Mae looked at herself in the mirror: the mascara and the eyeliner she wore smudged all around her eyes, her foundation melted half way through her skin. She wiped it all off gently with a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover, trying to wipe away all her tears with it as well. It's fascinating how God created tears as a mechanism for humans to cope, washing away part of your sadness and stress.

After washing her face, Mae put her phone inside the waterproof phone case and immersed herself in the bathtub.

As soon as she presses the home button, she saw 13 missed calls and 5 messages, all from Dang Sikyeong. She cursed under her breath before quickly calling back. Yet, he wasn't picking up.

Finally, when she called him for the third time, he rejected her call and sent her a message shortly: I'm back in the dorm now, let's talk tomorrow after training.

Mae sighed as she read his text, guilt rushing over her. She replied to him and then put the phone aside to clear her mind.

The next day, Mae woke up early so she had the extra time to go back to her dorm before heading to class. She walked out of the room to see Caroline serving food on the table.

As much as Mae didn't want yesterday's argument to ruin their relationship, she still wasn't ready to talk to her.

"Where is Nancy?" she asked as she opened the fridge to get herself yogurt.

"She's out to buy grocery," Caroline replied as she put the last plate down on the table.

Mae nodded without looking at her, mixing sugar-free blueberry jam with her yogurt.

"Eat breakfast before you leave." Caroline gestured Mae to sit down across her.

Mae stood irresolute for a few seconds before she hesitantly sat down, facing Caroline.

Caroline helped Mae to ladle the porridge in her bowl.

"Do you want to go to Hai Di Lao tonight for dinner?" Caroline asked as she placed the bowl in front of Mae. She seemed indifferent as if they didn't have that conversation yesterday.

Mae didn't reply, she wore no expression either while silently gulping the porridge.

"It's been a long time since I had hot pot. The last time was when I went back to Guangzhou." Caroline carefully looked at Mae, trying not to be too obvious when she did.

Finally, after few seconds of silence, she nodded.

"I'll pick you up from your campus then." A gentle smile crawled up on Caroline's feature.

Mae shook her head, "I have other places to go. And do you mean to go to the branch in Myeongdong? It will be easier for me to go there."

"Sure." Caroline nodded, her eyes glittering under the sunlight, clearly satisfied with Mae's answer.

Mae tried to eat the breakfast as quietly as possible, however, Caroline seemed to have set her mind to talk to Mae and get back to how they were before "the conversation" occurred. Mae cursed their genes that have a surname called "Lin" while listening to her sister talk and replying to her. Everyone in her family seemed to be a talkative extrovert. Caroline, who consumed more salts than Mae consumed rice, was an expert at searching topics to break the ice between them. Her determination didn't fail her as the sisters went back to how they were before Mae left the house. The hot pot session wasn't even needed anymore, yet Caroline kept reminding her throughout the day by sending her countless Wechat messages that they have to meet each other for dinner.

Mae sighed when she opened yet another meme Caroline sent her on wechat as she waited for Dang Sikyeong.

The few trainee stans sat around the round table in a small food place near TK Entertainment. Seung Hyeon, the quietest of the trio, sat in the corner, sketching something on her iPad while taking a few sips from the drink in front of her. Mae observed her quietly as she used her stylus to craft exquisite shapes and added alluring colors to the blank page, creating enchanting visuals.

"Your drawing is really nice," Mae commented suddenly when Seung Hyeon put her stylus down on the table.

"Thank you," Seung Hyeon slightly bowed her head towards Mae in response to her compliment.

"Do you have an account to share your art?" Mae's lips curled up as she asked her.

"Of course she does, she's even pretty famous on Instagram." Jang Yi Na interrupted their conversation and excitedly pulled out her phone to show Mae her friend's accomplishment. Nana's face glowed as she proudly swiped through Seung Hyeon's amazing arts.

Mae grabbed on Jang Yi Na's wrist to stop her from motioning her hand and to take a clear look at her account.

"Wait, let me follow her."

Mae didn't waste any time as she scanned the number of her followers and clicked the blue button on her screen. This kid has some potential after all.

"Do you draw Five?" Mae asked as she put her phone down on the table and gazed at Seung Hyeon.

Seung Hyeon nodded, "I did, but those get the least likes so I stopped drawing them."

"Dude, you shouldn't let those numbers dominate you! How many times do I have to say this?" Jang Yi Na slapped Seung Hyeon's back lightly as she flashed her a glare.

Mae nodded but didn't interrupt; she simply just smiled at these kids' close relationship.

A woman in her mid-twenties entered the store just then. She went straight towards the cashier and ordered, affectionately calling the owner of this place "ajumma".

"Isn't she the assistant manager?" Hong Dong Mi whispered in a voice only they can hear.

They all quieted down and turned their face to stare at her. Mae didn't join them; she leaned back and scrolled through her phone, feigning indifference. While most of the idols and the trainees love enthusiastic fans who would always cheer for them and scream their name when they pass by, the managers and staff members often incline towards the ones who are more reserved. First impressions are important.

"Can you please wait just another five minutes? Everything will be prepared in just a bit," the old lady said apologetically as she pointed the seat beside Mae's for her to wait.

"Yes, of course," She let a gentle smile appear on her features as she slightly curved her back, "Take your time, ajumma."

She then turned her heels and walked towards the girls' seat.

"Hi," she politely bowed her head, greeting the girls, "I remember you guys. Are you waiting for the trainees?"

Mae finally raised her head and greeted her back. She slightly moved towards the corner, providing space for the assistant manager to sit.

"I heard a lot about you guys from the boys," her lips curled upwards as she looked at the girls, "They are really grateful."

"Unnie," Jang Yi Na uttered but soon paused as she bit her tongue, "I am sorry."

"No, it's okay, you can call me unnie," she left out a soft chuckle.

"Is the debut date fixed yet?" Hong Dong Mi asked, gazing at her expectantly.

The assistant manager didn't reply, she lightly bit her lips, blinking at a rate faster than usual.

The three girls were still staring at her. Mae slightly frowned at her expression, then, getting the hint, she diverted the topic into something else.

The assistant manager breathed out in relief and slightly bowed her head facing Mae when the other three girls were busy talking among themselves.

The old lady interrupted their conversation just then as she put the meal set into a white plastic bag. The assistant manager quickly got up and took the food from her, bowing down and thanking the old lady.

"See you guys later," the assistant manager waved at the girls with a smile on her face.

After the assistant manager left, Mae excused herself to the washroom. She sent Dang Sikyeong a text to ask him when his practice will end. It didn't take more than a minute for him to reply: It'll probably end at midnight. I guess we will need to wait for another day to talk.

Mae sighed internally; she wasn't surprised by his response.

Let me know if your practice ends before 9, I might come back. – Mae typed in.

How did you feel about the bond the two sisters share? Do you have a cousin or sibling with whom you share a similar relationship?

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