Chapter Text
Jihyo has always had a close relationship with Nayeon. Even as a trainee, she only used to talk to Jeongyeon and Nayeon. Their relationship has been a source of safety and reassurance for both of them in the rockiest of times, through endless practice sessions and the uncertainty of whether they would ever debut.
Jihyo has always been the more serious and sober and after they debuted Jihyo became even more so. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on her shoulders. Being the leader of these chaotic and talented girls that she grew to love as much as her family, made her unapproachable in a way she didn't really expect. The members wouldn't pester or nag her as much as they did each other. She wouldn't accept it from anyone except one person. Her unnie of so many years, who still retained her silly goofy sense of humor and whose disarming smile would pacify Jihyo instantly.
Nayeon had a special way of breaking through Jihyo's leader facade, making her laugh even during the most stressful times. Whether it was through her random aegyo, her infectious laughter, or just her presence, Nayeon knew exactly how to reach the real Jihyo beneath the responsible exterior. Jihyo was even concerned how easily Nayeon would appease her, how quickly her frustrations would melt away with just one of Nayeon's signature bunny smiles. That's how she realized how special her friend was to her, how irreplaceable their bond had become over the years.
Of course, as Twice went on tours and the members spent time together, they grew closer to other members. The long hours on the road, sharing hotel rooms, and practicing choreography created natural bonds between different combinations of members. Nayeon would spend a lot of time with Momo and Sana, drawn to their playful energy and shared sense of humor. The three would often be found laughing together backstage or sharing meals during their breaks, creating inside jokes that only they understood and planning impromptu shopping trips during their rare free time. Their bond seemed to strengthen with each passing day, as they discovered more shared interests and compatible personalities.
But that didn't affect Jihyo, or so she thought. She tried to convince herself that it was natural for friendships within the group to evolve and change over time, even as she noticed herself spending more evenings alone in her room. She would scroll through her phone, looking at photos from their earlier days when the group dynamics felt simpler, more inclusive. Sometimes she'd catch glimpses of the trio through the practice room windows, their animated conversations falling silent as she walked by. The weight of leadership felt heavier during these moments, as she struggled to maintain the group's harmony while dealing with her own feelings of isolation. She found herself second-guessing her decisions more often, wondering if she was doing enough to keep the group connected.
During performances and fan meetings, Jihyo maintained her professional demeanor, smiling brightly and leading the group with the same dedication she'd always shown. But in quiet moments, like during long van rides between venues or late at night in her hotel room, she couldn't help but wonder if the changing dynamics were just a natural evolution or something more permanent that she needed to accept. The question weighed heavily on her mind, making even simple decisions feel complicated and loaded with potential consequences.
She didn't have any reason to think more on the nature of their relationship until a very drunk night of fun.
"You're all here? I can't believe this!" Jihyo exclaimed, her voice carrying a mix of surprise and genuine happiness, as she didn't think she would succeed in getting all the members together to party on an off day before starting the tour. The sight of all nine members gathered in one room, ready to let loose and have fun together, filled her with a warmth she hadn't felt in weeks.
She thought everyone would cancel to enjoy the last few moments with their families or friends, but here they were having dinner and drinks in a private room of a restaurant they used to go to a lot right after they debuted. The familiar scent of grilled meat and soju filled the air, bringing back memories of their early days when they would scrape together what little money they had just to share a meal here.
"You know I never turn down free food" Chaeyoung said amusingly, setting herself down on a pillow on the floor next to Mina who turned to her with a smile.
"Wait, free food?" Jihyo said knitting her eyebrows, suddenly realizing she hadn't heard anything about treating everyone tonight.
"Oh I told them you're paying for dinner, why do you think everyone is here?" Nayeon chimed in with her trademark smirk ever present on her face, looking entirely too pleased with herself. The eldest's ability to volunteer other people's money never ceased to amaze. Jihyo watched astounded as her members burst into laughter, their faces bright with amusement at her surprise. She pointed a finger at her unnie. "You!" The mock accusation in her voice only made everyone laugh harder. Jihyo couldn't even feign annoyance at her lately. She took a leap towards Nayeon who was now standing with her hands up in defeat but with a widening smile plastered on her face. "Now, Ji. We got everyone here, didn't we? Let's enjoy this rare occasion together!" She said playfully while holding Jihyo's wrists. The leader relented, of course, in the face of her unnie who softened her gaze and grip on her wrists. Jihyo was now convinced she would never escape the effect that Nayeon has on her.
The private room filled with the familiar chaos that always followed when all nine of them got together. Momo was already eyeing the menu with intense concentration, while Sana draped herself over her shoulder, pointing out dishes they could share. Dahyun and Chaeyoung were engaged in what appeared to be an animated debate about the merits of different pasta dishes, with Tzuyu occasionally offering quiet but decisive opinions. Mina watched it all with her gentle smile, occasionally catching Jihyo's eye with a knowing look.
Jihyo sighed contentedly, settling into her seat beside Nayeon. Even if her wallet would be significantly lighter after tonight, seeing all her members together like this made it worth it. These moments were becoming increasingly rare as their individual schedules grew busier, making each gathering all the more precious. Jeongyeon reached across the table to squeeze her hand sympathetically, having been in similar situations with Nayeon's spontaneous planning before.
As the night went on, the group had a few drinks and fell into fits of laughter reliving their memories from around their debut.
Nayeon burst into her signature uncontrollable laughter, even more animated now with a few drinks in her system. She playfully swatted at Sana, who sat beside her, while Sana simply grinned and took the friendly hits in stride. Jihyo was filled with fondness at the sight. She couldn't help but think of all the times her friend's infectious cheerfulness got her through bad times back in the day. Nayeon always filled her heart with warmth even when she felt cold with disappointment and frustration from the various misfortunes they had to endure through the years.
The way Nayeon's eyes would crinkle when she smiled genuinely, how she'd always know exactly when to crack a joke or when to simply listen - these were the little things that made their friendship so special. Through failed evaluations, endless practice sessions, and moments of doubt, Nayeon had been there, steady as a rock despite her playful exterior.
For Jihyo, it was the many serious heartfelt moments she had with Nayeon that made her feel her unnie's humor came with a deep level of trust. The trust that she will always keep in mind Jihyo's happiness.
The night took a turn when someone proposed they play Truth or Dare like they used to in the old days. The suggestion immediately brought back memories of their wilder nights together, filled with laughter and sometimes regrettable confessions.
"C'mon, we have no schedule tomorrow. How often does that happen?" Jeongyeon's eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked around the table at her friends.
Well, Jeongyeon was right, thought Jihyo. The night was still young, and the girls needed some entertainment to keep their spirits high after such an exhausting week of performances and interviews.
"Ok, let's play a few rounds but I don't want us kicked out of one of our favorite places, like we did that one time in Japan!" interjected the leader who wanted to get everybody on the same page. The memory of that chaotic night in Osaka still made her cringe - they'd gotten so carried away with their games that the restaurant manager had politely but firmly asked them to leave.
"Noo, we'll be good, Hyo, I promise." said Sana lowering her chin with a flutter of her eyelashes to try to persuade her leader. She reached across the table to grab Jihyo's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Jihyo always had a softer spot for Sana, who unsurprisingly reminded her of Nayeon, with her bubbly yet flirty personality. Both of them knew exactly how to push her buttons and usually got their way, much to Jihyo's simultaneous amusement and frustration. It was a dynamic that had developed over their many years together, and despite her protests, Jihyo wouldn't have it any other way. Their playful manipulation was part of what made their group's chemistry so special.
The other members watched this familiar exchange with knowing smiles, already aware of how this would end. Momo tried to hide her grin behind her hand while Dahyun openly chuckled at the scene unfolding before them. When Sana deployed her aegyo, resistance was usually futile, even for their usually steadfast leader. They had seen this play out countless times before, and the outcome was almost always the same - Sana getting exactly what she wanted.
But Jihyo didn't truly feel special in Sana's eyes. After all, Sana showered all the members with the same playful attention and flirtatious jokes. What Jihyo failed to realize was that this was Sana's clever way of hiding who she truly had a thing for. By treating everyone equally affectionate, Sana thought she could freely flirt with her actual crush without raising suspicion. It was her perfect cover, a carefully crafted facade that allowed her to hide her true feelings in plain sight. Every touch, every smile, every flirtatious comment was part of an elaborate dance she performed to protect her heart while staying close to the one she truly wanted.
As the members continued on about whether they should play the game or not, Nayeon leaned in to Jihyo's side to whisper in her ear, leaving her hand on her thigh. The others were too engrossed in their heated debate about game rules to notice the subtle interaction between the two women. Momo and Sana's voices carried over the rest as they argued about whether they should include forfeits or not.
"Hey Ji, I hope I didn't upset you with this dinner thing," Nayeon murmured softly, her breath warm against Jihyo's ear. Her fingers absently traced small circles on Jihyo's leg as she spoke, a gesture that was both comforting and distracting at the same time.
Jihyo looked down at the hand on her thigh, suddenly awfully aware of the presence of Nayeon in her personal space. The familiar scent of her unnie's perfume filled her senses, making it harder to focus on anything else. She raised her gaze to meet her unnie's gaze and she was touched to see such genuine concern. The warmth in Nayeon's eyes made her heart flutter unexpectedly. The leader couldn't help but smile, feeling the tension in her shoulders slowly melt away under Nayeon's attentive care.
The dim lighting of the room cast soft shadows across Nayeon's features, making her look even more beautiful than usual. The warm glow from the nearby lamp highlighted the gentle curves of her face, the sparkle in her eyes, and that ever-present hint of mischief in her expression. Jihyo found herself getting lost in the moment, in the comfortable silence that had settled between them, in the gentle rhythm of Nayeon's fingers still drawing patterns on her leg.
"No, don't worry, Nay, you could never upset me with such a small thing." Jihyo put her hand over Nayeon's hand on her thigh and squeezed gently. The contact sent a familiar warmth through her body, a sensation she'd grown accustomed to whenever they touched. The older girl returned the grin, that intoxicating smile that, Jihyo realized now, took the leader's breath away. It was the kind of smile that made her eyes crinkle at the corners and showed off her adorable front teeth - the smile that had captured hearts across the globe but somehow felt special when directed at Jihyo.
Nayeon nodded and turned away as the group finally settled on starting the game, their other members shuffling around to find comfortable positions on the floor. Her hand however did not leave Jihyo's thigh, maintaining that subtle point of connection between them. The weight of it felt natural, like it belonged there, and Jihyo found herself hoping it would stay just a little bit longer.
The game started spicy already. Jeongyeon wasted no time and asked a question she always wanted some kind of answer to for years.
" Let me start then. Sana, are you attracted to somebody at this table?"
They would normally be at a loss for words at such a question, but in their tipsy state, the members started whistling, eagerly waiting for Sana's response. Nayeon playfully nudged Momo, who was trying to suppress a giggle, while Dahyun's eyes widened with curiosity.
"I will be drinking if somebody can pass me the bottle" Sana chuckled, reaching out her hand expectantly. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she waited. Tzuyu, who was closest to the bottle, slid it across the table with raised eyebrows. She then downed 3 shots to everybody's surprise, maintaining eye contact with the group as she did so, not even flinching at the burn of the alcohol.
"What? I thought I would answer accurately" added Sana with a mischievous grin on her face. The room erupted in chaos as the members started speculating among themselves, throwing knowing glances at each other. Some members gasped dramatically while others exchanged meaningful looks. Chaeyoung dramatically fanned herself while Jihyo tried to restore order, though she couldn't hide her own amused smile. Mina, usually quiet, couldn't help but lean forward with interest, her eyes darting between the other members.
The atmosphere had definitely shifted, and everyone knew this was just the beginning of what promised to be a very interesting night. The air was thick with unspoken questions and barely contained excitement.
Nayeon leaned in to lightly shove Sana and whisper to her, within Jihyo's hearing range, "Hey, I would have taken 3 shots as well, so I understand completely". Her words carried a hint of something more, a secret understanding perhaps. Sana's expression finally showed surprise as she responded amused, her eyebrows shooting up in genuine shock. "Really? I wouldn't have thought! Actually, I definitely have someone in mind for you" countered Sana, her voice carrying a teasing lilt that made everyone's ears perk up. Jihyo's ears have never been more pricked up, in anticipation of Nayeon's response. The tension she felt now replaced the slight displeasure she had when Nayeon took her hand off her thigh to speak to Sana. Her heart raced as she waited for what might come next. Her unnie didn't have a comeback though as she just threw her head back and shoved Sana, the sound of her distinctive laugh filling the room and momentarily breaking the tension.
Their exchange was interrupted by the next question who came from Sana herself. She purposely moved her gaze from Nayeon to Momo.
“Hey Momo, do you have a crush on somebody at this table?" asked Sana with a knowing smirk. It took a few seconds for the question to register with Momo who was definitely off her guard. Her usually composed demeanor faltered slightly, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks.
Jihyo was so engrossed in the game that she almost didn't register Nayeon's hand back on her thigh. In her previous relationships, she never liked to feel possessed but now she couldn't help but relish just the possibility that this might be a possessive gesture. The thought made her heart race a little faster.
"Yes." Momo finally answered monosyllabically.
“What, that's it?? Tell us more!" Jeongyeon said abruptly, feeling almost betrayed after waiting with bated breath for her answer. She leaned forward in her seat, clearly invested in getting more details from their usually straightforward friend.
"Hey, she only asked if I have a crush and I answered the question. That's it" Momo countered with fake indignation, crossing her arms defensively. The girl then stole a glance at Nayeon soon after, her eyes lingering just a moment too long. Jihyo followed her gaze and looked at Nayeon herself, suddenly aware of the tension in the air. The older girl returned Momo's glance and retracted her hand from Jihyo's personal space, leaving a cold emptiness where warmth had been moments before. The atmosphere in the room shifted imperceptibly, like a change in air pressure before a storm.
The leader now knit her eyebrows in confusion, her mind racing with newfound revelations.
The realization hit Jihyo like a physical blow. Those lingering glances between Momo and Nayeon weren't just friendly - they held weight, meaning, history perhaps. Her stomach twisted as memories flooded back: the late-night dance practices where Momo and Nayeon would stay behind, their inside jokes during variety shows, the way they gravitated toward each other during group outings. Had she been blind to it all this time?
The hand that had been on her thigh moments ago now felt like a brand on her skin. What had that touch meant? Was it just another of Nayeon's casual gestures of affection, the kind she shared freely with all the members? With Momo? The thought made her throat tight.
She reached for her glass, desperate to busy her hands with something, anything. The cool surface against her palm helped ground her as her mind raced. The cheerful chaos of the game continued around her, but it felt distant now, like she was watching through frosted glass. She caught herself stealing glances at Nayeon, searching for signs she might have missed before. The way her unnie's eyes would drift to Momo when she thought no one was looking. The subtle shift in her posture when Momo spoke.
Jihyo had always prided herself on knowing her members better than anyone else. It was part of being a good leader. But now she wondered how much she'd failed to see, too caught up in her own feelings to notice what was happening right in front of her.
Her thoughts took another turn. Jihyo found herself studying her glass with intense focus, trying to ignore the way her chest tightened at each shared look between Momo and Nayeon. She had seen that expression on Momo's face before - during particularly challenging dance practices, when she was completely absorbed in perfecting a move. But this was different. This was softer, more vulnerable.
What stung most wasn't just the possibility of something between them, but the realization that she might have been reading too much into Nayeon's affectionate gestures all along. Maybe those touches, those whispered jokes, those late-night heart-to-hearts weren't as special as she'd thought. Maybe Nayeon was just being Nayeon - naturally affectionate, freely giving her attention to everyone around her.
The leader in her wanted to be happy for them, to support whatever this was. But there was another part of her, a part she wasn't ready to acknowledge, that felt like she was losing something she never really had in the first place. She caught herself wishing she could rewind to just minutes ago, when Nayeon's hand on her thigh didn’t spark all of these doubts..
She forced herself to smile, to nod at appropriate moments as the game continued around her. But her mind kept circling back to all those times she'd felt special under Nayeon's attention, wondering now if she'd been fooling herself all along.
She wondered how she had missed all of these signs that there might be something between her members. The subtle glances, the lingering touches, the charged atmosphere - it all started making sense. She didn't really take Sana seriously as she would always feign kissing the members, playfully chasing them around with puckered lips, but now she was forced to acknowledge the reality that there might even be romantic relationships in her group. She hadn't even considered the possibility members could be dating each other, the thought had seemed impossible until now. This felt like a daunting new world she was living in, one where the lines between friendship and something more were increasingly blurred. She finally stopped seeing her friends as locked characters, including a certain someone, and began to see them as complex individuals with desires and feelings that went beyond their professional relationships.
The weight of this realization settled heavily on her shoulders. As leader, she felt responsible for maintaining group harmony, but these potential relationships added a new layer of complexity she hadn't been prepared for. The dynamics she had grown comfortable with were shifting beneath her feet like sand, and she wasn't sure how to find stable ground again. Her thoughts drifted to all the late-night practice sessions, the shared hotel rooms, the casual skinship that was so normal in their industry - everything took on a different meaning now.
Speaking of a certain someone, Nayeon leaned in once again with a hand to Jihyo's shoulder.
"Take a shot with me? We have the bottle to ourselves for now," the older girl grinned mischievously, her eyes twinkling with that characteristic sparkle that never failed to draw Jihyo in.
"You think we won't get to drink enough? With these questions I mean, damn." replied Jihyo half smiling, making the older girl laugh. Her own voice sounded strange to her ears, slightly strained despite her attempt at casualness. She could feel her heart racing, though she tried her best to maintain her composure.
"Why, our dear leader has something to hide?" countered Nayeon with a sing-song voice, leaving Jihyo with a knot in her stomach. The question hung in the air between them, loaded with implications that Jihyo wasn't ready to confront. She could only chuckle in response.
She couldn't take the tension anymore. She was quickly becoming overwhelmed with the new information unfolded and Nayeon's breath on the side of her face and the small brush of her hand on her thigh and that playful yet caring glint in her eye. The closeness between them felt electric, charged with an energy she couldn't quite name. She knew she had lost this exchange, and Nayeon would inevitably come to brag about it later. But somehow, that didn't even bother her anymore. Her mind churned with new turmoil about interactions between members that she might have misinterpreted all this time. Did she need to reevaluate her friends' actions, questioning the true intentions behind every moment they'd shared? Maybe she was overthinking all of this—perhaps it was best to put these thoughts to rest for now. Yet with Nayeon's warm presence beside her, that was easier said than done.
"Jihyo-yah," Chaeyoung's voice cut through the chatter, her tone playful but with an edge of curiosity that made everyone quiet down. "When was the last time you had feelings for someone in this room?"
The question landed like a stone in still water, sending ripples of tension through the group. Dahyun's eyes widened, and even Tzuyu sat up straighter, suddenly more invested in the game. Momo stopped mid-bite of her sandwich, and Sana's usual playful smile froze on her face. The comfortable atmosphere of their practice room transformed into something heavier, more charged.
The question jolted her from her thoughts, thrusting her into an even deeper abyss. Jihyo felt her chest tighten as she became acutely aware of Nayeon's presence beside her, of the lingering warmth where their shoulders touched.
She already had so many unanswered questions swirling in her head, but this one rose above them all. This one she refused to acknowledge. The weight of unexplored thoughts threatened to suffocate her. Years of carefully maintained boundaries and professional distance seemed to crumble under the weight of a single question.
She reached for the bottle without hesitation, her fingers trembling slightly as she poured herself a shot. The liquid burned down her throat, but it was easier to bear than the weight of nine pairs of eyes on her, especially one particular set that she could feel boring into the side of her face.
"Wow, that was quick," Jeongyeon teased, raising an eyebrow. "Not even going to think about answering?"
Jihyo flashed her most disarming smile, raising her empty shot glass. "A leader has to keep some mysteries, right? Besides, I think Momo's sandwich is way more interesting than my love life right now." Jihyo managed to reply with a forced laugh, hoping the flush in her cheeks would be attributed to the alcohol. She noticed Momo's expression darken slightly, her jaw tightening as she set down her sandwich. The dancer's eyes darted between her and Nayeon with an intensity that made Jihyo's stomach twist. There was something in that look - possessiveness? Hurt? - that left Jihyo's mind spinning with new questions.
The soju burned in her empty stomach as she set down the glass, her head already feeling heavy. She caught Momo's gaze again, that same intensity still there, and felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. There were too many layers to unpack, too many implications to consider, and she was too tired to navigate this maze of emotions tonight. The alcohol made it easier to let these thoughts slip away, even if only temporarily.
Besides, after what she'd witnessed tonight between Momo and Nayeon, the truth seemed more painful than ever. Better to let it remain unspoken, unexplored, buried beneath layers of friendship and professional courtesy.
Sana shifted beside her, reaching for the bottle with trembling fingers. Her usual bright demeanor seemed dimmed, replaced by something more fragile. As she poured another shot, her movements were mechanical, lacking their usual grace. When their eyes met briefly, Jihyo saw something raw and vulnerable in Sana's expression before she quickly looked away, masking it with her trademark giggle. But the sound was hollow, missing its usual warmth. Jihyo felt a pang of guilt, wondering if her obvious tension with Nayeon was making everyone uncomfortable. She didn't notice how Sana's fingers clenched around her glass, or the way she bit her lip every time Nayeon's name came up in conversation. The subtle signs of heartache were lost on her, buried beneath her own emotional turmoil.
As the game continued at a more relaxed pace for a while, with the members asking lighter questions as if everyone needed time to process the previous revelations, Jihyo couldn't help but notice how Nayeon's hand had withdrawn completely from her thigh. The absence felt like a physical ache, a small reminder of what she'd chosen to keep herself away from. But for now, she pushed those thoughts away, convincing herself that maintaining their friendship was more important than risking everything for feelings she wasn't ready to face.
Jihyo couldn't shake the feeling that Mina was watching her with those perceptive eyes. The quiet member had always been observant, catching details others missed, and tonight was no exception. Every time Nayeon leaned close to Jihyo or touched her casually, Mina's gaze would flicker between them, a small, enigmatic smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
When Jihyo took that shot instead of answering Chaeyoung's question, she noticed Mina's expression shift from amusement to something softer, more sympathetic. It was the look of someone who understood exactly why the question had hit so close to home. In that moment, Jihyo realized she might have an ally in Mina - someone who saw the whole picture, including the parts Jihyo herself was trying so hard to ignore.
Tzuyu, from her corner of the room, was equally observant but in her own subtle way. Unlike Mina's direct gazes, she watched through half-lidded eyes, pretending to be more affected by the alcohol than she actually was. She'd noticed the slight tension in Jihyo's shoulders whenever Nayeon moved away, the way their leader's eyes would follow Nayeon's movements across the room. But what fascinated her most was how different Nayeon acted around Momo tonight - there was an underlying current of electricity in their interactions that hadn't been there before.
The maknae had always prided herself on being able to read between the lines, even if she rarely voiced her observations. Tonight, she could see the invisible threads of attraction and uncertainty weaving through their little group, creating patterns that were becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. She caught Mina's eye across the room, and they shared a knowing look - both of them witnesses to the subtle shift in dynamics that the others might not have noticed yet.
"Nayeon-unnie," Sana's voice cut through the haze of alcohol and laughter, her tone dripping with mischief. "Truth or dare?"
Nayeon's eyes sparkled with challenge as she took another sip of soju. "Truth. I'm not falling for one of your evil dares."
"Okay then..." Sana's grin widened. "Who in this room have you kissed? And I mean properly kissed, not just fan service."
The question sent shockwaves through the room, instantly transforming the lighthearted atmosphere they had just reclaimed into one charged with anticipation. Jihyo felt her breath catch, suddenly very aware of Nayeon's proximity. She watched as Nayeon's expression shifted from playful to something more complex, her eyes darting briefly toward Momo before settling somewhere in the middle distance.
"Yah, that's not fair!" Nayeon protested, but there was a slight tremor in her voice that betrayed her. "But fine. Two people." She held up two fingers, swaying slightly. "And that's all you're getting out of me."
The room erupted in squeals and demands for more details, but Nayeon just shook her head, a secretive smile playing on her lips. Jihyo couldn't help but notice how Momo had suddenly become very interested in her empty glass, while Mina's knowing gaze traveled between the three of them.
Jihyo's mind raced, her thoughts clouded by both alcohol and confusion. The way Momo's cheeks flushed and how she couldn't meet anyone's eyes made it painfully obvious she was one of the two. The confirmation of what Jihyo had suspected earlier felt like a punch to the gut. She found herself wondering about the circumstances, the when and where, trying not to picture her unnie and Momo together. But who was the second person? The question burned in her mind even as she tried to convince herself she didn't want to know. The way everyone's eyes kept darting to her made her skin prickle with self-consciousness. Did they all assume...? She caught Nayeon's gaze for a moment, searching for some hint, some clue, but found only that familiar playful sparkle that revealed nothing. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a voice whispered that maybe she wanted it to be her, but she pushed that thought away, blaming it on the soju warming her veins.
Sana's laugh cut through the chaos, but something about it felt off - too sharp, too brittle. She'd been the one to ask the question, after all, hoping to finally clear the air, to know if what she'd feared was true. Now, watching Nayeon's coy smile and the way her eyes kept finding Jihyo's, Sana felt her chest tighten. She took another long sip of soju, trying to drown the ache that had settled in her stomach. Her fingers played absently with the hem of her shirt, a nervous habit she'd never quite shaken. When Jihyo glanced her way, Sana managed to flash her usual bright smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. She found herself grateful for the dim lighting that hid how her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the bottle, pouring another shot she didn't really want.
The soju was hitting everyone harder now, evident in the way Dahyun's cheeks had turned a rosy pink and how Chaeyoung's usual sharp wit had softened into giggles. Even Tzuyu, typically so composed, was sprawled more casually against the wall, her long legs stretched out in front of her. The maknae's usual perfect posture had given way to a relaxed slouch that showed just how comfortable she'd become.
Momo had completely abandoned her usual grace, nearly knocking over a glass as she reached for more food. Her movements were exaggerated, her stories punctuated with wild hand gestures that made everyone lean away to avoid being accidentally hit. Jeongyeon kept trying to maintain order, but her own words were starting to slur slightly, undermining her authority.
Sana had become even more tactile than usual, if that was possible. She was practically in Dahyun's lap now, playing with her hair and occasionally pressing her face into the younger girl's neck, mumbling something that made Dahyun's blush deepen. Mina, despite having drunk just as much as the others, maintained her ethereal composure - the only tell was the way her usually precise movements had become slightly dreamlike and floating.
The room felt warmer now, the air thick with the sweet smell of spilled soju and the lingering aroma of their feast. Empty bottles clinked as members shifted positions, their movements becoming less coordinated with each passing hour. The careful distance they usually maintained in public had evaporated, replaced by a tangle of limbs and casual touches that spoke of their years of intimacy.
"Jeongyeon-unnie," Dahyun called out with a mischievous glint in her eye, her voice slightly slurred. "Your turn! Truth or dare?"
"Dare," Jeongyeon answered without hesitation, lifting her chin in challenge. She'd always been the bravest when it came to these games, never backing down from a challenge.
"Kiss either Jihyo or Nayeon. Your choice." Dahyun's dare was met with collective gasps and excited squeals from the group.
Jeongyeon's confident expression faltered for a moment. Her eyes darted between the two women, lingering on Nayeon a beat longer than necessary. The room suddenly felt charged with an energy Jihyo couldn't quite decipher. There was something in the way Jeongyeon and Nayeon looked at each other, a silent conversation happening that she couldn't understand. It made her wonder if there were layers to their friendship she had never noticed before, dimensions that existed beyond their usual playful bickering.
"Jihyo," Jeongyeon announced firmly, perhaps a little too quickly. "Definitely Jihyo."
Nayeon let out an exaggerated gasp of offense, but there was something tight around her eyes that suggested the reaction wasn't entirely playful. "Yah! What's wrong with me?"
"Been there, done that," Jeongyeon muttered under her breath, but in the quiet room, everyone heard it. Chaeyoung choked on her drink while Tzuyu's eyebrows shot up to her hairline.
Momo shifted uncomfortably, her eyes fixed on Nayeon's face. The dancer's fingers tightened around her glass, knuckles turning white. The revelation of Nayeon and Jeongyeon's past seemed to hit her particularly hard, adding another layer of complexity to the already tangled web of emotions in the room.
The room spun slightly as Jihyo tried to process this new information. Jeongyeon and Nayeon? Her best friend had never breathed a word about it. All those times they'd stayed up late, sharing secrets and fears, and this had never come up. The betrayal stung more than she expected, mixing uncomfortably with the soju in her stomach.
She watched as meaningful glances bounced between her members like a complex choreography she'd never learned. How many other secrets lay beneath their carefully maintained surface? How many other moments had she missed, too caught up in her own thoughts to notice? The weight of leadership suddenly felt suffocating, as if she'd been directing a dance while missing half the steps.
Her chest tightened as she realized just how much she didn't know about the people she thought she knew best. The room felt too warm, too close, everyone's emotions pressing against her skin like humid summer air . She decided to file these thoughts away for another time, when her head wasn't swimming with soju and her heart wasn't aching quite so much.
Jihyo felt her face flush from the weight of everyone's stares. She tried to catch Nayeon's eye, but her unnie was deliberately looking anywhere else, her usual bright smile replaced by something more brittle.
Jihyo's heart hammered in her chest as Jeongyeon moved closer, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. Part of her wanted to laugh it off, to treat it like just another silly dare, but she couldn't ignore the way Nayeon had fallen uncharacteristically quiet beside her. The usually boisterous unnie seemed to be holding her breath, and Jihyo found herself hyper-aware of every slight movement, every subtle shift in the room's atmosphere.
She felt Jeongyeon's hesitation, the slight tremor in her friend's hand as it came to rest on her shoulder. The kiss, when it came, was gentle and quick - a brush of lips that lasted barely a second. But in that brief moment, Jihyo's mind was filled with thoughts of another pair of lips, another touch she'd been trying not to imagine.
When she opened her eyes, she immediately sought out Nayeon's reaction, only to find her unnie had turned away, engaged in what appeared to be an intense whispered conversation with Momo. The sight made something twist painfully in Jihyo's chest. She forced a laugh, playing along as the other members whooped and teased, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had shifted in the room's dynamics.
Jeongyeon squeezed her hand apologetically as she pulled away, as if she understood exactly what was running through Jihyo's mind. The gentle gesture only made Jihyo's throat tighten further with emotions she wasn't ready to name.
The sight of Nayeon and Momo's heads bent together made something uncomfortable stir in Jihyo's stomach. She tried to dismiss it as concern for group dynamics or maybe just the effects of too much soju, but she couldn't quite explain away the heaviness in her chest as she watched Nayeon's hand rest casually on Momo's knee. She found herself fixating on that touch, remembering how that same hand had rested on her own thigh earlier. But that was different, wasn't it? Just Nayeon being her usual affectionate self.
The room felt smaller somehow, and Jihyo couldn't understand why she was having trouble drawing a full breath. She told herself it was just the stuffiness of the private room, the combination of alcohol and too many bodies in too small a space. It had nothing to do with the way Nayeon leaned closer to Momo, whispering something that made the dancer smile softly.
Her head felt fuzzy, and she couldn't quite grasp why watching their interaction made her feel so... off-balance. As a leader, she should be happy to see her members getting along so well, shouldn't she? Instead, she felt a strange hollowness in her chest that she couldn't quite name. She pushed the feeling aside, attributing it to exhaustion, to the soju, to anything but what it might actually be.
She found herself wishing she could leave, but that wouldn't be responsible. A good leader stays until the end, makes sure everyone gets home safely. So she stayed in her spot, trying to focus on Dahyun's animated storytelling while steadfastly ignoring the way her stomach clenched every time she heard Nayeon's quiet laughter mixing with Momo's.
Momo felt her heart flutter as Nayeon's breath tickled her ear, the older girl's whispers making her feel like they were the only two people in the room. For once, Nayeon's attention was solely on her, not divided between her and Jihyo or anyone else. Each secret word, each shared laugh felt like a small victory, a reminder of what they once had.
She found herself leaning in closer, deliberately prolonging their private conversation, savoring how Nayeon's eyes sparkled when she laughed at Momo's quiet jokes. It was intoxicating, this feeling of being special again, of being chosen, even if just for these fleeting moments. She couldn't help but notice how Nayeon's hand stayed on her arm, how she'd occasionally squeeze it while trying to contain her laughter.
The rational part of her knew she shouldn't encourage this, shouldn't feed the hope growing in her chest. But rationality seemed far away when Nayeon was this close, when her smile was directed solely at Momo. She wanted to freeze this moment, to keep Nayeon's attention all to herself, even as guilt gnawed at her conscience for feeling triumph at Jihyo's obvious discomfort.
"Wait, so Nayeon-unnie and Jeongyeon-unnie..." Chaeyoung trailed off, her eyes wide as she looked between the two older members. "When did this happen?"
"Ancient history," Jeongyeon waved her hand dismissively, though her cheeks had taken on a distinctly pink tinge that wasn't entirely from the alcohol.
"But I always thought..." Dahyun started, then caught herself, shooting a quick glance at Jihyo before looking down at her hands. The unfinished sentence hung in the air, heavy with implication.
Tzuyu, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow. "So that's one of the two people you mentioned earlier, unnie?" she asked Nayeon directly, her usual filter weakened by soju.
Nayeon's laugh came out slightly strained. "Yah, you're too sharp for your own good sometimes, Tzuyu-ah." She avoided making eye contact with anyone, especially Jihyo, whose rigid posture betrayed her discomfort.
"I can't believe none of us knew," Mina mused softly, her eyes moving between Nayeon and Jihyo with careful consideration. "Though I suppose we all had different... assumptions about certain things."
Sana, picking up on the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "Well, I guess that explains all those times you two disappeared together after practice." Her attempt at humor fell flat as she noticed Jihyo's knuckles turning white around her glass.
"Can we talk about something else?" Momo interjected suddenly, her voice carrying an edge that surprised everyone. She'd been watching Jihyo's reactions closely, noting how their usually composed leader seemed to be struggling to maintain her neutral expression.
The group fell into an awkward silence, the weight of unspoken words and misplaced assumptions making the air feel thick. Each member seemed lost in their own thoughts, recalculating years of interactions through this new lens, while carefully avoiding the elephant in the room - the identity of Nayeon's second kiss, and why everyone had assumed it would be someone else entirely.
Nayeon felt the room spinning slightly as she tried to focus on Momo's words, but her mind kept drifting to Jihyo's rigid posture beside her. She was acutely aware of how her every move seemed to affect both women - the way Momo leaned into her touch while Jihyo subtly withdrew. The weight of their unspoken feelings pressed against her chest, making it hard to breathe in the stuffy room.
She hadn't meant for any of this to happen. The thing with Momo had been intense but brief, born from late-night dance practices and shared moments of vulnerability. They'd never put a label on it, never really discussed what they were to each other. But she'd seen the hope in Momo's eyes tonight, recognized the familiar warmth in her touches, and it stirred up memories she thought she'd safely buried.
But Jihyo... that was different. More complicated. Their relationship had always existed in a gray area, built on years of shared dreams, silent understanding, and moments that lingered just a little too long to be purely friendly. Nayeon had spent countless nights analyzing every touch, every loaded glance, trying to decipher if she was reading too much into their connection. The way Jihyo's eyes would seek her out in a crowded room, how she'd unconsciously lean into Nayeon's touch - it all meant something, didn't it?
She found herself playing both sides, unable to commit fully to either direction. When she was with Momo, she felt young and carefree, reminded of simpler times when their biggest worry was perfecting a dance routine. But with Jihyo, there was a depth that scared her - a potential for something real that made her heart race and her palms sweat.
The revelation about Jeongyeon had complicated things further. She hadn't meant to let that slip, especially not tonight when emotions were already running high. That had been a different time in their lives, when they were still figuring out who they were. They'd tried to make it work, but some things just aren't meant to be more than memories, but she saw how it had affected Jihyo. The hurt in her leader's eyes made Nayeon want to reach out, to explain, to make her understand that it meant nothing compared to what she felt when Jihyo smiled at her.
But instead, she found herself gravitating toward Momo, using their old connection as a shield against the intensity of her feelings for Jihyo. It was easier somehow, safer, to fall back into familiar patterns than to risk everything by acknowledging what was growing between her and her leader. Yet every time she made Momo laugh, she felt Jihyo withdraw further, and the guilt ate at her conscience.
She wondered if they could see through her act, if they knew she was terrified of making a choice. Because choosing meant potentially destroying the delicate balance they'd maintained for years. It meant risking not just her heart, but the harmony of the group they'd all worked so hard to build.
So she sat there, caught between Momo's warm familiarity and Jihyo's magnetic pull, drowning in soju and regret, wondering how long she could keep dancing on this knife's edge before someone got hurt.
The room had become suffocating. Jihyo couldn't take another minute of watching Nayeon and Momo's intimate whispers, their shared glances, the way they seemed to exist in their own private bubble. She pushed herself up from the floor, swaying slightly as the alcohol hit her harder than expected.
"I should head home," she announced, trying to keep her voice steady. "Early schedule tomorrow."
The lie felt bitter on her tongue - they all knew tomorrow was their rare free day. A chorus of protests rose from the group, but she barely registered them. Her focus was solely on gathering her things, on escaping the heaviness that had settled in her chest.
"Jihyo-yah." Nayeon's voice cut through the noise, closer than expected. She'd left Momo's side and was now standing next to Jihyo, her hand gentle but firm on her arm. "Stay. Please?"
The contact sent electricity through Jihyo's body, and she hated how easily Nayeon could affect her. She made the mistake of looking up, meeting those eyes that had always been her weakness. Nayeon's expression was soft, almost pleading, a stark contrast to the playful demeanor she'd shown with Momo all evening.
"I'm tired, unnie," Jihyo whispered, and she meant it in more ways than one. Tired of pretending, tired of watching, tired of feeling things she shouldn't.
"Then let me take care of you," Nayeon murmured, so quietly that only Jihyo could hear. Her thumb traced small circles on Jihyo's arm, a gesture so intimate it made her breath catch. "You're always taking care of everyone else. Let someone take care of you for once."
Jihyo felt her resolve crumbling. She was aware of Momo watching them, of the way the room had gone oddly quiet, but all she could focus on was Nayeon's touch and the sincerity in her eyes. The same hands that had been so casually draped over Momo minutes ago were now holding her with such care, such tenderness, that it made her heart ache.
"Just a little longer," Nayeon added, her signature bunny smile making an appearance. "For me?"
And there it was - the smile that had always been Jihyo's undoing. She found herself nodding before she could stop herself, allowing Nayeon to guide her back to their spot on the floor. But this time, Nayeon stayed with her instead of returning to Momo, their shoulders pressed together in a way that felt both comforting and dangerous.
The group had enough revelations for one night, so they agreed to end the game. For a moment, they lingered, speaking quietly amongst themselves.
"So, I've been hanging out with Wendy-unnie lately," Chaeyoung said, grateful for a chance to shift the conversation. "She's actually really cool. We got coffee last week."
"Oh?" Dahyun perked up, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Red Velvet's Wendy? I didn't know you were close!"
"Yeah, we met at the hair salon in July and just clicked, you know?" Chaeyoung smiled, playing with her empty cup. "Actually, she kept asking about you, Jihyo-unnie. Said she's always wanted to meet you properly."
Jihyo blinked in surprise, momentarily distracted from her inner turmoil. "Me? Why?"
"Apparently, she's a huge fan of your voice," Chaeyoung grinned. "She went on for like twenty minutes about your high notes in 'Feel Special'. It was kind of adorable, actually. She got all shy when she realized how much she was gushing."
"Our Jihyo has a fan!" Jeongyeon teased, reaching over to pinch Jihyo's cheek. "Should we be worried about losing our leader to Red Velvet?"
"Yah, don't even joke about that," Nayeon interjected, her grip tightening slightly where her hand still rested against Jihyo. The possessiveness in her tone made Momo's eyes narrow.
"I think it's sweet," Mina offered softly. "Wendy-ssi has always been known for her vocal abilities. It means a lot coming from her."
"We should arrange a meeting!" Sana suggested, bouncing slightly in her seat. "I'd love to see Jihyo getting flustered by compliments from another main vocalist."
"I don't get flustered," Jihyo protested, even as her cheeks tinged pink.
"Sure you don't," Tzuyu drawled, earning laughs from around the room. "Just like you didn't get flustered when IU said she liked your performance at MAMA."
The room erupted in playful chaos as members began recounting all the times their composed leader had turned into a shy mess around other artists she admired. The tension from earlier began to dissolve, replaced by the familiar comfort of teasing and shared memories.
Jihyo found herself caught off guard by the revelation about Wendy. It wasn't just the unexpected compliments that made her pulse quicken, but the way Nayeon had tensed beside her at the mention of a potential meeting. She'd felt Nayeon's fingers press more firmly into her skin, heard the edge in her voice that wasn't usually there.
The thought of Wendy admiring her vocals should have been flattering - and it was - but all she could focus on was Nayeon's reaction. Why did it matter so much to her unnie? After spending the evening watching Nayeon's intimate exchanges with Momo, this sudden possessiveness felt confusing, almost unfair. She didn't have the right to be jealous, did she? Not when she'd spent the last hour practically in Momo's lap.
Still, Jihyo couldn't deny the warmth that spread through her chest at Nayeon's protective response. It was the same feeling she got during award shows when Nayeon would unconsciously reach for her hand during particularly tense moments, or how she'd position herself between Jihyo and any approaching cameras when she knew her leader was tired.
But then guilt crept in, making her stomach churn. She shouldn't be reading into these gestures, not anymore. Not after tonight's revelations about Jeongyeon, about Momo. She needed to stop seeing meaning in every touch, every protective moment. Nayeon was just being Nayeon - naturally possessive of all her members, ready to fight anyone who might try to steal them away.
Yet as the conversation continued around her, Jihyo couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to meet Wendy, to have someone look at her with pure admiration untainted by years of complicated history and unspoken feelings. Maybe it would be easier, simpler, than this constant dance of almost-moments and mixed signals she seemed trapped in with Nayeon.
The soju made her thoughts fuzzy around the edges, but one thing remained clear: the way her heart had leaped at Nayeon's jealousy meant something, even if she wasn't ready to admit what that something was.
As the conversation about Wendy continued, Nayeon felt an uncomfortable knot forming in her stomach. She remembered all too clearly the way Wendy had looked at Jihyo during their last music show interaction - the lingering glances, the way she'd gravitated toward Jihyo during the ending stage. At the time, Nayeon had brushed it off as professional courtesy, but now Chaeyoung's words painted those moments in a different light.
The truth was, Nayeon had noticed how Wendy seemed to find excuses to be near Jihyo whenever their groups crossed paths. She'd seen the way the Red Velvet vocalist's eyes would light up at the mere mention of TWICE's leader, how she'd always position herself where she could watch Jihyo perform. It was the same way Nayeon used to watch Jihyo during their trainee days, when she first realized her feelings went beyond simple friendship.
The thought of someone else looking at Jihyo that way made Nayeon's chest tight. She knew she had no right to feel possessive, especially after tonight's revelations and her own conflicted actions with Momo. But the idea of Wendy - talented, kind, uncomplicated Wendy - potentially offering Jihyo everything that Nayeon was too scared to give... it terrified her.
Because Wendy could give Jihyo what she deserved: straightforward affection, uncomplicated by years of push-and-pull, unburdened by group dynamics and past relationships. Wendy wouldn't make Jihyo watch as she sought comfort in someone else's arms, wouldn't make her question every touch and glance. She would probably be brave enough to simply love Jihyo openly, honestly - everything Nayeon couldn't bring herself to do.
That's what scared Nayeon most. Not just losing Jihyo to someone else, but losing her to someone who could love her better than Nayeon ever could.
The night was winding down, empty bottles scattered across the floor like fallen soldiers. One by one, members started gathering their things, the familiar choreography of departure beginning. Dahyun was already half-asleep on Sana's shoulder, while Chaeyoung helped a wobbly Tzuyu find her jacket.
"I'll call the taxis," Jeongyeon announced, always the responsible one. "We should probably split into three groups."
Nayeon stood in the middle of the room, her heart racing as she watched both Momo and Jihyo prepare to leave. Momo was lingering near the door, shooting glances her way that clearly invited her to join her taxi. They lived in the same direction, after all. It would make sense.
But Jihyo was struggling with her purse, her usually steady hands fumbling with the clasp. The sight made something in Nayeon's chest ache. Their leader had drunk more than usual tonight, likely trying to drown feelings she wasn't ready to face. Nayeon knew that look all too well.
"First taxi's here," Jeongyeon called out. "Who's going?"
"I'll take it," Momo said quickly, her eyes still fixed on Nayeon. "Unnie, we're going the same way..."
At the same moment, Jihyo dropped her phone, the clatter making everyone jump. She bent to pick it up, swaying dangerously, and Nayeon moved without thinking.
"I've got it," she said softly, steadying Jihyo with one hand while retrieving the phone with the other. Their fingers brushed as she returned it, and she felt Jihyo's sharp intake of breath.
"You should go with Momo-unnie," Jihyo mumbled, not meeting her eyes. "It makes more sense."
"Since when do I do things that make sense?" Nayeon tried to joke, but her voice came out softer than intended. She could feel Momo's disappointed gaze burning into her back, but she couldn't bring herself to turn around. "I'll make sure our leader gets home safe."
Jihyo finally looked up, her eyes wide and vulnerable in a way that made Nayeon's heart skip. Behind them, she heard Momo's quiet sigh as she left with Tzuyu and Chaeyoung in the first taxi.
Sometimes choices aren't really choices at all. Sometimes they're just finally admitting what your heart has known all along.