Chapter 2
The day is slowly picking up. It's already afternoon and some of the girls just got out of their rooms again. Some are snacking on the breakfast leftovers while waiting for their food delivery. Some are catching up with the show on TV. Some are scrolling on their phones.
The moderately peaceful living room only became loud when Yujin went out. Youngeun was the first to notice and made everyone turn to their leader. Right. She said she'll be going out by this time. She's dressed in a black sleeveless cropped top and skinny jeans, a cardigan draping on her arm. Her curves are beautifully accentuated. Her hair in a messy bun complements her small face. A head turner, she is. Stunned, the younger girls wowed at what they saw.
"Wow! We got an idol in our dorm! God, unnie! You're so pretty!" Everyone needs a Youngeun, who doesn't shy away from showering her friends compliments. Well, Yujin deserves every wow she's getting. Was it because of her makeup? But her aura feels different this time. She looks sexier. Tempting even. Unlike her usual styling.
"Thank you for the compliments." Yujin bows and giggles. "I'll be out until late." She stops and hesitates to speak. Suddenly she's back to her usual cute self. "Uhm.. will you guys wish me luck? I'm kind of nervous."
"Why unnie? Are you going on a date? That's so spontaneous." Dayeon chuckles at the thought.
"Yes.. I am." Yujin replied shyly. "Actually this meet-up has been long overdue. Anyway, it's been so long since I had a date... I forgot what to do." Yujin sighs. She fidgets with the sleeves of her cardigan.
"Ayyy, unnie! I'm sure your date will be stunned to meet you. You're lovely! You're always kind, so your personality wouldn't be a problem. Hmm.. I think you got this." Youngeun smiles widely and wraps Yujin in a back hug. "Look! Even Xiaoting unnie can't take her eyes off you. She's so pretty, right, Ting unnie?" She points at Xiaoting who seems to get lost staring, or more like checking Yujin out.
Mashiro has to nudge her friend when the silence is prolonged. "What?" Xiaoting turned to her. "Youngeun is asking if you find Yujin unnie pretty." She answered. "Aah. Y-yeah. Yeah. Pretty. She's pretty." Xiaoting bites her tongue and looks away when she met Yujin's gaze.
"Wait, wait, wait, unnie. Who is the lucky girl? Name? Instagram? Sit down first and we'll search her up."
Xiaoting reminded herself to thank Dayeon for saving the situation. She feels so awkward.
"I'll send her profile to our group chat. I have to go. I'll be running late. Bye!" That, and Yujin rushed to the door.
Yujin's closest friends know that she likes girls. She trusts them well enough to reveal this side of her. Although she doesn't really hide it anyway. For her, it's best to be true to yourself if you want to be happy.
After she leave, the girls sent her good wishes in their group chat. It makes the leader feel relieved. She dropped the link to her date's profile and turned her phone off. She hopes it goes well.
The girls did check what Yujin sent, and boy, they were surprised. She is going on a date with Han Seola, a rookie model. How did they even know each other? They'll surely ask Yujin about the details later. For now, they're already swooning at the model. Thinking how great of a pair she and Yujin will be. Suddenly, a comment from one of the members surprised them even more.
"Hmm.. She's pretty. I acknowledge that. But not prettier than me." All of them looked at Xiaoting. Yes, they know she's the team's visual member, but they still can't get accustomed that she's sometimes proud like this.
"We get it unnie. Yes, yes. You're also pretty. Don't be jealous we're complimenting her so much." Hikaru leads the jokes which makes the members stumble laughing.
"I'm not jealous. I mean, Yujin unnie will still find me prettier. Bet." Xiaoting displays them her proudest smile. They just nod at that. Because in fairness, Xiaoting has every right to be conceited. Since the start, Yujin has voiced out how pretty and goddess-like Xiaoting is for her. That even gained a few scoffs from the program's fellow first placers Dayeon and Hikaru. The group is also very much aware of their leader's fondness for the Chinese member. Head over heels. Swooned. Whipped. That's what Yujin is to Xiaoting. She announced in her private messages that she has a crush on her. Made her her wallpaper for the longest time. Said that she was fine with the unrequited feelings. And talked about her every moment she gets. Yujin has done things to make the world know she likes her.
"Always love your confidence, Ting. But nothing's sure until it's done." Mashiro smiles. "Besides, you know right?" A wink was sent Xiaoting's way, reminding her of her current status is with Yujin. She knows that. But she's still positive they'll get this through. Just like the previous times.
"Oooh.. You're keeping secrets to us now, huh, Shiro unnie, Ting unnie?" Youngeun pouts at them and crosses her arms.
"Nah, it's not a secret. I just... I just reminded Ting of her date with Yujin unnie. If she didn't move it, maybe Yujin unnie wouldn't have to go on a date with Seola-nim today." The co-leader stutters at first thinking of what explanation would suffice. Good thing she came up with one, but what she said wasn't a lie though.
"Oh? Then if Yujin unnie and Seola-nim clicked, it's because of Ting unnie." Is Youngeun always this good at persuading? 'Cause Xiaoting is starting to ponder. She has a point. She remembered the two of them is supposed to go out. But then, things happened. Well, she made it happen.
"It's better for Yujin unnie that way. At least she could have a new chance at love. Ting unnie doesn't like her the way she does anyway." Dayeon should just have shut her mouth. Now Xiaoting is glaring at her. "Good point, Yeoni." Mashiro laughs making her friend glare at her too.
"Whatever." Xiaoting wouldn't use her energy to argue. They'll know it later after Yujin gets home.
A few hours more and the empty living room got packed of excited members welcoming their leader. As soon as they heard the door's passcode beep, they got out of their rooms.
Teas are best served while hot.
They now sit in a circle waiting for Yujin to get changed. The leader sat between Mashiro and Hiyyih. "So how was it, unnie?" That question makes Yujin suppress a smile. But the way her eyes disappeared and the blush on her cheeks gave it away.
"It was better than I expected!" She said in a rush. She's excited. "At first I thought we need a lot of warming up. But our conversation went smoothly. You know when you meet your old friends? That feeling. I think we matched well." Yujin thinks she's as red as a tomato now. She can feel the heat on her cheeks. It doesn't help that the girls are now chanting "Second date! Second date!"
"Of course, there would be a second date. We already book a restaurant." More cheers erupted. Seeing Yujin this giddy makes them happy for her. Well, except for the lone Chinese member who seems to be lost in her thoughts. She doesn't understand why she can't stand seeing Yujin like this. Does she secretly dislike her? Nah, that's impossible. Yujin is way too sweet to be hated. Then why? She mindlessly groans in frustration, attracting the girls' attention.
"Yes, Ting?" Yujin looks at her confused.
"Sorry. A thought crossed my mind. Please continue." Xiaoting answered. Yujin who usually will ask further, didn't ask this time. She's too caught up remembering her date. "Sooo... as I was saying, she was attentive to me. Maybe it's because she's older? It's too early to tell so I'll see how she is as a person. But I'm looking forward."
Yujin has been an older sister for most of her groups; inside and outside the industry. Naturally, she looks out for her younger friends. So having met someone who takes care of her makes her feel hopeful of the days to come and what will blossom between the two of them.
Their conversation was disrupted by a phone call from Yujin. The members watch as their leader's pout turns into a smile. She showed them her phone. It is her. Han Seola. The girls exchanged surprised looks. It looks like it's not only Yujin who enjoyed the date.