Idol’s Childhood Friend

2 – The two have already filed for marriage

I open the window to the bright sunshine and the beautiful beach of the Mediterranean. It’s time to say goodbye to the scenery of Nice, which had become so familiar over the month-long trip with the members.

“What will you do for the rest of the vacation?”

“I’m going home to rest. I want to eat kimchi stew~.”

“I want to return to being a homebody as soon as possible~.”

Minah and Yerin, both MBTI ‘I’s, let out groans.

Their laughter doesn’t quite reach their eyes. Undoubtedly, living abroad for a month without the company’s care was subtly exhausting.

“So Meiy and Serin are the only ones not going straight back to Korea?”

“Where else are you going?”

“Huh? You still have that much energy left?”

“You don’t like traveling alone.”

The members are surprised. I smile and silently show them my phone.

The first to react is the cute Mei.

“Are you also going to Japan?”

“Yeah. But it’s not Fukuoka with Mei, it’s Tokyo. It’s a shame.”

Mei puffs up her cheeks out of habit.

I habitually reach out to her bouncy, mochi-like cheeks. It’s regrettable not to feel this softness for a while.

“A friend is traveling in Japan. I plan to join them.”

“Wait. I think I know who ‘friend’ refers to.”

“You too?”

At the mention of ‘friend,’ Twolinz (Yerin and Serin) exchange knowing looks and mysterious smiles.

“I also knew instantly.”

Maknaengi (Minah) also smiles shyly and nods.

How do they know? Just as I tilt my head and am about to ask…

“Yes, Tokyo is indeed great for dates. But around this time, for beautiful scenery, rather than Tokyo———.”

“Wait, wait. What are you guys talking about?”

“Huh? The ‘friend’ you’re talking about is that person, right? Yumin oppa.”

At Mei’s words, all the members nod simultaneously.

It’s creepy that they all thought of Yumin at the same time, but what’s even more shocking is this.

“…Why are you implying that Yumin and I are on a couples’ trip?”

“Sis. It’s strange if you haven’t noticed. You’ve been nonstop on KakaoTalk and calls with Yumin oppa for the past two months.”

“Minah is right. You called so much that even I thought, ‘Ah, Yumin oppa has been discharged from the military?’”

“It can’t be helped. If my boyfriend returned safely from the military, I’d also be super happy.”

“What are you guys talking about!!”

I raise my voice at the most ridiculous story I’ve heard this year.

While Mei was nestled in my arms, Minah and Yerin are just startled by my loud voice, but this JiJiBae Serin doesn’t budge.

When they are too spoiled, they don’t listen.

‘Ah, I should have been strict.’

With the charisma of the leader flying away once again, I force a smile.

“Kids, it seems like you are having a huge misunderstanding right now…?”

“A misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?”

“Is it because we haven’t held an engagement ceremony yet?”

“Hey, we’re only twenty-three. Even getting engaged is strange.”

“Rather, it won’t be surprising if Chaewon unnie already had an engagement ceremo—ooooouch~. Stop pulling my ear~.”

Despite the exemplar Mei, the JiJiBaes don’t budge.

They are pondering how to tease more creatively.

“…You guys, really.”

I definitely need to show some leader’s dignity here.

I start to roll up my sleeves to say something, but my friend of the same age beats me to it.

“You little ones. No matter how cute Chaewon is, I told you not to tease the eldest sister!”

“…Serin.”

“The two have already filed their marriage registration.”

I’m the fool for believing her.

As I stare holes into the back of Serin’s head, she quickly turns around and acts cute.

Knowing the nonsense won’t stop if it continues this way, I take the initiative.

“I still don’t understand why you’re assuming that Yumin and I are dating in the first place.”

“…Ah. Don’t tell me you’re trying to say you’re not dating?”

“If so, this is the most absurd and creepy thing I’ve heard not just this year, but in the past three years.”

“Really, don’t do this, Chaewon. Why are you trying to give us such a shocking twist?”

“We are not dating. So, we are not dating.”

I assertively bang the table out of frustration. Everyone pauses as if malfunctioning and then…

“…Huh?”

“I really… ugh…!”

“The Sixth Sense? Inception? The real shocking twist was Han Chaewon’s love life…”

“Members, this is not going to work. Let’s help our sister in her love life. Otherwise, I might really go crazy.”

The members blatantly ridicule me.

Seeing them whispering in front of me stirred up my emotions, but their sincere incomprehension only resulted in a bitter laugh from me.

To display my tolerance as the eldest sister and the leader, I suppress my anger and speak softly.

“Yumin doesn’t know I’m going to Japan, and I don’t even know where in Japan Yumin is. And again, we are not dating, so it’s just a regular friendship trip.”

“But why would the two of you go on a friendship trip…!”

“Because we’re friends!”

“Friennds…?! You two are still calling yourselves friends while being so intimate…?!?!”

“But Minah, Yumin has a problem too. How can he still be friends with her? What, is it affection? This sister, even though her personality is like this, her appearance is perfect.”

“If he has known her personality and still maintained this relationship for so long, they should naturally be dating…!”

“I’m saying.”

“… Yerin and Minah, is there anything you can’t say to me?”

“You can’t even date properly, and you want to be called a sister?!”

“…You guys, really?”

As my voice softens and my brows furrow, they realize they’ve gone too far.

Starting with the most fervent Yerin and Minah, Mei and Serin exchange glances and give wry smiles. Only after hearing their apologies do I ease my stern expression.

Tap, tap. I take the lead and sit on the sofa; the members swiftly follow.

“Even if you’re so frustrated, Yumin and I are friends. We’ve been friends for 15 years; it’s weird for romantic feelings to develop now.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

“We just thought you and Yumin oppa acted exactly like a couple…”

“Why, there’s a saying in this world. There’s no such thing as friendship between a man and a woman.”

“Honestly, sometimes when I hear Chaewon on the phone, she sounds exactly like a female lead in love.”

“…What’s wrong with the way I talk to Yumin?”

“It sounds like someone in love.”

“Yeah. Whenever I hear sister Chaewon talk, it feels like I also have a sweet boyfriend, and it feels good.”

“It’s unfair. How can you not have feelings in such a drama-like situation where you’re childhood friends with a handsome, athletic, and perfect student!”

The envious glances from the members make me wonder, ‘Is he that great?’ But I can’t deny the pleasant feeling amidst it all.

However, as I’m denying it, I try hard to hide my pleasure when suddenly…

“Sister, aren’t you unaware that you like him because you’re used to him?”

At Mei’s words, which seem to read my heart, I cough awkwardly.

“Mei, it’s not that I’m unaware, but there’s just no such feeling, okay?”

“Sister. Just look at the facts objectively. No matter how close childhood friends you are, how can you always share pictures and call each other?”

“Isn’t it normal to call each other daily if you’re close…?”

“Ah… I see… I didn’t get calls or even messages during the hiatus because I’m not close with sister… I see…”

“Hey, Kang Minah! Don’t say it like that…!”

“Alright. Given your personality, I’ll concede that you don’t have feelings, okay.”

“What do you mean ‘concede’? Yerin, what are you———.”

“———But even if you don’t know, is Yumin oppa thinking the same?”

“…Huh?”

Yerin seems to be saying, ‘Exactly,’ but I’m just flabbergasted by this unexpected revelation.

Yerin looks into my eyes with a serious gaze.

“Given it’s 15 years, it would indeed be strange for romantic feelings to develop now. Okay, let’s say you don’t have any. But Yumin oppa might, right?”

“Wow, a childhood friend harboring unrequited love? That’s totally like a drama~.”

“Mei hit the nail on the head. That’s exactly what I wanted to say. There’s a possibility that Yumin oppa has liked unni since a long time ago.”

“I get what you’re saying, but he doesn’t always answer my calls and messages.”

“Right. He must have his unavoidable circumstances.”

Minah, who had been silent, cuts in.

“You might not feel it because you expect him to answer, but honestly, from a guy’s perspective, if he’s not interested, he wouldn’t be so consistent. Even if you two are comfortable childhood friends.”

Yerin adds fuel to the fire with her facts.

“…….”

I was at a loss for words. For a moment, a part of me wondered ‘could it be’ at Yerin’s words.

But it was only for a moment. My mind quickly found a response, and the slight wave of suspicion extinguished.

After all, I had countless moments of certainty built over the past 15 years with Yumin.

———Most importantly, both Yumin and I distinctly remember ‘that day’ that affirmed our current relationship.

You guys are missing something. Just as I was about to say this with a smirk to the members,

“Forget it. If Chaewon is going this far, what’s the point of us going on about it~.”

Serin, a beat faster, tilts her head and sighs.

“Ugh, it’s pointless. It’s as if we’re boiling the soup, serving the rice, and bringing a 16-course meal to someone who has no intention of eating~.”

“Hey. What do you mean by that?”

As I frown and glare at her, Serin replies with a faint smile.

“It’s not really our place to interfere in whatever relationship you have with Yumin, but I’m saying this because I think you’ll regret it later.”

I snort at Serin’s words as if I know it all too.

“What regret.”

“You know, right? It’s only after a breakup or a loss that people realize what they wanted to say. But by then, it’s far too late.”

“We’re not dating, so stop it.”

“So you’re aware that Yumin can date someone else in the future?”

Yumin dating someone else.

I involuntarily visualize it upon hearing Serin’s words, but it doesn’t feel real. However, it’s a possibility, so I nod slightly.

“…I haven’t thought about it, but yeah. He’ll probably date someone someday.”

“So you’ll support him even if he dates someone who doesn’t suit him?”

“…I’d have a few words to say. We’re childhood friends after all.”

“And if those few words could sever the relationship you’ve built over 15 years?”

“…Kwon Serin. What exactly are you trying to say? What do you want to hear from me?”

She grins at my sharp glare.

Whether she read my warning that I wouldn’t tolerate any more, she gently holds both my hands and looks at me softly.

“Fine. Shall our Chaewon live as a forever single?”

“Hey-!”

I snap at Serin’s provocation and shake off her hands. At my harsh reaction, Serin naturally holds me, and the members next to us also hug me to calm me down.

“You guys! Do I look like someone who would be pacified easily…?!”

“Chaewon unni. You’re already smiling.”

“Tsk…!”

It’s fortunate they’re not strict on discipline, these little cuties.

I try hard to suppress the smile creeping on my lips as I gently push the kids away.

It’s already 10:40. Time to check out.

“Let’s leave now. Double-check if you’ve left anything behind.”

“Yes~.”

“Unnis, how about visiting each other’s houses for a homestay next time?”

“That sounds nice?”

“If you come to my house, I’ll make Jjajang Tteokbokki for you~.”

We share trivial stories as we pull our carriers out of the accommodation. After a swift check-out, we head downtown for Serin, who has a schedule in Paris.

The warm sunlight. People enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee.

A sense of parting sadness has all the members standing on the sidewalk with Serin.

“Go eat. It’ll soon be lunchtime, and it’ll be hard to find a place if we’re late. It’ll take another 10 minutes for the taxi.”

“Got it. We’ll go, so don’t worry.”

“Have lots of work and come back~.”

“Contact us when you reach Paris~.”

“Unni, bye-bye~.”

“Take care, you kids. And Chaewon, you.”

Serin’s pointed words make me tilt my head and point at myself with a finger.

“Me?”

“Try filming a vlog with Yumin in Japan.”

“…A vlog?”

“Yeah. If Yumin appears, it will probably easily top the Trending Videos, right?”

These days, when it comes to self-produced content, vlogs are unquestionably the trend.

As observational entertainment becomes popular again, self-produced content has also started benchmarking it. The vlogs that used to be short, around 10 minutes, have extended to 20 or 30 minutes, offering a glimpse into the idol’s ‘ordinary friend’ reality.

Recently, since Serin started uploading vlogs, I am the only member who hasn’t filmed a vlog featuring a non-celebrity friend. I was actually considering filming my personal vlog too.

Naturally, I want to share my daily life with fans. But separate from that, there’s also a pang of regret that I haven’t taken a proper photo with Yumin in the past three years.

I want to continue my activities steadily, and Yumin, who will be busy living as a university student, we don’t know when we will have time. So, I want to leave proper records while the timing is right.

In this regard, a vlog could kill two birds with one stone but…

“Yumin isn’t the type to film such stuff. He’ll absolutely hate it.”

I shake my head, giving a bitter smile. However, Serin shrugs off my response with a bright smile.

“You can at least try. Yumin is tsundere, if you push him strongly, he’ll do it.”

“…If I ask, yeah. He does almost everything I ask.”

“And you’re curious too, right? Whether Yumin really has no feelings for you.”

“…Are we back to that again?”

“This will be the last time. If even after you film it, and he says no, I’ll never speak about the two of you ever again for the rest of my life. The rest of you would too, right?”

“I guess, whatever.”

“So, what will it be? I can bet my Valiant account that sparks will fly between the two of you.”

“At best, it’s Silver.”

“…Mei unni. I’m really proud of being Silver. That remark, it’s a bit hurtful, you know?”

The members unanimously agree with Serin’s words. Seeing the members banding together until the end, I was left speechless.

With a heavy sigh, I nod lightly.

“…Okay, I’ll do it. Somehow, I’ll really make that vlog.”

“And while doing that, don’t forget to check if Yumin truly has feelings or not.”

“I’ll do it, okay? …But, how should I check?”

Asking a lifetime solo to flirt. A sudden curiosity prompts the question, and…

“There. The love pros.”

Serin points to the opposite side with her chin.

“Ta-da~.”

“The love doctor who has cleared over thirty dating programs. I’ll provide solutions with my sharp love sense.”

“Chaewon unni, just trust us.”

Over there were lifetime solos like me, exuding baseless confidence with proud expressions.

A hollow laugh escapes me.

“…I don’t have much faith, though?”

“So, will you film it or not?”

As I respond with a flustered expression and a wry smile, Serin grins and shrugs.

With that knowing look in her eyes, I didn’t want to play into her hands, but…

“…I’ll make it so you can never badmouth my love life again.”

As always, fumbling was my best strategy.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

With a satisfied smile, Serin puts on her sunglasses.