It's a fine afternoon. Soojin's resting at her home, all she had today were few morning classes and she was good to go rest. She could go meet up with Joshua as she promised like many weeks ago but she couldn't be bothered to. She had fully expressed and implied to her new friend that she wasn't the type that liked to hang out in the few free time she gets; she could lay down on her mattress and watch idols or dramas instead. Poor young man, the one friend he makes in Korea, it has to be a one who feels like they barely exist.

Maybe they should keep their distance.

Maybe not. Who knows! I tried to dig up him and all I could arrange is: he's a very sweet and gentle person. And seemingly harmless.

Anyway.

Soojin's now checking her messages since her Kakao notification went off. There's only a few who message her and just as I hope that it be Jongho, a smile adorns her face. I look into her phone and viola! It's from him.

'Annyeong, my dear noona.' It was what got the girl smiling.

Did I mention to you how bold and improvising Jongho got with his words these days? He's been flirty, not too much that it's in her face but not too subtle that she doesn't notice. He'd push some boundaries and she'd ignore it. It's his way of getting her comfortable and completely back to the Daisy he knew, she thought. She'd flirt back, just the joking way Daisy used to, but she guessed it wasn't enough considering how stronger Jongho would still be in the game. So most of the times, she'd ignore it. Maybe one day, she'd prove to him and the others that she completely accepts them now and wants to be friends with them. She's ready for it, but unlike the old times, they're not neighbours who practically met and lazed around in each others' houses every day.

Soojin decides to text back to Jongho.

Hii

Saw you were online. Free hour?

No, I'm at home. Classes ended early. Wbu? No work or studies today?

No work for me rn but later and yes, I have 2 study, exams are coming. I don't know if hyungs will allow me to go to work later tho.

Y?

I'm sick with fever but originally it was a cramped leg muscle. I stayed home the whole day yesterday bcos I couldn't walk and later felt feverish, don't want to take another day off.

well, is it better today then?

I can manage to walk, fever is worse.

But I can manage to go to the company.

hmm...

I expected you to say something like 'don't go, you should stay and rest' or a 'get well soon' at least. I'm hurt:(

of course, it hurts. your leg's hurt and you have a fever too.

no, I'm hurt bcos of you.

get well soon, Jongho. You seem like you'll go to work anyway, most ppl do. Yea, it's important to rest, ideally, that's what you should do, but ppl like you and me are stubborn.

true. If it gets worse, I won't go then.

Gud👌

I think I might get better with some food from your place. Should I place an order?

really? what do you want?

Or maybe you should bring me some soup yourself. Made by you.

I'll like that better.

-_-

I'll send you something palatable for fever. that's the least I can do.

no no, I was kidding.

what? You not hungry then?

yea but I'll order from your website and pay like anyone would do. you don't have to do this.

too late. I already placed an order.

but you're at home.

shut up, I'm the older, listen to me. Go take rest till the food comes to you.

And send your location.

thanxx and bye.

where you going? to the restaurant?

yes. bye.

.

.

.

It has not even been dusk yet and I've already been contemplating my day. And I was contemplating the whole ride from the restaurant to this place on a two-wheeler, so thank whoever that I didn't end up in a road accident.

I was just so peaceful, just procrastinating on my phone after the early classes today. Why? Why did it take a weird turn now? Texting Jongho and trying to bring down my boundaries slowly is one thing, and now outright going to Ateez's dorm is really another. And as an Atiny, that feels even weirder.

What was I thinking? Better yet, what am I thinking now? My thoughts were and are all over the place.

After I stopped texting him, I went to make some soup in my home 'cause the restaurant doesn't make that and because it's the busy lunch hours there. After making that I remembered that the restaurant doesn't have any appropriate containers for the soup I was making(also I'd have to carry it to the restaurant in a pot anyway). But then the question arose: Ignoring the fact that a restaurant brought the food in a homely pot, it'd be even weirder to ask the customer to return the pot. I went to the restaurant hoping to explain the situation to one of the delivery guys but none was available.

Long story short, I ended up wearing the deliverymen jacket and set out myself. Yeah... And what I couldn't understand was whether I was nervous because of the pot situation and that I'm delivering it, or I'm happy to be the one delivering it. I've been fluctuating.

And now, as I'm in the elevator, I'm leaning more towards the nervousness, but for a different reason. I'm nervous because I'm gonna be meeting them not just as a delivery girl.

This could be the opportunity to show them that I am finally accepting this reality and amending the relations to go back to the one that meant so much to them. Showing up at their house is the best way to do that. I guess I came a long way in such a short span; I used to be the one who never deterred from a decision when I'd make it.

Once I reach the door, clearing my throat and calming my heart, I ring the bell.

When the door partially opens, I freeze for the next two seconds as a head pops out.

Holy shit!

I expected to see the people I am familiar with, even though they are celebs. But this is slandering my inner fan-girl.

"L-Lee Jongsuk-nim?" I say out out. Shit.

It's the hot, youngest manager everyone has made a separate fan base for, the one that should've been a model. I saw him among all the staff at the fan-meet, but seeing him this close is really another thing.

"Ahh, yes... It's me. You must be an Atiny," he smiles and peeks inside to ask the guys. "Boys, anybody ordered food?"

Wait, he could've asked me that. Shit, does he think I'm a creepy sasaeng?

The response that comes from inside is negative and it's Wooyoung's voice.

The hot manager looks back at me. "Are you sure you got the right address? You're a fan, right? Miss, did you stop by to ask for autographs?"

Thank God, he doesn't think worse of me. I guess this delivery uniform saved me.

"Guys, you have a hard-working fan here," I hear him saying the boys inside before I could answer. "Come say hii."

I can't tell if he's being sarcastic or not.

"Sir, this is a delivery for Choi Jongho who I know is very sick and hungry right now. I also came to say a word if they're not busy or if you have any shooting or something inside."

"How did you know? Ma'am, I'd have to—"

Before he completes, Wooyoung swings the door completely open and now we're face to face.

.

.

.

The Wise Monkey's Pov:

"Soojin!" With widening eyes and a hand covering his gasping mouth, Jung Wooyoung shrieks.

Oh boy, they're finally going to have a full reconciliation. Hell yea!

"Guys!" San who's watching the whole ordeal from the living hall yells for the others who are in their rooms.

"Oh my God, you're here!" Wooyoung says, a little too loud, but his momentary enthusiasm immediately plummets as he fully takes in her appearance. "Ahh! You must be here to deliver," he says, his words underlying a tone of disappointment.

"Yesn't," Soojin says. "Would it be a terrible time to come in?"

"No, no, just come in already," San says and now Yeosang's walking into the living room too, eyes enlarging as he sees the girl.

Soojin enters the house and the manager clears his throat.

"She's our friend, hyung," Wooyoung says.

"Did you have to deliver in this building?" San asks Soojin quiet awkwardly and the others look like they don't know what to speak at all.

"I am here 'cause I took a challenge," she replies cheekily.

"Challenge?" Wooyoung says.

"Yes, elmo. Your ears not been working well?"

"Oh my God!" Wooyoung gasps and jumps in joy. "You called me that?"

"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?" San, who can't contain the excitement, yell-questions.

Yeosang just smiles wide. This boy seems to get what's happening.

"What do you think, Sannie?" Soojin says and turns towards the manager to pass on the pot to him. "Unless you don't want me to call you that."

Just as her hands are free, Wooyoung attacks her with a strong hug, with possibly no space between them, just like in the old times. He waited for this way too long, poor child.

Head resting on his shoulder, hands rubbing his back up and down in comfort, she says, "You're making me emotional. If I end up crying I'm whooping your ass, Youngie." But she doesn't realize that the boy's already letting his waterworks out.

When she feels wetness on her shoulder, she says, "Don't tell me you're crying?"

"Shut up, stop shaming cry-ers. It's just...It's just... The last day when we were still besties like this, you just had to die on us," he sniffles and Soojin rubs his back vigorously. San and Yeosang join the hug, the former of them already teary. "It was hard to stop myself from giving you a hug and cry freely like this when we had to see your sister doing it so easily."

"I'm so sorry, Youngie. And Sannie and Sangie. I was stupid. You're all my best friends still, you still love me the same, but I failed to realize that. I'm so sorry."

Wooyoung nods on her shoulder and gives her a big, fat kiss on the cheek. And if the manager who was watching the boy being too physically close to a girl wasn't surprised and confused already, now he is. And as always, not to make her bestie's kiss seem questionable to others, she casually kisses him back in the same vigour too. The manager gasps but the boys and the girl don't have time to notice that.

"And you call your sister Youngie too," Wooyoung says wiping his tears. "I was jealous."

Yeosang breaks the group hug first and then Soojin. Both of them look at the hyperactive Ateez member questioning. "You were jealous?" Yeosang laughs mockingly.

"Are you for real?" Soojin joins the shaming. "Dude, I've been calling her that before I even met you."

"No, but you stopped calling me that, that's why I was jealous," Wooyoung defends.

"Such a child!" Soojin snickers and then looks at the excited San adorning himself with a childish grin. "And there's my other child," she says and spreads her arms. San attacks her with a hug, swirling them both in the motion. Damn, these dudes don't joke around with their hugs. "Daisy," he says in tiny. "Ohh... Sorry, I mean Soojin."

"Nah, you can call me that. It's a pretty name, after all. I have 2 names now," she says.

"It's really surprising to see you invite for a hug," Yeosang comments and San pulls back from the girl, now giving Yeosang a chance.

"I used to give you all hugs back then too," Soojin gives a small rub on Yeosang's shoulders before parting.

"Yeah, sometimes and not fully willingly. You're a bit grumpy like Jongho," Yeosang says.

"Oh right," Soojin says. "speaking of Jongho—"

"Who's right here, by the way," the boys and Soojin look around to find Jongho standing against a wall, supporting himself there. "You are something, noona. You actually came!" He grins widely. "But I'm hurt you forgot about the one you came here for."

A few feet's distance from Jongho stands Seonghwa, folding his hands with all his glory as he leans his head on the side of a door frame, watching the ordeal from afar like Jongho, but unlike him, doesn't seem to want to speak yet. And contrary to Jongho, Soojin notices, this one looks uncomfortable with the situation. And that hurts her heart.

"You're here for Jongho?" Yeosang asks.

"I told her how I was feeling and as a joke I said I wanted her to bring me soup," Jongho says.

"And I took that as a challenge and did bring it myself," Soojin says.

"Not because any of our delivery guys were unavailable right on time," she adds and they all have a laugh. Well, all except Hwa. He just has a small forced smile.

"Now, I have work and have to get back soon," Soojin says and meets Jongho's eyes. "And aren't you sick? You can't even stand properly. Go rest, the soup is coming."

"Fine, but bring it to me yourself. I won't be getting out of bed to say bye to you when you'll leave," the maknae agrees and slowly makes his way to the bedroom.

"Wooyoung, we've to transfer this soup, I've to take back the pot or eomma will kill me. Lead the way to your kitchen, come on." Soojin chooses to ignore Seonghwa's presence who's at the end of the hall. She gave him chances, she made multiple eye contacts with him while the boys and she were laughing and chatting and he clearly didn't look like he wanted to join or even welcome her at that.

"Yes, let's go," San says. "We can catch up before you leave."

"Guys..." Lee jongsuk says.

"Ohh, right, I came without notice. I'm sorry to intrude, Lee Jongsuk-nim. I'll leave in two minutes," Soojin tells the manager.

"Oh, then I don't have to be worried. It's just, we planned a Vlive for Seonghwa today," he responds.

"Hyung, it's not a scheduled one," Seonghwa finally speaks. "Can we manage to postpone it for 30 minutes? Or they can catch up in Jongho's room if they talk quietly. I'm sure she won't bother us, it's rather these boys who should sit still."

"Alright, let's postpone then," the manager agrees and Soojin sees Seonghwa giving her a small smile before walking back inside the house, Jongsuk following. Woosansang, who notice the confusion and hurt in Soojin's eyes, grow tense.

"What?" Soojin asks San as if nothing's wrong. "Lead me the way, come on."

"Uh? Yeah," San says. "Hyung's just...busy... You know, because he's to set up for the live."

Soojin plainly nods. "Okay..."

After the chaos of a long(longer than Jongho expected) excited chatting and teasing and complimenting and serving conundrums in the kitchen later, Soojin enters Jongho's room with a tray of soup and rice and sides.

"I thought you were busy, noona," Jongho pouts as he sees her. "Took you long. I am very hungry, you see."

"Really? Why don't you just break some apples and swallow it then?"

"Is that a way to talk to a sick person? I'm offended and hurt," he crosses his arms.

"Look at you being all soft and pouty. Where's the intimidating apple-breaker maknae gone?"

"I'm soft only for you," he says and winks.

"Omo!" she dramatically reacts and sits on the side of his bed, and as she's in the middle of passing onto the tray to him, he stops her.

"No, no, keep it on the table."

"Huh?" But she does it anyway.

"You're back now," he says with the cutest smile. "And you called the hyungs like the way you used to back then. Hugged, kissed, whatnot. Where's mine?"

Soojin ruffles his hair. "My dear sweetie," she says and hugs the sitting boy.

"A kiss is recommended too," Jongho says and the girl pulls back.

"I would've but you've been flirty a lot lately, you made it weird, it's all on you."

"What's weird and new about that? I was always like this to you back then too," Jongho's playfulness and smiles decline to nothingness. "Not my fault you didn't notice anything back then."

"Jongho—"

"No, no, I'm not blaming you or anything. Did my tone come out weird? I'm so sorry, noona," he pouts again.

"Hmm." She touches his forehead with the back of her palm. "Boy, you need to eat and take meds fast. I'm usually in the favour of not taking fever meds."

Seonghwa who was passing by Jongho's shared room with Woosang halts by the side of the door.

"Really? Why?" he hears Jongho asking.

"You see, fever is your body's defence mechanism against external, harmful substances. All it does is try to kill the viruses to protect your system and you betray your own body's protective squad when you take meds for the fever to go away."

Seonghwa can't help but break into a smile as he remembers how he heard that from her once. He was down with fever but it was still one of the sweetest days he had as an AZ Fella.

"That sounds cool, but I'm in favour of siding with modern medicine more so I'll pass," Jongho says and Seonghwa who's pulled back into reality, walks away as he decides to not eavesdrop anymore.

"Good choice. Now eat this," she places the tray on his lap. "Homemade food that I made myself with love 'cause you're the least annoying dongsaeng I have."

"How many do you have?"

"I have 2 cousins and a sister," she says and enjoys the visual of having Jongho express his likings to her food. "I'll be leaving then. This was nice, coming here and being back to friends now. Even though not everyone's here and not everyone seemed to be that excited having me here."

Before she can fully get up, Jongho holds her back with a tug on her sleeve. "Noona, we're all sorry to you for how hyung's being to you right now."

"I know sweetie. The other three were so awkward when he failed to even speak a word to me before he went back to his room a few minutes ago."

"Yeah, it's weird for us too. But maybe we can't completely blame him if we imagine ourselves being in his shoes. But then, unlike us, you don't know what's actually happened with him, so you'll be more uncomfortable and hurt than us."

"What do you mean?" she asks. "There's a reason that I don't know behind all his avoidance towards me. I thought it was the same as mine. I mean I was avoiding him in the beginning too."

"There is."

"Is it something I did to annoy or hurt him?"

"What? No, no. Why did you imagine that? It's not your fault. Not his too."

"Then?"

"Sorry, noona. It's not my story to tell. Hope hyung tells it to you soon. And I can guarantee that'll happen soon. We all think he'll still want to be at least friends with you. That is unless you don't wanna be just that."

Soojin looks into his eyes.

"Tell me, noona," Jongho says. "Do you still like him like that?"