ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟝

• Yujin •

"Eonnie, I promise I won't be long. In two hours I'll be home already."

I sighed at Hikaru's insistence on going out to buy something for her computer. "Can't you just buy it online?"

"I told you, I don't want to because I have to see for myself if it fits with my equipment.~"

"I have to go out in a few minutes. I can't stop worrying if I don't go with you during this time."

"Eonnie, please.~ I have to stream again later. I need to buy it now."

"You don't understand, Hikaru. The media's eyes are on you guys right now because it has only been two days since Ting helped us take that article down. Yeseo has her manager with her that's why I can rest a bit easy. You on the other hand is planning to go to a mall alone." I said seriously.

"I do, I get it. I have to be careful. But we both know that this is inevitable. We can't just go incognito because of one scandal. This isn't even a scandal— just some hot scoop because apparently, people find it interesting that their number one idol has relations to mortals like us. Anyway, we can't do anything about the opinion of the general public so easily, that's why we should focus on what we are doing. And for my case, it's to stream how I build my floating base on Minecraft."

I wavered a bit. Hikaru's passion and professionalism when it comes to streaming has always made me admire her. She tries to put it lightly but I know that she's amazing at her craft.

"This concerns your safety. To hell with duties as long as I know you're safe." I stayed determined.

"Eonnie, pleaseeee.~"

After going back and forth a few more times, Chaehyun arrived and simply watched us. Probably feeling impatient, she proposed a compromise for us.

"Okay, stop! Yujin eonnie, I know you just want to keep Hikaru safe but you also know how this kid can be so stubborn. If you keep stopping her, there's high chance that she'll just secretly go out. And you Hikaru, you have to understand that your sister's just concerned for you. So let me ask you, do you really have to buy that thing you need right now?"

"Yes!" Came her eager reply which made me roll my eyes.

"Okay, then you have to accept whatever Yujin eonnie's conditions are when you go out later." Hikaru nodded her head at me excitedly.

I raised an eyebrow at Chaehyun's words. "Tell her what she needs to do just so you can ease your worries when we leave."

I sighed, knowing that it was better like this because Hikaru would just go out— in one way or another.

"... Fine." I conceded. "If you don't accept even just one of my conditions, I'm locking you inside this house if I need to."

Hikaru grumbled but accepted.

"First, make sure you're all covered up when you leave. Second, we'll drive you there now, but I need you to give me a name that can pick you up after—"

"I can just use—"

I glared at her. "Don't even think about using any kind of public transportation."

"But Yeseo's out on a schedule, Hiyyih went back home, and Youngeun is busy with her upcoming tournament!"

"Not my problem. Also, even if you were going to suggest them and they were free, I won't accept 'cause all of you can't drive yet."

"Ti—"

"Don't even mention your Ting eonnie because her and Mashiro are busy because of this incident."

She glared at me and I smiled triumphantly. I almost gloated at my victory when she suddenly smiled.

"Dayeon eonnie, then."

I paused because in our friend group, we are all aware that Dayeon has the most flexible schedule. She's usually the one who constantly asks us to hang out.

"But she might—"

"No, she's not. Dayeon eonnie would drop everything she's doing if I ask for something." The little devil puffed her chest out and I couldn't deny her statement. Dayeon loves Hikaru. She was the type of friend that doted on her friends, especially the younger ones, that it's almost sickening.

I heard Chaehyun laughing because this was a fact that we all know. I scoffed and just added my last condition. "... My final condition is for you to text me every 15 minutes. A minute late and I'm calling you every five minutes."

"You're overreacting eonnie!"

"Do it or don't go." I asserted.

"... Fine!" The kid stomped angrily back up to her room.

"Be fast or I'm locking the doors on you!" I laughed when all I heard was the loud thump of her door closing.

•°~°~°•

Hikaru did as I said and kept texting me where she was every 15 minutes. Luckily, Dayeon was willing to be more than her driver and offered to accompany her. However, she would arrive later so Hikaru was still alone in the mall we dropped her off.

Some might think that I'm being paranoid - and maybe I am - but my "fans" can be insane at times. The actions of sasaengs especially are borderline creepy, illegal, and dangerous. Moreover, there is also people from the press who doesn't know the meaning of personal space. They'll be up your ass the moment they see you.

Knowing Hikaru, she won't like the immediate pressure brought by those things. I know I can't shield her always but I want to do as much as I can. I'm just being extra careful because it hadn't even been a week yet since the reveal of their identities.

We were once at the lowest point in our lives. She had problems with school so I didn't push her to go anymore. But just like the kind soul that she is, she wanted to help our family. That's when she found out about streaming. She's good at it and later fell in love with it. I'm not shocked that she was acknowledged by her viewers. She's hilarious without evening trying. She's beautiful, talented, witty, and good at what she does.

I heard the timer I set on my phone. I waited for a text from Hikaru for a few seconds and frowned when I didn't receive any.

I had a shoot for a lipstick brand and I was currently having my makeup done. I started fidgeting with my nails and signalled the staff doing my hair to stop for a minute. I didn't bother waiting for the promised five minutes I said earlier and directly called Hikaru.

Now I started pacing the room because she didn't pick up. I tried again two more times, only for it to not be answered.

"What's wrong, eonnie?"

I looked at Chaehyun worriedly. "Hikaru's not picking up my calls."

"She might be busy?"

"I-I guess. No, no. I know that she wouldn't put her phone on silent because of our deal."

"Calm down. I'll call Dayeon if she met up with her."

"Okay. I'll try calling her again."

After her call with Dayeon, she told me that Dayeon was still driving to the mall. She hasn't met up with Hikaru.

At this point, I was already panicking.

"Chaehyun, check the internet if you can catch anything. I'll-I'll talk to the director. I can't work properly if I'm too worried."

"Okay, okay. But please, calm down first." Chaehyun gently pushed me to sit on a chair.

I breathed in and out to keep my focus.

I had the location of my sisters' on my phone for safety reasons. I checked Hikaru's and saw that she was still inside the mall. I sighed in relief.

"Her location is still at the mall. Something might have happened that's why she's not picking up. Is Dayeon close there already?" I asked.

"Yeah, she told that she was just 10 minutes away. I told her to call me the moment she finds Hikaru." Her words assured me.

I talked to the director first that I'm not in the right mindset to continue the shoot. I apologized for my lack of professionalism but he was so understanding after hearing about the source of my worry.

"Let's just continue the shoot next time. I'm sure—"

He was cut off when Chaehyun abruptly called my attention. Before I could think about admonishing her for her rudeness, my hands and feet turned cold because of what she said next.

"They can't find Hikaru!"