BECOMING LISA'S TRAINEE

16

🌞 NEXT DAY

There was no competition for trio. It was already the 4th week of the month. In such a few span of time I think I already learned a lot.

We just performed the choreography for hours and then we got dismissed.

I was walking home when someone called me.

"Jennie!"

It was Ms. Lisa.

"Ms. Lisa, hello!"

"Are you going home?"

"Yes.. There's nowhere else to go to!"

"But there's no training tomorrow."

"None?"

"It's a holiday. You didn't know?"

"O-oh.. I didn't.."

"Then what if you came in the agency and found no one?"

"That's really scary Ms. Lisa! I couldn't imagine myself doing something hilarious!"

We laughed.

"Don't you like hanging around the city?"

"In Seoul? I had plans with Jisoo but she is still busy, she told me she would bring me to her favorite mall. I'm also afraid, I might get lost around if I travel alone."

"Oh.. Then I'll show you around!"

I was shocked.

We were already in front of the condo and I looked at it.

"So are you coming or not?"

Then I looked at her after she spoke.

"Aren't you busy Ms. Lisa?"

"I'd like to take a rest too! It's not hard handling 24 of you."

"O-okay.. Then.. Let's go?"

We went to the food night market. I was actually conscious because of the 'strict diet' policy but it seems like Ms. Lisa doesn't mind at all. We just continued eating street foods.

"Ms. Lisa.."

"Yes?"

"Aren't I allowed to eat?"

"Why?"

"Because of the strict diet.. I read it on my email."

"Really? They put that up? You're not even formally training to debut yet! How could they?"

"What do you mean Ms. Lisa? Aren't you the one who sent the email?"

"Hmm, no.. It was actually the guy who assisted you during the first day. He's somehow considered as the head of the agency."

"Really? So you didn't know about it?"

Good thing I didn't email when I felt sick.

"Yes! I haven't read what they sent to the trainees actually. I was just called up to be a mentor."

Heol.. I thought she knew about it all..

"But don't worry, we're not neglecting the strict diet policy. We only ate a few right?"

"Ms. Lisa actually.. It's a lot.."

"What? Really?? Then we should stop by now!"

We laughed and walked around.

We walked past an

She stopped and looked up to an agency building.

"That's actually my dream agency.."

"Then why didn't you go Ms. Lisa?"

"I just realized that.. I think I'm better off as a mentor than an idol."

"W-what? How could you say that Ms. Lisa? You're almost good at everything!"

"No.. I wasn't allowed to go there too."

"R-really? For what reasons?"

"I have to stay in the agency and gather some more trainees."

"Ohh.. To become an idol?"

"Yes.."

We sat down on a bench in front of a river, holding a banana milk in our hands.

"How did you end up being recruited by the way?"

She asked me.

"Me? Hmm.. It's actually funny because.. I messaged the agency with a lot of words. It was truly a long letter! Like the letters sent for your loved ones."

She laughed.

"Silly. I think they're just lazy to read that's why they accepted you!"

I couldn't believe she said that.

I didn't respond.

"Hey that was a joke.."

She said while she smiled and looked at me.

"I thought you were serious! I totally wrote a lot of stuffs in there! It's kind of hurtful if they wouldn't read it."

She smiled and then looked at the banana milk in her hand.

"What did you put in there?"

"That.. it was my dream since I was a kid.. Like this and like that.."

She sipped the milk.

"This is one of my favorites, do you have this in Jeju?"

She asked while looking at me, referring to the milk.

And there goes her eyes, sparkling along with the stars above us.

"Y-yes I think? I don't go out a lot anymore Ms. Lisa so I'm not sure"

"Oh.. You can speak to me comfortably."

"Comfortably?"

"It's fine not to mention Ms. Lisa whenever you're talking. We're not on training."

"Oh.. Okay.. Ms. Li-.. I mean, okay.."

We were looking at the stars.

"What if we try counting the stars? 1.. 2.." -Li

What.. Is she serious?

I looked at her hand while she was pointing the stars until I met her side profile once again. 

Her eyes looked serious as she was counting.

She looked beautiful.

"Are you sure about that? It would be endless!"

"Come on try it with me."

I counted along with her but it seemed really pointless doing it.

"There's no way to finish this. Ms. Lis-"

"Right? This is stupid."

She stopped counting and leaned while her arms were placed at the back for force.

"I mean.. It's not stupid Ms. Li- .. Just.. Seems endless and we don't have all the time in the world to finish it."

"Just like training you. So you have to be real quick in keeping up with the others."

"Yes, Ms. Lisa.."

Did I get scolded for not being good? Ahh!

I keep on forgetting to drop the 'Ms. Lisa' word.

She looked at me quite angrily.

We stared at each other.

It makes me melt.. Her eyes it looks like it could finish me anytime soon but it also looks beautiful at the same time. I'm confused --

"Aren't you gonna drop that word, Jennie?"

"S-sorry.. I just keep on forgetting.."

"And why do you call me Ms.? I think everyone calls me coach."

"It's just.. I think Ms. suits you better? I don't know, there's something off with Coach Lisa for me.."

"It suits me better? You're the first one who said that. Actually, I prefer to be called that too."

"Okay, Ms. Lisa?"

During that time I think I made something right for the first time.

"But not now. We're outside, come on. Drop it and speak comfortably with me."

"I really can't, it's already in the nature of my mouth Ms. Lisa.. It's hard not to say it when I'm facing you."

"Then should I help you?"

"Help me? With what?"

"Call me Lisa instead."

Seriously?? Why is she letting me??

"W-what? Ms. Lisa no? I'm not dropping the Ms. out! It's a sign of respect."

"Does that mean you're not respecting me if you'll be calling me Lisa?"

"N-no what I meant was.."

"Then what's wrong? We're not on training too."

"Are you forcing me right now, Ms. Lisa??"

"If that's what you call it? At least let's be comfortable with each other even outside only. Please? I need a friend too."

F-friend.. I'm your trainee.. But okay.. Friends?

"F-fine, Ms. Lisa!"

"You're agreeing but you still say it??"

I'm an idiot.

"Okay, sorry.. Lisa."

"That's good, Jennie. I like it better like that."

We stared with each other.

Is my heart going crazy? Why is it beating fast? I didn't even run.

We went home together.

"Thank you for today Ms. Lisa.."

"Ms.?"

"L-Lisa.."

I shook my head.

"Good. Did you enjoy?"

"I did."

"Really??"

"Yes, of course!"

"There's a lot to see in the city. Maybe we could explore more soon."

We arrived at 13th floor.

"Thank you again, Ms -- Ah! No.. Lisa! Have a good night!"

She smiled and laughed at me.

"Good night too, Jennie."

I arrived at my room. .

I really had fun today. I didn't imagine Ms. Lisa or should I really drop that whenever we're not on training? It sounds rude to only call her Lisa but.. She wants it like that anyway. She's really humble. I didn't think she'd have an adorable personality, she's a person you could really look up to.

[ I love this part so much! It made my heart flutter while writing it aaa~ ]