Jihyo's Sun Sets

Chaeyoung has also grown so much. She thought of a highly aesthetic rebellion compared to her hyung. It was so intricate, no one would know what hit them.

Well, Jeongyeon is undeniably stealthy too. She finished the last world tour stop with tears of joy pertaining to the locals' famous pizza. As if she survived a long battle and could finally live humanely.

However, those same tears successfully masked exhaustion and longing for Mina who got sick and was left behind. Jeongyeon was so angry at JYPE, she started a Live without the company knowing.

She didn't mind how the company would get back to her. She even taunted about getting beers on broadcast. Little did she know, nor anyone for that matter, the company would do so by Jihyo.

While still making sense of it all, Mina admires this fighting spirit of her members that's why she's enduring.

"Chaeng Chaeng", Mina gently wakes her. "Hmmmm~ five more minutes Minariiing."

I'm sorry Chaengie for still waking you up like this. This is the only thing I could do for now. To help you succeed with the plan. "Chaengie, an hour has already passed."

Chaeng shoots up and slaps herself to consciousness. She looks around and finds Dahyun nowhere. "I'm still lucky to not be up that early."

"Yep, very lucky." Mina giggles. "Food is ready Chaengie. I've yet to pack your stuff so I'll go ahead."

Chaeyoung catches Mina before she can leave, "I miss you."

"Eh? I'm already here baby, what are you talking about?" Mina in confusion.

"Yeah. Still, I miss us together."

Mina smiles and turns to Chaeyoung for a proper hug. "It sucks I won't be able to watch you guys shoot arrows this time. Bet you'd look sexy on the outfit." She traces Chaeng's newly done neck tattoo.

Chaeyoung winces, "T-that's not it! I- I'm sending a message."

"Yep and it's a powerful one. Let's make it for Jihyo!" Mina pats Chaeng as she leaves.

"This is not just for Jihyo unnie though", Chaeng mumbles and sighs.

In the living room, Mina sees Tzuyu almost done packing. She joins her. "Unnie I miss you", Tzuyu breaks the silence.

"Wha- Chaeng just told me that."

"Yeah but me too! ~We all do." Tzuyu halts her task and hugs Mina. "Feels empty when we're not together, all the nine of us."

They break off upon hearing a cough. It's Sana. Chaeyoung is behind her. "Uuhm, we've just finished packing up. Yey!" Tzuyu clarifies. Mina as well, "I- am giving my best wishes. School Meal Club fighting!"

"Only Tzuyu needs to do well as usual." Chaeyoung reviews the plan.

"Eh? Isn't this our chance to get Gold? Red Velvet sunbaes won't be able to attend. We could go viral just like your plan", Tzuyu asks.

"Would've been easier if there's a match between you and Irene sunbaenim again. Also, Dahyun-ah still has MC duties. Must be tiring for her to go for the finals", Sana reasons outs.

"That's why I'm winging it. My neck tatt should get people curious."

"It will be covered up though. They'd censor it", Mina reminds Chaeng. "Exactly." Chaeyoung assures.

Maknaes proceed to Goyang Gymnasium for the recording of ISAC Chuseok leaving Sana and Mina to have a conversation.

"How are you today Mitang?" Sana initiates.

"Are you okay, Sana-chan?" Mina asks back.

"Darling, I asked first." Sana puts up a sweet defense but Mina does not break her gaze.

"I am not okay", Sana confesses with nervous laughter. "I thought I'm gonna lose Once just a few months ago. And then, you. Seems fate is trying to take something. This time it's Jihyo!"

"I'm not the right person to talk to you about this", Mina tells her. "But we know, especially you two have been through a lot. The nine of us have been her world and you are her favorite person. Isn't that why she calls you partner?"

"I- it's just another name. Like Satang but, Partner."

Mina sighs, "For what it's worth, I'd think you guys are the ones dating."

"Except we're not. I don't have rights. And the articles are very convincing it's almost legally binding", Sana is dejected.

"They are not yet married and people divorce too!" Mina is impatient. "Look, even if they date, who do you think does she spends more time with?"

"She's godjihyo. She has time for everything." Sana refutes Mina.

"She spends more time with us. She spends more time with you." Mina receives a blank look. "I'm basically saying he got nothing on you."

"And would you just let Jihyo be with someone who, on a personal note, didn't pertain anything about her nor their 'relationship'?" Nayeon arrives.

"Oh, Nayeon unnie!" Surprised, Mina thought Nayeon is still resting after filming her special MV parts.

"What do you mean, Nayeon-ah?" Nayeon brings out her phone and shows Sana something. Sana takes the phone and gradually widens her eyes as she reads the letter.

We are idols and fans are our priority. I understand that he would cater to his fans more than his girlfriend especially at this early point of solo career. Because without fans, us idols are nothing. But this issue involves another idol who has fans to console, too!

Yet, there's not a single hint of clarity nor honesty about his decision to date. Where is the empathy for Jihyo who was written as actively meeting him despite crazy sched? Her self-respect is sacrificed for this! I must wo-man up. He didn't. Who else will?

"I heard he's our fan. He even liked Signal. So, shouldn't he be at least considerate if not ecstatic about 'dating' Jihyo? It sucks Jihyo is disregarded like this", Nayeon expresses.

Sana picks herself up. "Sana-chan?", Mina notices.

"I'm going."

"Eh? Where are you going?" Before MiNayeon could receive a feedback, Sana has left them.

Chapter 4

In a gym, Jihyo is a resident goer spending 4 hours of training to maintain godly live performances. This time, she��s seeking refuge. With every step on the treadmill, she is drowned on her thoughts.

Look after me from afar? Then, that kiss. T-that's not a goodbye kiss. This is confusing than it already is!

Jihyo shuts her eyes in surrender, "Ugh, just… what are you up to?"

"That's your man's song."

"kApchAGE~" She almost tripped when Sana suddenly appears.

"Seems really inspired by you", Sana mocks. "Keep thinking about him, he might just drive to you this time."

It's not him I'm thinking about, Sana. "I'm not the only busy girl out there. Also, I have nothing to say to him. To you, have lots." Jihyo slows down and off the treadmill. Sana offers her a bottle of water, "me too. It's a date then?"

Jihyo accepts.

They settle down in Soul Cup café with iced drinks and some snacks. Jihyo delivers Sana's share. Sana, on the other hand, pierces the straws into their drinks. Both sip on theirs. Their eyes meet.

Jihyo asked for this moment to make peace with the imagery that got her on a loop. But catching Sana catch her in similar position doesn't help. The loop is inviting. She backs off as an attempt to stop herself and gulps.

"Not now, Jihyo. People are watching." Sana mouths it while shaking her head.

Omo, this girl. SHE KNOWS. A serious Sana is scary. She is dangerous. Dangerous Sana doesn't miss a thing. She knows what every flinch means, what every silence says. Jihyo got nothing to hide.

She could only look around to check onlookers as she ventriloquizes, "Wha- No! T-there's nothing to see" then emphasizes to her, "TAKE RESPONSIBILITY" while pointing at her lips.

"I am." Sana assures.

Girl, how exactly are you doing that? By weird wet kisses at random? Jihyo drops her eyes then back to Sana. She scours the table of their belongings and leads Sana out with her.

"Should have done this from the beginning." Sana tells Jihyo as she's taken to the van. The pair continues to banter. "You said it's a date. Hence, a café."

"We're not new to each other. And we have something to spill!" Door slides. They get in. Closes. "Now, talk."

"What are we, Sana ssi?" Jihyo asks intently.

Sana raises her fingers one by one, "I like you. You like me. I claimed you early this year. You're even proud about it. In short, we-" slowly recalls "the Dating article".

Particularly, "It was January 17th when you became Sana's Jihyo… Jeongyeon is the unnie who drove when we visit their nice place once a week… You recycle soju bottles the morning after…"

To avoid me because you keep asking me of something really embarrassing when you're drunk. Something I prefer granting when you are conscious and sober.

Sana then realizes, "We're the ones dating." Just like what Mitang said to me Jihyo-yah. "It's us. The issue, i-it's to keep us."

I have no words. Sana and I are very much in the moment that we didn't know 'us'. We didn't care what we are. Well, it didn't matter as long as we're happy. God knows I've been asking for someone dependable and it's her who's always beside me. I myself didn't notice that that someone is in the shape of Sana.

Jihyo reaches for Sana's arm and gently strokes it with her thumb, "we failed to acknowledge 'us'. What more the others? The company's doing means it maybe best to keep us secret."

"So, we really can't play like we used to huh." Sana holds her. Jihyo is sulking. "Alright then."

This would become another loop for Jihyo. But this time, it's rather painful than an inviting one. She grits her teeth at the thought of it. With that, she has to endure a supposed stunning Estee Lauder evening.

How will I be able to smile? "I think I'm gonna throw up", Jihyo says. It doesn't help that it's also her first appearance after the issue was released. The recovery time leading up to this wasn't good to her.

"Here, I'm offering my hands this time." Nayeon is returning the favor to Jihyo who was ready to catch her vomit back in the day.

"Unnie, I'll ask the stylist to make me look really pretty. Me and my bangs will try to get the attention away from you", Tzuyu offers.

"Thanks, Nayeon-ie and Tzuyu-ah. But I'll still try my best. How's this for a smile?" She shows them.

That evening, the world barely witnessed Jihyo's perfect teeth. Lips were sealed like Mona Lisa. Is she truly smiling? Or is she frowning? Nonetheless, this is Jihyo who's known for bright smiles. Out of all her smiles thus far, this was rid of radiance. She needs her sun. But since then, Sana can only be seen from afar.