String in My Guitar - Bbangsaz

Chapter 08 - Impulsive Thoughts

As Hanni lay on her bed, consumed by a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, she couldn't help but question the choices that had led her to this precarious situation. Avoiding Kim Minji had seemed like the logical course of action, a necessary precaution to protect her carefully guarded secret from being exposed to the world. Yet, with each passing day, the weight of her decision bore down upon her, leaving her feeling torn between the desire to maintain her distance and the longing to connect with the enigmatic girl who had captured her heart.

The memory of their chance encounter at Starbucks haunted Hanni's thoughts, a fateful moment that had set the wheels of destiny into motion. In a moment of impulsive spontaneity, she had found herself drawn to Minji, compelled by a magnetic force that defied reason and logic. Despite her better judgment, she had allowed herself to be swept away by the allure of Minji's presence, indulging in the simple pleasure of her company.

But as the days stretched into weeks, the gravity of her actions began to weigh heavily upon Hanni's conscience. She couldn't shake the nagging fear that Minji's discovery of her true identity would spell disaster for her carefully curated public persona. The thought of her CEO learning of their clandestine meetings filled her with a sense of dread, knowing full well the repercussions it could have on her burgeoning career.

And yet, despite her best efforts to distance herself from Minji, Hanni found herself unable to quell the growing longing that gnawed at her heart. Each passing moment only served to deepen her feelings, leaving her trapped in a vicious cycle of desire and despair.

As she lay in the darkness of her room, tormented by her inner turmoil, Hanni couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to reconcile the conflicting desires warring within her. Should she continue to avoid Minji at all costs, sacrificing the possibility of a deeper connection for the sake of self-preservation? Or should she dare to defy convention, risking everything for the chance at love and happiness?

Hanni's groan echoed softly in the quiet solitude of her room as she kicked her feet in a playful display of frustration, burying her face beneath the comforting embrace of her pillow. Despite her outward show of annoyance, deep down, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that perhaps she was overreacting.

On one hand, there was a part of her that recognized Minji's inherent trustworthiness, a quality that had drawn her to the taller girl in the first place. She couldn't help but believe that if Minji were to discover her true identity as the idol behind her favorite ringtone, she wouldn't react with the same level of shock or disbelief as others might. There was an underlying sense of understanding between them, a connection that transcended the boundaries of fame and fandom.

In Hanni's mind, Minji was more than just a casual fan of their music – she was someone who appreciated their artistry on a deeper level, someone who saw beyond the glitz and glamour to the heart and soul of their music. It was this belief that gave Hanni a sliver of hope, a glimmer of optimism that perhaps her secret was safe in Minji's hands.

And yet, even as she clung to this notion, doubts still lingered at the back of her mind. What if she was wrong? What if Minji's reaction was not as understanding as she hoped? The thought sent a shiver of apprehension down Hanni's spine, reminding her of the precariousness of her situation.

But for now, as she lay in the cocoon of her bed, surrounded by the soft embrace of her pillow, Hanni allowed herself to entertain the possibility that maybe, just maybe, Minji was different from the rest – someone she could trust with her deepest secrets and truest self.

Hanni's introspective reverie was abruptly shattered by the insistent ringing of her phone, jolting her out of her thoughts and back into the present moment. With a sigh, she reluctantly peeled herself away from the cocoon of her bed and reached for the device, her curiosity piqued by the unexpected interruption.

*Upcoming call from 'Danzoo'*

"Helloooooooo~" Hanni giggled at the voice that came through her phone as she expected a joyful greetings from Danielle.

"What's up, Modani-ssi?"

"I was expecting you to come earlier, knowing that friend of yours came to perform at our cafe."

The word 'friend' lingered in Hanni's mind, a persistent reminder of the uncertain nature of her relationship with Minji. Were they truly friends, bound by a genuine connection forged through their chance encounters? Or were they merely strangers who happened to cross paths in the vast tapestry of life, their interactions nothing more than fleeting moments of serendipity? The question gnawed at Hanni's thoughts, leaving her feeling unsettled and unsure of where she stood in Minji's world.

Hanni blinked twice, startled out of her reverie by the sound of her friend's voice calling out to her. The sudden interruption served as a stark reminder that she had allowed her thoughts to spiral into a vortex of overthinking and uncertainty.

"Hello? Phampham unnie, are you with me?" the voice on the other end of the line persisted, drawing Hanni's attention back to the present moment.

"I... Yes, yes, I'm here," Hanni stammered, her voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "I was just... exhausted, sorry. I couldn't come."

"Are you alright?"

"I... um, yes, I just couldn't sleep."

"Why's that? Would you like me to sing you to sleep?"

Hanni's cheeks flushed as Danielle reminded her of Minji serenading her during their last encounter.

"No! I mean, no... There's no need. Thank you." She stammered.

"Unnie, you really don't seem okay. You're stuttering a lot. Tell me what's going on," Danielle said worriedly through the line while Hanni facepalm at herself for stammering because of Minji.

"To tell you the truth... I didn't come because I was avoiding her," Hanni admitted.

"Why?"

"I thought these infatuation feelings would develop into something that could jeopardize my career. Plus, if she finds out I'm a singer she listens to, she might avoid me for not telling her, or worse, take a picture and post it online, revealing where I live," Hanni rambled.

"Whoa there, unnie, calm down. You're overthinking things!"

"you shouldn't jump to conclusions. It's important to take things slowly and allow your feelings for Minji to develop naturally. If you're truly falling in love with her, it might be worth trying and taking the risk. Don't let the fear of potential consequences hold you back from pursuing your happiness.

Additionally, you don't have to worry about your fans or the people around you. Your personal life and relationships are just as important as your career. Focus on what your heart wants right now, and trust that everything else will fall into place. Your fans will understand and support you, as long as you're true to yourself and your feelings."

Hanni felt her heart melt from the words that came from Danielle. She realized that without Danielle's guidance, she might have made some regrettable decisions.

"Thank you, Danzoo. I would be really struggling right now if you hadn't called."

"No worries, Phampham unnie! Minji doesn't seem to be like our fans who try their best to search for every detail about each member. She even asked if we were fans of Newjeans when she saw our merchandise earlier at the cafe. My sister and I were internally laughing. We couldn't help but laugh so hard at her office," Danielle said through her laughter, causing Hanni to crack up too.