Make It With You

22

Jisoo**

April finally arrives, but not just any April-April 1st, to be exact. And with it comes a flood of memories, most notably the notes from my girlfriend, tucked between meetings and dates, scribbled with reminders for April 1-3. I couldn't help but smile, remembering the details-those little touches that only she could pull off.

As usual, we find ourselves at her house, the central hub before we head off on our mystery flight to "somewhere in Asia." The kids are in full swing-Rosé is busy entertaining Zoe, while Lisa tags along with Emma. Of course, the two little ones are embroiled in a heated debate about who's better: Rosé or Lisa? Meanwhile, the adults are getting into their own version of the same argument. I shake my head and smile. Kids.

Mina, Jennie, and I are in the kitchen, preparing snacks and food for everyone. Well, mostly them, because let's be real-I'm about as useful in the kitchen as a paperweight. "Where's Monique, though?" I ask, scanning the room for her.

"Annyeong, Mina. Monikeuneun eodie issseubnikka?" I call out, using the only Korean I can muster.

"Ama seutyudio-eseo," Mina responds, tapping away at something on the counter. (Probably in the studio.)

"Mwohaneungeoya?" Jennie chimes in, genuinely curious.

"Mulgeon," Mina shrugs. (Stuff.)

We glance at each other. "Curious... We saw her notes about April 1-3, saying she was busy and not to be disturbed. Is she in a meeting?" I ask, raising an eyebrow as we walk toward the living room, snacks in hand.

"It's not meetings, or anything company-related," Mina says, eyes twinkling like she knows something we don't. "How well do you really know Monique?" she asks, looking at us intently.

"She's a billionaire," Lisa quips, cutting straight to the point.

Jennie smacks her lightly on the head. "Not the time, Lisa."

"She is," Lisa insists. "It's true."

"She's one of the world's top business tycoons, right?" Rosé adds with a smirk.

"She loves to dance," Jisoo pipes up, as if that's all we need to know.

Mina chuckles. "You're all right, in your own ways. But almost there. As you know, Monique graduated from Juilliard with a degree in dance and music, right?" We all nod.

"She taught there for a while before getting her business degree at Columbia," Mina continues. "She's got a deep love for teaching, for dance, and for music. That's her true passion."

We exchange glances. Did we really know all of this?

"Did you know she choreographed most of the Step Up movies?" Mina asks with a smirk.

All of us pause. Our mouths hang open. "What?!"

"Unnie is so cool! I love the first Step Up and The Street," Lisa gushes.

"Same," Mina agrees. "She's also done choreography for Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, and a bunch of other artists-and yes, even for most of your dances too." She adds, deadpan. "Monique is basically a low-key celebrity. She's one of those people who really values her privacy."

We're all in awe.

"Anyway, back to her studio," Mina continues. "Right now, she's probably demoing some dance moves or songs for her students. After that? She's probably going to cry her eyes out watching her favorite anime. That's what she's really doing."

"Can we watch her?" Rosé asks, practically bouncing.

"No, unnie," Zoe chimes in, shaking her head. "Monique unnie doesn't want to be disturbed. She might transform into a monster."