Chapter 12
The girls were as usual high energy when they gathered in the living room. They just finished performing at a university festival.
"I tried not to laugh at Yeseo when she missed her position because she was interacting with the audience. She looks so flustered. She's a baby!"
Youngeun exclaimed as they recalled what happened to the show.
"We saw it too. I was trying to hold it in then I met gazes with Hikaru and we both laughed. It was heard on the mic. Yeseo is so cute!"
Chaehyun chimes in. She wraps the youngest in a hug. Yeseo just shook her head and joined the laughter. It can't be helped. The girls will see her as their forever baby.
The fun conversation continues as they start snacking. The co-leader then noticed that their leader still needed to arrive.
"What's taking Yujin unnie long? We've been talking for a while now." She asked, checking their group chat for her text.
The question gathered a curious look from the members. They know that the leader talks to their manager after schedules for updates or feedback. But it doesn't last for half an hour like this.
"Unnie, where are you?"
They exchanged glances when they heard Xiaoting calling their leader. Sure they are wondering but they're not that worried. They know where she is anyway.
"It's not that she'll run away, Ting," Shiro commented after the phone call.
"I'm just making sure, okay? She said she's discussing something with Junhee oppa."
The members just nod at that. After a while, Xiaoting excuses herself first while the other girls are still playing. Soon, the living room was quiet again as the members dispersed into their own rooms.
It took a quarter of an hour before the girls heard their door unlock indicating Yujin finally got home. The leader shuffles to her feet to get in front of a room. She knocks.
"Come in." She heard a yell and opened the door.
"Hi, unnie." Chaehyun greets. "What took you so long? We were waiting for you. You still owe us some snacks for missing the movie night last time. Now you miss our night talk." She stops using her laptop to look at the girl standing in front of their bed.
"I asked our Manager for something. It was hard to convince him so the discussion went on." The leader answers scratching the back of her neck as if caught doing a secret act.
"Oh, what did you even ask of him for you to talk to him for hours? Well, at least you won over him?" Yujin nodded. "Good. But the snacks are still on you next time."
The oldest girl chuckles at her member's remarks. "Sure, sure. It's on me." She answers.
Chaehyun then noticed the leader had been tiptoeing to see the top bunk. It is her turn to laugh.
"Unnie, it doesn't work like that." She stands up and climbs the stairs to the top bed. "See? You should do this."
"Uhm... is she asleep already?" Yujin came closer and tiptoed again as a bunch of stuffed toys were blocking her view.
"Unnie, we're not even trying to lower our voices. We could still have woken her up if she was asleep. But, she isn't." Chaehyun chuckles. She shakes the girl on the bed. "Ting unnie. Don't you hear Yujin unnie looking for you?"
"Ah, she's wearing headphones," Chaehyun announced as she sat on the edge of the top bed, waiting for Xiaoting to stand up.
When Xiaoting does, she sees Yujin looking at her. A shy smile on her face, makes Xiaoting smile at her too.
Fortunately for the two, they have gotten better. They were talking again, eventually restoring their friendship.
However, there's a part that wasn't addressed yet as if both silently agreed not to talk about anymore.
It has been three months since Xiaoting confessed, but Yujin has never said anything about it. She only came to her a week after the confession to talk about the apology, accepted it, and said she forgave her. Xiaoting didn't bring the topic back again nor ask her about it.
However, that doesn't mean the Chinese girl would stop. Not now that Yujin knows she likes her. Xiaoting became sweeter than she already was, more caring, and always attentive to Yujin. This time, she completely surrenders to her feelings, fighting her fears, and pushing the need to hide or "pull back". She's assured with her words and actions, making it up to Yujin in every chance she gets.
"Am I here to judge the winner in your staring contest?" Chaehyun commented.
They didn't even notice she already got down, and now alternately looking at them. The two oldest break apart from the stare quickly, making Chaehyun chuckle at the sight.
"Are you going to just stand there, Yujin unnie? Why were you asking for her anyway?", asked Chaehyun pointing at the girl on the top bunk.
"We're going somewhere. Ting, come on!", answered the leader smiling.
"Now?" The Chinese member asked surprised. It's past 9 p.m.
"Yes? Didn't I tell you that when you call?"
"Ooooh. Someone's mad. Good luck, Ting unnie." Chaehyun laughs seeing her roommate hurriedly go down from her bed.
"Bye, Chaehyun-i. Good night." Yujin said as she dragged the confused Xiaoting outside the room.
Yujin pouts seeing her member already washed up and wearing her pajamas.
"Didn't I tell you we are going out?", she asked, arms crossed.
"Y-yeah. But I thought were not going anymore because it's late and---"
Xiaoting wanted to explain but she couldn't hold her giggles anymore. Yujin is sulking and she looks incredibly cute when she's like this.
"Ouch! Ayy, Xiaoting!" The leader exclaimed when her member pinched both her cheeks.
"Such a baby." Xiaoting taps those squishy cheeks lightly before walking out to the group's shared closet to get two hoodies for her and this girl.
"Where are we going at this hour? Does our manager know about this?" Xiaoting asked while they walked outside.
"You'll know when we get there," Yujin answered. "And yes, Manager Junhee knows about it. 100% sure I have his permission." She smirked.
Yujin is in a hurry as the place they'll be going, to will be closed in less than two hours. So she held the younger's wrist and sprinted outside.
Xiaoting is in for a surprise. If it's good or not, it has yet to be revealed. She doesn't know what to expect. She doesn't even know where she's taking her.
But whatever it is, wherever it is, as long as she's with Yujin, she doesn't mind.