Seulgi and Wendy entered their hotel room, their energy depleted from the long flight and the disappointment of their canceled concert in Madrid. They dropped their bags and collapsed onto the beds, their bodies sinking into the soft mattresses. Wendy let out a deep sigh, her exhaustion evident in the sound.

"Pfft, can you believe it? Our concert got canceled," she lamented, her voice tinged with frustration.

Seulgi turned to face Wendy and offered a sympathetic smile. "I know, it's a bummer. But hey, like they said, it was for safety reasons, right? That's what matters the most."

Wendy lifted her arm and covered her eyes, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. "Yeah, you're right. I'm just... I don't know, disappointed, I guess. It's like everything happening so fast."

Removing her arm, Wendy stared up at the ceiling, lost in her thoughts. It felt like just yesterday that they were starting their "R to V" concert tour, embarking on a whirlwind journey filled with tight schedules and sleepless nights. In Wendy’s case, she had to fly back to Korea after each concert to host her radio show, Youngstreet. The relentless pace left her with little time to explore the cities they visited, leaving her perpetually exhausted.

"Now that the 'R to V' tour is officially over, it feels... empty," Wendy continued, her voice filled with a sense of longing.

Seugi simply stared at her friend for a moment, taking the time to observe her expressions. She then reached out and placed a comforting hand over Wendy's, their fingers interlocking. "It's okay, Wendy. What you're feeling is completely normal. Remember how our fans experience post-concert depression? It's… a bit like that, you know. The excitement and energy build up, and when it's over, there's this void that needs to be filled."

Wendy's lips curved into a small smile as Seulgi continued. "But for us, it's not just the emotional aspect; it's the physical exhaustion too."

Seulgi nodded in finality, squeezing Wendy’s hand gently. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, take it easy Wan. Let’s just take this time to rest and recover. Next thing you know, we’ll find our rhythm again."

Wendy's smile widened, a warmth spreading through her heart. No words could express how thankful she was for Seulgi's presence, her unwavering support a constant source of comfort. "You always know what to say, Seul. How’d I get so lucky to have you?"

Seulgi blushed and playfully nudged Wendy's shoulder. "And I'm lucky to have you too, Wendy. We'll get through this together, just like we always have."

After her best friend’s comforting words, Wendy stood up from the bed, feeling a surge of energy coursing through her limbs. She stretched her arms high above her head, contemplating whether she should venture out and explore Madrid's streets. The city held so much allure, and Wendy was suddenly eager to immerse herself in its vibrant culture.

But just as she was about to make up her mind, Wendy felt a vibration in her lap. She pulled out her phone from her pocket and almost did a double take at the unexpected text that had just arrived.

Talk about surprises, Wendy thought.

Curiosity piqued, Wendy tapped away on her phone, as she walked over to the closet, her cheeks still flushed with excitement. Seulgi raised her head from the bed, noticing her best friend’s change in demeanor.

"Hey Wan, did you wanna go out today?" Seulgi perked up, assuming that Wendy’s sudden energy boost was a good time to ask her to hang.

Wendy hummed in acknowledgment, turning to face the main dancer. A rare tinge of shyness colored her cheeks, making Seulgi quirk an amused eyebrow, "Omo, what’s got you blushing all of a sudden? Was it because of the text?"

Wendy chuckled, the sound carrying a hint of bashfulness. "Nah. Just got an unexpected text from a friend, that’s all," she tried to say nonchalantly.

Seulgi repeated the words slowly, her tone teasing. "Just a friend, huh?" 

Before she could further prod, a pillow flew across the room, hitting Seulgi square in the face. They both burst into laughter, the playful banter lifting their spirits.

Seulgi stood up and walked over to retrieve her own phone, playfully stating, "Well, if that's the case, I'll just have to video call Joy then."

Wendy's eyes lit up at the mention of Joy. She saw an opportunity to turn the tables on Seulgi. "Oh, really? That's the third time you've called Joy today, isn't it?"

Seulgi's face reddened, and she stammered, "I... I just want to check on her, you know, see how she's doing."

Wendy laughed mischievously, obviously enjoying their switch of states. "Uh-huh, sure. Just make sure to say hi to Joy from me."

"Okay, okay. I will."

Just as the conversation reached a lighthearted pause, Wendy's phone pinged again, signaling the arrival of a new message. She furrowed her eyebrows as she read the text, a look of seriousness crossing her face. Seulgi looked up from her phone a second, and immediately noticed this.

"What's the matter, Wan? Is something wrong?" Seulgi asked, concern evident in her voice.

Wendy looked up, her expression a mixture of worry and determination. 

"Seul, how long do you think a flight from Madrid to Korea would take?"

***

Miyeon was a fool. A silly, hopeless fool. 

It had been almost a year since the release of her solo EP, "MY," and the whirlwind of promotions that followed. Amidst the chaos of music shows and variety appearances, one particular moment stood out vividly in her mind—her appearance on SBS Youngstreet, hosted by none other than Wendy from Red Velvet.

You see, Miyeon had always been known for her sweet nature and warm interactions with fellow idols. Perks of being an extrovert and music show host, she thought. But ironically, she had rarely crossed paths with Wendy. 

Of course, Miyeon still remained an ardent fan of Wendy's music, as the fellow main vocalist’s songs held a special place in her heart. There was just something about Wendy's singing that resonated with her on a profound level, becoming a source of comfort during moments when words failed her.

Now, the irony of the situation was not lost on Miyeon. Here she was, an idol herself, feeling nervous and anxious about meeting her idol. She couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

Fast forward to the fateful day of their meeting. Miyeon couldn't contain her excitement as she stepped onto the set of Youngstreet. The nerves were tingling through her veins, and she couldn't help but feel like a giddy schoolgirl all over again. As the show began, she found herself captivated by Wendy's infectious smile and genuine down-to-earth demeanor. 

So the rumors were true after all, she had thought.

Throughout the show, Wendy's eyes would occasionally wander in Miyeon's direction, giving her longing glances that sent shivers down her spine. Miyeon's heart skipped a beat every time their eyes met, a delightful mix of anticipation and awe washing over her.

And then came the moment that turned Miyeon into a complete mess. 

Inside the cozy Youngstreet radio booth, Wendy and Miyeon sat facing each other, a glass divider between them but Miyeon could clearly see and admire the older girl’s features from where she was sitting. 

Miyeon's heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness as she soaked in the moment—her idol, Wendy, was complimenting her. On live radio. It felt surreal, and she could hardly believe her ears.

"You know, Miyeon," Wendy had spontaneously brought up, her voice filled with sincerity, "in person, I can't stop looking at you."

Miyeon's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing with a rosy hue. "W-What?" she managed to utter, her voice betraying her disbelief.

Wendy chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "Your eyes are very pretty," she continued, her words carrying a sense of awe. "They're so bright and... it reminds me of a deer-like expression. It makes me shy."

Miyeon's bashful smile grew impossibly wider, almost as if it were going to fall off her face, as she tried to process the compliment. It felt like a dream—a wonderful, enchanting dream that she never wanted to wake up from.

"You're the one who's shy?" Miyeon replied, her voice filled with incredulity. "I'm shy too, oh my god."

Wendy's laughter filled the air, a sound that tugged at the younger girl’s heartstrings. "I know I’m the one who said it, but I'm really getting embarrassed," Wendy confessed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

Miyeon's bashfulness deepened as she mustered the courage to respond. "Omo, thank you..." Her voice trailed off, unable to capture the depth of her gratitude and admiration for the person sitting before her.

Wendy's eyes softened, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Yeah, um, you're really pretty," she added, her words carrying a warmth that echoed in the confines of