"2 missed call(s) from Nayeon-unnie"

"3 missed call(s) from Nayeon-unnie"

When Tzuyu feels her phone vibrate again, Jihyo sighs and intertwines her fingers.

The problem with iPhones, is 20 models later, they still haven't put the option to decline a call. Only to put it in silent and let the call end by you missing it.

So when silence grows in the room, and Tzuyu's phone vibrates, it produces sound that echoed across the room.

"Can you turn off that , Tzuyu?"

"Not a ."

"Do you know what smartasses gets? They get their phones thrown off a wall."

Gulp. What's scary here is Jihyo had said with smile in her face. Tzuyu grabs the phone so it wouldn't vibrate on the table again, sending a quick message to Nayeon to NOT CALL 'cos she's in a meeting.

"It's done."

When it vibrates again. Jihyo stands up ready to grab it from across the table, but Tzuyu is quicker. She held up one finger and showed that it was Nayeon, someone they both love. (Also someone who knows not to call while she's in a meeting, but small details, right?)

When she's outside the room, she puts her phone away from her ear because Nayeon screams for her.

"Tzuyu!"

"This better be important."

"Why do you have to be so cold?"

Tzuyu rolled her eyes at how Nayeon, even on her late twenties would still use 'aegyo' on her.

"Tzuyu, baby, are you still there?"

Sigh

"What do you want?"

"So I sort of got engage--"

"Wait what???" Tzuyu shrieked. Almost relieved that it really is important.

"Okay, calm down, Tzuyu!"

"What do you mean calm down?? This is great news!! Wait, did you call youngest to oldest, because I'm with Jihyo-unnie and she hasn't gotten a call yet--"

"Okay, listen to me. Jeongyeon hasn't exactly proposed yet."

"What do you mean?? Someone else proposed to you and you said yes?? What kind of--"

"Tzuyu, sometimes I worry about your humor. Of course not! I only love Jeongyeon--"

"Oh my God... You proposed first!"

"No. I... Isortoffoundtheringandtriedit"

"What?"

She hears a sigh from the other line, "I said... I sort of found the ring and tried it."

"Unnie! Why would you do that??"

"It's a ring, Tzuyu! What did you expect me to do??  That's like putting a dog right in front of you and expecting you not to pet it!"

"Okay... I give points for the metaphor. So just put it back where you found it and torture yourself and wait till unnie proposes."

"Yeah... That's why I called. I lost it."

"..."

"Tzuyu, sweetie, are you still there?"

"You what?" Tzuyu pinched her nose bridge as she massages it. Trust Nayeon to screw things up. Jeongyeon will be so pissed.

"Okay, before you get mad... I was totally gonna ask you to be my Maid of Honor!"

"Nice try. You have a sister." Tzuyu deadpans.

"Okay, the ring bearer, maybe?"

"You want me to be your ring bearer? Okay, I'm hanging up."

"Tzuyu! Okay! Okay! Obviously you'll be one of my bridesmaids! What better way to use advantage of your beauty than to have you in my entourage?"

"I'll be on Jeongyeon-unnie's entourage."

"What?"

"She asked first..."

"Okay, first of all, a hard No. You'll be in my entourage. Visual line gotta stick together, Tzuyu! If I have to beat Jeongyeon for it, then fine. Second, can we talk about this when there's an actual wedding planning? Help me find the ring!!"

"I'm at work. Jihyo-unnie won't let me leave. Speaking of, why didn't you call her? She’s the go-to when we have big problems. This is definitely one of those."

"Because. You're Tzuyu! You're cool-headed and rational, and very smart, and--"

"And Jihyo-unnie will nag you about this?"

"Yes. You'll find the ring while I go drink and whine at a corner. Jihyo, on the other hand…"

“Will tell Jeongyeon-unnie and you’ll be screwed.”

“Yes. So can you please come and help me?” Tzuyu weighed her options. Jihyo will kill her if she leaves early…. She’s never gonna admit it out loud but Nayeon and Jeongyeon are her parents. Work-parents. Or something. Tzuyu has not yet wrapped her mind around it.

"How am I supposed to get off work?"

"Uhmm... I don't know, Tzuyu? Just pull an aegyo and Jihyo will literally give you anything."

 

Okay. Safe to say, the aegyo worked. Tzuyu doesn’t know why she hasn’t used it before and asked for a raise but oh well… A topic for another time.

The first thing Tzuyu did is to retrace Nayeon’s steps. Which isn’t that hard, Tzuyu thinks. But looking at Nayeon’s list, she’s about ready to leave the whining girl. The list is unhelpful. Which is absurd. Since it wasn’t that long ‘till she had lost the ring.

Just contains:

Finding the ring and trying it. Gushing about it for 2 hours maybe Trying out outfits that would match the ring. Eating and drinking Washing the dishes Looking up Wedding Dress designers Going out to try wedding dresses Staff asking ‘Where’s the engagement ring’ Crying to Tzuyu about said lost ring

They have turned the apartment upside down, and the ring is nowhere to be found.

“Unnie, you must have removed the ring before you washed the dishes! Do you remember where you put it?”

“Do you think you’ll be here if I do?”

Tzuyu glares at Nayeon, “Do you think I have the patience for your attitude?”

Nayeon creases her eyebrow and pouts, which Tzuyu assumes is her baby face. She rolls her eyes at the older girl and says, “You do know that aegyo isn’t answer to everything.”

“It did get you out of work.”

Tzuyu huffs. Instead, she went towards the kitchen. It could have gone towards the drain?

“We should call a plumber and see if it went down there.”

“Do you know any?”

“What makes you think I know any?”

“We have a wrench that Jeongyeon uses when it’s clogged.”

“Please tell me you’re not thinking of making me do this.”

Again, Nayeon just smiles at her and blinks her eyes slowly. Tzuyu just lets out a growl.

……………….

When Nayeon said Tzuyu will do the hard work while she whines and drink at a corner, she wasn’t kidding. She’s propped up, swinging her legs from the counter while Tzuyu is under the sink, trying to figure out how to unfasten the drain pipe.

“Unnie, I’ve heard this about a million times already, I think I can retell the story myself.”

“I almost just got engaged! So of course you’ll hear it again.”

 Nayeon was in the middle of telling Tzuyu how she and Jeongyeon first met when she hears a clink.

“Tzuyu, can you be careful? If you end up boring a hole on the pipe, Jeongyeon would kill you.”

“Oh, would kill me? You’ll be lucky if I don’t swing this wrench at you when I’m done with this.”

“No need to be violent. Just think about how this would make a funny story at the reception.”

Nayeon laughs and ends up spilling some of the wine in her shirt. She puts the glass on the counter and went to the kitchen sink, momentarily forgetting that Tzuyu is literally under the sink (even though her legs are exposed in there) and opens the faucet.

“IM NAYEON, I’M GOING TO KILL YOU.”

……………….

Before Tzuyu can kill Nayeon, Jeongyeon comes home.

“Babe, why is the kitchen a mess?” Of course is the first thing Jeongyeon had said. “Augh. What did I tell you about washing your glass after you drink!”

Nayeon half-whispers to a half- Tzuyu, “What are we going to do? We haven’t found the ring yet!”

“There’s no 'we' anymore. I’m not talking to you.” Tzuyu huffs as she hangs her wet and stained top in front of the electric fan.

Nayeon clings to Tzuyu’s arm and pleads, “Oh come on Tzuyu! This is not the time to be divided—”

But Tzuyu just removes her arm from Nayeon’s grasp and glares at her.

When the door to their shared bedroom opens, Nayeon’s eyes widen.

Jeongyeon just stands there stunned, looking at a very angry-looking, half- Tzuyu, and a still Nayeon. Which is weird because Nayeon couldn’t stay still for 3 seconds.

“Tzuyu… you’re here.” Jeongyeon says slowly, trying to figure out what’s going on. If Tzuyu doesn’t look like her annoyed self, Jeongyeon would probably think she just caught the two cheating.

She laughs at the thought. There’s just no way.

“Yes. And now I’m leaving.” Tzuyu says, while she randomly grabs a sweater from Jeongyeon’s closet.

“And… you’re taking my sweater. What’s going on?”

Nayeon hasn’t said anything yet, which is weird.

Tzuyu doesn’t answer. Just wears the sweater, grabs her shirt, and then heads towards the door.

Nayeon and Jeongyeon just watch the tall girl leaves in silence.

When Tzuyu is gone, Jeongyeon crosses her arms and looks at Nayeon, “What’s going on?”

“Uhmmm… I’m having an affair with Tzuyu?” Nayeon said in a panic, but Jeongyeon just laughs.

“With Tzuyu?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you must have been bad at , since she didn’t look so satisfied.”

“Maybe because you came before she can…” Nayeon said, not missing the opportunity to use a pun. Maybe, she can switch off the topic? She doesn’t have to be obvious. If Jeongyeon doesn’t propose today, she’ll have a chance to find it tomorrow.

"Yoda! What took you so long, I need--"

"Jeong! This is Momo."

"What--? Momo, give the phone to Tzuyu!"

"No! No! No!" Momo whines at the other line, "It's past 8 o'clock, and she only has time for me, okay?? Me! This is Momo time! Stop calling her and stealing--" There was some shouting on the other line and Jeongyeon just blinks.

"Hi. This is Tzuyu." Jeongyeon sighs in relief as she hears the younger’s voice.

"What was that?" She exasperates.

"That's my girlfriend complaining about you stealing our time together, so this better be important."

"It is! The ring!! The ring is gone!!!"

"What?"

"The ring is gone! I left it on the sock drawer and it's gone!!"

"Okay calm down--"

"Calm down??? That was my 5,000,000 KRW down the drainage!"

"Huh... You mean... The engagement ring you were gonna give the love of your life is gone, and it’s why you’re panicking?"

"What? Oh yeah! Of course that too..."

"..."

"So anyway! Yoda, help me!"

"Did everyone just forget I'm supposed to be the maknae? Why are people calling me when they're in crisis?"

"Who cares about other people, Tzuyu?? My ring is gone! Why are you not dropping everything to come and help me?"

"..."

"..."

"Did you not hear my girlfriend whine about you stealing our precious time together?”

“You wouldn’t even have a girlfriend if it weren’t for me!”

“No… It was Sana-unnie who locked us in a room together until we confessed to each other.”

“It was my idea!”

“Ehh...”

“Okay, then how about you do it because I’m your favorite unnie?”

“That’s Jihyo-unnie.”

“No. No. No! I’m your favorite unnie! She’s the bad cop, and I’m the good cop! I should be your favorite unnie!”

“You once made me cry because I left crumbs on the sofa.”

“How many times have I told you how hard it was to clean that sofa?? We have a dining table for eating, Tzuyu! Not a dining couch—”

“My point still stands.”

“Tzuyu… come on! I may not be your favorite, but you’re mine!“

“…pretty sure Chaeyoung is your favorite... Hyung.”

“You’re my favorite! I literally would move mountains for you! Remember that time I asked for an oven in the dorm just so I can bake you breads? Hmmm?”

“I also remember the two of us splitting that. And us agreeing it was beneficial for us both. Baking as a therapy for you, and I love breads.”

 “Why do you have an answer for everything?” Jeongyeon groans. When she tells Tzuyu she lost her 5 million KRW ring, she expected her to be here in 10 minutes. Like?? A no brainer if you ask Jeongyeon. But here she is, arguing with Tzuyu.

She hears whining on the other line again. She sighs frustratedly. Why did Momo decides to be clingy now of all times, Jeongyeon will never know.

“I have to go.”

“Tzuyu, please.”

“Unnie, I would go if I could. But Momo said no."

"Are you saying Momo wears the pants in your relationship?"

"..."

*End call*

 That brat… Jeongyeon thinks as she paces back and forth in their living room. She groans again when Tzuyu doesn’t answer. Instead of leaving Tzuyu alone, she dials for Momo’s number instead.

 

She sighs in relief when Momo picks up, “Momo, can I please talk to Tzuyu?"

"No. It's Momo time! Stop calling!" Jeongyeon groans, (she’s worried about her vocal chords but this is the tough times). Sometimes, Momo could be a child.

"How about I treat you to lunch next week?"

"Anything I want?"

"Yup, just make sure she doesn't hang up the phone!"

"Fine. I give you 5 minutes, and she's mine! Got it?"

 There’s some whining on the other line as Jeongyeon continues to bite her nails.

"You do understand that you've just used your trump card... To a 5-minute phone call right?"

"Was that my window?"

"Yes"

"."

"I'll come by tomorrow. I don't have anything on my schedule."

“What am I supposed to do while you're gone??"

"Wallow in despair while your ring is gone, I don't know. But I know what you won't do. Something stupid. Seriously. Don't."

"Tzuyu, when you propose to Momo and needs my help, I'll remember this day!"

"I'm not stupid like you. I won't lose my ring."

" you!"

"No thanks. Speaking of. My girlfriend is waiting. Bye ~~"

When Tzuyu comes back to the her unnies’ apartment the next day, she sighs. She’s not very good at lying and Jeongyeon could easily see through her. These idiots… Tzuyu thinks.

“Alright. Where do you need me?” She says as she opens the door to the apartment, only to see Jeongyeon looking frustrated, and the room was messier… than it has been yesterday.

“Uhmmm… Did you and Nayeon-unnie had a fight?”

“No, she’s booked all day, so we have lots of time. And she doesn’t know!”

Of course she does. But Tzuyu bit her lips before she can say anything.

“I have looked everywhere, Tzuyu! It’s not here!”

“Uhmm… are you sure you didn’t move it somewhere else?” Tzuyu threads carefully. She walks slowly towards the couch to sit beside Jeongyeon. She puts a comforting hand on the girl’s back, trying to soothe her as she looks across the room, wondering where else they haven’t looked.

 Jeongyeon just sighs and looks so heartbroken.

 

Tzuyu is really convinced she has the right to at least smack Nayeon. She’s at fault here.

 

“It’s okay. I’m here. I’ll help you.” Tzuyu hugs Jeongyeon, and Jeongyeon just nods.

 

Tzuyu suddenly felt déjà vu: as Jeongyeon lies on their bed, and Tzuyu ends up tidying up their shared apartment, double checking every corner, every inch of the small tight place. Again, she was left to do all the work. She couldn’t help but curse at Nayeon in her head.

 

But when she hears Jeongyeon sniffs, she turns around, “We’re not supposed to get married. That’s it. That’s what this means.”

 

“This means it’s here. We’re just not looking hard enough.” Tzuyu says as she grunts pulling out a heavy box hidden in the depths of Nayeon’s closet. “It would be easier if I’m not the only one looking, but oh well, what do I know, right?” She mumbles as she opens the box.

 

“I mean, what am I thinking? We’re idols, Tzuyu! And same- marriage hasn’t been legalized here--”

 

“I thought you’re going to Taiwan to get married.” Tzuyu opens the box and is suddenly met with polaroid pictures of Nayeon and Jeongyeon. She stops, and half a mind to put it back to where she found it. This is a clear violation of their privacy. But it’s a picture of Nayeon and Jeongyeon fifteen years ago, when they were trainees. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. She also thinks she should get some for her blackmail. Just in case she needs it.

 

“That’s besides the point. I mean… this has gotta be a sign, right? That we weren’t supposed to get married? I mean…. We’ve talked about how she wants to get married. And I can’t give her that. It can’t be as grand as she wants it to be—”

 

Tzuyu couldn’t find herself to hear what Jeongyeon was saying. She doesn’t need that negativity in her state of mind right now. She’s sweating hard and she’s hungry… and she’s gonna find that ring even if it’s the last thing she’ll ever do.

 

More importantly, the pictures she found are gold mine. It’s pictures of them: together in dorm rooms, of mostly Nayeon (seeing as Jeongyeon is more of the photographer between them), of them in vacations, of them on dates.

 

There’s a small notebook she finds. In it, she finds entries with Nayeon’s handwriting. This should be another red flag but she can still hear Jeongyeon’s negativity even inside Nayeon’s walk-in closet. And no one can blame Tzuyu if she prefers reading about Nayeon’s diary.

 

Day 73.

Being a trainee is hard. There’s a lot of good trainees here too, a lot of competition. But I met this girl, Yoo Jungyeon. She’s good, all-around good. But what makes me nervous the most? Her smile. Her humor.

 

Day 77.

So… I think I kinda have to up my game to be Jungyeon’s friend. I mean… Not that I want to try hard to get her attention or anything. She just seems so cool. And she makes me want to speak more, and make jokes because her laugh is just nice to hear.

 

Day 82.

We ate lunch together. She told me about her sister, I told her about mine. We’re getting along really well. I think we’re gonna be bestfriends.

 

Day 143.

I got Jungyeon’s sweater. Ahhhh! I know I shouldn’t be freaking out about this. But I’ve always liked it. And since I’ve been borrowing it all the time, she finally gave in and gave it to me. ^^

 

Day 189.

I met Jungyeon’s friend. A childhood friend. Someone who knows more about her than me. I tried to befriend her, I really did. But it just hurts feels weird that they have inside jokes that I can’t seem to get in, that they’ll probably have a bond I can never compete with. Which is ridiculous. Which doesn’t make sense.

 

Day 243.

Jungyeon and I had a fight today. I cancelled our plans because I was on a date with Jin-young. I’m sad because I wanted to share to Jungyeon about our date, but she’s not talking to me.

 

Day 245.

This is insane. She’s still ignoring me.

 

Day 248.

Okay. So Sungjin teased me that this is over the top, but who cares? My bestfriend is ignoring me and I should make efforts to make her notice me. Did I stay up late making scrapbook of our pictures together even though we have early dance practice today? Yes. Did I look horrible today? Yes. Did I specifically asked for Jungyeon’s favorite meal to be delivered at lunch time? Yes. Did I have to embarrass myself in the cafeteria to sing our favorite song? Yes. Did I have to embarrass myself even more by confessing to her in front of all our friends and other trainees that she’s my bestfriend and I’m gonna cry really loud if she doesn’t stop ignoring me? YES. YES. YES.

 

Was it worth it? Yes 😊

 

Day 456.

Jungyeon and I slept together. We woke up at 2:56 am. And I was ready to strangle her because it’s my birthday and I should really be having the best beauty rest of my life. But when I woke up with her and small cupcake and cute candle, and her singing ‘Happy Birthday’. I couldn’t help but smile. She said she remember it’s the time I was born. And I didn’t even know that. And… She’s never been t