Y/N - alright come on push it!
Sweat came down pouring her face, the intensity shown towards her current set as I watched her tightly with my arms crossed.
We were in the gym together again, progress has been made.
Slowly but surely, she's improved and been hitting new PR's in intervals between the times we meet up and stuff.
She's dedicated, I gotta hand her that.
Watching her slowly, finally pushing through the very last seconds of it, letting go of the bar since I was confident in her ability but was still focused in case she needed help.
Putting the bar up and sitting up in front of me, taking out a hand out for a high five which she noticed as she turned her head to me.
Y/N - good job
Jiwoo - did I do good oppa?
Y/N - always
Shrugging while sharing a high five, I took off my tank top. Lifting my hand to wipe my nose out of habit before sniffling.
Y/N - we've been at it for about a few hours, I think we could call it a day here
Jiwoo - yeah....
Rotating her arm out, a bit of grimace on her face caused some curiosity and concern towards her.
Y/N - you good?
Jiwoo - damn arm is killing me
Y/N - shoulder or what?
Jiwoo - shoulder actually
Y/N - well shit, how about we wrap up and get you to somebody?
Lifting my arm and wiping the sweat off my face with my tank top, she raised an eyebrow making me chuckle to myself
Jiwoo - I know someone
Y/N - oh yeah?
Jiwoo - you know the physiotherapist on ITZY's floor?
Y/N - they have one? Let alone we even have one in the company at all?
She nodded at me, leaving me a bit baffled and speechless from this new information despite working here for a while
Y/N - shit. Are they? Guy or girl?
Jiwoo - guy
Y/N - right erm- is he available for all employees or?
Jiwoo - all including normal staff
Y/N - ain't that a benefit
Jiwoo - it really is
Y/N - well, come on. Let's get freshened up and dressed
Ji Woo - yeah you're starting to stink
Getting up from the bench, grabbing her water bottle as I watched her walk away with a smirk on her face.
Y/N - I- I do?
Confused, lifting my armpit up and leaning in to smell it and then around my body.
Y/N - I don't though?
Turning back to her direction, watching her enter the women's locker room.
Y/N - I don't think so!
Smacking my lips and clicking my tongue, waving my arms up in how she just played me just there.
We're getting pretty close, that's as far as I know.
A smile on my face from her playful act just there, looking around the area for my water bottle. Spotting it, I picked it up and made my way towards the locker room where I got changed.
Meeting her outside of it where I decided on the spot to mess with her
Y/N - hm? Where are you?
Jiwoo - ya I'm right in front of you
Ignoring her voice, putting my hand in front of my eyes intimidating like I was looking for her
Y/N - I wonder where she is
Doing my best in acting, which was mediocre at best. I laid my elbow on top of her head, glancing down for a second to see her pouting
Jiwoo - ya, oppa
Y/N - wow this counter is pretty tall, it's not like one I've ever had before
Taking in the joke pretty well in my own confidence, it quickly died out as I felt a blow to my stomach making me burst myself open with a shout
Y/N - AH-
Hearing her grunt with much sauve, making me hold my stomach and leaned over for a second to stare at the ground before lifting my head up to look directly at her with a big proud smile on my face
Y/N - t- th- there you are
Jiwoo - I hate you
Y/N - deserved that
Jiwoo - hmph
Stomping her foot on the ground, turning away from to walk out of the gym where I jogged after her. Realising how much power she put in that punch making me mumble to myself
Y/N - fuck maybe I shouldn't have thought her how to punch properly......
Jogging after her, her back on the car where I gave myself time to gather my breath before standing in front of her, the smile still on my face and with a witty mood around the air
Y/N - well?
Jiwoo - you're so mean to me
Y/N - only when I feel like it
Jiwoo - I don't like you anymore
Y/N - you never did
Jiwoo - that's not true!
Gritting her teeth, stomping the ground once more getting another chuckle out of her. Leaning in and wrapping my arm around her shoulder, stepping towards beside her where I put my hand out and glazed over the building
Y/N - look at the brighter picture, you're stuck with me for every gym session whether you like it or not
Jiwoo - It's not a bad thing though....
Y/N - I know. Though you got another guy or someone else to go to the gym with?
Jiwoo - nope, so ugh- fine. I like you again
Y/N - exactly
Rubbing her shoulder playfully, my cheeks caressing the top of her head like a dog
Jiwoo - ya that's annoying oppa!
Immediately stopping it with another chuckle, letting go of her and walking over to the driver's side as I unlocked the car.
Y/N - and that's why I'm your oppa and not your boyfriend
Jiwoo - yeah...Right....
The both of us got into the car, throwing our bags into the backseats.
Jiwoo - this is still a pretty nice car oppa
Y/N - I know. I would've asked for a Impala but this is good enough
Jiwoo - this is your dad's right?
Y/N - yup and the only thing he gave me in his will. Not money or a fucking house. Just this car, but trust me. I'll be taking care of this baby pretty damn well
Jiwoo - you know how to take care of a car?
Y/N - nope, but I'll find out soon enough
Putting the key in the ignition, turning it and stepping on the pedal to let it roar, startling her
Jiwoo - jeez!
Y/N - never gets old
Putting on our seatbelts, it wasn't long until we drove off towards our destination. The company building.
Keeping my eyes focused on the road, glancing at Jiwoo every once in a while to check up on her
Y/N - shoulder still messing you up?
Jiwoo - yeah... it's sore...
Y/N - what do you think it was from?
Jiwoo - I don't know. I was in the gym last night as well
Y/N - hard at work I see
Jiwoo - it's addicting to say the least
Y/N - you take your days off right?
Jiwoo - I do
Y/N - good, keep it that way. I wouldn't want you to risk this type of stuff again
Jiwoo - you're nice for once
Y/N - I'm always nice to you
Sighing, I turned right. Glancing at her briefly, a bit of a frown on her face
Y/N - what's up?
Jiwoo - nothing
Y/N - no seriously what's up?
Jiwoo - it's nothing oppa- really.
Y/N - you sure? I ain't gonna bitch about asking you and believe me, it's already hard enough for Jinae to own up to a mistake thinking she'll get scolded for it
In a moment of silence for a bit, it took a bit until she finally spoke up
Jiwoo - it's just- you're really nice to me oppa.
Y/N - oh. You mean it?
Jiwoo - I do.
Y/N - thanks. I try my best
Jiwoo - you helped me out with this, the gym and boxing and you just don't lie to my face about it
Y/N - takes a person to be completely honest, well. Put a bit of pressure on yourself and you'll change eventually
Jiwoo - but why are you so nice to me?
Y/N - because can I not be? I do it because I want to. Not because someone told me to. You wanna know what I wanted to be when I was a kid?
Jiwoo - what?
Y/N - a police officer or a detective.
Jiwoo - oh. I wouldn't take you to exactly dream about that
Y/N - well- it stuck with me for a while going up into my teens and then one day, I get the bored sense of picking up how to edit videos and make music because of well, you won't remember this or you're weren't on the internet enough but nightcore and AMVs
Jiwoo - w- wha- whaa?
Y/N - nothing, long story short. I wanted to be either of those like I said a second ago because I always wanted to help people in some way or another.
Jiwoo - you ever think about trying it out now? Since you're older?
Y/N - with a daughter and a family around? Nah. I know about the risks of being in that sector of jobs. As much as I think about it from time to time. Nah. I love my family too much to worry them about waiting for papa or husband every day knowing I could die from anything.
Jiwoo - Korea isn't that bad though
Y/N - but it's still the same everywhere. Crime is universal, so is murder, so is everything else. Just because it hasn't happened a lot or yet doesn't mean it's bound to happen eventually.
Jiwoo - hm.
Y/N - I'll think about it once my contract with the company is over
Jiwoo - yeah... when's that up anyways?
Y/N - till you guys disband and considering if you guys do renew your contract, I'm damn well staying
Jiwoo - I hope you stay
Y/N - well me too. Good pay and if sajangnim gives me a promotion then I'd be damned to not say no to the money
Jiwoo - now that's just greedy oppa
Y/N - is it? Is it really when I have a lot of mouths to feed
Jiwoo - you know Haewon-unnie and Seulgi-unnie are idols right?
Y/N - and yet I'm still cooking dinner
Jiwoo - huh
We both shared a laugh together, feeling a bit content in our conversation just now.
Huh.
I wonder if I did end up as a police officer or something, would've been cool.
â-------
Going into the company, the both of us shoulder to shoulder with each other.
Y/N - huh, where is everyone again?
Jiwoo - at home, Haewon-unnie is back at your place
Y/N - right
Jiwoo - with Yoona-unnie and Lily-unnie.
Y/N - what about Jinsol and Kyujin?
Jiwoo - oh those two are out doing stuff
Y/N - oh okay.
Turning the corner into the office, we were on ITZY's floor. Eyes were on us which we just ignored as I followed her to where this physio is
Jiwoo - he's right here
Stopping in front of an office, glass door and everything. Seeing how neat it was. Why doesn't my office have anything like this?
He's even got another room beside it, probably for examining the person or group or whatever.
Honestly though?
I'm sort of jealous.
It's even got his name on one of those signs, you know like you see on top of classrooms?
Lemme just read his name here.....
Park Chan-Yeol
Huh.
Cool.
Jiwoo - I'll knock
Watching her knock on his door, crossing my arms while we waited. The both of us sharing a few glances here or there just to pass time until the door suddenly opened up, revealing a man in a doctor's coat
Chris - oh hello there Jiwoo!
Jiwoo - hiiiiii Chris!
Chris - how are ya?
Jiwoo - alright
Familiar with each other.....
Hm. How did I not know about this guy?
Staring at him, he finally turned his focus onto me, a big smile on his face and a bit taken aback by my presence
Chris - oh hello there!
Y/N - hey
Chris - we haven't met before haven't we?
Y/N - yes sir we haven't.
Taking out his hand for me to shake, looking down at it briefly before taking out my hand and shaking it.
Chris - Doctor Park Chan-Yeol at your service but you can call me Chris!
Y/N - huh, alright. Got a bit of an accent on your Chris. You from somewhere else?
Chris - I'm Aussie! I'm from Sydney
Y/N - huh.
Clearing my throat with a cough, I spoke up to him in English
Y/N - well. Then we can have our own conversation then
Chris - oh? That's pretty surprising
Y/N - is it really though?
Chris - at this point? Nah, come on in both of you! I ain't busy right now!
Nodding my head, he opened the door fully to let us in as we both took a seat in front of his desk before making way towards his own chair. Pushing himself into the desk, putting his elbows on the table
Chris - so what inquires you here?
Jiwoo - Doc, my shoulder hurts
Chris - oh? What happened?!
Jiwoo - I don't know, I must've hurt it or something when I was in the gym
Chris - I see, my schedule is cleared up for a while today so I can attend to you today
Jiwoo - really?
Chris - yes I can! So you can coun-
*ring*
Out of nowhere, his phone on the desk which I noticed when I sat down began to vibrate, causing the three of us to be distracted. His eyes going towards his phone and immediately picked it up
Chris - sorry about this! It'll just be a second
Y/N - go ahead
Jiwoo - that's alright
Putting the phone up to his ear, answering it. He turned around in his chair, almost whispering to himself
Me and Jiwoo turned to each other, my eyebrow lifting up as she just shrugged.
Visibly groaning from me since I feel really hungry all of a sudden, his phone suddenly rang out. A voice coming through which surprised me and Jiwoo
? - oh my little wombat, be good alright?
Hearing the voice from the phone laugh out loud, he turned around in his seat. An awkward and embarrassed look on his face before putting his face closer to the phone where I noticed from the light on his phone that he had the speaker on.
Chris - I- I love you?
Subtly putting the phone back out of speaker and mumbling a bit more on the phone. We both watched him slowly and awkwardly put the phone back on the desk, flipping it over too for a little bit of reassurance.
Y/N - ain't you got a love life doc
He cleared his throat, fixing his tie and keeping his eyes away for a moment away from us before professionally placing his elbows back on the table and interlocking his hands together
Chris - I apologise.
Jiwoo - it- it's okay
Y/N - all good man
Chris - now. Uhm- where were we?
He's a bit more funnier than I thought.
â----------
Walking back into the apartment, glancing at Jiwoo with a satisfied look on his face where I too, shared the same sentimentality after getting treated by him too
Y/N - wow shit no wonder the company hired him
Jiwoo - he's great ain't he?
Y/N - I'll visit him more often
Jiwoo - hehe
It was still the same as it was when I walked in except with Jinae being home now.
You know, teaching Haewon how to drive was a hard thing to do.
A lot of braking and a lot of innocent traffic cones being run over.
But then once she did her exam on both theory and everything. It went smoothly, though I let her drive my car.
It's a shitbox, but a lovable shitbox.
I would let her drive the mustang but it's dad's and well truthfully.
I wasn't lying that I would take care of it. I love Haewon and Seulg and Jimin and Yoona and Lily but they're not driving that damn Mustang unless it was for an emergency or over my dead body.
Y/N - hey is it just me or there's a lot more people that I'm hearing?
Jiwoo - no I hear that too
Going along towards the living room, the view of the rest of NMIXX in front of us. Their eyes and attention towards us where Jinae was playing in the centre of the living room, the living room table moved over to the side.
Hae - oh. You two are home
Y/N - you sound unhappy to see us
Hae - tired
Jinae - hi papa
Y/N - hi muffin
Kyujin - surprised to see us oppa?
Y/N - just you and Jinsol
Lily - they were out but then the house was nearby so they came here
Bae - don't want us to be here oppa?
Y/N - no no I don't mind. Just didn't expect it
Jiwoo - well, I'll be taking your shower
Y/N - go ahead
Jiwoo walked off with her bag towards the bathroom, where I just sat mine down on the couch. Leaning over to kiss Haewon, Lily and Yoona to say hi
Y/N - hey you guys
Sully - you stink by the way
Lily - yeah.... No offence though
Y/N - it's just sweat
Hae - go take a shower
Y/N - but Jiwoo's gonna be in there
Hae - go shower with her
Y/N - yeah.... No.
Lily - I don't really- mind?
Sully - I mean, it's pretty pungent
Y/N - what? Really? So I do smell?
Hae - you took a shower this morning right?
Y/N - I did!
Kyujin - you must've been working out hard
Y/N - pretty much
Bae - oh oppa, can we talk?
Y/N - yeah sure, if you can stand the smell.
Bae - I can.
Y/N - alright.
Jinsol, who was on the floor alongside Kyujin and Jinae who was playing with them, stood up and walked over to me where I brought us along to the bedroom for some privacy.
Coming inside and closing the door, she sat on the bed where I sat down beside her, ruffling my hair
Y/N - so what's up?
Bae - remember my family?
Y/N - yeah.
Bae - I just wanted to tell you that- it's going well
Y/N - that's good to hear, how's that brother of yours doing?
Bae - he's okay, he went through something recently so he's healing
Y/N - shit, what happened?
Bae - something about Suzy's friend and her past and stuff
Y/N - damn. Sorry to hear that
Bae - we have it resolved and they made up
Y/N - that's- good to hear at least
Bae - yeah. So-
Y/N - so.
Tapping my fingers together, we both looked at each other. A soft smile on her face, letting out a nostril laugh.
Bae - I- I just wanted to thank you about letting me talk to you about it
Y/N - hey it's no problem, my family's fucked up as it is and I already just lost my dad. He ain't my real one but shit he's more of a father than my real one
Bae - yeah. You don't think to find out about your biological parents?
Y/N - I do but- eh. Like I said last time. When I feel like it
Bae - hmmmm.... Okay.
Y/N - but- hey at least I was someone to talk to. That makes me feel glad enough
Bae - you're just- you know? A good shoulder to lay on
Y/N - heh well, you'll surprised by how uncommon it is for me to hear that
Bae - but you are!
Y/N - still feels a bit fake to hear it. Not that you're fake but don't hear it enough
Bae - well I think you're a excellent person oppa
Y/N - so are you in a more, talented sense
Bae - you're talented as well
Y/N - talent gets you so far you know?
Bae - I know but you know what I mean
Y/N - heh. Yeah.
Sharing a smile with each other, placing my hand on the bed. It was a moment of silence between us before I turned my neck to look at her again, but this time. I felt some soft pressure on top of my hand, making me turn towards it. Seeing her hand on top of it before looking back at her
Y/N - hm?
Bae - no it's just-
Y/N - just?
Bae - I know you have Haewon-unnie, Lily-unnie, Yoona-unnie
Y/N - is this where I think it's going?
Bae - uhm- well-
Y/N - I'll let you finish
Bae - *coughs* uhm- I know I'm a bit shy.... Towards you.
Y/N - well aware
Bae - bu- but.
Y/N - but?
Bae - I don't know. I have this thing inside of me just- it feels weird when I look at you. You're the same age as my brother but I- I can't really see you like one neither
Y/N - oh.
Bae - I- I think I like you oppa.
Scratching the back of my head, all I could think about was.
Well shit.
There's goes another one.
Not in a bad way obviously but-
I mean I expected this a bit considering Lily and Yoona both being very similar.
Y/N - oh-
A frown on her face appeared because of my response to her, where I quickly comforted her. Putting my arms on her shoulders
Y/N - I- I- I mean oh like just- I didn't know you would actually- uhm- gain feelings for me-
Bae - i- is it a bad thing that I do?
Y/N - no of course not. Why do you anyways?
Bae - like I said, you- you're just a really good shoulder to lay my head on and you listened to everything I had to say. And- and when you took care of me that one day when I was sick. You- you just treated me so gently, and- you're really nice to me and- If I had to admit-
Y/N - that?
Bae - I was a little jealous of you and Haewon-unnie.
Y/N - oh Jinsol.
Bae - I just want what you have with her. I- it's get pretty lonely sometimes, I wonder about a boyfriend too- or girlfriend-
Y/N - it's just that- I don't know if I'm the right man to be with, Jinsol
Bae - but I've seen how you treat them. How you love them. Maybe what I'm asking for is just a small chance, or to know that I have one.
Y/N - you do. And it's just not out of pity but I like all of you guys, connection-wise. You guys really made my life sweeter and in turn, maybe I do hold a bit of love towards all of you uniquely.
Bae - th- then. Will you at least hear me out?
Y/N - I will.
Bae - thanks oppa.
Y/N - hey. Don't let this bring you down. What I'm trying to say is that. I accept you. And your feelings as well. I told this to Yoona and Lily but, it'll take time for me to really adapt and accept it fully but then, after that. You wouldn't have to worry about everything else again.
Bae - thank you.
Y/N - come here.
Pulling her in for a hug, all I could think was how my life had changed.
For the better.
Because I do know for damn sure, it ain't the worst.
â--------
*whistles*
Y/N - hmmmmmm, needs more salt
Holding the ladle up to my lips, tasting the soup with a bit of a disapproving nod. I sat the ladle back into the pot and grabbed the jar of salt by my side and opened it, taking some out with my fingers and evenly spreading it into the pot before closing the jar, putting it back and tasting it again with a satisfied nod.
Y/N - much better
Jiwoo - need any help there?
Turning my head around to see Jiwoo walking up to me, she stood beside me watching me stir the pot around
Y/N - think I'm alright
Jiwoo - what's on the menu tonight chef?
Y/N - dunno. But I'm figuring it out as I go
Jiwoo - good to know we're in somewhat great hands
Y/N - heh, well. You can trust me
Jiwoo - sure we can.
Turning back to the pot, feeling her chin placed on my shoulder alongside her hands
Y/N - you okay?
Jiwoo - yeah. Jinsol's pretty happy all of a sudden
Y/N - oh- yeah?
Jiwoo - I asked her why and well-
Y/N - well?
Jiwoo - she just confessed to you about an hour ago right?
Y/N - sh- she told you?
Jiwoo - was curious
Y/N - right. W- well yeah. She did.
Jiwoo - and you accepted?
Y/N - I did because I like her too
Jiwoo - oh.
Y/N - why?
Jiwoo - I- I thought- m- maybe you'd like me too
Y/N - I do, we're friends
Jiwoo - not like that you idiot
Y/N - not like w- ohhhhhhhhh..... Oh.......
Jiwoo - yeah.
For a moment, the air suddenly felt tense.
Awkward too.
Before I spoke up.
Y/N - w- well. I- I don't think this is the right place to tell me this
Jiwoo - why not? The girls are distracted. It's just right now
Y/N - yeah but-
Jiwoo - but what? If you're gonna reject me just say it
Y/N - I'm not-
Jiwoo - then what?
Y/N - listen, we're not gonna argue about this.
Jiwoo - I know
Y/N - you know?
Jiwoo - I'm semi-joking
Lifting an eyebrow, slightly turning to her where she sighed
Jiwoo - okay maybe I'm not joking
Y/N - I ain't stupid
Jiwoo - I do like you
Y/N - I know
Jiwoo - what do you mean you know?!
Y/N - you think I was taking off my vests everytime was just because I was sweaty or do it? It was a test
Jiwoo - see this is why I hate you
Y/N - you don't considering how much you stare at me whenever you spot me
Jiwoo - eugh fine yeah I do, so what?
Y/N - at least you're upfront about your feelings
Jiwoo - who said I had any?
Y/N - me since you're very pruny about it right now
Jiwoo - yeah because I like you oppa
Y/N - I like you too, let's keep it this way then
Jiwoo - sooooooooooooo- was that a yes?
Y/N - yeah because I'm really tired and you're not very beating around the bush about it
Jiwoo - that's because I ain't Jinsol-unnie or Yoona-unnie. If I want something, I'll do it
Y/N - that's a pretty great attitude
Jiwoo - yep. Can I kiss you?
Y/N - on the cheek yeah
Jiwoo - I'll take what I can get
And she got her wish, her lips pressing against my cheek tightly before she giggled, walking away
Jiwoo - that's it oppa, thank youuuuu
Y/N - h- huh. Alright.
Shaking my head, staring into the pot while I continuously stirred it. Doing double takes turning my head back and forth at her and to the pot, a grin on my face.
These girls man.
Really do confuse me.