“yes!” she says as she takes the food from him. the same menu from years ago is now complete. she blows an exaggerated air-kiss to him as a sign of gratitude.
she’s glad that this part of her life still remains the same.
transitioning from being a trainee to being an idol is a whiplash. the same person treats you differently. the same practice room no longer feels familiar. even you, as a human being, become a completely different person.
and that’d happen all in one day.
when jiwon was about to debut, haeun had a fear. a fear that she would be left alone. a fear that she would be nothing but a memory of his and him to her. that their friendship would be reduced to simple companionship when it was so complex and meaningful. however, one call from him, asking her to come to the rooftop, was all she needed to extinguish that fear.
“thankfully, life has not been shitty to me,” she says while eating the chicken. “but i might release a mini-album by the end of the year. and i’m thinking of going back to san fransisco for the holidays.” she wipes her hands and uncaps a bottle of coke.
“what about you?” she drinks and winces at the feeling of the fizziness down her throat. “i heard you’re ‘dating’––” cue the air quotes. “––sunny from wish. did bc put you up for that? or is somebody actually taming little wonnie?”
she nods, a little grin decorates her face. “yeah, it’s been a while.” her tone is soft and more pensive. “i’m actually kind of excited. i can’t wait to get paid to eat ice cream.”
he’s laughing behind his bottle of coke--although with the way it came out people would easily mistaken it for a scoff. wonnie... when was the last time anyone had called him that? jiwon couldn’t even remember the topic of his last conversation with his hyungs.
it’s scary how everything changes so fast in this industry. one second you’re a trainee, the next you’re a senior idol. time waits for no one and even the most unprepared ones aren’t excluded from its cruel law. jiwon remembered his debut stage like it was yesterday, but now.... it doesn’t matter anyway. not with so many new talented groups popping up here and there.
plus, his bestfriend might get a solo album soon. it’s like being dragged under the car on a hot, halfway-melting asphalt. one hell of a wake up call.
“come on, do you honestly think anyone would settle down with this brat?” pokes her with his elbow lightly. his nerves is on fire again. “nah, they told us to fix our chemistry. probably has future duet plans with her.” and besides, he doesn’t want sunny to go through all that hell dating him. the best he could do for her at the moment is to support WISH in music shows.
jiwon lets out an affirmative hum. “two best things a human can have in the world; free ice cream, and a friend to offer you emotional support.” cracks a lopsided grin.
"but seriously though. that’s awesome. bc better give you that mini-album.” smile. look happy. he doesn’t have to pretend to be proud, though. “any concept planned so far? you know i’m always open for a collaboration, right?” wiggles his eyebrows.