Idol-ized Lovers || Choi Soobin [Rewritten]

05

"Imoyaaaaaaa!!!" Ho Yeon's squeal echoed through the hallway as soon as you walked through the door. She sprinted straight into your arms, nearly knocking the wind out of you. "How did it go?" she asked, pulling back to scan you from head to toe like a tiny detective. "It was nice," you replied, keeping it simple. No need for details.

"How does he look in real life? Is he really that tall? Is he more handsome up close?" Her questions hit you like rapid-fire bullets, one after the other. "Yes to all," you said, answering them like a checklist. "And—this is for you." You handed her the signed Deja Vu album. Her face lit up as if you'd just gifted her the moon. She screamed. She danced. She squealed again. She hugged the album like it was her firstborn child.

"Calm down, Yeon-ah!" you pleaded, half-laughing, but it was no use. This little boomerang had no off switch tonight. You left her twirling with joy in the living room and headed to your room to change. Yeah... it was a nice date. But not really a date-date.

Dates are supposed to be romantic—nervous giggles, soft eye contact, sparks in the air. This was more like... a private fan meet. With fancy lighting and overpriced steak. Sure, Soobin was handsome. No doubt about it. And you'd be lying if you said you didn't, even for a moment, wish it had been something more. But you knew better.

This was entertainment. An event. A performance. Nothing more.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

The next morning, you woke up, dropped a still-floating-on-cloud-nine Ho Yeon at school, and rushed to the office. And of course, Yoo Jin was already waiting. Obviously. He needed his post-date tea.

"So? How was it?" he asked the moment you both sat in the cafeteria with your lunch trays. "It was fine," you replied, shrugging. Because honestly, it was. "Just 'fine' or 'fine-fine'?" he pressed, eyeing you like a hawk. He wanted the gossip. The juice. "Well... it was more of a professional meet and greet," you said, poking at your rice. You knew he wanted more, but you weren't sure it was worth spilling.

Yoo Jin raised a brow, waiting. You said nothing.

"Literally?" he scoffed, giving you the classic bitch face—one that said girl, don't play with me. You sighed. "Okay, okay. We just had polite conversations—'good evening,' 'how was your day,' 'what do you do,' 'what's your favorite song'... you know. Basic stuff. Nothing special." Yoo Jin made a face that screamed what a waste of mascara. "Well, really not special."

"I told you already," you muttered, stabbing at your food. There was a pause, the two of you chewing in mild disappointment. "Oh—he gave me a signed album. I gave it to Ho Yeon. She was super happy." You added it like a final note, something redeeming.

"At least someone benefited from this date," he said flatly, not even looking up from his food. You blinked. "What do you mean, you mean bitch?" Your fork clattered against your plate. You weren't laughing. "Come on! You were on a date with a K-pop idol! And you didn't even try? You're literally a bummer," he shot back, half-smirking.

Your jaw dropped. "Excuse me?! You were the one who told me these dates were meaningless PR stunts!" You shot back. "Exactly," he leaned in, dramatically stabbing a carrot, "but still! It was a date! At least make it 10% romantic! You turned the whole thing into a corporate interview. You really belong in a sales office." Oof. That one hit hard. You stared at him in disbelief.

"You know what, Yoo Jin? Expecting a fan date to be romantic is dumb. But you know what's dumber?" You pushed your chair back. "Having lunch with you." You left your food untouched and stormed out of the cafeteria, your heart pounding. You didn't want to fight. You really didn't. Yoo Jin was your only friend. But if your only friend talked to you like that? Then fuck it.