A rush of emotion poured from my mouth, and I felt the tears welling up."Her heart always longed for others, even though I was right there beside her."I could hear my voice crack, reliving every moment I lost her because I wasn't brave enough to take a step forward."Kim Chaewon is like my angel, my partner, but to her, 'partner' only means something akin to a best friend." Frustration boiled inside me. "I kept pestering Jisoo unnie to tell me who it was, and she warned me not to hope too much! I kept denying that I really hoped it was me that Chaewon loved... but it wasn't! The day I returned to the Kim Estate with Yujin after our amusement park trip, Chaewon unnie told me she liked me for a brief period. But Hitomi was braver! She confessed her feelings, just like that!"I couldn't stop; everything poured out in a wave of regret and anger."And now look where I am! My heart is in pieces, Oppa! She gives me these mixed signals, and I can't take it anymore! All this time, I thought maybe... maybe something would happen, but it never did!"I wiped my tears, feeling simultaneously relieved and furious. I wanted to hide away and cry, but with Jinyoung standing there, worry etched across his face, I wasn't sure how to process it all. I just wanted to escape to my room where I could unleash everything without holding back. The scribbles on the Ferris wheel haunted me, and I wished I could erase them from my mind.
I finally caught up to Chaewon unnie after she ran away from me at the poolside.
"I got you, unnie," I said, panting as I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist, afraid she might escape.
"Okay, okay, but what did you want to ask again?"
She replied, and I felt warmth spread across my cheeks because she didn't ask me to let go.
"It's about the Ferris wheel, unnie."
"What do you mean? There are lots of Ferris wheels here, so which one?"
She laughed as she spoke.
"The one in your park has scribbled on it, and I heard a rumor that it has a story."
"Oh, it's just a silly rumor. Don't worry, I'll have someone repaint it—"
"Please don't, unnie," I interrupted her, and her eyes widened in shock. "The lovers might come back there together again and finally be happy."
"Alright, my little Minmin," she said, patting my head as she let me go and headed to her room.
Even now, she's still the one who can make my heart race this fast. I clutched my chest and let the tears fall. It hurts, unnie, because you're so far away, and everyone else keeps racing after you, while I'm here, loving you the longest but afraid to take a step toward you. Unnie, I wish I was braver.
Kim Chaewon
"I can't believe we're back here again after four years."Hyewon said as she looked out the window of the Ferris wheel."You broke my heart here," I replied monotonously. "I know you didn't mean it.""I—""Don't lie, Kwangbae, because the lying stops now."She smiled and nodded at me and then turned her attention to Zeze."I got the results from Chaeyeon's dad," she said, looking at me with confusion. I chuckled. "Don't worry; I trust him.""So, what was the result?""Negative. We aren't half-sisters, nor did my mom have an affair, because Dr. Lee told me everything."She sighed in relief and ruffled Zeze's hair. We sat there in comfortable silence."What are we now, Ssamu?""I honestly don't know." I took a deep breath and faced her. "Kang Hyewon, I spent almost half my life loving you, and I want you to know that my feelings for you aren't fragile. Loving you brought me back to the old me, where I was completely happy and unfazed by what was to come. Losing you was one of the most painful experiences I've ever had. I don't want any other woman but you. I know we might not be ready yet, but I'll wait for you. Having you beside me makes me feel complete, Hyewon, and that has never changed."I looked at her, and she was tearing up, just like I was. I was deeply moved because the woman I loved was sitting right across from me."Chaewonie, you know... You are the first person who wanted me; you're also the first one who chose me," she said, looking away with a smile. "You don't need to wait, Ssamu. I want you too."Before I knew what I was doing, I cupped her face with my hand and captured her lips with mine. I longed to have her here again and to taste her lips again. I kissed her passionately, and it soon turned into a heated make-out session."How about we pick up where we left off four years ago?"I was a little confused, but then I understood what Hyewon was suggesting."Oh, then how about we sleep at my place tonight?""That sounds perfect."I ran as fast as I could toward my car, pulling Hyewon along with her carrying Zeze. Once we were inside the car, we kissed again, but Zeze barked at us. I drove to the Kim Estate carefully, but as quickly as I could. As soon as I parked the car and we both got out, Hyewon pinned me against the wall and showered kisses on my neck. She chuckled and leaned her forehead against mine. The moonlight filtered softly into the dim room as Hyewon stood before me, a mixture of resolve and vulnerability in her eyes."Chaewon," she began, her voice trembling slightly. You are both my love lost and love found. You're the most beautiful paradox I have ever encountered."I felt a rush of emotions at her words, a swell of warmth that battled against the chill of uncertainty that had haunted our time apart. Her gaze held mine, and I could see the depth of her feelings swirling in those dark eyes, like an abyss of contradictions."You symbolize everything complex about love," she continued, her voice gaining strength. "It's selfish, you know? Because despite everything I did, despite how I pushed you away, you chose to come back to me. You didn't let go. You still wanted us, and that... it matters so much to me."Each word she spoke felt like a balm on my heart, while at the same time, a painful reminder of the moments we had lost. I held my breath, waiting."And then there's patience," she continued, tears beginning to glisten in her eyes. "You played the long game, Chaewon. You waited. And you waited some more, always with love in your heart, believing that we could be together again. You felt that even when I wasn't sure I could be loved the way you loved me."A lump formed in my throat; I fought to keep my emotions in check, but the intensity radiating from her was too overwhelming."You even protected me," Hyewon added, her voice breaking as sobs began to punctuate her confession. "You chose to shield me from all the chaos, from my family. You made that choice to care for me even when it must have hurt you. You sacrificed so much for me—it speaks of a love that so few can attain. You loved me fiercely enough to put my needs before your own."As tears streamed down her face, I felt my heart clench. I wanted to reach out, comfort her, and assure her how deeply I cared, but she wasn't done."And the most painful part is forgiveness," she whispered, holding my gaze as if trying to etch every detail into her memory. "You were aware of my struggles and my fears, and it mattered so much that you knew but still... You forgave me... even when I knew who caused you and your family so much pain. You loved me despite that. You chose me again and again."Her sobs filled the room, and all I could do was stand there, consumed by the profound love I felt for her. The tears slipped down my cheeks as I absorbed the truth in her confession. It was as if she was peeling back the layers of my heart, exposing every raw, intricate feeling I held for her."Hyewon," I finally managed to whisper, my voice quaking, "I want you to know that it's you. It's always been you. I can't imagine loving anyone else. I would choose you over and over, no matter the circumstances. It was you or no one at all."At that moment, as she looked at me through tear-soaked lashes, I knew we had crossed a threshold. The complexities of love we had battled individually were now the very strands that wove us closer together. I stepped forward, enveloping her in my arms.As I held her tightly, feeling her warmth seep into my bones, I realized that love was indeed a paradox, but it was our paradox, and it was beautiful. Love is a choice, a commitment, and above all, a promise that we will always find our way back to each other."Let's continue this in the bedroom," I chuckled, and she nodded as I led her upstairs.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Miyawaki Sakura
"Unnie, how long can we keep this a secret?"I asked, my anxiety evident."Listen, Kkura-chan," she said, touching my shoulders. "Mom doesn't know that we know each other or that she has another daughter, and it's better this way since she lost her memory.""But you should at least let her know you as my senior, unnie..."She lifted my chin and smiled knowingly at me."There's a time for everything, Kkura-chan." She fixed my hair and hugged me tightly. "I've got to go now because I have a date, and remember, Kkura—keep the weird ones."Before I could respond, she was already two meters away, having run off. I was left a little confused because she just called Chaeyeon weird... in a cute way. Sana unnie is my half-sister. We have the same mom but different dads, and our mom doesn't remember her life before meeting my dad because her time with Sana unnie's dad was rough.Sana unnie's dad is a powerful oyabun (Yakuza boss). He used to abuse our mom, which caused her to have PTSD, imagine things, and block any memory of her past life. Sana unnie shared all of this with me two years ago, and I've kept it a secret ever since— not even telling Chaeyeon. It's not that I don't trust her; I don't want her to get caught in the crossfire if Sana unnie's dad comes after our mom.I sighed and returned to the unit I shared with Chaeyeon and Nako."I'm home!"As I entered, I called out, took off my shoes, and changed into my slippers."We're cooking dinner, Saku-chan!" Chaeyeon said, glancing at me before returning to the kitchen. "Take a bath first; I've already prepared it.""Ne!"I made my way to the bathroom and enjoyed the bath that Chaeyeon always prepares for me after practice—practice for esports. The League of Legends World Championship was approaching, and I was the captain.The Wizone Cyberpunks were facing two major issues: Kang-chan had suddenly disappeared, leaving us down an official player and our best assassin. Our team was well-known for the chemistry Kang-chan and I shared in the game, especially our ambush tactics. Where are you, Kang-chan? Yujin assured us that Kang-chan called and told us not to worry, but the fact that she had already informed the faculty about her transfer with Chaewon is concerning.After finishing my bath, I went to the kitchen to see Nako and Chaeyeon setting the table. I could see Chaeyeon and me getting married right after college, with Nako as our child. The Lee family is strong!
Yabuki Nako
I saw Sakura unnie cutely staring at Chaeyeon and me, but after a few minutes, she didn't move at all. Chaeyeon unnie and I started to feel creeped out."Unnie, is she still staring?"I whispered, stopping to see if Kkura unnie would budge."Yeah, should we keep pretending not to move?"Chaeyeon unnie whispered back."Maybe she fell asleep."Chaeyeon unnie looked puzzled, and I gave her a knowing look."Oh right," she laughed, then leaned over to Kkura unnie and kissed her forehead. "Wake up, sleepyhead."For those who may not know, Kkura unnie sleeps with her eyes open. She woke up from whatever daydream she had—probably about walking down the aisle to get to Chaeyeon. We finally sat down to eat because I was starving."We honestly thought you malfunctioned, unnie," I said, and Kkura unnie frowned at my comment. Chaeyeon unnie spoiled her with more ramen and kissed her cheek. "You do know that I'm still here, right?""HAHAHAHAHA," Chaeyeon unnie laughed, and I shot her a stern look."Sorry, Nako-chan, it was just how you said it. It was so cute.""Ugh, can you at least stop making me feel single?""Nako—""I'm still moving on from Hitomi, trying to accept the fact that she and Chaewon unnie are dating. Then there's the situation where Chaewon unnie dumped Hiichan... for no reason at all. Hitomi won't even tell me anything aside from "it's complicated." And on top of that, I think I'm falling for Eunbi unnie!"I let out all my frustrations, and just then, I heard a knock on the door. Since the two were still obviously speechless, I opened the door to see Eunbi unnie and Hiichan smiling at me."Oh, what are you two doing here?""Sakura unnie invited me over because she wanted to cheer me up," Hiichan said, lifting a plastic bag. "I brought seasoned fried chicken.""Oh, nice one, Hiichan!" Eunbi unnie exclaimed, giving Hiichan a high-five. She also lifted her plastic bag. "I brought soju and ice cream since Chaeyeon and I are partners for our chemistry assignment.""Well, you're just in time for dinner! Chaeyeon unnie and I cooked a lot too," I said, gesturing for them to come in.The two unnies I was living with had finally come to their senses and set the table for our guests without warning me that the two people my heart was torn between were having a sleepover here."I bet Nako's tired of you two making her feel single," Eunbi unnie said, and Hiichan chuckled at her statement. Chaeyeon and Kkura were now flustered."You have no idea, unnie," I said, smiling sweetly at her, and at that moment, I knew I liked Eunbi unnie now.Chaeyeon and Sakura unnie gave me an apologetic smile and I smiled back just to reassure them that it was alright.Dinner went great! We had chicken and ice cream, and I enjoyed leaning on Eunbi unnie as she shared her research with Chaeyeon unnie. Hiichan was spending time with Sakura unnie in the bedroom they shared with Chaeyeon unnie.
Kwon Eunbi
"I think that's all we have to do for our Chemistry."I told Chaeyeon as I stretched and smiled at Nako's sleeping figure on my lap."You know Nako likes you,]..."Chaeyeon smiled at me as she nudged me."I like her too but I'm afraid that I might unintentionally hurt her because I'm not all chill and all. Plus I don't think I'm relationship material right now because of what happened with Hyewon. Hurt people hurt people and all that, you know?"Chaeyeon threw a notebook at me and I got hit right in the face."Kwon Eunbi, you may have your demons but let me assure you that Nako isn't an angel either and that she will love you for all that you are so take a chance on her," Chaeyeon strictly told me and I laughed at her silliness."Yeah, but I don't want to unintentionally hurt the girl because I might have some toxic traits that could arise because I'm hurt right now and I don't want to rush into a relationship and make her feel like a rebound."Chaeyeon gave me an understanding look. "But wouldn't you at least think it over?""Alright alright, but will it be okay if I sleep in her room?""Yup and don't worry about the mess, prez" she shooed me away, "I got this but please take care of her.""I'd never want to hurt our smol bean, Chaeyeonie."I reassured Chaeyeon and carried Nako in bridal style to her room. As soon as I placed her down, she opened her eyes and smiled at me."So you won't hurt me?" she smiles while looking up to face me."You were awake the whole time," I chuckled and pulled the blanket to cover us, "I should have known since you were heavier than usual.""That's mean, unnie," she pouted at me. You still didn't answer my question, though.""Nako, I'd never want to hurt you.""Unnie, I also heard you say you like me."Nako wriggled her eyebrows and gave me a smug look.I'm guessing that she's been hanging out with Yena, and Yujin because she's become more shameless now."Well I heard you like me too," I teased and she blushed brightly.
"But you also heard what I said about not being relationship material right now and not wanting you to be a rebound.""I did and I can wait, unnie." she smiled warmly at me and I could tell she was genuine. "We don't have to rush anything and we can just take our time. No one has to immediately be in a relationship the moment they confess they both like each other.""Then-""Eunbi unnie, Kkura unnie said I could sleep here because she wanted Chaeyeon unnie to herself for the night."Hiichan turned the lights on, and Nako was hiding under the blanket, while I was on the floor doing crunches."Oh... unnie, you exercise this late?""Nae, Tomi it helps me sleep well at night.""Eh? Are you drunk, unnie?""Nope, but you can sleep on the bed with Nako."How I said it to Hiichan sounded so bitter and forced that she gave me a teasing smirk."It's fine, unnie" I was shocked when she said that and she gave me a sweet yet teasing smile, "My mom called and asked me to buy her medicine last minute so I'll probably sleep at home.""But it's already late, Hiichan." I was worried for her since I was also the mother figure of our group, "I'll do it instead.""It's alright, unnie I insist," Hitomi looked at me as if she really wanted this and I somehow felt guilty for making her go, even though I knew she was lying.After she left, I went back to the bed to check on Nako and it turns out she did fall asleep for real this time so I kissed her forehead and cuddled her. I guess our conversation had to continue the next morning. I'm grateful she understands.
Honda Hitomi
I left Chaeyeon unnie's apartment to go to a place I've been avoiding lately. I felt sleepy and stressed after everything that had happened in the past few weeks. Kkura unnie invited me over for a sleepover to hang out with them for the weekend, but I didn't want to be a fifth wheel, especially since I thought something was blossoming between Nako and Eunbi unnie.Why did Chaewon unnie have to go? Even after everything she did I still she'd come back to me... I stopped by our playground and smiled, remembering the second time I met Chaewon unnie. I first encountered her long before I came to Korea, during her mom's theatre performance in Japan. I heard her sing backstage, and she sounded angelic.
My dad funded this performance because he was a big fan of Lee Ran Hee, so I got a backstage pass. He went up to our private box while I went to sneak a peek at Lee Ran Hee. Being an incredibly curious child, I told him I was heading to the bathroom.
Once backstage, everyone was rushing around, and I quickly got lost in the chaos. I wanted to cry, but I remembered my mom always saying I was a strong girl—probably because she was my mom.
I kept walking until I found a room with Lee Ran Hee's name on it. I took a peek inside and saw a girl playing guitar. Leaning closer, I heard her singing:
"Honjaramyeon hal su eomneun i norae, jigeum neowa naega mandeun i mudae~"
"Wow," I gasped, and I think she heard me, but she still didn't see me, so I took that opportunity to run away because I didn't want to look like a stalker.
I dashed out and accidentally bumped into my dad, who raised an eyebrow at me.
"So, Tomi, have you found the bathroom?" my dad chuckled at me, and I just awkwardly smiled back. "If you're trying to find Ran Hee, she's already on stage."
"So who was in her room singing?"
I asked as I held onto my dad's hand while we walked back to our box.
"That was probably her daughter, Kim Chaewon."
"Oh, the chaebol?" my dad chuckled lightly and patted my head.
The memory suddenly drowned itself as I heard a familiar voice."You're here?" she asked surprised."It's obviously for public use," I said in a monotonous voice. "So I don't see why not?""Hitomi," I felt my heart hurt as soon as she called me that, "I'm sorry... I did like you, but-""No, unnie you were just lonely and I was just there... ready for you to take, but you were never over your first love," she looked at me shocked and I just gave her a bitter smile, "unnie, when I saw you approach me I knew exactly who you were," she looked at me confused and lost, "have you never asked why I never asked your name, unnie?""Then why did you pretend to not know me?""Because I saw how empty you looked, unnie! You were in pain because your mother recently passed away and how could I tell you how much I idolized you because you were Kim Chaewon, the Kim Group heir, unnie but I was wrong because you were nothing like what the articles wrote about you. You aren't all happy and most of all you aren't okay, unnie so how could I tell you how much I already loved you before I even got to know you, unnie" I saw how she just kept looking at me as I let my tears fall, "I loved you even more as I saw your true colors; even though, I knew your heart always belonged to someone else... but I can't help it. I still love you."I felt my legs give up and I was now breaking down on the ground and Chaewon unnie just looked away before she knelt in front of me."Hitoma, stop hurting yourself...," she patted my head and I looked up and I saw her looking guilt-stricken, "give up on me, Hitoma.""No, unnie because it's time someone didn't," I pulled her closer and I hugged her as I cried on her shoulder, "I'll wait for you, unnie so take all the time to heal yourself with Hyewon unnie. Don't worry, unnie I understand and it's fine. You always saved me. It's time for me to return the favor."She kept brushing my hair and waiting for me to calm down. Even though, I wasn't the one she chose. I can't help but still love her and I know that I'm either naïve or stupid, but I'll always be Chaewon unnie's secret friend.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Choi Yena
It has been three months since Chaewon and Hyewon decided to leave me with the lovely couple who are currently flirting right in front of my salad, and the boomer who is asking me how to do the Q&A section on Instagram. The 01z, including Minju, who had a drama to act in, aren't even here because they got held back by some sort of project, and the Annyeongz are probably making out or doing whatever kids shouldn't be doing in God knows where... I prefer the former, though.Months ago, these three were still quite bearable, but I've come to realize just how single I am. Now that Eunbi and the small bean are in a situationship, I'm starting to think about making a move on Yuri. To do that, I would have to "break up" with Yiren and allow her to be constantly scolded and verbally abused by her dad, which I could never do. I mean, what are friends for?"I'll go get some air," I said as I stood up, and the three looked at me worriedly."Hey, you alright?"Eunbi asked, placing her phone down."Yeah," I replied with a reassuring smile. "I just really need to get some air."They nodded, and I headed up to the rooftop. There was something about rooftops that gave me a bit of tranquility and a sense of familiarity.I sat down on the floor and sighed, wishing I could be with Yuri, but I also couldn't abandon Yiren. She's been my best friend along with Sihyeon since our time at Yuehua. Those two have always had my back, and I don't want either of them to suffer knowing I could have helped. I could just date Yuri in secret, but I can't do that. She deserves to be treated like a queen, and my situation is complicated enough as it is. I can't drag her into this mess."A lot on your mind?"I looked up and saw a familiar girl smiling at me."You fell on me on the first day of school, remember?""Oh right, right," I said, scratching my nape awkwardly. I offered her a spot beside me. "I didn't catch your name, though.""I'm Bibi."My head started to hurt, and I felt like something was racking my brain, but I ignored it since it didn't hurt that much this time."Is Bibi your real name?""No, it's Kim Hyung-seo.""Oh, are you related to Kim Chaewon?""Nope." I was starting to think that not all Kims are related, considering Minju and Chaewon. "You probably thought all Kims in school were related, didn't you?""Yeah..."I looked away, embarrassed."Cute," she chuckled, and that made my face flush redder."I have a dog named Bibi, actually," I said randomly, and she laughed, and I joined in too.We stayed in comfortable silence, staring at the clouds."Are you bothered by something?"I smiled and shook my head."It's nothing really," I forced out a laugh, but she gave me a look that suggested she didn't quite believe me. "I'm in a complicated place at the moment.""You can tell me about it," she said, patting my back and raising her fists. "I can pummel them for you."She stood up and showed me a boxing stance, punching the air."It's not that kind of complicated," I laughed at her antics. I have to admit, it felt nice to laugh genuinely again."Then care to tell me what kind of complicated it is?""Alright," I said, wiping my tears since I had laughed too hard.I told her everything—from my crush on Yuri to pretending to be Yiren's girlfriend to being left behind by two of my closest friends. Eunbi, Sakura, and Chaeyeon were also my best friends, but I was closer to Kwangbae and Chaewon in my batch. I didn't know why I poured my heart out to her; she just seemed so familiar, and her pull toward me felt magnetic."How about you choose yourself this time around?" she suggested. I gave her a puzzled look, and she patted my head. "You always care so much about others, but you also need to care for yourself too. I'm sure Yiren will understand, and she doesn't want to hold you back from your happiness. As for your friends, you'll need to open up to them as well.""That's actually... great advice." I smiled and hugged her. "Thank you so much, Bibi.""Now go and tell them," Bibi said when she broke the hug."But before I do that, how about we skip a couple of classes and stay here for a while?" I suggested. I lay myself down and closed my eyes. "I'd like it to be calm for a bit.""Whatever you say," she replied, lying down beside me. I smiled and drifted off to sleep.
Jang Wonyoung
"Unnie, are you sure they can help me?"I asked Seulgi unnie."Yup," Seulgi pat my back and smiled. "The Mystery Club is one of the best problem solvers in our university, and you wanted to do an investigation without involving any authorities.""True," I sighed and nodded my head, signaling her to lead the way.Even though Seulgi had already graduated, we still stayed close friends because I often saw her at my mom's firm since she worked with Irene unnie. Seulgi would help me with my fashion choices and any girl trouble I had.What I wanted to investigate was why Yujin seemed so tense and her smile started to disappear whenever my dad was around. Ever since they had that talk months ago, she had changed, and it was straining our relationship. I missed my happy Ahn Daeng Daeng."Watch out for your—""Ow!"I exclaimed as my head hit the ceiling."—head..."Seulgi gave me an apologetic smile as I pouted at her."You could have warned me sooner, unnie!"I continued to pout, and she just laughed it off and patted my head."I did when we entered the building, but you seemed lost in your thoughts," Seulgi said, scratching her nape and giving me a MyChew. "Here, have something to eat to ease your nervousness since I have to leave you here now.""What? Why?" I whined, stomping my feet."I told you I'd bring you here, but I never said I'd stay. Besides, I have a goddess waiting for me in her office," she winked at me, and I gave her a disgusted look."Unnie, I'm 16!"I scoffed at her, and she just laughed."As if you and Yujin don't do it," she continued laughing while I blushed and looked away."We... didn't," I said bashfully, and her laughter stopped as she appeared embarrassed by what she'd said."Well, umm, I have to go," she said awkwardly as she waved goodbye. "Just knock, Wonyoungie."I walked toward the shed on the rooftop of the college building at IZ*ONE U. It seemed peculiar that the Mystery Club's room was located on the rooftop and why it was not well-known to others."Here goes nothing." Before I could even knock, someone with bright red hair opened the door."Hey!" she said enthusiastically, making me wonder how she knew I was coming. "We saw you hesitating to come in for about a few minutes.""Oh, I'm sorry," I said, embarrassed, and she just laughed."Don't worry about it. Plus, you're a close friend of Seulgi, so we'll get along just fine. My name's Jae Jae, by the way. Oh, let me introduce you to the others," she ushered me to a table where I saw two other members. "The tall one is Doyeon, and the older-looking woman is Jiyoon. She's just a freeloader now because she graduated already.""Who are you calling an older lady?" Jiyoon scolded her."No one, unnie," Jae Jae said, her eyes showing fear of the older member, while Jiyoon gave me a motherly smile and scowled at Jae Jae. "We actually have another member, but she's running late and is also in her senior year of high school.""I'm actually a freshman," I said, and they all looked at me in shock. To lighten the mood, I showed them the chicken I brought. "Umm, I brought chicken?""Woah!" Jiyoon exclaimed, rushing over to me and ushering me to sit at the table. "You know how to do PR. Are you perhaps related to Assemblyman Jang?""He is my grandfather," I said, surprised by her correct guess, and Jae Jae nodded slightly."We do a background check on the high-profile students in school, Wonyoungie. After all, information is key," she smirked and gave me a cool salute."Moving on," Doyeon said, taking a drumstick. "What do you need us to investigate?""My dad," I replied, and they all stopped eating, looking at me with curious faces, waiting for me to continue. "I feel like he is doing something that puts pressure and fear on my girlfriend, and it's straining our relationship.""Isn't that how the parent-partner relationship usually works?"Jiyoon asked, taking another bite."Yes, but knowing my dad, he must have done something else too.""So, you want us to confirm your suspicions?"Doyeon said, pointing a drumstick at me."Yes, and how much should I pay you for your service?"They all laughed, and I felt completely clueless as to why they were laughing at me."You don't have to pay us since we enjoy doing this, Wonyoungie," Jiyoon unnie said, patting my head with a motherly smile. I wish my mom was this caring."Although you could always bring chicken whenever we meet up," Doyeon unnie added, laughing at her joke along with Jae Jae unnie."Yah!"Jiyoon unnie playfully smacked their heads, causing them to wince. The scene reminded me of Eunbi unnie with Yujinie and Yena unnie. It made me smile nostalgically, as we weren't as happy as before with two of our friends missing."Why was I hit too?"Jae Jae unnie complained, rubbing the spot where she had been smacked."Because you laughed too," Jiyoon unnie replied.I laughed, and they looked at me and laughed along. Just then, the door opened, revealing a familiar-looking girl."Sorry I'm late, everyone," she said. "You're Jang Wonyoung, right?""Yes," I replied as she shook my hand and took a seat beside me. "Do you want me to give you a recap?" I asked politely, but she shook her head and reached for the chicken."It's alright since I was late, and the unnies will catch me up to speed anyway," she smiled at me as she ate her drumstick."Speaking of which, why were you late?" Jae Jae unnie asked, and I looked at her too, curious to know the answer."I met an old friend," she said with a sad smile. Jae Jae unnie didn't press for more details.