My Idol| Yang Jungwon ff

12|

--

Fairy lights twinkled overhead, painting dancing patterns on the cozy cafe patio. Laughter bubbled between us as I sipped my steaming mug of herbal tea – the usual post-trip debriefing session with my girlfriends. Hana, Emi, and Ivy leaned in, eager to hear all about my Korean adventure.

"So," Hana nudged me, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "tell us everything about this mysterious Korean boy."

"There's not much to tell, really," I mumbled, trying to hide the blush creeping up my neck.

Emi snorted. "Don't be coy, Jina. We saw the way you were glued to your phone the whole time."

Busted. I recounted our adventures in Seoul, from navigating the bustling markets to the serenity of the ancient temples. I told them about the shared karaoke nights that ended with Jungwon's adorably off-key rendition of "Gangnam Style," earning a chorus of giggles from the girls.

"He sounds like a fun guy," Ivy said, swirling the ice in her drink. "Are you worried about staying in touch after you're back home?"

Long-distance relationships were notoriously tricky. "A little," I admitted. "It feels like a huge ocean separates us."

Just then, Yumi, who had been unusually quiet throughout the evening, spoke up. "Speaking of keeping in touch," she announced, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Sunoo and I have been texting each other."

My jaw nearly dropped. Yumi, the ever-practical one who scoffed at cheesy romance narratives, was texting Jungwon's friend? "Seriously?" I squeaked.

"Yep," she said, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Turns out, he's a huge K-drama fan too. We've been bonding over Business Proposal."

A wave of relief washed over me. Maybe long distance wouldn't be so bad after all. If Yumi and Sunoo could forge a connection across continents, perhaps Jungwon and I could too.

"So, tell us more about Jungwon," Hana chimed in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I launched into a detailed description of Jungwon – his infectious laugh, his love for street food, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. As I spoke, the cafe faded away, replaced by vibrant memories of our time together.

--

My phone buzzed on the table, shattering the quiet of my evening. It was Jungwon, his name glowing on the screen like a tiny beacon of hope. I swiped to answer, a nervous flutter in my stomach.

"Hey," I said, my voice brighter than I felt. We'd been video calling every weekend, a lifeline across the miles, but lately, the distance had felt especially heavy.

"Jina!" Jungwon's voice boomed through the speaker, his usual energy crackling across the connection. "Guess what?"

A prickle of excitement shot up my spine. "What?"

He paused for dramatic effect, a mischievous glint in his eyes (or at least, that's what I imagined). "I'm coming to your country!"

The words hung in the air, momentarily stealing my breath. "Coming here? You mean..." I stammered, my mind racing.

"Visiting you!" he declared, a wide grin splitting his face. "I booked a flight for next month. How crazy is that?"

Crazy? It was insane, wonderful, unbelievable – all rolled into one. A giddy laugh escaped my lips. "Jungwon, are you serious?"

"Seriouser than a bowl full of kimchi," he chuckled. "I miss you like crazy, and I figured it was time I saw your side of the world."

Images flooded my mind – introducing him to my friends, showing him the cobblestone streets of my country, sharing a goofy couples' photo in front of famous buildings. A warmth bloomed in my chest, chasing away the familiar ache of distance.

"Jina? You there?" Jungwon's voice cut through my reverie.

"I'm here," I breathed, a wide smile plastered on my face. "I can't believe it. This is amazing!"

"Me too," he admitted, his voice softer now. "Just wait until I get there. We're going to have the best time."