Cheeky

There were…many opinions about An Yujin through her online exposure: gorgeous yet strict, a natural professional and one of the most popular idols in the business. You know, the usual.

So when you got hired as a personal bodyguard to IVE, you knew you had to be in your best behaviour, or you get fucked, simply. You were expecting a professional introduction, maybe a polite handshake, a simple exchange of names, and a respectful nod just like how it had been with every other client before.

But uhh… no.

Loud, unabashed laughter. Yeah, that was the first thing your ear picked up.

You had barely stepped into the practice room, clad in your sharp black suit with an earpiece securely in place, when Yujin spun around mid-dance routine, caught sight of you, and nearly collapsed from laughing too hard.

“Oh my god, you look so serious!” She practically wheezed, hands on her knees.

…Ok, that’s not the usual reaction. “…Excuse me?”

She straightened up, still giggling, and gave you a once-over. “You’re my new bodyguard, right? Wow, we’re the same age, but you look like you’re about to arrest me or something.” Yujin wiped at the corner of her eyes and grinned as she strolled up to you, radiating the kind of unbothered energy that made your brow twitch.

Well this is…going to be a pain.

“Well at least I do look the part, no?” you asked, straightening your vest as you clear your throat. “I’m literally here to keep you safe.”

“Oh, I’m very grateful.” Yujin smirked, stepping closer with a mischievous glint in her eye. “But I was kinda hoping for someone… I don’t know, scarier? You look way too nice.”

“I can be scary.” “Yeah? Prove it.”

You sighed and took a step forward, dropping your voice into a low, stern tone. “Miss An, if you don’t follow security protocol, I will personally make sure you regret it.”

For a moment, Yujin’s eyes widened, and you thought, finally, that she would actually take you seriously.

Then she grinned even wider. Whait, wha—

“Ohhh,” she mused, stepping even closer, her face just inches from yours. “I like you already.”

You had a very bad feeling about this.

If you had known what was coming, you would’ve quit on the spot.

An Yujin, despite her public image of being a charming, responsible leader, was actually a menace. A giant menace.

If she wasn’t sneaking off to buy snacks at the nearby convenience stores without telling anyone, she was hiding behind doors just to jump-scare you. And the worst part? The other IVE members had joined in on it…but mostly Yujin.

“Come on, just one smile,” Yujin teased one afternoon, poking your cheek while you stood guard by the van. “You’ve been with us for months, and I still haven’t seen you laugh.”

You exhaled through your nose. “My job is to protect you, not to entertain you.”

“That’s so boring. How do you survive without fun?” “By keeping a certain someone out of trouble."

Yujin gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "Wow. Is that how you see me? Just a walking headache?”

You opened your mouth (because yes she was a giant headache to you) but she cut you off, suddenly leaning in way too close.

“What if I am your problem, huh?” she whispered, eyes glinting with playful challenge.

You held your ground, staring her down. “…Then I’ll have to handle you accordingly, I suppose.”

“Well, I’d like to see you try…mister.”

Oh, she was insufferable. And unfortunately, you were stuck with her.

-

“You know,” Yujin drawled, stretching across the couch in the waiting room like a cat in the sun. One arm hung off the side lazily, while the other rested behind her head, eyes gleaming with that familiar mischief. “I think you like me more than you let on.”

See, a normal person would have freaked out when a pretty girl said something at that caliber. But no, you got too used to it at this point. “What makes you think that?”

Her lips curled upward, slow and knowing, like she had already won whatever game she was playing. “Because I’m fun. And charming. And incredibly good-looking.” She struck an exaggerated pose, tilting her chin up dramatically like some kind of historical monarch. Well, at least she’s self-aware. Go girl, you rock.

Across the room, Wonyoung groaned, rubbing her temples. “Unnie, please. Have some dignity.”

“You don’t want me to tell the truth?” Yujin gasped, clutching her chest in mock devastation, her mouth slightly parted.

“I don’t want you to embarrass us in front of our bodyguard, please.” Wonyoung corrected, glancing at you apologetically.

You just shook your head, lips pressing into a thin line. “I’m used to it. Thank you, Wonyoung.”

Yujin’s eyes flickered with amusement, but instead of making another joke, her expression softened just slightly, like she had caught something in your tone that intrigued her. Then, just as quickly, the mischief returned. “See? That’s basically an admission that you enjoy my company.”

You gave her a deadpan look. “That is not what I said.”

“Too late, I’m taking it as fact.” She stretched her arms over her head, looking far too pleased with herself.

You exhaled through your nose, choosing to ignore her. Because if there was one thing you’d learned about An Yujin, it was that engaging with her nonsense only fuelled her further. But, you know, despite all her teasing and the way she constantly pushed your buttons, there were moments when she reminded you why she was the leader of IVE.

Like now.

Liz sat in the corner of the room, staring down at her phone with her lips pressed into a tight line. She was fidgeting, her hands twisting together in her lap, a stark contrast to the usual easygoing energy she carried.

Yujin noticed instantly. Her playful expression melted away, replaced by something steadier. More grounded. She pushed herself off the couch, crossing the room in a few quick strides before crouching beside Liz.

“Jiwonie,” she called softly, nudging her knee against Liz’s. “What’s up?”

“I…um…. feel like I keep messing up my parts in the choreography.”

Yujin tilted her head, studying her with an unreadable expression. Then, instead of immediately reassuring her, she took a moment. Enough to let Liz’s words settle before responding.

“You don’t,” Yujin said firmly. “We practiced together, remember? You’re doing fine.”

“But—”

“No buts.” Yujin stood up, walked over, and slung an arm around Liz’s shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “You know what I told you? The best performers aren’t the ones who get everything perfect all the time. They’re the ones who keep going no matter what.”