The Idol who can't smile

Chapter 2.

With a drink in my hand and cheeks already completely flushed, I leaned my head on Lia's shoulder. Somehow, we always ended up in this position when we were drinking together. The only difference now was that Hanni had been watching us the entire time. Yeji was sitting on Ryujin's lap, as often as not. Chaeryeong was dancing enthusiastically to the music.

Yuna and Hanni were engaged in conversation. Occasionally, I heard Hanni gasp in surprise. Apparently, Yuna was filling her in on all the gossip. My eyes opened as I looked at Lia. My hand was in hers. "Y/N, I really missed you. You must have been busy, huh?" she asked. I sat up right away, my leg on the couch as I turned completely toward her.

"Yes, our comeback is coming soon, but what about yours? I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait to hear your voice in my ear again," I replied. Lia laughed, and her eyes laughed along, causing my mouth to open. I swallowed and took a deep breath.

Lia took my drink and placed it on the table in front of us. She set her glass next to mine. Her eyes fell on our linked hands before she looked back into my eyes. She smiled much softer now. "Are you... too drunk tonight?" she asked, her eyebrow twitching slightly. My breath almost caught immediately.

I shook my head, which made Lia nod with her head immediately. "I... really missed you, Y/n," she said. The anticipation must have been evident on my face, as she laughed. She stood up and helped me up as well. With a smile, she pulled me along.

I noticed Hanni watching me curiously, but Yuna stopped the younger girl.

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Hanni's POV

"What? Where are they going?" I asked curiously as I looked at Yuna. Her face immediately twisted in disgust. "Trust me... You don't want to disturb them," she replied, and almost instantly, my mouth dropped open in shock. My eyes widened in astonishment. "Wait. You mean? Oh... So, um, are they... together?" I asked, visibly overwhelmed by this new information.

Was... that why she's often at the JYP building? Is she together with Lia from Itzy?

"Wow. Are they at it again?" Ryujin asked, looking quite surprised. Her eyebrows raised. Yeji laughed softly, "Well, you know, when alcohol's involved—" she shrugged. I blinked repeatedly.

"No, they're not together," Yuna replied when I looked back at her. She laughed a little, "She doesn't talk about herself much, does she?" Yuna asked, and I sighed in annoyance. I nodded as I took a sip of my drink.

"Not at all. Honestly... I don't even know her favorite color or what she actually likes," I said frustratedly, and Yuna nodded her head. Soon after, her forehead furrowed. "I... don't know either. Do you guys?" Yuna asked, looking at the rest of us. Chaeryeong also sat down, breathing heavily, right next to us.

"No, I think we should ask Lia about that," Chaeryeong replied. I sighed again, "Hello?! I... didn't even know she was into women," I said, clearly disappointed in myself. My head hung low, "I mean... we're on the same team, a family... shouldn't she, I don't know, trust us more?" I asked, sighing.

God... it's really frustrating me...

"Well, she's your unnie. The oldest, right? How much of an age difference does she have with the second oldest?" Yeji asked now. Ryujin and Yeji both showed interest in this conversation. I hummed a bit, "2 years with Minji and me. 3 years with Danielle, 4 years with Haerin, and 6 years with Hyein," I immediately replied, and Yeji nodded understandingly.

"So, she doesn't really have anyone her age? She must be the unnie... Maybe that thought is holding her back. I think... if I didn't have Lia, I might be the same," Yeji said, causing Ryujin to now look at her with wide eyes.