Hey there! Long time no update, huh? School has been crazy, drowning me in homework. But I'll try to find a way to balance everything and keep the updates coming on time. Here's the new chapter for you to enjoy! :))

PS: Thanks for waiting patiently; patience is indeed a virtue, haha.

---

"Yes?"

Yoona and Jennie locked eyes, their silent conversation hanging in the air. The intensity of their gaze made Jennie's heart race, but she was determined not to back down. Yoona's eyes briefly flickered to Jennie's lips, causing her to and bite them teasingly.

Inwardly scolding herself, Yoona couldn't believe she was trying to hold back. What was she even attempting to achieve? She urged herself to let Jennie go, but her body seemed to have a mind of its own.

Drawing Jennie closer, Yoona's action caused a soft whimper to escape from the shorter girl. Their lips were just a breath away from touching. Slowly, Yoona leaned in, and Jennie closed her eyes, surrendering to whatever Yoona had in mind. Screw it, I don't even care anymore.

A fleeting peck landed on Jennie's lips, and she blinked in surprise as Yoona took a step back, scratching her nape awkwardly. Jennie's suspicious gaze followed Yoona as she darted to her car, waving a quick goodbye before driving away.

Jennie stood there, dumbfounded, her hands on her hips. Confused and slightly irritated, she entered the dorm. Inside, her fellow members were engrossed in a movie. Despite calling them, they were too absorbed to notice her.

She then get inside the dorm only to found them at the living room watching movie. And so she called them but there's no response. They look like they are too engrossed watching it.

Rolling her eyes, Jennie approached them and stood in front of the TV, blocking their view.

"Hey Mandu, move! We're in the middle of watching our favorite movie!" Jisoo scolded, ready to nudge Jennie aside, but Jennie signaled for her to wait. Jisoo huffed and slumped into her seat, crossing her arms. "So, spill it. How did it go with her outside?" Her words were clearly referring to a certain someone they all knew about.

"Lis, could you grab the remote and turn off the TV so we can chat without any distractions?" Jennie requested.

"Sure, Unnie." Lisa complied, acting like an eager puppy as she turned off the TV.

Rośe couldn't help but giggle, wrapping her arms around Lisa's waist as she looked at Jennie, curiosity written on her face. She was dying to know what had transpired between Jennie and the other person.

Jennie let out a sigh, ruffling her own hair and cupping her cheeks in frustration. "I just don't know how to feel about it. She kissed me earlier, but it was just a quick peck. And I'm so damn annoyed!" She paced back and forth, her agitation palpable.

Brows furrowed, the other three exchanged puzzled looks as they watched Jennie chew on her nails. "What's the big deal? Aren't you into kissing her anymore?" Jisoo inquired.

Jennie halted abruptly, shaking her head vehemently. "No way! That's not it at all. I love kissing her," she admitted candidly, unaware of the three pairs of blushing cheeks that her confession had triggered.

Jisoo let out an awkward laugh, shaking her head. "Then what's bothering you?"

"The point is, it was just a quick peck! It should have been longer—"

"Are you expecting a full-on French kiss?" Rośe teased, breaking into laughter, only to be caught off guard when Jennie replied with an enthusiastic yes in a high-pitched voice. "I was kidding, come on. You're really head over heels," Rośe said, her tone light.

"What's wrong with a peck?"

"It only lasted for about 1.5 seconds. I can't accept that! And the worst part is, after that, she just ran off to her car and drove away, leaving me hanging! I can't stand her!" Jennie burst out in frustration, taking a deep breath.

The three of them looked at the latter, amused by her passionate reaction. They hadn't expected her to be so detailed and particular about these kinds of things. Jisoo, in particular, couldn't help but laugh, but her friends' expressions quickly reminded her of the situation they were discussing.

"Why are you laughing? Do you think what I'm saying is a joke?" Jennie retorted, her glare sharp.

But Jisoo wasn't fazed; she was used to Jennie's fiery responses. "Isn't she adorable, though? She gave you a peck and then ran away. Seems like she got embarrassed doing that in front of you."

"Oh, Unnie, she's definitely more than just a peck. If only you knew what usually happens between us when we're alone together," Jennie muttered under her breath, not realizing that her voice was clear enough for the other members to hear.

The remaining three exchanged awkward glances, coughing to break the tension. This only puzzled Jennie further. "Um, guys, am I missing something here?"

Jisoo cleared , speaking up in a serious tone. "Jen, discussing your intimate moments in a situation like this might not be the most appropriate thing to do."

Jennie raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely surprised. "Are you for real?"

"Yes, and don't blame us if we're still uncomfortable discussing that topic. Unlike these two, who find it normal to talk about, it's not the same for me. Got it?"

Jennie playfully rolled her eyes in response, shaking her head. "Anyway, getting back to the topic, do you think she'll keep acting that way towards me?"

"Act how?"

"Like she did earlier. It felt like a joke to her, the way she was behaving. She used to be so bold, but now she's acting all awkward and weird." She let out a heavy sigh, closing her eyes. "I just wish she would step up and show me that she's serious about this. I want her to take a stand."

The three couldn't help but giggle at Jennie's adorable frustration. Her rambling was endearing, and it was clear that she just wanted Yoona's undivided attention. She wished for Yoona to be confident in her feelings, because if things didn't turn out the way she hoped, Jennie didn't want to go through the pain of chasing after Yoona again.

---

Seulgi was having a great time at Irene's dorm, having just finished a delicious meal prepared by Irene herself. Now she sat on the couch by herself, as Irene had gone to the restroom.

Yeri and Joy were in their room, occupied with who-knows-what, and suddenly, Wendy appeared next to Seulgi, settling comfortably onto the sofa and startling her.

"You scared me!" Seulgi exclaimed, chuckling as she tried to regain her composure.

"What are you up to?" Wendy asked, peering at Seulgi's phone.

"I'm trying to create an Instagram account. Yoona Unnie has one, and I thought I'd give it a shot, but it's all new to me and a bit confusing," Seulgi explained while scratching her head.

Wendy giggled and scooted closer to her, which Seulgi didn't mind at all. "Even though I haven't made mine yet, I can still help you out."

Wendy proceeded to teach Seulgi how to create an Instagram account until Irene unexpectedly entered the scene. For some reason, Irene felt a surge of annoyance upon seeing the two so close.

With her hands on her hips, Irene walked over to them, her expression giving off an air of disapproval. Wendy and Seulgi both looked up at her, caught off guard by her sudden appearance. "Seul," Irene began.

Wendy's eyes widened, not believing what was happening. In a playful yet partly serious manner, explained, "I was just showing her how to make an Instagram account. Nothing more." Wendy stood up hastily, mumbling, "I'll join the others now. Have fun with your 'lovers time'!" She hurriedly left the room, leaving Irene and Seulgi alone.

Wendy gulped at her sudden change of voice. "Uh-Unnie..I-I was just teaching her how to make an account for her insta. That's it, no more!" Wendy defensively said as she stand up, "I'll go to them now. Enjoy your lovers time!" she then dash off leaving the two.

Seulgi, engrossed in her phone, didn't quite grasp the situation. "Seul," Irene called again.

"Hmm."

"I love you."

Seulgi responded by kissing the top of Irene's head before resting her head on Irene's shoulder.

"I love you more," Irene blushed, trying to hide her smile.

"What about you? Are you going to create an Instagram account?" Irene asked Seulgi.

"I don't know. It's not really my thing," Seulgi hummed contentedly. The two of them enjoyed each other's company, so much so that Irene was almost drifting off to sleep when the other members burst into the living room, startling her.

"Remember that you're not kids anymore, so please stop acting like one," Irene scolded them.

The three of them let out playful "oohs," prompting Irene to roll her eyes.

"Seems like the two of you aren't that close, huh?" Joy teased, pointing to where Seulgi and Irene were sitting.

Irene smirked, her arms crossed over her chest. "You're just feeling insecure because you don't have that," she teased, gesturing towards Seulgi's abs.

Joy pretended to be hurt, placing a hand dramatically over her heart. "Meanie."

Irene chuckled, her gaze shifting to all three of them. "Alright, what's all the fuss about?"

Wendy signaled to the two younger members, prompting Irene's brows to furrow. "What's going on?"

"We found some videos on Instagram earlier, and we wanted to touch it," Joy said with a gleeful expression.

"And what exactly do you want to touch?"

Joy grinned almost eerily, glancing at Yeri, who was doing the same thing. Wendy facepalmed and shook her head at the playful antics of the two youngest members.

"Seulgi unnie's abs," Irene heard, her eyes widening in surprise. She tilted her head, signing for confirmation.

"It's true. We just wanted to see if they're as tough as they look," Yeri chimed in.

Seulgi's face turned a shade of red as she buried her face against Irene's back. Irene shook her head in response, a nonverbal "no" to the request, which elicited groans from the two maknaes.

"Come on, unnie, don't ruin the fun. And it's not like we're emotionally attached or anything," Joy persisted.

Irene's skepticism was evident. "Why do you even want to touch them?"

"We saw a video earlier, and we were intrigued, alright? What's the big deal? Oh, I knew it!" Joy exclaimed.

"What?"

"You're totally infatuated with her," Joy teased, causing Irene to blush and look away.

"Come on, unnie. Just one touch, and then we'll leave you two alone."

Irene let out a sigh and eventually agreed, much to the delight of the two maknaes.

Turning her attention to Seulgi, Irene asked, "Are you okay with this?" Seulgi looked slightly bewildered, glancing at the eager maknaes who were giving her pleading puppy eyes.

"It's alright," Seulgi said with a hint of embarrassment. The two maknaes exchanged a triumphant high-five before scooting closer to Seulgi and nudging Irene away.

"Hey! That's my seat, can't you see?" Irene protested, but her words fell on deaf ears as the two younger members were too focused on their mission.

"Ooh, they feel so solid," Joy cooed as she touched Seulgi's abs.

Seulgi blushed even deeper, feeling a sudden rush of warmth. "My turn! My turn!" Yeri exclaimed, her hand pressing against Seulgi's abs. "Wow."

"They're pretty impressive, huh?" Joy was about to reach out to touch them when Irene slapped her hand away.

"What?"

"I told you, you can touch it once, not twice. So back off now," Irene scolded playfully. Joy groaned but complied, rolling her eyes.

Yeri shrugged and returned to her previous seat. Meanwhile, Wendy seemed lost in her own thoughts, staring blankly at Seulgi's bare stomach. Irene nudged her, bringing her back to reality. "Wendy, go ahead and touch it, but just once, okay?" Wendy snapped out of her daze, smiling like a child as she reached out to feel Seulgi's abs.

Once everyone had their turn, Irene settled herself in Seulgi's lap, pulling her shirt down to cover her abs before cuddling closer to her.

"Seriously, you guys are something else," Seulgi remarked, chuckling as she looked at Irene's clingy behavior.

---

The next day arrived, and Yoona decided not to go to work. Jessica had plans with her sister Krystal, so Yoona stayed at her place. She dressed in comfy clothes – a gray sweater paired with gray jogger pants, her hair tied up in a messy bun, and her Harry Potter glasses adding a nerdy touch.

Yoona lazily made her way to the living room, sinking into the couch as she stared up at the ce