Yours Truly, The Girl By Your Side

Chapter 10

"To the person by my side,

I've decided to write back to you! At first, I did think it was strange, but I'm sure we'll be introduced soon. I have so many things to ask you, like, how long have you worked with me? What made you suddenly write a letter? Are you older or younger than me?

Did you eat well today? I hope you're enjoying your job here.

I really don't know what to write, so I'm hoping that you're better at this than I am, kekeke...

See you in the next letter!

Lee Chaeryeong"

"EEEEEEK!!" Yuna shrieks into her pillow and flails out of pure joy on her bed. Within the next day, Chaeryeong wrote a letter back to the "secret admirer".

She kept to her word and didn't want to see beforehand what she was going to write. Now, the ball's in her court.

Yuna's POV

Today, ITZY's doing another dance rehearsal. We're only a few days away from the new year and we get the days off to spend with family. I'll get some time then to really focus on what to write next. I tuck the letter in a different folder on my bookshelf. I smile to myself, thinking about when I'll have time to reply. I'm so excited!

I walk into the studio, ready for another hard dance day. My body's still sore from the last time. I start on the floor with leg stretches. All of the members, except Chaeryeong unnie, are doing the same.

Where is she?

All of a sudden, the door opens and there's Michael holding it open for Chaeryeong.

I can't say that that image didn't make my blood hot. I almost forgot he existed. I turn away and continue stretching my legs.

"I got you this, Yuna," her sweet voice startles me, but my eyes see the two macarons that's in her hand.

"Really?? What's the occasion?"

She sits down next me and this is the first time in a while where she's genuinely happy. Her smile is so bright, and my heart jumps in my chest, "I thought it could cheer you up. You seem so anxious lately."

I'm at a loss for words at this gesture. I take them both and smell them. They're the same colors as our WDZY characters. So cute!

She continues, "Michael was the one who recommended macarons for the team."

I feel my smile drop, but I try to hold onto it. Knowing this, my heart sinks to my stomach. I picture the both of them going to a small bakery together and picking them out. Why am I so jealous??

"Chaeryeong, thank you! I love them!" I hear Yeji unnie to my left, who just received macarons from Michael.

Our choreographer grabs our attention, queuing practice to start.

In the corner of the room, I spot him in our peripheral. The last time, he wasn't in the room with us. Now, he's just standing there, looking awkward. I hate how we have to dance while he's in here.

"Don't look so upset, I can notice it from here," Ryujin unnie whispers in my ear.

I fix my face as fast as possible. I didn't think it was that obvious.

We run through the set list and warmup. I see Chaeryeong unnie bend down and stretch her legs. Then, I notice Michael looking in her direction from behind. Infuriated, I step to her behind to block his vision and stretch my arms over my chest.