Chapter Text
“What’s everyone squealing about?” Jimin asks as she was getting her makeup done.
“Oh this clip that was released. You watch ReStart right Jimin?” Her stylist, Haewon, says, putting the sponsored garment down to walk closer to the idol.
“The dating program?”
“Yep yep, they released a promotional clip for it and ugh my heart…I want to be Jimin now.”
“Ha?” Jimin asks, pointing to herself, “No no, here just watch.”
Jimin’s breath catches the second Minjeong’s face flashes on the screen, “Minjeong..” She whispers to herself, fully immersed in the clip.
…seeing her again made my knees weak, made my heart beat so loudly against my chest like it was calling out to her without my permission.
“Oh Jimin-ah don’t cry…we just did your eyeliner.” Eunji, the makeup artist gently dabs a piece of tissue on the corner of Jimin’s eyes.
“I—” She swallows, “Sorry, it’s…uh..” She fumbles for the words.
“Right!” The staff all nod, “Isn’t it heart wrenching…this Minjeong girl deserves to restart with her Jimin.”
“But what if her ex moved on? Minjeong said she let her go so that she could go after her dream, wouldn’t that mean that she chose her dreams over Minejong?”
“No.” Jimin’s voice was stern, catching everyone’s attention in the room.
“Oh why are you so affected?” Aeri teases, joining in the conversation, a knowing glint in her eyes that Jimin doesn’t notice.
“What I mean is, if that was the case why would Minjeong talk like that? I don’t think her ex chose her dream over her. Letting go was Minjeong proving just how much she loved her.”
“Her? You also think Jimin’s a woman?” Haewon nods in approval, “As you should, no man deserves that much devotion.”
“Haewon!” Eunji scolds.
“Just saying, but regardless…what kind of dream did that Jimin girl have that they had to break up, you know? Is she someone famous or something. Is it you Jimin-ah?” Jo, her hairstylist teases.
“I…what…huh??”
“Relax, we’re just teasing cause you have the same name as her ex.” Eunji chuckles, “But seriously though, I feel like if I were them, I would have figured it out together, instead of just letting each other go. Because how do you leave the love of your life?” Eunji’s face turns solemn.
“Not even that, what about turning away at that moment?” Jo clutches her chest, “My heart breaks just thinking of it. Just imagining Minjeong standing watching as Jimin turns away because the choice was made. Watching her get swallowed in the crowd, knowing that may be the last time she saw her…my heart..” She tears up.
“Why are you adding details like it’s a whole drama?” Haewon teases, “Look, you're making Jimin cry again.” She gestures towards Eunji who’s trying to save Jimin’s eye makeup with tissues and cotton swabs.
“I’m sorry..” Jimin apologizes, the double meaning going over the staff’s head.
“Aigoo our crybaby.” Jo teases, shaking her head, but Jimin remains silent as Eunji retouches her makeup.
“Jimin?” Eunji calls out after she finishes.
“It was sunny and clear.” Jimin whispers to herself.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” Jimin shakes her head.
“Okay, well you’re all set. Let’s end the day and go home?”
“Yeah.” Jimin nods, heading back on set.
~ ~
“Jimin?” Aeri calls out to the idol as she drives towards Jimin’s condo, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She looks at Aeri and forces a small smile.
“Jimin…” Aeri tentatively begins, “We’ve known each other for 5 years now. I know you more than you think.”
“I just…” Jimin looks down, thinking for a moment before letting a bit of the truth out, “I guess that clip is sticking with me.”
“Ah, well you do share a name with her ex, but it’s not like she’s you. Don’t let it get you so down. Imagine how her ex feels right now? Seeing this clip?” Aeri watches Jimin carefully.
“Probably hurt, regret, guilt. She probably wants to reach out but can’t.” Jimin begins to list the things she feels.
“Your answer comes from the reasoning that her ex still feels something for Minjeong.” Aeri notes and Jimin tenses, a movement unnoticed by her perceptive manager, “But what if she has moved on? What if this just creates issues in her life?” Aeri adds, wanting to see how Jimin will react.
“I doubt it. I mean you heard Ni..the other girl,” Jimin catches herself, but Aeri already caught the slip-up, “People spend a lifetime trying to find what Jimin and Minjeong had. A love like that isn’t something anyone can easily move on from.” She reiterates Ningning’s words with a conviction that Aeri didn’t miss.
“Well in that case, we can only hope that they find their way back to each other.” Aeri glances at Jimin again.
“Yeah.” Jimin hums, her attention back on the passing scenery outside, although her mind drifts elsewhere.
~ ~ ~ ~
#Who’s_Jimin has been trending for days now ever since the clip of Minjeong was released. It’s gotten so bad that Minjeong has had to release a statement through the broadcasting company to respect her and Jimin’s privacy, which thankfully got most people to stop. Although there are still a few who are too relentless for their own good.
“So what are you going to do?” Ningning asks, barging into Minjeong’s office.
“About?” Minjeong continues to type, while Ningning makes herself comfortable on the small couch.
“The edits.”
“What edits?” Minjeong frowns, finally turning around, “I thought people already moved on?”
“Oh..you haven’t seen.” Ningning gets up, tossing her phone to Minjeong, “This was the edit that started it all. A famous Loveyu posted it and it’s gotten 2 million views and suddenly #JiminJeong is a thing.”
“What the…‘POV: You meet your ex after achieving your dream.’” Minjeong reads the text on the screen, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Jimin’s fans have somehow figured it all out from that one interview, but not knowing that they have.
“It’s crazy right, oh and this one is my favorite.” Ningning takes her phone back before quickly showing Minjeong another edit of the same event, “Basically the caption says that her ghost is more than just a person, it's the life she would've had with her. She achieved her dream, but at what cost? I think that one fits the best, don’t you?” Ningning nods and Minjeong gives her a deadpan look, “Anyways, the truth is slowly coming to light Min, what are you going to do?”
“It’s just edits Ning. If I let them affect me then it’ll be more suspicious. Let the fans have their fun. It’s harmless.”
“Ohho how cool of you huh.”
“It’s been more than half a decade, Ning. I’ve already accepted that Jimin wasn’t mine to keep.”
“But have you though?” Ningning questions, suddenly turning serious, “You say you’ve accepted it but yet a clip is out there viral because everyone knows that you still love her.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving Jimin. A part of my heart will always be hers to keep.”
“Right, a part. That’s why you haven’t been in another relationship since then, and no, what’s her face doesn’t count. That was a situationship not a relationship.”
“You really don’t like her.”
“She was annoying, anyways enough about her…let’s go back to Jimin.”
“Ning.” Minjeong’s voice was stern, “Please, let’s just let it rest.”
“Min…you know that she knows now right? It’s only a matter of time before she reaches out.”
“I know.” Minjeong glances at her phone, “And when she does…I’ll give it to her.”
“Give her what?”
“A goodbye that isn’t so bittersweet.”
“Minjeong,” Ninging sighs, “What if she loves you? What if she wants to start over? What if she doesn’t want to say goodbye again?”
“I…” Minjeong was interrupted by her phone ringing.
Unknown Calling
“Answer it.” Ningning stands, “It might be her.”
“Yeah right.” Minjeong shakes her head, but answers the call as Ningning waves goodbye, giving her best friend a small supportive smile.
“Hello?”
“Kim Minjeong?”
“Yes, who’s this?”
~ ~ ~ ~
“Thank you for meeting me, I’m sure you’re busy.” Aeri sits in front of Minjeong, having called the blonde a week ago to talk about Jimin.
“Not as busy as you I’m sure, which is why I’m curious to know why you wanted to meet.” Minjeong asks, not one to beat around the bush, heart thundering in anticipation.
“Basically, the company’s seen the videos.”
“Videos?”
“Edits made by Karina’s fans and the company wants to ride the wave, so they asked me to contact you.”
“And how do I fit in all this?” Minjeong asks, trying not to feel too disappointed.
“The edits are of you two, from the event you MC’d.”
“Okay? And what does your company mean by ‘ride the wave’?”
“They want you to film something with her.” Aeri cuts straight to the chase.
“I’m not a public figure, Aeri. Isn’t this too much of a risk? What if it has a negative effect?”
“Does this mean you’ll do it?”
“What?” Minjeong was caught by surprise, “Where did you get that idea?”
“You asked questions as if you’ve already agreed. I was honestly expecting you to just say no, but here you are worrying about Karina’s image instead.”
“I…no..I’m not agreeing, I’m just pointing out the lack of thought behind this.”
“The risk is there, but Karina’s no longer a rookie. This is a good chance to test things.”
“Test what exactly?”
“The public’s reaction to her dating.” Aeri keeps her eyes on Minjeong, watching her reaction, and trying not to smile when she catches the way her body freezes.
“I see.” Minjeong swallows, “But I’m sorry, I don’t think I can…”
“Minjeong,” Aeri interrupts, “Please, just think about it?”
“Again, I’m not a public figure and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“The video already makes it so you are somewhat of a public figure, you work in the industry, with accolades that have already garnered you some interest from the public. Which means that, to an extent, you are a public figure.” Aeri argues.
“You sure are relentless.” Minjeong shakes her head, “But I will decline.”
“The company will go to the broadcasting company if needed.” Aeri plays her last card, “I came here as a formality, but the company seems like they will make this happen one way or another.”
“So from the start I didn’t even have a choice?”
“I’m not saying that, I’m just putting the possibility out there. SM is many things, but when they want something they will make it happen.”
“Right.” Minjeong nods, “And what does Karina say about all this?”
“She doesn’t know yet. We still need to of course get your okay and then settle schedules.”
“Alright.”
“You’ll do it?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“That works. When you make up your mind, just give me a call okay?” Aeri leaves her card on the table before walking off.