3 - Ramyun

                                    

                                          
LISA
Before this, I'd say the chances of me ditching the biggest halloween party of the year to search for ramyun with none other than Bae Irene, are one to none. I guess this is the one.
It came as a surprise when Irene wanted to tag along. Mainly because I never expected her to purposely choose to hang out with me, not when her members, Jennie and other idol friends are also around. Then again, I did mention ramyun and she did say she was hungry. So, maybe she's just in it for the food and not the company.
"Joohyun-ah, I've been looking all over for you! Where are you going?" We ran into Suho on our way out and he was eyeing me questionably. In any other situation, I'd be offended but this warrants understanding. Even I would be doubtful if I saw myself leaving with Irene. We're an unlikely pairing to say the least.
"Lisa and I are going out to get some air." Irene answered.
"Oh. I'll go with you then. It's not safe." I rolled my eyes at his offer. This guy should've gone with a knight in shining armor costume.
"No need." She simply said.
"I'm telling you it's not safe. If something happens at least I'll be there with you. I'll be your bodyguard." Suho insisted, smiling smugly as if he's doing us a great service.
"Suho, please. Don't bother. I'm sure Lisa and I can manage." Irene looked annoyed now. You don't need to know her well to see that she's an 'independent, don't need a man to survive' type of woman.
"Let's go, Lisa." she already had her back to Suho even before he could respond.
Yes ma'am, I thought as I followed her to the exit. 
While I was really nervous to be alone with Irene, I can't help but smile at how Suho looked when we walked out together.
I've never talked or been with Irene without my members, except for this one time at an award show. It was the end of the show and I got separated from my members. To cut the not so long story short, I was lost trying to find them in a sea of idols and I somehow ended up holding hands and walking with Irene to the front of the stage for the picture taking. Not only was it awkward but I also got teased by knetz online for looking like her assistant, constantly bowing and showing Irene the way.
I'm usually very sociable but like many others, I get intimidated by Red Velvet's leader. The way she looks and carries herself gives a very "out of your league" energy. She's the type to make you stop, stare and stutter. Trust me, I'm speaking from experience.
For the record, Blackpink and Red Velvet are actually friends. Rosie goes out with Joy sometimes; Jisoo gets along great with Seulgi and Yeri; Jennie and Irene have become really close and have been seeing each other often; Wendy is so friendly and easygoing she practically gets on well with everyone she meets. As for me, suffice to say that I'm probably part of this friendship just by association.
We hang out when we have the time and talk whenever we get the chance at music or award shows but I always feel like an outsider during these times. I know it's not their intention and I have no reason to feel that way but I can't help it. I just get too self conscious with them, I guess.
Like I said, I normally don't have a problem socializing and this gained me a number of close friends in the industry too. Two of which are partly the reasons why I'm in this situation. I go way back with Jihyo and Mina. The three of us are the same age and have been friends since pre-debut days. Though we don't see each other as much because of our busy schedules, we make it a point to find each other and chat during events. 
I have idol friends who are Thai too. Minnie and Sorn. I am closest to them next to my members. I know I've lived longer in South Korea than in my home land but I'm still considered a foreigner here, so it's comforting to have people who share the same origin as me. It's like having a piece of home with me.
It was dead silent as Irene and I walked side by side. I didn't want to be the first to break the silence. It may be that she preferred it this way and if she did, I didn't want to annoy her by being a chatterbox. Besides, I wouldn't know what to say anyway. So, I just continued to walk quietly and although my heart was doing loops and hoops just by being next to her, I still tried to match her pace.
That's how I was able to quickly grab her arm when she stumbled and almost fell.
"Sunbaenim, be careful. It must be difficult walking in those." I said, alluding to her heels. "Here, take these." I bent down to untie my shoes but she ignored my offer.
"I'm fine." She composed herself and proceeded to walk.
Despite claiming that she's fine, Irene stumbled repeatedly.
"Sunbae, please. It can be challenging to walk in heels on even ground, what more on a cobbled street. Take my shoes. I really don't mind." I was slightly yelling since she was now walking ahead of me as if she knew the way.
She neither stopped nor answered.
This girl is stubborn like Jennie.
I merely suggested it because I felt responsible for being the one who insisted on walking. Where is that ramyun place anyway? I swear it was just nearby. 
I mustered up the courage and took matters into my own hands when she tripped again.
"Sunbae." I held her arm lightly, finally catching up to her. "Stop."
"If you continue like this, you'll end up spraining your ankles." I knelt down before she could object and without any intention to ask for consent, I swiftly replaced her heels with my shoes.
"There. I know my size is bigger than yours but it definitely won't get you injured. Better, right?" I looked up with a smile, gauging her reaction. "Don't worry my feet don't smell." I added shyly before standing up.
Her brows were furrowed, out of annoyance or worry, I wasn't certain. She regarded me with an indiscernible look on her face. Her eyes went from my face to her heels that I was carrying in one hand and then to my bare feet, which I was wiggling as I was still trying to adjust to the feel of the cold street.
"I'll be ok. My feet have been through worse. A little dirt won't kill me."
"Are you sure?"
I nodded without hesitation to assure her. "Don't worry."
We finally arrived. I was beginning to worry and was ready to carry her if this place turned out to be farther than I imagined. 
Irene looked relieved when we settled down in the almost empty restaurant. She finally took off her mask which was covering the upper half of her face. Small beads of sweat were visible on her skin and she was flushed from walking but it only made her look more attractive. 
I should probably look away unless I want to get caught staring again but I simply can't. She truly deserved her title of being South Korea's original visual. There were a lot of beautiful women and idols out there but Irene's beauty really hits different.
"This is the longest you've stared at me tonight. I thought you said you were hungry." She said while blowing on her ramyun, not even bothering to look at me. I was so wrapped up that I didn't even realize our orders had already been served.
"Oh. Sorry." She hasn't glanced at me once since we arrived and so I wasn't expecting her to notice me gawking. This must be the sixth sense everybody's saying that she has. 
"Le-let's eat well, sunbaenim." I said and averted my attention to my food. 
I stole one last glimpse when she took her first mouthful of ramyun and for the first time ever, I witnessed the intimidating Bae Irene become this cute girl with the cat ears headband she didn't take off. She had her eyes shut and brows furrowed, subtly bobbing her head, obviously satisfied with the food. 
It might just be an after effect of inhaling the rich aroma on an empty stomach, paired with this unshakeable nervousness but I swear in that moment, I found Irene more captivating than usual.