Idol-ized Lovers || Choi Soobin [Rewritten]

08

As you were working on your computer, your phone buzzed with a new message notification. You glanced at the screen: it was from Soobin. Well, not Soobin technically—your contacts showed it as "D." You'd saved his number that way so no one would suspect anything strange.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

Later, during your lunch break, your phone rang. Mom. You picked up right away. "Hey, Mom!" you greeted cheerfully. "Hey, sweetie," she said with that warm tone that made everything feel a little less heavy. "How are you?" she asked. "Tired... but alright." You couldn't lie to her. Not about something like this.

"Well, why don't you come over for a visit?" she suggested. It sounded great—but with your current work schedule? Not happening. "Mom, I'd love to. But I can't get leave right now." She sighed lightly. "It's alright, honey. But why don't you send Ho Yeon instead? I'd love to have her here for a few days."

Now that was a good idea. You'd need to arrange her school leave, but still—at least one thing sounded doable. "I can do that," you told her. "Perfect! Drop her off tomorrow, alright?" she said cheerfully, and you both hung up. You still hadn't made up with Yoo Jin. But... maybe that could wait. Just a day.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

"Yeon-ah! Do you want to go to Grandma's?" you asked, watching her as she colored in her book. "I'd love to!" she squealed, jumping up and bouncing toward you. "Alright, I'll drop you off tomorrow," you said with a smile. She started twirling around the living room, dancing with joy.

The next morning, you woke up early, did the usual chores, dropped Ho Yeon off at your mom's, and made it to the office on time. Around mid-morning, your phone buzzed again. From D.

D : hello Ms. [Your Name]! 
You : hello Mr. Soobin!
D : sorry for showing up at your place like that.
You : it's alright.
D : are you free tonight?
You : um, for the date?
D : yes
You : alright

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

Evening. You stood in front of your mirror, dressed again for a night you didn't expect. It still felt fishy. Why was Choi Soobin, a literal K-pop idol, being this attentive to you? You didn't know what you were doing. It wasn't like you had a plan. You were just... going with the flow. As always.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

"Hii," he greeted as soon as he saw you, flashing that perfect smile. "Hello," you replied. "I hope I didn't inconvenience you," he said as you both sat down at a quiet table in the dimly lit restaurant. "It's alright," you said. He handed you a menu, but you hesitated.

"You can order whatever you want," he encouraged, reading your hesitation like an open book. "Um... ramen?" you asked sheepishly. Everything else sounded like a dish you'd have to Google. "Ramen it is," he smiled and gave the order to the waiter. Once the waiter left, he turned back to you.

"So, Ms. [Your Name], what's your favorite song from TxT again?" he asked casually—but you tensed up inside. "Deja Vu," you replied immediately. "Any others?" he asked, eyes twinkling with interest. Shit. You scrambled to think of something—anything.

"Um..." You begun, fake thinking, but freaked out. "Cat & Dog?" he offered, almost teasing. "Yes! I love that song!" you jumped on the lifeline, then instantly shoved a mouthful of ramen in as a convenient excuse not to speak more. Out of nowhere, he began to sing. It wasn't Deja Vu. Definitely not Cat & Dog either. You had no clue what song it was—but damn, his voice was good.

"You're really good!" you said after he finished. "You like that part from Cat & Dog, right?" he asked, his smile mischievous now. "Definitely!" you lied, forcing a smile and returning to your ramen with religious focus. "Who's your bias?" he asked next, switching gears.

"You," you replied smoothly, hoping it'd end there. But of course not. "Anyone other than me?" You panicked internally. No names came to mind. No faces. Nothing. "The... the maknae?" you said, slurping quickly to cover the awkward pause.