past, present, and future | hwang hyunjin

n i n e

c h a p t e r   n i n e

As soon as we finished filming that reaction video, Jeona gave us all high fives and hugs. "Nice job, everyone! We just recorded our first non-teaser/music video related content!"

"I mean, apart from the cameras that are around us 24/7," I murmured quietly enough to not be picked up by anyone but the group members.

"Great job everyone!" The producers congratulated us. "I'm pleased with what we've filmed for today, so get some rest and prepare for all the night activities!"

We all bowed gratefully and clapped towards the producers. I was so genuinely happy to be living out my dream. Finally, after 7 years.

I was too busy in my own train of thought that I didn't notice the two, well now that I think about it, not so sneaky girls.

As we were heading back to the dorm for a short break, I started talking to my group members, when someone tapped me on the shoulder.

Surprised, I turned around. A hand retracted, and I looked up to see who was the owner of that hand. The girl in front of me had cat-like, upturned eyes, a small nose, and thin lips. Her luscious, dyed brown hair was cut at mid-chest length. The corners of her mouth were upturned in a curious smile. Behind her, there was another girl who had long hair that was dyed blonde from the roots down. Her cute eyes reflected in mine and she gave me a small smile.

I swore I could've fallen for them both at the moment.

Beside me, Sana immediately started bowing. The rest of us followed suit, but the two girls just laughed.

"Stand up straight and tall!" The one that resembled a cat told us. "So I assume you know who we are?"

I looked over at Sana, whose eyes were round with awe. "Yeji? Lia?"

"Wow, we're so honored!" The blonde one clapped enthusiastically. "Yes, I'm Lia and this is Yeji."

I suddenly remembered something faint from the night of K-pop idol study. "You're from ITZY!" My eyes lit up as I stated proudly. Sana was definitely smiling a big mom smile even though she was younger than me.

"You can call us unnie if you would like," Yeji smiled at us. "We've been watching all your content so far. You're all so sweet, pretty, and talented!"

"Thank you so much!" Jeona responded to them with a blush on her face, which the rest of us probably had as well. We'd never been praised so much before, and never from seniors like them.

Well, maybe except for that one time Hyunjin praised my singing. But never from a female idol.

"So why are you here?" Zoe asked them.

"Well," Yeji smirked. "Actually, we wanted to talk to you." She pointed a finger at my face.

"Me?" I asked in disbelief. I had no time to comprehend anything before Yeji grabbed my wrist and dragged me away from my groupmates. Lia and my groupmates just chuckled at the sight, and after a second I saw Lia tell my groupmates to go on while she followed Yeji and I.

Yeji pulled me into a small, private corner of a hallway where no one could hear what we were talking about. I leaned on the wall, unsure of what she wanted to talk to me about. Maybe she was going to criticize my singing? My dancing? I knew I was slightly lacking in that field, but I didn't think I was bad enough to be called out by Yeji, one of ITZY's best dancers.

"So," she started with a smirk on her face. "What's going on with my brother?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused.