Syncing Dream [Aespa x M!Reader]

12. Jelly comes in both ways

Ever since the topic of dating came up, Ningning, ever the instigator, had been joking around during one of their late-night practice sessions. They were cooling down, lying on the floor of the practice room, and Y/n had just stepped out to grab some water.

And a little birdie has chirped that Y/n got set up to a blind date.

"You know," Ningning had said, shooting a glance at Winter, "if Y/n's going on a date, maybe *you* should've set him up with someone, Winter. I mean, you *are* the same in age."

Winter, sitting cross-legged, froze mid-stretch. "W-What? Why me?"

Karina, sensing an opportunity to join in the fun, smirked. "Well, you are always bickering with him. Opposites attract, don't they?"

"Yeah," Giselle added with a sly grin, "and you two spend so much time together. You must know his type by now."

Winter's face flushed. "That's ridiculous! We just childhood friends. That's it."

Ningning snickered. "Sure, unnie. Whatever you say."

The teasing didn't stop there. The other girls kept dropping little comments and giggles every time Y/n and Winter interacted. Winter, despite trying her best to ignore it, couldn't help but feel a twinge of something every time they mentioned the date.

It wasn't jealousy—*definitely not*—but she was... annoyed. That's all it was. She didn't even know the girl Y/n was meeting, yet something about the situation irked her.

And that's how Winter found herself leading the charge to spy on Y/n's date.

-

When Y/n agreed to go on a blind date, he had no idea he'd also be starring in a spy movie—except, instead of highly trained professionals following him, it was four idiots wearing oversized sunglasses and ridiculous disguises.

Winter, Giselle, Ningning, and Karina sat huddled in the corner of a small café, pretending to read menus they had no intention of ordering from. It was Winter's idea, of course, to "just check in" on Y/n's date. She swore it was for his own good, not because of any weird feelings she might or might not be experiencing.

She watched from behind her menu as Y/n walked into the café, looking more put together than usual—buttoned-up shirt, hair neatly styled, even a bit of cologne. Winter's stomach did a weird little flip, and she cursed herself for noticing.

"There he is," Ningning whispered, her voice barely containing her amusement. "Our boy's looking sharp."

"Do you think she's pretty?" Giselle asked, eyes darting to the entrance.

Winter didn't respond, but her grip tightened on the menu. This was stupid. Why was she even here? She had better things to do with her day off than spy on Y/n's date.

But then again, if she *wasn't* here, who knew what kind of person Y/n might be meeting? What if she wasn't nice? What if Y/n got catfished?

"Oh! There she is," Karina whispered, nudging Winter.

The girl who entered was undeniably pretty—stylish, confident, and exactly the kind of person you'd expect Y/n to go on a date with. Winter's stomach twisted again. She wasn't sure why.

As the girl approached Y/n and they started talking, Winter kept stealing glances, trying not to look too obvious. The conversation seemed to be going well, and Y/n even laughed at something the girl said.

Winter's frown deepened. "He laughs like that with everyone," she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Ningning asked, peeking over her sunglasses.