Yena: Jahoon unnie come and sit your ass down here.
Jahoon: I didn't know that you could be formal and informal at the same time but I will let it go just this one time.
Yena poured a glass of soju and was about to show it into my hand before Eunbi unnie stopped her.
Eunbi: Wait! Before you get Jahoon you wasted, let me take a picture of us all in this nice moment.
We all gathered together as Eunbi unnie prepared the camera. She pushed the button and quickly ran over to sit right beside me and linking my arm before the camera went off to capture the moment.
Jahoon: One more! One more!
I said as a kid, making the girls laugh at my gesture.
Eunbi: Alright. Anything for the birthday kid.
Eunbi unnie walked over to push the camera button again before I stopped her.
Jahoon: Wait! Before you push the button, let's all agree to make a weird-looking face! And whoever doesn't live up to my expectations would have to be punished by doing me a favor.
I pointed with my index finger in the air, chest pushed out while pouting. The girls laughed at me, making me smile sheepishly at them.
Yena: Then I need to do my best to win.
Jahoon: Aww~ Yena~ Do you really hate the thought of doing a favor for me?
I pouted, looking at her sadly. Yena panicked and looked at me surprised while waving her hands in front of her.
Yena: No! I mean no, it's not that... it just...
Jahoon: I'm just joking with you. Come on! Let's take that picture.
Eunbi unnie pressed the button and ran over to us. As soon as the camera went off, indicating that it had taken the picture, I ran towards the camera and looked at the picture, bursting out laughing.
Vicky: Wait. How weird is it?
I rolled around the floor while holding my stomach, trying to stop myself from laughing. I wheezed an answer between my breaths.
Jahoon: Come... and look... for yourselves.
The other girls walked over to look at the camera and burst out laughing as well.
Karina: This is the best picture I have ever seen in my life. Eunbi sunbaenim could you maybe send it to me?
Eunbi: Sure! I will send it to everyone but we have to somehow stop... that person...
Eunbi unnie side-eyed me as I was still rolling around the floor, trying to catch my breath from laughing. Minju shook her head at me as she was laughing and walked over to me before kneeling down.
Minju: Hoonie~ are you okay? Come on, let's get you on your feet.
Jahoon: Alright alright.
Minju grabbed one of my arms to help me up while I used my free hand to wipe away the tears that had been formed from laughing.
Yena: And now to the birthday shots!
As soon as I got up on my feet, Yena ran back to the table and grabbed the glass of soju that was still on the table before running back to me and indicated for me to take it. I shook my head at her while smiling. She was smiling so brightly, that I thought her cheeks could rip at any moment. I took the glass and gulped down the sweet liquid in one shot. Yena was about to pour me another glass but I stopped her by covering the glass with my hand, making her pout at me.
Jahoon: Let me first choose who has to do me a favor first in my sober state before you are making me dead drunk.
Yena: Fine unnie~
I ruffled her hair with a smile and walked over to the camera to closely inspect the picture. I tried to hold in my laughter while looking at each of their faces.
Jahoon: Everyone did a good job. A very good job but unfortunately I have to choose one and the one who unluckily did a bit worse than the others are... I'm sorry to say this but it is you, Winter.
Winter: It is fine sunbaenim. You had to do it.
Yena: Now that is finished, then let's party!
Yena jumped towards the table full of snacks with Yujin and Wonyoung after her.
Jahoon: Don't mind them. Feel free to do what you want girls as you are at home. Now if you would excuse me, I'm going to grab some snacks before they devour it all.
*No one's POV*
Jahoon: How is it possible for a liquid to be this sweet?
Jahoon was laying on the floor and rolled around after taking another sip of the soju.
Yena: Now it is finally time to go on with my plan. Yujin! Help me tie Jahoon unnie's hands together!
Yujin: Yes unnie!
Eunbi: Wait a minute! What plan?!
Before Eunbi could do anything, Yena and Yujin had already tied Jahoon to a chair.
Yena: Unnie, what do you think about Minju?
Jahoon: Minju? She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life! She is really- Ouch!
Jahoon had tilted the chair from side to side, making her fall to the ground. Even though she was on the ground, she was still smiling happily. Chaeyeon and Chaewon helped Jahoon back up again.
Hitomi: Unnie is wasted right now. She won't be in her right mind. What are you going to do with her Yena unnie?
Yena: Just wait and see Tomi.
Eunbi: If it involves anything that would hurt Jahoon just a little bit, even if it is just a scratch, I will surely make your life miserable.
Yena: Hehehe... Don't worry unnie... so scary... *cough* Jahoon unnie! I have one more question, is there anything that you haven't told us about or your other members?
Eunbi: Yena!
Jahoon: Yes! So many things! But... hehehe *hiccup* I won't tell you~ or you will get tooooooo sad hehehe~ Better keep it to myself~
All of the girls except Jahoon looked at each other with a surprised look. No one had expected that answer at all. Yena looked at Eunbi with a puzzled look, a look asking for confirmation to continue. Eunbi nodded, allowing Yena to continue.
Yena: Unnie~ It is fine to tell me~ I won't tell anyone~
Jahoon looked at Yena with narrowed eyes for a minute before bursting into a big smile which made her eyes close.
Jahoon: No~ I won't tell you~ especially about the time I was hurt by my parents ever since I remembered. So much that I almost died. Or how they tortured me or how I....
Jahoon suddenly grew quiet and lowered her head to the ground. After a few seconds, sobs were heard from her, surprising everyone. Both because of what she had just told and because of her crying since she rarely cries in front of others. Chaeyeon and Hyewon held Eunbi by her arms as she was beginning to fume anger, worrying about what she was going to do. Jina and Jiwoo held Vicky the same way. Vicky and Jahoon had been through everything together, making them extremely close friends. Vicky cared so much about Jahoon and hearing what she just said made her heartache. The Aespa girls stood by the side and were shocked by what was happening but kept quiet since they didn't know what to do. Nako and Minju grabbed some tissues wiping away Jahoon's tears.
Jahoon: But my new family is really sweet~ but how weird of them to adopt such an abnormal child like me? I don't deserve any of this... hehehe~ maybe this is why I always have thoughts about dying would be the best option for everyone~ but I won't tell any of you about it hehehe~ I will keep it to myself forever! And I mean forever!
Eunbi: Jahoon...
Jahoon: Oh by the way....
Jahoon suddenly turned her head towards Winter's direction, looking at her with narrowed eyes, and gave her a small smile with a tilted head.
Jahoon: You still have to do me a favor Winter~ Let's go to the convenience store~ I'm suddenly craving some instant ramen.
Winter looked at Eunbi, who just sighed and nodded in confirmation. Winter walked over to Jahoon and untied the rope around her hands. As soon as her hands were free, Jahoon stood up and tried to walk to the entrance but stumbled into Winter as soon as she took a step.
Jahoon: Oops~ I'm sorry~
Winter: It's fine sunbaenim. Here, let me help you.
The girls made their way to the entrance and got their shoes and jackets on. Eunbi walked over to Jahoon and wrapped a scarf around her neck since it was beginning to be cold. Eunbi looked at Jahoon with a sad look in her eyes and planted a kiss on her forehead before turning around to Winter.
Eunbi: Please take care of her while you guys are out. It is the first time she has ever been this drunk, so I don't know how she will act but be careful.
Winter: Don't worry about it, sunbaenim. I will take care of Jahoon sunbaenim as best as possible.
Eunbi gave Winter a grateful smile and patted her on her shoulder. Winter then wrapped her arms around Jahoon's left arm and walked out of the dorm, closing the door behind her. As soon as the door closed behind them, everyone let out a heavy sigh. All with a worried and concerned expression on their faces.
Chaewon: I didn't think that Jahoon unnie would hide such a dark past about herself.
Wonyoung: And who knows what other dark secrets that Jahoon unnie is hiding from us...
Yujin: Poor Jahoon unnie... She must have had it hard growing up like this all alone...
Both Wonyoung and Yujin began crying at the thought of what their unnie could possibly have gone through and kept to herself her whole life. The other unnies quickly tried to comfort the two girls, meanwhile trying to hold their own tears back from the thought of their unnie and dongsaeng.
Winter and Jahoon had finally arrived at the convenience store. The cold air from the walk to the store had made Jahoon a bit soberer and clear-headed compared to before. At least she could talk with a little more sense in her words now. The girls grabbed what they needed, paid for their stuff, and cooked the ramen before making their way to a nearby park to sit and eat their food.
Jahoon: So how is the idol life? It hasn't really been that long since you guys debuted but you already hit it big! I always listen to your songs on repeat. I'm on the next level~
Jahoon sang a line from Aespa new song while doing the choreography, making the other girl laugh at her.
Winter: It is a bit hard but on the other side there is no easy job in this world. I'm just happy that I got to do something that I love and am passionate about and also because I got to meet you sunbaenim.
Winter looked at her long-time crush and favorite idol with a red face from blushing and heart eyes. But Jahoon was oblivious to the fact that Winter likes her due to the impact of the alcohol she had drunk before.
Jahoon: That sounds great! And you are right it is better to do something that you love than doing something that would bore you to death.
Jahoon ate the last of her ramen with a big slurp and gently rubbed her stomach.
Jahoon: That hit right in the spot~ Let's throw this away and go to the swings over there. It has been a long time since I have been on one.
Winter just nodded at the girl's words, not knowing what to say. She was with her crush after all! And on top of that all alone with her! The pair threw away their rubbish in the trash can and made their way to the swings. As soon as they were near it, Jahoon began running towards the swings and sat on one of them. Of course, stumbling into the ground once on the way. Winter followed right behind and sat on the other swing, trying to contain her laughter from seeing the other girl fall to the ground and then stand up as nothing had happened. The girls sat there for a while, just enjoying the moment. Suddenly Jahoon turned to face Winter, making her surprised at the sudden moment. Jahoon just kept staring at Winter with a pout and without saying anything, making the girl a little uncomfortable.
Winter: Sunbaenim... is there something on my face? Why are you staring at me like that?
Jahoon: Just call me Jahoon... but I couldn't help to keep staring at you... you know that you are pretty right?
Winter: Sunbaenim... Jahoon...
Jahoon, in her still drunken state, began to move closer to Winter as Winter froze in her spot not knowing what to do. It is her crush after all. Jahoon kept moving forward until there were only a few inches left between their faces. Winter could feel Jahoon's hot breath on her face, making her heartbeat quite fast. The girls stayed in that position for a while before Jahoon suddenly launched forward and gave Winter a kiss on her lips. Neither of them moved from the position meanwhile Winter had her eyes open in shock by the actions but closed them quickly right after, enjoying the moment with her crush. Not knowing the fact that Jahoon already has a girlfriend waiting for her back home. Little did they both know that there was someone standing from far away watching them with a camera in their hands.
Jahoon pulled away after about a minute and then stood up from the swing and dusted herself in the process like nothing had just happened at all.
Jahoon: Let's get home now. It is late.
Winter: Okay...
Winter who was still shocked, extremely happy, and out of her mind at what had just happened just followed Jahoon back to Izone's dorm where the Aespa and B4U girls bid goodbye to the Izone's girls before leaving the dorm and letting a still drunken Jahoon get some sleep in the Izone's dorm.