Note: I apologize that I re-posted this chapter, but this is the full version one. Wattpad did not fully updated the story in previous version- this one is longer.
If you read the previous one, I hope you read this one again and enjoy the continuation (full version.)
Thank you so much.
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From: Cold-Park Jae In
You're finally making it, you little shit ;)
I grinned as I opened the text message from Jae In. She might be busy now in YG Entertainment, but she still remembers my debut stage today.
Today is the day.
I made my way to the backstage hallway inside Inkigayo building. I smiled widely at the staffs who were walking around. They gave me stares as I walked in- maybe they were curious about who I am and how I looked like in real life.
Maru oppa opened the door for me, and I smiled wider as I see flowers around the corner of my waiting room.
"Wow!" I walked in while smiling, "Who send me all these? I have no idea..."
There are so many flowers with congratulation messages for my debut. I saw one from Park Jin Young and Se Young unnie, personally for me. I saw another one from Taeyang oppa, and I laughed because Jiyong must have forced him to do it.
I stopped when I saw a different flower, with a smaller card. I took the card, and I realised that it was hand written, instead of typed.
Congratulations for your debut, EM! Your hard work and determination had finally brought you to this day, and you deserved it! You'll be an amazing star out there, and never stop shining!
Love, Bangtan Boys~
"A representative from Big Hit Entertainment came this morning to deliver that," A female staff said while carrying some catering to the room, "Which is weird, because usually a delivery man would be the one doing it, and not someone from the company."
I blinked at her two times, "Does it means... someone from Big Hit is performing as well today?"
My head quickly imagined Bangtan Boys, and I remembered that they should have a comeback around the same time as my debut, but I am not sure if it's right.
Another staff quickly slapped that female staff on the arm, and she quickly coughed as she just realised something, "Ehh.. No way, that's impossible... O-okay, I need to.... take some more stuff out there. See you later, Hee Young~"
She quickly walked away, and my eyes followed her. She's acting weird.
I turned around, to see Maru oppa raising another bucket of flower, but this one seemed very fancy. He turned to me, "This is from G-Dragon. For you."
I blinked again, and I took the flowers immediately from his hand as he offered it to me.
He is performing today with me, and I don't understand why he must gave me flowers.
"Is he coming already?" I put the flower down with the rest of them, "We should get ready soon, right?"
Maru oppa shrugged, "It's very usual for him to running late. You can start the make up now."
I looked at him, then I nodded. Many more staffs walked in, most of them are stylists and make up artists.
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Backstage, Inkigayo, 09:00 AM
"Kookie, you should stop smiling like that. You'll scare the hell out of her," Jin said to Jungkook while chuckling, and Suga couldn't help but laughed.
Jungkook returned the teasing with a small smile on his face- after taking a sip of his morning taro latte.
Jimin smirked, "Jungkook has been waiting for this day for sooooo long,"
It's early in the morning, and they are getting ready for their comeback stage. If Hee Young read the schedule and rundown show, she would know that Bangtan Boys is here. But since JYP is making a small show, Hidden Real EM, with Bangtan Boys, the staffs are making sure that Hee Young did not get any news about Bangtan Boys.
Rap Monster put away the rundown he has been reading, "Our comeback stage is right before TaeTiSeo performed. Hee Yo- uh, EM, will be performing after TaeTiSeo. So, yeah, we will have enough time to prepare the MC-ing stuff,"
Suga and Jimin looked at him instantly. They are selected to introduce EM to the public later.
Jungkook grinned, "Gosh, I don't know what to do and what to say to her later!"
V smirked, "You really held yourself from contacting her all of this time?"
Jungkook nodded eagerly, "She replied to my text, but then I did not reply again... and I ignored her until today. Thought it would be a better surprise, huh?"
The boys all laughed together in the backstage waiting room.
J-Hope leaned back to the sofa, "Hmm... If we thought about it... How long has it been since the last time we saw her?"
"Nearly four months," Jungkook answered in a second while walking towards him, while Jin watched him- amused.
"I am surprised that you remember that well, Kookie," Jin commented while looking at him as if Jungkook was an alien.
Jungkook smiled again- wider and wider.
Suga grinned at everyone, "Alright. So, this is the drill. Hee Young- has no idea that we are having a comeback stage today. Second, Hee Young also had no idea that we are the MCs for her comeback stage. Third, she has NO idea, that JYP is currently filming a Hidden Real EM show- and we are included as well?"
Rap Monster and J-Hope nodded at the same time, while the rest of them grinned.
"Jesus," Suga laughed, "This girl knows less than Jon Snow."
Jungkook laughed at the joke, "She knows nothing."
"Bet she's going to be all flustered and surprised," Jin looked at the rest of them, "She got too much surprises for one day, right?"
They all were busy discussing on the surprise they were going to do, based on the scenario that JYP and Big Hit Entertainment already gave them. Jungkook smiled wider and wider as it is getting closer, and J-Hope couldn't help but notice.
"She has a boyfriend, right? " J-Hope asked-almost whispering,but it made everyone in the room stopped talking and laughing.
V stopped laughing, and turned to J-Hope, "A staff said they broke up already. But... JYP denied the rumour, so to the netizens, they did not even dated at all,"
"We still don't know if they really broke up already," Rap Monster added sternly, "We need to hear it from Hee Young herself,"
As the boys began to argue, Jungkook smiled at himself, and broke the silence.
"I don't care. "
The boys all turned to look at the maknae, who was smiling confidently and all.
"I don't care, whether she's single or not. In scandal or not. But.... I want to be there for her. Maybe as a brother to her. Or as a friend. Or... as a man. I will be there for her when she needs me. Then she'll get to decide."
The boys were quiet, but all of them, one by one, slowly- smirked.
"Then, we will help you," Suga said firmly.
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EM Waiting Room, Backstage, Inkigayo, 10:23 AM
"Done talking selfies?" That playful voice surprised me, and I quickly turned away from my iPhone front camera to look at him.
Jiyong was smiling at me while leaning against the door frame.
He had no make up on, yet he still looked fabulous, because of his designer jacket and Dr. Martens boots.
I rolled my eyes, "You are late, Mr. Kwon,"
Jiyong groaned, while walking in and I realised that his manager was right behind him and carried his bags.
"The show starts at 12:00 anyway," Jiyong took the schedule papers on the desk and read it, "Besides... It is YOUR debut stage and not mine. I am only dueting with you,"
I stared at him, annoyed, "I thought you're the one who taught me to be punctual everytime,"
Jiyong chuckled, "I know, I know. I was joking. Geez, so serious. I am sorry, I had to take care of something in the morning."
I took a seat next to him, and he puts his arm around me naturally, "Taking care of what?"
Jiyong smiled, "My songs. Our demo that we recorded, and my songs that I wrote for you. YG wanted me to keep it top secret in the company's database. So, no information or demo will be leaked. And later, when it's time, we will release the songs."
Oh. YG have a tight security for their upcoming songs and projects.
Talking about the demo recording session, brought me to remember when Jiyong kissed me inside the elevator. I was just....
"I am sorry," He took my hand into his and his thumb drew soft circles on the back of my hand, "You don't have to think about it. Take your time, you don't have to answer me right away."
I slowly raised my eyes to look at him, and he stared at me with soft eyes.
"I will be waiting for you, until you are ready to be with me," He smiled, "And then we can start."
Starting what exactly?
Before I could answer him, his manager called him to start doing the hair and make up. Female staffs are waiting for him already, and Jiyong clicked his tongue while raised up, "I will get going then,"
I nodded, "Talk to you later,"
Jiyong smiled, "Anyway, are you nervous?"
I bit my lower lip, "This is my debut stage. And you're asking me if I am nervous?"
Jiyong laughed before turning again towards the dressing table. Just when I was about to open my phone, Maru oppa ran into the dressing room.
"Hee Young!"
I stood up, "What? What is it?"
Maru oppa smiled at me, "Your friends are here,"
Just when I furrowed my eyebrows, Seung Won and Jason's heads popped out. Sunny came up right behind them.
"Tadaa! Surpriseeee!" They all opened their hands wide and grinned at me.
"Hey!!!" I shrieked and ran to hug them all at once. Seung Won groaned, while Jason and Sunny laughed out loud.
If I have been feeling excited this morning, and this is the perfect definition of being super-excited. They are my friends since the very beginning- who stayed with me through thick and thins.
Special Trainees Squad.
"Congratulations, Hee Young. I missed you so much," Sunny grinned at me.
"I feel complete now all of you are here," I was really touched and I smiled at all of them.
Jason chuckled, "But.. that's not the only surprise,"
I raised an eyebrow, "Huh?"
They all looked at each other, before pointing towards the hallway. I was confused for a while, before seeing a girl- walked in.
"You're not forgetting me, aren't you?"
She looked proud as usual, and now, her hair was longer, dyed grey, and she had that smirk. Her cold stare disappeared seconds later, replaced by such a sweet smile.
I wonder since when she learned how to do those make up.
"Jae In!" I ran to hug her, "You look like a damn doll! You are so pretty!"
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Backstage Hallway, Inkigayo
Mark, JB, Youngjae, and Bambam stood at the entrance of the backstage hallway, where everyone was literally busy walking around here and there.
Mark did not know why he is there, and he has been asking himself that question. What am I doing here?
But it did not stop him from getting a permission from JYP, to come and support Hee Young's debut stage. JYP immediately giving the permission, as Park Jin Young still felt guilty about what he did to Mark and Hee Young.
He allowed Mark to bring JB along to accompany him. JB decided to come with Mark, while Youngjae volunteered himself to support Hee Young as well. Then Bambam, claiming that he was Hee Young's first best friend when she got into the company, forced the boys to take him along.
Jackson refused to go, because he believed that Hee Young cheated on Mark with G-Dragon. Yugyeom somehow started to believe it too, while Jr can't help himself but disliked Hee Young for causing GOT7's schedules to be cancelled.
The boys argued hard over this in the morning, and then JB decided to just go with the three of them.
"Hey," JB prodded Mark, "You okay?"
Mark nodded and smiled at JB, "Here I am, wanting to see her, but I don't know what to say,"
Youngjae smiled bitterly, "I think Hee Young will know what you wanted to say- without you even have to say it. You two have that kind of connection,"
Bambam nodded, "Yes, I agree with hyung,"
Mark smiled a little, and then he nodded.
They were waiting for the staff to allow them to walk in, and then one of them signalled them to enter Hee Young's waiting room.
JB nodded, "That's our call,"
Mark looked at Youngjae and Bambam, then the four of them walked into the waiting room.
As if it was a habit, Mark quickly scanned the room, looking around of the sight of Hee Young, until he found her- standing while laughing with someone. She was already wearing her stage black dress with red heels.
She looked beautiful.
Mark smiled as he tried to remember every details of Hee Young's look today. But the sound of her laughter dizzied him almost immediately as he was listening to it.
Mark stopped walking when his arm crashed with JB's back lightly. Mark turned to see JB froze on his place, stood there with widened eyes while looking to the front as if he was seeing a ghost.
He looked to where JB was staring, to see... Jae In- laughing with Hee Young. She changed a lot. Now her hair was longer, dyed grey, and she seemed more... fashionable.
"Oh, everyone was here!" Bambam's excited shriek breaks everyone's attention. All of the special trainees were looking at the back, while JB and Mark looked away almost immediately and cleared their throats at the same time.
Mark could hear that Seung Won and Jason quickly gave them a proper greetings, while Bambam was already hugging Hee Young and greeted Sunny.
Mark slowly turned again, and his eyes met Hee Young's within seconds. She was looking at him- carefully, as if she was studying him. Mark replied the stare, and he slowly walked towards her.
He ignored the awkward silence, because all of them stopped talking as Mark got closer to Hee Young.
"Hey, congratulations for your debut," Mark smiled as friendly as he could, trying to sound as sincere as he could. But it takes everything in him to not hold her there.
Hee Young slowly smiled, and it was so wide- too sweet- too beautiful, that Mark felt it was a pack of saccharine was being poured into his throat. It was too much.
"..... Thank you," She replied softly, and she seemed very happy to see him there, "Thank you for... coming all the way here though. It means a lot,"
Mark finally chuckled and relaxed. He always could when he's with her, "Of course."
Of course.
Hee Young's entire body seemed to be at ease when Mark said it, and she nodded as if it was right, "It feels good... that you are here, Mark oppa."
Mark felt like being punched in the chest. Stop, you need to stop saying such things.
It was until when he realised that Jae In was stiffened. Mark turned to his right side, and saw JB walking towards her.
JB smiled at Hee Young awkwardly, "Hey, you're finally making it, huh? Congrats, girl,"
Hee Young returned JB's smile, "Thank you so much for coming. Gosh, I am really happy that so many from JYP actually came to see me. Believe it or not, Suzy unnie called me just now to congratulate me. Ah Yeon is also on the way here,"
All of them laughed happily.
"Congratulations, Hee Young!" Youngjae took Hee Young's hand up in the air, "It feels like yesterday since we did a duet in the camp. Also, when I met you in the dance studio. God, it's been a year!"
Hee Young smiled wider, "Oh, where are the others? Yugyeom? Jackson and Jr oppas?"
Youngjae stopped smiling, and JB blinked at me. I cleared my throat, "Jackson.... he was tired from yesterday's practice. He slept in. While Jr was taking care of his contract... with Yugyeom as well,"
Hee Young simply accept the reason and she nodded, even though she seemed deep in thought. She probably knows that something is wrong.
"Oh," JB breaks the silence, looking at Jae In, "Nice hair anyway. You just got them done?"
Jae In raised her head, and gave him an awkward grin, "Oh, yeah. I just did this three days ago. Bobby oppa dyed it for me,"
Mark noticed that JB's smile fell down from his cheeks.
Sunny quickly ran to Jae In, "What?! Bobby from Team B? Holy crap, are you two that close already?!"
"No no, it was not like that," Jae In hastily added, "He bleached my hair, and the other trainees too. Just for fun. Not specially for me,"
Mark almost smiled at JB, looking at how Jae In tried to explain the whole situation, but she was trying to not do it obviously.
"How is it in YG?" Seung Won asked excitedly, and Mark looked inside the dressing room. And he realised that someone was watching him through the mirror reflection.
It was G-Dragon.
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JYP Entertainment, Dorm Building
"What are you listening to, Ju Kyung-ah?" Ah Ri dropped her laundry on the couch, raising her eyebrows at the sight of Ju Kyung.
She was sitting lazily on the edge of the couch, with earphones on. Ju Kyung smiled the whole time as she was listening to the music.
Ju Kyung grinned, "It's a secret."
Ah Ri stared at her, "What song is a secret? You're composing a song?"
Ju Kyung smiled wider and wider, while Ah Ri looked at her in confusion. She was definitely acting weird.
"It's nothing," Ju Kyung told her when she realised that Ah Ri kept on looking at her with suspicious eyes.
Ah Ri shrugged her shoulders, and she went inside to take her laundry bag and begin washing her clothes.
Both of them stayed silent while doing their own things, until Ah Ri finally finished her laundry and Ju Kyung put away her iPod.
"Hee Young unnie is debuting today," Ah Ri grinned, "Everyone has been so excited. I can't wait to greet her later tonight,"
Ju Kyung curled her lips, not even looking at Ah Ri, "She's probably too tired to talk to you tonight. She'll be having a showcase tomorrow morning and album release,"
Ah Ri nodded, "Ah, yeah. That's right. I'll congratulate her again another time. Hmm, have you even congratulate her?"
"Nope."
"You should. She's our senior. And she's been taking care of us," Ah Ri turned to cleaned up their dining table.
Ju Kyung rolled her eyes, "I really don't know how I feel. But I really hate her."
"Why?" Ah Ri turned to see her.
Ju Kyung exhaled, "Because of her, Mark oppa refused to even smile at me. The rest of the trainee thinks I am a slut, because her friends made a big fuss about me, lap dancing with Mark oppa. It was all because of her. Jason and Seung Won oppa also told me to be better to her- when I don't even have to. And now, you, my best friend, is attacking me- for just not liking her. See? Why she had to ruin my life when I literally did nothing to her. And whenever I see her, does she have to smile at me all the time as if she was so nice and had the freaking upper hand in this? No, I won't have it."
Ah Ri stared at Ju Kyung, "Wow."
"What?"
"You are really a thing, Ju Kyung-ah. I don't know you anymore,"
"W-What?"
Ah Ri looked deeper at her, "You know exactly why. Mark oppa was dating her. You ruined their relationship. Maybe not wholly, but you caused a scene. Jason and Seung Won said that because you are being weird by being so sassy to her. Hee Young unnie is their friend- way before we met them. Everyone called you a slut- even in front of me- because of the way you dressed. And now, me? I am not taking her side, but because I don't understand how can you hate someone for no reason,"
Ju Kyung's face changed, "No reason? Do you realise how much my position in JYP is under threat- just because she is my senior? It is all started because of that lap dance!"
"The one you started!" Ah Ri felt like she was talking to the wind, "You really need to be rational here."
Ju Kyung stood up, "I won't have it,"
"Won't have what?"
Ju Kyung turned her back, "I can just destroy her, you know?"
"What are you trying to say here?"
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Backstage Dining Room, Inkigayo
JB tapped his fingers on the desk, while his other hand held lightly his cup of hot tea. He slowly raised his head to look at Jae In- who was sitting right in front of her.
Jae In avoided any eye contact with JB, but she did not refuse when JB asked to talk privately in the dining room where staffs would rest. Luckily, only a few people were there.
"How is that girl?" Jae In breaks the silence, "How is she?"
JB raised his head, "Who?"
Jae In scoffed, "Ah Ri- of course,"
"She's fine. Still in JYP. Probably will be part of the girl group surviving contest," JB said, "Why are you asking me about her?"
Jae In shrugged, "I thought you would know. She's your girlfriend,"
JB felt his chest goes numb, "Why are you keep on making your own assumptions?"
Now both of them can feel the tense.
"I am not making my own assumptions," Jae In replied calmly, but JB couldn't miss the annoyance in her tone, "It is a fact."
JB swallowed, "Hey, I think I would have known if I am dating someone."
Jae In decided to ignore him, because it would just lead to another arguments, and she could not do it there, where Inkigayo staffs would be watching.
JB knew his own temper better than anyone, so he decided to just nod and took a sip of his own warm tea that almost did nothing to rinse away the bitter feeling.
"You are a hard person," JB softly said to her, but it was more like he was telling himself. The words caught her attention, because she looked up at him.
JB continued, "I am trying to explain things, but you won't listen to me anyway. Right? You won't even try to put yourself in my shoes and at least understand my feelings."
Jae In swallowed hard. You won't listen to me anyway. Right?
She could feel the desperation and the bitterness in JB's voice. Jae In wished both of them could clear up everything by now- but now- JB seemed to have given up on winning her.
"I think-"
"I tried so hard to understand you, to explain everything to you," JB cut her off, "But I think it is too late. Now I understand why people say timing is important. Some words could mean literally nothing if you're just a little bit too late."
Now Jae In felt her heart was being crushed.
JB finally looks at her- and he gave her a smile. A sincere one.
"I will respect your decision now," JB said again sternly, "I will forget all of this and moved on- just like you did. I hope we are in good terms now. Please don't avoid me or be awkward if we meet again in the future. We were so close once, and I am very happy for that."
JB's words were so formal. He was being so cold and distant. Jae In felt this real hard.
Jae In felt the urge in her heart to stop him from talking. To tell him that he was wrong- this is hurting her too. She was being distant because she could not stand the feeling of missing him.
But she did nothing when JB stood up, "Please forget that... I was deeply in love with you."
I was deeply in love with you.
There he is. He said it. Love.
JB then waited for her to say anything. Anything. But she simply looked at him and said nothing. JB then realised it is time to finally stop waiting and close their book.
He wished her a good luck, before nodding, and left the room to join the rest of his members outside.
Jae In then felt empty in her heart.
If only. If only he said it to her earlier.
If he said 'I love you' to her, months and months ago. If only.
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Behind The Stage, Inkigayo
"Remember, no backup vocal during the final refrain, so please... Do your own improvisation alright? Fill the empty part with hummings or anything.." Jiyong oppa was busy talking to me, right behind the stage.
He still have many staffs working with his hair, while I was busy putting on microphone.
I nodded at Jiyong oppa, and I looked around to the staffs who were helping me. I was getting nervous, but this is exciting as well. My very first debut stage.
"Jagi~..." Jiyong walked closer to me once the staffs were leaving, "Do you want to visit your family in Busan after your showcase?"
He was looking at me softly, and his voice was low, like whispering.
"T-They are coming here tomorrow for the showcase. It's alright," I told him. My parents are not able to come here today, but they will be there on my album showcase.
Jiyong nodded, "Oh, I see. Then maybe we can have dinner with them? I'll book a nice and private restaurant."
I watched him. Why is he being so sweet to my parents?
He noticed that I looked at him, and he chuckled, "I will tell my manager to book the place later. You don't have to worry, I will arrange everything. A dinner it is, then."
I was about to say something, but then my eyes accidentally met someone's. I stopped to see Mark- staring at me from the end of the backstage door.
I quickly took a few steps away from Jiyong.
Jiyong noticed this, and he looked at me. Then he chuckled, before nodding, "Alright. I'll give you time on your own."
Jiyong left me and he approached his manager who waited near him. I looked up to see the stage from a small TV that was hanged backstage. The stage was being cleared and it was nearly ready for the next performance.
I looked away, and noticed that Mark was standing close to me.
"Good luck," He was already whispering, before I could say anything.
I smiled back. With him, it could never be awkward.
"Can you help me with something?" I asked, and his eyebrows were raised.
I grinned, before pulling out something, "This."
"Lucky charm?"
Mark stared at that pendant for a long moment. He finally lets out a chuckle- and he looked at me, "You need me to put this on for you?"
I shook my head, "No. I want you to keep this."
Mark looked at me in confusion, "W-What do y-"
"It was never my lucky charm. It is yours," I told him as I put it in his hands, "As long as you have this, you are the lucky one. And by that, I know that I'll always be lucky."
Mark froze after I said that, and he stayed still. He looked at me as if I was the only person in the world right now.
But before he could react to anything, a loud music was heard. We both turned immediately to the screen above us. The next performer is starting already. It must be a comeback stage.
Then I realised that.....
"B-Bangtan Boys?" I stuttered with widened eyes.
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Author's Note:
The preview I was giving two days ago is not in here- because I decided it would be fun to divided this chapter in two parts instead.
I apologise for that.
And yes, this is it :)
I can promise a good ending for all of you who has been worried and ask me all the time. Hehehee~ Just relax and enjoy how Hee Young, Mark, Jungkook, and G-Dragon will grow from this point. I promise it won't be another love angles cliches.
Welcoming- true love, friendships, and how scary this world is.