Work Text:
Sunlight, filtered through gauzy white curtains, painted stripes across Yeji's face. She stretched, a soft groan escaping her lips as she reached for her phone on the nightstand. 6:00 AM. Earlier than her alarm, but that was okay. Today was a schedule day, a full one, starting with dance practice at 8.
Except, a notification blinked on her screen, stark against the dark mode background:
**SCHEDULE UPDATE: All activities for October 26th CANCELLED. Further details to follow.**
Confusion creased Yeji's brow. Cancelled? That was… unusual. JYP Entertainment was a well-oiled machine, rarely deviating from the planned schedules. She reread the message, her mind racing through possible explanations. Was someone sick? Had something happened?
Then, like a burst of sunlight through a cloudy sky, it hit her. July 1st.
Less than a year ago, that date had held a different weight – the start of Lia’s hiatus. A year of whispers, concerned fans, and a gaping hole in their five-member dynamic. A year of performing as four, the choreography adjusted, the harmonies relearned, the interviews tinged with a bittersweet longing for their missing member.
Lia. Coming back today.
Yeji scrambled out of bed, a grin spreading across her face. The cancelled schedule suddenly made perfect sense. This wasn’t a day for work; it was a day for welcoming back family.
Excitement bubbled inside Yeji, urging her to shout from the rooftops. Or, more realistically, from the top bunk of Ryujin's bed. She padded across the room, careful not to wake Yuna, who was sprawled starfish-style on the mattress below. Ryujin, true to her nickname, was curled up in a tight ball, blankets wrapped around her like a protective cocoon.
"Ryujin-ah," Yeji whispered, gently shaking her shoulder. "Wake up."
Ryujin mumbled something unintelligible, burrowing deeper into the blankets.
"Shin Ryujin," Yeji said, her voice taking on a playful sternness. "It's important."
That did the trick. Ryujin's head popped out of the blankets, eyes narrowed with sleep. "Important?" she croaked. "What's more important than sleep?"
Yeji grinned. "Lia."
The effect was instantaneous. Ryujin's eyes snapped open, sleep forgotten. "What about Lia?"
"Today's the day," Yeji whispered. "She's coming back."
For a moment, Ryujin just stared at her, then a slow smile spread across her face. "No way," she breathed. "For real?"
Yeji nodded, unable to contain her grin any longer. "Seriously."
A shriek erupted from below, making both girls jump. Yuna, eyes wide with excitement, was already halfway out of bed. "Lia unnie? Today?"
"Shhh," Chaeryeong mumbled from her bed in the corner, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "What's all the fuss about?"
Yeji threw an arm around Chaeryeong's shoulders. "Chaeryeong-ah, our Lia… she's finally coming home."
Chaeryeong blinked, her sleep-fogged mind struggling to catch up. "Lia?" she mumbled, her gaze drifting towards the ceiling. "Like... back from hiatus Lia?"
"No, unnie," Yuna deadpanned, her voice dripping with exaggerated sarcasm. "Like back from her trip to the grocery store Lia. Of course, it's hiatus Lia!"
Chaeryeong swatted at Yuna playfully, but a smile tugged at her lips. “I know, I know,” she mumbled. But a part of her, a part that had guarded her heart for a year, refused to believe it until she saw Lia with her own two eyes. “But… today?”
“Schedule’s cleared and everything,” Ryujin chirped, already pulling a hoodie over her head. “It has to be today.”
Chaeryeong shook her head, a laugh escaping her lips. It was a nervous laugh, a sound born from disbelief and a sliver of fear that this was all some elaborate dream. “Get out,” she breathed, shoving at Yeji playfully. "You're messing with me."
Yeji caught her hand, her eyes shining with an earnestness that stopped Chaeryeong's breath. "I'm serious, Chaeryeong-ah," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Lia's coming back. Today. We need to get ready."
The fear, the disbelief, melted away, replaced by relief and elation. A year of waiting, a year of missing their fifth member, was finally coming to an end. Chaeryeong launched herself at Yeji, engulfing her in a hug. "I can't believe it," she whispered. "She's really coming back."
A wave of excited chatter filled the room as the reality of Lia’s return sunk in. Yuna was already scrolling through her phone, no doubt planning outfit options for their reunion. Chaeryeong was rummaging through her drawers, searching for something, anything, to wear.
Ryujin, however, stood frozen in the middle of the room, a perplexed frown on her face. "But... how do we prepare for something like this?" she blurted out, her voice laced with genuine confusion. "I've never had to receive someone from going away so long."
Yeji paused, her hand hovering over a pile of shirts. "Use your imagination, will ya?" she quipped, a playful smirk on her lips. "How do you receive someone when they come back?"
Ryujin tilted her head, her brow furrowed in thought. "I don't know… order takeout?" she ventured, earning a chorus of groans from the others.
"Ryujin-ah!" Chaeryeong exclaimed, exasperated. "Think about it! What would make Lia unnie feel welcomed and loved?"
Ryujin's eyes widened as a thought struck her. "Oh! Maybe we could set up a welcome back banner! With balloons and streamers and everything!"
Yeji chuckled, shaking her head. "That's a bit much, don't you think? It's not her birthday, Ryujin."
"But... it feels like it should be celebrated," Ryujin insisted, her voice taking on a slight pout. "A year is a long time!"
"Hey..." Ryujin's voice dropped to a nervous whisper, her gaze darting between the other members. "Do you think she'll even want to see us? What if she's changed?"
The weight of Ryujin's question hung in the air, a knot of anxiety tightening in Yeji's chest. She pushed it down, schooling her features into a reassuring smile.
"Don't be ridiculous," Yeji chided gently, ruffling Ryujin's hair. "She wouldn't forget about us in a year. Not after what... four years?"
Four years of training together, sweating together, dreaming together. Four years of shared meals, inside jokes, and late-night heart-to-hearts. Four years of building a bond that went beyond bandmates, a bond that ran deeper than any stage persona.
"Yeah," Chaeryeong agreed, her voice firm despite the slight tremor in it. "Lia unnie loves us. She probably misses us like crazy."
"And we've missed her too," Yuna added, her usual bubbly tone subdued. "More than words can say."
The silence returned, but this time, it wasn't filled with apprehension.
"So," Yeji said, clapping her hands together. "Balloons are out. Takeout is… questionable. Any other brilliant ideas, resident Ryujin of Brainstorming?"
Ryujin puffed out her cheeks, pretending to ponder seriously. "We could always kidnap her," she suggested. "Spirit her away to a secret location and shower her with love and affection until she forgets she ever left."
Laughter filled the room, washing away the last vestiges of doubt and worry. Lia was coming back.
"Outrageous, but no," Yeji said, wiping a tear from her eye. "I don't think we might need a lot."
"Yeah," Chaeryeong chimed in, a thoughtful look on her face. "Just being there for her is enough. We should just let her know that we're happy she's back, and that we're here for her, no matter what."
"Exactly," Yeji agreed, nodding firmly. "No pressure, no expectations. Just pure, unadulterated ITZY love."
Yuna suddenly jumped up, her eyes sparkling. "Oh! We could make her favorite breakfast!"
"Ooh, good idea, Yuna!" Chaeryeong exclaimed, her face lighting up. "Lia unnie loves your pancakes."
"And we can all wear those matching pajamas she got us!" Ryujin added, already halfway to her closet. "The pink ones with the little dinosaurs!"
Yeji watched her bandmates, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. They were a chaotic bunch, that was for sure. But their love for each other, their genuine desire to make Lia feel welcomed and cherished, was heartwarming.
"Alright, alright," Yeji laughed, gently steering them back from their flurry of planning. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. First things first, we need to figure out when and where she's coming back."
"Exactly!" Ryujin exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. "When!? Today! Where!? Here!"
Yeji stopped, her hand hovering over the doorknob. Ryujin's words, delivered with her trademark mix of confidence and cluelessness, echoed in the silence. She blinked, processing the information.
"Wait," Chaeryeong began, her brow furrowed. "Now that you mention it... why haven't we heard anything specific?"
Yuna, who was about to launch into a detailed analysis of Lia's pancake preferences, paused mid-sentence. "Yeah, usually unnie would at least send a quick text or something."
The weight of their worry settled back onto Yeji's shoulders. Had they gotten their hopes up too soon? Was Lia's return more complicated than a simple "welcome back"? Before she could spiral down that rabbit hole, Ryujin spoke again.
"Well, duh!" Ryujin declared, throwing her hands on her hips with an air of triumph. "It's a surprise, obviously! They probably planned it all out, a grand entrance, confetti, the whole shebang!"
Yeji pinched the bridge of her nose, stifling a groan. Leave it to Ryujin to jump to the most dramatic conclusion possible. "Ryujin-ah, I love your enthusiasm, but—"
"She's right," a small voice interrupted. They all turned to look at Chaeryeong, who was staring at the floor. "It makes sense. They wouldn't want to overwhelm her with a sudden announcement."
"And knowing our company," Yuna added, "they probably have something big planned."
Yeji stared at her bandmates, a slow smile spreading across her face.
"You know what," Yeji conceded, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Ryujin, you're a genius."
Ryujin beamed, puffing out her chest with pride. "I know, right? It's a gift."
The room erupted in laughter once more.
"Alright, people!" Yeji announced, clapping her hands together. "Let's get moving! We might not know exactly when Lia's arriving, but that doesn't mean we can't be prepared."
A chorus of agreement met her words.
"Chaeryeong-ah," Yeji instructed, her gaze landing on the dancer who was already folding a stray blanket, "give me a hand with the cleaning. Our room needs to be spotless, you know how Lia is about tidiness."
Chaeryeong chuckled, nodding in agreement. "On it," she replied, already gathering stray clothes and tossing them into a laundry basket.
Yeji turned to Yuna, who was scrolling through her phone. "Yuna, I leave you in charge of the bakery. Lia's favorite pastries, remember? And don't forget the iced americano, extra shot.”
Yuna saluted, a wide grin on her face. "Consider it done! I'm on it, captain!" She dashed out of the room, her phone already glued to her ear, no doubt calling in their order with military precision.
Finally, Yeji turned to Ryujin, who was eyeing a precariously balanced stack of photo albums with a mischievous look in her eyes. "And Ryujin," Yeji said, her tone firm but her eyes twinkling with amusement, "try not to break anything."
Ryujin pouted playfully. "But those photo albums are just begging to be reminisced over!" she protested, her hand hovering over the stack.
Yeji simply raised an eyebrow. Ryujin, reading the warning in her gaze, sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine," she relented, dropping her hand with a theatrical sigh. "Safety first. But afterwards, we're having a marathon viewing session, alright?"
"Deal," Yeji agreed, a chuckle escaping her lips. "Now, let's get to work. Lia's homecoming awaits!"
The hours that followed were a blur of activity. Motivated by a mix of nervousness and excitement, the members of ITZY transformed their dorm into a haven of welcoming warmth.
Chaeryeong took charge of the cleaning with laser focus. Every surface gleamed, every cushion was perfectly plumped, and not a single speck of dust dared to show its face. Yeji, ever the efficient leader, organized their packed schedules, making sure everything was in place for Lia’s return to their busy lives.
Yuna, after a successful raid on their favorite bakery, had returned triumphant, her arms laden with boxes of pastries and a thermos of steaming coffee. Ryujin, true to her word, had refrained from causing any major disasters. Instead, she channeled her energy into crafting a giant "Welcome Home, Lia!" sign out of colorful post-it notes, which now adorned their living room wall.
As the day wore on and the sunlight began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the room, anticipation settled over them. Exhausted but content, they gathered in the living room.
“Let’s watch something,” Chaeryeong suggested, her gaze falling on the stack of DVDs neatly arranged beneath their TV. “To unwind a bit.”
“Ooh, yes!” Yuna chirped, instantly perking up. “Let’s watch our Weekly Idol episode! The one where Lia unnie did that hilarious aegyo?”
A wave of bittersweet nostalgia washed over them. It felt like a lifetime ago, watching those episodes, back when their biggest concern was nailing a difficult dance move or perfecting a high note.
“Maybe something a bit more recent?” Yeji suggested gently, noticing the flicker of sadness that crossed Chaeryeong’s face. "We haven't watched our Knowing Bros episode together yet. Remember how much we laughed during filming?"
The others readily agreed. Soon, the familiar intro filled the room, and their faces lit up as they watched their past selves on screen, full of energy and laughter. They reminisced about the filming, teased each other mercilessly about their on-screen antics, and marveled at how much they had grown, both individually and as a group.
The night deepened, the city lights twinkling outside their window like a thousand fireflies. Empty pastry boxes and mugs littered the coffee table. Yet, despite the cozy atmosphere and the comforting familiarity of their own voices echoing from the TV screen, a knot of unease began to tighten in Yeji’s stomach.
Hours had passed since they had received the schedule update, hours spent meticulously preparing for Lia’s return. But their dorm remained stubbornly, achingly empty. No phone call, no text message, no surprise appearance from their missing member.
Ryujin finally voiced the question that had been swirling in everyone's minds. "Yeji unnie," she began, her voice hesitant for once, "are you sure Lia unnie was coming back today?"
Yeji, who had been scrolling through her phone for the hundredth time, hoping for a message that wasn't there, froze. "Of course, I'm sure," she replied, forcing a confident tone she didn't quite feel. "Why wouldn't she be?"
"It's just..." Ryujin hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip. "It's already so late. And we haven't heard anything. Maybe… maybe the schedule cancellation wasn't about her?"
The words hung in the air. Yeji felt a chill run down her spine as she replayed the events of the day in her mind. The notification, her own leap of logic, the excitement that had spread through the dorm like wildfire.
Had she gotten it wrong?
She grabbed her phone again, her heart pounding against her ribs. She reread the message, the stark words mocking her newfound hope. **"All activities for October July 1st CANCELLED."** It didn't mention Lia. It didn't mention a reason.
A wave of nausea washed over her. What if the cancellation was just a coincidence? What if there was another reason, something completely unrelated to Lia’s return?
She looked up, her gaze sweeping over the faces of her bandmates. The excitement that had lit up their features just hours ago had been replaced by a mixture of confusion and dawning disappointment.
"Guys," Yeji began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think… I think I might have made a mistake."
The silence that followed was heavier than any beat drop, colder than any winter wind. Their hopes, built up so high, began to crumble, leaving behind a residue of bitter disappointment.
Lia wasn't home. Not yet. And suddenly, the empty space in their dorm felt larger, colder, than ever before.
The silence stretched on. Yuna sat slumped on the couch, her enthusiasm replaced by a dejected slump of her shoulders. Ryujin stared at the floor, her brow furrowed in thought.
"So," Chaeryeong began, her voice carefully neutral, "what should we do?"
The question hung in the air. The carefully arranged pastries on the table, the "Welcome Home" banner on the wall, even the matching dinosaur pajamas neatly folded on the couch – all painful reminders of a hope that now felt foolish.
Yeji took a deep breath, pushing down the wave of guilt that threatened to engulf her. It was her fault, her impulsive assumption, that had led them down this path of false hope.
"We… we should probably put everything back to normal," she said, her voice lacking its usual confidence. "The decorations, the food… it's just… painful to look at right now."
The others nodded silently, their faces etched with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. The task felt heavy, weighted with the knowledge that Lia wasn’t there to share it with them.
As Yeji carefully peeled a post-it note off the wall a single thought echoed in her mind: When would they be whole again? When would their dorm, their lives, their group, feel complete?
The answer remained just out of reach, shrouded in the same silence that now filled the room, a silence that sounded suspiciously like heartbreak.
As if on cue, a sound sliced through the quiet – a sharp, insistent rapping on their front door. The sudden noise startled them all, their heads snapping up in unison, a hint of hope igniting in their eyes. Could it be…?
Yeji's heart leaped into her throat, her pulse quickening. She exchanged a look with the others, their faces mirroring her own mixture of hope and uncertainty.
“I’ll get it,” she whispered, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her own heart.
As she crossed the room, each step felt heavy, weighted with the possibility of disappointment. She reached for the doorknob, her hand trembling slightly, and took a deep breath before throwing the door open.
The hallway light spilled into the room, momentarily blinding her. And then, she saw him.
It wasn’t Lia.
Standing in the doorway, a sheepish grin on his face, was their elderly neighbor, Mr. Kim. He held out a small, empty bowl.
“Oh, hello there, Yeji-ssi,” he greeted, his voice a gentle rumble. “I hate to bother you girls so late, but I seem to be out of sugar. Would you happen to have a cup I could borrow?”
The hope that had flared so brightly within Yeji’s chest withered and died. She forced a smile, her voice sounding hollow even to her own ears.
“Of course, Mr. Kim,” she replied, stepping aside to let him in. “Come in, come in. I’ll see if we have some.”
As Mr. Kim stepped into their dorm, his gaze sweeping over the half-dismantled decorations and the remnants of their feast, Yeji felt a pang of something akin to shame.
Lia wasn’t coming home. Not tonight. And the realization settled over them like a shroud, dampening their spirits and leaving behind a residue of bitter disappointment.
Mr. Kim beamed at the young women. “Thank you, thank you,” he chirped, his eyes twinkling behind his thick glasses. “You girls are lifesavers, you know that?”
Yuna, ever the social butterfly, stepped forward, her innate warmth overriding her own disappointment. “It’s no problem at all, Mr. Kim,” she chirped, leading him towards their kitchen counter. “We’re always happy to help.”
As Yuna rummaged through their pantry in search of sugar, Mr. Kim cast a curious gaze around the room, his eyes lingering on the half-deflated balloons and the abandoned “Welcome Home” banner.
“Having a party?” he inquired. “You all seem a bit… down in the dumps for a celebration.”
Yuna paused, her hand hovering over a bag of sugar. She exchanged a look with Yeji. Should they tell him? Would he even understand?
“A friend of ours was supposed to come back today,” Yuna confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “We were… preparing for her return.”
Mr. Kim’s brow furrowed in concern. “Oh dear,” he murmured, his gaze softening. “And she hasn’t arrived yet?”
“No,” Chaeryeong chimed in, her voice laced with disappointment. “We haven’t heard from her all day.”
Mr. Kim seemed to consider this for a moment, his gaze drifting towards the door. “Well, now that you mention it,” he began slowly, a thoughtful expression on his face, “I believe I did see a young lady who looked rather like your friend in the lobby earlier today. Carrying a suitcase and everything.”
The words hit them like a bolt of lightning. Yeji, Chaeryeong, and Ryujin, who had been quietly putting away the pastries, all froze, their heads snapping up in unison.
“Are you sure?” Ryujin blurted out, her eyes wide with a mixture of hope and disbelief. “Did she… did she say where she was going?”
Mr. Kim chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Now, now, young lady,” he chided gently. “I wouldn’t pry into a neighbor’s business like that. But she did seem rather eager to get inside. Perhaps she’s already upstairs, waiting for her grand welcome?”
The room erupted. Yuna dropped the bag of sugar, the contents scattering across the floor, forgotten in the rush of excitement. Chaeryeong let out a squeal, her face breaking into a wide grin. And Yeji felt a surge of relief so powerful it almost brought tears to her eyes.
Lia was home.
"Lia unnie!" Yuna shrieked, her voice echoing through the hallway as she shot out of the apartment door. The others were right behind her, a whirlwind of excited limbs and breathless apologies to a very bewildered Mr. Kim.
The hallway seemed to vibrate with their energy as they raced towards the stairwell, their footsteps pounding a frantic rhythm against the concrete.
“Do you think she went upstairs?” Chaeryeong gasped, her voice breathless as they took the steps two at a time.
“Maybe she forgot her keys?” Ryujin chimed in, her eyes scanning the hallway as they reached their floor.
Yeji, her heart pounding in her chest, didn't trust herself to speak. She could barely process anything beyond the singular, exhilarating thought that was consuming her: Lia was here. She was home.
They reached their apartment, their hopes reaching fever pitch. But before Yeji could even fumble for her keys, a sinking realization hit her. The door was locked. There was no sign of forced entry, no indication that anyone had tried to get in.
“Maybe she went to the wrong floor?” Yuna suggested, her voice tinged with a sliver of doubt.
They rushed through the hallway, their eyes scanning every inch of space, their hopes slowly draining away with each step. But the hallway remained frustratingly empty.
“Lia unnie?” Chaeryeong called out, her voice echoing off the walls.
Only silence answered her.
Had Mr.Kim been mistaken? Had they all gotten their hopes up for nothing?
Despair threatened to engulf Yeji, but she pushed it down, clinging to a shred of hope. Lia was here, somewhere.
A heavy silence descended upon them. The hallway stretched before them like a bleak reminder of their dashed hopes.
“Maybe Mr. Kim… maybe he was mistaken,” Chaeryeong ventured, her voice hesitant, as if afraid to utter the words aloud.
The others avoided her gaze. As much as they wanted to cling to the fragile hope that their beloved member was back, the reality of the situation was starting to sink in. Lia wasn’t in the hallway. She wasn’t behind the door. And the longer they stood there, the more apparent it became that Mr. Kim, bless his well-meaning heart, had probably seen someone else.
A wave of exhaustion washed over Yeji, both physical and emotional.
“Come on,” she sighed, her voice devoid of its usual energy. “Let’s go back inside.”
No one argued. They turned and trudged back towards their apartment. The "Welcome Home" banner, once a symbol of their anticipation, now mocked them with its cheerful colors.
As Yeji unlocked the door and stepped inside, she couldn't shake the feeling that the emptiness that greeted them wasn’t just Lia's abscense, but the absence of something far more profound – a missing piece of their hearts that they had foolishly believed would be restored that day.
As they neared their apartment, a sound pierced the silence that had settled over them like a shroud. It was a voice, faint but unmistakable, drifting from behind their door. A voice that sent a jolt of electricity through Yeji’s veins, a voice that made her heart skip a beat and then pound against her ribs with a ferocity that stole her breath away.
It couldn’t be. Could it?
They exchanged hesitant glances. The voice grew louder, punctuated by Mr. Kim’s chuckle, and the words that reached their ears released a collective gasp.
It was Lia’s voice.
They crept closer, their steps soundless on the carpeted floor, until they were huddled outside their own door, their ears straining to make out the words being exchanged within.
“No, really, Mr. Kim, you didn’t have to carry my bags all the way up here,” Lia’s voice, filled with amusement and a hint of exasperation, reached them. “I would have managed.”
“Nonsense, my dear,” Mr. Kim replied, his voice booming with grandfatherly concern. “It was my pleasure. Besides, those stairs are no joke, even for a sprightly young man like myself.”
Yeji couldn’t believe her ears. It was her. Lia. She was here, inside their apartment, talking to Mr. Kim.
They couldn’t wait any longer. Pushing the door open, they burst into the apartment, ready to engulf Lia in a hug that would convey a year’s worth of missed moments and unspoken words.
But the scene that greeted them stopped them dead in their tracks.
Lia was nowhere to be seen.
The apartment, however, was a sight to behold. Every single door – their bedroom doors, the closet doors, even the door to the bathroom – stood wide open. A light breeze seemed to flow through the apartment, carrying with it the scent of… lilies?
The members of ITZY stood frozen, their eyes darting from one open door to another, their minds struggling to grasp what they were seeing, what they weren’t seeing.
Lia was gone. Again.
"What just happened?" Ryujin whispered, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her own heart.
The open doors seemed to mock them, gaping invitations to a mystery they couldn't begin to unravel. Then, a soft chuckle, light and melodic, broke the spell.
Standing in the middle of their living room, bathed in the warm glow of the overhead light, was Lia.
She leaned against their kitchen counter, her arms crossed, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. A single white lily, elegant and impossibly fragrant, was tucked behind her ear.
“Looking for me?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement.
The sight of her, so real, so tangible, snapped them out of their stunned silence. A collective gasp escaped their lips, followed by a wave of relieved laughter and joyous cries of “Unnie!”
Yeji didn’t even think, she just reacted. She surged forward, her heart threatening to burst out of her chest, and threw her arms around Lia, pulling her into a hug so tight it was almost painful.
The others followed suit, engulfing their missing member in a tangle of limbs and excited chatter. Tears mingled with laughter, relief morphed into joy. Lia was home. Finally.
“How… what…?” Ryujin stammered, pulling back to look at Lia, her eyes wide with a mixture of confusion and uncontainable delight. “We thought you weren’t coming! We looked everywhere!”
Lia chuckled. “That’s the point of a surprise, isn’t it?” she teased, her gaze sweeping over each of her bandmates, her smile widening as she took in their stunned expressions. “Did I do well?”
“You… you disappeared!” Chaeryeong exclaimed, torn between laughter and exasperation. “One minute you were talking to Mr. Kim, and the next… poof! Gone!”
“And the doors?” Yuna chimed in, gesturing towards the still-open doors, her brow furrowed in puzzlement. “What was that all about?”
Lia just grinned. “A magician never reveals her secrets,” she teased.
The others, still slightly dazed by the sudden turn of events, could only shake their heads and laugh. It was so Lia, to turn their world upside down, to leave them speechless and laughing in equal measure.
They had a million questions, a million things they wanted to ask, to tell her. But for now, none of that mattered. All that mattered was that she was here, back in their arms, where she belonged.
Lia was home. And ITZY was whole again.