Play Along And Win Me Over (JenLisa )

15: [INJURY]

THIRD PERSON POV

"Is she still not talking to you, Monkey?" Jeongyeon asked, sitting beside Lisa and urging her to take a rest. Lisa nodded and pouted.

The group had been playing basketball since six in the morning to cheer Lisa up. It had been two days since the photoshoot incident, and when Lisa asked Jennie out on a date, Jennie had told her she was busy. Now, Lisa sighed heavily for the ninth time, feeling like Jennie was avoiding her.

"It's okay, Monkey. It's not your fault you were born oblivious," Bear said, patting Lisa’s shoulder.

"Wow... Thank you, Bear. That really cheered me up," Lisa replied sarcastically.

Silence fell over the group as Lisa continued overthinking.

"What if she doesn’t want to be my girlfriend anymore?" Lisa’s voice cracked, her eyes welling with tears. Her best friends snapped out of their silence, completely taken aback by her words.

"Aish. You’re really oblivious, Monkey!" they all shouted in frustration. Lisa looked at each of them, one by one, her lips trembling.

"Waaahhh!" Lisa suddenly burst into tears. "A-Am I really that oblivious?"

Her friends panicked at the sight of her crying.

"No," Jeongyeon said reassuringly.

"Yes," Seulgi confirmed without hesitation.

"Maybe," Chipmunk added uncertainly.

"Not really," Cubby chimed in.

"WAAHHH!" Lisa wailed even louder.

Jeongyeon, Seulgi, Rosé, and Chaeyoung exchanged frantic looks, desperate to console their maknae.

Rosé, ever the problem solver, nudged the other three and wiggled her eyebrows. The four of them had known each other long enough to communicate through mere eye contact. Understanding her plan instantly, they winked in agreement.

"Stop crying now, Baby Lali. We will help you," Rosé said, grinning brightly.

Lisa looked at them with wide, hopeful eyes. "Re-really?" she asked between hiccups.

Her four best friends stood up in front of her, their expressions turning determined.

"REALLY," they declared in unison, giving Lisa a confident thumbs-up.

JENNIE POV

"Urghhh, this is so stressful," I groaned, rubbing my temples.

I missed my Lili. It had been two days since I last saw her because of these damn preparations. Maybe she thought I was avoiding her…

"I want to meet m-" My thoughts were cut off by a loud thud. My office door flew open, slamming against the wall.

"Ahh!" I gasped, placing a hand over my chest as my heart pounded in shock. My eyes landed on Mina, standing at the doorway, panting heavily.

"What the f**k is wrong with you!?" I snapped, irritation lacing my voice.

"M-Ms. Kim… Ms. Ma-Mano…" Mina wheezed, trying to catch her breath.

"Speak properly, will you!" I commanded.

"Ms. Manoban was injured-"

"WHAT!?" I shot up from my chair so fast it nearly toppled over. My heartbeat skyrocketed.

"Ms. Manoban was injured," Mina repeated.

My mind went blank. Lili… injured?

I started pacing, my thoughts racing. I had a meeting with a new investor later for RJK’s new brand collection, but who the hell cared? Lili was more important than that. I turned to Mina with urgency.

"We need to go. Now."

Without waiting for a response, I grabbed my purse, frantically searched for my car keys, and bolted toward the exit.

"Where is she now, Mina?" I asked, my voice laced with worry as I slid into the passenger seat of the car. I bit my lip anxiously as Mina started driving.

"She’s at the park. She told me she was jogging when she stepped on a stone and sprained her ankle," Mina explained.

I clenched my jaw. That reckless monkey!

"Why did she call you and not me!?" I demanded, a pang of jealousy striking me.

"She said her friends were busy with work… especially you, Ms. Kim. She didn’t want to disturb you. She called me because she didn’t have a choice," Mina answered.

Her words hit me like a slap. My chest tightened.

Did she really think I was too busy for her?

"We’re here, Ms. Kim," Mina announced, pulling the car to a stop.

I didn’t waste a second. I practically threw the door open and stormed out.

We wandered through the park, searching desperately.

"Where the hell is she, Mina?" I asked, my frustration growing with every second that passed without finding Lili.

Mina fumbled for her phone. "You should call her, Ms. Kim. My phone died."

I didn’t hesitate. I pulled out my phone and dialed Lili’s number.

"We should split up," Mina suggested. I nodded, pressing my phone to my ear as I walked in the opposite direction.

After three rings, she finally picked up.

"Where are you, Lili?" I demanded the moment she answered.

"I'm, uh... um..." Lili stammered.

"Answer me honestly, Manoban!"

"Did Mina tell you?"

"Yes, she did. Now answer me."

Lili hesitated for a moment before responding.

"Near the lantern lights," she finally admitted.

I didn’t waste a second. My feet moved on their own as I rushed toward the lantern lights.

Wait for me, Lili.

"LILI!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the park as I followed the trail of lanterns.

I reached the last lantern, my breath hitching in anticipation—but she wasn’t there.

Where is she?

"I'm here, Nini."

I froze. That voice…

I spun around, my heart racing.

And there she was.

Several meters away, standing in the soft glow of lantern lights, was Lili.

She held a microphone in her hands, her expression unreadable.

Behind her, four people sat with different types of guitars, their black hats casting shadows over their faces. Lili was the only one without a hat.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.

What is going on?

I scanned the surroundings, my mind struggling to piece it together.