Chapter 12
Hating Kwon Jiyong - By Ghikai
Jiyong:
YG dance studio A, 2nd floor. 5 AM.
I am currently sitting in the dark, wearing black from head to toe, toying one of Seunghyun hyung's white-faced devil mask he got from his cousin staying in Brazil some years ago. What am I doing? You'll find out soon, when she comes in. It's still dark outside, and the building was still almost deserted, except for a number of staff members fixing things around in the building. Anyway. I found myself grinning devilishly from ear to ear as the idea I cooked up a few days ago played inside my mind. It's just genius, If I may say so myself.
Lo and behold, the object of my affection my target entered just in time, apparently unaware of my presence. I immediately put the mask on as I saw her casually walk up near the cabinet on the far right of the room, about to turn on the lights.
Yowza. Seconds after putting the mask on and positioning myself in the shadowy backdrop of the room, she suddenly glanced in my direction and stopped on her tracks, shocked.
I almost had the urge to clamp my mouth shut to keep myself from laughing out loud as she stupidly stared at me, terrified. She just froze on the spot, disbelief and fear completely registered on her face. Muahahaha, I wish I had my recorder with me, for the scene was just epic! The girl didn't even realize it was me!
"Huh----" I believe she was attempting to give out a blood-curling scream, but she just couldn't. Sensing that she chose to faint on the spot instead, I stood up, took off the mask and laughed that loud haha-I-fooled-you laugh I was keeping inside all along.
"!@#?% Kwon Jiyong! Die now dammit," Her eyes narrowed as she muttered those words angrily. "You almost had me killed!"
"Get over it, it was just a prank," I was tempted to pinch her flushed cheeks but I went up near the cabinets and the lights instead. "I didn't know you'd get so mental about this."
"You are mental," She snarled, and I had to wince a little as I heard the ferocity in her voice. Damn, she's really had it, I guess. She's furious! Wait, way beyoooooooooond furious!
But then again she looked too cute, I realized, when she's angry. I squared my shoulders and went up to her, while she stayed rooted on her spot.
I gave her a playful slap on her left arm, hoping to ease the tension between us. "Hey, I'm sorry."
I saw her eyes soften for a while before it became angry again. formed into a thin straight line, as if trying to hold back her tongue from lashing out cuss words [or something] at me. Finally she said, "Does that sorry of yours also talks about that one time you didn't buy lunch for me?"
Ouch. "W-well, yeah!" I gestured towards the table, where a huge paper bag awaited her. "I actually brought breakfast for you. Minji mentioned that cheesy strawberry pancakes make you get up and go in the morning. It's a weird combination, but I made them for you just the same."
She gave a soft squeal of delight the moment she heard the words 'cheesy' and 'strawberry' from my mouth and went to the table quickly. She rummaged through the paper bag and took out the container, sniffing it for a few times before opening it.
"Kyaaaaaaaa!" She did this little dance of hers and I found myself smiling a little, pleased that those pancakes made her forget all the things that happened between us these past few weeks. Thank goodness pancakes were her favorite. If it was any other complicated breakfast like burritos or something it would have taken me more time in the kitchen preparing it.
"Do you like it?" I couldn't help but ask, sorry. I lost sleep because of those pancakes, after all.
"Hell yeah!" She giggled and motioned me to come over, and all I could do was to obey. "I didn't know you can cook, so this was a surprise."
I rolled my eyes in response, a bit offended by what she said. Am I that...incapable in her eyes? "What are you talking about." Ignoring her comment, I took out the fork from the bag and handed it to her. "Taste test!!!"
She took it without hesitation and started attacking the pancakes. "Oh! Oh!" Her voice became muffled as she was talking with full. "Fhisees feeleechoos!" she then nodded approvingly and continued, "Fawsum!"
"Glad you liked it," I replied plainly. But oh sweet heavens I'm seriously ecstatic inside, tralalalalala! The sun's not up yet and yet I felt like I'm walking on sunshine already. Hah! She looked so happy that all I wanted to do was to smile and laugh at her at the same time. However, I just had to act nonchalant so I wouldn't look stupid in front of her. So instead of doing what I really, really wanted to do, I cleared my throat and pretended to scold her.
"Dammit woman, swallow everything up first before talking, will you?"
She just nodded before turning her back on me for a while to continue wolfing down the breakfast I sent her. I guess she was a little embarrassed, kekeke. If I'd known sooner that she just falls for this kind of shizz I would've started doing this for her much earlier.
The moment she turned around again, I was already holding a jug containing her favorite banana peanut butter milkshake [accdg. to minji, of course]. I actually WTF-ed when I discovered this tiny bit of information [I mean milkshakes? In the morning?!], but seeing how happy she looked, I just didn't care anymore.
"What's this?" She asked while eyeing the jug curiously.
"What do you think?"
Her eyes widened, getting surprised by the minute. "Don't tell me..."
"Uh-huh. Uh-huh." I nodded in return, my eyes twinkling as I looked at her awestruck face.
"Quit spoiling me!" She took the jug from me and opened it. "Milkshake! Give me the straw! give me the straw!"
I gave it to her and she grabbed it in a split second. "Omona, it's actually banana peanut butter milkshake!"
I grinned at her, and surprisingly she grinned back. "So everything's bridge under the water between us?"
She got confused for a while before answering back with a laugh. "Wth Jiyong, it's water under the bridge, not the other way around. But yes, I guess?"
"You guess?" I spat out, a little annoyed. "I only got 2 hours of sleep because of that breakfast extravaganza you just had."
"Well, ok we're good!" She playfully ruffled my hair and I felt myself blushing a little. "Seriously, thank you." She was suddenly looking at me earnestly, and being afraid that I was completely giving myself away, I avoided her gaze and started clearing the table instead.
She watched me quietly as I was cleaning up. "How did you know about my usual schedule?"
I stopped. "Um..." Should I tell her I've been getting information from Minji all this time? I guess I should, lest she'd end up thinking I stalk people as a hobby. "Minji told me."
"Oh, really?" I snuck a glance at her and her face now looked thoughtful. "Hmm. I find this strange, but since I enjoyed that breakfast you slaved over, I'd let my doubts pass." I thought she just keep on guessing my real motives to actually pay attention to what I'm doing but quick as a mouse, she caught me sneaking glances at her. She paused and placed her hands on her hips. "Will you stop doing that?"
I pretended to not know what she's talking about. "Stop what?"
"Stop stealing glances and just face me."
Oops.
I hastily took the paper bag on the table and sat at floor near the huge mirrors. "You quit thinking about me and start doing whatever you should do."
Instead of doing what I said, she followed me and sat beside me. "I can't do that anymore, it's almost 6 am. What are you doing after this?"
"Huh?"
"What are you doing after this? Big Bang sunbaes have something scheduled for today?"
"Oh, no, no." I guess my losing sleep over my preparations for her breakfast was finally taking it's toll on me. I couldn't think straight anymore.
"So you just woke up this early to give this to me?"
"What?!" I sat up straighter and looked at her. "No! I actually needed to do some revisions for some songs I've written, that's why I went here earlier than usual." I tried my best to not look ate her, so there I was, sitting stiffly while staring straight ahead.
She looked at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "You don't need to be so defensive about it."
The next thing she did almost sent me over the edge.
She touched my cheek lightly, and it felt like feather gently touching my skin. The act was done with a hint of endearment, and it made me feel tingly all over. Wait, what bs am I saying just now?
"Get some sleep first. You seemed tired." She stood up and extended her hand to me. "Get up, go to where you're supposed to go but take a nap or something first, ok?"
I nodded silently and stood up. She led me to the door and whispered, "That breakfast made my day, as much as I hate to admit it. You made my day, as much as I really, really, really hate to admit it." I wanted to answer back but she gently pushed my back towards the door. "Go now." And all I could do was to leave the studio, without ever looking back. If I did, I 'm not sure what would happen next. I cannot mess up that much.
Minutes later, I found myself at the rooftop, grinning alone like a fool.
She said I made her day.
Good heavens, I said to myself as I look up at the sky. I made her day. I repeated those words again, and I shivered in delight. I guess I wouldn't mind waking up earlier than usual from now on. And cooking breakfast, for that matter.
Dara:
"So did oppa actually give you breakfast today?"
Eh? I almost lost my balance when I heard Minji's question. How random. It's 9 am and where currently doing those ridiculous squats again [Bom's words, not mine], and here goes our maknae asking questions about it. She knew?
But then again Jiyong mentioned it himself that he got those information from her, so she must have had a clue about his plans. I should really shrug it off, but this weird, embarrassing feeling just creeps in my system.
"So did he?"
By this time I was met with five curious faces staring at me, expecting for an answer.
I hesitated for a moment before answering, "Yes, he did." Whew. Better give a reply than staying quiet.
And the others actually exchanged knowing looks! So okay, let me change the question: Did they all know? Did all of them have something to do with Jiyong's "surprise" as well?
"Dara, you look pale," Mina suddenly commented, and I could feel her eyes looking at me with a hint of amusement. Oh great! Why am I feeling this way?
I couldn't really give a proper answer because I was so engrossed with pretending like I didn't care. At all. Fortunately, our trainer signaled us to have a short 15-minute break. Saved by the bell! Or I guess, in this case, by the trainer.
I sat at the farthest corner of the room, hoping to disappear for a second. The rest sort of did their own thing; Bommie and CL went on the other side of the room to hang-out and relax while Minji, Mina and Aera went oustide -- Minji to take a call, Mina to buy something to drink and Aera to do who-knows-what.
Thankful that nobody continued the supposed-to-be interrogation with Jiyong's breakfast production as the topic, I closed my eyes for a few minutes and tried to relax. I should just calm down, never mind the fact that I almost lost it a while ago. I should take a break and do some short soul-searching; Jiyong is really starting to give off weird vibes and its weird effects are starting to take its toll on me. Damn.
I must have looked like I couldn't breathe properly anymore because seconds later, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I opened my eyes and saw Bommie an CL in front of me, their faces a little worried.
"Are you ok?" CL asked. "Do you need something, like water, perhaps?" She looked around the room, trying to see if our trainer was still around. "Oh, shoot. He's gone."
"Let's just accompany her to the clinic," Bom offered. She extended her hand to me. "Let me help you get up."
I nodded meekly and took her hand as I got up shakily and replied, "Thanks, but I think I'll just go to the restroom." Sensing that what I really want was some time alone, they just stood there and let me go outside by myself.
I briskly walked towards the restrooms because there wasn't much time left in our break and I couldn't really wait to get rid of this nagging feeling, too. Maybe I just need to wash my face or hands to get back on track. I need to get a grip.
I was about to enter the room when I heard voices inside the restroom. Arguing voices, to be exact. Curious, I tried to stand still and listen closely to find out what was happening, exactly.
"You don't know what I'm talking about?" The voice reeked of sarcasm and hate. It laughed harshly and continued, "Jiang Aera, You ain't fooling me."
Wait a minute. Jiang Aera? So this girl is...
I barged into the room, making Aera jump and Mina square her shoulders defiantly, unperturbed by my unannounced arrival. I marched up to them and stood by Aera's side. Upon seeing me, hot, fat tears trickled one by one down Aera's eyes. Mina only crossed her arms and scoffed as she witnessed Aera's tears falling on her face.
"What's going on here?"
Mina sighed in mock frustration and replied, "Trust me, you wouldn't want to know. Ask that girl, why don't you? Hah. I couldn't believe people like her actually got accepted here. And we hear YG's policies saying they dwell on the person's good values and morals more than anything else. What bullsh1t."
Aera almost broke down on the floor upon hearing her words.
"Yah, Han Mina!!!" I could only look at her furiously as I put a protective arm around Aera -- she was practically shaking like a leaf. "That's enough!"
Mina only sneered in return, unaffected neither by my outburst nor Aera's muffled sobs. "You know, I know a b1tch when I see one." She then pointed a finger at Aera's shaking form before adding, "And that girl is no different from the ones I've dealt with in the past." What the? I was about to give her my reply but she managed to open first. "Don't tell me I didn't warn you."
She left the room quietly without giving us the time to answer back, as if nothing happened.
Don't tell me I didn't warn you. What was that all about? I really wanted to know, but Aera's current state made me forget about it. I'll look more into it later, since I have to check on Aera first.
"Are you okay?"
Aera sniffed a little and wiped her tears carelessly, her eyeliner streaking her face. "I--I'm fine."
I let go of her and tried to prod her gently. "Come on, Aera. I have to know. We can't go back looking like this."
She looked away from me, seemingly avoiding my question. "It's alright unnie. Mina unnie and I will talk about this later." I wanted to say something more but she continued, "You can go back, I'll be there in a minute."
I nodded blankly and left the restroom, my own feelings/problems/thoughts forgotten. What is up with Han Mina? She's always been cold and distant, but what I've seen today totally put her on a different level. Is she that catty in real life? Wow.
Before I knew it, I was back inside the studio; Bommie and CL are doing some warm-ups, while Mina was sitting on the floor, looking at me. I walked up to her and sat beside her. She did nothing in return -- her face totally void of any feeling or emotion.
"What was that all about?"
"Ask the b1tch," She said flatly.
I sighed, exasperated. "Han Mina. Tell me what happened before my opinion about you changes completely."
Han Mina only laughed, and I shivered at how it sounded -- it was cold and hollow. "Ok then. I'm not into pushing myself to others anyway. Do whatever you want."
"Han Mina---"
"Mina Unnie." We all turned to look at Aera, who had just entered the studio. She was looking at Mina defiantly, while Mina returned her stare; her eyes expressionless, her lips formed into a smirk.
"We will talk later."
"We have nothing to talk about."
Silence. Are they going to fight?
"Yes, we will, unnie."
Bommie, CL and I could only look at them, a little torn and confused. The picture in front of us was something new to our rather boring and tiring trainee lives, and it was something we totally didn't expect at all.
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