The Idol who can't smile

Chapter 4.

Flashback

With a wide grin on my face, I walked through the door. I immediately took off my shoes and sprinted to my father with my elementary school backpack. He was, as usual, sitting on the couch, a beer bottle in his hand. "Dad," I said cheerfully. I quickly rummaged through my backpack and pulled out the large sheet of paper.

Annoyed, the older man let out a sigh. His eyes narrowed as he looked at me from the side. His expression changed immediately as he looked at me. His jaw tensed. "Happy Father's Day," I said, a broad smile on my face as I handed him the drawn sheet of paper. He took it in his hand and tore it apart with a swift motion.

My eyes widened. My mouth opened as my breath caught. I looked at the older man who simply let the scraps fall to the floor in front of me. "Don't smile at me! I've told you over and over and over again! DON'T SMILE!" he yelled in anger. Anxiously, I swallowed as he slammed the beer bottle on the table.

"You have no right to smile! Not when you killed your own mother!" he said, now speaking a bit quieter. He no longer glanced at me. He took several deep breaths, his jaw sharp like a knife, and his words cut into me. Tears formed in my eyes.

Slowly, I fell to my knees and picked up the scraps. A sniffle escaped my throat. "Don't cry. Why the hell do you have feelings? WHY THE HELL... ARE YOU ALIVE? You and not her?!" he shouted loudly, causing my whole body to tremble. I looked up at my father. But... he simply looked at me with anger and disgust.

"I-I," I began. My voice trailed off as I stood back up. I looked at the older man. "I'll do better, Dad... I won't cry," I replied, desperately trying to suppress my tears. But... my father didn't respond anymore. He simply took another sip from his beer.

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Flashback End

I swallowed as I looked at Hyein. My eyes widened slightly. We were all quite drunk, except for Haerin, Hyein, and Danielle, as they were underage and not allowed to drink alcohol. Although Minji initially wanted only a little alcohol, she ended up drinking more and eventually got drunk.

Her hand rested on my thigh most of the time. "Yeji and Minji. Kiss each other," Hyein demanded with a grin. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying this. As we got drunker, we grew bolder in our actions. Now, the youngest among us was asking Yeji and Minji to kiss? The leaders of the groups?

I noticed immediately that Yeji started laughing. Minji had also removed her hand from my thigh. I quickly looked at her. She, however, looked at Yeji. They were getting closer and closer. Ryujin's face twisted in visible jealousy, while most of us started cheering.

Hanni looked at me too. I swallowed. My eyes followed their every move. The lips of the two met. Yeji's hands were around Minji's neck, while Minji's hand rested on Yeji's hip. It started off slowly, but suddenly Minji changed the position of her head and deepened the kiss. Yeji followed suit.

I held my breath. I... somehow felt strange. My chest ached at the sight, but I just didn't understand why. I took a deep breath and, like the others, raised my hands high and started cheering. Ryujin was the only one not cheering. She simply stared holes into their heads.

After a while, during which Yeji and Minji didn't stop passionately kissing, Ryujin broke the kiss. She pulled Yeji away from Minji. Her face was filled with jealousy, which made Yeji swallow nervously. Slowly, I lowered my arms as my eyes met Minji's. The younger one huffed and sat down next to Hanni, a drink in her hand, which she swallowed wordlessly.

"Uh, wow?" Lia now exclaimed. She blinked, clearly surprised. None of us had expected such a kiss. Especially not me. I mean... Minji seemed... not really interested in such matters. But... apparently, I was wrong. But most of all, I didn't expect Minji to be this bold.