"Thanks for sending me home!" 

"Thanks for finally giving me this chance to send you home," Jiyong took a jab at her, referring to the time where she ran off from his house a month ago. "Maybe I should thank my parents instead?" 

"I was just playing safe," Yoona rolled her eyes. "It's because you're not safety-conscious, that's why you're the media's favourite."

"Wow wow. I didn't see you rolling your eyes back at the pension?" Jiyong raised his brows. "Actor Im?" 

"Now then you know I'm two-faced?" Yoona smirked. "I'm the best at role-playing goody two shoes~"

"Tsk tsk, if only my family sees this side of you," Jiyong commented with a contented sigh. "Alright, it's getting late, go on now. Goodnight. Stay safe." 

"Thank you for the dinner invite and the ride home, oppa," Yoona gave a gentle smile. "I had a great time."

"I had fun too. Maybe we can try baking again next time?"

"Bye!" Yoona got out of the car quickly, ignoring his suggestion.

"Yah!" 

Watching her ran into the apartment and ensured that the coast was still clear, Jiyong shook his head and chuckled in defeat, driving off. 

"I'm homeeeee~" Yoona unlocked the door and found her father already standing by the door.

"Who's that guy that drove you back with that fancy car?" Mr. Im asked, raising his brows. 

"How do you know that it's a guy?" Yoona chuckled at her father's reaction. "I thought the windows are totally tinted." 

"No girls will drive an Aventador," Mr. Im commented. "Is he from the entertainment industry? Businessman?"

"Appa, you're a ist," Yoona snorted. "Girls can drive fancy car too. I'm driving a Porsh." 

"Don't change the subject, you little imp," Mr. Im wasn't going to be fooled by his witty daughter. "Who's that guy?" 

"A friend?" Yoona looked at him, giving a wide grin. "You were never that concerned about my circle of friends, appa."

"Well, now that you're over the big three this year, I've to start being concerned," Mr. Im stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Technically, in international age, I'm still only thirty this year!" Yoona argued and groaned. "You can't be those naggy mothers that want their daughters to get married off quickly!"

"Well, we're in Korea, so we follow the Korean age, which means you're 31, agassi," Mr. Im nagged, "and technically, I can. I've been holding dual parenting roles since you're young, in case it slipped off your mind completely." 

"I-I baked nutella cookies for you!" Yoona flashed out the box of cookies she brought back, trying to divert the topic. 

"You were out to bake cookies? I thought you always love to bake at home?" Mr. Im's attention, though was captured successfully, did not forget to dig for more information. "Baked with that guy?" 

"Appa! Just eat!" Yoona did not look at which cookie she picked up, just grabbing and stuffing one into her father's mouth.

Due to the fact that she had shared them with the Kwons, two boxes had became one. The Kwons of course, mostly only ate the cookies baked soley by her and only after much whining from their maknae, did the three of them reluctantly shared a piece and ended up swallowing it with the help of their glass of red wine. 

"Yah, I just praised that your nutella cookies are the best yesterday," Mr. Im spat out the cookie immediately, heading to the kitchen to get a glass of water, washing down the taste. "Why did the standard drop that much?!" 

Yoona laughed, realising that her father had (unfortunately) ate the one that Jiyong baked. 

"Is it that bad?" Yoona laughed, biting one mouth herself. "I tried my might to salvage it already. I thought it could still be eaten with milk maybe." 

"You can have them all then," Mr. Im made a distaste expression. "Now, tell me, who's that guy?" 
 

"A-A friend!" 

"So when are you going to show this friend to me?" 

Yoona thought for a moment; she had met Jiyong's family and had a great time. Maybe, it's only courtesy if she invite him over for dinner, to convey her thanks? 

"If you're going to creep him out like that, then no," Yoona pouted. "We're just friends, appa!" 

"So you're admitting that he's a guy?" Mr. Im teased. "Ahhhh. Finally! After 5 years! A brand new decade, a brand new boyfriend!" 

"Appa, we are friends!" Yoona was going crazy trying to explain to her father. "He's not my boyfriend!" 

"It always started off as friends~" Mr. Im said excitedly. "Is he another idol? Older? Younger? Judging from his car, he must be pretty rich." 

He's filthy rich, Yoona thought in her head but she wasn't going to tell her father, "I'm not going to answer any of your questions. I'm going to shower."

"Yah Im Yoona! Don't make me ask the Soshi girls!" 

"They'll ignore you!" 

✾✽✾✽✾✽

It's March. Winter was walking towards the end and it was Soshi's beloved leader's birthday. It was meant to be happy, with them partying and celebrating. 

But no. 

Korea was hit hard by COVID-19, forcing the nation to go into an urgent state of emergency and not only that, Taeyeon's birthday became her father's death anniversary. From a joyous occasion, it had become a tragedy.

"Thanks guys, thank you for coming..." Taeyeon put on a weary smile, bringing them drinks. 

"Yah, we'll help ourselves, you don't have to tend to us," Daesung got up quickly, helping her with the drinks. "Take a rest."

"I'm fine, there's nothing much to do. Because of the virus, everything is restricted. We can't hold a grand funeral. Look, there's only you guys. First time right? Being able to eat in peace as a group without the paparazzis taking photo. Can't believe this can only happen during a funeral." 

The Soshi girls crowded around Taeyeon and gave her a warm hug, all tearing up. The guys sat there, a gloomy look.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. He's... In a better place now," Taeyeon sniffed and gave a strong smile. "I'm just feeling a little guilty for not spending more time with him when he's around..."

"Taeng, he'll understand. You did your best," Youngbae patted her shoulder, giving her a smile. "He'll be very proud of you." 

"Thanks oppa..." Taeyeon perked up, giving a smile. "Sorry for this sudden notice. You guys must be busy gearing up for a comeback."

"Nahs, Coachella has been postponed to October, meaning no comeback, no new song, longer breaks," Taeyang gave a warm smile. "Don't be silly. What are you apologizing for? We must come, be it we need to prepare for a comeback or not."

"Yah, eat more. You didn't eat for the entire day right?" Jiyong, on the other hand, kept giving food to Yoona, nagging away. "Taeng seems to eat more than you even." 

"Thanks oppa..." Yoona munched slowly and blurted mindlessly.

That comment made all heads turned. Yoona continued chewing, staring blankly and it wasn't until TOP feigned a few coughs, did she looked up and finally realised everyone was staring at her. 

"I've things on my face?" Yoona asked, her cheeks puffed up with rice. 

That action alone was enough to melt Jiyong's heart. How could this woman be so cute?! But of course, he knew this cuteness wasn't going to let her get away from the interrogation. This silly girl. She must be deep in her thoughts that she didn't realise she had called him 'oppa' so naturally in front of the others. 

"Uhm... Yoona, if I heard you correctly just now..." Seungri was the conversation-starter obviously. "You called Jiyong hyung... oppa?" 

"D-Did I?" Yoona's face turned red almost instantly, letting out nervous chuckles. "O-Of course not! W-Why would I!" 

"Ani, I heard it too~" Sunny backed him up.

"Me too!"

"Me three!" 

Everyone started going against her and even Taeyeon was cheered up by this cute revelation; she thought it was finally about time this two took another step.

"I've heard it loud and clear too, Yoong," Taeyeon smiled and winked at Jiyong. "You heard it too right, OPPA?" 

Jiyong, who chose to remain silent all these while, drinking his water, started choking. "I-I didn't!" 

Everyone threw him a disapproved look, all shaking their heads at the duo's lousy lie.

"W-What!" 

"Ahhhh~ Look at them, having the same reactions even," Sooyoung sighed in exaggeration. "I knew it. So this is why Jiyong oppa was the one who contacted us when Yoong was in hospital during Christmas. You guys went dating!" 

"W-We did not!" Since denial was thrown out of the window, Yoona decided to use the demeanour method that Jiyong previously used. "Didn't you guys kept bugging me on why I was being rude and unfriendly to him? Now that I'm calling him 'oppa', you guys have comments too. How about you guys tell me what to call him then? Humph!" 

Her demeanour apparently didn't work at all. In fact, it had the exact opposite effect. 

"Uhm... 'jagiya'?" Yuri suggested. 

"Ani, I think 'nampyeon' will be better." 

"Yah, it's all english now. Bae!" 

"Yah, that's my name! It'll be confusing. I would vote for 'jagi'." 

"You guys!" Yoona shrieked before realising they were in a solemn event. She lowered her volume, hissing, "stop it!" 

Everyone laughed at her reaction.

"You guys, stop it. We just got to know each other