It was a practice day for IZ*1. The school’s foundation day was coming and as the school’s most famous club, they had to prepare another concert. Those were the days of research, rendition, and readjustments because Minju was already part of the group.

For now, Minju just finished a lesson with Eunbi. They decided to go on water break and buy some snacks. Minju insisted to stay and continue to practice.

“I’ll stay too.” Chaewon raised. “I need to vocalize before we do our first run with the songs.”

Minju almost strums a bad note as her heart and mind raced. She was going to be alone with her crush! She could’ve changed her decision but no. She grabbed the chance with open arms.

What an idea for a practice song.

“Okay. We’ll be back~” Yuri sang as the rest came with her.

Minju’s tensed state returned as soon as they stepped out. She had the idea of practicing Open Arms and render it into a acoustic piece fit for Chaewon’s register. She tries to pluck softly since Chaewon was vocalizing.

In the end, she listened to her practice and even strummed her notes as she vocalized, leaving Chaewon to look back and smile.
And thus the universe hated her, making her stop.

“Hey…” Chaewon got closer and sat next to her. “You have a great technical ear.”

“Thanks…” Minju spoke as she lowered her head, hiding her blush. “It pays to be the daughter of a music teacher.”

“You were strumming Open Arms?” Chaewon asked, getting a nod. “Can I try to sing it out?”

Minju perked up and agreed. She prepared her stance and made sure to review since she didn’t want to humiliate herself in front of Chaewon and worse, in front of the whole school.

Minju’s fingers strummed the first notes and Chaewon does her ad-libs before singing. During this time, Minju had to be calm as her raging heartbeat was taking over. Chaewon’s voice was supple as honey; as if she was given ambrosia by the Muses. And with their distance and the lyrics, hearing her sing up close almost made her squirm.

Hoping you’ll see what your love means to me, open arms

Minju strummed the last key. She closed her eyes most of time yet she remembered every note and every transition like it was imprinted in her. She slowly opened her eyes and almost yelped when Chaewon was in front of her smiling.

.

“That was great!” Chaewon patted her shoulders. “We should tell Yul to add that to our songs.”

again.

Chaewon’s hands on her shoulders melted Minju. Holding her hand was already a dream come true but this? This was already going through the balance of space and time.

“We should.” She muttered.

The rest returned with the drinks and snacks. Minju grabbed the chance to excuse herself for a bathroom break. Chaewon would’ve caught up when Hyewon tossed her fresh ginger juice.

“Just as requested.” Hyewon spoke. “How do you even drink that? Doesn’t it tickle your throat?”

“It’s good for the throat.” Chaewon mumbled and excused herself for a bathroom break as well.

The four watched their lead vocalist rush to the bathroom, leaving them to think that something had developed.

“Weird. Chaewon was never like that.” Yujin mumbled, a hand doing a gesture with her chin.

“Someone’s whipped.” Hyewon smirked. “The real question is which among them won’t chicken out.”

“Enough of the jokes. Let’s set up the instruments.” Eunbi instructed as the rest obeyed.

+++

Minju couldn’t believe herself. It was almost a year since she joined the club; she had her fair share of being exposed to play in front of the audience and of building strong relationships with the members, especially Chaewon.

But why was she a chicken? What was all the duets, the laughs, and the other precious moments they had for the past months for? Why was she wasting the chance given by fate to get closer to her beloved?

Her conscience returned to reality as Chaewon caught up. She had to act normal and not be affected. Chaewon did her business and Minju would’ve gone back when –

“Stay.”

Minju froze again. Even if after Chaewon finished peeing, Minju remained. It was then that Chaewon held her hand after washing her own. “Come on. Let’s go together.”

Minju held back slowly as they walked side by side. As they returned and practiced, Minju realized something. 

She can’t chicken out forever. There will be a time when she will tell Chaewon how she felt about her. Chaewon spared a look at her and smirked.

And with that, the one who won’t chicken out was determined.

+++

It was the foundation day and thus the opening program began. The student council president made her speech despite a loud cheering crowd of students and with one of them wanting to court her. She made a snide comment, causing the crowd to coo and laugh. 

After her speech, their principal had the turn. The loud, excited and cheerful students became quiet, scared and sleepy. For the case of the student council president, she got closer to IZ*1 as they prepared.

“Nice speech out there, Miyawaki~” Hyewon chanted. “You got Chaeyeon served~”

“I try, Kwangbae. Can I have a picture?”

Hyewon thought their president didn’t need to ask. The two took a selfie and she did the same to all members. Her last stop was Chaewon and she wowed of their new guitarist.

“Minju-ssi~” 

“Sakura-san. Nice to see you.” Minju bowed as Chaewon helped her with her earpiece. “Nice speech. Principal Kim always has the knack to shut them up because of her glare.”

“Thanks and yes, you’re right. You look prettier up close.” Sakura wowed. “Shall we take a selfie?”

Minju nodded and they took pictures the longest. The members wowed of Minju getting immense popularity despite being in the band for a year. This was also her first major concert with the group so having a large fanbase had the advantage.

Eunbi, Yuri, and Yujin shared hi-fives. Hyewon smirked as she nudged a glaring Chaewon. “Someone’s jealous.”

Chaewon shushed her. She then asked. “Remember the plan I told you?”

“Of course.” Hyewon patted her back. “Don’t give me that look because I’m doing it for the both of you.”

Yuri joined the duo as she heard the tea. She patted both her friends’ backs as she and Hyewon shared the same smirk. “I usually don’t get involved with this but it somehow got interesting. What happens if it will fail?”

Chaewon shushed them again. Her attention averted to a yelping Minju after she saw stuff behind the curtain.

“Hey. What’s wrong?” Chaewon asked. “You okay?”

“Sort of…” Minju mumbled. “There’s so many people.”

“It’ll be okay. It’s just like the performances we did.” Chaewon assured with a hug. “You’ll do great.”

Minju would be nervous right now. She was going to perform to a lot of people and Chaewon was hugging her. But then, her hugs always calmed her. She hugged Chaewon back and as Principal was almost done with her speech, IZ*1 were in their positions. Minju huffed as she held her guitar whereas Chaewon stretched before getting closer to the mic.

Once Principal Kim finished her speech and declared the celebration open, Yuri led the rhythm and IZ*1 performed the first intermission together with the second school’s idol group and dance troupe, 12*ONE. Everyone had a blast and loved the performance. The nervous Minju embraced the music and performance and did better job than expected – joining Eunbi in riffs and being Chaewon’s back-up vocal.

The performance ended with cheers. The performers were on their short break before the real concert. IZ*1 gathered and cheered for Minju because she did so well. Minju couldn’t believe that she could perform up to that caliber.

“Told you~” Chaewon raised an eyebrow as she smiled.

Minju was too happy that she hugged Chaewon tight. The members couldn’t believe it but they smirked and left them for a moment. Minju broke and felt the world stop just looking at Chaewon. Her heart raced of the proximity, leaving her to blush.

“You’re cute.” Chaewon lets out a cute smile. “Always remember that.”

Just then, 12*ONE greeted them and asked for IZ*1’s picture. Two familiar faces made Minju shocked. “You’re a dancer, Sakura-san?!”

“I’m more of a theater actress. Chaeyeon here taught me to put my grace into dance.” Sakura shared as she pinched her ear. “Even if she had a loud voice during the speech.”

“Big fan of you, Minju-ssi. Can we take a picture with you?” Chaeyeon asked.

Half of them took a picture with Minju while the other took a picture with Chaewon. They may be smiling with the fans but inside, they felt jealous of each other – probably because of the contacts. 12*ONE finished and went to the other members for a picture. It was then that Chaewon pulled Minju closer for a hug. A really tender one.

“We’ll take a lot of pictures together after the concert.” Chaewon whispered.

Minju’s heart thumped hard again as she nodded. They broke to return to the other members who were still having picture time. Chaewon checked the time and clapped so the members can hear. “Ten minutes to go. We need to prepare.”

12*ONE were also preparing for their dance presentations and workshops so they had to move to the other stage. IZ*1 gathered to vocalize and practice the rhythm before the MC calls them. They got to greet many fans, holding the banners of the members they loved. As they got to their places, they greeted everyone before starting the concert.

For the rest, it was the usual major performances every year. For Minju, it was tiresome yet fun. The singing of fifteen songs were like a hike yet all members did their utmost best to perform and bring a wonderful performance to the crowd.

Love Story was the last song they’ll sing; a classic to which everyone joined in. There was even a duet within the chorus, courtesy of Chaewon and Minju. During the ‘Romeo, save me’ portion, Minju had the chance of showcasing her voice. It was then that after her set of lines that made the crowd and her members cheer.

She looked to the side and there was Chaewon, kneeling down. She held Minju’s hand and continued the song.

Be my girl, Kim Minju. You’ll never have to be alone
I love you, and that’s all I really know.
I talked to our friends. Go pick out a white dress.
It’s a love story. Baby just say…

The music faded as Yuri did a little drum roll. Minju couldn’t believe what was happening. She couldn’t believe Chaewon pulled up a stunt, just for her to ask her out.
Yes, they built a relationship that’s almost unexplainable. Yet, the members felt their bond and thought that they were whipped for each other. Minju gulped, her hand on Chaewon’s hold still intact. Yuri panted for doing the drumrolls for so long as the audience cheered for Minju to sing that one line.

…yes~

The crowd cheered at the top of their lungs as the song continued. Minju pulled Chaewon up and they sang until the last line. As the song ended, all Chaewon and Minju could focus on were each other. They were parched yet they were smiling. 

The members gathered up front for the announcement of a live concert before their summer break and of course, Chaewon wasn’t shameful to confess that she pulled that little event for Minju  and that she was her girlfriend. Minju was red all over yet she joined Chaewon.

After all, she wad whipped for Chaewon. Having her to ask to be her girlfriend was the top of the list.

The crowd cheered for an encore. It was then that Chaewon had an idea and whispered to the rest of the members that they had one more song. “We have one more song, everyone…but please cheer for our Minju to lead us.”

Everyone cheered Minju’s name. Chaewon whispered the song and Minju was shocked at first.

“Don’t worry, love. I’ll sing with you.”

Coos echoed the place. Minju nodded and strummed the first notes. Yuri got the rhythm instantly and the rest followed. 

It was Open Arms; a song that they managed to practice for a short time. It was going to be a memorable song for it was the start of being together.
Chaewon and Minju looked at each other after the last part. The crowd cheered, Eunbi bids goodbye for their team, and they went backstage, gathering up and cheering like little kids for a job well done.

It was then that Eunbi pulled the new couple’s for the stunt a while ago. “That wasn’t part of the plan.”

“It was all mine. Kwangbae and Yul helped me.” Chaewon mumbled then looked at Minju. “It was about time we settle our relationship. I decided to be the courageous one between us.”

“Min’s a chicken.” Hyewon spoke, causing the rest to laugh and Minju to whine. “But she’s also brave for performing her best there and for answering Chaewon’s question.”

All of them agreed. Eunbi called for a celebratory dinner after they freshen up and the members cheered with high spirits. The members went ahead yet the new couple took selfies together, just as promised.

Out of many pictures, two stood as the best: one was Chaewon kissing Minju’s forehead while two was Minju kissing Chaewon’s cheek.

“Come on, lovebirds!” Yujin called. “Let’s go!”

The two saved the pictures as their home screens and followed the members.

The journey continues with music, friends, and Chaewon. But then, enlightenment, self-discovery, and love joined the equation.