"Chaeyoung? is everything okay?"
"Ah! yeah! it's just that I am glad you are fine now.." Chaeyoung released a dimpled smile

"speaking of.."

She immediately scowled and pounced on top of Chaeyoung, grabbing her ear

"What is wrong with you running away like that!!"
"u-uh! ri-right! about that.." she averted her eyes nervously,

"welll?!"
"uh.. Let me cook breakfast for us" Chaeyoung immediately stood up from her post and left Mina's room
"Ch-Chaeyoung?! - Oy! you're running away again" Mina followed and trailed the younger.

She gradually increased her speed and blocked Chaeyoung from her path.

"Now that I got your attention! tell me what is wrong with you?"
"uh.."
"NOW."

Chaeyoung looked nervous and her hands were shivering. silence engulfed the young cub.
Mina immediately sighed and gave up her attempt

"You know what, fine.. don't tell me.. here I thought we have that 'roommate' bond already" She scoffed away

"Wait!" Chaeyoung immediately grabbed Mina's arm, stopping her from her leave "Okay.. I'll tell you. but.. please don't get mad at me."
"Why would i get mad at you?"
"because it's something i did that you are not aware of."

"and what.. might that be?" Mina raised one of her brows squinting at the younger
"I-I.. uh..- y-you see uh.. that night.. when.. uh"
"I am listening. just calm down." Chaeyoung nodded and took a deep breathe
"t-that night, when we drank soju?- I.. uh.. well.."

Chaeyoung paused as she looked up to Mina who is patiently waiting for her story, staring at her. Chaeyoung instantly hanged her head low.

"While you were asleep.. I.. I kissed you."
"eh?" Chaeyoung instantly dropped to her knees bowing towards Mina
"I am sorry! I know you were defenseless! I did not know what has gotten into me. I.. It's just that-"

Mina suddenly bursts into laughter and dropped down onto Chaeyoung patting her back

"Wait, you are telling me.. that's all you were worried about?"
"e-eh?"
"Chaeyoung.. you don't have to worry about that? It's no big deal" Mina continued to laugh
"eh? b-but.."
"Friends kiss each other all the time." She chuckled "Now get up there" Mina pulled Chaeyoung. however the little cub seems to still be confused.

"What do you mean all the time?.."
"Well, as girls, we usually do that all the time.. You wouldn't believe how many times, Momo, Sana and I kissed.- especially when we are drunk" She laughed "Geeze, Chae.. here I thought it was something serious like, I've done you wrong."

Chaeyoung remained silent and confused listening to the older penguin.
'Maybe Japanese girls does it all the time, it must be normal for them..' Chaeyoung thought

Mina sprawled her arms and stretched, releasing relief off of her system

"uwaaa! anyway, there's no reason you should worry about it. It's basically a way of saying hello.. Or.. a way of playing around- you can relax now." She laughed once again walking towards the kitchen.

"Y-yeah. I guess so..- but it's weird, Dahyun and I don't do those? or with my other friends."
"Maybe you guys are not close enough- In Japan, we use to do this a lot of times. it just shows how close you and your friend are- so you may find me, Sana and Momo kiss most of the time, when you hang with us a bit longer- now where is that Ramen packet!!"

Friendly kiss huh.. is that what it was? but.. the kiss that I gave her.. Wasn't that kind of kiss?..
So what kind is it?
Here i am confused once again, but I guess it is alright.

"Chaeyoungie!- would you want eggs with your Ramyeon?"
"ah! y-yes" Mina smiled at me

ah! my heart is beating yet again! oh . I just realized, i still can't face her properly.

"Chaeyoungie, are you still bothered about the kiss?" Mina laughed
"e-eh? n-no not really."
"You are definitely the cutest!" She chuckled as she moved closer to me leaving the water to boil
"e-eh.."

Mina stood in front of me, smiling as she carefully grabbed my chin to face her. I saw her leaned over me, capturing my lips once again. she pulled out and chuckled

"There, good morning Chaeyoung." She chortled "guess, we are now closer than we are before."

i instantly jolted back and my eyes widened, placing my hand onto my lips

"Mi-Mi-Mina! w-what.. w-why!"
"Well, since you kissed me that night, guess I can kiss you too- The only people I kiss, is Momo and Sana- since we were childhood friends, and had been closer since then. Guess- you and I are having this roommate bond too! so I am glad" she smiled yet again, showing me those irresistible gummy smile

"B-but.. but!"
"You are too cute!" she pounced onto me chuckling and hugging me tightly.

Oh gee Mina.. My heart needs to stop beating like this. i am not used to this skin-ship..
Seeing her laughing face, her gummy smile.. I might get used to this.. My heart may explode.. and I might..

not be able to stop myself from kissing her again..
Chaeyoung.. calm down..

***

"Ah! Good morning Mina-chan! you seemed happy today aren't ya?" Tzuyu waved at me wrapping his arms around me

"Yeap! just- well.. things happened."
"Oh? and what might that be?" he leaned down, speaking in a dark monotone voice.

His serious voice scared me, and I immediately jolted back

"ah! did I scare you?"
"n-not really. I did not know you were scary if you become this serious."
"Oh there's a lot of things you may not know about me, Mina-chan" he smiled, yet again with that cheerful attitude

Geeze, does these boys have these dualities that seemed to scare me- a lot.

"So.. uh, where's the others?"
"Oh, at the garden."
"we have a garden?"
"Of course, the office sky garden- come, I'll show you."

He gladly smiled and began leading me to the building's garden, seems skeptical but- Oh my gosh, It is amazing. the breeze flows just right and the terrace balacony type of ledge thing- scopes the center of Seoul. I could even see the bay area across the field. - ah what a relaxi-

Ah!- Jeongyeon.

He instantly snapped his face onto me and averted right after.
ugh! This.. is the first time.. in forever.. that I've been so irritated about something.. Just who do you think you are Yoo Jeongyeon!? You stupid spoiled arrogant brat!

"Mina-chan!" Jihyo waved comically- trying to catch my attention
"ah!" I smiled and waved back at him.

He smiled and dragged Jeongyeon with him, walking closer to me

"So! Today is a game practice! are you gonna watch?"
"Of course, I am your manager after all?"
"right- I keep forgetting."

"hmm. you are not gonna leave early today are you?" Tzuyu pouted
"Yeah. you left early yesterday.." Jihyo commented
"Well- No I wont, so I'll be here with you guys till we get out."

"Cool! And we are off to Dahyun's after work!" Tzuyu raised

"uh, well that I can't go" Jihyo suddenly paused
"what? why?"
"Well, I am bringing Nayeon somewhere special today."
"Ooooh! What's the occasion!"
"it's a secret! why would you want to know?!"
"aww" Tzuyu pouted

"Come on Mina! Let's go!" Jihyo pulled me in, and began leading the way to the indoor court

Hell the court was huge- enough to host one tournament for a whole game. Why does this even exist!

"Y-Yo!" Tzuyu raised his voice, and the other boys paused their game "Mind if we join- or are you guys done practicing?"
"Yo!- and sure, wanna join?"
"alright! 3v3?" Jihyo laughed
"cool! Seungmin, Woojin and Hyunjin- sounds fair?" The boy grinned as he twirls the ball around his finger
"Deal!- Let's do this!" Tzuyu smiled

"wait? is there a match?"
"ah- just a friendly 3v3- oh right! boys, meet Mina- She's our new Manager- Mina these are The Strays"

"Hey Manager- The name is Woojin- this here is Chan, Seungmin..."

He introduced the members one by one, and It was really hard for me to get everyone's name right.

"ah! Nice to meet you all"
"Pleasure is all ours, I hope we could see you around too." Woojin smiled as he grabbed my hand.

Jeongyeon cleared his throat and walked in between us talking in a monotone voice

"are we starting?"

"ah!- yeah." Woojin smiled and leaned over me "hey! Manager Mina-ssi, How bout going out for dinner with me after the-"
"She's busy" Jeongyeon butted in

"yo! Jeong, what's up man." Woojin whispered, but he did not answer "Mina-ssi-"

Jeongyeon came in between and made a cut with his hand

"Game is starting"
"R-right.. well then- See you around Mina-ssi" Woojin waved and smiled

"okay what's with you?" I prowled at Jeongyeon, who seemed to be acting really weird.
"What a joke."

"Why! you-"
"If we win, go on a date with me." He immediately leaned down and whispered it onto me, catching me off guard

A... Da-Da.. Date!? WHAT?!

"oy! Mina? are you okay?" Jihyo asked patting onto my head
"ah!- y-yeah.. it's nothing.."

That!... THAT.. THAT IDIOT! who do you think you are huh!? Just what do you think you are saying.. ugh what an obnoxious brat!

***

"ICEY versus The Strays- 3v3 battle!- full court first to 20 wins!"

The crowd watched the battle as some artists and trainees came to visit the hall, hearing about the skirmish.

"ah! ICEY and The Strays! ah! they all look tall!"
"How many of you vote ICEY?"
"Im in Strays"
"ICEY definitely."

"alright! Bring it on Strays!" Jihyo shouted
"We won't go easy on you!" Hyunjin shouted

and the whistle began.

The boys began their game, hopping, running passing and maneuvering around the court. Immensely trying to get one point after each other. ICEY had taken the first shot, but was countered by the Strays on the next. The battle becomes tight as both teams follows shots after shots, shooting points for each.

Jeongyeon lifted up and caught the ball calmly, stealing Seungmin's pass. He immensely took steps after steps and points after points without letting his guard down.

***

The final whistle blew.
No. No. No. THEY ACTUALLY WON?!

"23 to 21- Match end!"

"Woh! seriously! ICEY! what a great way to keep that Match point up!" Hyunjin breathed
"You guys are good too!- guess JYPNation is winning the champion's cup this season" Tzuyu breathed and laughed- trying to catch his breathe

Uh.. This is bad?.. is it? I should be happy, but.-

~~
"If we win, go on a date with me."
~~

NO! NOPE! NOPE! NOT HAPPENING!- I certainly did not agree to such thing- he just decided on his own- so, this is not counted. it's not a mutual th-

"Mina-ssi"
"ah! yes Woojin"
"So- how's your new job as being the manager of ICEY?"
"It is okay, it's practically my first week."
"Oh- damn, I'd give anything to have you to manage the Strays." he laughed
"No, please, I am not that good, and handling 3 babies is enough- what more.. handling 7 of you!"

"ha.. yeah" he smiled and scratched his nape.

Woojin, sure has a tall figure, and his jaw line is purely well defined. Seriously, how is God creating these handsome men!- I think I am gonna die.

"So Mina.. any free time today?"
"well- a lot of ICEY work so-"
"Oh, you're the manager, you can have small hour breaks you know, since ICEY is using the court, how bout join me for-"

"Manager!" Jeongyeon called behind me, with an instant, he grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Woojin "I won. Date time."

"Jeongyeon! Where are you tak-"
"None of your business, I want to buy something outside, and I need my manager, so- See ya"
"Jeongyeon!"

"Wait. Wait- Jeongyeon? it's still working hours!"
"I want to go now."
"JUST HOW SELFISH CAN YOU GET?!"
"I am hungry Manager! and if you don't come with me, JYP will kill you."
"f-fine.."

***

"So.." I started in a monotone "you were eager to go out.. and bring me... AT A CONVENIENCE STORE!?" I raged

"YEAH! I said.. I was hungry!"
"Can't you buy this yourse-"
"You're the manager right? What if i got kidnapped?"
"Geeze.. like anyone who would kidnap a freak like you."
"Watch your tone Manager!- if something would have happened to me, JYP will fire you for negligence."
"Ugh- can you please hurry, I hate leaving my work unfinished."
"Very well, you have an unfinished date with me then- let's go."
"Oy! I never agreed to-"
"But you came with me."
"YOU PULLED ME"

He immediately snapped onto me, and leaned close to my face "did I?" He said in an emotionless aura.

I pushed him back and scowled "you gotta stop doing that."
"Do what."
"That.. thing."
"What thing."
"The thing- you know never mind! I'm going back."

Jeongyeon instantly grabbed me once again and pulled me away

"Oy! Jeongyeon!"
"There's something I wanna do."
"But! The practice!"
"Jihyo and Tzuyu can handle it."
"I mean!! I NEED TO BE THERE-"
"Stop squirming."
"Ughhhh!!"

***

We walked and walked towards the south area of the street complete with stalls, street food and some retro arcade games. it sure is quite crowded in here.- I just hope Jeongyeon wont be recognized.

"So this.. is what you wanna do?"
"I've been craving for tteokbokki."
"WE COULD HAVE ORDERED FOR DELIVERY!"
"No, the one here is better."
"What?! But I still need to write the journal, and fill the practice gaps and-"
"Will you stop talking about work for a while"
"But-"
"Just do it tomorrow."
"NO! I can't just-"

"Ah! Look, walking dead."
"OY! Listen to me!!"

Ugh.. ANNOYING.

"Here, take it." He handed a gun to me
"I-I can't be playing during work hou-"
"You can, you are the manager- now shoot or you'll die!"
"I HAVE TO BE WORKING!-AH! What the heck is that!?"
"This is work.- dude, you are such a loser!"
"No! IT's not- ah! What is this!"
"Walking dead."
"Ugh! I love games but- WHAT?! YOU SAW ME HIT THAT RIGHT?! HOW DID I DIE?!?!"
"Dont waste my money."
"One more!!"

What am I even doing. why am I even here with this spoiled brat in this kind of place when I should really be working! Ugh! I swear- I'll get a warning tomorrow..

***

"Oy! You stupid head! A little bit to the right!"
"Here?"
"No! Your other right.. JEONGYEON you missed the plushie!"
"Uhh."
"Let me do it."

***

Why can't I understand, what you are thinking..

"I AM FIRST! I am first!"
"You are going the opposite way."
"What! No I am no-"
"Oops!"
"YOU PUSHED ME OFF THE CLIFF!"
"who said you have to stay there."
"why you little-

Annoying.. so annoying.. so-.. ann- why? what was I mad about again?

***

"I got 37.."
"yo! manager. i got 700 tickets. what should we do-"
"you what?!"
"the basketball hoop is really easy."

What was I being depressed about again.. I was sure I was irritated with him..

***

"WHAT?! I MISSED!?!"
"should we get it lower?"
"Shut up! THIS ISN'T EASY!!"
"that's the last ball manager, you did not even touch a single one."
"SHUT UP AND LET ME CONCENTRATE!!"

Okay Mina.. Aim.. Aim.. Aim it right! last chance. just at least get one knocked down. and- Let's go!!

*ding-a-ling-a-ling*

"Ah! I DID IT!! JEONGYEON! DID YOU JUST SEE-"

I unconsciously grabbed Jeongyeon's shirt, as he paused with a smile on his face. I saw him smile.. his genuine smile.

W-Why.. is it..- ah! I feel manipulated! THE IT'S ALREADY 5:00 pm?!?
.. I got carried away.. get it together Mina! . I completely left my work unattended HALF OF MY DAY!!!

"Okay. it's time to go back-"
"It's been time to go back like 5 hours ago!! why did you not tell me!"
"uh.. you were enjoying."
"but you should have-"
"Manager, You pulled me around to play the games. that was your.. doing"
"I-.. ah."

He sighed deeply and grabbed my hand once again

"You're really annoying- let's go."
"ah! Wait!"

***

We walked back to the Studio as he remained holding my hand. He is really weird, and I can't seem to read him very well..

"Jeongyeon. Why did you bring me there?"
"Don't know. Just felt like it."
"But you hated loud and crowded places."
"I just thought you'd have fun there. That's all."

Me? Why? .. I thought that..

~~
"I like you, so stop crying"
~~

It was all a joke right? Could he possibly be?... s-serious?! NO. No! No! that's impossible! He hates me, and my guts!!

"Ah! Tzuyu is calling."

He pulled out his phone, and I noticed a stuck Polaroid at the back of his cover. A girl- ah! Irene. Huh, he must have really loved her.

"Yeah- Yeah okay."
*drops*

"Ah. This. Seems like the Polaroid melted on my case, I really need to change that" he glared at me.
"Ah. Right-"

Right- you definitely have a whole lot of cute girls hanging around you, a lot of gorgeous girls.. so why do you trouble yourself for me.. I bet you've kissed a lot of them too, for a celebrity like you.- for the most part- there isn't any reason for you to be serious with me- and here I think, yet again. I am just some past time.

Ha.. I wonder, have I ever thought Bambam would be like this? No. Why does it even affect me when it's with you.

All men are the same.

***

"Ah! Do we really have to go back here?"
"YEAH! I left the journal! And look- everything is not arranged, I-"
"Just do it tomorrow. Everyone is waiting at Dahyun's"
"It wont be a daily journal- if i haven't done it daily-"
"You and your rules"
"Shut up. I told you- you did not have to come and I'll follow.- today's date.. today's date. Uh-"

AH! geeze! Now I am cramming! What should I report. uh!

"Great! It's too dark for me to see-"

"Manager.." Jeongyeon hanged his head as he slowly stepped closer to Mina "go out with me"

He hugged her from behind, catching her off guard. Mina's eyes widened and suddenly dropped her journal as Jeongyeon pressed his forehead onto her shoulders

"O-Oy.. Jeongyeon... let go-"
"I like you-.. I really really like you." He hugged her tighter.
"O-okay.. I understand-"
"No you don't."
"Yes, I do"
"You clearly don't" He scooted his face closer, planting his face onto Mina's neck "you cant say I was just messing with you- when you don't know what i feel when I am with you. I am a person who cant express my feelings very well- so you don't know how my heart reacts when I am with you.-"

"Jeongyeon.."
"Mina.. I like you. It's not enough- but I do-"

"Jeongyeon! Calm down! At least- Make me think about it!" Mina jolted back pushing him slightly away

"Manager.. your face.. is red.."
"What!"