"Your iced caramel macchiato will always be my favorite," Joy exclaimed, holding the cup in her hand firmly. "I'm so happy you and Sojung decided to franchise your cafe."

"Thank you," Yerin grinned, leaning over the counter to talk to the other in a more private manner, not wanting to be distracted by the hustle and bustle of the cafe. "You know, I never asked you, but what have you been doing ever since Eunbi's company went down?"

Joy took a sip of her drink as the other asked her question. "Right... I never really told anyone, but when Yewon left, she put in a word for me and Byul hired me on the spot. I think she knew that the Hwangs weren't going to last so she saved my ."

Yerin couldn't help but smile. Joy deserved the position especially after everything she's done for Eunbi. Even through her darkest, Joy never left the company. She's proven her loyalty enough to be trusted even by Eunbi's friends.

"I'm glad," Yerin chuckled, glancing at a figure that pushed through the doors. "It was nice seeing you. Let's grab lunch some time?"

"Definitely!" Joy waved, walking away to get back to work.

Yerin walked to the cash register, her hands tapping the counter as she watched the figure approach. The latter was already suspicious - covered from head to toe in all black and a hoodie over their head. Squinting her eyes, Yerin stood still upon realizing who it was.

"Yuna-"

"I miss you," Yuna whispered behind her mask, only her eyes visible in fears of being recognized. "It's been two weeks and you haven't answered any of my calls or texts. Let's talk... Please."

"So? How long are you staying in Japan?" Seohyun took a glimpse of her best friend as she looked through a magazine of dresses.

"Uhm..." Chaerin hummed, flipping through the pages absentmindedly. "Maybe three weeks until I find the perfect dress for the awards show?" 

"Weird," Seohyun whispered, nodding at the waitress that brought them their mimosas and omelets. "I thought by now you'd at least be searching for a wedding dress."

Chaerin couldn't help but shoot a glare towards the other, finally placing the magazine down on the table. "Very funny."

"I'm serious," Seohyun frowned, grabbing her fork to take a few bites of her food. "It's been five years, Chae. Is Ian not going to upgrade that promise ring?"

Chaerin glanced down at the studded ring on her pinky finger, admiring the way it shimmered beneath the light. "I'm not rushing," she smiled. "Plus, it's me that doesn't want to get married yet. I want to marry when I know I'm ready." She brushed off the subject by immediately moving onto a new one. "Anyways, wasn't Yewon supposed to join us this morning? I thought she wanted to design the dress for me?"

Seohyun stopped at the mention of her sister, gently poking at her breakfast. "She wasn't feeling that well, but she said she can meet with you sometime this week at the company."

"Very professional," Chaerin pursed her lips. She noticed her best friend's sudden distant demeanor. "You want me to talk to her?"

Seohyun was amazed. She could never get anything past her best friend. "Would you? Please? For some reason, she listens to you the most."

"Well," Chaerin laughed, "I'm sure you know by now that I'm her favorite."

Yuna and Yerin stared at each other for a while. The cafe owner invited the singer in a private break room to have a proper conversation, but the air was filled with silence. They both didn't know what to say.

"Don't you have an album to prepare for?" Yerin asked. "Why are you here?"

Yuna fiddled with the sleeves of her zip up jacket. "I do," she nodded, "but I can't get any work done because the only thing on my mind is you."

Yerin wasn't sure what to say next. She had been purposely ignoring Yuna for weeks, but her words were making it difficult. "You shouldn't have come here."

"If I didn't, then you wouldn't have talked to me at all, right?" Yuna frowned. "Yerin, I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'd never do it on purpose," the singer murmured. "Please stop ignoring me." Standing, she walked closer to Yerin, her hand grasping the other's. "And... I've been doing a lot of thinking." She kissed the back of Yerin's hand. "I want you to officially be my girlfriend."

Yerin sat still as she felt Yuna's soft lips on her skin. She couldn't believe the words that came out of the other's mouth. "Your girlfriend...?"

"Yes," the singer nodded firmly. "My girlfriend."

Yerin looked down as the other kept a firm grip on her hand, refusing to let go. "No."

Yuna's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she tightened her grip on Yerin's hand. "Huh..? What do you mean-"

"No," Yerin shook her head, pulling her hand away from the singer's grip. "I can't be your girlfriend, Yuna. I'm sorry."

Yuna felt her knees go weak, carefully standing from her position. "I don't... I don't understand. Isn't this what we've been waiting for?"

The cafe owner was quiet. She wasn't expecting to see Yuna so soon, but she couldn't go on any further. "I've also been doing a lot of thinking myself, Yuna. And I realized that I don't want to be someone's girlfriend if they have to hide me from the public," Yerin smiled weakly. "And I understand that it's out of your control, but I'd be a fool to put my feelings aside knowing I'll get hurt along t