Irene. Joohyun. The same person but also different. Irene is a public persona, a character Joohyun plays when she's in front of the public eye, though Joohyun sometimes comes out too, especially in the eyes of Luvies. Joohyun is the person behind Irene, always caring for her members, always putting her members first and always wanting to be strong for her members. Most people only know her as Irene but you and the close circle around her know her as both, and you love her all the same. 

You've known her for years now and you couldn't believe how different your future would be if she didn't decide to talk to you that day at the company, when your fourteen-year-old self was eating all by herself. You didn't think you would be anywhere near where you are now if it wasn't for Irene, and you thank her for that. 

Every year you would be with her when it's the anniversary of her being introduced to the public. Unfortunately, you were out on a schedule right on the day while she was also away for a different schedule. You were gutted but it didn't stop you from trying to celebrate her though. 

"Unnie, what are you planning to do after your schedule today?" 

Irene looked up from where she was standing next to the kitchen table, checking the inside of her bag. She was checking whether she had everything she needed for the day, though she was missing the one thing she wanted to bring most. You. 

She looked in thought for a little. "I think I would be tired so I'd go straight home. Why?" 

You shook your head, an innocent smile on your face. Seeing the expression Irene squinted her eyes in suspicion, making you smirk. You knew you were far from being subtle but you could care less. 

You needed her to know that you wanted to celebrate her, regardless of where or when it would be. 

"I'm sorry I can't be with you today, Unnie," you subconsciously pouted, making her coo and abandon her bag in favour of walking towards where you were, "I want us to celebrate you as we do every year but the company just had to book me on this exact day," you were sitting down so you had to slightly look up at her where she was standing in front of you. "I hate them." 

Irene cooed again, putting her hands on both your cheeks so your face was in her hands. She looked at you so lovingly you almost blushed. "It's okay, Eli-ah. We can celebrate tomorrow." 

You continued to pout, still not satisfied with the solution. "But it's different! This day is more special than tomorrow, Unnie." 

Irene giggled cutely, bringing your head to her chest as she hugged your figure. You wrapped your arms around her waist in return, snuggling even further into her touch. 

"Hey, we can celebrate me any day, right?" Well, she wasn't wrong but still. You didn't reply so she thought you were still slightly upset and she despised that. "How about we do something special tomorrow, huh? We'll just move my day to tomorrow, how about that?" 

Knowing you had her where you wanted you nodded, smiling ever so slightly though you still tried to hide it from her. She pulled back from the hug eventually, knowing she had to leave or she'd be late. 

Bae Irene is not known for her tardiness, thank you very much. 

"I have to go, Eli-ah. What time are you leaving?" 

You gave her a warm smile so she knew you were not upset anymore. "A little after you, Unnie." 

"Okay," she gave you one last smile before kissing your forehead and walking away to retrieve her bag, "I'll see you when I get home, okay?" 

You grinned. "Okay, Unnie, enjoy your day!" You walked towards her and kissed her head goodbye. 

Her day just brightened a little more and she smiled a little bigger. "I will. Bye, Eli-ah!" 

"Bye, Hyun-unnie!" 

Well, you definitely should be an actress by how you could fool THE Bae Joohyun. Well, you didn't exactly lie but still, it was a feat that you thought should be celebrated. 

You tried to work your timing for your schedule so you would be able to surprise Irene during hers, coordinating with the director so you would have enough break time to go to her schedule, give her the presents you had prepared, and come back to your schedule without actually jeopardising everyone's work. 

You had explained what you wanted to do and why, so they would understand why you had to work with the timing. They were so sweet about it that you just had to buy everyone lunch.

Knowing Irene was about to have her break you quickly made your way over with your manager. 

"I wish I have a friend like you, Eli-ah," Manager-unnie suddenly piped up from the driver seat, making you look up from your phone. You were asking Manager-oppa what Irene was currently doing as he was with her. 

"Why's that, Unnie?" 

"You would go to certain lengths for your friends, even surprising her and giving her presents on her debut anniversary," she turned her head slightly to smile at you before looking back out at the road, "I admire you, Eli." 

Listening to that you grinned sheepishly as you looked down to hide the heat creeping up your cheeks. "Thank you, Unnie. I appreciate that." Your brain was suddenly filled with thoughts of how you could make your Unnie feel special. Well, her birthday was coming up and she had been talking about that one pair of shoes she'd been wanting but thought better of on spending too much money on them. 

You let out a smirk knowing she couldn't see you. "I admire you too, Unnie. Thank you for always taking care of us even though sometimes it got you in trouble with them," you snickered and Manager-unnie laughed loudly, nodding her head in agreement.

"You're welcome, Eli-ah. I promised you that I'd take care of you and the girls, and I intend to keep that promise." 

You're definitely buying unnie her shoes and something else, maybe even arranging a surprise with the other managers. 

"And I'm grateful for that, I hope I've shown you that."

You couldn't see the genuine smile she had on her face but you knew she had them. "Yes, you have." 

Not long after that you arrived at the set Irene was in, quickly making your way out with her presents which included her favourite cake and some other things you've wrapped for her to open later. 

You went inside and the staff looked over, nodded, and went back to their work. You saw Manager-oppa walking towards you, a grin on his face. "She's eating her lunch now. Let me help you with the presents so you could hold the cake better." 

He took the stuff off of you and you gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, Oppa." 

You then followed him to her dressing room and when you got there, he looked back at you and motioned for you to move a little to the side so Irene wouldn't immediately see you. He put the presents on the ground behind you and proceeded to open the door. 

Irene looked up from her lunch when he entered. "Irene-ah, someone's here to see you." 

Irene's mouth stopped moving and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She swallowed then swivelled her chair so she would be facing her manager. 

"Right now? I'm having my lunch." 

Oppa smiled. "I know, just for a bit I promise." 

Irene thought about it before sighing, putting away her lunch and readying herself to stand up. 'Might as well just get this over with' she thought to herself. 

Before she could fully stand up you entered the room with her favourite cake on your hands and her favourite smile on your face. "Eli-ah!" she gasped out in surprise. 

"Happy anniversary, Hyun-unnie!" You stood in front of her and she could only look up at you with surprise and wonder clearly painted in her round eyes. 

"Wh-what?" she stuttered as blush appeared on her cheeks, making you laugh, "make a wish and blow the candles, Unnie!" 

She did so after a few seconds, closing her eyes and clasping her hands together to make her wish. After she blew the candles you put down the cake on the dressing table and brought her small figure into your much taller one, feeling her snuggle closer. 

"Are you surprised?" She could hear the tease in your voice so she slapped your back jokingly, which made you laugh out loud. 

"Yah, I knew you were up to something but I didn't expect this!" 

You giggled. "I know, Unnie, that's why I did it. Are you happy?" 

She pulled back from the hug, looking up at you with such tender eyes. "I'm elated, Eli-ah, thank you." 

You gave her your special smile, making her cheeks even redder. You brought her into a hug again then kissed the side of her head lovingly. "You're welcome, Unnie. Thank you for being you." 

"Do you have to go?" Irene pouted up at you and you just had to pinch her cheek softly. 

"I do and you have to continue your filming, remember?" you caressed her cheek and she leaned into your touch, making you smile, "I'll see you at home, Unnie. Don't forget that we're spending tomorrow together!" 

She laughed while shaking her head in amusement. She looked at you one more time before tiptoeing to give your cheek a kiss. "I love you, Eli. Thank you for everything." 

Her accented English made you grin. You love it when she speaks English. "Anything for you, Unnie."

Well, her smile and the happiness shining from her eyes were definitely worth all the hassle.