Silence engulfed the two individuals who were busy communicating through text messages despite being right next to each other.

Passersby who witnessed the whole thing could only laugh at today's generation, making fun of the two fools who still couldn't seem to make up with one another.

"Ji—" Jungwon started, trying to reach out for the girl who was facing him with her back.

His hand would stop midair when she scooted away from.

"Don't." She said, her voice full of threat.

Jungwon looked down, smiling to himself at how bizarre this situation was. The side of his face was still burning from her strong hit and he was sure it was going to leave a mark.

But...they finally met.

Jungwon could finally look into the girl's face if only she didn't have her back turned to him.

"Don't smile to yourself like that. You are so creepy." The girl stood up to leave, when he followed her actions.

"Where are you going?" Jungwon asked.

"Getting you your stupid meal, so you finally shut up." Was the only thing she said before walking ahead.

Again, he followed her.

The smile not once leaving his lips.

"I should have fucking known it." The girl groaned, letting herself drop to the rough floor.

Jungwon who was surprised at her actions, immediately encouraged her to stand up again.

"Ji! You could hurt yourself. Stand up..please."

But nothing could convince or cheer her up from the disappointment she felt.

"It's so late. Of course, there are no restaurants open." She spoke through gritted teeth, her face buried in her palm.

"You can just get me something from Wcdonalds..."

"Shut up." She turned around, her eyes burning with annoyance, "If I promise to treat someone, I will do it properly. Not just buy some cheap hamburger you can get anytime."

"No Ji, it's really fine." Jungwon laughed wholeheartedly, suddenly stopping as he stared at her. His eyes were intriguing and she was afraid he would see her.

Her thoughts.

Her fears.

She was afraid to be seen.

She gulped, taken aback by his sudden mood change, "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I didn't expect you to look like that."

The sound that followed was the sound of a breaking heart, "What's that supposed to mean?!"

The girl scoffed in disbelief, offended.

"You are pretty." Jungwon innocently smiled, "It feels like we've known each other for ages."

"We don't." She clarified and looked around nervously to find something to change the topic, already embarrassed as it is, "Are you alright with coffee? I will get you something better another day."

"Does that mean we will go out again?"

"Shut up."

_

"Put on your mask again." The girl spoke, eyes anxiously scanning her surroundings. Blinded by her irritation and annoyance, she almost forgot that a whole idol was standing in front of her.

Jungwon just smiled, not once taking his eyes off her while obediently putting on his mask and cap.

She quickly scanned through the menu, where she was hit with tons of expensive prices and different drinks. Her palms were getting sweaty.

Her wallet remained empty.

"Oh, fuck.."

"Sorry?" Jungwon's eyebrow rose as he slightly leaned forward. He didn't quite get what she was saying.

"Nothing, nothing." She quickly shook it off and put on an artificial smile.

"What are you going to get?"

"Water."

"Just water?" Jungwon asked.

"Why not? I'm thirsty. Water will do it."

When the waiter arrived at their desk, the girl's nervousness had reached its max. Her pride was too big for her to admit that she wouldn't be able to cover the bill.

"I will—"

"Two caramel iced coffees, please. And two chocolate muffins." Jungwon quickly cut the girl off as she looked at him in shock.

If only she hadn't bought that damned enhypen album.

"Is it really you?" Jungwon suddenly asked when their order arrived. His eyes were sparkling, his smile has never been wider.

One might say that she was the idol and he the fan.

"What?" Her mood was still bad from the expensive prices of this café.

"I can't believe that we finally met." He looked down, sipping on his order while she looked around, still anxious.

"What's wrong?" Jungwon was attentive.

"Nothing." The girl quickly answered.

The boy's voice was quiet, "Are you...uncomfortable?"

His question threw her off, "Sorry?"

"I know this is really sudden." Jungwon looked down, a sigh escaping his lips, "I should have told you earlier and asked for your permission. I just— I know, it was wrong of me, but I really couldn't hold myself back. Just the thought of finally meeting you...seeing you. I didn't think about how you might feel about it. I'm sorry."

She looked at him in silence. The way he sounded so nervous and genuine made her realize that he really was just a boy.

A boy her age.

Despite being an idol, he made mistakes.

He was human.

Then, "It's okay."

"Are you sure?" He looked up, his eyes widened.

"If you act like this, I will really start to forget that you are a successful idol with millions of fans." The girl joked, finally sipping on her order too.

"That's good. I want you to forget." His voice turned sad again, "I don't want you to treat me differently."

"Why would I?"

"I don't want the distance between us to grow bigger."

Jungwon truthfully spoke, his heart aching. He didn't know how their conversation took this route.

"It's hard for us. To find genuine friends."

"And...who said I was genuine?"

For the nth time, Jungwon was surprised and shocked at the same time, "What?"

"What I'm saying is, you shouldn't be too reckless." The girl finished her drink, her gaze sharp, "You are lucky that I gave up on living a long time ago. I don't care if you are a celebrity or a rat, I don't. But you, Jungwon, you are a public figure. Don't just go out and meet any stranger you write with on the internet."

"I trust you."

"Don't." A sad smile was on her lips, "You shouldn't even be here."

"I don't understand. I just wanted to get closer to you, Ji." His eyes were full of plead and confusion, "Why are you acting so cold?"

"After meeting you today, I remembered...that I never was made for friendships or any kind of relationship." The girl's voice was cold, despite the small smile on her face, "Jungwon, don't get your hopes high. You should leave. Before it's too late."

The girl was lying. Her eyes gave it away.

She was afraid. Afraid that the more time he spent with her the more he would see of her.

Her broken self.

Jungwon already knew so much.

But now that they've met personally, their friendship would evolve to something deeper. Personal.

And the next moment, she stood up, nervously walking towards the cash desk to pay.

She didn't have enough money for god's sake.

But over her dead body she would back out now.

Thinking of what to say the moment she faces the cashier, she looked down to her shoes.

Now it was her turn.

"I want to—"

"I will pay." Jungwon's hand suddenly slid past her, his card was now placed on the counter.

"But—"

"Let's talk outside."

"Here." Jungwon held out the remaining muffin which she hasn't touched.

"No."

"Take it."

"It was your money."

"I bought it for you."

The girl didn't understand. "I don't get it. Why did you even pay for everything? It's my—"

"You bought our album, didn't you?" The boy's smile was gentle, "I'm more than thankful to you for that."

"That...that was nothing." Blush. Blush. Blush.

"I won't leave." He suddenly added, causing her to look up to him, "Whatever you say, I won't leave."

"Why?"

"It's too late for you." His smile grew broader, "It's been so long since I've gotten myself a friend. You can't back out now."

"I never agreed to that." The girl scoffed.

"So? I make the rules." His dimpled smile made her heart beat faster. "I'm the leader after all."

"Yeah, sure." The girl shook her head, "You really are even more annoying in real life."

"That's a compliment." The mischief on his face was too obvious, "Go home now, it's late."

"Sorry."

"For what?"

"For hitting you with my bag. I didn't know it was you." Her gaze was directed to the ground.

"What? No— Don't apologize. It's my fault. I was the one who was creepy, It's fine."

The girl shortly nodded, turning around to leave.

"Also...You really look pretty. Stop trying to hide your face." He would add.

Did he really notice? She had purposely put up her collar and hid her face behind her hands and scarf.

The girl was at least ten meters away from him now.

Luckily.

Or else he would have seen what a mess she was after hearing his words.

Because for once,

She didn't feel like leaving just yet.