best friends

chapter 9

January 2020
The boys released English versions of some of their songs, and Sterling fell in love with Hans English voice in double knot and Levanter.
The boys also released a Japanese album SKZ2020 that featured new recordings of their songs in Japanese.
All was going great in the world until the WHO (World Health Organisation) and  PHEIC (public health emergency of international concern) announced a world wide shut down as the coronavirus spread.

Han and Sterling couldn't see each other in person or leave their homes. But they did spend a lot of time online talking playing games or just chilling out together. Sometimes the other guys would join in the chats, Lee Know shared so many pictures and videos of his cats, Seungmin showed off his cooking skills, Hyunjin and Sterling did online painting together, with Ryu of course, but most of the time Han and Sterling just talked about everything.

In June that year the guys released Top as their first Japanese single with both it and its bside track slump being used for the anime Tower of God, with a korean version and English version following soon later. Sterling was in love with the song. She played it all the time to the point that her co-workers got sick of it.

"Hey congrats on making platinum, it's such an awesome album, felix in Gods Menu is breath taking, and the film clip is amazing, you look so good in it" Sterling texted Han after hearing the news of their albums success on the radio.
"Thanks, it was so fun to make, Hyunjin got so scared when the cars flew past him lol" Han texted back.
"Hey, the Mnet Asian Music Awards are coming up, and we have been invited to attend," Han added
"That's awesome. Will you be performing?" Sterling asked
"Yeh, we are performing victory song. Can't wait, tell me you will watch?" Han asked
"Silly squirrel, of course I will," Sterling sent back.

"omg, you guys are performing at Kingdom: Legendary wars, That's amazing Hun, can't wait to see the live performances." Sterling texted Han the day after the awards
"I know, I'm so excited but nervous as well. What if I stuff up?" Han replied.
"You won't. I'll be there the whole time. If not in person, then via video chat," Sterling said.
"Thanks, that makes me feel a bit better," he replied.

To round the year out, the guys released another single 'all in' in japanese along with other songs plus an online concert for those who missed out due to the pandemic.

"Hey, the online concerts starting," Ryu screamed at Sterling as she came running in with arms full of snacks and drinks.
"I'm so excited," Sterling said as the concert started. Ryu father had hooked the girls up some surround sound speakers so they could have a real concert experience.
both girls were dancing around to the songs laughing like they were actually there,
"Remember when we saw them for real?" Ryu said
"How can I forget? You almost fainted when we saw them," Sterling laughed.
The girls continued to dance, scream, and laugh the night away.
"Did you guys enjoy?" hyunjin asked after they finished the concert.
"Um, yeh, best concert ever, we got front row seats lol" Sterling said, waving to Hyunjin and the guys.
"Next time for real, you both will be front row VIP style," Chan said as he walked past.

"Hey JYP is having a New years party, so im gonna spoil you, you going to get a make over, nails and a new outfit, and I won't take no for an answer" Han said as he and Sterling sat around the fire place at her parents place,
"That's so nice," Hans mother said as she walked in with a tray of hot chocolate.
"Thank you, it really is, and so is all of us being together for Christmas. It's been such a long time." Sterling said as she handed Han a cup.
"I heard you got a promotion," Hans father said
"Yeh, I made manager at work, means longer hours,more paper work but also means better pay and an assistant," Sterling replied.

New years Eve:

"Hey you awake" Han said over the phone to a sleepy Sterling
"I wasnt" she replied
"Car will pick you up at 10, please don't be late" Han replied,
"I won't, plus don't roll your eyes at me," she giggled as Han stuttered before laughing as well.
"See you after everything is done" Han said before hanging up.