Chapter Text
Camera flashes. Cover of magazines. Crowds calling out your name.
Karina just loves it. She believes that being an idol is the best job she could ever have. It wasn’t her dream job. It wasn’t her first choice and it was most definitely not an easy job.
She’s had plenty of support and praise from all around since her debut but of course that like any other public figure, she also got her share of criticism.
Karina doesn’t mind the criticism, she never did. She knows she was lacking during her debut. She trained most of her life to be an actress but when the opportunity to become a singer and work alongside her best friend showed up, she couldn’t deny it. She remembers how so many people thought someone else was more deserving of her spot on the group; she didn’t blame them back then. Now, although, she doesn’t agree so much. After being in the industry for four years, Karina knows for sure she deserves her spot. She has never done anything but improve herself and she’s going to continue to do so.
Her manager’s voice snaps Karina out of her thoughts. “You’re not ready?”
Karina looks up from her empty water bottle. It’s been a long day of practice. “Ready?”
“Tell me you didn’t forget about the meeting.”
“I didn’t forget about the meeting.” Karina answers knowing damn well she has no idea about any meeting. “But do remind me.”
“Karina.” Her manager – Yeji – rolls her eyes. Yeji has been with Karina since the beginning of her career, during that time, the girl became one of Karina’s closest friends. “I told you about this meeting three weeks ago.”
“Oh.” Karina nods, still not remembering it. “That’s why I don’t remember.”
“I–” Yeji just shakes her head, there is no point in arguing. “Take a quick shower. We’ll be late but I'm sure they can wait.”
“Come on.” Yeji says as she holds the door for Karina to exit the car. “By the way, the meeting is about that project I told you about. Since you seem to have forgotten.”
“Wait.” Karina says stopping in her tracks. “That’s today?”
“Yes.” Yeji nods trying to pull Karina to walk. “And we’re late.”
“Yeji.” Karina calls out pulling her manager closer so she can whisper. “I haven't had time to do anything. I didn’t read a single line from that contract. I haven't checked anyone I’ll be working with. I have no clue what I'm supposed to do walking in that room.”
“You’re supposed to meet the staff. Maybe talk a bit about how things will go. You’ll be fine, Karina.”
“Who’s the actress again? She’s like really famous, right?” Karina asks trying to get some sense of what she was going to find on the other side of the door.
“Let’s just go in.” Yeji says already opening the door, leaving Karina no choice but to follow her. “Hi, I’m sorry we’re late.”
“Hi. I am really sorry for being late.” Karina says giving her best apologetic smile as she enters the room. Her eyes wander around the room and stop at the girl sitting right in front of the only empty seat in the room, since Yeji already sat down. Pretty. Is the only thing Karina can think.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re here now and that’s all that matters.” A woman – who Karina could only guess must be the director – answers. “Honestly, I just set up this meeting to discuss some basics. I’m sure you both read your contracts by now. As you know, the project is fairly new, but we’re sure it has a lot of potential.”
“Yes. Of course, we all read it.” Karina lies. “But don’t you think we should like... remind everyone what the project is about? Just to not leave any room for confusion since we’re already here.”
“That’s a great idea!” The director smiles. “Well, like I said. It’s a fairly new project and we want people from different lines of work to try working together. So, in your case,” the director points from Karina to the girl across from her. “Winter will be recording a song with Karina. You guys can choose the song and everything else, it’s honestly all up to you. Then, Karina will be recording a short film or something of that sort with Winter, again, script and everything is all up to you.” The director excitedly announces. “I’m sure the fans will be thrilled to watch Idol Winter and Actress Karina.”
“Oh.” Karina lets out. That does sound fun, she has to admit. She was quite in the dark about the project but she already knew it would be something good because she trusted Yeji. But although it does sound fun, it also sounds very challenging.
“Do you have any questions?” The director asks.
“The self-recording parts.” Winter speaks up. “How much do we have to record?”
“Not much.” The director answers. “Just enough to maybe post two or three vlogs.”
Winter hums, seemingly typing something on her phone. “Sounds good.”
“Karina?” The director calls for her attention. “Do you have any questions?”
“Me?” Karina asks back a bit confused. She can’t have questions because she barely got past 3 lines of the contract once she got it. “No. I’m good. Everything sounds good.”
“So, we’re all set. You should start recording the song first. Did you decide on which song, Karina?”
Karina just turns to Yeji, not sure of what to say. “She hasn’t yet.” Yeji smiles. “She thought it would be better for her and Winter to decide it together.”
“Now, did she?” Winter asks as she lifts an eyebrow, her gaze meeting Karina’s.
“I did.” Karina lies. “I thought it would be more comfortable for you to sing a song you chose.”
Winter eyes her suspiciously for a second longer before she nods, averting her gaze towards the director. “How long should this all take? It wasn’t specified.”
“Two months max for the recording and everything.” The director replies. “After that, it all depends of how much of a success it will be. But we’re expecting it to do really well considering the big stars we have here.” She says, smiling as she looks from Winter to Karina. “So maybe a month longer with just some interviews and things of the sort.”
Karina blinks repeatedly trying to let everything sink in. Two months of recording and a month of promoting or whatever. That’s a lot of time. She thinks. She turns to Yeji making sure to whisper it so only she can hear. “Isn’t three months a bit too much?”
Yeji turns to her but only shakes her head before diving back into the conversation with the staff. Jimin decides to just let Yeji deal with the whole thing, she has no idea of what she could even say, anyway. Her eyes land back on the actress sitting across from her. She has a serious face on while she talks out something that Karina can’t hear with the girl next to her.
“We have to hang out together?” She asks the director, her hand lazily pointing towards Karina.
“Well, you don’t have to.” The director answers. “But it would be nice for promotions if people think you’re close. Also, it could be beneficial for the self-recording videos.”
“Okay.” Winter answers. “It does sound beneficial.”
“Is that okay with you too Karina?” The director asks making Winter turn her gaze towards Karina.
“Yes.” She answers, not breaking eye contact with Winter for not even a second. “I think we can become good friends.”
Karina gives Winter her best smile, but Winter just ignores her as she turns to talk to her manager. Karina frowns as she turns to her own manager, who seems to have noticed the exchange and is holding back her giggles. “Did she just ignore you?”
“She probably didn’t notice it.” Karina retorts. Not sure if she’s lying to her manager or to herself.
A couple more minutes into the meeting and the director finally decides to end it. “Well, girls, the studio is booked for Wednesday next week. I think it could be nice if you two are seem together before it, but it’s all up to you, really. We’re not forcing any kind of fanservice here.” She says truthfully. “So, with all being said. I hope you have a good weekend. Thank you for your time today.”
Karina watches as Winter gets up from her chair without wasting a single second, she decides to do the same, leaving behind a confused Yeji who was still gathering her belongings from the table. Karina speeds out of the room and softly grabs Winter’s wrist, pulling her to a stop.
The other girl turns around with a frown and it seems to only deepen once she sees Karina.
“Hey,” Karina says, her best friendly smiles on full display. “I was thinking that we could go have dinner or something.”
“Right now?” Winter asks, her eyebrows lifting.
Karina isn’t even sure why she’s asking that. She knows they don’t have to. But for some reason she really does want to get to know the girl. She does think they could be friends. “Is right now not good? We could set another time then, I just thought that–”
“You should go.” Winter’s manager speaks up. “I’m Ryujin.” She says, offering Karina her hand. “I didn’t get to introduce myself to you yet.”
“I’m Karina.” Karina replies as she shakes Ryujin’s hand. She always feels stupid to introduce herself because she knows that most of the time people know who she is, but she does it nonetheless because she ends up feeling rude when she doesn’t do so.
“I know.” Ryujin chuckles. “It’s kind of my job to know who’s working with this girl here.” Ryujin says as she points towards Winter. “Did you drive here, Karina?”
“No, my manager drove me here but if this is about dinner, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind driving us there.”
“I have my car.” Winter speaks up. “I can drive us.”
“It’s settled then.” Ryujin says. “Do you want me to let your manager know? She still hasn’t left the room, right?”
“Would you do that?” Jimin asks, already feeling thankful.
“Of course. Don’t worry about it.”
“Let’s go then.” Winter says as she already starts walking.
They get to the parking lot and walk towards Winter’s car in silence. Winter surprisingly opens the passenger door for Karina and she feels a bit confused but thankful nonetheless.
Once they’re on the road Karina finally decides to break the silence. “So, what do you think of this whole project?”
“At first I wanted to kill Ryujin for making me do this.” Winter answers.
“And now?” Karina asks.
“Now I am going to kill her.” Winter states and Karina feels a bit bad.
“So, I’ll take it as you don’t like it?”
Winter sighs, taking her eyes off the road for a split of a second to spare Karina a glance. “Don’t take it personal, please."
“I didn’t.” Karina tries to lie but her tone gives her away.
“For someone who trained as an actress you’re a pretty bad one.” Winter chuckles.
“I–” Karina starts only to close her mouth without muttering a single word.
“Sorry.” Winter says as she stops at a red light and turns towards Karina. “Was that rude? I am used to playing like this with my friends and–”
“No.” Karina shakes her head. “It’s fine, I was just surprised that you not only know I was lying but know I trained as an actress.”
“Like Ryujin said, it’s her job to know who I’m going to be working with.” Winters says. “And it’s mine to ask her all about them.” She chuckles.
Karina just nods. “Did you listen to our songs?”
“Yeah.” Winter is the one nodding this time. “I think we should record Next Level.”
“Oh.” Karina was really wishing for any song but Next Level if she was to be totally honest. She does love the song and she know she owns a lot of her career to it. But she has been singing it nonstop for years now. “Okay.”
Winter laughs, loudly. Making Karina turn to look at her, wondering what’s so funny. “I was just joking, but seeing how much you dislike the idea. It might not be such a bad plan.”
“I don’t–” Karina doesn’t even finish as Winter is already looking at her with a look of total disbelief. “Fine. Maybe I dislike it a bit. Not the song, though. Just singing it again and again and... again.”
Winter just hums in agreement.
They arrive at a restaurant after a little bit more of small talk and they both put on their masks as they leave the car. They’re already inside the restaurant and sitting at one of the tables when Karina finally realizes something. “We shouldn’t have worn masks. We should be recognized together.”
“We won’t eat with the masks, that should be enough, no?” Winter asks.
“Do you never have to do this?” Karina asks back. “Don’t you have to like show chemistry with your costars or something?”
“Onscreen? Yes.” Winter points out. “Offscreen? No.”
“Not even at the beginning of your career?” Karina asks, truly interested.
“Oh, yes.” Winter nods, feigning thoughtfulness. “At the beginning I did it a lot. You have no idea. I would pretend to be in love with all the costars. So many dating rumors.”
“Really?” Karina asks, her eyes widening a bit at the information.
“Yes.” Winter nods. “My eight years old self was wild.”
“Your eight years old self–” Karina takes a couple seconds to realize Winter was just messing with her but when she does, she glares at the other girl. “You think you’re funny?”
“Am I not?” Winter smirks and Karina feels a bit annoyed at how stupidly confident the other girl seems.
“No.” Karina simply answers, grabbing the menu as she decides to ignore whatever Winter would answer.
They order their food and when it comes, they finally take off their masks. And Karina is sure it takes less than a single minute for people to recognize them. “I’m sorry, but are you Karina from Aespa?” a girl asks as she approaches their table.
“Yes.” Karina answers, smiling politely at the girl. “Are you a My?”
“Yes.” The girl nods frantically and Karina smiles widens. “Could I get a picture?”
“Of course.” Karina nods.
“Uh.” The girl starts. “Would you–” She says as she turns to Winter. “I mean could you–”
Winter doesn’t say a single word, instead slightly tilting her head as she lifts her eyebrows and Karina wonders how she can look that intimidating doing nothing. “Are you a fan of her too?” Karina asks.
“Y–Yes.” The girl answers. “I’ve watched all your dramas.”
“Have you?” Winter asks, finally smiling a bit. “What’s your favorite?”
“Dating club.” The girl answers, shyly. “I was a bit sad you didn’t end up dating your best friend, though.”
“I was too. But are you sure I didn't?” Winter winks.
The girl shrieks at that and Karina makes a mental note to watch dating club.
“I don’t want to take much of your time.” The girl says, her voice failing at almost every word making Karina notice how nervous she must be. She takes out her cellphone and they take a couple pictures. “Thank you so much. I wonder... Can I post those?”
“Of course.” Karina nods as she smiles at the girl. “They’re your pictures.”
“I just–” The girl looked from Karina to Winter for a second. “I thought maybe this wasn’t a public thing? No one seems to have any idea of your friendship.”
“It won’t hurt for people to know.” Karina reassures the girl. “Don’t worry.”
“Okay.” The girl answers excitedly. “I can’t wait to post it, otherwise no one would believe that I met The Kim Winter and The Karina.”
Karina smiles at the girl again and soon enough she’s walking away.
“How long until we make the news?” Winter chuckles.
“Like... Two minutes after she posts those pictures.” Karina answers with a chuckle of her own.
They eat in silence for a couple of minutes until Karina can’t hold her curiosity any longer. “Dating club.” Winter raises an eyebrow as if waiting for Karina to say something else and Karina decides to be more specific. “Tell me about dating club.”
“It was a drama I starred in.” Winter shrugs.
“What was it about?” Karina asks.
“A club.” Winter answers. “About dating.”
Karina furrows her eyebrows, that much she could tell by herself. “Who was your best friend?”
“My best friend is Ryujin, my manager, you met her before.” Winter shrugs. “Did you mean my character’s best friend, by any chance?”
“Yes.” Karina nods.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Perhaps ‘okay’ will be our ‘always’.” Winter quotes dramatically.
Karina can’t help but roll her eyes. “You’re doing it on purpose.”
“Doing what?”
“You’re avoiding telling me about dating club.”
“I listened to your songs.” Winter answers. “Maybe, just maybe, you should watch at least one of my dramas.”
“I will.” Karina says. “I’ll definitely watch it. But I'm curious, can’t you tell me?”
“No.” Winter shakes her head. “It ruins the fun.”
“What fun?”
“Dating club.” Winter starts. “It has a bit of a ambiguous ending, maybe even plot. You have to watch it well to understand it. I won’t spoil more than this.”
“I just want to know if you end up with your best friend!” Karina whines.
“You’ll know if you watch it.” Winter shrugs. “Are you done eating?”
“Yeah.” Karina says still pouting.
Winter calls the waiter and they spend a good 5 minutes arguing over who’s going to pay the bill.
The first thing Karina does as she gets home is take out her cellphone and google ‘Dating club’. She absentmindedly goes through a few websites but most of it have huge spoiler alerts and as curious as she is, she knows it’s better to watch the drama. So she just decides to sleep for tonight and watch it herself tomorrow.
Karina wastes no time after waking up the next day, not even bothering to check her phone, she brings a fluffy blanket over to her couch, runs to the kitchen to get something to eat and sit on the couch to start the drama.
The first episode goes by really fast. The drama seems to revolve mainly around Winter’s character, Jiwon. Which doesn’t come as a surprise for Karina. What does come as a surprise is Jiwon’s best friend, Eunbi. Apparently, Eunbi and Jiwon are childhood friends and Eunbi decides to set up a dating club after realizing that her best friend has never showed any interest in any boys since... forever.
Karina’s mind goes a bit on the overanalyzing side as she keeps wondering... Is this LGBT themed? No, right? She is fairly sure she would have heard about it before if it was. It would probably have been a pretty big scandal.
She decides to just go on to episode two. Most of the episodes go on with Jiwon going on failed dates with different guys. It goes on until around episode 6 and Karina is starting to get seriously annoyed at stupid Eunbi because Karina is sure Jiwon doesn’t even like boys. I would know Karina thinks to herself. She’s halfway through episode seven, Winter’s character is crying on the screen while having a fight with Eunbi. Karina herself is crying when the front door of the dorm swings open, Giselle and Ningning entering speaking loudly until they notice the girl.
“Rina? Are you okay?” Giselle asks already running towards her best friend and engulfing her in a hug. “What happen–” Giselle then turns towards the screen where she sees the scene. “Oh no.”
Barely a second after she speaks, they hear a sniffle and Ningning is already on the other side of the couch, crying as well. “I hate this scene.”
“You’ve watched this drama?” Karina asks in between sniffles. “I can’t believe Eunbi is so stupid.”
“Me neither.” Ningning answers, making herself comfortable under the blanket as she snuggles to Karina’s side. “It’s so obvious that they like each other.”
“I can’t believe you’re watching this drama.” Giselle shakes her head. “Ningning cried so much with it, I was actually worried she would dehydrate.”
“I just... Jiwon deserves the world, okay?” Ningning defends herself. “She’s the prettiest girl I've ever seen and I’d do anything for her.”
Karina pauses the drama after hearing the Ningning’s entire confession, suddenly remembering that she hasn’t told the girls about the project. “So, speaking of Jiwon... You know the actress that plays her?”
“Yes, my girlfriend, my wife, the light of my life, the soul that guides me through the dark.” Ningning states. “It’s Kim Winter. I’ve literally watched every single drama she’s ever been in.”
“Right...” Karina trails off. “You know how I had a meeting yesterday?” The other girls just nod. “I’m doing a project with her.” Karina says already closing her eyes and protecting her ears expecting Ningning to scream but after a couple seconds of silence she opens her eyes and takes her hands away from her ears.
“Her? As in Kim Winter?” Ningning asks.
“Yes.” Karina nods, confused about the other girl’s reaction. She expected a bigger one.
“When do you meet her?”
“I met her yesterday at the meeting and then we had dinner together and we’ll meet again next–”
“You met The Kim Winter?” Ningning finally bursts out. “How could you not tell me? What kind of friend are you? I never felt more betrayed in my entire life.”
“Okay, calm down.” Karina asks, her ears already hurting. “I didn’t know I was meeting her. I also didn’t know you liked her. I can introduce you two if you really want.”
“Is that even a question? You have to. Now play the drama, I’ll rewatch the rest with you.”
“I’ll get some food and join you two. Did you eat anything?” Giselle asks Karina.
“I had breakfast but that was...” Karina checks the time only realizing now that she has been watching the drama for nearly eight hours. “Eight hours ago.”
“God, this drama is unhealthy for you two.” Giselle shakes her head. “I’ll be back.”
The rest of the episodes go by with a lot of crying on Karina and Ningning’s part, and a lot of comforting from Giselle’s part.
The last episode of the drama ends with a complete ambiguous ending and Karina wants to jump at whoever wrote that script. “I can’t believe this.”
“Here we go again.” Giselle chuckles.
“No.” Karina shakes her head, getting up from the couch. “I cannot believe this.”
“I know, buddy.” Ningning says, patting Karina’s head. “I know.”
“Get out.” Karina complains, slapping Ningning’s hand away. “This is so unfair. All the stupid straight couple get happy endings with kisses and everything. And Jiwon and Eunbi end the story with nothing but some could-be-a-romantic-confession or could-be-a-platonic-confession from Jiwon’s side? We don’t even know if Eunbi accepts it? This is so frustrating– No, this is infuriating and– I’m calling Winter.”
“Yes!” Ningning jumps coming closer. “Do it.”
“No.” Giselle says pulling Karina’s phone out of her hands before she can even unlock it. “It’s two in the morning, for God’s sake. She’s sleeping and so should we.”
“But Aeri...” Karina whines. “I need to know more.”
“Jimin.” Giselle says. “I’m sure Winter knows just as much as you. It’s not like she wrote the drama.
“But she did play Jiwon. If she thinks they end up together I can definitely take her word for it.” Karina reasons. “I mean, she gave life to the character, no one knows her better than Winter.”
“By that logic you should be talking to Eunbi’s actress.” Giselle rolls her eyes. “She’s the one that had to answer the confession.”
“Winter probably knows her.” Karina replies. “I’ll ask for her number and then I’ll–”
“Tomorrow.” Giselle says.
“Fine.” Karina whines. “But can I have my phone?”
“I’m not sure I trust you.” Giselle eyes her suspiciously.
“I promise I won't call her.” When Giselle just keeps on staring at her Karina adds. “Nor text her. Or anyone else for that matter.”
“Okay.” Giselle hands back the phone before letting out a yawn. “I’m going to sleep, you two seriously should–” Giselle stops talking as she looks over to the couch and somehow Ningning is already peacefully sleeping. “How does she do that?”
“I don’t know but it’s a great talent.” Karina admits. “I wish I could sleep that easily anywhere too.”
“Anyway, good night, Rina.”
“Good night, Aeri.” Karina answers as they both go to their own rooms.
Karina decides to check her phone before sleeping and only realizes now that she has unanswered texts from Yeji.
Light Fury : Seems like the media is already onto you two
Light Fury : [Link]
Light Fury : You two seem actually friendly, unlike during the meeting, was she acting or?
Aespa’s Karina and Kim Winter spotted at fancy restaurant together.
Videos and photos of idol Karina and actress Winter have been going around as they’ve been spotted having dinner at one of the finest restaurants of the city.
[5 Photos attached.]
Fans speculate that the girls seemed to be having a really comfortable conversation and even had a little fight over who would pay the bill at the end.
[1 Video attached.]
But we can’t help but wonder, is this just a friendly meeting? Or could we look forward to some project news?