73 Bittersweet Sensitivity

Truth be told, IZ*ONE had just come back from KCON Japan in early April, so it was unlikely that they'd promote with a Japanese version of BLOOM*IZ later. But Iris didn't want to let Jin down. Besides, she wasn't one hundred percent sure. Sometimes, their management wouldn't let them know about something until just a week before.

As far as Iris knew, they were working on another comeback at the end of the year. It would be the last comeback with a full album rather than a mini-album before their two and half year contracted expired.

Their current break was also a temporary brainstorming session for Iris who had been tasked with a greater responsibility and hand in IZ*ONE's music. In their last comeback, Iris Huang was part of the song credits for Ayayaya (Hush), a tropical house song for a 9 member sub-unit of IZ*ONE.

Previously, she, Chaeyeon, Minju, Eunbi, Sakura, and Yuri had performed this as a six-member subunit in their "EYEZ ON ME" concert. Due to the success of that stage, which was likened to the ever-popular song "Rumor" of Produce 48, and as a b-side on their BLOOM*IZ album, their producers and management company allowed Iris more free-rein on her composing abilities.

Thus, even while working on her Big Hit girl group debut concept and musical color, Iris was busy juggling IZ*ONE potential tracks as well. The two projects could overlap. But this wasn't a big problem because Iris could later refine a piece to suit IZ*ONE better and use the rest of her song mixes as possible Big Hit group debut music.

While Jin was disappointed that Iris wouldn't fess up and let anything slip, he smiled reluctantly and didn't push it any further. Besides, how could he argue with hat mischievous, lovely face?

"All right. As long as you give me a ticket of your have a concert, I'd be happy."

"Even if you won't be able to actually go?" She raised a teasing brow.

"Yes, even if I can't go. I'll just treat it as a memorabilia. And you can do the same for our BTS concert ticket!"

Iris chuckled heartily and lightly held her stomach. "Ah, I'm pretty sure that your ticket is worth more money. If any ARMY knew I was getting a free ticket that I might not even be able to use, I might not be living, haha!

"Do you know how many cute ARMYs you disappointed that didn't get a ticket even while waiting well ahead of time when ticket sales opened? Thousands upon thousands! People even made videos about it!"

Jin grinned sheepishly. "Well you broke the records for girl group albums with BLOOM*IZ sales? So I'd say that's pretty good!"

"Oh?" A sparkle flashed in Iris's dark brown orbs. "So you're saying my IZ*ONE has only just reached your BTS level?"

"Ahem-ack!" Jin coughed-laughed-cleared his throat. "Em, maybe." He smiled brightly, playing along with her.

"Aiyah, fine." She crossed her arms and looked at him from the corner of her eyes. "Rub it in, I don't care, hmph! Just you wait, our girlies will sweep you away! We'll be the queens of Big Hit!"

"Yes, yes," cooed Jin playfully, patting Iris's head gently.

"Oof! Don't make me aware of my height yet again, you, you tall person!" Iris exclaimed with a faint flush in her cheeks.

"Mmhmm~" Jin stared at her meaningfully, reflecting on their time together. He still remembered their first meeting on that fateful night in LA, several years ago. He could recall how peaceful and adorable she looked on that couch, all wrapped up like a burrito by the clumsy yet gentlemanly Namjoon and doting, motherly-like J-Hope.

He thought about how by the end of this year, they wouldn't see each other for a long time again. So he seared the memory of her clever, vibrant, and rosy face into his mind, carrying these feelings with him in his heart.

"Jin?"

Iris's genuinely concerned face was suddenly closer to him, making him start back in surprise. A micro-expression of hurt fleetingly crossed her face at his jumping away.

"Haha..you were zoning out there for a moment. But you're back now, hehe~" She embarrassedly scratched the back of her neck and flicked away the ponytail strands clinging to her skin.

Recollecting herself a second before Jin could clarify—although he wasn't sure how to anyway without making it needlessly awkward again—Iris quickly reverted back to her cheerful self and held her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels lightly.

"Well, I have to go back to the dorm. The girls are waiting for me. I'll see you later!" She called out and waved while scampering away.

"Uh—that—! I'll see you later! Iris!"

Jin stood in the empty hallway, not quite sure what to do as she disappeared around the corner to the elevator lobby. A moment later, he sighed and went about his way.

The BTS members were starting to amp up for their next comeback. It would be the final segment of their Map of the Soul trilogy. This would be his last album before he left for the military.

When Iris returned back to the dorms, she shut the door softly but securely behind her, panting faintly as she leaned against the back of the door. She furrowed her brows confusedly, not quite sure why she sort of ran away, and why her heart was racing a bit. Perhaps from speed walking here? Speed walking was very tiresome, even more than running. Yes, that had to be it.

"Iris?" Cindy noticed her first. "Welcome back!" She approached her cousin by the doors with open arms, but noticing the odd expression on the dark-haired girl's face, Cindy frowned.

"You okay? You look a little out of breath."

"Hm!? I'm fine!" Iris snappily replied with a higher pitch than her regular voice.

Cindy raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Well all right, if you say so…" She thought about prying, but once again, their close cousin, sister-like bond naturally stopped her from doing so. Iris would let her know when she was ready. And if it was really nothing, or even if she was hiding something, Cindy trusted her. No matter how close they were, that didn't mean they were obligated to share every little thing with each other.

Moving onto another topic, Cindy asked, "So how was Rinah? Doing well? Her videos and YouTube have been doing great!" She lightly punched her cousin's shoulder. "All thanks to you, I know." She winked and lifted her chin in a light-hearted, knowing look.

Iris giggled and took Cindy's fist into her hand and held it. "Yes, I'm the 'Ace' after all, right?"

"Right!" Cindy laughed buoyantly. "You're our shining star who will lead Big Hit to a bigger and brighter future! We're counting on you!" She flashed another wink, and Iris knew that Cindy was subtly trying to make her feel better.

Although Cindy hadn't asked Iris why she was off, Iris knew that Cindy knew. But Cindy didn't know that she had only made Iris's wavering heart sink a little more, mystifying the conflicted girl. Yes, Iris relented in her heart. She needed to put her career and others' trust and expectations before her own puzzling questions.

Iris sighed inwardly, wondering why she had this bothersome feeling nagging, tugging at the corner of her heart.. She ought to be happy, her life was going great, but why did it feel like something was missing? The future felt… a little bittersweet.