To answer someone's question, Yiyeon's height is 169.3 cm :>

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Chapter 22

"I'm home," Yiyeon said upon entering their house. She heard footsteps approaching her, and she could only laugh at Hyunjin's overprotectiveness sometimes.

"Yah, are you alright? You didn't get another beating from them, right?" Hyunjin asked as he sat down beside his cousin. "They didn't hurt you, right?"

Yiyeon raised a brow and shook her head. "I'm fine. Stop worrying," she chuckled. She placed her shoes in the shoe rack and laid down on the couch. "Renjun and Jaemin walked me until the bus stop, so I'm good. Besides, it was already dark when we went home. So I doubt that Jeno's sasaengs were still there."

Hyunjin sighed in relief. "Man, I can't believe he has a lot of crazy-ass fans. They're starting to creep me out." He said and went to the dining area. "Let's eat dinner! I bought katsudon for the two of us."

The girl immediately stood up and cheered, "Woah, that's new." She laughed. "You have always been so stingy. I can't believe you actually bought something for me."

"You're making me sound like a bad cousin!" Hyunjin scoffed. "Anyways, did Yikyung-hyung already told you?"

Yiyeon pulled her chair and sat down. "That he'll be coming home next week? Yeah, he called me earlier," she said and opened her food.

"Thank you for the food!" The two said and clapped their hands together.

"He said that he wasn't able to book an early flight, and the earliest flight available would be Thursday next week," Yiyeon said. "It's okay, though." She shrugged.

Hyunjin nodded.

"You guys had your training earlier, right?" Yiyeon asked. "How was practice?"

"We had a great time, actually," he chuckled. "Daewon brought UNO cards with him, and we played during break." He said. "It wasn't an ordinary game, though. The loser has to clean the court with a member he chooses. Guess who lost?"

Yiyeon snorted, "Mark Lee?"

Hyunjin nodded and laughed. "He and Chenle cleaned the court after. It was hilarious, I swear."

****

"It's weird to see you here," Yejin laughed upon seeing Yiyeon eating at their usual table the next day. "You've been so busy with club activities. I thought that you had forgotten us."

Yiyeon scoffed, "What were you thinking?" She said and continued eating her spaghetti.

"You're only eating spaghetti for lunch? That's new," Sungchan raised a brow. "I thought that you guys would have volleyball for gym class?" He asked.

The girl showed them the lanyard that was around her neck. It was their press ID, which could bail them out of any situation. "Press work," she sighed. "I haven't gotten enough sleep last night since I arrived around 8, and then I ate dinner, then I had to stay up late because I need to catch up with the missed lessons."

"Sucks to be you," Yejin laughed.

The other girl could only nod and laugh, "Couldn't agree more."

They stopped talking the moment someone grabbed the empty chair beside Sungchan. Yejin and Daewon's eyes widened, Jeongmin smiled, Sungchan looked like he didn't care, and Yiyeon looked away.

"Oh, Yangyang!" Yejin cheered. "It's been a while," she smiled.

Yangyang pressed his lips into a thin smile and sat down, placing his tray on the table. "Yeah, it's been a while," he said, his eyes traveling to Yiyeon, whose gaze and attention were somewhere else.

Yangyang's back. But it was as if he never existed.

"You guys have an upcoming game, don't you?" Yejin asked.

Daewon and Yangyang nodded. "It'll be in Busan. The location is a bit farther than our usual games, but I guess it'll be worthy," Yangyang shrugged.

The rest of them continued catching up with Yangyang since they couldn't talk to him the past couple of weeks. It was lonely without him, and now that he's back, they felt relieved.

Yiyeon, on the other hand, continued eating while spacing out. She decided to think about other kinds of stuff, such as the layout that she'll be doing for the editorial page later on. Once she was finished with her food, she stood up, "I have to continue the press work. See you guys around!" She said and carried her tray with her.

Yangyang could only watch her walk away, and the rest could only look at Yangyang, who was drowning in his own misery.

Yiyeon and Yangyang had stopped talking. It was like they never existed.

The rest were slowly getting used to it, but they don't want to.

***

"Yiyeon-ah!" Jaemin called the girl who was busy typing on the computer.

She looked back and raised a brow, "What is it?"

The rest of the club members trailed behind Jaemin. They were grinning and chuckling, and Yiyeon doesn't have any idea about what's going on.

"Noona, tomorrow's your birthday, right?" Jisung asked.

Yiyeon slowly nodded, "Yeah, why did you ask?"

Jaemin stepped sidewards so that Yiyeon would be able to see the rest of the club members. Her eyes widened the moment she saw Yuan and Taeho holding a cake.

"Happy birthday to you," Jaemin started clapping his hands and singing lively. "Happy birthday to you!"

Yiyeon chuckled when his voice cracked. She looked around and noticed that some of them were even wearing mini party hats.

"Happy Birthday Yiyeonnie~" She clapped her hands with them as Renjun placed a mini party hat on her head. "Happy birthday to you!" The song ended as they clapped their hands, ordering Yiyeon to blow the candle on the cake.

I wish for my and everyone's happiness.

She opened her eyes and blew the candle, which made everyone cheer.

Jisung stepped closer and dipped his finger onto the cake's icing, only to wipe it on Yiyeon's cheek. "Happy birthday, noona!" He said as he ran away from Yiyeon.

The girl just shook her head as she smiled. "Thank you, everyone... I... didn't really expect this. I don't know what to say," she said as she scratched her nape. "I'm beyond happy and honored that you guys became my co-club members."

She sighed and continued, "Ever since I left varsity, I never thought I would be a part of another team, but you guys... you guys are the best!" She said. "Thank you so much!" Yiyeon said and did a light bow.

Taeho placed the cake on Yiyeon's desk.

"And to Jaemin... our editor-in-chief, our captain," she paused. "Thank you for pestering me to join the newspaper team," she smiled.

Jaemin smiled as he clapped his hands once, "Okay, let's stop the happiness before someone actually cries," he said, which made everyone laugh. "Let's dig in!" He said.

Yiyeon laughed as she watched everyone get a slice. The cake was pretty big for all of them, and she watched as Renjun and Jisung fight over the flower topping. Then, she shook her head as she sliced a piece herself.

"Hey, would it be alright to save another slice for me?" She asked. "I'm planning to give it to the glutton who lives in the same house as me," she laughed.

"Oh, Hyunjin?" Jaemin laughed. "Sure, why not? It's your cake, anyways."

"Thanks, Jaemin. I owe you a lot."

"We shouldn't be counting favors here, Yiyeon." He smiled.

***

The atmosphere was heavy. Even a non-member of the team would be able to say that something was happening. Nobody was speaking. It was silent. Really silent, for that matter.

Daewon squinted his eyes at the guy seated in front of him as he placed his card down. "Uno!" He said.

There were only three players left. Mark, Minho, and Daewon.

Mark had the most cards left, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he loses this game once again. "I'm sorry, I have to do this," he said as he placed two 'plus four' cards. "Minho-yah, forgive me." He said, which made everyone laugh.

Minho, on the other hand, was left with no choice but to draw 8 cards.

"Oh my gosh, why is this so funny," Chenle laughed as he watched Mark and Minho argue.

The door to their locker room opened, and their coach entered. "What are you boys still doing? Go home already," he said, which made the players groan.

Yangyang stood up to get his bag inside his locker when he noticed that Jeno was trailing behind him. "Can I be of any help?" He raised a brow.

Jeno took a deep breath and looked at his friend, "I have to tell you something."

- tbc.

woot woot.