Pfft… you guys live together, though. You’re waaaay ahead of me. Yah… you’re not so good with words, are you? That makes me sound like a back up plan, last resort or something… which I’m not! Not even a second option!
I do think so, too… that he picked it up since he was little because he does it without knowing. Imagine clingy aegi Mambin. Aigoo…! So cute!!! Ah, I don’t know about Hanbyullie, though. She seems like she isn’t touchy… she doesn’t even smile much. But then again, that’s just like her oppa too. Doesn’t smile all too much, doesn’t look like the type who likes skinship… I didn’t think he would when I first met him. Full of surprises, those two! Or maybe their whole family? It seems like it.
That’s a totally different case, though. It’s more like… since they insist on it, you just agree so everyone can move on. Do you actually believe now that you’re handsome or are you just acknowledging compliments out of courtesy? With me, I’ve been told those things, sure. It’s not like I came up with them out of nowhere but I stated things without anyone pointing them out about me at that exact moment. So… just different. Really different. Plus, you know… how people are about female idols? Don’t you? I’m guessing that’s what you mean by that anyway. Mm, yeah! It’s better that way. Just stay in the middle, the neutral ground. Acknowledge it sometimes, deny it other times. Not only does that make them confused, it also makes them think you’re just the right amount of confidence because you can be both arrogant and humble. At that point it can only go one way, right?
I guess, it all depends…? Do the majority really believe and agree that I’m above average in terms of… visuals? If they do, then it wouldn’t be a problem in that aspect. I haven’t heard anyone criticize my appearance apart from saying I look… cold? Which isn’t so bad? I kinda like it… that makes me cool and cute at the same time! I don’t know about the rest, though. I think I’m good at the things I do. I did work hard to improve skills but everyone will have dissimilar opinions. Hm… you sure? Sometimes a friend can get judge-y, too. I would rather have a friend tell me what they really think though rather than telling me what I want to hear. There’s times I’d prefer the latter but… at the end of the day, it’s better to be honest. It doesn’t matter what the intentions are, nothing comes good out of lying. Heh, that’s right. Shut them all up!
This flattery! Naturally… the girl you’ve been hearing about almost everyday, probably everyday, left and right ears. That’s me, Jennie! Kidding aside, I don’t know if I should feel bad or be proud… I’ll just go with both. Either way, you are on the same level. Two of my favorites love you too… I’ve found my real rival. I thought it was Hanbin before. Babi is also awesome but not as much as me. All the level you’ll have to reach for is the coolness part. Keep up, Babi! Mehrong~ Maybe eventually Chaengie will need an actual pet dog… so she can leave my son alone. Lisa is a cat person, so that’s all good. Suuuure, Jiwon.
You heard?! -she stares open-mouthed for a second, as if she was to gasp yet without the inhale itself present- I did see some articles about it and was told by friends as well. It’s funny, though, that people see me like that and so specific to a brand. I thought since it’s the norm for celebrities to wear it, the title would have been taken waaay before…? -the back of her hand hovers over her lips that parted to make way for a small chuckle- Are you sure, oppa? It’s when they say it isn’t is when it is. But! Since you’re the model for Vogue, I’ll make sure to purchase more of their stuff!
Yah… don’t overdo it. Now I’m the one getting jealous. While I have to agree he does have a thing for thighs, I didn’t ask for details.
Wow, you’re so honest. I like it. I do enjoy getting compliments for the most part but what I meant that you seem to have missed is that responding or acknowledging them is awkward. I can’t just pull a Han Solo and be like ‘I know’ or else people are gonna call me a narcissist. I mean, I guess I can be but… impressions last. I don’t think anyone ever forgot that I wrote my visuals, vocals, dancing, and rapping were all above average. People still tell me about it and I’m honestly embarrassed even though I know in myself I won’t take it back. Aigoo, see? If I just agree to what you’re saying now without explaining what I really thought about compliments, what would you have seriously thought? Seriously. I prefer compliments over critiques still though unless I asked. So… if you’re not someone I turn to for opinions, I wouldn’t want it. Does that sound mean…? But I wouldn’t seek it, is what I’m trying to say. I wouldn’t go online just looking for bad things being said about me. If I needed it, I’d go to my trainer or to sajangnim or to a senior… you get the drift.
Talks a lot about food… huh. Are you doing this on purpose? Are you trying to tell me who it is without actually dropping names? I’m going to pretend I don’t know who you’re talking about but, you should really try to be less obvious with the hints if that’s not the case. No, but she hangs out with Kuma a lot… I think it’s because she misses her own baby, though. That’s so cute of you. I do agree you should give her a plush toy that’s a dog so she feels less lonely about that. And I don’t really know if that’s why but… I remember calling you a rat before so it’s the first thing that came to mind after bunny. You compared me to a rodent and tried to make it sound nice so I just did the same! Heol~ that’s what I said! A bunny offstage, a rat onstage. Sizes doesn’t matter, pfft. Nuuu, Hanbin is a tiger onstage and a puppy offstage. Heh.
Is Kuma a good pupper? How much of a good pupper is Kuma?
“Kuma is so much of a good pupper everyone wants to steal him away from me!!”
“Jokes aside, he’s a joy to have around. It’s funny, I know lots of people mostly really get a Pomeranian because of how cute they are. Honestly, even me at first. I got him because he was so cute and looked like a bear!! Hence his name… you know, kuma means bear in Japanese. Heh. Or well, he looked a little bit like a monkey too when he was little. But the color is… of a bear. Bears are so cute.” says Jennie with her balled fists hovering and shaking next to her cheeks puffed up due to her wide smile.
“Anyway, I imagined they’d be erratic and hard to take care of, considering how much they shed and all the other things that’s, like… widely known about the breed. I should mention Kai, too. He’s a really, really gentle and calm pet so Kuma is a good contrast. And I don’t mean that because he’s neurotic or anything like that. He’s honestly… not that unstable. He’s very lively and affectionate, and doesn’t bark as much as you’d expect. Only really does when his ‘evil people’ radar is on. Plus he’s friendly with Kai which makes it easy for me. He’s just the right amount of clingy, too. When I want some lovin’, he’s there and ready for cuddles but he’s so smart that he has a mind of his own. With my work requiring me to be away sometimes, it’s convenient. I don’t feel so bad leaving or doing other things when I have to.”
She taps on her chin to ponder some more and in her mind shouts ‘eureka’ paired with that figurative incandescent light bulb as another point comes up. “Oh, and he’s really social. I could practically leave him with anyone and he wouldn’t mind. I think he sometimes feels like he’s some sort of celebrity… he likes to hog all the glory, likes to be in pictures, and he goes the extra mile to impress when there’s an audience that wants a good show. A little bit like his mom?” She says in jest as she sticks out her tongue playfully. “I love Kuma so much.”
“What’s with this question and everyone asking it?” The corner of her lips fought to fall down, worried if it was something to do with her behavior. She contorted her lips into an awkward, toothy smile, but her cheeks were not so compromising. Sometimes, it makes her think they have a life of their own. “Are you conspiring against me?” She spoke with a voice that hinted caution but soon her expressions turn playful with a squint, then a scrunch of her nose. “I feel fine, I guess? It’s around this time that I’m either doing everything or doing nothing and if you know me well enough, I don’t like being idle. I get anxious and I start thinking about things. So, right now I’m feeling all sorts. Guilty, reflective, and a little glum if I’m being honest. But that’s just because I’m overthinking. Relatable, right?”
This is when her smile becomes and feels more genuine. “That aside, I’m also very slowly responding to and receiving messages from people I care about and that makes me feel waaay better. Oh! And, it’s helpful how recently we opened up this fancafe-like thingy for blinks both locally and internationally. Do you have a VLIVE account? It’s called CHANNEL+! You have to pay, though… so um… anyway! I get to spend some of my time there, just communicating with blinkies. I got to do that. Plus I’m sleeping with Jichu unnie tonight so really in general, like Mamamoo sunbaenims say… I feel good!”
The laughter that exudes from the senior gets her delighted that her little plan worked, earning her an annoyingly smug smile and it trails off with a small snicker. “Not exactly but I’m a fast learner. I’ll trust you not to shoot me instead, unnie.” She clicks her tongue against the ceiling of her mouth while winking and gesturing those extra finger guns. “My boobs aren’t vengeful just like the bearer so you should be okay.” Then she proceeds to feign a frowning expression. This was normally cute to people, but it was her way of trying to commiserate in a lighthearted manner and go along with the play. “Poor pillow, always thrown around and abused.” Somehow it triggers some thoughts: that’s what happens when you’re too soft. “Should I nap right now then?” She pauses after the question, as if to show she was serious before a smile breaks out once again. “I won’t be able to actually fall asleep if you throw things at me, though. Except yourself? Hmm, well… it is pretty cold.” Now here we have an even more evident appearance of her dere side.
Lying had to be dreadful when she wasn’t even ashamed of what she had with the person in question. But she had to. They had to keep behind closed doors. Moments together had to be stolen and every rendezvous had to be in secret. She wasn’t about to put anyone’s career in jeopardy, much less her own especially with how hard she’s worked towards achieving it including the fact that it was only the beginning for her and how her beau was only a year ahead. So as dreadful, and disheartening, and troublesome it was to lie about being with someone she loved, she does so. “Yes, because there’s no guy to interrogate, oppa.” says Jennie calmly, but soon the smile bounces back to her features. It was hard with how animated the senior was being even if it was a serious matter to her, and probably him to as well with his nagging mode on. It just wasn’t obvious. She still attempted to conceal the smile that kept trying to break the stone faced facade, attempts which all turned out in vain because she just couldn’t help it.
Yet she doesn’t budge.
“Ah… I’m sure there’s other things I can talk about. I’m a rookie! It’s only going to be a scandal and fans will scalp me or rip my limbs apart if I revealed something as big as that. I’m also on a dating ban… so dating is a no-no!” It was only her polite response, despite the obvious jest that flows with his words. She appreciates the effort coming from him, nonetheless. It was something she admired from most, if not all, of her seniors. Despite carrying themselves in a fashion that was almost intimidating for a junior, they would always exude a warmth that made her feel like she was part of something. Part of the so-called YG family, even if it was simply a workplace in reality. This is her home; where she had her beloved members, the staff that helps their group, the trainers that guided her through the way, and the virtual dads, and uncles, and aunts, and big brothers and sisters.
Her lips purse and her head bowed timidly as she gathers her legs to encircle it within her arms. “It’s a common phrase! Don’t you say it to your hyungs? I say it to some of my friends, too. Sometimes.” She hopes that should suffice.
Will he? Jealous of you of all people? I don’t know. Aren’t you guys best friends and gay lovers when I’m not present? He might get jealous of me over you, if anything. It’s alright. I didn’t think that, honestly. I know it’s all platonic with you, Babi. Otherwise I would have to politely reject you and it’ll be weird and tense because I’d feel bad about doing that and getting rejected doesn’t feel too good either. It was just me not being a fan of it. Isn’t it awkward taking compliments? Like, what do you even say? Just, thank you? I never know what to do so sometimes I just don’t answer but then some people think it’s impolite if you don’t acknowledge the compliment… being the subject to compliments… mm, it’s a weird position to be in. Only one person you’re interested in here, huh? Heh… who, who?! Spill the deets!!
I’ll think about the giant stoberi costume. I’d look so silly and it’s not exactly the kind of image a girl group member would have. Buuuut part of the concept could be breaking stereotypes. Smashing the patriarchy, burning it to the ground! So we’ll have to see. Chaengie does have the cheeks and she makes that face, too. You know, the face? Noooo! It’s different. She’s trying to steal Kuma away from me!! Grrr, stop her! Hambugu, chisibugu… omo, the hungry hamster in me is triggered. I’ll have to think… wah, hm. Babi is a bunny… because… he’s a cute fluffy, and warm person offstage, total flip from his public persona which is like a rat on stage because he’s scary, people scream when they see him but he’s also cool, idealistic, ambitious, and gifted like Remy from Ratatouille. How’s that?
O… oh… kay. Well, this is starting to become more like a compliment fest. I like the strawberry comparison, but I’ll have to politely ask you to stop… or tone it down, at least. Because… yes. True though! I’m not called ‘stoberi mama bear’ for no reason, so thank you. Chipmunks enjoy nuts… heh, that’s a funny phrase. Heol… my cheeks! They seem to be what all the craze is about. Aigoo, that’s a good breakdown… I guess I’ll take it… but only when you put it that way! Like my mood right now is probably a smiley chipmunk, if not a hungry hamster. Chaengie is still the chipmunk from our bunch. Anyway… good job, Jiwonnie!! You did crack the mystery. Except I don’t know what next now. Did you want a reward for achieving that? Or did you want me to explain a whole breakdown about why you’re a cute bunny in return?
Wait, before I can answer, why are you makin’ such a cute expression in front of me like that… You actually look more like a chipmunk now, yes you’re the chipmunk – proving my point as to why I think so before I could even begin to explain it. I like it, though, it’s a… winsome… change from your pro’ mean girl face. Which I like too, don’t get me wrong.
In short, you like my face? Mean girl face, ‘chipmunk’, or anything else? Or is it that you like the charm reversal? Heh… aigoo, Bobby, you’re cute sometimes. What cute expression, though…? It’s just… my face. And why am I a chipmunk? I still need answers. I’ve been called a kitty… or a bunny, sometimes a hamster… but chipmunk? You think I’m a rodent? Heol…!! My voice is nowhere near high pitched! People call it… deep but soothing! I won’t accept this unless I get a clear explanation.
