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Queensboro Bridge - Night
The Queensboro Bridge stretched across the East River, its steel lattice lit up against the dark sky. Karina sat on the curved bench, designer dress pooling around her. Roosevelt Island's lights glimmered on the water. The city hummed across the river—alive but distant.
Her mascara had run. She'd stopped trying to fix it twenty minutes ago.
"Thought I'd find you here."
Minjeong appeared from the riverside path, paper bag in hand.
"Meeting ended early?"
"I left early." Minjeong sat beside her, pulling out a bottle of rosé. Bodega special, twist-off cap. "Figured you could use this."
"You can't drink in public."
"Good thing no one's around then." The cap twisted off with a soft pop. Minjeong took a swig, then passed it over.
The wine was cold, cheap, perfect. What was left of Karina's lipstick stained the bottle rim.
They sat in silence. The bridge loomed above them, traffic creating a distant rhythm. Just two figures on a bench by the water, sharing wine while the city pulsed across the river.
"She went to find Wonyoung." Karina said it flat, factual.
"Ah." No surprise in Minjeong's voice. Just acknowledgment.
"Said she never meant to lead me on." Another swig.
Minjeong pulled her knees up, getting comfortable. Their shoulders touched. Warm against the river breeze.
"I pushed back Vogue for this trip." Karina's voice cracked slightly. "Told myself it was for the MLB opening, but really..."
"You hoped."
"I hoped." The admission drifted across the water. "Pathetic, right?"
"Human."
They passed the bottle between them. A boat horn echoed somewhere downriver.
"You know what the worst part is?" Karina accepted Minjeong's jacket when she offered it. "I knew. Every time she'd stop mid-text because Wonyoung posted something. Every call that ended abruptly. I knew I was just... filling time."
"You wanted to fix her."
Karina turned. "What?"
"That's what you do." Minjeong took another sip. "You see someone struggling and you want to help. Make it better."
"She didn't want to be fixed."
"Or maybe she wasn't broken. Just pointed in a different direction."
The truth of it stung worse than the wind off the river. Karina grabbed the bottle, took a longer drink.
"I spent months thinking I was special. Turns out I was just... there." She laughed, hollow. "The safe choice while she figured out what she actually wanted."
"You're not just 'there' to everyone."
"No," Karina agreed. "You're always here when I need you."
Something shifted in Minjeong's expression, too quick to catch in the bridge lights. She pulled out her phone, checking the time.
"Come on. Let's walk. You think better when you're moving."
"Where?"
"There's a place in Queens that does incredible dumplings. Still open." Minjeong stood, offering her hand. "My treat."
Karina let herself be pulled up. The city waited across the water. Whatever came next, at least she wasn't facing it alone.
They walked along the river path, passing the wine between them. Two shadows moving through the New York night.
FLASHBACK - MAMA Afterparty (Five Months Ago)
The bass from the main floor vibrated through the building. Karina had lost track of her members twenty minutes ago—Ningning at the bar, Giselle somewhere with the NCT boys, Minjeong getting water for someone.
"You're hiding too?"
Karina turned. Yujin stood by the balcony door, two champagne flutes in hand. Still in her performance outfit, but she'd unpinned her hair, letting it fall naturally around her shoulders.
"Not hiding. Breathing."
"Same thing sometimes." Yujin offered a glass, her smile soft. "Want company? Or should I find another hiding spot?"
"Stay." The word came out faster than intended.
Outside, December air bit sharp, but Yujin immediately shrugged off her blazer, draping it over Karina's shoulders without asking.
"Your arms are already goosebumping."
"What about you?"
"I run warm." Yujin kicked off her heels with a relieved sigh. "God, that's better. These things are evil."
She wiggled her toes against the cold stone, so unguarded that Karina couldn't help but laugh.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just... you're different than I expected."
"Different how?"
"More human."
"Ouch. What was I before, a robot?"
"No, just..." Karina searched for words. "Untouchable? You're Ahn Yujin. IVE's perfect leader."
"Perfect." Yujin's laugh was genuine, almost self-deprecating. "Want to know a secret? First win, I threw up. Locked myself in the bathroom while everyone celebrated because I was calculating comeback schedules instead of enjoying the moment."
"Really?"
"Gaeul found me. Didn't say anything, just held my hair back and then made everyone take shots so I'd smell like alcohol instead of anxiety."
The honesty was disarming. Yujin tucked her legs up on the bench, making herself smaller.
"Your speech tonight was beautiful, by the way."
"I don't remember any of it."
"You thanked your members ten times. Cried on the eighth. Called them your 'reasons for everything.'"
"You counted?"
"I was watching you." Said simply, like it wasn't devastating. "You're mesmerizing when you're genuine."
Karina felt heat climb her neck. "I'm always genuine."
"No, you're always professional. There's a difference." Yujin tilted her head. "But sometimes, like tonight, the real you breaks through. It's..."
"What?"
"Nice. Really nice."
They talked about everything and nothing. Yujin had a way of listening that made Karina feel heard—not just the words but the spaces between them. She laughed at Karina's terrible jokes, shared industry horror stories that should've been stressful but became funny in the telling.
"I make lists," Yujin admitted after their second glass. "Three AM, can't sleep. Everything that could go wrong, color-coded by probability."
"I do spreadsheets. Minjeong says it's psychotic."
"Minjeong sounds smart."
"She is. Too smart sometimes." Karina accepted the soju Yujin had conjured from somewhere. "But the spreadsheets help me feel..."
"In control?"
"Exactly."
"I know the feeling." Yujin poured for both of them, careful to turn the label away—proper etiquette even tipsy. "There's actually a better spot. Roof access. Found it during rehearsal."
"Breaking more rules?"
"Only the boring ones."
They snuck through service corridors, Yujin holding Karina's hand to guide her through the dim hallways. Her palm was warm, steady. Safe.
The roof opened to Seoul's skyline, wind immediately whipping their dresses.
"Shit, it's colder up here." Yujin laughed, trying to hold her dress down.
"Your brilliant idea."
"All my ideas are brilliant." But she moved closer to Karina, sharing warmth. "Look at the stars though. Can't see them from the balcony."
They pointed out constellations they definitely made up, voices getting softer as the night deepened. Yujin talked about her members with such genuine affection that Karina's chest ached. This girl who seemed so untouchable was actually just... kind. Deeply, truly kind.
"I should check on them actually," Yujin said eventually, but didn't move.
"Leader duties?"
"Something like that." She turned to Karina. "This was nice though. Really nice. I'm glad you were hiding too."
"Me too."
When Karina's phone rang—manager looking for her—they reluctantly headed back. The stairwell was narrow, Yujin going first. Halfway down, she caught her heel in her dress.
"Shit—"
Karina caught her waist, steadying her. "Careful."
A breathless laugh escaped Yujin, but when she turned, they were suddenly close. Emergency lighting casting shadows across her face.
The stairwell was silent save for their breathing
Yujin’s gaze held hers, warm and absolute. It was that focus, that feeling of being the only person seen, that made Karina move.
Karina leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.
When she pulled back, Yujin's eyes were wide, something conflicted flickering across her face. She stepped back, almost stumbling again.
Then she was moving down the stairs quickly. At the bottom, she paused.
"Karina? Please."
Just that. But the way she said it—desperate and apologetic and final.
The door closed between them.
Back at the party, Karina found Minjeong by the elevators, holding water bottles.
"There you are. You okay?"
"Fine. Just tired."
Minjeong took in her face, Yujin's blazer still around her shoulders. Without a word, she led Karina to the car.
In the backseat, she handed over tissues and water. Didn't ask why Karina's hands were shaking or why she kept touching her lips.
Back at the dorm, 3 AM, Minjeong made tea. Sat quietly while Karina stared at nothing, replaying Yujin's laugh, her kindness, the way she'd said "please" like it broke her heart.
"Want to talk about it?"
"I think I'm in trouble."
"Okay."
But she stayed anyway.
PRESENT - Queensboro Bridge
"She was different than I expected." Karina took another swig of wine, staring at the water. "Human."
Minjeong hummed, accepting the bottle when Karina passed it.
"That's when you knew?"
"That's when I was fucked." The words came out flat. "One conversation and I was ready to rearrange everything."
A boat horn echoed somewhere on the river. Karina pulled Minjeong's jacket tighter, lost in memory.
"Five months later and here we are. Me drunk on a bridge because she chose her." A hollow laugh. "Always her."
"Karina—"
"I kept her blazer. Did I tell you that? From that night."
The admission hung between them. Minjeong shifted closer, their shoulders touching.
"Come on. You're freezing. Let's walk."
They stood together, Karina slightly unsteady. The city blurred past as they walked, Karina talking about the dinner, about feeling used, about the stupid hope she'd carried for months.
FLASHBACK - Late Night Texts (Two Months Ago)
2:15 AM. The dorm was silent except for the refrigerator's hum.
Karina sat curled on the couch, phone in hand, waiting. Yujin had said she'd text after practice. That was six hours ago.
The screen stayed dark.
She typed out a message— hey, you okay? —then deleted it. Too needy. Tried again— how was practice? —deleted that too. Everything felt too much or not enough.
Soft footsteps padded into the living room. Minjeong appeared in oversized pajamas, rubbing her eyes.
"Can't sleep?"
"Just... checking schedules."
Minjeong glanced at the phone, the empty message thread visible. Without a word, she headed to the kitchen. The kettle clicked on.
"You don't have to—"
"Chamomile or green tea?"
"I'm fine."
"That wasn't one of the options."
Karina smiled despite herself. "Chamomile."
Minjeong worked quietly, returning with two mugs. She handed one to Karina, then settled on the opposite end of the couch, tucking her feet under herself.
They sat in comfortable silence. Minjeong pulled out her phone, scrolling through something. Not pushing, just existing in the space.
2:34 AM. Karina's phone buzzed.
sorry, crazy day. rain check on that call? really need to crash
The disappointment was physical. Another rain check. Another promise pushed to tomorrow.
of course! get some rest ❤️
She stared at the heart emoji. Too much? But it was already sent.
thanks for understanding. night
No emoji back. Never emojis back.
Karina locked her phone, tried to swallow the frustration. Beside her, Minjeong shifted.
"Want to watch something? I can't sleep either."
"Sure."
Minjeong queued up a drama without asking what Karina wanted. Somehow picked exactly the kind of mindless fluff that required no emotional investment.
Halfway through the episode, Karina started dozing. Minjeong carefully took the mug from her hands, set it on the coffee table. When Karina listed sideways, Minjeong let her, becoming a makeshift pillow.
"Sorry," Karina mumbled. "Should go to bed."
"Finish the episode first. They're about to get to the good part."
But Karina was already asleep. Minjeong reached for the blanket on the back of the couch, draping it over both of them. Lowered the volume. Stayed perfectly still so Karina wouldn't wake.
On screen, the drama couple finally confessed their feelings.
The ending credits rolled in the quiet room.
PRESENT - Queensboro Bridge
They walked past the old pier, Karina's words about Yujin finally running dry. The wine was nearly empty.
"Shit," Karina laughed, hollow. "Listen to me. Going on and on about her. I'm that girl. The pathetic one who can't stop talking about their ex-situationship."
"You're processing."
"I'm drunk."
"Both." Minjeong took the bottle, finishing the last sip. "Nothing wrong with either."
They found a trash can, disposed of the evidence. The night had gotten colder, or maybe the wine was wearing off.
"God, what time is it?"
"Late. Or early, depending."
"The meeting—"
"Is at two PM. You're fine."
Of course Minjeong knew her schedule. She always did.
FLASHBACK - Video Call (Sydney Timeline - One Month Ago)
Karina had set up everything perfectly. Ring light positioned, background clean, laptop angled to catch her best side. She'd even done her makeup, despite it being midnight in Seoul.
"Sorry, sorry!" Yujin appeared on screen, clearly frazzled. "Soundcheck ran over."
"No worries. How's Sydney?"
"Crowded. Busy. The usual." Yujin was still in practice clothes, hair pulled back messily. "How's home?"
"Quiet. Ningning's at her parents', Giselle's in Japan."
"And Winter?"
"Around somewhere." Karina painted her ring finger carefully. "Probably gaming."
They talked about nothing important. Yujin mentioned the tour, the venues, how Rei kept getting lost in every city. Safe topics. Surface level.
"Your nails look good."
"Green phase." Karina waggled her fingers at the camera. "Trying something new."
"It suits you."
These small compliments kept her going. Kept her painting her nails at midnight just to have something Yujin might notice.
"So I was thinking," Karina started, "when you're back, maybe we could—"
The screen shook suddenly. Audio is muted.
The laptop jostled then the "Call Ended" message stared back at her.
Karina sat frozen, one hand still raised, nails half-painted. Waited for Yujin to call back. To text. To explain.
Nothing.
Her hand trembled slightly, smudging the fresh polish across her thumb.
"Damn it."
"Need help?"
Minjeong stood in the doorway, headphones around her neck.
"I'm fine."
But Minjeong was already approaching, taking in the scene—the laptop, the smudged nails, Karina's poorly hidden frustration.
"Here." She grabbed the acetone and cotton pads from the table. "Let me."
"You don't have to—"
"I know."
Minjeong worked carefully, cleaning the ruined edges. Her hands were steady, gentle.
"She probably had something come up. Tour stuff."
"Always does." The bitterness slipped out.
Minjeong didn't respond, just kept fixing the damage. When she finished cleaning, she picked up the green polish.
"May I?"
Karina nodded. Minjeong painted with surprising precision, tongue poking out slightly in concentration.
"Where'd you learn to do this?"
"YouTube. Couldn't sleep one night, fell down a nail art rabbit hole."
"Of course you did."
They sat in comfortable quiet, Minjeong finishing each nail perfectly. No questions about the ended call. No platitudes about Yujin being busy.
"There." She capped the polish. "Don't move for five minutes."
"Thanks."
"Want me to queue up that show you like? While they dry?"
"You don't have to stay."
"I know." Minjeong was already grabbing the remote. "But I'm kind of invested now. Did they figure out who the murderer is?"
She settled beside Karina, careful not to jostle her hands. Picked the exact episode they'd left off on.
Karina's phone stayed silent. But somehow, with Minjeong providing running commentary on the show's ridiculous plot twists, it hurt a little less.
PRESENT - Jazz Bar (Earlier Tonight)
The venue meeting was in one of those glass towers that made Minjeong feel small. She'd sat through forty minutes of logistics, contracts, technical requirements.
"I don't see why we needed you here," their manager said during a break, scrolling through his phone. "This is all technical stuff. You don't even have any events in New York."
"Thought I could help."
"With what? You're just sitting there." He looked up, studying her. "You could've stayed in Seoul. Saved the company a flight."
Minjeong shrugged, eyes on her phone.
Karina: About to head to dinner. Wish me luck? 🤞
She typed back quickly: You don't need luck. You have everything else.
"Seriously, Winter. Why did you insist on coming?"
"Just wanted to see New York."
"You've seen New York twenty times."
Three dots appeared on her screen.
Karina: What if I say something stupid?
Minjeong: You won't.
Karina: What if it goes badly?
Minjeong: Then you call me.
Karina: What if it goes well?
Minjeong stared at the question. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.
"Winter?"
"Sorry, what?"
"I said we're resuming in five."
Minjeong: Then I'll be happy for you.
Karina: You're the best 💕 I'll text you after
"Actually, I need some air," Minjeong said suddenly.
"Now? We're about to—"
"Just five minutes. Please."
But she was already heading for the elevator. Already pressing ground floor. Already calculating—the meeting was on the fortieth, Karina's dinner was twelve blocks away. She'd mapped it earlier.
Outside, Manhattan felt different at night. Less rushed, more anonymous. She walked without direction, just needing movement. Her phone stayed silent. No update from Karina yet.
She turned a corner, then another. Let her feet carry her away from the tower, away from the restaurant where Karina was probably laughing at Yujin's jokes by now.
A neon sign caught her eye—"Blue Note." The door was propped open, jazz spilling onto the street. Music that sounded like how her chest felt.
She went in.
Inside was dim, intimate. A Black woman commanded the small stage, voice like whiskey and smoke. The crowd was sparse for a Tuesday—couples nursing drinks, a few solo patrons at the bar.
"What can I get you?" The bartender didn't card her. Maybe the exhaustion showed.
"Just water."
"Two drink minimum, honey."
"Coke then. Two."
She found a corner table, let the music wash over her. Her phone buzzed:
Manager: Where are you? Meeting's resuming.
Minjeong: Emergency. Be back soon.
Not entirely a lie. This felt like an emergency of sorts.
The singer finished to scattered applause.
"Anyone else want to share something tonight?" The pianist scanned the room. "Open mic for the next half hour."
Minjeong's hand moved before her brain caught up.
"Yes? The young lady in the back?"
Walking to the stage felt like floating. The lights were softer up here, the audience just shadows.
"What would you like to perform?"
She whispered to the pianist. He nodded, fingers finding the opening notes.
"This is for someone who's probably having dinner right now," she said into the mic. Stopped. "No, that's... Just. This is 'The Nearness of You.'"
The music began. Minjeong closed her eyes, let the words come.
[MONTAGE]
The spotlight finds Minjeong through a haze of cigarette smoke. Her hands tremble as she adjusts the microphone. The pianist nods. She closes her eyes, breathes deep.
"It's not the pale moon that excites me..."
Her voice cracks slightly. The bartender stops polishing glasses.
Cut to: Chelsea underground
Bass thunders through floorboards. Bodies writhe under strobes. But there—stillness. Wonyoung at the bar's end, fourth shot in hand. Someone leans close, whispers something. She turns her head away.
"...that thrills and delights me..."
Cut to: Manhattan restaurant
"Upset?" Karina's laugh is sharp. "I'm fucking furious." Wine glass trembling in her grip. The city glitters below through floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Oh no..."
Cut to: The jazz bar
A tear tracks down Minjeong's cheek, catching amber light. She doesn't wipe it away. The sparse crowd thinks it's performance.
"...it's just the nearness of you"
Cut to: The restaurant
"Do you know what I did for this? Pushed back a Vogue cover shoot." Karina's voice rising. "Made myself available every time you could only text at 3 AM." Yujin staring at the table, unable to meet her eyes.
Cut to: Chelsea underground
The woman from earlier tries again, hand on Wonyoung's arm. "Let me take you home. Make you forget whatever has you looking so sad." Wonyoung pulls away. "I can't."
"When you're in my arms..."
Cut to: The jazz bar
Minjeong's eyes open, staring at shadows beyond the stage lights. More tears now, but her voice grows stronger.
"...and I feel you so close to me..."
Cut to: The restaurant
"Go find her." Karina standing, throwing cash on pristine white linen. "Even when you were texting me, you'd stop mid-conversation if she posted something." The words final. Yujin frozen, half-standing.
"...all my wildest dreams come true"
Cut to: The jazz bar
The music continues into the second verse. Minjeong grips the microphone stand now, knuckles white. Her voice soars over the pain.
"I need no soft lights to enchant me..."
The camera slowly pulls back. She's so small on the stage, pouring everything into empty space. An elderly couple at a corner table reaches for each other's hands, moved by something they can't name.
"...if you will only grant me the right..."
Another tear falls. Then another. But her voice never wavers now. Stronger with each line.
"...to hold you ever so tight..."
The pianist watches her with growing concern, but his hands keep moving. This is her moment. Her truth.
"...and to feel in the night..."
She opens her eyes one last time, staring directly into the darkness beyond the lights. As if someone might be there. As if she's been there all along.
"...the nearness of you"
The last note holds. And holds. And breaks.
Scattered applause from the dozen souls who witnessed something they didn't understand. Minjeong bows once, tears still wet on her cheeks, and walks off stage into shadow.
Fade to black
PRESENT - Queensboro Bridge
They'd found a bench by the water, huddled together against the wind. The wine was long gone, replaced by a comfortable quiet.
"You smell like smoke," Karina observed suddenly.
"Do I?"
"Yeah. Like... cigarettes but not. Sweeter."
"Probably from the street. You know New York."
Karina pulled back slightly, studying Minjeong's wrist. A paper bracelet, the kind they give at venues.
"What's this?"
"Oh. Must be from the meeting. They were strict about access."
"Huh." Karina traced the text with her finger. "Blue Note. Isn't that a jazz club?"
"Is it?"
"Yeah. Famous one." She looked up. "I didn't know you liked jazz."
"I'm learning to appreciate it."
"You should sing it sometime. You have the voice for it."
Something flickered across Minjeong's face. "You think?"
"Yeah. All smoky and emotional." Karina smiled, the first real one all night. "I'd love to hear you sing jazz."
"You would?"
"Yeah."
They sat in the quiet, city humming around them. Karina shifted closer, seeking warmth.
"I'm sorry," she said suddenly.
"For what?"
"Dumping all this on you. Again. You must be so tired of picking up my pieces."
"I'm not."
"Still. You didn't have to come find me."
"I wanted to."
"Why?"
Minjeong considered the question. "Because you needed someone. And I... I'm always going to be that someone. If you'll let me."
"You're too good to me."
"No. I'm exactly as good as you deserve."
Karina leaned her head on Minjeong's shoulder. "Know what I need right now?"
"What?"
"Food. Real food. Those dumplings you mentioned."
"I know just the place." Minjeong stood, offering her hand. "Twenty-four hour spot in Flushing. Best soup dumplings in Queens."
"Lead the way."
They walked toward the subway, Karina steady now, the night softening around them.
BONUS SCENE - Hotel Room, Next Morning
Karina woke to her phone buzzing against the nightstand. Her head throbbed—wine and crying and not enough sleep. The clock read 11:23 AM.
She grabbed her phone, squinting at the notifications.
A text from Ningning: check twitter. now.
Then another: actually maybe don't
From Giselle: holy shit minjeong can SING
Instead of answering, Ningning sent a link.
The video quality was grainy, clearly filmed on someone's phone. A small jazz club, dim lighting, and—
Minjeong.
On stage. At a microphone.
Karina hit play.
Minjeong's voice filled the room. The camera shook but caught everything—the tears on her face, how her hands gripped the microphone, the way her voice soared and broke and soared again.
Karina watched without blinking.
Then watched it again.
Her chest tightened. Something shifted inside her, quiet and inevitable.
Again.
This time she caught Minjeong's fingers trembling on the mic stand. The way she swayed slightly, lost in the song. The timestamp in the corner: 9:47 PM.
While Karina was at dinner.
Again.
She'd never heard Minjeong sing like this. Had never seen her so... exposed.
Again.
A knock at her door.
"Karina? You awake?" Minjeong's voice, carefully neutral. "We have that lunch meeting in an hour."
Karina stared at the door, then at her phone. At Minjeong frozen mid-note on the small screen.
"Yeah," she managed. "I'll be ready."
"Okay. I'll be in the lobby."
Footsteps retreating.
Karina hit play again.
This time she noticed the paper bracelet on Minjeong's wrist. The same one she'd traced with her fingers last night. Blue Note.
Her eyes burned. Not quite tears. Not quite.
She saved the video. Watched it once more. The way Minjeong poured everything into the microphone. The way she sang like her heart was breaking.
Or maybe like it had been breaking for a long time.
Karina sat in the rumpled hotel sheets, phone cradled in her hands. The video ended. She didn't press play again.
Just sat there, holding this piece of Minjeong she'd never seen before.
Or maybe had always seen, just never looked at directly.
The meeting was in an hour. Everything would continue as normal.
But something had tilted off its axis, so subtle she couldn't name it yet.
She held her phone. Held this moment. Held this strange, soft ache that felt like recognition.
Like finally noticing a door that had always been open.
END