Let's go on a trip again someday, I miss you so much, Minjoo-ya.

Hitomi doesn't lie when she said she's wishing it from the bottom of her heart. Other than Minjoo's success and happiness, Hitomi wishes for them to have another trip again. If that's not possible, then Hitomi promises she'll be only satisfied with meeting Minjoo, even for just a brief moment.

The ash-haired girl smiles as she wipes the bead of tears forming at the corners of her eyes. The group chat becomes lively as birthday wishes pour in, with Yujin out of all people starting a group video call out of nowhere for them. Nevertheless, they join in immediately, and soon twelve girls are there. Some are already in bed, but Hitomi notices that most of them aren't.

They sing Minjoo happy birthday. The birthday girl, still on her way home after the brief live stream, has a wide smile on her face, her Indian dimples beaming. Once it's done, they talk about how they are doing, with some threats for the J-line still on Japan to visit them quickly. Still, Hitomi and Nako quickly deflect the threats by taunting Sakura and Chaewon who 'disappeared', and the two main perpetrators of the initial threats went quiet in an instant.

Eunbi is surprisingly the first one who excused herself. Annyeongz followed suit, claiming that they need to get up early for something today. Hitomi is one of the firsts to leave, not wanting to be the last because she knows that she'll cry soon.

The dam breaks the moment the screen turns back to their chatroom. She lets out a shudder of breath, hand again wiping her tears. She misses them so, so much. Her heart aches not only because it's been so long since they've seen each other face to face—but also because it's been a while since she's seen them.

Them—IZ*ONE, as one.

The emotional baggage is heavy for both her and Nako. She doesn't dare to compare the weight, but it's harder for them because even if they miss the others so much, it's ten times harder to meet. There are only two of them here. It was better when Sakura was still here, but now that she's in Korea, both Hitomi and Nako realized that they're alone.

Every time she and Nako meet or talk through calls, the topic mostly revolves around the other members. Nako, saying that she misses Chaeyeon's food and Yuri's singing. Hitomi, saying she misses Hyewon's teasing, Yuri's mischief, Chaewon's sudden affections and—

Hitomi always, always went quiet suddenly.

And Nako always realized that.

After their sudden trip to Jeju, all of IZ*ONE knows that something shifted between Hitomi and Minjoo. They are aware that they are deeply in love with one another, but they never dared to properly confess to each other. Perhaps the shift was created due to someone finally having the guts in confessing.

Well, Hitomi had to say, their guest was spot on. Hitomi confessed first, stammering when she told the Moon is beautiful and just blatantly told Minjoo that she's in love with her. No flowery words, no mental breakdowns, just Hitomi saying I love you and intended it for Minjoo as a woman who is in love with another woman.

Minjoo didn't say anything to respond to that. Their manager, Jayoung, bears witness to how Minjoo immediately pulled Hitomi close to her and after pulling down their masks, crashed her lips with Hitomi's own.

Minjoo was too shy to confidently say that she loves Hitomi the same way Hitomi loves her, but makes sure Hitomi knows that she shares the same feelings as hers. Over time, Minjoo grows a little bolder, but the phrase I love you still seems so far away. It was only by Hitomi's birthday that Minjoo gathers the courage to send Hitomi a voice note with her saying I love you.

Hitomi hears it countless times before, far before her own confession. But somehow, now it sounds different. Maybe because both of them are now aware of the weight behind the I love yous they exchange with each other. Maybe it's because of the tone they use. Maybe it's a combination of multiple factors altogether. Hitomi doesn't know.

She just feels warm.

The ringing coming suddenly from her right surprised Hitomi more than it should. She scrambles to sit against the headboard, her initial sleepiness and weariness disappearing the moment Minjoo's photo decorates the screen.

She holds in a breath, feeling oddly very nervous as she presses to accept the call. It takes a second for Minjoo's face to appear on the screen. Her face is clean from any cosmetics, but still so flawless in Hitomi's eyes.

"Hey, you," Minjoo simpers, giggling as she rolls her body, so now she's on her stomach. A bit of her dark hair curtains a side of her face, but Hitomi can still see the clear—but exhausted—left eye of hers perfectly well. "Still not tired?"

"I'm exhausted," Hitomi admits. She puts a pillow on her chest, hugging it tightly as she holds her phone in front of her chest. Her heart aches, filled with longing. "Aren't you?"

Minjoo crinkles. She looks at the side, her expression thoughtful. "I think it disappears the moment I saw your face."

"Liar. I can see your eyebags."

"They're Gucci," the older one jokes, grinning. Her mischievous expression immediately softens, a soft smile replacing her grin. "Tomi-ah, I miss you."

"And who said I don't miss you too?" Hitomi sighs, but there's a smile on her face. "I wish all of this is going to be over soon. I want to meet you."

"I want to go on another trip with you."

Hitomi pauses, surprised. Her head tilts, her eyebrows raising high. "Huh?"

"I want to go on a trip with you," Minjoo repeats, making sure she emphasizes the trip. "I don't want us to just casually hang out. No. I want us on another trip. When it's just you and me." Minjoo pauses to hum. "Or maybe we can take Jayoung unnie with us again?"

Hitomi can't deny, Minjoo's serious words made her heart flutter a little bit too strongly. "W-What—"

"You said that you want to go on another trip," Minjoo sighs. "I want it too. I miss you too, too much. Just meeting you for a day just won't cut it. I want it days. Three days minimum. Because," Minjoo takes a deep breath, her eyes closing, "I know I'm—I'm very late to say this but I really, really like you, Tomi. I know I kissed you on that trip and we've been in a relationship since then but I'm also aware that I haven't really said how deep my feelings are for you."

"I love you, Honda Hitomi," Minjoo whispers again, not even letting Hitomi speak. Her words, again, send another flutter to Hitomi's stomach. She has heard her saying it countless times through calls and voice notes, but it sounds different now.

It's enough to make Hitomi's eyes tearful again, her heart aching a little too painfully.

But feels so, so happy at the same time.

"Now that I'm finally not a coward that I was, I want to say it to you when we meet again."