It was a normal day for Layla. Checking any updates or comments to her webseries casually as she walked to her afternoon Japanese class. No denying all her time in front of the camera she could really keep a straight face...especially with her stomach currently trying to become the pretzels she had planned for next week’s episode. As much as she wished it would be, today would not be a normal day. No today was the day she would finally stop denying to herself what her fans had been screaming at the top of their keyboards. She was finally going to confess and ask Jongup out.

She had met Jongup through her  friend, editor and housemate Youngjae; who had been friends with him since childhood. Turned out he was also doing editing for him and another friend of theirs for a gaming channel. Curious she asked Youngjae to bring them by to guest on the show. Next filming session in walked a slightly lanky giant of a boy sporting blonde hair with a blue patch, and following right after Layla almost dropped the whisk she was getting. Her eyes looked him over; taking note of the tone tan arms that stood out from his sleeveless hoodie, moving up to his face. That’s when she caught his smile. She covered to mute a squeak. Youngjae had broken business partner rule number #1: warn the host if her guest was cute.

She hadn’t told the boys anything about what she was doing; wanting to gauge who they really were and not just from the show they did. And she seemed to click with them well. After that first episode with them as guests she brought them on more frequently. In return they had her guest on some of their streams or regular 'let’s plays' they did for the gaming portion. And after finding out from Youngjae that Jongup was a lot closer than she thought, the friendship moved to real life instead of between their youtube personas. She continued getting closer to them; and her attraction at first had started budding into feelings for the Moon half of Moon Rabbit gaming.

Fans quickly took notice of how their favorite fandom based cooking show host would get red now when Jongup got close. How she froze for a moment when he would try feeding her whatever they had made. Zelo; being fully aware of the little ‘ship’ their fans had formed didn’t help with the teasing. The moment that clinched it was the last episode she filmed with them. When she decided instead of being the usual shy with jongup’s teasing humor she would tease and flirt back. This backfired a bit for her. All it did was give jongup an excuse to up his game for the camera. When they were holding the finished cake ball pokeballs up she went in for a bite of hers only for him to also go for her’s; making it look like she was feeding him. This resulted in their head’s colliding and Layla’s lip lightly brush against his cheek. Both instantly backed away from each other; Layla covering and Jongup covering his cheek while making it look like he was rubbing his head. Zelo was all the while laughing his off and Youngjae thankfully ending the episode for her; they tried to play off what had happened, but that was the moment she knew this was more than just a crush between two hosts of online video series.

And today was the day she was going to do something about it. Sometime during the outdoor class that the teacher had planned today she was going to pull Jongup aside. Then, away from the eyes and ears of their classmates she was going to confess. ‘Make the ship sail’ as Youngjae joked before she left him to his editing for the day. Pocketing her phone as she entered the classroom she went to take her usual seat near Rena and Jongup before noticing the three seats they usually had were taken. Minor setback. There was still the outdoor portion of the class. As the teacher explained the assignment Layla had taken notice of her friend’s dreamy body language. She quickly flicked her; sparing her from the professor catching her. She couldn’t help giggling at the reaction. “Wow you were out of it, Ren. I had to flick you in order to return you to planet Earth. Where were you?” She tilted her head curiously; keeping her voice low so the professor wouldn’t hear them. Ren sheepishly smiled; still thinking about the far off memory.

“Thanks, Layla. I was off in a world I shouldn’t have returned to…” A look of concern dotted Layla’s face at her friend.

“Wha-” Her questioning was cut off by another pop of gum from the classmate next to her. Layla swore in her head if she popped her gum one more time this would turn into cell block tango really fast. Theater minor. Musicals happened.

“So does anyone understand the assignment?” the classmate; who Layla vaguely remembered Rena mentioning was a co worker asked before blowing a bubble from her gum. ‘If you could hear the professor over your gum you would know…’ Layla kept to herself as she handed the paper behind her to Rena.

“Well…”

“It looks like a scavenger hunt!” She couldn’t help but jolt. She often got surprised when Jongup raised his voice louder than his usual tone on campus. On camera he was pretty vocal to keep up with Zelo, but in real life he wasn’t as loud. You could forget he was there sometimes.

“We have to find the objects that match the description given and then pick the right word from the word bank” She finished up explaining to a still slightly confused Rena.

“These aren’t really descriptions…” She mumbled before Jongup came in for the explanation this time.

“Right, they are descriptions of places or even just directions. We have to find them around campus.” Layla was about to say something when there was another horrible pop to her right and she looked ready to reach into her bag for food prep later today for whatever sharp tool was in there that the school approved for said major.

“How is this supposed  to help us with learning Japanese?” Layla had really been getting tired of her. But thankfully for Hyosung’s sake the professor answered in her usual light and flighty manner as she walked around the groups.

“You must explore and use your new language in the real world. Partner up if you wish and take the campus by storm!”

“When’s it due?”

“Next Monday. I hope the weekend will be enough time as well as the rest of the class period. Be free and delve into your Japanese knowledge banks!” Most of the class sighed in regret. Layla loved this professor. She reminded her of those comedic professors in some of the anime she watched. Helped her actually stick with the course. After quickly packing her bag except for her sketchpad and the worksheet she turned; about to ask Jongup to partner up.

“Rena, you wanna be my partner?” Layla blinked; a bit caught off guard. But she didn’t take it too seriously. Rena and Jongup were best friends. Made sense that he would ask her.

“Of course! Layla want to join us?” Perking up she was about to agree when suddenly her favorite professor betrayed her.

“ Two people only~ That is what a partner is.” Layla muttered under her breath.

“sensei why” Before recovering “It’s okay I’ll work with…” She looked around and groaned. the only one left was Hyosung. Joy. “Hyosung you want to work together?” Hyosung smirked a little before shrugging.

“Sure. Easier to partner than work alone. Let’s grab coffee first though.” Before Layla could protest Hyosung was pulling her out of the classroom. Curious her small build. Great for working into a cute channel; not so much for resisting your least favorite person as she dragged you away from your favorite without saying goodbye. She caught Rena waving and managed to wave back.

“Text me later.”

“I will!”

“Don’t forget the backside!” Was the last thing she heard from the classroom before Hyosung had dragged her away to the campus cafe. She glared at the woman from behind her green tea frappe as she tried to make conversation.

“So..how’s the show?”

“Great. Fun. Busy” She kept her answers short. She couldn’t quite place it but she never had a good feeling about Hyosung. She came off as a to her and always got on her nerves. But hyosung still kept a smile while talking.  

“You’re pretty good, I’ve seen some of your episodes. Even the latest one with Jongup and his friend.” Layla choked on the sip she took. . “You and Jongup looked pretty cute in that one, is it for the camera or are you two a thing?"

“We’re both s-single.” Crap she was starting to falter.

“But do you like him?” Layla swore she saw something in Hyosung’s eyes that told her she shouldn’t answer and took another sip of her drink. “You know, if you do like him you should really be careful with him and Rena. They have been a lot closer lately. She might be trying to snatch him from yo-” That was it for Layla. She got up, grabbing her bag and worksheet.

“you know what, I think I’ll work alone. Better than hearing the bull out of your mouth. Have fun failing as usual.” She waved her off while leaving her in the cafe. Praise theater training. It helped her read people. Actors can tell when another is acting. And boy was Hyosung a ty one. Layla trusted Rena more than to fall for whatever reason Hyosung was trying to get at. As she walked she noticed a crowd starting to form in the courtyard. Curious, she decided to take a look at what was going on. There she saw Jongup and Rena in the courtyard. The position seemed a little awkward so she went to get a closer look. By then she was close enough to hear.

“Yes! We are dating!” From Jongup’s lips as he picked up Rena and spun her around. Layla dropped her drink in shock. The crowd disappeared behind her and the rest of the world seemed to break away in pieces. She held back the tears threatening to run down her cheeks. This made sense really. Jongup did know Rena longer. He’s probably liked her a really long time and was waiting for an acceptable time to make his move after Himchan and Rena broke up. An event she only heard in passing but still. She shook her head; avoiding any breaking down she felt like doing. They were her friend’s she should be happy for them. Checking the time on her phone she quickly removed herself away from the scene to head to the lab kitchen for her food prep class. She let herself look back once to look at her friends; the new happy couple. Before quickly looking away and hurrying to class. At least if some tears escaped there she could blame it on smoke or onions.

After a long tiring class she trudged into the house she shared with Youngjae and Daehyun. As usual Daehyun was still out late at his family’s restaurant and Youngjae sat at his laptop tweaking with some lighting effects for his pictures. The loud thud of her bag shocked Youngjae from his work. He looked up; noting his friend’s tear stained face. She dragged herself to the couch and flopped onto it. Setting the laptop aside Youngjae pulled her into a hug. There she hid her face and let out the rest of the tears she had been holding back as she managed to get out what had happened. That her first real love was now dating one of her best friends.

“Rena…?” Youngjae inquired; still processing the sudden turn of events he just heard.

She nodded; continuing to cry in his chest. He rubbed her back; comforting her. Youngjae had met Layla while he was filming one of the school’s productions. She was in that class as part of her minor and they started talking between performances. A work partnership sparked when she had brought up her plans for a show. That was also how she came be living in the house he and Daehyun shared. Her friendship with Daehyun was fine; work relationship not so much. Many fans even asked why he wasn’t on the show since his family owned so many restaurants in the city, but, that wasn’t important right now. What was important was Youngjae helping soothe his friend’s aching heart. Eventually she fell asleep while hugging Jae; tears still streaking her face as Daehyun walked in.

Daehyun took in the scene of Youngjae still rubbing a sleeping Layla's back. He looked in confusion and whispered, “What happened?”

“Help me get her to bed first,” Youngjae whispered back.

Youngjae helped ease Layla into Daehyun’s arm and ran ahead to open doors and pull her covers back. Soon they were back to sitting on the couch and Youngjae sighed.

“You are never going to believe this.”

“Someone was mean to her? Because I’m not against intimidating people,” Daehyun answered, already protective of his newest friend.

“You know how Layla likes Jongup--”

“Did he reject her?! That little snot. The way he flirts--”

“Dae, no. Jongup is dating Rena.” Youngjae interrupted.

Daehyun stilled not at all expecting that response. “No he isn’t.”

“According to Layla he asked her out today.”

“But,” Daehyun searched for something anything to say. “It’s only been two months and-- and only a few weeks since she made out with him at that party. Why would she agree?”

Youngjae looked at him curiously, “I’m more confused about the Jongup asking her out portion but, let’s follow this.”

“I’m tired,” Daehyun rose suddenly. “I smell like smoke and burnt food so, I should shower.”

“Jung Daehyun,” Youngjae followed him, “Do you like Rena?”

“Unless you want to see me you should leave,” Daehyun replied taking off his T-shirt and turning on the shower.

“Nothing I haven’t seen before,” Youngjae shrugged, “and you are dodging the question.”

“Youngjae, please.”

“Since when?”

“Does it matter?”

“Now it does,” Youngjae crossed his arms.

Daehyun sighed, “Middle school.”

Youngjae cursed softly and patted his back before leaving the bathroom, “Enjoy your shower, man.”

Daehyun stared at his reflection in the mirror, ‘Did I really lose her again?’    

a/n: and now another POV. Layla's POV. Her story will be written mostly by my co-author :) I hope this all works out.

Let us know what you think!! :D