Today was not Seulgi’s day.

Because of The Kiss, the poor bear-like girl could barely sleep nor function properly. Her head was constantly replaying the events of yesterday. As much as Irene had (sort of) responded to her advances which consisted of terribly greasy lines, Seulgi wasn’t prepared for the goddess to actually kiss her. In public, even! Just the thought of it was unbelievable.

But it was real, no matter how unbelievable it all seemed.

Which led Seulgi to her current situation: an hour late to work, and her hair deciding that today was the day she’d evolve from a teddy bear to a lion.

As soon as the bear-turned-lioness arrived at the cafe, she quickly attempted to fix herself and get ready for work. In her panic, she didn’t realize that Solar was already helping her tame her hair, and Joy was watching the scene amusedly.

“You okay Seul?” Solar asked, fixing the nametag on Seulgi’s apron.

“Yeah, I’m sorry I overslept… I just—”

“Don’t worry about it, dear. With how you were yesterday, I’m more surprised you managed to make it here,” Solar smiled, affectionately squishing the sides of Seulgi’s face as the taller struggled to get out of the strong hold.

“You’re all grown up now and I’m so proud of you! If your girlfriend hurts you, tell me, okay? I’m not afraid of committing first degree murd—”

“Mom pweeesh staahp,” Seulgi breathed and squirmed a bit before continuing, “She’s not my girlfriend… yet,” The bear-like girl interrupted, struggling to speak as Solar’s hands pushed further into her fluffy cheeks.

“I don’t think friends kiss like that, Seul. But I guess you should talk about what happened first before anything,” Solar said and Seulgi attempted to nod.

“You’re going to end up flattening Seulgi’s face, unnie,” Joy said nonchalantly as she drew a little smiley face on a cup full of coffee, capping the sharpie with one hand and handing the beverage to Hwasa with the other.

“Oh! Sorry, sorry! I didn’t think I was squeezing so strongly Seulbear,” Solar apologized as Seulgi gingerly held onto her aching cheeks, with a look of betrayal on her face.

“Anyway, you should be getting to work. I’ll see you guys later,” Solar smiled, pinching Seulgi’s cheek one last time before leaving.

“Seul, hand over the orders for me? I’ll take the counter,” Joy said, gesturing to the food and drinks on the counter.

“Okay,” Seulgi simply said before reading the receipt of the first order. “Coffee for Yerim?” She echoed into the cafe. Yerim sprung up, seemingly out of nowhere with how fast she had bounded to the counter, a happy grin plastered on her face.

“You seem to be in a good mood, Yeri,” Seulgi said and smiled as she handed over her coffee and a paper bag with the rest of her order.

“Yup! The AC’s finally fixed! I don’t have to see sunlight anymore!” Yeri said, much too enthusiastic than what the bear-like girl was used to seeing.

“What do you mean…?” Seulgi mumbled, her eyes scanning through the cafe.

“We already moved back to the office a while ago, unnie. I’m just here to get everyone something to drink since I lost the game,” The young artist clarified, and huffed at remembering how she had lost at a game of rock paper scissors, of all things. “You kinda missed everyone say goodbye, but that’s okay, we’re just like a block away from you guys. You can flirt all you want with Irene during your breaks,” Yeri joked encouragingly, knowing how Seulgi would react to the news.

However, that still didn’t stop Seulgi’s mood from dampening even further.

“Oh, but Irene called in sick today soo maybe you’d want to try that tomorrow,” Yeri said absentmindedly as an afterthought.

Today was not Seulgi’s day at all.

Seulgi’s misfortune seemed to continue after that day.

Irene didn’t drop by at the cafe, nor was she there whenever Seulgi tried to visit her.

Seulgi wanted to believe it was because Irene was sick, but when she saw the goddess walking with Bogum on the way to their office in the second week of her sudden disappearance, she felt a little ache in her heart that wasn’t there before.

“Irene, I know you’re not sick!” Wannie yelled. Bogum could have smashed the door with how hard he was knocking.

Still, no response.

The producer and game designer sighed. Well, it looked like they had no choice.

“You aren’t sick! You’re just a useless lesbian that couldn’t pray the gay away!” Wendy screamed, not caring whether the neighbors would hear him. Before she could start yelling again, Bogum and Wannie were aggressively yanked into the house.

“Why. Are. You. Both. Like. This.” Irene said, her hands holding onto their collars with an iron grip for a while, letting them go when her arms had started to ache.

“We should be asking you that! Seriously, what are you doing? Do you want Solar to murder you in your sleep?!” Bogum said, his volume increasing as he spoke.

“What—”

“Your useless lesbian ,” Wannie breathed, “is hurting Seulgi. She’s been waiting for you, for how long now?!”

“...I-I didn’t mean to, I just—” It was only then that Seungwan and Bogum noticed how disheveled and tired Irene actually looked. It made them feel a bit bad, but they both knew that the bear-like girl still had the shorter end of the stick regardless. The poor girl didn’t even know what was going on.

“You better have a good explanation, Joohyun. We’re all on the TSPS,” Bogum said in a serious tone, stepping forward confidently.

“TSPS?” Irene tilted her head slightly, squinting her eyes.

“The Seulgi Protection Squad.”

Irene took a deep breath and massaged her temples.

“This isn’t a joke! We will protect Seulgi at all costs, even from you!” Seungwan said with conviction as she rested her hands on her hips.

“I’m not trying to hurt her, I’m just...” Irene had suddenly walked away from the rowdy duo, grabbing what looked to be a VR headset.

“Here. Tell me what you think,” She shoved the headset towards Bogum and crossed her arms. The producer shot her a skeptical look, but wore the headset anyway.

“Is this…” Bogum said almost breathless, completely in awe as he craned his neck around.

“You… wow,” The producer breathed out. The headset was covering most of his face, but you could tell that he was amazed. Wannie looked confused when Bogum swiftly removed the headset and slammed it into Seungwan’s head.

“Bogum, what the—”

“YOOOOOOO!” Wannie hollered loudly, much to Irene’s shock and annoyance. The developer had her arms crossed, with her cheeks unmistakably red as she tried to hide how high she must’ve jumped at the noise.

“Where can I get an Irene? I want like, ten of them. Also I for doubting you, sorry,” Bogum commented, evidently unapologetic as his  face was still full of astonishment. Irene rolled her eyes.

“It isn’t that great...” Irene rolled her eyes, watching Seungwan lift the headset off of her head.

“WHAT?! BAE JOOHYUN, HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT!” Seungwan shouted, as she stomped towards the slightly taller woman.

“THIS WAS AMAZING. WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST TELL US YOU MADE A GAME FOR SEULGI JUST TO ASK HER OUT?! WE THOUGHT YOU WERE RUNNING AWAY!” Wannie was on loudspeaker at this point, and Irene really wished that the game designer had a built-in volume knob somewhere.

“I wouldn’t do that. I just, didn’t know how to…” The developer trailed off, the whirring gears in her mind audible to her closest friends who could only smile at Irene.

“Don’t know how to?! This here, is the only way to ask someone out. No wonder I’m still single, I’ve been doing it wrong my whole life,” Bogum crossed his arms and nodded, complete conviction written on his face.

“I agree, because wow. You don’t even have backlog from work this week. I swear, sometimes I think Moonbyul isn’t lying when she says you’re a goddess. Seungwan said in amazement until something clicked in her mind.

“Wait, that explains you either staying at home or going overtime for the past few—” Wannie’s eyes widened in realization. Irene heaved a sigh, knowing what was to come when her best friend begins to look like a cartoon character.

“Holy !” Bogum said loudly, rudely cutting Seungwan off.

“That means you haven’t gone out in, like, forever!” Bogum exclaimed. Irene was already rolling her eyes as he continued to speak. “That means we need to go out right now!”

“Bogum, you already know that I don’t have a life!” A grumpy Irene stomped, glaring at her childhood friend.

“Get dressed!” He screamed, his arms flailing dumbly.

“—and I’d like to keep it that-” Irene made the mistake of closing her eyes for a second too long as she was shoved into Seungwan’s arms.

“Nope! We’re getting you a life!” Wannie yelled, dragging Irene towards her room.

“WAIT!” The developer yelled, quickly realizing that the two demons she called friends already had some sort of plan ready.

“Was I something I said?” A small voice muttered. Seulgi and Joy had just ended their shift at the cafe, walking together. Joy had noticed how much Irene’s disappearance had affected her best friend, and the younger barista just wanted to strangle the hot and cold woman.

“Nah, I think she’s just a for leaving you with all of these mixed signals,” Joy replied back, the fire slowly being fanned at the back of her head the more she kept seeing the once joyful bear act like this.

“Moonbyul unnie just told me to give her some time but… Maybe she didn’t really like me so much. I think I was too forward and scared her off,” Seulgi said, her eyes focused on the ground.

“Psh, Byul unnie was way too forward, but did that scare Solar unnie off?” Joy shot back as she grabbed the bear-like girl’s arm to pull her in closer.

“It didn’t…” The barista mumbled as she shook her head.

“Yeah, it didn’t. The right person wouldn’t be so scared. Maybe I’m judging her too soon, since we never really talked that much before, but I hate seeing you like this. Where’s the cuddly, sunny Seulbear we all love?” Joy nudged Seulgi, but received no response.

“You know, Seul, your world shouldn’t revolve around her,” Joy said, pushing her best friend’s face up to face her own.

“There’s so much more to the world that just one girl. I think you should know that more than anyone,” The taller woman smiled gently, a smile reserved for those closest to her.

“I do?” Seulgi’s voice was still small, and it tore a bit of Joy’s heart. Not that she’d let her know, of course.

“Yup. You’re the only person I know whose face lights up like I’ve given you the stars when really, it’s just a can of pringles,” The taller woman chuckled, watching Seulgi’s lips turn into an adorable pout.

“Don’t you dare diss my pringles!” The bear-like girl practically yelled.

“See? You can wait for her, and I won’t— no I can’t really stop you, but she isn’t your world, okay? All those ‘you’re my world’ in dramas are complete bull,” Joy remarked bitterly, earning a chuckle from Seulgi.

“Who hurt you?” Seulgi suddenly shot back with a silly grin on her face. Joy smiled back at that, but she couldn’t help but shout.

“Hey!” At that, the bear-like girl began to run.

“Get back here! I feel so attacked!” Joy chased the incredibly fast bear. Inside, she was happy that her best friend seemed to be back on her feet.

“Where are we going?!” Irene yelled, uncharacteristically loud while Bogum drove.

“If I tell you, will you shut up?” Seungwan asked, turning her head to face the eldest-turned-5 year old who was sitting in the backseat.

“I’ll lower my volume!” The developer obnoxiously bellowed. Bogum sweared colorfully, shocked at Irene’s loudness as he drove. Seungwan rolled her eyes.

If only Seulgi could see this Irene, then maybe she’d have some second thoughts… Wendy mused.

“We’re taking dance lessons,” Wannie simply said. Bogum was amused at the fact that it seemed their roles had been switched.

“What!? I don’t need that in my life, get me out of here—”

“Yes you do! What if Seulgi asks for a dance? Because you know, she’s a dancer right? You’re ed!” Bogum joined in, hoping that Seungwan doesn’t realize that they’re lost because the navigator app on his phone confused him.

“... She wouldn’t. I’m sure she hates me now..” The developer turned back into her silent self, wallowing in regret for not even trying to contact Seulgi even though she had yet to get her number. She completely forgot that social media existed with how laser focused she was on making her game.

“Pshh, I don’t think that girl can hate anyone. Stop overthinking things, and stop trying to map out a new flowchart in your head, you nerd,” Seungwan said and grinned at Irene.

“I’ll try not to,” The developer mumbled softly, more to herself than anything.

“Aaaand we’re here! I think,” Bogum suddenly exclaimed, shocking the sensitive developer. Seungwan chuckled as Irene hit her head on the roof of the car. The game designed wondered how high she must’ve jumped to even reach the car’s ceiling with her height.

“Wait, I still didn’t agree to this—”

“Sorry hun, we don’t care if you checked the stupid ‘I agree to the Terms and Conditions’ box or not. Now let’s go!” Bogum said enthusiastically, getting out of the car with a loud slam.

Irene breathed out a sigh.

She was going to die.

Seulgi tried her best to remain professional. The keyword was tried, because when Irene came walking in wearing workout clothes her jaw practically dropped to the floor. Even though the goddess had practically broken her heart with how long she had waited, the developer was still drop dead gorgeous nonetheless. Joy had to glare at her and slap her arm just to get her back to her senses.

“You didn’t tell me that she was one of the new students!” Seulgi whispered to Joy in a panic, in hopes that she wasn’t heard.

“Oh, would you look at that? She still exists!” Joy said with a devilish grin on your face.

“Park Sooyoung what have you—”

“Yeri’s the mastermind, don’t blame me! Anyway, don’t you have a class to teach, Kang-ssi?” Joy cut her off joyfully as she pushed the bear-like girl towards her students.

“Okay, so we have some new students today. Come forward and introduce yourselves before we begin,” Seulgi said to compose herself, her signature eye smile on display as she tried to keep herself in check.

Once the newbies had introduced themselves, (Seulgi did not struggle to keep closed when Irene started to speak, even if Sooyoung would say otherwise as she snickered and left the bear to her own devices, while still reminding her of their earlier conversation like the best friend she was.) The bear-like girl had explained they’d try a slightly different style than their previous sessions.

Since her class was just a beginner’s class, she opted for something a bit slower. Or you know, that’s what she’d like to say as an excuse after watching approximately five minutes into Red Velvet’s first episode, then quickly opening a new tab to just search for the anime’s music after the opening tune rolled in, and falling in love with Bad Boy so much that she couldn’t just leave it be without creating some sort of choreography for it.

It was just pure coincidence that Baechu seemed to be here just when she was about to introduce it to the class.

“We’ll be dancing to a segment of a song called Bad Boy by Red Velvet. It’s pretty slow compared to what we’ve been dancing previously, but the moves are quite a step up from last time. I’ll be demonstrating the choreo first, and then we’ll break it down step by step,” Seulgi said simply, receiving hums of approval from her students. The bear-like girl then made sure her phone was connected to the studio’s bluetooth sound system, and handed her phone to one of her older students, with him already knowing what to do.

The bear-like girl breathed in and faced the mirror, taking a quick glance at her students who were observing her and nodded her head.

The music played, and Seulgi began.

Watching Seulgi dance was like a work of art. She was graceful yet sharp, fluid yet snappy. It was clear she gave it her all even if she was just a demo for the class. But what made Seulgi’s choreography stand out wasn’t just the precise movements, it was also her expression. Her whole body was radiating the fierce and slow sultriness the song brought out.

On a surface level, many would find Seulgi unfairly attractive with her perfectly sculpted abs on display as she wore a crop top with ‘baby girl’ written in the center and tight leggings, but pushing past that, Irene saw how much passion the bear-like girl had for dancing. It was admirable, and the developer couldn't help but fall a bit more in love.

When Irene looked into her eyes for a brief moment, she found the choreographer staring right back at her from the mirror with dark and expressive eyes. Irene bit her lip. Joy was definitely not wrong about Seulgi.

When the music stopped, Seulgi transformed back into her adorable and bubbly self as she began to teach each step patiently to the class.

And this is where Irene began to worry. How was she supposed to deal with Seulgi, or with her best friends for that matter? She already (sort of) knew how to dance, and the moves Seulgi just demonstrated was just for one minute of the song with fairly simple steps. The developer knew she was a bit rusty, but she was worried that she’d learn it too fast.

She just never brought her love for dance up to her closest friends since it was just a hobby she picked up, along with her many other interests. (Irene had probably never told them either, because before Ahreum came to fruition, she had a youtube account dedicated to dance covers for anime songs. The developer never really knew whether to laugh or cry whenever she’d see that people were still watching her videos after all these years.)

But then again, enrolling for a dance class with Seulgi just so happening to be the instructor wasn’t her idea either.

When the class was finally progressing, Seulgi had grouped her students into smaller groups based on how well they picked up the dance so far, and had asked them to perform without her guiding them. She did it this way so that those who didn’t understand it as well or who had a hard time doing the moves could catch up with each other, and those who understood well could go at a faster pace. Although, if there were any more questions, Seulgi was happy to help out. She just needed to see their progress, after all.

Seulgi glanced at her new students. Seungwan was grouped with some of the slower students, since Seulgi noticed that this truly seemed to be her first time dancing. Bogum was in the middle, as he seemed to have some experience and a good sense of rhythm to boot. Finally, Irene was surprisingly with her more advanced students, and the bear-like girl didn’t doubt that their group just needed a bit more practice before she’d suggest they’d move to the more advanced classes.

It was during their performance that Seulgi realized that Irene wasn’t all that perfect. Irene’s moves were well executed, but she lacked the expression and presence to make herself stand out. The bear-like girl quickly realized that it could’ve stemmed from her shyness, but that could easily be changed if, perhaps, she was told to act like her other persona, Ahreum. But she seemed to be too shy to do so at the moment. From the corner of Seulgi’s eye, she could see Bogum, Seungwan, and Seungwan’s newfound friend, Eunji, talking animatedly amongst themselves.

“She could dance?!” Seungwan whisper yelled near Bogum’s ear,