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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Members' Teasing
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"The two of them have already filed their marriage registration."
Opening the window revealed bright sunshine and the beautiful Mediterranean beach.
The familiar scenery of Nice was now time to bid farewell, after a month-long trip with the members.
"What are you gonna do for the rest of your vacation?"
"I'm going home to rest up. I wanna eat kimchi stew~."
"I can't wait to turn back into a homebody~."
Minah and Yerin, both with that 'I' in their MBTI, let out nasal whines.
Smiles that weren't really smiles.
A month abroad without the company's care had worn them down more than expected.
"May's heading to Japan too.... So just me and Serin aren't going straight back to Korea?"
"Where to next?"
"Huh? Unnie, you still have energy left?"
"What's up with that? You hate wandering around alone."
The members' surprised reactions. I flashed a grin and silently showed them my phone.
The first to react was our cutie, May.
"Unnie's going to Japan too?"
"Yeah. Sucks it's Tokyo and not Fukuoka with you."
May puffed out her cheeks on habit.
I reached out to those glutinous rice cake-soft cheeks.
It was just regrettable that I wouldn't feel this squishiness for a while.
"A friend of mine's traveling in Japan. I'm gonna join them."
"Hold up. I think I know who this 'friend' unnie's talking about is."
"You too?"
The Twin Sisters—Yerin and Serin—exchanged knowing smirks at the word "friend."
"I knew right away too."
The Maknae Line—Minah—nodded with a shy smile.
How the hell do they all know?
I was about to tilt my head and ask when...
"Yeah, Tokyo's perfect for dates. Though at this time of year, for pretty scenery, Tokyo might not be the best—"
"Whoa, hold on. What are you all talking about?"
"Huh? The friend unnie's meeting—it's him, right? Yumin oppa."
The members all nodded at May's words.
It was creepy enough that they'd all thought of Yumin at once, but even more shocking was this.
"...Why are you saying it like Yumin and I are going on a couple's trip?"
"Unnie, it'd be weirder if you hadn't noticed. For the past two months, you've been nonstop KakaoTalk and calls with Yumin oppa."
"Minah's right. You were on the phone so much, I was like, 'Oh, Yumin oppa must've been discharged?'"
"Can't help it. If my boyfriend got discharged safe and sound, I'd be thrilled too."
"What the hell are you bratty members saying!!"
I raised my voice at the most ridiculous thing I'd heard all year.
May, nestled in my arms, was fine, but Minah and Yerin jumped at the loudness, while this bratty Serin didn't budge.
Spoiled them too much, and now these brats won't listen.
'Sigh, shoulda laid down the law.'
Shoving aside my leader aura that had flown off into the distance once more, I forced a smile.
"Guys, you're seriously misunderstanding something big right now...?"
"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?"
"You haven't had the engagement ceremony yet?"
"Hey, you're only twenty-three. Getting engaged is weird enough."
"Chaewon unnie might've already had it, though~ I wanna see the newlywed face so bad~."
Even after using May as an example, the brats didn't flinch.
Their eyes sparkled, plotting how to tease me even harder.
"...You little."
Guess I had to show some leader dignity.
I was rolling up my sleeves to say something when my same-age friend beat me to it.
"You punks! I told you not to tease the eldest unnie even if Chaewon is cute!"
"...Serin-ah."
"The two of them have already filed their marriage registration."
I was a fool for trusting her.
I glared daggers at the back of Serin's head, and she spun around with a cute pout.
This would drag on with nonsense if I let it, so I struck first.
"First off, I don't get why you're all assuming Yumin and I are dating."
"...No way you're saying you're not?"
"That'd be the creepiest, most absurd thing I've heard—not just this year, but the last three."
"Don't do that, Chaewon. Why spoil the shock twist?"
"We're not dating. So, not dating."
I slammed the table in frustration and stated it clearly.
They all froze like they'd glitched out...
"...Huh?"
"I seriously.... Ha...!"
"Sixth Sense? Inception? The real plot twist is Han Chaewon's love life...."
"Members, this won't do. Let's help unnie with her love life. Otherwise, I'm gonna lose it."
Open sarcasm from the lot.
Seeing them whisper right in front of me stung a bit, but their genuine bafflement drew only a hollow laugh from me.
As the eldest unnie and leader, I swallowed my anger and spoke gently.
"Yumin doesn't even know I'm coming to Japan yet. Hell, I don't even know where in Japan he is. And one more time: we're not dating. It's a normal friendship trip."
"That's. Why. A friendship trip between you two...!"
"Because we're friends!"
"Friends...? You two flirt that much and still call it friendship...?!?!"
"But Minah, Yumin oppa's got issues too. How can anyone stay friends with her this long? What, affection? Sure. But unnie's personality aside, she's drop-dead gorgeous."
"Sticking around with that personality means dating's inevitable...!"
"Exactly."
"...Our Yerin and Minah have no filter with unnie, huh?"
"Can't even date right and wants unnie privileges?!"
"...You guys. Really?"
My low voice and furrowed brow finally clued them in that they'd gone too far.
Leading the charge, Yerin and Minah grimaced apologetically, with May and Serin following suit.
I softened my stiff expression only after hearing their sorries.
Tok tok.
I sat on the sofa first.
The members scurried after me.
"No matter how frustrated you get, Yumin and I are friends. It's been fifteen years—romantic feelings popping up now would be weird."
"...True."
"We just thought your vibes with Yumin oppa were total couple goals...."
"Y'know that saying? No such thing as platonic guy-girl friendships."
"Honestly, eavesdropping on your calls sometimes? You're like the heroine in a destined romance."
"...What's wrong with how I sound on calls with Yumin?"
"Like you're in love."
"Yeah, hearing Chaewon unnie talk makes me feel all warm, like she has a sweet boyfriend."
"Not fair. A drama-perfect setup: perfect guy who's athletic, studious, and your childhood friend—and no feelings?"
Envious eyes.
Their gazes made me think, 'Is he really that great?' But I couldn't help feeling a bit pleased.
Still, since I was denying it, I tried to hide the good mood—when...
"Unnie. Aren't you just unaware 'cause you're too comfortable with him?"
May's words hit like she could read my mind. I coughed awkwardly.
"May, it's not unawareness. There are just no such feelings...?"
"Unnie, objectively, facts only. Even as childhood friends, who shares every photo and calls constantly?"
"Close friends call every day, right...?"
"Ahh.... I see.... I'm not close enough for calls, not even texts during breaks. Got it...."
"Hey, Kang Minah! Don't twist it like that...!"
"Fine, unnie's like that, so we concede—no feelings from you."
"Concede? Yerin, what're you—."
"—But does Yumin oppa feel the same?"
"...Huh?"
Yerin's face screamed 'Knew it.'
But I was just dumbfounded by the unexpected angle.
Yerin met my eyes seriously.
"Fifteen years means new romantic feelings now would be odd, sure. Fine, not you. But him?"
"Whoa, one-sided crush from the childhood friend? Total drama~."
"May nailed it. That's my point—Yumin oppa might've liked unnie for ages."
"I get it, but he doesn't always pick up my calls or texts."
"Right. Unavoidable circumstances sometimes."
Minah, who'd been quiet, chimed in sharply.
"Unnie takes it for granted 'cause he answers, but from a guy's view? No feelings, and he wouldn't be that consistent. Even for chatty, comfy childhood friends."
Yerin backed it with facts.
"..."
Nothing to say.
For a moment, Yerin's words sparked a 'Could it be?'
But just a moment.
My mind found the rebuttal, and the flicker of doubt died quick.
I had countless moments over fifteen years with Yumin that confirmed everything.
Above all, we both clearly remembered that day that defined our bond.
You guys don't know.
I was about to grin and tell them when...
"Whatever. If Chaewon's insisting this hard, what's the point us arguing~."
Serin shook her head and sighed a beat faster.
"Sigh, pointless. We slave over soup, rice, sixteen-course feasts—and if you won't eat?"
"Hey. What do you mean by that?"
I scowled, and she smirked thinly.
"Whatever your deal with Yumin is, not our place. But you'll regret it later, that's all."
I snorted at Serin's know-it-all tone.
"Regret what."
"Y'know? Words pile up after breakup or loss. Too late by then."
"Not dating, I said."
"So you're fully aware Yumin could date someone else someday?"
...Yumin dating someone.
I imagined it briefly, but it didn't click.
Still, possible, so I nodded quietly.
"...Never thought about it, but yeah. He'll date eventually."
"So you'll cheer him on, no matter who? Even if she doesn't suit him?"
"...I'd say a few words. Childhood friend and all."
"Even if those words end fifteen years?"
"...Kwon Serin. What're you getting at? What do you wanna hear?"
She smirked at my sharp glare.
Reading my warning, she took my hands gently and gazed at me.
"Fine. Let's have our Chaewon stay a lifelong single, yeah?"
"Hey-!"
I yelled and shook off her hand at the provocation.
Serin hugged me like it was natural, members piling on to calm me.
"You brats! Think I'm that easy to appease...?!"
"Chaewon unnie. You're already smiling."
"Tch...!"
Good thing I didn't crack down— these cuties.
I fought a grin and gently pushed them away.
It was already 10:40.
Time for checkout.
"Let's go. Double-check nothing's left."
"Yeees~."
"Unnies, next time homestay at each other's places on the way home?"
"Sounds good."
"Come to mine, I'll make jjajang tteokbokki~."
Chatting idly, we dragged our suitcases out.
Quick checkout, then into town for Serin's Paris flight.
Warm sunshine.
People savoring coffee leisurely.
Reluctant to part, we all stood on the sidewalk with Serin.
"Go eat. Lunch rush soon—no seats. Taxi in ten anyway."
"Got it. Don't worry."
"Work hard, unnie~."
"Text when you land in Paris~."
"Bye-bye, unnie~."
"Be safe, my babies. And Chaewon, you."
Serin singled me out. I tilted my head and pointed at myself.
"Me?"
"Take a vlog with Yumin in Japan."
"...Vlog?"
"Yeah. With him in it? Instant #1 trending."
Vlogs ruled selfcam these days.
Observation shows booming again, so selfcams mimicked them.
Old ten-minute vlogs stretched to twenty or thirty, reality via "normal friend" cameos.
Now even Serin posted—only I hadn't featured a civilian friend yet.
I'd planned my own anyway.
Of course I wanted to share my daily life with fans.
Plus, regret over no proper photos with Yumin in three years.
Me, active idol; him, busy student—schedules unpredictable.
With time matching now, I wanted records.
Vlog could kill two birds...
"Yumin hates that stuff. He'd balk."
I shook my head with a wry smile.
But Serin shrugged like no biggie, beaming.
"Worth a shot. Yumin's tsundere—he does it if you push."
"...Yeah, he says yes to most of my asks."
"And you're curious too, right? If he really feels nothing."
"...That again?"
"Last time. If you film and still say no, I swear never to mention you two again. You guys too?"
"Fine, whatever."
"Wanna bet? I stake my Valorant account on sparks flying."
"It's Silver anyway."
"...May unnie. Silver pride here. That hurt a bit?"
Members nodded in unison to Serin.
No words left facing their united front.
Haa—.
Sighed low, nodded lightly.
"...Fine, I'll do it. Somehow vlog."
"And probe if Yumin really has feelings. Don't forget."
"Easy. ...But how do I probe?"
Ordering a lifelong single to flirt.
Question popped out...
"Over there. Dating pros."
Serin nodded across the street.
"Ta-da~."
"Love doctor who's cleared over thirty dating shows. Sharp senses for solutions."
"Chaewon unnie, trust us."
Fellow lifelong singles oozed baseless confidence.
Hollow laugh escaped.
"...Not buying it?"
"Film or nah?"
I blinked in confusion, and Serin grinned, shrugging.
Her all-knowing brat eyes irked me—I didn't wanna play along, but...
"...I'll shut you up for life on my love life."
Dodge as always—best move.
"Looking forward to it."
Serin slipped on sunglasses with a satisfied smile.