Empathetic

“You’re going now? So soon? The night is still young!”

Yujin smiled at the younger girl. They’ve been through thick and thin together for more times than they would probably even realize. “Gotta go Wonyoungie, I’m really sorry I can’t stay here longer. Hope you have the happiest birthday tho!”

Wonyoung blushed as Yujin came up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Owkay unnie, do you want a ride? I can tell my driver to come and pick you up.”

“It’s alright. Thanks for the offer hun, buhbyee~”

Yujin stood up to leave the room, but not before Leeseo catched up to her to give her a hug, which initiated a group hug shortly after. The members quickly circled around her.

“Alriiight, love you all! Okaay? Now if you excuse me~” 

She excused herself to go back to her place, as this was a rare occurrence of them actually having free time. She wanted to spend it alone.

Yujin breezed through the bustling street in Seoul that night. In summer, the weather was still uncomfortably hot and humid, even at night. As an idol, the choice to go out with skin bared was really never an option. There she was outside in this summer weather, with a full on camouflage, sweating buckets under those. 

Might be better to accept Wonyoung’s offer earlier. She didn’t bring her bodyguard, people could still recognize her sometimes, even under the heavy disguise. They’re called ‘sasaeng’, a fan so overly dedicated to the point of them being an actual threat to an idol’s life. And for the night, Yujin could feel that there were some pairs of eyes watching her briskly going through the street.

It’s unnerving, the feeling of being watched from afar. It feels like being drowned with your eyes open, watching everything, having no chance of getting help, suffering alone in silence. It’s uncomfortable, highly. 

As the leader of her group, she often had to shield the others from this. Offering herself as the remedy of the members discomfort, without complaining. Wonyoung experienced the worst of it, as she’s been the most highlighted member since the very start. Naturally, Yujin was also the place to share her pain, but if she were to be honest, never once in her idol life did she get used to it. 

Her pupils were wildly oscillating around the large window of her widened eyes. She’s scanning her entire surroundings while half running. Her place wasn’t far, thankfully, but she would still need about 20 minutes of walking to reach it. Yujin’s heart was beating faster as she’s going to a more desolated place.

It was when she reached the edge of a dark alley that she almost freezed in place. A loud clanking sound was heard from a place she couldn’t even see.

“Yah!”

Yujin almost shrieked. The shout came from the alley. There’s a silhouette resembling a person coming from it.

“I told you to not go out this window! Bad girl!”

Miaow!

Oh, so it’s just a cat. A wave of relief surged through as Yujin walked again, still in a pace nowhere near leisure.

The feeling somehow didn’t stop. The eyes were still following, though nowhere to be seen. There’s only about 10 minutes more of walking. This was her chance. She sprinted like her life was on the line.

It’s weird. The eyes watching, it felt like she’s being judged, and heavily shunned, altogether. It made her body sluggish. The steps felt heavy. She almost reached her place, but each step she made felt infinitely heavier than the last.

Yujin almost passed out when she reached the door of her apartment. She reached the handle before quickly looking around. There was no one following.

Phew.

The door clicked as she entered, then it clicked again as soon as she was inside. She looked through the peephole, once again scanning the place. Even checked the CCTV’s around the building through her phone–she gained access for a hefty amount of money. There really was no one tailing her. Was it all just her feeling?

Yujin shrugged.

She opened her inbox. There’s a message from Wonyoung.

Did you get back safe unnie?

Yea, no worries.

How’s the party?

Tons of fun! Liz had one shot of soju and she’s immediately drunk

So funny!

Lol

Clunk

A voice was heard from the bathroom. Yujin smirked. She put her phone down.

Yujin bounced towards the voice. Her smile was getting wider with every step.

Crack!

The sound of the door getting slammed inward. Yujin entered the room with a smile so bright it lit up the room, if only it wasn’t so grim.

Inside, there’s a girl sitting in the tub. Her clothes are all ragged, stained with blood that’s already dried. Her limbs were all cuffed to the handles behind her. Her mouth was strapped, face swelled up everywhere. Her entire body was tattered.

“Hello~” Yujin greeted her so nicely. As if she didn’t do anything to the woman in front of her.

“Mmmmmhhh.”

“Heh. You know what, I just had this surreal experience of being followed by sasaengs. Can you believe that?! Well, not like you’d know, you’re not that kind of person anyway.”

Yujin crouched in front of the battered girl.

“You are way worse!”

Smack! 

“It’s Wonyoung’s birthday today, do you remember?” Yujin forced her face up.

“Mmmh, mmmmh!”

“Haha. Of course you do. Lowlife like you would etch these things into your stinky brain just to spread more hate against her, amiright? I do wonder what your purpose was. She couldn’t even eat in peace nowadays, thanks to you.”

“Anyway! Since it’s her birthday, I will go easy on you. Remember to thank her for that, okay?” Yujin stood and turned her back on her as she picked up a baseball bat, amongst an arsenal of bloodied things.

“Mmmmmh. MMHHHH! MMMHHHHHH!!!!”

Yujin faced her once again, taking a proper batting stance. “Heave-ho!”

THWACK!