[Chaeyoung's POV]

 

Strawberry starts playing and we're dancing to it. Mina and I are just a member away from each other. 

We're practicing in front of a huge mirror and instead of looking at myself, I couldn't help but look at Mina. I remembered the incident a few minutes ago and it made me blush. I couldn't help but smile.

"Chaeyoung-a!" Momo called my name. She's a different person when rehearsing or performing.

"Y-yeah!" I gulped.

"You're supposed to sing" she raised her eyebrows at me.

"A-a. M-mianhe!" I bowed. Okay, stay focused Chaeyoung-a. Be professional.

Momo was about to play the song again,

"Pause!" Jeongyeon said from the other side of the room. "Bathroom break!"

"But we just had our b—" before Momo could finish her protest Jeongyeon was out of her spot, when she was near the door she grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room.

Jeongyeon closed the door behind us. I can feel that I was about to get scolded for being distracted during rehearsal. I immediately bowed my head to apologize but she hugged me.

"Aigoo! Our Chaeyoung is really an adult now" she was hugging me and also rocking me back and forth. I tried to let go.

"You were so cool. I saw how you pulled Mina to make her fall on top of you. Jinjja!" she exclaimed while trying to re-enact it.

"It wasn't intentional. I—"

"You were just like Captain Yoo in that scene in DOTS when he pulled Doctor Kang after he tricked her about the minefield. Such an oppa move." She was gushing.

I blushed. "Aish. You don't have to put it that way."

She showed me her left arm. There was a red spot.

"Nayeon got so excited she couldn't help but pinch my arm to keep herself from shrieking." It must be painful. But Jeongyeon is still grinning.

"It's worth it. Just keep doing what you're doing now. Remember, stop hesitating."

I nodded, "Arraseo."

I was about to go back inside when she grabbed my arm again.

"Where are you going? You're coming with me." She raised her eyebrows, "I still need to pee."

 

 

[Mina's POV]

 

I checked at the time. 17:45

We packed up earlier than expected. Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Chaeyoung and I are riding Nayeon unnie's car. The others are at Jihyo's.

Nayeon and Jeongyeon are at the front while Chaeyoung and I are at the back. Everyone has their nights planned. Jeongyeon promised to buy Nayeon jajangmyeon while the others are going to a nail salon to have their nails done. Then Chaeyoung and I...

I looked at Chaeyoung. She's wearing her earphones and was checking her phone. She must be chatting with someone. Who could it be? Is it Yeri?

I shook my head. What's wrong with you, Mina?

"Are you okay, Minari?" Chaeyoung tapped me in my lap.

"A-yes... I'm okay."

She leaned over the front seat and extended her arm to the driver's seat.

"Unnie, can you drop us off here?" she asked Nayeon unnie.

"Arraseo." Nayeon said as she turned the wheel and stepped on the gas.

Chaeyoung leaned back and grinned at me.

I guess she's just looking at the directions. I felt slightly guilty.

I rest my head over her shoulder.

"I'm getting used to this." I whispered.

"To what?" she asked.

"To how comfortable it feels to rest my head over your shoulder. I think I'm going to miss this."

We only have 6 days left.

"Then don't stop leaning over my shoulder." She reached for my hand. "Not as long as you want to."

I felt my heart flutter. My worries washed away. She was holding my hand and for a moment, I don't want to think about anything else.

She placed her earphone on my left ear. Silently we listened to the song playing.

   "...If you start to like someone else, if I get used to not being with you. When that time comes, when it’s that time. Only then we can break up..."

I felt a tear trickle down my cheek.

Only then. Chaeyoung isn't the kind that's good at expressing herself verbally. We have that in common. She expresses herself more through music and art. I'm not the best at trying to pick up what she wants to say, but this time, the lyrics couldn't be more fitting. We only have 6 days left, and we'll make every moment last. And when those 6 days are over, only then.

 

 

[Chaeyoung's POV]

 

Only then. I clenched my phone with my other hand, trying to hold back my tears. I'm not sure what will happen in a few days but no matter what, I'll do everything I could to make her happy, happier.

I squeezed her hand and she squeezed it back. I removed both of our earphones.

We sat at the back of the car silently for a couple of minutes, with our heads leaning against each other.

"I think we're here." Nayeon unnie exclaimed.

I peered over the window. We're here.

"Gomawo, unnie." We hopped down the car.

Jeongyeon rolled down the window from the passenger's side. "Enjoy your date, kids. Have fun." She teased us.

I smiled. "Arraseo, eommoni. Annyeong! (Alright, mother. Bye!)"

Nayeon giggled. "Aigoo. Our baby cub is all grown up now. Take care of your date!"

They pulled away before I could even reply.

"Those two are crazy." I shook my head, Mina looked amused.

"Oh! I forgot to tell them to pick us up later." I couldn't see the car anymore.

"Gwenchanha. We'll just message them after we eat. Or we could take a cab home." Mina suggested.

I nodded and grinned at her. "Kaja?"

She nodded back excitedly. "I'm hungry."

I opened the door and we were greeted by a small old lady. She wore the biggest smile on her face.

"Chaeyoung-a! Omo!" she extended her arms.

"Ajumma!" I hugged her. I haven't been here for more than a year, but everything is still the same. The booths, the wooden table and the drop lights. Even ajumma's haircut.

"Ajumma, I brought someone special." I called for Mina and she shyly stepped towards us.

"Aigoo. Such a pretty girl." She let go of me to get a better look of Mina. "Neomu ippeuda." She cupped Mina's cheeks with both her hands. She looked stunned but Mina showed her gummy smile.

"You girls must be hungry." She grabbed both our hands.

"Ajumma, one order of Ganjang gejang and Yukhoe." I placed our orders before we even took our seat.

"Arraseo. I'll bring you tea while you wait."

"Kamsahamnida, ajumma. Please add more laver and sesame seeds. "

"Can I also have Pajeon?" Mina said.

"Sure, dear." Ajumma flashed a big smile at Mina before she disappeared to the kitchen.

"It's such a nice place." Mina smiled at me.

"We've been going here since we were kids. My brother and I love their marinated crab and steak tartare." I felt my mouth water as I get excited with the food we're about to eat. "Ajumma gives us the biggest crabs and freshest meat. Nothing can compare."

 

 

[Mina's POV]

 

It's so nice seeing Chaeyoung get this excited with food. The members kept saying that Chaeyoung eats unappetizingly, but I think she looks cute when she eats.

From where I'm sitting I saw a painting at the counter. The painting style is familiar.

"Did you paint that?" I asked Chaeyoung,

It's a 2ft by 2ft canvass filled with different colored and shaped and flowers.

Chaeyoung nodded. "Expression of gratitude."

I looked at her.

"Ajumma has pollen allergy but she loves staring at flowers," she started, "before I entered JYP to be a trainee, I took dance classes when I was in 6th grade. One day, my two other friends and I decided to go here to order some Panjeon. We were going to share that one piece since we don't have enough money to buy one for each of us."

She continued, "When ajumma saw us sitting at this booth sharing that one Panjeon, she brought us a big serving of ganjang gejang, three bowls of rice, generous serving of laver and sesame seeds. She said growing kids like us should be eating more food," she laughed and shook her head. "Before you say anything, I know I didn't grow much since then." She pouted.

I chuckled, "I wasn't supposed to say anything. But since you brought it up, it's true."

"She said it was her daughter's birthday..."

How generous of her to still work and give other kids food in her daughter's birthday. I thought.

"...and death anniversary." Chaeyoung had a sad smile in her face.

"Oh..." it's all I could say.

"We finished the food and thanked her. I promised her that I will repay her kindness and she told me that whenever we feel hungry or is craving for some ganjang gejang, we can just go here. And when I told her I was to become an idol, she just told me that when I get famous, she hopes I wouldn't stop eating here." She lifted the pot of tea and poured some at my cup.

"After Sixteen," she continued, "when we were announced to be part of Twice, one of the first things I did is paint that: Sweet peas, hydrangeas, Bellflowers, Chrysanthemums, Irises, sunflowers, daisies, pink, peach, and yellow roses. Symbols of gratitude. As well as a promise to never forget about cherished friends." She took a sip from her tea.

Chaeyoung-a, you beautiful old soul. All I could do is smile.

"Here's your food!" Ajumma hurried to the table with our orders.

       

"Wow." I gulped. It all look so tasty.

"Kamsahamnida, ajumma. (Thank you, Auntie) These all look so appetizing!" Chaeyoung hugged ajumma and she tapped Chaeyoung's back.

"Enjoy your food, arraseo? Don't eat too fast."

We bowed at her and she went back to the kitchen.

"Mokja?" Chaeyoung grinned and we immediately started eating.

 

 

[Chaeyoung's POV]

 

I'm so full. We already paid our bill and decided to stay a little longer to chat with ajumma. She's now very fond of Minari. I smile as both of them talk.

I tried calling Nayeon unnie to ask her to pick us up but she's not answering. So is Jeongyeon unnie. Where did this two go?

I also messaged them on Kakaotalk but they're both offline. It's already late. Maybe they're already sleeping.

I looked at the outside through the glass door. It's already starting to rain. I don't think it's safe for us to go back to the dorm.

I opened my phone and messaged my brother.

Yo.

{What?}

Are you home?

{Of course. It's already 10PM}

I'm going home.

{What? Now?}

Yes.

{Why? Where are you?}

He sometimes act like he's my older brother. I scoffed.

At Ajumma's restaurant.

{Ah. Arraseo. Just ask for the umbrella I left there last week. It's starting to rain}

Okay.

{Message me when you're near, I'll open the door for you}

Arraseo.

 

"Ajumma, did Jeonghoon leave an umbrella here last week?" I asked.

"Ah! Yes. Wait, I'll get it." She went back to the kitchen.

"Have you contacted Nayeon unnie?" Mina asked

"Anieyo."

"Jeongyeon unnie?"

"Anieyo." I shook my head. "They're both currently unreachable."

She raised an eyebrow "Then how are we going home? Cab?"

"We'll walk."

She looked at me with that 'Are you out of you mind?' look "How are we going back to the dorm walking? It's raining and it's more than five kilometers away."

"We're not going back to the dorm."

Mina looks confused, "where exactly are we going?"

"My home." I grinned.