Midnight

Disclosure

the moment aeri entered the dorm, she was immediately pulled to the kitchen.
"what the-"
hendery hushed her. "what did you do this time?"
aeri put the jajangmyeon on the counter, and frowned. "nothing. all I did is being considerate."

"there you are."

no wonder hendery pulled her behind cause this guy looked like he would devour her alive.
"jen, let's calm down first."
"no. let it out. " aeri pushed hendery aside as she stepped forward confidently.
"how brave of you to disclose my personal schedule to stranger? do you know the possible consequence that could happen if that person is a saesang?"

there, aeri was taken back.
"jaera is definitely not a saesang here."

both yangyang and hendery gasped, finding out about the friend she's been seeing was once their close friend.

"aeri! how come you didn't tell us it was jaera all these times?" hendery scolded, disappointed in her.

she scoffed and crossed her arm, mirroring the same energy.
"and how long are you planning to hide from me that i'm her replacement?"

they were speechless. not only that she was close with jaera, now she found out about their past.

"she told you?"

"no." aeri rolled her eyes. "none of you dare to say a word, but action speaks louder. i'm not an idiot."

"how?" Yangyang followed her to the sofa.

"she asked about him every time we hang out." her eyes pointed towards the leader who's now silent, but still hold grudge in his eyes.
"at first, I thought she's just showing interest in you, like a regular admirer. but then, it started to get strange. she even asked about your schedule, your number, and even asked me to set both of you on a date."

"oh mai ghoddd." yangyang facepalmed. "don't tell me you're considering all of that."

"i did mention about our individual schedule once, which i admit i was wrong about that." she looked apologetic. "i should've known better."

"but still, how do you know our past relationship?" Hendery was still confused. After all, they've been doing quite well in brushing it under the rug.

"Lately I've listened to her songs alot. I think I heard her unique tone somewhere, until i discovered the old demo tracks in taeyong's file and found out she's actually the voice behind the original debut track of Midnight, that one track that all of you refuse to put out."

"but still though-"
"enough." she raised her hands up. "judging by these reactions, it confirms everything. i could be so wrong but that would never happen" her brow raised.

the guys gave up. "stupid." yangyang claimed. "why are you still hanging out with her after this then? aren't you supposed to be on our side?"

"uh uh. i play no side. although you guys may not have a good history, does not mean she's a complete evil."

"really?" jeno finally stepped up. "you tell me then. a person chose to abandon everything at the very last minute for her own benefit. if that's not selfish, then i don't know what."

"choosing better for yourself does not necessary means selfish." aeri rose towards him in full confident, as if his statements really triggers something in her. "especially, when you wouldn't even give that person a chance to tell her side of story."
"Don't say a word if you're clueless of what happened." eyes contact are held strongly as if one wrong move could call unnecessary war.

"hey hey." hendery pulled her back, as yangyang stepped in between the two. "calm down."

aeri took deep breath.
"listen. i'm sorry for not telling you about this. in fact, after learning what happened between you, telling you or not won't make much difference. i might not know the details, or understand the pain she's caused, still i can't just leave her, nor i can't ruin our friendship while all she has done to me is being a nice, kind and a good friend I have once in a while."
taking a big gulp to calm herself, before gathering the bravery to look them in the eyes.
"please, don't try to pain your perspective on me. whatever happens between you, settle it with her.
just leave me out of this mess.
and don't worry, i'll be careful not to disclose any other information for in future meeting. i'm really sorry for that."