Only If We Could || Y.JW FF

two - practice room

Jungwon stared at Kyungmi with wide eyes. The last time he saw her was almost seven years ago. Taeri stepped up, interrupting the reunion. Jungwon's eyes drifted to Taeri before moving them back to Kyungmi, who turned her attention onto Taeri. "How do you know Yang Jungwon?" Taeri whispered.

Kyungmi looked at her confused. "What do you mean? How do I know him? How do you know him?"

Maeyeong gasped as she tugged Kyungmi's arm, making her stumble backward. "You mean you don't know? He's famous, eonni."

Kyungmi blankly stared at the two before looking back at Jungwon who was already staring at her. Niki stood awkwardly behind him, waiting for their manager to come back from the bathroom. Kyungmi took a step closer, leaning towards Jungwon. "You're famous?" She whispered, trying to make sure no one could hear her.

Jungwon chuckled at her. "Yes," he whispered back. Kyungmi leaned back away with a shocked expression. "Why? You didn't know?" He asked.

She shook her head. "I live under a rock apparently," she joked.

Jungwon stared at her in curiosity. "Hey, nuna," he called out. Kyungmi hummed in response. "How'd you know it was me?" He asked, a serious tone laced in his voice.

Kyungmi pointed at her eye. "The cat-like eyes that you have." Jungwon looked surprised that after all these years she recognized him because of his eyes.

Niki stepped up, making all eyes go on him. "I'm sorry to interrupt. But, hyeong, we have to go," Niki bowed towards the three girls before tugging Jungwon away. Jungwon went to scream something but stopped when he noticed his manager coming out of the bathroom. He waved goodbye to Kyungmi who happily waved goodbye back.

Taeri and Maeyeong instantly jumped on Kyungmi once Jungwon and Niki were out of sight. "How the hell do you know Yang Jungwon?"

Kyungmi shrugged the two off before walking out of the cafe while casually sipping on her boba. The two followed her, harassing her with questions. "Seriously, eonni. How do you know Jungwon?"

Kyungmi visibly looked annoyed with the two. "We were neighbors when we were younger," Kyungmi's answer was quick, leaving no room for any more questions. Kyungmi walked ahead, finally spotting the bus stop. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, thankful that she hadn't made them miss the bus.

Plopping on the bus bench, Kyungmi allowed her entire body to slump, her hands slipping into her hair. Taeri and Maeyeong slipped on either side of Kyungmi. They sat in silence as they waited for the bus to arrive.

~~~

Jungwon stared out of the car's tinted window, watching as the scenery zoomed past them. Their manager cleared his throat before peeking at Jungwon through the rear-view mirror. "So, who was she, Jungwon-ssi?"

Jungwon turned his attention to his manager who continued to seek peeks at him. "She's an old friend of mine. That's all," Jungwon mumbled.

His manager's face twisted into a sour expression. He mumbled a few words under his breath before turning his full attention back onto the road. Niki turned his head to look at Jungwon. Jungwon's eyes were beginning to droop, his head jerking back and forth, trying to keep himself awake.

Niki wanted to say something but reframed himself from doing so, but instead slumped into his seat. They quickly arrived back at the company.

Reaching over, Niki gently shook Jungwon awake. Niki slipped out of the car, waiting for his hyeong to join him. Jungwon walked around the car towards Niki while groggily rubbing his eyes.

They made their way into the building, their manager following closer behind them. Once they were inside, they were rushed over to the practice room where the other members were waiting for them. Music blared through the speakers as the other members danced around, playfully. Enjoying themselves to the fullest.

The manager walks over to the speaker, cutting the music off. The members turned their attention to the manager who moved to stand over by the mirror.

"Alright. As you all know, K-con is around the corner. We only have three more weeks to perfect the performance. So let's work hard," he encouraged them. They threw their fist into the air screaming 'fighting'!

They practiced endlessly, rehearsing the same choreography over and over again. They stopped for a small break, each of them chugging down a hefty sum of their water. Niki continuously sneaked glances at Jungwon who seemed to be lost in his own world. Jay lazily threw his arm over Jungwon's shoulder.

"Jungwon-ah, you okay?" He questioned. Jungwon absentmindedly nodded his head before taking another swing of his water.

Jay shared a look with the other members who were all worried about Jungwon. He has been insanely quiet since he's gotten back. Heeseung leaned over towards Niki. "Yah, Niki-ya, what's wrong with Jungwon-ah?"

Niki eyed Jungwon before turning his attention to his hyeong. "Honestly. I'm not too sure. He was fine up until we left the cafe," Niki answered with honesty.

Heeseung raised a curious brow, nudging Niki to tell him what happened at the cafe. Niki looked hesitant, not sure if Jungwon wanted people to know. "Well, w-"

"Niki."

Jungwon's voice rang throughout the practice room, making some of the members jump in surprise. Niki hummed before shrugging Heeseung away and making his way toward Jungwon. "Yes, Jungwon hyeong?"

Jungwon paused for a moment. "I need your help with something. Are you up for it?"

Niki nodded. "Of course. What's up?"

Smiling, Jungwon dragged Niki out of the practice room. The other members watched the two leave before starting to brainstorm what was going on. "I bet Jungwon got yelled at," Jay said quickly.

Sunghoon rolled his eyes at Jay's assumption. "Jungwon isn't the type to be yelled at. I think something happened between him and Niki. That's why he dragged him out."

The other members nodded their heads. Sunghoon made a plausible case. "I don't think it's either. It didn't look like Jungwon was mad at Niki or Manager. Maybe he got into something with someone inside the cafe?" Sunoo said.

Jake tilted his head in irritation. "Jungwon won't start with someone for no reason. Maybe something happened at home? He doesn't look mad. Just spaced out. Like there is something stuck on his mind."

The room fell silent when Niki and Jungwon walked back in. Jungwon seemed to be in a better mood while Niki was smiling. The members stood up making the two glance at them.

Jake walked over to Jungwon, tossing his arm over Jungwon's shoulder. "You look like you're in a better mood," he muttered.

Jungwon smiled at Jake, his dimples showing. "You want to come to a cafe with me?"