Arriving back home, their tired bodies drag every step to the couch as they slump deep into said couch, taking a break and a deep breath. The soft hum of the city outside barely reaches them as they stretch out with a collective sigh of relief.
Jin-woo, ever the ‘responsible’ one, doesn’t waste a second. He heads straight to the kitchen to start prepping the leftover meat from their restaurant, eager to fill their empty stomach with some comfort. After finishing preparing, he starts to bring the meat to the table.
Seojoon, who's a little more energetic than the others, follows him into the kitchen. "Need help with the grill?" he asks, ready to jump in.
Jinwoo gives him a small smile, always appreciating his help, and nods. "Yeah, could you help bring the grill onto the table and turn it on?”
While they work in the kitchen, the rest of the group, too tired to do much, linger in the living room. Yumi, not wanting to be a bystander, starts setting the table with side dishes—kimchi, pickled radishes, garlic, and a variety of sauces. She arranges everything neatly, her movements graceful even in her exhaustion.
Eunseo, sitting with her legs stretched out, groans a little, rubbing her sore back. "I don’t think I can move for the rest of the night. My feet feel like they’re about to fall off."
BM laughs, stretching his arms behind his head as he sprawls across the couch. "We’ve all earned a little rest. But not for long, we’ve got dinner coming, and I’m damn hungry."
As Yumi finishes setting the table, she calls the others to gather around, but there’s one holdout: Eunchae. She’s slumped over, her face buried in a cushion, her body refusing to budge from the couch.
Yujin, noticing her reluctance, smiles warmly. "Eunchae, come on. The food’s ready, you’re not getting out of this."
Eunchae groans and whines, thrashing her body in disagreement. "I’m too tired, Unnie. I’ll just stay here, okay?"
Yujin, not taking no for an answer, kneels beside the couch and gently pulls on Eunchae's arm, coaxing her with a smile. "You can sleep after you eat; I promise. But if you stay here, you’ll miss all the food."
Eunchae raises an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "I’ll survive."
But Yujin doesn’t let up, and after a moment of playful tugging, Eunchae sighs and finally lets herself be pulled up. "Fine, fine," she mutters, but there’s a soft smile tugging at her lips. "You’re lucky I’m starving."
With everyone gathered around the table now, Jinwoo and Seojoon place the grilled meat down in front of them, the sizzling sound filling the room as they sit down to finally enjoy a well-earned meal together. It’s a simple, comforting moment, and despite the tiredness of the day, laughter starts to fill the air as they dig in.
Bedtime
Lying in her bed, Yujin stared up at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. Her mind wandered to the most random things, like how many Cheeto balls she could fit in her mouth or how life would be if Leeseo were her actual child.
"Leeseo and Eunchae would be so chaotic… wait, Eunchae?" she muttered. She quickly shook her head in embarrassment, pulling the sheets over her face, only to pull them down moments later, cringing at the thought.
"Yujin, some people are trying to sleep," Jin-woo’s quiet voice broke the silence.
"Sorry... Can we talk?" Yujin whispers back.
“Hmmm, can it wait?” mumbles Jin-woo, eyes still closed.
“Please…” says Yujin
"Alright, what's on your mind?" he asked.
"Nothing, really. I just want someone to talk to until I fall asleep," Yujin replies softly.
“Sigh, I loveeee being used to making people fall asleep. Especially when I’m being used as a body pillow." Jin-woo teases.
“Eww… does that happen often?" Yujin whispers with a small laugh.
“Yeah, and my most frequent customer is in this room," he adds.
“I'm not surprised," Yujin said, smiling widely.
“You know, honestly, it’s surprising how close you guys are, especially with you leaving her for so long."
“We’ve been like this since she was born," Jin-woo said, his voice softening with nostalgia.
“When she was just a baby, she would cry anytime she wasn’t in my arms. Let me tell you, my mom didn’t like that one bit."
“That’s so adorable!" Yujin coos, propping her head on her hands as she gazes down at him.
"Just imagining it makes me want to squirm from cuteness."
“She was adorable. Still is," Jin-woo said, smiling faintly.
“But now she’s all grown up. Just waiting for her moody stage to kick in, I bet she’ll have this whole brooding emo and revenge arc."
After a moment, Yujin asks, “Jin-woo, what do you plan to do when you retire from gaming?"
Jin-woo sighs dramatically. “Oh boy, I know where this is going," he mumbles, and stands up suddenly.
Yujin blinks in confusion as he moves closer. Her eyes widened when he gently nudged her aside with his strong arms, wrapping one around her and resting his chin on her head.
“Hey, what are you doing?" Yujin whisper-yelled, giving him a baffled look.
“Shh, calm down," Jin-woo murmured, closing his eyes.
“I am calm. Care to explain?" she asked, still puzzled.
With a faint smile, he said, “Puppy, the future will always be a mystery. You can’t predict what will happen. But for me? I’ll probably join a secret agent agency and fight aliens."
“Be serious! I’m asking about your actual plans because I don’t even know what to do after being an idol," Yujin said with a glare, her brows furrowed.
Jin-woo finally opened his eyes, meeting hers. "It depends on how you feel at the end of your contract. If you still love being an idol, you could go solo or continue with IVE. If you want to stay in the entertainment industry, try acting; you’d be amazing at it. And if you want to leave the industry, explore hobbies to find something you love. If nothing clicks, let me know. I’ll help you out."
Yujin’s expression softens as she listens. His blue eyes reflected hers in the dim light.
“Well, if the girls still want to be idols, I wouldn’t mind sticking with IVE. But it really depends on whether we’re still popular. Acting sounds fun, I guess. Are you sure I’d be good at it? And how would you know what I like?"
“I’m psychic," Jin-woo jokes, earning a soft laugh from her.
“Come on, don’t stress about the future. Live in the present and enjoy what you have now. As my favourite girls would say, ‘Live my life, 이제부터가 시작이야. 내가 선택한 삶의 주인공은 나.’"
“Aespa? I thought LESSERAFIM and IVE were your favourite groups," Yujin questions, squinting at him.
“LESSERAFIM is my favourite, and I’m not totally sold on IVE yet. Although…" he trailed off, smirking.
Yujin leans in subconsciously, curious.
“There’s a cute, beautiful girl in that group," Jin-woo teased. “Gaeul."
Yujin stares at him expressionless before giving him a playful nip on his arm.
“Fine, fine! IVE is one of my favourite groups," Jin-woo relented, a grin spreading across his face.
“One of them?" Yujin shot back, twisting his arm lightly.
“Ow! What do you want me to do?" Jin-woo bacs with a chuckle.
“Sing me to sleep," Yujin demands with a sly smile.
“Jeez, talk about bipolar. Fine. Here I go," Jin-woo said, his voice carrying a soothing melody into the quiet room.
<By My Side – Junny>
Woo woo
난 네 거니까
우리 둘 사이엔 비밀은 없기로 해요
시간이 지나도
너와 나 사이가
지금 같길 기도해요
I'm deep in love with you
너와 나란히 누우면
천장이 사라지는듯해 yeah yeah
내 곁에 stay right by my side
Let me teach you how to love
With you, I just can't get enough, oh girl
Yujin softly whispers along with the lyrics; her gaze fixed on him. He looked down at her, his blue eyes holding hers with a quiet tenderness. His free hand gently ruffled her hair, his fingers massaging her scalp in soothing circles. She felt the tension melt away, her body relaxing under his touch as the melody lingered in the air between them.
그래 나도 너와 같아
이 무심한 한 마디면
난 모든 걸 다 가지는 걸
Just know you're part of me
Girl honestly I feel so insecure
Just something on about you
Make this feel important
시간은 멈출 수는 없어 아름답다고
근데 그보다 더 아름다운 건 나의 너
Every time I hit you up
You were there to cheer me on
구름에 몸을 띄워
너는 내 숨통을 틔워줘
그런 마음이 불어와
'Yeah' I can't deny, girl you changed my life so now
Yujin starts to feel her eyes becoming heavy. She slowly closes her eyes as her breath becomes slow.
There are times I feel like goin' under
너로 인해 girl, I prosper
니가 웃으면 it gets brighter than July
내 곁에 stay right by my side
Let me teach you how to love (let me teach you how)
With you, I just can't get enough, oh girl
그래 나도 너와 같아
이 무심한 한 마디면
난 모든 걸 다 가지는 걸
Just know you're part of me
Let me get down right by your side
(Oh just stay by my side)
Let me teach you how to love (ah)
With you, I just can't get enough (can't get enough) oh girl
그래 나도 너와 같아
이 무심한 한 마디면
난 모든 걸 다 가지는 걸
Just know you're part of me, yeah
Finishing the song, Yujin cuddles closer, her warmth radiating as she gently nestles in, her breathing slowing as she sleeps.
“Finally.” As he pulls her closer to her
Morning
Waking up, Yujin felt warmth surrounding her—a heavy weight on top and arms snugly wrapped around her. Opening her groggy eyes, she blinked at the head of long hair sprawled across her. It was Eunchae. The arms around her, however, belonged to Jin-woo.
Looking up at Jin-woo’s face, she froze for a moment, startled. Yet, she couldn’t help but be mesmerised by his peaceful expression. Slowly, almost instinctively, she leaned in a little closer and closed her eyes again.
“Yujin-ah, keep your eyes open. We’ve got to get moving soon,” came a deep, cool voice.
Her eyes flew open. “Oh, you’re awake.”
“Yeah, I am. Now come on, let’s get this sack of potatoes off us. We need to go buy ingredients for the restaurant,” Jin-woo said, his tone still calm and groggy yet soothing to the ears.
“And how do you plan to wake this sack of potatoes?” Yujin asked, pointing at the still-snoozing Eunchae.
“Watch this,” Jin-woo replied with a sly grin.
Leaning down slightly, he whispered softly into Eunchae’s ear, “Baby, wakie wakie. We need to get up and buy ingredients.”
Eunchae stirred, groaning, “Nooo, you two are so comfy. More than Kura-unnie.”
“I know,” Jin-woo said gently. “But we have to go. How about this: I’ll buy you all the snacks you want at the grocery store, okay?”
“Ughhh…” Eunchae whined, wriggling and holding on tighter to Yujin.
Jin-woo smirked. “Come on, baby. Or I’ll tell Kura what you just said. I’m sure she wouldn’t be too happy about that.”
Eunchae’s eyes shot open. In the blink of an eye, she scrambled off the bed and dashed into the bathroom to get ready.
“Diabolical,” Yujin remarked, giving Jin-woo an impressed look.
“Now that she’s gone, how was your sleep? Because if this is how comfortable you are, it almost makes me wish you had trouble sleeping every night,” Jin-woo teased.
Yujin rolled her eyes. “Don’t get used to it. This is the best and only cuddle you’re going to get.”
“Eh, not so sure about that,” Jin-woo countered with a smirk.
“Ya—how can you say that? I’m the most comfortable cuddler you’ll ever know!” Yujin declared, gesturing to her body with a dramatic flourish.
“Oppa, Unnie, I’m still here,” Eunchae mumbled, standing in the bathroom doorway with her toothbrush in hand, watching them bicker.
“Yeah, yeah, go finish up,” Jin-woo said, waving her off as Yujin let go of his arm.
Shaking her head, Eunchae muttered something under her breath and returned to the bathroom.
“You know,” Yujin said after a pause, her voice softer, “I’m surprised how comfortable I am with you.”
Jin-woo smiled faintly. “I have that effect on people.”
“Better not cheat on me,” Yujin teased as she got out of bed. Looking back over her shoulder, she shot him with a playful wink and smirk before walking toward her luggage and the closet.
“Yeah, yeah,” Jin-woo said with a chuckle, stretching as he got up from the bed as well, a warm smile lingering on his face.
Grocery Store
Exiting the vehicle, Eunchae, Jin-woo, Yujin, Eunseo and BM stand in front of a large grocery store where people are already exiting the store at 9 am in the morning. Those four were tasks to restock the restaurant's ingredients so they can prep for the day’s service. It will be a daily task for the five of them since they are the “interns” of the company. They have a large list of ingredients to purchase, so they split the list between them so they wouldn’t waste so much time finding them.
“Alright, let’s try to get this down within half an hour?” questions BM
“Yeah, we should do it as fast as possible, so we have more time to prepare for service.” Said Eunseo
“But we should make sure that the ingredients are good.” Said Jin-woo, reminding them to check the quality of the ingredients before taking them.
“Alright, why don’t I go with Eunseo, while Yujin, Bm and Eunchae will go together?” Says Jin-woo
“Sure.” They all agreed
Walking into the grocery store, both groups got their carts, split up to get their designated ingredients, and each was followed by a cameraman. Eunseo and Jin-woo were tasked to get seafood and vegetable ingredients such as shrimps, salmon, cod, seaweed, corn, etc. For the other group, they were tasked to purchase all the meats, sauces and anything they needed to make dinner at home.
Walking down the aisle, walking towards the seafood section, Jin-woo started a conversation.
“Eunseo, we haven’t really gotten to know each other, have we?” said Jin-woo
“Yeah, we haven’t. Probably because we never got to be alone together.” Reply to Eunseo with a smile
“Yeah, we haven’t really gotten the chance, haven’t we. Why don’t we reintroduce? I’m Hong Jin-woo, the older brother of the beloved Manchae. I am a pro gamer for Sentinels in a game called Valorant.” Said Jin-woo
“Haha, well, I’m Shin Eunseo, an actress known for twinkling watermelon.” Say Eunseo
“ Ah, Twinkling watermelon was really good; I watched it with Eunchae during our nightly drama marathon. You did very well, and I’m impressed with how you learned sign language for the role.” Said Jin-woo
“Ahh, thank you, it took some time to learn it, but I got a hand of it. It cute that you two have nightly drama marathons.” Say Eunseo
“Yeah, it’s a thing that we did when we were younger. We would make a small fort in our rooms and binge a bunch of dramas.” Say Jin-woo
They both continue talking while they look through the selection of seafood available there. Stopping in front of the salmon where a worker was putting out fresh ones, Jin-woo catches the worker's attention.
Jin-woo approached the seafood counter, scanning the neatly arranged display of fresh catch. A friendly worker greeted him with a warm smile.
"¡Hola! ¿En qué puedo ayudarte hoy?" the worker asked. (Hello! How can I help you today?)
Jin-woo smiled back, confidently replying, "Hola, estoy buscando algunos mariscos frescos. ¿Tienes camarones, salmón, mejillones, ostras y un par de langostas?" (Hi, I’m looking for some fresh seafood. Do you have shrimp, salmon, mussels, oysters, and a couple of lobsters?)
"¡Claro que sí! Todo está fresco hoy. ¿Cuánto camarón necesitas?" the worker responded enthusiastically. (Of course! Everything is fresh today. How much shrimp do you need?)
"Dos kilo, por favour," Jin-woo said, gesturing toward the pile of glistening shrimp. (Two kilograms, please.)
The worker nodded and began weighing the shrimp. "Perfecto. ¿Y cuánto salmón te gustaría?" (Perfect. And how much salmon would you like?)
"¿ Podrías cortarme 4 mitades?" Jin-woo asked. (Could you cut 4 halves for me?)
"Por supuesto," the worker replied as he carefully sliced the salmon. "¿Qué tal los mejillones y las ostras?" (Of course. What about the mussels and oysters?)
“ 2 kilos de mejillón y ostras," Jin-woo answered, glancing at the fresh shellfish on display. (2 kilos of mussels and oysters.)
The worker placed all the items on top of the table, including the two lobsters Jin-woo had requested, and Jin-woo grabbed them.
"Gracias," Jin-woo said as he placed the seafood into the cart. (Thank you.)
Jin-woo placed the neatly wrapped packages of seafood into the cart as he turned towards Eunseo. He could see her eyes lighting up with admiration.
"Wow, Jin-woo, I didn’t know you spoke Spanish so well," she said, her tone full of genuine surprise.
Jin-woo chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "Just the basics, but it works."
Eunseo grinned. "Well, it works perfectly. I’m impressed."
"Thanks," Jin-woo replied with a shy smile. "Now let’s get the rest of the stuff we need and meet with the rest." He smiles at the cameraman filming them as they move past him with their cart.
The group continued their shopping, moving methodically through the store. For the other group, Yujin checked the shopping list carefully, glancing back and forth between the shelves and her notes. BM pushed the cart steadily, content to follow along, while Eunchae darted ahead with uncontainable energy, scanning every aisle for treasures.
"Look what I found!" Eunchae exclaims, returning triumphantly with her arms overflowing with snacks. Chips, cookies, and a large pack of Pepero spilled into the cart, quickly piling up over the neatly arranged meats.
“HAHAHAHA.” BM let out a hearty laugh, clearly entertained by her enthusiasm. Yujin, on the other hand, sighs softly, shaking her head with a smile. "Eunchae-ya, you can’t just throw them in like that. Remember, we’re shopping for everyone, not just you. Try to pick something the others would like, too," she scolds gently.
Eunchae pouts but nods as she starts organising the snacks she has chosen.
BM chuckles. "It’s fine, Yujin-shi. She’s adorable, running around and grabbing snacks like she’s catching Pokémon."
Yujin shot him a quick glance, trying to stay firm. "It is cute, but we’re in public, and we don’t want to draw too much attention to ourselves, sunbae-nim."
"Ah, don’t call me sunbae-nim," BM said with a wave of his hand. "Just call me Matthew or BM. Besides, it’s fine. Let her be herself. We don’t get a lot of chances to be this relaxed in public as idols. You know that as much as I do, right?"
Yujin hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, I guess you’re right."
BM smiled warmly, his gaze following Eunchae as she darted off again to explore another aisle. "She reminds me of myself, honestly. I love playing around with my members, even though most of them act more mature than I do," he said, laughing at his own admission.
Yujin couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking her head as she pushed a stray chip bag back into place. "I can see that," she replied. Together, they trailed behind Eunchae, their cart gradually filling with a mix of essentials and impulsive snack choices.
The group gathered by the cash registers, unloading their groceries onto the conveyor belt in a practised, efficient rhythm. The cashier scanned each item methodically, their gaze occasionally narrowing as they looked at the group, trying to place their faces. The idols, keen to avoid unnecessary attention, said nothing, focusing instead on getting through the checkout process smoothly.
Once everything was scanned and paid for, they headed out of the store. BM and Jin-woo push the loaded carts, with the others walking beside them.
Yujin matches her pace with Jin-woo, glancing over at him. “How did shopping go?”
“It went well,” Jin-woo replies in a light tone, hanging one of his arms around her shoulder. “Eunseo and I got to know each other a little more.”
“Hmm, you did, did you?” Yujin said, her tone teasing yet subtly inquisitive.
Jin-woo smiled, oblivious to the undertone. “Yeah, it was kind of interesting to learn about the life of an actress—”
Before he could finish, a person suddenly sped toward them, camera in hand. Without warning, the flash went off multiple times, the blinding light momentarily stunning them. Yujin winced, covering her eyes as it was unexpected, her eyes staring right at the flash, causing her to stumble slightly.
“Hey!” BM exclaimed, instinctively stepping forward to shield the group, his expression hardening.
The person, camera still raised, didn’t stick around, quickly disappearing into the parking lot after taking their shot. Jin-woo calmly cups Yujin's face with his hands, concern written across his face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Yujin said, blinking rapidly as her vision readjusts. Her jaw tightened. “They didn’t even ask.”
Eunchae frowns, her earlier playful energy replaced with discomfort. “What’s wrong with some people? Can’t they see we’re just trying to shop like normal people? Besides, we are filming, so we have them on camera.”
BM exhaled sharply, his protective instincts still on high alert. “Let’s just get back to the car. The last thing we need is for them to call more people over.”
With a mutual nod, the group moved quickly, staying close together. The joyful energy from earlier was dampened but not gone—they were determined to make the rest of their day count, despite the intrusion.
The group arrived back at the restaurant, unloading the bags and boxes of groceries they had carefully picked out. Inside, the atmosphere was calm but buzzing with a sense of purpose. They carried the ingredients into the kitchen and began sorting everything into its proper place. Each item was accounted for as they prepared for the lunch service ahead.
An hour before opening, the rest of the team filters into the restaurant. They greeted each other with smiles and casual conversation, quickly slipping into their roles. Each person gravitated toward their station, ready to help bring the restaurant to life.
Seojin, standing at the bar, finished wiping down the counter and meticulously arranged the glassware. He also checks the cash register, making sure there's enough cash for changes. Once everything was spotless and ready, he decided to create a refreshing drink for the team. He worked with precision, mixing ingredients with practised ease, the faint clinking of ice and glasses filling the air.
When the drinks were ready, Seojin flagged down BM, Jin-woo, Yujin, and Eunchae, who were closest to the bar. “Here, take a break before I open the restaurant,” he said, sliding the glasses toward them with a small smile.
“Thanks, Hyung-nim,” BM said, picking up his glass and giving it an approving nod. “This looks great.”
Yujin lifted her glass, smiling softly. “Appreciate it. A little calm before the storm, right?”
Seojin chuckles. “Exactly.”
Eunchae sips her drink and lets out an exaggerated, satisfied sigh. “Perfect! You should make this part of the menu,” she joked, earning laughter from the group.
Afterwards, Seojin carries drinks to the back for the rest of the team, sharing quick words of encouragement as they busily chop, prep, and set up their areas.
Finally, with minutes to go, Seojin walked to the front of the restaurant. Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his uniform and pushed open the doors with his signature smile, gazing out at the citizens walking by. The street was lively, with a mix of locals and tourists strolling past.
“Alright,” Seojin said softly to himself, stepping outside for a brief moment. “Hope it’ll be at least like yesterday.”
“Hyung-nim, are you trying to kill them?” Chuckles PD-nim
He turned back inside, the door staying open behind him. The team was ready, the restaurant was spotless, and the aroma of freshly prepared ingredients filled the air. The sound of quiet determination hummed in the background as the lunch service began.
Off the bat, people start rushing into the restaurant trying to try it out. It seems like words got out regarding a tv show opening a Korean barbecue restaurant with Idols and actors being the workers. Not even 20 minutes, and the restaurant is already full of customers looking through the menu, getting ready to order. More and more hungry customers walk towards the restaurant wanting to try them out, but since it was full and just opened, they were put on a waiting list, and a message would be sent once a room in the restaurant opens up.
Yujin and Eunchae worked throughout the restaurant, jotting down orders for the kitchen. Seojin and BM are occupied making drinks and sending them out, with BM occasionally helping out the girls taking some orders/requests. Jin-woo was outside in front of the restaurant putting customers on the waiting list.
“Eunchae-ah, orders are ready to be sent out.” Said Yumi from the kitchen window
“YES! Coming!” said Eunchae as she quickly rushes towards the window to grab the tray of food. Grabbing the tray, she walks back towards the table that ordered the food. Placing the tray down, she asks the customers with a smile.
“Is there anything else you would like?”
“Do you know if we can order some mimosas? It’s not on the menu.” Asks one of the customers
“Mimosa? Umm, I can ask them for you? Ok?” replied Eunchae, as she walked towards the bar where BM and Seojin were working.
“BM oppa and Seojin-nim, a customer wants a Mimosa; can we get that even if it’s not on the menu?” questions Eunchae, leaning against the bar
“We can, BM, can you make it and give it to her?” Said Seojin
“Sure,” Bm replies and quickly creates a mimosa and hands it to her.
“Make sure not to drink it! You aren’t old enough. Haha,” laughss BM, causing Eunchae to giggle a bit before grabbing the drink and returning to the table.
“Here’s your Mimosa. Let me know if you need anything.” Said Eunchae before walking away to help someone else.
The midday rush has finally died down, and the crew collectively heaved a sigh of relief. sweat. The air still carries the faint smell of grilled meat from the grills on the table. Everyone, in front of the kitchen, all came sitting at the big table, relaxing and wiping off their
“Once again, another intense service," Woo-shik said, stretching his arms above his head. "Feels like my legs are about to give out."
“Tell me about it," BM chimed in, massaging his temples. "The table by the window couldn’t decide between water or soda for 10 minutes."
Seojin chuckles, slumping into his chair. "Well, you didn’t see the chaos in the kitchen. Woo-shik was chaotic. I can hear him scream and sigh from the bar."
“Hey, there were a bunch of orders! I just forgot a couple of things here and there.”
“It’s okay, we all made some mistakes. I almost dropped the tray a few times.” Said Eunchae
“Besides, you guys did amazing. The food came out fast, especially the non-BBQ food. That Yumi and Eunseo make.” Compliments Yujin
Yumi grins, though her cheeks still hold a faint flush from the heat of the kitchen. "Thanks. But I think I might dream about chopping onions tonight."
Just as the laughter began to mellow into comfortable silence, the sound of the restaurant door opening broke through. A teenage delivery boy steps in, balancing a stack of five pizza boxes. His uniform looked slightly too big, and he nervously adjusted the cap on his head as his eyes scanned the room.
"Uh, pizza delivery for Seojin?" the boy calls out hesitantly, seeing a bunch of cameras in the restaurant.
Seojin perks up, immediately recognising the familiar scent wafting from the boxes. "That’s me," he said, uncrossing his arms. He sprang to his feet with more energy than anyone expected after the long lunch service.
He jogs over to the counter, pulling out his wallet. The crew watches as Seojin exchanges some bills for the pizzas, tossing a friendly "Keep the change" at the delivery boy, who leaves with a surprised but grateful nod.
Seojin returns, carrying the pizzas like a prized trophy. "Okay, kids”, he announces, placing the boxes on the table with a flourish, "Our reward for surviving another lunch service!"
A collective cheer erupts from the group as the boxes open, revealing an assortment of cheesy, aromatic delights. Woo-shik grabs a slice before the boxes have even fully settled on the table. "This is the energy boost we need," he declared through a mouthful of pepperoni.
Yumi nudged him playfully. "At least pretend to have table manners, Woo-shik."
"Can’t hear you over the sound of pizza heaven," he replied with a grin.
“So,” Seojoon began, biting into a slice of pepperoni, “Don’t you think Seojin-hyung is uncharacteristically more cheerful?”
Hearing this stumps Yumi, Woo-shik and NA-PD as it really did seem like Seojin was more cheerful this trip than the previous trip.
“He does seem more cheerful than usual,” comments Na-PD-nim
“That’s true, normally Oppa is all about the profit and monotone.” Thought Yumi
“Yeah, and he’ll work us to death from morning to night.” Said Woo-shik as he finished his slice of pizza.
“Maybe he just likes us more.” Smiles, Yujin, eating a slice of margarita.
“It's because we are younger, so our energy is rubbing off on him.” Jokes Jin-woo
“Ya, I’m still here. I do something nice, and I get clowned on.” Said Seojin
“What’s the plan for tonight? We’re expecting a big crowd, right?” asks Eunseo
Yujin nodded, wiping her hands on a napkin. “Yeah, the word’s out that we are here and that we’ll be doing some performances. A lot of people are gonna come just for that.”
BM grinned, tapping the table for emphasis. “Don’t worry. We’re gonna kill it. Eunchae, Yujin, and I have it covered. We’ve been practising during the breaks.”
Yujin smiled, leaning back in her chair. “Yeah, but BM’s being modest. He’s the one carrying the whole thing.”
“Not true,” BM replied with a mock-serious expression. “It’s a team effort, Yujin.”
Seojin looks curious. “How many songs are you guys doing? And is there a set order?”
“Four songs,” Yujin replies. “One as a trio, one for Eunchae solo, and one for BM and me. It’s gonna be fun!”
Eunchae claps her hands together, clearly excited. “I just hope the customers enjoy it. But honestly, I’m more nervous about singing live than I thought I’d be.”
“You’ll be great,” Yumi reassured her, smiling warmly. “And with BM and Yujin there, it’ll feel more natural.”
Yujin laughed suddenly, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Speaking of singing… You know who should join us on stage?”
“Who?” Woo-shik asked, raising an eyebrow.
Yujin points directly at Jin-woo, who freezes mid-bite, nearly dropping his pizza. “Him!”
The table erupts in laughter, save for Eunchae, who looked genuinely shocked. “Wait, what?” she exclaimed, her eyes darting to Jin-woo. “Oppa, can you sing?!”
Jin-woo swallows hard, holding up his hands defensively. “No, no, no. Don’t listen to her. She’s exaggerating!”
“Exaggerating?!” Yujin scoffed. “Jin-woo, we sang together at Auntie’s place! You’re way better than me. Like, scary good. You could totally be the main event tonight if you wanted to.”
Eunchae’s jaw dropped. “How come I’ve never heard this? Whose auntie? Why have you been hiding this talent from me?”
Woo-shik and Seojoon joined in, their voices teasing. “Yeah, Jin-woo, let’s hear it! Give us a little preview!”
Jin-woo grumbles, and he waves them off. “Absolutely not. I’m here to serve food, not steal the spotlight.”
BM, grinning from eye to eye, nudges Jin-woo. “C’mon, man. If Eunchae can face a crowd alone, so can you. Team effort, right?”
“I second that!” Eunseo said, grinning. “You’ve got to sing at least one song tonight.”
“How about this, Jin-woo -shi, if you perform tonight, the next day will be a break, and we will buy you all the candy you want.” Bargains Na PD-nim, who was sitting there as well, also wanted to see Jin-woo sing as it would bring in a lot of attention online.
“Fine! “But as many sweets as I want”, says Jin-woo, hearing sweets getting involved. Yujin couldn’t help but facepalm seeing him agree to candy, knowing how much of a candy monster she looks at PD-nim in pity.
“We almost forgot ,Yujin, what do you mean by singing together at Auntie’s place?” Yumi questions, her voice laced with curiosity as she steals the attention of everyone at the table.
“The tables have turned.” Jin-woo smirks.
Yujin stiffens, her posture betraying her embarrassment.
“Yujin-ah, do you guys hang out often?” Na PD-nim asks with a sly smile, the cameras immediately zooming in on Yujin’s face.
“No, no! We don’t hang out often. We haven’t hung out at all.” Yujin blatantly lies through her teeth, her expression a little too stiff to be convincing.
Jin-woo seizes the moment, clutching his chest as if he’s just been stabbed in the heart.
"Oh, how could you? Auntie and Uncle would be devastated! They treat you like their own daughter!" he wails dramatically, throwing his hands in the air, his voice trembling with exaggerated heartbreak.
“Ya! Shut up, you idiot!” Yujin yells, her fist raised threateningly.
Eunchae, who had been silently watching, narrows her eyes. “Hmm… Yujin-unnie is stealing my oppa,” she mutters, staring daggers at Yujin.
Sensing the conversation spiralling, Yujin abruptly stands. “You know what? It’s time, right, Sajang-nim? We should prepare for dinner service,” she says, grasping at the perfect excuse to escape.
Seojin checks the clock on the wall and nods. “You’re right. Come on, let’s get ready.”
Hearing his agreement, Yujin exhales in relief and practically bolts from the table, eager to put an end to the interrogation.
Time skip, Dinner service begins.
Just like during lunch service, dinner service is packed, but this time there is a small area at the front of the restaurant and near the bar with chairs filled with customers facing the stage, eagerly awaiting the performances. Some customers hold light sticks for LE SSERAFIM, IVE, and KARD, having heard about the idols performing and wanting to enjoy the show while trying the restaurant’s food. Since Eunchae, Yujin, and BM are performing, Eunseo steps out of the kitchen to assist Seojin at the front.
Seojin walks onto the stage, holding a microphone.
“Hello, everyone! Welcome to Jinny’s Kitchen. I’m Lee Seojin, the owner of this restaurant. I hope the food has been to your liking.”
“It’s amazing!” a customer interrupts enthusiastically.
“Haha, thank you. Everyone working here, including myself, is an actor or singer from Korea. We are here in Spain to film a TV show where we run a restaurant to promote Korean food. Now, we have some special performances lined up for you, brought to you by the very workers you’ve seen taking your orders. Let me kick things off by introducing KARD’s BM, performing his single Lowkey!”
Seojin steps off the stage to applause as BM strides on confidently, the beat of his track filling the room. BM performs magnificently, his smooth rap and dynamic dance moves captivating the audience. Heads bob in unison, and the crowd erupts in cheers and applause when he finishes his set.
Next up is Eunchae. As she steps onto the stage, a loud round of applause erupts from the FEARNOTs in the crowd, their excitement evident. Standing alone on stage for the first time, albeit a small one, without her group members, makes her a bit nervous. Her eyes briefly find Jin-woo, who is standing by the bar with the others. He flashes her with a warm, reassuring smile that instantly dissolves her nerves.
With a newfound boost of confidence, Eunchae pours her heart into singing Crazier. The audience sways gently to her voice, and FEARNOTs wave their light sticks in perfect unison, enchanted by her performance. When she finishes, Eunchae gives a quick bow to the clapping audience before making her way straight to Jin-woo. He greets her with a small pat on the back and murmurs words of encouragement, echoed by praise from the others.
Finally, it’s Yujin’s turn. She walks onto the stage with confidence, her gaze sweeping over the restaurant. Customers are seated at their tables, enjoying their meals while looking up at her with anticipation. IVE fans at the front clutch their light sticks, ready to cheer for her.
With a smile on her face and a small wave, she ends the silence and small chatter in the restaurant.
“Used to Cry, Used to Cry”
우리 처음 만난 추웠던 december
버틸 수 없게 세상은 시렸고
언제 생긴지 모를 이 상처들을
혼자 위로하고 알아주던 쯤
그 날은 so magical so magical
그래 넌 angelical angelical
These scars that had formed at some unknown point
That day was so magical, so magical
Yes, you were angelical angelical
구름을 벗어버린 저 태양처럼
나를 환하게 비추고 있던 너
I used to cry
울고 싶지 않아 괜찮은 척 웃으며
널 본 순간 깜깜했던 밤이
빛이 나기 시작해
어둠 속에 감춘 내 눈물도
네 빛 앞에선 모든 게 다
I used to cry
네가 보낸 한 줄 ‘사랑해’를 보면서
Shine with me
Shine with me
Yujin starts walking down the stage, her movements graceful as she makes her way toward the audience. She offers small bows here and there, her smile radiant under the soft stage lights.
At the front of the restaurant, she waves at the fans standing outside, their faces pressed against the glass. As she moves along, she interacts with the fans seated near the front, flashing heart poses and even pausing to take a few quick photos, all while continuing to sing effortlessly, her voice weaving through the lively atmosphere.
우리 함께한 뜨거웠던 그 Summer
눈이 부시게 세상은 빛났고
나의 오늘 또 내일 웃게 해준 너
고마운 건 항상 나였는데 말야
While walking back to the stage, Yujin passes by Jin-woo, who is standing by the bar with Eunchae, while Seojin stands behind the register at the bar table. She pauses in front of him, leaning over the bar top and resting her face against the palm of her hand as she sings.
A smile spreads across her face as she looks at Jin-woo, who leans forward with a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with a playful challenge. Their faces are mere inches apart, the tension between them palpable, drawing curious glances from those nearby.
그 날은 so magical so magical
그래 넌 angelical angelical
That day was so magical so magical
Yes, you were angelical angelical
Like the never-changing sun
She pushes his grinning face away with her index finger, her touch light but dismissive. Then, with a playful smirk, she turns around, flipping her hair dramatically, and it hits him square in the face.
Jin-woo blinks, caught off guard for a moment, before letting out a low chuckle, his grin returning wider than before as he watches her walk back to the stage.
I used to cry
울고 싶지 않아 괜찮은 척 웃으며
널 본 순간 깜깜했던 밤이
빛이 나기 시작해
어둠 속에 감춘 내 눈물도
네 빛 앞에선 모든 게 다
I used to cry
네가 보낸 한 줄 ‘사랑해’를 보면서
Oh Shine with me 넌 나와 눈부시게
Oh Shine with me 난 너와 빛이 나게
[가을/레이] 영원히 ever, 조금 더 better,
[가을/레이] 너만을 remember
영원히 ever, 조금 더 better,
너만을 remember
I used to cry
울고 싶지 않아 괜히 창 밖을 보며
널 본 순간 깜깜했던 밤이
빛이 나기 시작해
어둠 속에 감춘 내 눈물도
I used to cry
I don’t want to cry, I act Iike I’m okay while smiling
The moment I saw you
the dark night starts shining
So do my tears which were hidden in the darkness
In front of your light, everything does
I used to cry
While looking at the single line of “I love you” you sent
Returning to the stage, Yujin finishes with a graceful bow, met by a round of applause and loud cheers.
“Thank you, everyone! My name is An Yujin from IVE. I hope you’re all having fun and enjoying the food. Now, for our final performance of the night, please welcome Hong Jin-woo from Sentinels!”
As Jin-woo walks onto the stage, he flashes Yujin with his signature smirk. She rolls her eyes and playfully smacks his arm in response before stepping down the stage.
“Hola a todos, mi nombre es Jin-woo. Espero que disfruten esta noche y que vuelvan mañana para probar más platos increíbles que agregaremos al menú,” he says smoothly, his voice resonating through the crowd.
“La canción que cantaré es la versión en inglés de una canción popular coreana llamada "Way Back Home". Espero que todos disfruten.” Announces Jin-woo
Remember when I told you
"No matter where I go
I'll never leave your side
You will never be alone"
Even when we go through changes
Even when we're old
Remember that I told you
I'll find my way back home
I could never let you go
Couldn't run away if I tried
'Cause even when I'm all alone
You still got a hold on my mind
And I'll always let you know
That I'm always gonna hold on
And I told you right from the start
You just say the word and I'll go
No, it doesn't matter how far
'Cause your love is all that I know
Baby you just stay where you are
And you know I won't be too long
Hold on
Hold on
Remember when I told you
"No matter where I go
I'll never leave your side
You will never be alone"
Even when we go through changes
Even when we're old
Remember that I told you
I'll find my way back home
조용히 잠든 방을 열어 기억을 꺼내 들어
부서진 시간 위에서 선명히 너는 떠올라
길 잃은 마음속에 널 가둔 채 살아
그만 그만
멈춘 시간 속 잠든 너를 찾아가
아무리 막아도 결국 너의 곁인 걸
길고 긴 여행을 끝내 이젠 돌아가
너라는 집으로 지금 다시 way back home
세상을 뒤집어 찾으려 해
오직 너로 완결된 이야기를
No, I won't ever lose
As long as you're there
빛이 다 꺼진 여기 나를 안아줘
눈을 감으면 소리 없이 밀려와
이 마음 그 위로 넌 또 한 겹 쌓여가
Even when we go through changes
Even when we're old
Remember that I told you
I'll find my way back home
Jin-woo finishes his song and steps down from the stage, walking over to join the others. Behind him, the staff busily pack away the equipment while the customers return to their meals and the crowd outside begins to disperse. As he stands with the others, most of them, except for Yujin, are visibly stunned by how incredible his voice sounds. Even the kitchen staff has come out to listen.
“Jin-woo, you’re amazing out there!" Yumi exclaims, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Yeah, Oppa, you sound so good! You should’ve been an idol," Eunchae adds, her enthusiasm bubbling over.
"Goddamn, bro, we have to make a song together. With our vocals and visuals, we’d dominate," BM says, clapping Jin-woo on the shoulder.
Jin-woo chuckles, pushing his pitch-black sunglasses up slightly. "Haha, thank you. I don’t often grace people with my voice; it’s too addictive," he says with a smirk, earning a sharp nudge in the ribs from Yujin, who is clearly unimpressed by his arrogance.
“Alright, everyone, back to work!” Seojin’s sharp voice cuts through the chatter as he notices a customer trying to flag them down. They all scatter quickly, returning to their tasks to wrap up the dinner service smoothly.
Home
Everyone has already showered and changed into their pyjamas and is now all sitting around the dinner table eating their dinner, discussing what they plan to do tomorrow. Currently, they are making some jajamyeon and leftover fried chicken from the restaurant.
“Because of Jin-woo, we will take a break tomorrow.” Announce Seojin, causing everyone to cheer.
“You’re welcome, everybody.” Jokes Jin-woo, which everyone ignored
“Do you guys have anything planned?” asked PD-nim, causing everyone to think while they eat.
“Well, I have a friend who lives in Madrid, so I might take Eunchae with me to visit them, and then we’ll probably travel around and visit some places,” said Jin-woo as he leaned back into his chair.
“You have friends everywhere, huh?” Seojoon remarks.
“Yeah, and if you guys don’t have anything planned, you can come with us,” Jin-woo offers.
“I might visit the museum nearby and do some shopping,” said Yumi.
“Oh, unnie, can I join you?” asks Eunseo, eager to join her.
“Of course you can,” Yumi replies with a smile.
“I might just walk around or stay home to watch a football game,” said Seojin.
“I’ll probably walk around too,” adds Woo-shik, earning nods from Seojoon and BM.
“Yujin-ah, what do you plan on doing?” asked PD-nim.
“Uh, I’m not too sure,” Yujin answered.
“You can join us, unnie,” Eunchae offers.
Staring at Eunchae, Yujin felt conflicted. While getting closer to Eunchae sounds nice, she wondered if it was worth dealing with Jin-woo.
“You sure? What about your friend?” Yujin questions, looking at Jin-woo.
“It’ll be fine. We’ll just meet at his restaurant and probably go go-karting afterwards.” Jin-woo replies, taking a sip of water.
“Damn, that sounds fun. Can I join too?” asked BM, intrigued by the idea.
“Sure. If everyone’s interested, we can all go go-karting after finishing whatever we’re doing,” Jin-woo suggested.
“Hmm, I’m too old for that. I’m gonna stick to shopping and exploring.” Says Yumi
“I’m just gonna follow unnie.” Says Eunseo
“Alright, well, just message me if you guys want to join.” Said Jin-woo
“Seems like you all know what you want to do, but let me announce something I think you’ll all like,” PD-nim declared, catching everyone’s attention, though Seo-jin remained sceptical.
“As you know, Madrid is home to one of the most famous football clubs in the world, Real Madrid. Fortunately, we’ve acquired tickets for everyone to attend their match tomorrow against Dortmund! PD-nim announces, causing cheers from the football fans.
“What’s the catch?” Seo-jin asks sceptically, staring at PD-nim, who smiles sheepishly.
“You know me so well, Hyung. Of course, there’s a catch. You’ll have to play a game to earn your tickets: the ‘Recognise the Music’ game! PD-nim said, prompting groans from some of the group.
Everyone sits in a line on the couch and floor, facing PD-nim and the cameras as the crew sets up the speaker.
“PD-nim, please be nice to us. Some of us don’t know modern music,” Woo-shik bargains, taking a jab at Seojin.
“Ya, Woo-shik, I bet I’ll be the first one to answer correctly,” Seojin challenged.
“Okay, what do you want to bet?” Woo-shik retorts.
“When we go back to the restaurant, you have to hand out flyers,” Seojin suggested.
“That’s easy. You made me do that in Bacalar,” Woo-shik replies smugly.
“But this time, you’ll have to wear a costume of my choice,” Seojin finished.
“Fine,” Woo-shik agrees without a doubt.
“I have a feeling Woo-shik’s going to lose,” Jin-woo whispers to the others.
“Yup,” they agreed, shaking their head.
“Alright, we’re ready. Are you guys ready?” PD-nim asks.
“We’ll play a one-second snippet of a song. If you guess it correctly, you can leave and go to sleep. If no one answers, we’ll play more of the song. The loser, the last person to guess correctly, will have to watch the match from a bar instead of attending in person,” PD-nim explained.
“Whoa, PD-nim, that’s harsh,” Seojoon remarked.
“PD-nim, are you okay? Did someone hurt you?” Yujin teased.
“Ha ha, really funny, Yujin-shi. Now let’s begin,” said PD-nim as he pressed a button on his phone, causing a snippet of music to play through the speaker.
Music 1 sec
“Ding!” Seojin screamed, surprising everyone with his quick buzz as the others were completely clueless about the song.
“I Hope It Would Be That Way Now by Cho Yong-pil,” Seojin answered confidently.
“Correct! Ya, Seojin-hyun-nim. Did you become a robot?” PD-nim said, causing everyone to clap and praise him, except Woo-shik.
“This has to be a dream. Was this a setup?” Woo-shik muttered, looking devastated.
“Tough luck, buddy,” comforted Seojoon, trying to lighten the mood.
“Okay, next up,” said PD-nim as he pressed play on the speaker.
Music 1 sec
The song plays for a second, and everyone seems a bit confused. Then, Yujin suddenly raised her hand, her face filled with excitement as she shouted,
“Yujin!”
“You and I by IU,” Yujin said confidently, but as soon as she spoke, Jin-woo burst out laughing.
Yujin narrowed her eyes and glared at him. “Why are you laughing? It’s correct,” she snapped, feeling slightly embarrassed.
Jin-woo shook his head, his smirk growing wider. “Wrong,” he said, trying to hold back his laughter.
“Jin-woo, Good Day by IU,” he adds, his arms crossed as he leans back into his seat, staring straight at Yujin with an amused, almost smug expression.
Yujin's face immediately fell, and she slowly turned forward, her confidence crumbling. She stares into the camera, her expression filled with utter devastation. “My career and reputation are over,” she mutters to herself, her voice barely audible, crumming into the bed.
Jin-woo leans forward, his voice low but teasing as he whispers in her ear, “Better luck next time, puppy.” His words sent a shiver of irritation down Yujin’s spine.
Her anger surges, and without thinking, she reaches out to pinch his face, determined to get back at him. But Jin-woo was too quick. He dodges back to his seat, just out of her reach.
Yujin, frustrated, pushes herself forward, her hands still reaching for his face. Before she could make contact, Jin-woo grabbed her wrist, holding it firmly. She struggles, trying to break free, but he effortlessly forces her hand upwards, causing her to be inches away from his face.
Their eyes locked as they were face-to-face, with Yujin glaring at him, her face scrunched up in anger. Jin-woo grins, clearly enjoying the moment, but there was a playful spark in his eyes that made Yujin even more frustrated.
Finally, Jin-woo give her a gentle but firm shove, pushing her back to the couch beside him. Yujin huffed, feeling a mix of anger and embarrassment. She crosses her arms, silently glaring at him, before settling back into her seat.
She let out a frustrated sigh, waiting for the game to continue, her mind still reeling from the interaction.
“Oppa and Unnie, remember we are still on a show. Keep it in the bedroom.” Said Eunchae with a mischievous smile, causing Yujin to fluster.
“Alright, now that we have the lovebird’s attention, we shall move on to the next round,” PD-nim said, eyes gleaming with excitement. He pressed play on the speaker again, and the next song started.
Music 1 sec
Everyone listens intently, trying to catch any clue from the song. Then, suddenly, Eunchae’s hand shot up.
“Eunchae!” PD-nim called.
“It’s ‘Spring Day’ by BTS,” Eunchae answered, smiling proudly.
“Correct!” PD-nim exclaimed, and everyone cheered. Eunchae’s smile widened as she looked around at the others.
Music 1 sec
“Eunseo!” PD-nim said.
“‘Dynamite’ by BTS sunbae-nim,” Eunseo answered.
“Correct!” PD-nim said, nodding in approval.
Yumi, looking slightly nervous but determined, was next.
Music 1 sec
“Ding!” Yumi quickly buzzed. “It’s ‘Love Scenario’ by iKON,” she said with confidence.
“Correct!” PD-nim said.
Woo-shik was starting to feel the pressure. His chances were slipping away with every correct answer. His mind raced as the next song played.
Music 1 sec
“Ding!” Woo-shik immediately buzzed, nearly shouting the title. “It’s... um... ‘TT’ by TWICE!”
“Wrong!” PD-nim said, shaking his head. “The correct answer is ‘Cheer Up’ by TWICE!”
Woo-shik’s face dropped. “No! How did I get that wrong?!”
“Ha, tough luck, buddy,” Seojoon teased, giving Woo-shik a sympathetic smile.
As Woo-shik sulked in his seat, the others tightened their focus. The game wasn’t over yet, and each round felt like it could be their last.
Next song plays
Music 1 sec
“Ding!” Eunseo was the first to buzz in again.
“Eunseo!” PD-nim called.
“‘Red Flavour’ by Red Velvet,” Eunseo answered with certainty.
“Correct!” PD-nim confirmed, giving her a thumbs up. The others groaned, realising she was staying strong in the game.
Music 1 sec
“Ding!” BM buzzed quickly, a grin on his face.
“BM!” PD-nim said.
“‘Fantastic Baby’ by BIGBANG,” BM answered, his voice filled with confidence.
“Correct!” PD-nim confirmed, and the room went wild with a few cheers for BM.
Next song plays
Music 1 sec
“Ding!” Seojoon was quick to buzz in this time.
“Seojoon!” PD-nim called.
“‘Bang Bang Bang’ by BIGBANG,” Seojoon answered with a satisfied look on his face.
“Correct!” PD-nim said with a nod, and everyone clapped for Seojoon’s quick response.
Next song plays
Music 1 sec
“Ding!” Yujin buzzed almost immediately; her hand quick to react.
“Yujin!” PD-nim called.
“‘Mamma Mia’ by SF9,” Yujin said, her voice steady and confident.
“Correct!” PD-nim announced, and Yujin let out a sigh of relief, feeling the pressure ease off for now.
Woo-shik lay sprawled out on the floor in the living room, a mixture of disbelief and frustration clouding his expression. His arms were flung out beside him, and his eyes stared blankly at the ceiling as if hoping the reality of his loss would somehow disappear.
“Nice try, Woo-shik.” Laughs Seojoon as he and the others leave the living room.
“I can’t believe you lost to Seojin oppa.” Comments Yumi
“Well, I’ll make sure to take a bunch of pictures.” Jokes Yujin
“Oh crap, I lost the bet. What did I do in my past life to deserve this?” Curses Woo-shik
He was left behind, alone with the knowledge that he'd be watching it from a bar, far away from the action. The camera crew buzzed around, packing up equipment, but it seemed to intentionally linger on Woo-shik, capturing his misery. As the camera slowly zoomed in on his face, the faint sound of footsteps grew quieter, leaving only his deep breath. His eyes were distant, his brows furrowed in frustration, and his lips curled into a bitter frown. He let out a dramatic sigh, his head falling back onto the floor, utterly defeated. It was as if the world had collapsed around him, and all he could do now was wallow in the irony of how close he had come to victory, only to lose in the end.
Yujin, Eunchae and Jin-woo’s room
In the bedroom, Eunchae and Yujin were in the washroom, getting ready for bed. The sound of water running and the occasional giggles from the two girls echo through the room. Meanwhile, Jin-woo is lying on the floor, his back flat against the cool surface, scrolling through his phone. He was content, waiting for the girls to finish their routine, but his mind wandered as his thumb swiped through endless memories captured in photos.
He scrolls past pictures of the children from the orphanage, Auntie and Uncle, the warmth of family and home. He smiles at the snapshots of swimming with Yujin, the amusement park adventures with Yunjin and Eunchae, each one bringing back vivid memories. Then, there were the pictures with his teammates from Sentinels, moments from their journey to winning Madrid, their time together at the office, and the celebrations after winning Champs. He chuckles at a few, reminiscing about the chaos and fun. There were even older pictures, some from his time at MIT and others from his days in Vancouver with Tyson and Kyedae. Each photo brought back memories from the past.
Hmm, I wonder what those idiots are doing. Tyson is probably getting Kyedae stressed out. Zach is probably chilling with Noia, Jordan is probably streaming or in the gym, fat fuck. John is in Morocco.’
A smile showed on his face, but as he continued to scroll, his finger settled over one particular image. The photo was from his time in Vancouver, a moment he thought he'd erased long ago. It was a picture of him with someone he hadn’t thought about in ages, a person he had hoped to forget. His eyes narrow slightly as he stares at the screen, the memories flooding back. His eyes linger on the other person in the photo. The smile on their face brings back a wave of nostalgia.
‘Sigh, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?’
Eunchae’s voice breaks through Jin-woo’s thoughts. “Oppa, you, okay?” she asks softly, crouching beside him. Her round eyes glint with concern as she gazes down at him. Nearby, Yujin is standing by the bathroom door, a face mask covering her features, her curious eyes also fixed on him.
Jin-woo lowers his phone and offers a reassuring smile. “Yeah, Manchae, I’m fine.”
Eunchae frowned. “I was calling your name for a while, but you were so focused on your phone. What were you looking at?” She leans in closer, trying to take a peek at the screen. Jin-woo quickly turned it off and slid it into his pocket.
“It’s nothing,” he said, standing up abruptly. “I’ll get ready for bed now.” He walked toward the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Eunchae and Yujin exchanged a glance. Yujin shook her head lightly and patted Eunchae’s shoulder. “It’ll be fine, Eunchae. Go to sleep.”
Reluctantly, Eunchae nods and heads to her bed. Yujin did the same, but her worried expression lingers.
In the bathroom, Jin-woo is standing in front of the large mirror, brushing his teeth. His reflection stared back, and as he gazed longer, it began to shift. His face morphs into a younger version of himself, with another figure appearing behind him. Arms wrapped around his neck, legs wrapped around his waist and a head resting on his shoulder. They were both laughing. The figure guiding his hand, moving the toothbrush back and forth as though helping him brush.
Jin-woo’s free hand lifts toward the mirror, hesitating mid-air. The moment dissolves, and his reflection returns to normal, staring back at him. He sighs deeply, finishes brushing his teeth, and splashes cold water on his face. After drying off, he left the bathroom.
The room was dark, and the others were already in bed. He makes his way to his sleeping bag on the floor and lies down, staring at the white ceiling. Memories swirled in his mind, flashing in the darkness whenever he closed his eyes.
“Memories are sure hard to erase,” he mutters to himself. “I wonder what they’re doing now. Probably hungover. Heh.”
“Jin-woo,” came Yujin’s whisper.
Turning his head to the left, he sees her eyes glimmering in the darkness. “Yes, puppy?”
“I need your service again,” she said, a smile spreading across her face. She lifts the corner of her blanket, inviting him to join her. “Come, Come.”
Jin-woo sighs theatrically. “The things I do for you.” Crawling under the blanket, he settles in beside her, wrapping an arm around her as she rests her head on his chest.
“What do you want to talk about?” he asked softly.
“Nothing. You’re just cuddly,” Yujin replied, her tone light but betraying a hint of something deeper.
Jin-woo chuckled. “Yujin, I can read you like an open book. What’s on your mind?”
She puffed her cheeks, clearly debating whether to speak. Finally, she looked up at him. “Earlier, when Eunchae was calling you, you looked lost in thought. I just wanted to ask if you want to talk about it. You’ve always listened to me, so maybe it’s time I return the favour.”
Jin-woo was silent for a moment. “I was just looking at some old photos,” he admitted. “They brought back memories.”
“Does it have to do with the girl Auntie mentioned?” Yujin asked, her voice cautious.
“What girl? I don’t remember Auntie saying anything about this,” Jin-woo replied, confused.
Yujin’s eyes narrowed slightly. “She didn’t mention it directly, but she said something about the song we sang. You interrupted her, like it meant something important to you. So, is it about someone?”
Jin-woo sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You can be pretty sharp sometimes.”
Yujin poked his side in mock offence. “So, am I right?”
He nodded reluctantly.
“Is it Rosé Sunbae-nim?” Yujin asks hesitantly. Seeing Jin-woo’s slight twitch at her words, she got her answer. Her excitement bubbled over. “How do you know Rosé-sunbaenim? She’s one of my favourite idols! She’s older than you, so how would you even meet her?”
Seeing Jin-woo's non-expressive expression, she realises she overstepped. Yujin whispers, “Sorry.”
Jin-woo taps her forehead lightly with two fingers. “It’s fine, Yujin.” He pauses, then corrects himself. “Rosie, I mean, Rosé and I met years ago, when she first moved to Korea at sixteen. She had just joined YG as a trainee. It was her first day there when I ran into her during one of my nightly walks. She was carrying a bunch of snacks, and of course, with her being clumsy, she dropped them all over the ground while I helped her pick them up.”
Yujin raises her eyes. “Weren’t you twelve back then? Why were you out alone?”
Jin-woo chuckles. “I’ve always loved nightly walks. They help me relax, looking up in the sky, trying to find any stars, not to mention watching the water flow down the river. Besides, I was tall enough that people thought I was older.”
“What happened then?” asked Yujin
“Sigh... Well, you know how it is when you become an idol,” Jin-woo began, his voice carrying a tinge of weariness. “Your company controls so much of your life. Even when you get time to hang out with friends, you're either too tired or too paranoid about Dispatch catching you to enjoy it. Rose, being from YG, only amplified those fears and restrictions, especially as her popularity grew. And then, when she debuted, I left for MIT. So yeah... that’s one of the main reasons we haven’t seen each other in six years.”
“You haven’t met her in six years? Even after she left YG?” Yujin asked, disbelief flickering in her eyes.
“Yeah.” Jin-woo’s voice softens as he looks away, up at the ceiling, his thoughts momentarily drifting to the past.
After a beat of silence, Yujin hesitates before asking, “What exactly was your relationship?”
Jin-woo turns to her, his hair tilting just enough for her to see his pensive blue eyes. “Hmm. What do you think our relationship was?”
“Uh… a romantic relationship?” Yujin ventures, her expression a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
Jin-woo chuckles at her tentative guess. “Hmm… We were best friends at first. But as time passed, romantic feelings started to develop. With me being too young back then and Rose debuting, though… things got complicated.”
Yujin hums in understanding, snuggling closer to Jin-woo and holding him a bit tighter as she ponders his words in silence.
“I can understand Sunbae-nim's fear of being caught by Dispatch,” she finally said. “The media can be ruthless. One wrong move, and you go from the most beloved person in the country to the absolute dirt. It’s terrifying. Even now, I can’t go out with friends without checking my surroundings every few minutes.”
Jin-woo tightens his hold on her, a silent gesture of comfort.
“I know,” he murmured. “Being in an industry so tied to social media brings a lot of unwanted attention. We have to learn to ignore the noise, focus on improving ourselves, and stay true to who we are. That’s how we grow. I never blamed Rose, nor really have any resentment for our situation. All I care about is her happiness, even if it means not seeing each other.” His hand gently stroked her hair, and she leaned into the touch.
“You know, when people were hate-training on Le Sserafim, I worried for the girls, especially Eunchae,” Jin-woo admitted. “When she first told me she wanted to be an idol, I made sure she understood how to handle hate. But still, some will get through those shields. She’s a big girl now, though, but I know if it ever becomes too much, she’ll come to me.”
“You’re a great big brother, you know,” Yujin says, looking up at him with a smile.
“I know. No need to remind me, I’m the living definition of greatness.” Jin-woo replies with a cheeky grin.
“Ugh. I don’t know why I put up with you,” Yujin said, rolling her eyes.
“Because I’m just that lovable,” Jin-woo teases.
Yujin ignored his comment. “Do you want to visit Auntie again after this? I want to see Kyuji again.”
“You miss Kyuji, huh? Sure, why not? I need to visit auntie and uncle more; maybe I should bring Eunchae as well. Oh, and we can visit the waterfall, too.”
“Of course I miss Kyuji, she is so adorable, and I don’t know, I feel connected to her.” Says Yujin, A sense of warmth overtakes her, remembering her time with Kyuji, feeding her and playing with her. Watching her reach out for her when they were leaving pulled her heartstrings a bit.
“I also kind of want to bring Wonyoung with us this time. She’s been struggling recently, so I thought maybe bringing her to see Auntie and Uncle would help. Also, since we are bringing guests, we'll visit our special place next time,” says Yujin
“Our special place, huh? Next time, huh? Are you insinuating something, Ahn Yujin?” Jin-woo teases with a raised brow .
“And if I am, Hong Jin-woo? What are you going to do about it?” Yujin shoots back, moving her face up closer to Jin-woo, grinning.
“This.” Jin-woo’s voice drops to a whisper as he suddenly tickles her waist, causing her to squirm and stifle her laughter to avoid waking Eunchae.
“Let’s get some sleep, Yujin. We’ve got a big day ahead. When we get back, we’ll visit Auntie with Wonyoung and Eunchae and have the time of our lives,” Jin-woo said, settling down.
Yujin hums in agreement, closing her eyes as the warmth of his embrace lulls her to sleep.
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