⫯ convenience

@✦ elovie tu「ᴇᴠᴇ」ᵗʳᵃⁱⁿᵉᵉ "dude," he starts with a roll of his eyes, fumbling for the handles on the basket as elovie tugs him along with her, "what is it with you and skipping out on meals until you're on the verge of blacking out?" wooshik trails after her, trying to keep up with the fast pace, chucking every item into the basket. "no one is gonna be looking for you, trust me," he snickers as he leans back against the spot next to her, waiting for her to toss the kimbap with the rest of the snacks piling up. "me on the other hand... they'll miss me!"

@✦ baek wooshik ʳᵉᵛᵒˡᵗ by the time the two best friends have scurried their way to the convenience store past after hours, elovie wastes no time in dragging wooshik to the ramyeon section, fully expecting for the latter to retrieve the convenience store basket. "i haven't eaten in like... err, nevermind. let's just say i'm going to eat quite a bit, heh." sticking by her word, she dumps two cups of shin ramyeon in his arms, promptly disappearing towards the aisle where triangle kimbap is kept. "remember, we only have an hour before they notice we're gone!"

@✦ aaron kang「ᴀᴇʀᴏ」ʳᵉᵛᵒˡᵗ Yanjun dragged Aero to the convenience store with a wide smile on his face. "I want all the food! Like Chios and chocolate and cookies," Yanjun listed off as he grabbed a basket, looking around. "And I need icecream and soda and pie!"

@✦ jung mirae「ᴍɪᴀ」ᵐʸˢᵗⁱᵠᵘᵉ jiho felt a mix of relief and embarrassment as mia stood before him, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. he had only meant to return the forgotten items, but the situation had taken an unexpectedly awkward turn.

"it's not a big deal."

when mia suggested that he call his manager or wait inside their dorm, jiho shook his head gently. "thank you for your concern, but I'll be fine. I'm not afraid to walk alone, and I wouldn't want to bother you any further. you should get back inside where it's safe."

with a slight bow of his head, he turned to leave, hoping to put this awkward encounter behind him. as he walked away from Mia's dorm, though, he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. as he walked down the dimly lit streets, his unease grew, and he couldn't ignore the nagging sensation that someone was following him. He quickened his pace, hoping to lose whoever might be tailing him. ar the end of the street, he turned abruptly, ready to confront his pursuer. to his dismay, he was met not with a fan seeking an autograph but with a paparazzi photographer, camera poised and ready. Jiho's expression darkened as he realized the situation had taken a turn for the worse.

"delete those pictures," jiho demanded, trying to keep his composure despite his frustration.

the photographer, unapologetic, replied callously, "it's too late. I've already sent them to my editor, and they're on their way to your company. this is big news." jiho sighed, realizing that his privacy was about to be invaded once again. "you'll hear it from me soon, get ready with your lawyer then. " said him coldly. with a heavy heart, he walked away, knowing that he couldn't do much to stop the impending storm of gossip and rumors that would soon surround him and mia.

@✦ jeon jiho ʳᵉᵛᵒˡᵗ Jiho? Something to return? Mia's brows furrowed again in confusion when she realized what he meant by that. Quickly she walked over to the door and unlocked it. Wide eyes greeted Jiho before it casted down to the plastic bag. Yes the same plastic bag she handed over to him without remembering what she bought along with those beers and snacks. "Um... So...is it what I think it is?" Mia asked with soft voice, her cheeks turned red in embarrassment as she stepped outside from the dorm entrance, utterly unaware of the lurking paparazzi who followed Jiho after spotting two of them at the convenient store early on. Her bashful smile which caused by the awkwardness of the situation could be interpret as something different if someone who didn't know what happen between two of them saw them right now. "T-thank you for... you know... returning it back to me. I swear to God I didn't remember I bought something else aside from those beers and snacks. Before you accuse me of something like I leave them on purpose there. I freaked out myself earlier for my careless mistake. So, thank you, sunbaenim for bringing it back to me." She gave him a bow as a thank you sign for what he done to her right now. "I know it's kinda late so maybe you should call your manager and ask her to pick you up? it'd be better like that than coming back home walking alone. If you want, you can wait for her inside our dorm? I'm sure it's okay if for just a while..."

@✦ jung mirae「ᴍɪᴀ」ᵐʸˢᵗⁱᵠᵘᵉ jiho, standing in the dimly lit corridor, had just knocked on the door to mia's apartment. he could feel his heart pounding as he waited for her response, his nerves getting the best of him. mia's voice crackled through the intercom, causing him to clear his throat softly before responding, "It's Jiho. there's something I need to return to you." He scratched his reddening cheek, a sign of his unease.

as he stood there, patiently waiting, jiho couldn't help but maintain a heightened sense of caution about his surroundings. the late hour and the mysterious nature of his visit had put him on edge. who knew what could happen in the middle of the night?

he couldn't shake the thought that there might be someone lurking nearby, or even worse, a stalker who had followed him. the city could be a dangerous place after dark and then there was the constant worry of the paparazzi.

jiho was well aware of the public eye that followed him and mia's every move. he knew that even in the stillness of the night, there could be photographers lurking, ready to capture any moment they could sell to the highest bidder. he adjusted the collar of his coat, trying to blend into the shadows as best as he could.

@✦ jeon jiho ʳᵉᵛᵒˡᵗ Mia was fuming. It might be because of that annoying monthly cycle which happened when she forgot to restock all the necessities aka chocolates and ice cream to get through it. But Jiho's accusation was enough to made her blood boil. To be honest, Mia wasn't a type who get angry often. She always able to keep her anger at bay and maybe just released a tiny bit of it by jokingly screaming at her members (if it was them the cause of her annoyed self or anger) or just simply do a meditation; as her motto said "if you get angry often, you'll get wrinkles faster."

Slamming the door behind her, it was clear for anyone to see that she was indeed in a bad mood right now. A frown seemed permanently attached on her forehead as she marched towards the bathroom to do some clean up. Staring at the empty shelf in the bathroom, it was then she knew she made a fatal mistake by just giving the plastic bag to Jiho. Mia let out an annoyed scream while her face turned red from both anger and embarrassment. Luckily no one seemed to be in the dorm right now so no one would be alerted by her scream. She banged her head to the wall lightly for few times while muttering "stupid mirae." However that self punishment moment was cut short when she heard a knock on the door. Frowning for the nth time, she wondered who would've knocked their dorm' door. Feeling uneasy, Mia looked around to find anything that can be used as a weapon just in case it was a crazy sasaeng who managed to track down their address. After grabbing a rolling pin from the kitchen, Mia walked over to their home intercom to see who knocked at their door this late. "...Who is it?"

@✧ griselda von nacht「ᴢᴇʟᴅᴀ」ᵗʳᵃⁱⁿᵉᵉ reece already had his eyes fixated on the aisle of beer (even if there was still a good portion of some back in the dorm), seemingly less intrigued with whatever the younger female was saying. but as usual, he was already taking mental note of spending money on anything she had wanted, with reason, just like it had been all throughout most years of their friendship. sure, he might’ve spoiled the girl rotten a couple of times— but it made for the most hilarious reactions he could often get from klaus. what mattered more, however, was the sense of contentment when it came to being in zelda’s aid, someone he had essentially grown to care for as much as he’d never admit it. “right, so it’s either that beer or.. that one for me.” he cast her a look, gaze ridden with amusement since he should have known better to just eat a lot more. better yet, set an example, even if the girl was known to march to the beat of her own drum. “maybe some kimbap too, think i’d be settled with just that- and.. meh, i feel like you’d hear most of whatever crap happens either way, but i’ve just been getting a few casting call invitations for a couple of dramas that should be coming out soon. nothing too big, i’d say. we’ll see what happens there. now as for you, i’m sure you’ve got news for me? you always do.”

@✦ jung mirae「ᴍɪᴀ」ᵐʸˢᵗⁱᵠᵘᵉ jiho couldn't help but watch mia as she walked away, her words ringing in his ears. it was unlike her to be so assertive and direct with him. usually, she'd extend kindness, which he had harshly declined numerous times. however, tonight was different, and he found her spirited response oddly amusing.

as he peeked into the plastic bag mia had given him, his eyes widened in surprise when he discovered the sanitary pads nestled among the snacks and drinks. his face flushed with embarrassment, an uncommon sensation for him. he let out a heavy sigh, realizing that he had misunderstood her intentions once again.

shaking his head at his own folly, jiho couldn't help but chuckle softly at the situation. it was a moment of vulnerability he hadn't expected. he made his way to the mystique dorm, standing in front of their door. with a gentle knock, he waited, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement over the unexpected encounter with mia.

@✦ jeon jiho ʳᵉᵛᵒˡᵗ "Following you?" She let out a scoff, not quite believing what she heard from the guy. Was he that dense to not recognizing his fellow labelmate? 'What did I see in someone like him again?' Mia couldn't help but ask herself the same question her close friends had been asking her for a long time since they learned about her one sided feeling for Jeon Jiho. "Yah. Listen here. I am not that free enough to follow you around. Do you have a superstar syndrome or what huh? Maybe you should pay more attention to your surrounding, sun.bae.nim." she squinted her eyes at him, somewhat feeling annoyed even more before shoving the plastic shopping bag to him. "Here. Not for you. Give it to the other Revolt sunbaenim. I'm sure they would love a midnight snack and drinks." Mia huffed as she took steps back, eyeing the male in front of her a bit coldly, no she didn't care right now. "And I'm not a sasaeng or anything. I'm one of the Mystique member. Mia. So you can relax, sunbaenim. Have a good night." She gave a polite bow to the male and walk back towards the apartment complex after leaving the shopping bag with Jiho, not remembering that she bought sanitary towel along with the other snacks.

@✦ jung mirae「ᴍɪᴀ」ᵐʸˢᵗⁱᵠᵘᵉ jiho had just been about to make a hasty exit from the convenience store, his mind filled with thoughts of avoiding overzealous fans or any unexpected threats, when a sudden and firm grip on his arm startled him. he swiftly turned, his expression a mix of surprise and caution, as he wondered who could dare to interrupt his hurried departure. fear of a sasaeng fan or an unknown assailant coursed through him, causing his frown to deepen.

however, as he took in the face of the person who had detained him, recognition dawned. it was the same girl from before, the one who had been kind enough to gift him a lunchbox. jiho cleared his throat, determined to regain his composure, and he made a deliberate effort to maintain his typical cold demeanor. "yes, I changed my mind. why? is that a problem?" he asked, his voice laced with indifference. ofc it's a lie, he obviously want to go back to his dorm and fetch his card. "why are you even here? you're not following me, right?" asked him.

@✦ jeon jiho ʳᵉᵛᵒˡᵗ Making her way down from the apartment building, Mia who dressed rather warmly with a hoodie and training pants, humming softly as she walked to the convenient store near their building. Checking the group message to see if the other girls needed something, Mia smiled at Maia's message and quickly typing a reply before putting her phone back inside her pants pocket.

Once inside the store, she paid no mind to others as she grabbed the shopping basket, putting in several bottles of soju and several cans of beer along with some shrimp crackers and corn crackers to be eaten as she enjoy the somaek also not forgetting to take a popsicle to enjoy on her way back to the dorm. Looking at the stuffs inside the basket and making sure she got everything she needed, Mia happily walked to the cashier and pay for her stuffs when she caught the appearance of the man who got her feeling bittersweet. Mia frowned as she noticed the frown on his face and walked outside to grab Jiho's arm which when she realized what she did, she immediately released it. "Um s-sorry. I didn't meant to... Anyway. You're not buying anything from the store? Don't get me wrong! Uh... you just looked like you're about to get in but changed your mind..."

@✦ jung mirae「ᴍɪᴀ」ᵐʸˢᵗⁱᵠᵘᵉ jiho trudged through the dimly lit streets, the weight of exhaustion heavy on his shoulders. the night was cool, and the neon lights from the convenience store ahead seemed to offer a welcome respite from the chaos of the day. s were waiting back at the dorm, their energy drained after hours of dance practice. jiho had promised to bring back some late-night snacks to lift their spirits.

as he reached the entrance of the convenience store, jiho's hand instinctively reached for his back pocket, where his wallet usually resided. panic gripped him as he realized it was empty. his black card, the lifeline for this impromptu snack run, was nowhere to be found. he couldn't help but curse himself under his breath. he reached for his phone in his pocket, intending to call a member to bring the wallet to him, only to find it lifeless. forgotten in the morning rush, it had run out of battery hours ago.

with a heavy sigh and a sense of frustration, jiho decided he had no choice but to cancel the purchase.

@✧ reece nishiya「ʀᴇᴀᴘ.ʀ」ᵈᵒˣ as much as zelda had love for her dumb big brother klaus, there was no denying how much she adored and appreciated reece's companionship just as much... if not more sometimes. it'd been ages since she had any free time for herself to relax and unwind, let alone catch up with an old friend, so naturally the first person she thought to ask out for a casual hang was none other than reeces pieces himself. "i'm thinking of getting miso ramen this time!" zelda chimed in as she roamed the convenience aisles alongside the taller man, happily linking their arms together. "so, got any news lately? preferably the sort that doesn't involve my idiot brother doing... whatever the hell he gets up to at the dorms."