IZ*ONE University [THE REWRITE]

Chapter 19: Tick tock the time is flowing even now

Choi Yena's POV

It has been three months since Chaewon and Hyewon decided to leave me with the lovely couple who are currently flirting right in front of my salad, and the boomer who is asking me how to do the Q&A section on Instagram. The 01z, including Minju, who had a drama to act in, aren't even here because they got held back by some sort of project, and the Annyeongz are probably making out or doing whatever kids shouldn't be doing in God knows where... I prefer the former, though.

Months ago, these three were still quite bearable, but I've come to realize just how single I am. Now that Eunbi and the small bean are in a situationship, I'm starting to think about making a move on Yuri. To do that, I would have to "break up" with Yiren and allow her to be constantly scolded and verbally abused by her dad, which I could never do. I mean, what are friends for?

"I'll go get some air," I said as I stood up, and the three looked at me worriedly.

"Hey, you alright?" Eunbi asked, placing her phone down.

"Yeah," I replied with a reassuring smile. "I just really need to get some air."

They nodded, and I headed up to the rooftop. There was something about rooftops that gave me a bit of tranquility and a sense of familiarity.

I sat down on the floor and sighed, wishing I could be with Yuri, but I also couldn't abandon Yiren. She's been my best friend along with Sihyeon since our time at Yuehua. Those two have always had my back, and I don't want either of them to suffer knowing I could have helped. I could just date Yuri in secret, but I can't do that. She deserves to be treated like a queen, and my situation is complicated enough as it is. I can't drag her into this mess.

"A lot on your mind?"

I looked up and saw a familiar girl smiling at me.

"You fell on me on the first day of school, remember?"

"Oh right, right," I said, scratching my nape awkwardly. I offered her a spot beside me. "I didn't catch your name, though."

"I'm Bibi." My head started to hurt, and I felt like something was racking my brain, but I ignored it since it didn't hurt that much this time.

"Is Bibi your real name?"

"No, it's Kim Hyung-seo."

"Oh, are you related to Kim Chaewon?"

"Nope." I was starting to think that not all Kims are related. "You probably thought all Kims in school were related, didn't you?"

"Yeah..." I looked away, embarrassed.

"Cute," she chuckled, and that made my face flush redder.

"I have a dog named Bibi, actually," I said randomly, and she laughed, and I joined in too.

We stayed in comfortable silence, staring at the clouds.

"Are you bothered by something?" she asked. I smiled and shook my head.

"It's nothing really," I forced out a laugh, but she gave me a look that suggested she didn't quite believe me. "I'm in a complicated place at the moment."

"You can tell me about it," she said, patting my back and raising her fists. "I can pummel them for you."

She stood up and showed me a boxing stance, punching the air.

"It's not that kind of complicated," I laughed at her antics. I have to admit, it felt nice to laugh genuinely again.

"Then care to tell me what kind of complicated it is?"