Ep. 2 — Days to spend

D-30

“Why do you look so stressed?”

Seulgi peeled off her gaze of the window and saw her manager’s worried look in the rearview, she gave a feeble shake of head and glanced outside again. “Nothing oppa…”

The street went blurry as their vehicle moved in a fast speed and the latter watched in a slight fascination—everything that could take her mind off her dreaded schedule would look fascinating at that very moment, even if it was just a drop of water on the glass surface like one she currently observed.

“You’re nervous right?”

She leaned back in her seat while closing her eyes. “Is that obvious?”

Her manager hummed pleasantly and she heaved a deep sigh in the contrary of his happy tone.

“You don’t have to, you know.” He said behind the steering wheel, throwing another look at her through a small mirror. “It’s not like your first individual schedule though.”

“Yeah, but it’s been awhile since the last time I did my individual schedule, oppa...” Seulgi commented shortly, eyes were refusing to open and acknowledge the fact that the moment she stepped out of the car; she had to get to familiarize with her new partner first and by any chance making the fool out of herself in front of him or her. “I only hosted as an MC last year.”

She heard his laugh and groaned. “Why are you laughing oppa?”

“Your expression,” He stifled his laugh. “I thought I was seeing Wendy.”

“She’s growing on me.” Seulgi barely bit back an answer. “We’re roommate for a reason.”

“I see.” The older man replied with a rising smile. “Anyway, your partner in that music show is a famous actress right? Bae Irene-ssi?”

Seulgi opened her eyes and nodded, feeling a bit strange of his sudden inquiry about her previous co-worker. “Yeah… she is.”

“I heard she’s taking a role in a newest drama that will be aired this year. It’s pretty hyped though.”

“I happened to see the trailer as well. Everyone seems to anticipate that drama.” She referred to her little escapade with Yeri last week although her manager didn’t need to know the details. “Why are you asking though?”

“Are you keeping a close contact with her? I mean, like staying friends even after the show was over?”

“Err…” Seulgi was about to reply but stopped right away when she heard his small laugh ensued out of nowhere.

“Wait a minute… This’s weird.” Her eyes slatted to scan his back figure. “You are weird.”

“Why though? Am I asking a wrong thing?” He gave her a quick look and cheekily smiled. “I take that you two are not close, huh?”

“We are close, though we’re not exactly close-friends.”

“What is that even mean?” He inquired again and Seulgi had had enough with his sudden interest in her private circle of friends.

“How close are you?”

She held her palm up when she caught his nonchalant look on the rearview. “Are you her fan or what? Do you plan to ask me for help into getting her autograph or maybe a quick photo together? Just why are you asking me these questions?”

“Calm down, you sound like a jealous person right there.”

“I’m not jealous!” She flailed her hands high in the air to emphasize her earlier point. “You can talk about her or anything! It’s not like she is my girlfriend or something.” She then folded her arms across her chest and threw her gaze at anywhere but her busy and noisy manager.

“Huh, it’s strange. I didn’t say anything about girlfriend though.”

It immediately shut close. She looked back at him and felt rather tongue-tied as she saw his smile morphed mischievously—she was at lost for words. He didn’t say any word but that was ten folds scarier. His face already looked satisfied enough with her lack of respond and it would be very useless to explain everything but she couldn’t let him accuse something that wasn’t even true. She finally gained her long gone composure. “W-what are you talking about!???”

“Well, I was just asking a simple question but your respond is quite suspicious.”

The surprised girl abruptly sat straight and processed to give her piece of mind. “Who wouldn’t?! You practically are talking nonsense here!”

“What I meant by jealous is… you might get jealous over her fame because you’ve even mistaken me as her fan. And no, certainly not that kind of jealousy you get when someone is talking about your crush. But apparently you call dibs for the latest one, huh? You were jealous over me for asking some questions about her.” He wore a smug expression, making him look even more annoying than he already was—according to Seulgi who couldn’t save her own face. “And here I thought you were not going along with her, but boy was I wrong. You like her don’t you?”

“I don’t like her.”

“Then why are you blushing?”

“I’m not.” She didn’t buy it, snubbing his ridiculous remark aside Seulgi only threw a cold glare in his direction as her deliberate respond.

“You’re all red, Seulgi.”

Seulgi reluctantly reached up to touch her own cheeks and felt the warmth radiating on it. She rarely cursed but she felt like doing it just now. She felt betrayed by her own body, how could they act carelessly against her, their rightful owner.

“Oh… don’t tell me that you…”

She shot him another glare and shook her head violently. “Don’t oppa.”

“What? I didn’t hear you. You might under the weather for all I know. You look as red as boiled shrimp right now.”

He snickered and Seulgi could never hear the end of his teasing. She sank deeper on her seat and cast another look outside. “Just drive safely oppa.”

She mumbled audibly, mind was ready to replay her interaction with her so called partner through her entire ride. An unknown smile was starting to play in the brim of her lips when she recalled their moments. Who wouldn’t like her though?

—◙—

Flashback to their hosting days.

“Unnie…today is a great day!”

“I know… I know…” Irene nodded to her energetic companion who didn’t even stop jumping around while shouldering a big eco-bag in the span of two minutes. “Why are you so happy though?”

“Me? I’m always like this!” Seulgi replied, still as bubbly as ever. She then began to rummage around her bag noisily. “It’s just my favorite girl group is having a comeback stage!”

Irene pretended to squint her eyes suspiciously. “It’s not your own group right? Redeu Belbet?”

“Of course not!” Seulgi deliberately shook her head; she pulled a pink pastel colored light stick and a cheering banner out of her bag in the process. “It’s Nation’s girl group! Yeoja Generation!”

“WOW!”

“I’m their loyal fans!” The younger girl started to wave the said light stick happily. While shaking her head, Irene was doing her best to stop Seulgi from waving her light stick excessively around like a kid that she was—almost hitting the camera in the midst of her fan-girling as well.

“Your prayer has been granted!” Irene folded her hands and nodded, she then looked at the camera. “If you’re as excited as Seulgi here,” She pointed at the grinning person beside her. “Don’t switch your channel because we’ll be interviewing them in the next section! So, please stay tuned!”

They looked at the camera as Seulgi added quickly. “But before that, let’s see K. Will sunbaenim’s stage!”

“Wait! I heard he’s back with his newest sweet song!” Irene exclaimed which approved by her companion. The latter was already discharging her cheering kit.

“Yeah!” Seulgi quickly took out her phone and connected it with a headphone; she then searched for something inside her huge bag again.

“You sure are very prepared.” Irene remarked as she saw the younger girl proudly showing off her bag towards the camera. “This bag has anything you have ever wished for.”

“Oh… like Doraemon’s magic pocket?”

Irene earned a quick and cheerful nod from the smiling Seulgi.

“Anyway this song is surely sweeter than candy though.” The bustling girl abruptly declared while she popped a lollipop on her own mouth, looking at Irene with a satisfied expression.

“How do you know?”

Wordlessly, Seulgi pointed at the dangling device on her ear then at her candy. “I’m listening to it while eating this candy. Do you want to hear it as well?”

Irene took the offered bud and plugged it on her own. “I need more proof!”

“What’s more?”

“Where’s the candy?”

“You get it yourself.”

It was a brief pause as Irene’s eyes glimmered with something she didn’t expect to be good at all; she had a very bad feeling about it as a matter of fact. “Don’t mind if I do.”

And in one quick motion, the latter had managed to snatch the lollipop out of Seulgi’s mouth. Seulgi stared cautiously at her with wide eyes and dropped jaws. This act was far from the script they had rehearsed together earlier. Irene was supposed to grab her bag and search for a candy herself, anything but stealing her freaking candy.

This woman was about to get the taste of the lollipop when Seulgi hollered at her with red flushed face, just in time to stop her further. Her hand was stretched out in attempt to get the stolen candy back. “Y-yah!”

“What?” The mischief glint was still there. “Sharing is caring, you know.”

“Go get it yourself!”

She shoved her bag in her direction and watched in disbelief when Irene didn’t even show any guilty expression at the humiliating scene she had created. The said woman even happily plopped her own candy with twinkled eyes. “You’re right! This song is sweeter!”

The nerve of this actress…   

“That’s right! Should we see him on stage?” Seulgi turned to the camera with a mic in hand, successfully concealing her shocked look from the other girl’s earlier stunt. Irene was ready with hers as well when she threw a quick glance in her direction.

“Muzic Bank, cue!”

—◙—

D-30

Meanwhile, in the middle of an open parking lot, someone was having an inner battle with herself.

Boy…

Girl…

Boy…?

Or were it girl?

Irene had internally chanted it like a mantra for almost five minutes straight. Fingers were tapping against the steering wheel as her eyes squinted to inspect people who went here and there towards the building near this dimly parking lot. She was told by the producer to come and pick her co-guest by her own on the way to their filming set. Who in the hell is going to be my partner?

She felt like this idea might either turn their short journey into a joyful ride or a complete awkward silence where she could foresee being a statue most of the time. Even breathing would be such a painful task to do in that kind of situation.

The hint was someone cladded in white from head to toes and she found it a bit strange. Who would be dressed like that in this hour? They would surely attract unwanted attention with that obvious chosen color unlike hers which was all-black.

Her gaze fell on her wristwatch when it beeped. 19:08 pm. “Am I too early?”

Being the punctual person that she was, Irene didn’t even realize that she had come to the agreed place ten minutes earlier than what she planned to. She looked at the recording camera as she leaned on her seat. “I’m indeed early.”

“So, while we wait for my companion, let me tell you about something.” Irene crouched down near the camera and whispered on it. She opted to do a self-cam during her free time instead. “I’ve just ended my schedule this day in a record time! Yeay!” She clapped for herself and froze in place when she turned to her right window to see something white popped on it.

“OH MY GOSHHHH!!!!”

She screamed loudly, eyes were shutting close in reflex. For a moment, she thought of seeing a smile on that face.  And by smiling she meant the only part she could clearly see was indeed the stretched upward lips. The face was mostly covered with that white thing. Was it even human?!

Irene timidly opened one eye; she peeked through it and found nothing. She blinked and heaved a relief sigh, feeling a bit safe. Maybe I was just seeing things… She was about check on her surrounding but when she saw the reappearance of that white creature on her left window, glued close on it, she couldn’t help but yelp out a strained gasp. She accidentally hit the middle of her steering wheel, causing her car to honk loudly and startling her own poor scared soul as well.

“OMMA!!!”

She shrieked when it suddenly knocked on the glass surface beside her. After a full minute, she finally realized that it was actually a human whose face was nearly hidden by a bucket white hat, but who in the hell dressed that way. She quickly checked whether she had locked her car and reassured herself that she did. W-who is that…?

She vaguely heard the person was trying to tell her something and Irene wasted no time to block out any sort of communication, she shook her head vigorously just to shoo the person away. “I’m not an idol! I’m not an idol!” She recited with a frightened look.

Irene had heard about this particular kind of fans, sasaengs —the crazy overboard fans who stalked their idols in a daily basis to get as much information as possible about their favorite idols down to every details, and she couldn’t help but feel horrified at the thought of encountering one. She reminded herself that she was in a place where the chance of meeting idols was high; she currently located near one biggest artist agency building though, so this person might mistake her for an idol— oh wait, another possibility had suddenly made its entrance which nearly sent her eyes to bulge out in realization, 

“I’m not dating an idol either! I swear!”

When the person slowly withdrew from her sight thus Irene could finally able to breathe. She grimaced at how close she was into getting herself a trouble in less than one minute ago. Her phone abruptly rang and she immediately picked it up to the sound of Leeteuk PD-nim, the director of her new reality show. Irene’s brows were raised slightly at his sudden call, feeling that he might give her any weird clue. “Hello PD-nim?”

“Irene-ssi… Please open the door, your partner has knocked on it for a while now.”

She frowned and looked outside with much difficulty; this parking lot wasn’t the best place to hold such a meeting because of how limited the light was at that exact moment. “I’m sorry what?”

“Yes, Irene-ssi. You heard me right, that person outside your car is cladded in white just like our given clue.”

“Uh…uh… Okay.” She ended the call without much thought, still having her doubt.

Irene slid the glass window down to get a clear view and saw the person crouching slightly on the ground. True enough the figure was covered in white like what her producer told her. She cautiously unlocked her car and eventually made the squatting figure snap up at the sound it emitted.

“Hello?” She quietly said after getting off the comfort of her car to this chilly weather outside, noting the sudden raising figure to be a woman. They stood in a safe distance away from each other. 

“Hello to you too… actress Bae Irene sunbaenim.” Her voice was sweet and light, and Irene was actually mesmerized by it. She had heard it somewhere else before… But where?

The woman in white then bowed to which Irene copied quickly. The brunette straightened her position and looked up in surprise. “Wait! How do you know my name?”

“Of course I know, it’s been a very long time though,”

Irene watched with mouth agape as the person in orange hair revealed her partially hidden face, lifting up the weird bucket hat out of her face. Seulgi right there, standing in a flesh was someone she didn’t expect to meet at all.

“Have you been well, unnie?”

—◙—

“I’m sorry for making you wait outside. I seriously got the shock of my life when you suddenly popped on my window. I went as far as checking my door ‘s lock at the thought of meeting sasaeng in that very moment…” Irene muttered as the car made its way out of the parking lot. “Turned out it’s you… the PD-nim even called me to open the door.” She glanced at Seulgi who subtly cackled back at her story. “You called him right?”

“Yeah…” Seulgi chuckled. “I heard your yells pretty loud and clear though.”

She could feel her teasing and inwardly grunted, masking her earlier shameful impulse with determination.

“Uh cut me some slack… The clue was someone wearing all-white from their head to toes.” Irene tilted her head, inspecting her briefly before paying her attention back to the road before them. “Okay, you did wear all white…” 

“That I did.”

“Did you get some clue as well?”

“Yeah… I should immediately enter a black sedan with an assigned plate they’ve told me.”

“You look around in search of my car plate?” Irene looked at her in disbelief before scanning the street again, it seemed like the staffs were toying with them—frown started to appear on her forehead. “You’re lucky.”

“Indeed.” Seulgi nodded to herself. “I figured out that your car was the only one with the lights on, so I quickly went to yours.”

“It’s dangerous you know, I mean what if it was sasaeng’s car and not mine? You could get kidnapped right away.” The older woman cast a worried look and Seulgi smiled gratefully in return. Irene was still the same person she knew a year ago.

“Yeah, but I’m glad that it was yours.”

“Right…”

Another pause before Irene coughed to herself. “It’s awkward.”

“I know…”

“Do you want me to play some music? I happened to have your newest album you know…” She admitted it rather shyly as she started to fumble with the CD player. “Errr… do you want to hear it? Or should I turn the radio on instead?”

With right hand still lifted in the middle of air, Irene questioned with an awkward smile. Eyes darted from Seulgi to the traffic light in front of them continously.

“Whichever you prefer unnie…”

“Uh… don’t let me choose.”

“Okay, I’ve enough of hearing my own song so yeah radio would do.” Seulgi giggled, unknowingly setting Irene at ease while she turned the radio on. “Radio it is.”

She retracted to her place when the music started to play, slowly erasing the edgy atmosphere inside her car.  

“We haven’t met each other for almost one year, so that’s normal. I mean, being awkward and all.”

“Ah yeah you’re right…” The brunette laughed softly as she took a glimpse of her again; this time around she was able to finally observe Seulgi’s recent change, appearance-wise. She was still beautiful as always. “Have you been good?”

Seulgi nodded shortly, returning her question just as eager. “I assume you do as well, right? Your teaser on that drama is pretty daebak though…”

“I somewhat doubt you.” Irene’s lips pulled up into a playful smile as she focused herself on the line of cars in front of them. She turned her head to look at the person before her when she heard her snorting. “Have you ever had any time to check your television, huh? Idol’s life is pretty hard.”

“Well duh… of course I have. People are excited to see you finally starring in a new drama, the news is blown up solely by yours though.” Seulgi propped one arm on the window. “Has it been long? Since the latest drama you took?”

“Yes.” The woman in question grinned. “It’s been three years.”

“Give me some spoiler about your drama please…?” Seulgi suddenly said, prompting her with an adorable puppy look.

“Kwon PD-nim, rest assured. I’m not planning to spoil anything, even though this friend of mine is a bit insisting. She stands no chance.” Irene leaned forward and mumbled sideway to the filming camera. She heard Seulgi’s disappointment groan in the background and held back a huge grin.

“You simply don’t want to tell me about Gongyoo sunbaenim right?”

Seulgi mentioned Irene’s partner in an upcoming drama and rolled her eyes. “You’re petty.”

“I am.” Irene replied with a cocky smile, “Just be patient and watch it yourself when the right time comes.”

“Queen of promoting.”

Seulgi rebutted with a fake scowl which got the “You know I am.” respond from her companion.

She silently stared and noted her serious expression. The way Irene would scrunch her nose in distaste when someone suddenly took their way or when the latter paid her concentration to drive in general. She had been missing this comfortable quiet moment. She didn’t know that she would miss her this much.     

“You aren’t sleeping right?”

Seulgi jokingly closed her eyes, ignoring just what the older girl had warned earlier. “Nope.”

“Don’t you dare, bear.”

Her ears perked at the mention of it, the nickname they gave to each other year ago. She hadn’t heard it for a while and could feel herself smiling at the recurring moment. She peered with one eye. “Of course I am, bunny unnie.”

Both of them broke into laughter much later, feeling their old comfortable pace was slowly catching up.

“Good old times.” Irene commented with a wide contented smile when her laughter had died down, leaving her to stare quietly at the person occupying her passenger seat. “I didn’t know that I’d be meeting you though. Out of so many Korean groups it turned out to be yours.” A shake of head along with a sigh, it hinted with playfulness that Seulgi could detect straightaway. “And out of your members, it’s you.”

“Were you expecting someone else? Someone who comes from a boy group maybe? So you could secretly date him?”

She quickly pinched Seulgi’s loose arm. “Are you out to get me into a scandal, young lady?”

“Just admit it already.” The younger girl snickered before casually leaning her head on the window; she eyed their destination with what Irene thought for a split of second as a distant look. It was definitely different compared to Seulgi’s happy-go-lucky personality and Irene didn’t know what exactly causing the latter to support that look out of sudden.

“Everyone is so curious about your love life though.”

“You little…” She maneuvered and made a right turn effortlessly. They pulled on a café the staff had been telling them about. “How about you then?”

“I will surely going to get my license this year!” Seulgi uttered another reply with a bright happy tone and threw a quick glance at her when they had safely parked their car. Irene didn’t respond to her sudden change of expression, instead she reached for the camera and stopped it from filming them. Seulgi noticed it and raised her brow at her.

“Why did you do that?”

“I figured out that you might want to keep our conversation a bit private. I want to ask you about something.”

“Oh…? What’s on your mind?”

“Why aren’t you dating?” The older woman probed, making Seulgi give her a blank look. She paused for a while before giving out a vague answer.

“I’ve not met the right person yet.”

Irene was surprised, she even turned to face the other girl fully. She expected Seulgi to say no dating allowed —something about their strict contract that hindered them to do so, directly. “I thought your agency forbids you from doing so. For certain years maybe?”

Seulgi nonchalantly laughed it off. “Yes they did…. For another two years. But I couldn’t be careless though I surely don’t plan to date people in the near future. Dating is something everyone could freely do. So why would I let them interrupting my life more than they necessarily need?”

Those wise words were coming from someone who was three years younger than herself. Someone who would scream at the thought of getting free food— the same person she called bear earlier. Dating issues for actors and actress were something that could pass as a casual matter. Most of the time, they would even get public’ blessing once the news broke out. It would be a totally different case for idols. It was like the public—their fans, owned them to a certain extent that barring them out from simply dating people. Even for casual interactions between the same fellow idols could lead into a big mess, it would escalate into something bigger when the interactions were aimed to find love. Some would either approve or disregard it at all cost—and when both of their fans started to throw hurtful comments towards each other, thus causing the said artists to take the responsibility and apologize for something that wasn’t even their fault. Since when did looking for love was something considered wrong?

So, it surprised her to discover this side of Seulgi. The innocent kid she cherished.   

“You’re right, there’s nothing wrong with dating someone.” Irene extended her hand to touch her hand, she squeezed it softly and smiled. “Just so you know, I’m glad meeting you over that some random men out there.”

She withdrew her hand and unbuckled her seat. She was about to go outside but stopped doing it when she didn’t hear any sound coming from her companion. “What-”

Upon meeting her stunned look, she couldn’t help but laugh at her sight. “For a second, I thought you’ve changed entirely.”                                                                                          

Irene leaned in to push Seulgi’s jaws up before opening her own door. “It turned out that you’re still the same dumb bear that I once knew.”

—◙—

“Seulgi, are you okay?”

“Uh?”

“You don’t even touch your food…” Irene motioned at her untouched food. “That’s so not you.”

“Oh, nothing.” Seulgi began to shove herself with her food. It was weird. Why would it bother her now? Irene was always like that, she tended to express her feeling openly. Not to mention, she was the type to be clingy and did a lot of skinship even when they didn’t even know each other that well. She had her members who liked to do skinship and express their feelings openly as well; she had to at least be customized right? But why in the world she got momentary fazed by the fact of Irene had been happy to meet her over anyone? Adding that to her casual touch that had unknowingly turned her cheeks into a reddish hue, she didn’t even put blush on her cheeks at that time. Thank goodness she managed to get outside the car before Irene could actually realize what effect she capable of pulling on her.

“I missed you.”

That short deadly words had nearly sent her chewed food into her breathing pipe. She violently coughed and began to blindly search for a glass of water; anything that could push this clogged food down and let her breathing free again. Irene quickly handed her a glass and Seulgi wasted no time to empty it in one go.  

“Slow down… it might go into a wrong pipe again.”

Seulgi shook her head and started to wipe the corner of with a tissue frantically. “Thanks.”

She heard Irene started to laugh and couldn’t help but palm her own face. How embarrassing….

“Aw… the awkward bear is back! I missed you bear!”

“I nearly died here.” Seulgi muttered under her breath. She was trying hard not to let Irene’s words affect her again.

“Don’t you miss this bunny unnie?”

Irene talked in a high pitched voice and leaned forward on her place. “Don’t you miss me?”

Seulgi raised an eyebrow and the latter didn’t even budge at her skeptic expression. She sighed while placing down her utensil, getting choked by food two times in a row was something she didn’t looking forward to happen. “Okay, I miss you too.”

“You’ve to be sincere, bear.”

“I am.”

It was Irene’s turn to give her a doubtful look after hearing her words. “You’re such a liar.”

“Ddeulgi misses you too!” Seulgi cupped her own cheeks and did her best in delivering her aegyo to the woman across her. Back then in her earlier debut days, doing aegyo was something she would reluctantly do. She couldn’t even do any of it, resulting her to cringe in front of the mirror most of the time. But now as she had practiced a lot—it felt like as if the aegyo had grown on her and became her second nature.

“Cute!”

“Thanks, I’ve heard about it a lot.” The younger’s eyes curved into a crescent, feeling proud of herself for successfully making Irene beam happily at her antic. “Anyway, what do you think about my new hair?” Seulgi pointed at her orange hair, supporting herself with her right arm as she probed Irene over their casual dinner. “Do I look weird?”

“You look dazzling.”

“Are you pulling my leg?” Seulgi’s eyes turned into a slit, though her corner of lips was threatening to burst out the moment Irene complimented her. She then wore a thoughtful expression when she got reminded by something which recently happened. “I’ve seen so many comments on SNS telling me that my hair in this comeback is very tragic.” Her voice gradually subdued to a lower voice. “It’s my favorite hair color but apparently people don’t think it the same way as I do. They even want me to get rid of it as soon as possible.”

Irene was about to respond with “I’m not pulling your leg but your hair.”, but she backtracked from doing it after she saw through her, the gloomy expression Seulgi tried to mask yet failed miserably. She didn’t have a heart to upset this girl even more. 

“You look great to me though…” Irene uttered as she took another bite of her food. She chewed on it slowly before saying, “Taking criticism to be able to improve is a good trait. But when people starting to shove down their ego to you, like please get rid of those tragic hair asap! comment—” She air quoted. “Don’t you think it’s already crossing the line? Not to mention, basically rude. Criticism and a plain hurtful comment is a two different thing. Though I know they love you but that’s not the best way to show how they dislike something in you.”

Seulgi momentary paused and only stared at her in silence, Irene took it as her cue to continue.

“In this era, people with no responsibility—who talks without even thinking and is only set to throw malice comments could certainly kill someone with the help of keyboards only. That’s how powerful they are, in social media.” The woman smiled when she saw Seulgi’s confused gaze. “What I’m trying to tell you is to not letting those hurtful comments drag you down as you can’t always fulfill their wish. You’re not a people pleaser to the extent of harming yourself, your truly fans will eventually love and accept you unconditionally. So, why bother to give any baseless hateful comment a respond?”

“You seem to deal with it just as fine.”

“I’ve a fair share of it, and the depression it has caused.” Irene tenderly smiled, sending a flutter straight at her unprepared heart. “Haters will always find a way to hate you though. But guess what?” Irene started to lean again, a bitten steak chopped on a fork palmed by her right hand. “Those so called haters will probably want your autograph when they happen to meet you in real life.” She cheekily said while gesturing her to eat again. “Just enjoy your life to its fullest, Seulgi.”

Seulgi nodded gratefully. “Thank you so much.”

“Anything for you.” Irene smiled after done chewing another food. “Anyway, it’s not your drastic change either right? I met you in blonde hair before. This…” The older woman pointed at Seulgi’s hair. “—isn’t even that bright though.”

“Yeah, I’ve tried various colors before.”

“See them crying a river when you pick rainbow colors or when you turn bald for your next comeback.” Irene laughed at the imaginary image. “Your orange hair isn’t tragic at all compared to what drastic change I suggest you to try earlier.”

Seulgi couldn’t help but laugh as well. She knew Irene was trying to make her feeling better and she appreciated it a lot. Irene did not even change, like the days when they were working together; the older was always looking out for her and helping her all throughout the way. She did her best cherishing every moment she got to spend with Irene from now on.

“Have I told you about something?” Seulgi succeeded in asking a question despite the growing warm that started to creep on her cheeks again.

“What is it?”

“You’re beautiful.” The fidgeted woman played with her fork as she tried to show her gratitude through words. At times like this, she would like to ask for her members’ advice, like how could they do this effortlessly? She was really bad at this kind of thing, showing her true affection to anyone was something she struggled the most. “You’re perfect.”

“Is that your way to say thank you?” One of Irene’s brows was arched though her lips didn’t even stop beaming. “Thanks? But as a human being with flaws, I think I’m not that perfect either. My appearance is a bonus.”

“Errr… I’m not talking about your mere appearance though. What I mean is that, you’re beautiful inside out and I thank you for staying that way, in the most perfect way I could ever imagine even until now.” 

This time around it was Irene who choked on her own food and Seulgi did return her favor of providing her a glass of water.

—◙—

“How is it?”

Seulgi asked a bit perplexedly in front of the camera. “How is it what?”

The PD asked her as they had finished their filming that day. “How’s the first meeting? Did Irene-ssi treat you well?”

“Ah…”

She glanced at the woman who seated far from them but still managed to be the one in her line of sight. It seemed like Irene was noticing her gaze as well for she started to wave at her childishly. It was her turn to get interviewed by the staff and Irene was there—teasingly looking back at her after catching her not so subtle stare.

Seulgi looked back to the filming camera, hiding her shy smile. “Yes, she did.”

“What’s your first thought when meeting her today?”

“It brings so many memories, but my first thought was she didn’t even change at all. She is still beautiful, just like the last time I remember.” She tried to look straight at the camera and ignored the noise Irene currently made at the background. She was sure, she was pretty loud while saying those things because she could hear the latter yell out something like Of course, I am! at the far end.

“And she is still the same kind human being that I adore even after everything.” Seulgi continued with a gigantic mega-watt smile but it turned sheepish as she realized just how whipped she sounded. Irene was remarking again at the back and she fought the urge to hide when the PD-nim hummed knowingly. 

“Did you expect to meet her again?”

“Honestly speaking?”

“Honesty is much appreciated.” The man then chuckled. “Your call, Seulgi-ssi.”

“I’ll be honest.” Seulgi leaned on her chair and shook her head. “Of course not, though I’ve prayed and hoped that someone who’s going to be my partner is someone I know. Irene unnie is busy these days so I really didn’t expect to see her here.”

“But it didn’t change the fact that you do happy to see me right?”

Seulgi nearly snapped her neck in the direction of this velvety voice. She eyed Irene who swiftly took the seat beside the PD-nim and joined him to ask her question. “Just admit it already.”

Seulgi was at lost for words. Irene could be unpredictable at times. Just like this, Irene even used her earlier words to attack her. “You’re not supposed to be there!”

“Why not?”

“I’m doing a private interview!”

“I’m bored.”

“But you couldn’t barge in and interrupt my session!” Seulgi cried out in embarrassment. “Leeteuk PD-nim please… I couldn’t answer any question regarding her if she is here to disturb….”

The man laughed before gesturing to one of the staffs to play the recorded video in their first meeting. “Nah it’s fine though.” He eyed Irene briefly before paying his attention back to Seulgi. “Would you like to see Irene-ssi’s greeting to you? She filmed it on the first day for her future partner.”

That sent Irene to bolt out of the scene almost instantly. She couldn’t bear seeing herself at that difficult, struggling moment, and she knew this PD-nim was doing it on purpose. “Okay… I’ll get going.”

Seulgi watched as the other person fleeing away in a hurry and slightly focused her eyes on the small monitor to see an equally awkward Irene seated in the meeting room. “Hello, my name is Bae Irene and I know I’m boring as you can see it clearly from this meeting, though I hope you don’t mind getting stuck with me from now on.”

“Let’s just work hard?” An unsure smile along with raised hands that didn’t match Irene’s cool persona had secured a temporary curve on her lips. “Fighting!”

She chuckled in amusement at how unlikely Irene behaved and noted that she wasn’t the only one feeling nervous. She scanned her surroundings and spotted the latter on the far corner, talking animatedly to the remaining staffs.

“I’m happy to see her as well.”

—◙—

D-27

“Come to think of it, why are you calling me? At this hour? You should be very busy with your drama filming right?”

“So, you aren’t happy with me calling you?” She frowned at the figure on her screen. “Right, I won’t call you again.”

“NO! It’s not like that.” Seulgi bit her lower lip and seemed to contemplate about something by the look of it. “So… you aren’t busy?”

Irene raised her brows at the timid face displayed on her phone. She hid her big fat smile that was starting to appear. “I’m busy.”

“But you said you were bored!”

“I can still be busy and bored at the same time.” She laughed at Seulgi’s deadpan expression, she had fun teasing her. Irene didn’t waste any time to get Seulgi’s number on their first meeting. Both of them immediately launched as text-buddy and Irene even thought that getting Seulgi’s number was the best decision she had ever made her entire life. Putting a stop to her teasing time, she smiled back at her phone screen.

“I’m bored, please save me?”

—◙—

“Please excuse my hobo look right now.”

Irene grinned as soon as Seulgi made her way to sit beside her. The younger girl sported a white t-shirt and ripped jeans, a sack bag on her shoulder with white sneakers to complete her casual look. She was still stylish and Irene did wonder why she looked so embarrassed by her current appearance. “You look great though.”

“Don’t sugarcoat anything unnie. I’ve just done practicing and I’m sweating like crazy.” Seulgi replied mildly, hugging her bag close. She glanced at her companion when she heard Irene’s small laugh, she felt rather self-conscious. “Am I smelly?” 

“Nope.” Irene nonchalantly commented back. “Anyway, why are you practicing though? Didn’t you tell me that your promotion is already over?”

“Yeah, our promotion for this comeback was indeed pretty quick.” Seulgi drew a relief sigh. She leaned on her seat while closing her eyes to rest her tired body a bit. “It has to be done that way so we could start practicing for our first concert.”

She originally planned to head back and do nothing after her practicing was over, but Irene had to call her in the last minute and change her mind. She didn’t even that hungry, but here she was accompanying Irene who looked keen to try new food she had suggested, the sushi restaurant she and Yeri often visited.

“Wow congratulation!” Irene happily exclaimed when the car stopped at the traffic light. She tossed a look in Seulgi’s direction and smiled before focusing back to stare at the road. “I’ll surely come!”

Seulgi stole a look and smiled as well. She didn’t regret everything. “It’s an honor to be able to invite you, Your majesty.”

—◙—

D-25

The light from several blitzes hit her eyes and she blinked immediately, adjusting her pupils while she tried to smile at the audience naturally. This press-conference had to go smoothly, she recited to herself. A sudden warmth was coming from her side as she felt her arm being squeezed gently by the owner of this pale hand. She lifted her head a bit to see Irene mouthed Are you okay? at her.

She returned the squeeze and smiled back. I’m okay. 

“I’ve some questions for the second pairing.”

Both of them stopped throwing gazes as they heard their names being mentioned. “So, it’s a question for Bae Irene-ssi and Kang Seulgi-ssi.” The woman who acted as the host was giving the reporter a permission.

“Do you find each other attractive?” He asked shortly, hand never absent jolting something on his note. “Do you consider dating each other in real life?”

“Uh… What?” Seulgi looked around other pairings for some help. As far as she recalled, the other pairings were asked by something related to the show. But, these questions from that man were a bit personal and provocative to say the least.

“Are you from This Patch or something?” Irene remarked with a smile that somewhat sent a chill to the one asking her. Though her face was smiling, her tone didn’t even show that she was joking. “If so, then yes, I found her attractive and I’d consider dating her if I get my chance.”

Seulgi nearly snapped her neck in Irene’s direction but she didn’t care. Is she for real?!

—◙—

D-23

“I don’t know that I would say this thing but I will surely miss your lame jokes, unnie.”

Joy said with a very serious expression and Seulgi almost smacked her at the head for that. This brat was indeed never change. “Yah!”

“Okay, I’m kidding I’ll miss you a bit.” The taller girl grinned. “We can just drop by to visit you in your new home so yeah, save us from the lovey-dovey moment.”

“Oh… and please say hi to Irene unnie.” Joy was wearing a teasing smile. “I’d consider dating her, huh?”

Seulgi shook her head in disbelief when the latter started to side-hug her. Yeri joined them later while pushing Joy’s long arm out of her way. “I wish it were Sooyoung unnie again. The house was more peaceful when she was not here.” She said to her oldest unnie before she retreated back to her place, shielding herself from the glaring Joy.

“I hear you maknae.” The one being accused quietly rolled her eyes and Yeri only did a merong pose in return.

Wendy, who only witnessed their interaction in silence, finally stepped in to join the rest of her members. She pointed at the giant luggage beside Seulgi and frowned. “How long do you plan to stay in that place?” 

“I don’t know, but I assure you it won’t be that long. I will surely come to our practice though.” Seulgi pulled her roommate into a hug. “Please don’t let maknaes take over this place, alright?”

Wendy laughed while the other younger members tried to throw blames at one another; she discharged their hug and grinned. “I will, so rest assured.”

“Anyway, thanks Seungwan-ah.”

“For?”

“Everything.” Seulgi answered while patting Wendy on the shoulder. She gave her a knowing smile and reached for her luggage in process. “I’ll get going now.” She looked back at the rest of her members and beamed at them. “Please take care of each other while I’m gone.”

—◙—

Laughter was stifled as the small figure glued herself behind the white door. Another benefit of being the first one to come was, she could surprise her partner with the knowledge she got after touring herself in their assigned place. The house was great, the two-story house with a small garden that gave such a comfortable vibe around. She no longer hated the idea of living with a stranger if they provided this kind of house. And to top it all, it was Seulgi. “I’ll get my revenge as well.”

Irene giggled again and immediately clamped close when she heard a car’s sound. It must be Seulgi! She got even more excited and rigidly stood on her fluffy sandals. She prepared herself when she undoubtedly heard Seulgi’s voice outside.

Fingers were curling and uncurling while anticipating her to come, her body was even slightly bending. But after minutes had passed, nothing was happening. The front door wasn’t even knocked and Irene was starting to doubt her hearing. Was it staff or what?   

“What are you doing there, unnie?”

“Oh my God!” She nearly lost her footing when she saw Seulgi standing there. “Seulgi!!!”

Irene stared at the occurring figure who came from the opposite direction and quickly pinched her when she was within her arm length. “Why do you always surprise me?!”

“Do I?” 

“Why did you come from that way?!” She ignored her question and pointed at the direction where Seulgi came from. She suddenly felt pissed because her surprise was ruined and for being the one who got shocked, again.

Seulgi scratched the back of her head sheepishly. “I scanned around and found out that this house has another door which is conjoined with the kitchen, so I went first to check the kitchen.”

The younger girl dropped her head lower. “I am sorry.”

Irene could never be mad at this adorable person even if she tried to. She sighed and processed to circle their arms together, pulling her closer as they went inside the house even further. “Where’s your luggage?”

“You are no longer mad at me?” Seulgi threw a cautious look at her.

“I’m not mad.”

“But you pinched me pretty hard though.” She even showed her arm to Irene while snickering silently to herself.

“Is that so? I’m sorry!”

Seulgi stopped pretending when Irene began to rub her injured arm. She hastily retracted her hands and smiled meekly at her. “I’m kidding.”

“You are dead.” Irene punched her on the shoulder and Seulgi only soundlessly lessened the throbbing spot. “Anyway, I place it near the counter.” She said in a smaller tone, her arm was aching for real this time though. Her strength is no joke.

Irene hummed in return as she brought her to the kitchen’s direction. “You must be hungry.”       

“I am not.”

As soon as Seulgi finished talking, the growling sound was heard to counter her earlier words. Irene’s chuckle made it even harder to bear, she was beyond embarrassed. She swore her body was trying to pick a fight against her nowadays. “On second thought, I guess I am.”

---

Hope you enjoy it! ^^
Edit: The girls were having fun in their first concert and I'm soft :""))))))
They really deserve it! Uh... let's walk only on flower path from now on uri pride! *cries in ugly face*