𝐈&𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄, 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐧

just one more

it wasn't a good day.

not at all.

in the midst of her seemingly endless arguments with the staff, NaRi still had things to do.

no matter how tired she felt, no matter how much she wished to simply refuse and say no to the orders given to her,

she couldn't.

the amount of times the idea of throwing the towel in and giving up had crossed her mind were too many to count, as much as she hated to admit it.

they were just too hard to avoid, though.

all until one, single person was able to change it.

they were halfway done with their promotions, that's what was keeping her going. how deeply she wanted to book a flight to another country, or join one of her hyung groups on their tours to get away from this place— but she couldn't.

she had things to do,

fansigns being one of them.

she'd been able to conceal her urge to bawl earlier that morning, now being handed the final caller of the day.

just one more and you're done.

Ni-Ki passed her the album, NaRi quickly finding her favourite picture of herself before she began speaking.

"hello~" she greeted, mustering the brightest, fakest, voice she could, adding a hopefully convincing smile with it.

"hi, NaRi," the girl greeted, NaRi finally looking to the device, in an attempt to find something to compliment the seemingly older girl on.

"oh~ very pretty hat! it looks wonderful on you!" she complimented, forcing another smile as she felt her throat burn, tears begging to cascade down her cheeks.

"NaRi," the girl called out, said girl lifting her eyes to meet the older's, "yes?"

"how are you?"

fuck.

the three words she could give the most generic answer to— i'm fine, and you?

but she wasn't. could she successfully lie to someone who loved her?

a small, sad smile made it's way to her face, NaRi glancing down before looking back up. "i'm.. okay, how about you?"

the older squinted her eyes, somehow able to notice the barricade of tears beginning to form at the girl's waterline— now unsure if doing what she'd planned would be a good idea.

"can i tell you something?" she asked, NaRi nodding, "of course you can, love,"

the older breathed out, a small smile on her lips as she closed her eyes, begging her mind to remember the words she'd planned for a long time.

"hi NaRi, i'm Soo A, it's nice to meet you. i was born in 2002, please feel free to speak comfortably and call me 언니," she began, a small smile resting on NaRi's lips as she stared intently.

"i bet this past year has been hard for you, even if you refuse to admit it publically. while i have no idea what happened to make you go on break in the summer, i know you had a good reason, and sincerely hope you were able to recover properly before coming back and working hard to make us happy,"

NaRi's eyes widened for a second as she realized what type of message this would be, stopping her doodle of the cat Soo A'd reminded her of.

"you're so young, yet you're one of the hardest working idols i know. i like a lot of groups, but none amount to the love i feel for you and the boys, NaRi..

i know you always want to show the best version of yourself, and i really appreciate that.. but please, take a rest every once in a while.

i bet you feel tired sometimes, but that's okay.. feeling these emotions is what makes us human, it's normal. don't feel negatively about yourself just because you're tired or have a mental block, okay?"

NaRi could only nod, knowing the girl had more to say.

"when you feel these things, you can take a breath and talk to me, despite not knowing eachother. you can say 'ah, 언니, the boys are stressing me out, what do i do with them,'

NaRi softly giggled, tears brimming her eyes clearer now.

"please never feel like you're not doing enough for us, NaRi.. you're amazing, in case no one's told you that lately. you're one of the strongest girls i know, i admire you so much.

thank you for choosing this career, as i was able to meet you. you've helped me through so much, i won't ever be able to repay you for the healing you've unknowingly provided me. i got into my dream school because of your messages to us,"

NaRi's eyes widened, lightly applauding the girl as a tear escaped her eye.

"i hope my words were able to help you feel some good.. please, always remember you have an 언니 in Daegu to rely on, who understands you.. okay?"

NaRi wiped the tears that'd somehow escaped, smiling brightly as she nodded.

"thank you, 언니.. thank you so much,"

🦇 ... 끝!