I greeted JYP and Twice as I entered the private room. The food hasn't arrived yet, good, I'm not late. The others couldn't make it, a friend of ours has come across a problem, Jean and Alex are trying to diffuse it. I look around for an empty seat. The seat next to JYP is closest, but I see the seat next to Mina is also empty, so I go and sit next to her. As I sit down, Mina seems to go all stiff. Is she uncomfortable around me? I best not push it. 

Nayeon: Why did you sit next to Mina? The seat next to PD-nim was closer.

Mark: I like to keep an eye on the entrance.

JYP: Always in work mode I see!

Mark: No. It's just a habit I guess? I've been like that for a while now.

JYP translates for the girls as they all sound out a realisation 'ahh'. I smile and look at Mina. She's still hasn't said anything. She's looking everywhere but at me. Does she like me? Or the complete opposite? She has no interest in me. I shouldn't overthink it, let's just eat and have a good time. While we were waiting for our food, they all split off into different conversations. JYP is asking Tzuyu and Chaeyoung about school. Dahyun, Sana and Jihyo are talking about going shopping after dinner. Nayeon, Jeongyeon and Momo and discussing dessert. I could barely keep up with any of them, so I just stayed quiet. I look at Mina again, and see that her eyes are darting back and forth between conversations. She seems a little overwhelmed herself. I lean towards her.

Mark:(Japanese) They talk a lot, don't they?

Mina looks up at me wide eyed.

Mina:(Japanese) You speak Japanese?

Mark:(Japanese) A little. Not much, still, more than my Korean.

Mina smiles and turns her head away from me. I can tell she is blushing a bit. That makes me smile. She's just so darn cute. What is wrong with me? Focus on the job Mark, you don't have time for this. 

​Mina:(Japanese)​​​​​​ Are you okay? I mean, are you understanding everyone okay?

Mark:(Japanese) Yes, absolutely. Just kind of hard with so many of them talking at once. 

Mina:(Japanese) Well, that's what happens when there's so many of us. I guess I'm use to it now.

I chuckle at her remark, and she starts smiling again, still avoiding eye contact. I was about to ask her a question, but we were interrupted by very loud cheering. We both look up and see that the food is arriving. Mina simply smiles and claps her hands. As we all dig in, everyone becomes uncharacteristically quiet. Especially Jeongyeon and Momo, I don't think they even looked up from their food once! I'm impressed at how much these girls can eat. We finished up the rest of the food and sat back to relax.

Nayeon: Ahh, that was delicious! 

Tzuyu: Thank you PD-nim! 

Everyone thanks JYP and he just waves them off a no big deal. The girls start discussing desserts again, so I glance over at Mina, she looks tired. Food coma is setting in I guess. As her eyes are beginning to close, I give her a nudge with my elbow, and she startles awake, wide-eyed. I laugh.

Mina:(Japanese) Why did you do that? It scared me!

Mark:(Japanese) I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.

Sana: Why are you two speaking Japanese? 

Mina goes red again. She stays quiet, so I decided to speak up.

Mark: I wanted to see how much Japanese I remembered.

Over half of the girls just stare at me blankly. I didn't realise I was speaking English.

JYP: He said he wanted to see how much Japanese