Jihyo's Point Of View :
" Sorry for making you guys wait "
Was what came from the mouth of the tall man standing in front of us with a mask, hat, hoodie, glasses and what not
Sejeong : " Yah! If you were going to show up late then at least inform us, And what's with the so many cover-ups? you are making it obvious that you are a celeb and are looking for attention. "
She whisper yelled at him so that the others won't hear our conversation. The poor guy just stood their apologetically and started taking out his cover ups one by one. Leaving him with a simple hoodie and jeans. Now that's the Enwoo we know.
He smiled at me and I returned it with a grin.
Jihyo : " Assa!! now since everyone is here lets go play some games? or do you guys want to eat anything first? "
I asked deciding that maybe Enwoo is hungry
Enwoo : " I'm cool, lets just go play something. Hey Ji, today's bet is on me. I will make sure you loose in racing today. "
He said with much over flowing confidence and winked to prove his point. My reply to him was a simple annoyed eye roll. We often come to this arcade to hang out and up to till date He has never been able to beat me in racing but I don't know from where he gets the confidence from. Every single time he looses to me but the next time he puts up his most confident face and places a bet only to loose again in the end. Guess it works in my favor, I get to order him around, make him spill his darkest secrets and use his money to fill my fatigue.
Sejeong : " Look at you being so full of yourself. Tsk! Yah if you know you are gonna loose then why do you repeat the same mistake again? are you that eager to spend all your money on her and go bankrupt? "
She said to Enwoo but I felt offended. What? she thinks I use a lot of his money? I only order him to buy me some drinks, food or sometimes those stuffs they sell on the stalls. I never cross my limits okay?
Enwoo : " What's with you? We are the ones placing bets, and the looser has to oblige the winner so its all part of a deal. When I myself am not complaining why do you care? also.... Jihyo never goes overboard and you of all people knows that the best. "
That's my best friend.
He defended himself and me too, aahh Enwoo-ah what good deed did I make to have you as my friend? though most of the times you act like a jerk I am glad you don't think like Sejeong.
I joked in my head, Sejeong didn't respond to him. She just muttered a "whatever" and left the table to go to play some games.
Enwoo : " What's with her mood swings? anyway Ji come soon, be prepared to loose "
He said and held out his hand which I gladly accepted, once I was on my own two feet he let go and we made our way to the racing section
Jihyo : " Car, bike, motorcycle. Choose "
I asked him after looking at the options of racing, once we settled on our panels he chose the Car and hit the select button. Every time we come here he choses the same and though I know it I still read aloud the options in thought that maybe today he will chose something else. Its like our daily routine
Enwoo : " If you are done with your day dreaming then lets start? "
He said in a annoyed tone.
Jihyo : " Even if I am dreaming we all know who's gonna win, why are you so eager to loose today huh our little Enwoo-yah ? "
I chided him and then we began the race. The first course was easy, I had went with my go-to-car. It had a nice red print design and its most prominent feature was speed. Though in this game you need to pass through the obstacles and speed can be a disadvantage I still choose to go with this cause its movement and flow is smooth. Enwoo's car was a blue one, his too was a speed based one but relatively less than mine or maybe its just me who drives it crazily.
We raced for what seemed like an hour? the track was the longest one we chose hence it took us a while. As expected I came 1st beating around 8 other racers with a new personal best record.
Enwoo : " AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH "
He groaned in frustration and I laughed out loud catching a few other's attention. It was embarrassing so I put a hand on my mouth to stifle any noise.
Enwoo : " You cheated!!! "
He said while pointing an accusing finger at me. Typical Looser Enwoo Move
Jihyo : " Come on now, not this again! En we are racing and I am sitting beside you and played with the same panel as given. Its not that I am good in computers either so that I can hack the game and make myself win. Now don't be a loser and just accept that you lost this time. "
I said while getting up from the console control seat. He pouted and started sulking, seriously.... sometimes I wonder how old he is, he acts like a 5 year old.
Jihyo : " Snacks and Drinks on you today! My order is jokbal, pork belly and cola "
I said and went towards the counter to pay for the game we played. I glanced around to see Sejeong and I spotted her with a guy happily chatting and playing the pin boll. She started giggling like a teenager. Ohhhhhh someone's flirting
I shook my head and when I lifted my eyes I saw Enwoo in front of me.
Enwoo : " Only Jokbal, pork belly and cola? Eh, you are being cheap Ji "
Jihyo : " Then isn't it an advantage for you? you will be spending less "
I tried to reason and then he made a expression of thinking and let my words sink in
Enwoo : " That's true but still I earn a lot so lets spend much tonight. "
Oh well, you called it for yourself buddy.
Jihyo : " Okay! for now lets go get some ttobokkie, then I will think what and all ways I can make your wallet empty "
He clicked his tongue and made a "as expected from you" look
Enwoo : " What about Sejeong? she seems to be having a good time? shall we leave her and elope? "
He said while wriggling his eyebrows in a mischievous way which caused me to roll my eyes again
Jihyo : " Elope my foot, but your words are accurate, for now lets let Sejeong have her time. I will message her. Lets go eat something and bring her some snacks. "
I suggested with a smile and with that we made our way to the fast food stall.
Once done buying some corn dogs and ttobokkie we settled on a bench near an empty park in order to crave our hunger.
Enwoo : " So, how's life? "
He said while eating in order to strike a conversation. Not that we were awkward with the silence its just that we prefer to talk a lot
Jihyo : " You are asking me that question? to the person who has the most worst life ever? "
I countered back not really wanting to answer anything. If I say its all good he would immediately catch on my lie and would bug me till I tell him, if I say the truth then he would get worried a lot.
I heard him sigh beside me, its strange.... shouldn't that be my action?
Enwoo : " Yah, I have acted in many dramas but of all of them I think your life has the most spicy and interesting scenes. How can you be such a simple girl and such a sweetheart but still have the most shittiest life ever? "
Jihyo : " Ohhhh our little Enwoo are you now indirectly praising me? calling a sweetheart and all? "
I decided to shift the topic but he didn't give in. Instead of arguing back and bickering with me life he always does he chose to remain silent. He stopped eating and gave me a stern but soft look, the meaning of which I couldn't disciphere
Enwoo : " Until when are you going to keep running from my questions? you too know it Ji, one day or the other you will eventually share it to me. Don't keep everything to yourself.... if you are gonna lend help then should also be ready to accept it when someone offers. "
He said looking up at the clear sky that was now getting filled with light colors of orange.
After a few moments when we were done finishing our snacks. He stood up and laid on the grass using his arms as pillow. Since it would be awkward to sit behind him I decided to mirror his actions. Once we were side by side gazing at the soon to set sun, he spoke up softly
Enwoo : " Do you remember that night? when I called you in the middle of the night saying I can't breath and needed you? "
He said without actually looking at me and I simply nodded. Since his eyes were still on the sky I hummed a "yes", he seemed to be in his own world. Thinking about something which I for now couldn't tell what. Moreover the thing that most surprised me was that he was bringing up that night again which I hoped he won't remember.
Enwoo : " That night.... I was at my worst. I Felt like something wrong is happening with my brain and heart and I couldn't handle. You too know that I couldn't tell it to my members, but.... I had my other friends, especially guy friends whom I hang out with much more than I do with you, despite them all that night I decided to call you whom I had barely known for a year. Why did I do that? why of all people I chose to call you? why of everyone I knew, my friends, staffs, family.... I decided to seek comfort from you?.... "
He spoke without a certain reason and I also didn't know where this topic was going too. He was still gazing at the sky which now was filled with all hues of orange, as few birds flew towards their home and as the park finally became empty as the mothers of little kids playing came to take them back home.
His eyes shone with a certain emotion, it was a mixture of grief and bitterness at that night's memory and also a glint of happiness. His lips lifted upwards into a small but genuine smile, he turned his head towards his right, facing me who was clearly in confusion. His smile grew more and he asked the one question he wanted to while looking directly into my eyes without blinking.
Enwoo : " Why did I do that Ji? and of everything... why did you choose to take the risk of coming out your dorm in the middle of the night breaking rules of your curfew and help me? "
His question caught me off guard, I had never thought about this.... after that night I never once had questions like this going around my mind. I just wanted to help him get through it all.
That night.... first half of 2017. We were still rookies, TWICE had a curfew that no one was allowed to leave the dorm after past 10 PM until and unless its an emergency or you are out for a schedule but it also should have had to be informed to staffs and taken permit. It was barely a year since I had met Enwoo, the ever so dubbed "visual king" who seemed to be cold and un approachable was actually a kind, warm and caring person once you get to know him. We usually met at award shows, music stations and exchanged greetings. Probably seeing him everywhere was the trick and eventually he insisted we exchange numbers and become friends. I didn't see any negativity in it so I accepted too. Once I officially joined the 97liner clubs we became even more closer. We were friends of course but not as much as best friends as we are now.
One night, that night.... I got a call from Enwoo. It was past midnight, probably around 2-3 AM and when I picked up his helpless and scared voice made me weak. I don't know what I was thinking but I just found a way to go where he was. He was drenched and bent down in an alley. His state was horrifying to witness. He seemed broken and lost, I had to make a lot of effort in order to get him tell me what happened and what caused him to be like that. He was dealing anxiety and depression. After an hour of crying and soothing, after an hour of letting all his pain out he seemed to be back in place. That's the first time I saw Enwoo in such a weak state, and though it wasn't the last the others weren't as bad as that day and they had eventually stopped after a few more months.
Now to answer his questions...
It was my turn to turn away from facing him and glancing at the sky. His eyes still remained on my face, searching and anticipating my answer.
Jihyo : " That's right.... of all people why was I called? I too wonder the same. *sigh* as per why I came after you called me.... I don't know either, probably it was your weak and helpless voice? or was it the fact that it had been a long time since you called and when you did you were in your weak time? Why does it matter anyway? I am grateful for myself for listening to my gut feeling and going to help you that night. I don't have any regrets for helping you a bit in overcoming your weakness. So why does it matter? "
I said not really giving an answer but still feeding his curiosity.
He nodded thinking for a bit and then replying
Enwoo : " I think I know why you did that. "
I titled my head to look at him and see what's going on inside his mind. He gave me a smile and started off
Enwoo : " You did that because some way or the other it reminded you of yourself. You know how it feels to be having your worst time, you have dealt with that pain and you know how much it hurts. You helped me because you are like that from nature- always wanting to help others and being selfless. You helped me because it also made you remember the times you were in my state but no one was there to get you out of it. You helped me because you didn't want me to go through the next hard phase you went through in fear that like it happened to you. I will also become weak. "
He replied for me and for some reason I felt like everything he said was the truth, "that's exactly the reason" is what my mind first thought. Maybe he's right.... I helped him because I have been in his shoes and I didn't want him to go through the pain I had- I have.
Jihyo : " I'm not sure..... "
I simply replied but he instead of arguing to prove his point just smiled at me. We stayed like that for a few minutes, observing the beauty of the setting sun and the calmness around us. Feeling safe, away from the hectic days we go through, away from all the smiles we need to put through and away from all the worries. We are living in the moment, trying to memorize this day as much as we can.
Enwoo : " You know.... sometimes I hate you. "
He confessed and I just scoffed at him
Jihyo : " Sometimes? you hate me all the time, nagging and teasing me like a mom and annoying me."
He chuckled and that made me laugh along too
Enwoo : " This isn't that type of hate. Its a envy type of hate. "
Jihyo : " Envy? Eh what are you talking?? you are the most popular male idol, have more fan following than me, get to act in dramas, sing, dance, be an idol and have so many people loving you. You envy me? Cha Enwoo, are you perhaps trying to make me jealous? "
I countered back with a pout and he just nodded his head sideways as a "no"
Enwoo : " I might be all that you said but I want to have your type of personality, the way you care for people around you and even people you just met. They way you always keep others before you no matter if its been just a second since you met them. The way you always be considerate, kind and all. I envy your nature so much. "
Jihyo : " That's nothing to envy about... look at me now, doing all those things but still having the worst life of all. You said it too that my life is more interesting than any melodramatic drama you have shoot. Don't envy me, also don't wish to be like me. If any I like your personality than mine. The way you say what's in your mind without having to think about a 100 things and hesitate. "
Enwoo : " Well that's true "
He mocked and laughed for which he gained a smack from me. I regret saying it now
Enwoo : " But Ji.... I wish I had your personality so I could help you. "
woah so how many times today will he make me surprised? This was un called for
Jihyo : " Help? me? "
I asked in my surprised Pikachu face and he just nodded showing his sincerity.
Enwoo : " You have helped me, Sejeong, Peniel and just everybody I know when they were at their worst. Emotionally. But.... when you are like this I feel helpless. I want to help you out of your problems but I don't know how and you being so stubborn like this doesn't help either. Seriously Ji, learn to open up a bit will ya? its not friendship if you are the only one who's helping us and we can not even cheer you up. "
He said now getting up a bit and resting his body on his one arm whose elbow was dug into the green grass.
He was now looking down on me and I lifted my hand and pushed him back lightly so he fell back on his place as before
Jihyo : " Thank you for your thoughts.... but I don't want to burden you guys- "
Enwoo : " Its not burden Ji, if we don't even help you out when you are weak then I have no right to be called as your friend and what more your best friend "
He cut me off
Jihyo : " Yah! you saying this makes me feel like you want to help me just because you want the title of my best friend "
I complained with a pout, trying to ease the starting-to-growing-annoying Enwoo. He gave me a look that said "you of all people know the best that's not the case"
Jihyo : " Okay okay, if I think I can no longer handle it and I need someone by my side then you will be the first person I will reach out just like you did, happy? "
I asked to which he grinned
Enwoo : " Not just when you can't handle but also when you want to just rant about anything, like how you rant about you loosing in LOL to that one gamer, or how you hate pizza's coming in a square box or- wait its getting off topic. uh-hem *clears throat* just ring me up when ever you want to share ANYTHING. You know that I am the person who hates gossiping the most right? "
He said and I smiled at him for his kindness and thoughtfulness. Our little Enwoo is know all grown up I see...
Jihyo : " Okay I got it "
Enwoo : " Promise? "
He asked holding out his pinky finger in order for me to link mine and seal my promise. I stared at his pinky finger for a while and then again looked at his face
Jihyo : " What are you 7? "
This was a cute gesture but I don't care, I am not gonna admit it to him and make him bug me with that word for a year. His lit up face immediately dropped at my statement in a comical way and it made me chuckle
Enwoo : " Oh come on Ji don't be so feisty and let me remind you, you started this pink thingy first and made me become used to it too. "
He reminded and shaking my head off I held out my hand and sealed it
Enwoo, Jihyo : " Its a promise "
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Thank You For Reading. Hope you guys enjoyed!
I know I should be preparing to end the story soon but Enwoo and Jihyo's story is important here for Enwoo's upcoming role in the next chapters. Next chapter will be a meet up between the 97 liners and it will trigger the ending scene of the story. How do you guys think it will go?
Hopefully I live up to your expectations and be able to finish the story in a satisfying way.
About my account, I still can't get it back so I will take this space to thank everyone who voted/ read/ or commented on my previous chapters.
Lets vote TWICE and BTS for MTV VMAs and other awards too please!, Prepare well for September for BTS! and TWICETOBER for TWICE's 1st English single. Beyoncé added kookie to her virgo year book. I think she might have met BTS more than few times and they are maybe friends too or who knows being the queen she is she might have just recognized their talent and decided to be a ARMY but keeps it lowkey
I will be get going now~
Byie, take care!