Operation: Win Nayeon's Heart - Day 5 of 7

"Where are we going this time?" Jeongyeon asked as she strapped herself into the car seat.

It was the first time in the week Nayeon came during the afternoon. Jeongyeon didn't bother asking why, she doesn't mind. She wasn't one to be clingy and understood the need for a little space. Besides, she didn't want to come off as desperate. The downside was that she couldn't execute her plan for Day 5 so she'll have to come up with something else on the spot.

It was kind of stupid to not ask Nayeon ahead what they'd be doing for the day since her plan involved them staying in her house, have a romantic dinner where she cooks something for the both of them. Lately, she'd been helping out with her father whenever he cooks dinner for them and even asked him to teach her a recipe. Oh, well, there's always next time, she thought.

"It's been a while since I've gone to a karaoke," Nayeon started, turning on the engine. "I can't remember if we ever went together before, it was always me and Jihyo who would go."

Jeongyeon raised a brow. "You do know we're technically on a break from dancing and singing, right?"

Nayeon rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. Don't be such a killjoy. We went pottery making yesterday, something you've wanted to do for a long time. It's my turn to do something I've always wanted to do, which is go to a karaoke with you. It's only fair."

"Fine," Jeongyeon acquiesced, rolling her eyes. "But don't expect me to sing a lot."

"That's alright, I can sing for you instead," Nayeon turned to her and winked in an exaggerated manner with her mouth open.

"Unnie, eyes on the road!"

...

The place Nayeon chose was only a fifteen minute drive from her house. It was a quaint little club with the only source of illumination coming from strip lights and smelled a like sweat and alcohol. Jeongyeon scrunched her nose at the stench lingering in the air and pulled her mask up to fully cover her nose. She was relieved to find they weren't going to stay in the area and was instead dragged by Nayeon upstairs where the upper floor lobby was more pleasant with better lighting. She could hear a cacophony of people singing from the hallway, the walls not being able to contain their voices.

"How did you know about this place, unnie?" Jeongyeon said in a low voice.

"I had a friend mention it once but that we'd have to go through that club to get here," Nayeon said, smiling apologetically.

They approached the reception desk where a bored looking teenager sat, her head propped up on her hand and ready to fall asleep anytime. Nayeon conversed with her for a while, at some point pulling out a small wad of cash from her tote bag to give to the receptionist then was given a key with a wooden tag connected to it and a number carved into the wood. She thanked the receptionist and led Jeongyeon down the hallway, turning right on a corner until they reached a door that had the same number on the tag. There was a sign on the door that said "VIP Only".

Nayeon unlocked the door and they were instantly hit by the cool air coming from the AC unit in the corner of the room. There was a U-shaped couch lining up the walls and a table in the center. The table had a thick songbook, three remotes (a white one for the AC, a black one for the television, and another black for the karaoke machine), and a laminated two-paged menu on the surface. The karaoke machine was affixed on the wall parallel to the couch with a 32" inch television and three wireless microphones on top. The television was already on, displaying random videos and lyrics though it was muted. A kaleidoscopic disco light hung from the center of the ceiling, giving off different laser like colors around the room.

Jeongyeon sat on the spacious couch and seemingly melted into the material due to its softness. Nayeon carefully placed her tote bag on the table and sat down beside Jeongyeon, huffing a little.

"You want to eat first before we start?" Nayeon asked.

"Sure, I'm feeling famished anyway." Jeongyeon leaned forward to get the menu off the table but Nayeon grabbed her wrist.

"No need to order," she said.

Raising a brow in confusion, Jeongyeon replied, "How are we going to eat then?"

Nayeon stood up and opened her tote bag to pull out two containers, a pair of chopsticks, and two purple and red colored stainless steel water bottles. "Since you're still not allowed hard food and I suspect most of the food on that menu is just that, I took the liberty of cooking something for both of us."

Jeongyeon was taken aback. "But didn't the sign in the lobby say 'No outside food allowed'?"

"Don't worry, I promised the receptionist I'd take a picture with her in exchange for her silence."

Jeongyeon eyed the containers warily. She was a little scared at what she would see within them because Nayeon wasn't really known for her cooking skills. This bunny had a tendency to cut with the wrong side of the knife so Jeongyeon had reason to be cautious. She would never say that to Nayeon's face, though, so whatever the older girl made for her she'd just have to endure.

Nayeon grabbed one container and opened it for her, showing her its contents. It was surprisingly not as bad as Jeongyeon expected, appearance-wise. It was a dosirak with rice, a side of kimchi, omelette, bossam, galbi cut into bite sized portions, japchae, and an assortment of veggies. She took a look at Nayeon who had a proud smile on her face. "It looks good, doesn't it?"

Jeongyeon nodded. "Did you cook this by yourself?" She took note of the few bandages on Nayeon's fingers that she saw earlier but didn't dwell on too much. She felt guilty not paying more attention to it even though Nayeon was clumsy and tended to injure herself from time to time. She grabbed the container from Nayeon, set it on the table, and grabbed her hands, caressing them lightly. "You hurt yourself while making this, didn't you?"

The latter shrugged. "Just cuts and burns, it was nothing serious. Eomma was there to help me make them. It took the whole morning, though. I burnt the first batch of rice, overcooked some of the meat, and dumped soy sauce on the veggies while preparing so it took a while for us to finish." She gestured to the water bottles. "I also made watermelon shakes."

There was a flutter in Jeongyeon's tummy. "Unnie, you went through all that for me?" She then chuckled. "We had the same idea, huh? I was planning to cook for you too."

Nayeon gasped. "Jinjja?! Well, there's always next time. Maybe we could even cook together."

Jeongyeon caressed Nayeon's head like she was a little kid. Nayeon whined and pushed her hand away as Jeongyeon was messing with her hair, making it a little frizzy. After laughing at her for a bit, Jeongyeon took the container and opened it again, inhaling the combined aroma of the various food presented in front of her.

"It smells really good, unnie," Jeongyeon praised her. "I can't wait to taste this."

Nayeon grabbed the chopsticks and picked up a piece of meat with them, raising them towards Jeongyeon. "Open wide, Jeongie."

Jeongyeon raised a brow but said nothing and took the meat from the chopsticks. Her face lit up and she hummed in delight at the flavor. "It's delicious, unnie!" Jeongyeon took the other pair of chopsticks and dug into the delicious meal. She wasn't lying when she said it was delicious. The quality of the food was on par with her father's cooking, she might even go as far as to say it may be slightly better since it was the food Nayeon prepared for her.

Nayeon followed her example, eating from her own container. "Don't eat too fast, Jeong. Your throat can't handle choking right now."

Hearing Nayeon admonish her, Jeongyeon slowed down and swallowed her food. "Mianhe, unnie. I was just really hungry and your food tastes so good."

Despite her slow pace, Jeongyeon managed to finish everything in under ten minutes without choking. She picked up one of the bottles and took a sip of the watermelon shake. She was taken aback by the sweet taste and proceeded to drink more like she was dying of thirst. Her slurping had Nayeon laugh. "Yah, slow down! That drink's not going anywhere. You like that too, don't you?"

Jeongyeon shot her a look. "You think?" she quipped before resuming to drink the shake albeit a little slower this time.

They both finished up with their meals and put everything back into the bag. Nayeon grabbed the songbook and skimmed through pages. She paused for a second, turning to Jeongyeon. "You want to go first?"

"Ani, you go ahead, unnie. I haven't thought about what to sing yet."

"Arasseo but I want us to duet later," Nayeon said with a smirk. She stood up with the remote in hand and grabbed the microphone from the machine before typing in a series of numbers to play her chosen song.

Jeongyeon bit back a laugh at seeing the song. It was very much like Nayeon to start the night with something by Girls Generation. She wasn't complaining, though, she enjoys listening and singing along to one of her favorite groups too. She let Nayeon sing her heart out and turned her attention back to the songbook, trying to find a song she would want to sing. She wanted to sing something for Nayeon but she wasn't sure which song she should pick.

She chose a song she wrote for their first full album. It was kinda cheesy for her to pick her own song but she's always wanted to sing this for Nayeon... especially since she wrote the song for her. Of course, she'd had to change the pronouns in it so she wouldn't get caught but the song was about Jeongyeon's feelings for Nayeon. She also had to make up a story for her inspiration behind the song and she went with the school crush one. Most of what she said was true and couldn't be refuted since Nayeon was there when she had a crush on a schoolmate once but she can't even remember the name of the boy she used to have a crush on.

She decided to wait for Nayeon to finish two more songs before she takes the microphone. In the meantime, she treats herself to the view of Nayeon enjoying herself. It's been a while since they had fun like this, she can see Nayeon missed going to a noraebang with Jihyo.

"Urin jom isanghae, psycho!"

Nayeon finished her third song screaming. Jeongyeon flinched and covered her ears at the screech coming from the microphone. The bunny merely laughed at her expense. "I need to take a break. Come on, it's your turn to sing."

Jeongyeon made her way towards the karaoke machine and grabbed a microphone before typing in the code for her song with the remote. She didn't notice Nayeon's brows shot up in surprise behind her.

"Love Line? Wow, Yoo Jeongyeon..." Nayeon teased though she was still a little taken aback. "I didn't think you were the type to choose not only our song but a song you personally wrote. I always had a feeling your were incredibly cheesy."

"I like this one, okay? It's the first song I've ever written so it means a lot to me." Jeongyeon didn't bother to wait for Nayeon's rebuttal as she turned to focus on the screen. The instrumentals started playing and she held the mic up to her lips with her hands shaking slightly.

"Tteollineun moksori mamdaero andwae (I can't control my trembling voice)

Ppalgaejineun bolmajeodo (Even my reddening cheeks)

Gamchul suga eopjana (I can't hide it)"

Singing the first verse made Jeongyeon remember the times she began to look at Nayeon in a new light.

"Aesseo kulhan cheok damdamhage boyeodo (I tried to act cool but)

Ireon nae mam sumgil su eopseo neol (I can't hide my heart)"

There was the time they were promoting Cheer Up in a park and Jeongyeon had to sit out and watch from the side. Her cast has already been taken off but her leg was still healing so they wouldn't let her dance.

"Neoye hyanggi neoye sonjjit (Your scent, your gestures)

Nal bureuneun ni maltu hanakkaji (Even the way you call my name)"

She insisted she go with the girls instead of just resting at home as they went from place to place, performing their first comeback to the public. She felt like a burden that time, not being able to perform with them so she wanted to be there to support them at least.

"Weonhajana (I want you)

Mollae haru jongil ni saenggangman hajana (I secretly think about you all day)"

It was subtle and no one really noticed at the time- they only did when they saw the fancams- but when she had the chance, Nayeon would occasionally glance at Jeongyeon. When their eyes would meet, the older girl would shoot her a toothy smile that made Jeongyeon smile too.

"Neowa hamkke (I wanna)

Georeogago shipeo neowa naye (Walk with you)

Dulmane Love line (On our love line)"

With that smile, Jeongyeon felt it again... the fluttering in her stomach when Nayeon kissed her forehead in the hospital.

"Du soneul kkok japgo (With our hands held)

Malhae jweo geudae nawa gateun maeumirago (Tell me you feel the same way)"

Only this time, the feeling grew. There was warmth in her chest and she found herself not able to bring her eyes away from Nayeon even when the latter wasn't looking. She'd known that although Nayeon had a weak left leg, she was still able to dance really well. There was poise in her movements that was unique to her and made her dancing look effortless. She wasn't Mina when it comes to elegance or Momo when it comes to vigor but she sure was a great dancer in her own right. Jeongyeon found herself mesmerized as she watched Nayeon perform.

"Du nun gameul ttaemyeon deo seonmyeonghaejeo (When I close my eyes, it gets clearer)

Bogoisseodo bogo shipeun (I look at you and I still miss you)"

After that day, Jeongyeon found herself always looking for Nayeon. It wasn't intentional, she wasn't even sure why she's been doing that lately but she does and she's confused.

"Nae mameul neon alkka (Do you know my heart?)

Danggigoman shipeo i jul notchi mara jweo (I want to be pulled, I don't want to let go of this line)"

In another time, they were guests in a show run by male hosts. She found them really funny and laughed along when they told lame jokes but whenever one of them went near Nayeon, she had to control herself from wanting to hit them. For some reason, her stomach churned at the thought of those guys approaching Nayeon, she had half a mind to send her home so they don't come near her but she knew that was rude and unfair. She has no idea why she feels that way and the guilt eats her up at the end of the day.

"Nae nuneul bogo malhae jweo (Look into my eyes and tell me)

Nae soneul notchi mara jweo My baby (Don't let go of my hand, my baby)"

Jeongyeon was paying attention to her more than usual. She took note of Nayeon's favorite floral perfume that she always wore, how she would say Jeongyeon's name whenever she wanted the latter's attention, her puffy cheeks that seem to stand out more whenever she was doing aegyo, and even the time when instead of being annoyed at Nayeon always hitting her when she laughs, Jeongyeon would admire how her eyes lit up instead... Jeongyeon was hooked and she didn't even know it.

"Neowa hamkke handamyeon (If I'm with you)

Hal su isseul kkeoya nan (I can do it)"

Back to the present; when Jeongyeon sang the last chorus, she looked back to Nayeon as if she was giving a hint that the song was dedicated for her. Unfortunately, Nayeon was too dense to be able to read what she was trying to convey with her eyes. She went back to her seat while Nayeon clapped at the end of her song. "That was one performance, Jeongyeon. Were you thinking of someone while you sang? Was it that boy who was the inspiration of your song?"

Jeongyeon grimaced, a little disappointed at Nayeon for not noticing her feelings. She wanted to at least make Nayeon wonder if her best friend could be in love with her. She could ease Nayeon into that idea so she wouldn't be too shocked or have any negative reactions when Jeongyeon finally confesses. "That was a long time ago, unnie, can't you let it go?" I was thinking of you, you pabo.

Nayeon merely laughed. "Arasseo, I won't bring him up anymore." She stood up to take Jeongyeon's place but turned back and asked, "Do you have another song?"

"No, that was the only one I picked. You can go ahead."

"I'm singing a few more songs then I'll be picking something we can duet. I'm not letting you back out."

Rolling her eyes, Jeongyeon agreed. "Go ahead then."

Time passed by quickly and Jeongyeon spent most of it with her eyes on Nayeon. Everything around her became blurry and she focuses on the girl singing her heart out. Nayeon's hair was beginning to look deliciously messy with her occasionally running her fingers through her brunette locks. Despite the cold breeze coming from the AC unit, Nayeon singing while jumping around had her work up sweat. Her skin had a light sheen on it and there were beads of sweat dripping down her surprisingly long neck into the crevice in her chest. The older girl was wearing a low cut dress and Jeongyeon couldn't resist following a little bead of sweat before it disappeared into her cleavage.

Jeongyeon felt her mouth dry up at the scene. She was feeling a little hot after the display. When she had enough willpower to look up from Nayeon's chest, she was horrified to see Nayeon staring back at her with a smirk. The latter held a hand up and with her forefinger, beckoned Jeongyeon seductively. She figured Nayeon was saying something to her but she wasn't paying attention.

"Come join me, Yoo Jeongyeon," Nayeon said. Jeongyeon was confused but her jaw dropped when she saw heard a familiar beat playing through the speakers.

"Th-This is what you w-wanted us to duet?!" she asked in a shrill voice.

Nayeon didn't bother to answer her but instead grabbed Jeongyeon's hand to make her stand up and handed her her own microphone.

"Lala lalalala lala lalala lalala"

Nayeon let go of her and stepped back to give each other a good distance. She started to sing the first line with a deep voice.

"Niga weonhaneun geu mari mweoya naege malhae bwa (Tell me about the things you wanna hear)"

Jeongyeon shook her head though she was smirking. To be fair, she missed performing this with Nayeon, especially since she didn't have to explain why she was being so touchy. She sang the next verse but with a higher pitch to indicate that she had the female role.

"Niga museun mareul haejundedo naneun naraga (No matter what you say to me, I'll fly)

Jeil dalkomhan geu mareul weonhandamyeon nareul bwa (If you want to hear the sweetest words then look at me)

Bukkeureopjiman geu mareul weonhae neodo aljana (Even if it's embarrassing, you know I want to hear those words)"

They slowly started to come towards each other.

"Saranghae

Saranghae

I love you

I love you

Eotteon mareul weonhaedo da ni gwitgaye haejulkke (No matter what you say to me, I'll give it to you)"

Nayeon circled from Jeongyeon's front, dragging her hand from the left side of Jeongyeon's waist across her abdomen to rest on the other side. She stood slightly behind Jeongyeon's left side and sang the words in her ear. Jeongyeon felt a flutter in her stomach with Nayeon's actions. She gasped in shock as Nayeon playfully bit her earlobe but she powered through and managed to sing the next line without breaking.

"Wo ai ni

Wo ai ni

Te quiero

Te quiero

Neomu dalkomhaeseo mari malgatjiga ana (It's so sweet that it doesn't feel like words"

Nayeon turned goofy as they parted, singing the words and pointing at Jeongyeon.

"Nae gwie kaendi kkulcheoreom dalkomhae ni (My Ear Candy, it's as sweet as honey)

Moksoriro budeureopge nal nogyeo jweo (Melt me away softly with your voice)

Nae gwie kaendi kkulcheoreom dalkomhae ni (My Ear Candy, it's as sweet as honey)

Moksoriro budeureopge nal nogyeo jweo (Melt me away softly with your voice)

Lala lalalala lala lalala lalala

Lala lalalala lala lalala lalala"

They could still remember the steps as they moved, their bodies dancing to the familiar choreography. It's almost like no time had passed and they were dancing purely on instinct. Now it was Jeongyeon's turn to be the male in their duet.

"Dalkomhage jeokshin ttalgi gateun neoye ipsullo (With your lips that feel like a strawberry dipped in sweetness)

Dalkomhage jeokshin ttalgi gateun neoye ipsullo (With your lips that feel like a strawberry dipped in sweetness)

Malhae budeureopge malhae ppalli naye gwitgaro (Tell me softly, tell me, to my ears)

Malhae budeureopge malhae ppalli naye gwitgaro (Tell me softly, tell me, to my ears)

Saranghae

Saranghae

I love you

I love you

Eotteon mareul weonhaedo da ni gwitgaye haejulkke (No matter what you say to me, I'll give it to you)

Wo ai ni

Wo ai ni

Te quiero

Te quiero

Neomu dalkomhaeseo mari malgatjiga ana (It's so sweet that it doesn't feel like words)"

Jeongyeon copied what Nayeon did to her but her hand caressed Nayeon from shoulder to shoulder, her fingers lightly grazing the slope of her mounds. She stepped towards Nayeon's left and rested her hand on the older's arm, squeezing and rubbing it up and down. She sang the words in her ear as well and licked on the earlobe to retaliate from Nayeon's earlier teasing.

"Nae gwie kaendi kkulcheoreom dalkomhae ni (My Ear Candy, it's as sweet as honey)

Moksoriro budeureopge nal nogyeo jweo (Melt me away softly with your voice)

Nae gwie kaendi kkulcheoreom dalkomhae ni (My Ear Candy, it's as sweet as honey)

Moksoriro budeureopge nal nogyeo jweo (Melt me away softly with your voice)"

Nayeon had her back facing Jeongyeon at this part and surprised the latter yet again as she danced and grinded against her front. Jeongyeon didn't know how to react and settled on placing her hands on Nayeon's hips as if to guide her. The feel of firm backside had her groaning and she dug her fingers into the shirt, using it to pull Nayeon closer to her body. Jeongyeon felt lightheaded at this point and she forgot to sing the next line.

"Lala lalalala lala lalala lalala

Lala lalalala lala lalala lalala"

Jeongyeon's lust took over and while the music continued to play in the background, her hands went inside Nayeon's shirt to feel her hot and slick skin. She felt Nayeon arching her back towards her as she caressed the older girl's sides and taut abdomen. Her hands slowly went up towards Nayeon's breasts but before she could even reach her bra, Nayeon suddenly turned to face her and she could hear the song starting to fade in the background.

Her hands were still on Nayeon's sides right under her breasts but the latter made no move to take them out. Instead, she squeezed Jeongyeon's hands from within the shirt and ran them up her arms, leaving goosebumps on the latter's skin. Nayeon wrapped her arms around Jeongyeon's neck as they both leaned in closer. Jeongyeon stared into Nayeon's eyes and she could see a fire in them that she'd never seen before. Nayeon looked so hot right now. She almost couldn't believe what was happening but she knew this was real judging from the feel of Nayeon's breath on her lips. Were they about to kiss?

They closed their eyes as their lips lightly brushed when there was a loud knock echoing around the room. Startled, they pulled away from each other and turned to face the door. Nayeon smoothed her shirt down and went to open the door. Jeongyeon recognized the person who knocked as the receptionist. The girl bowed at them. "I'm sorry, Nayeon-ssi, Jeongyeon-ssi but your three hours is up and we're closing in ten minutes."

Nayeon glanced at Jeongyeon and cleared her throat before replying. "O-Okay, we'll be right out." The receptionist nodded in response and walked away.

There was an awkward silence between them because what could they say after what happened not too long ago? Jeongyeon ran her hand through her hair and sighed. "We should g-go, don't you think?"

Nayeon nodded eagerly. "Yeah, let's go." They hurriedly gathered their things before exiting the room. Nayeon didn't forget to take a picture with the receptionist before they left the establishment. None of them had the courage to speak when they were in the car and they spent the ride home in silence. Jeongyeon wasn't too bothered by it as her mind went back to all that had happened in the karaoke room and how Nayeon didn't object to whatever they did. If anything, Nayeon could have instigated the whole thing. She was the one who chose the sensual song they once performed as a unit.

She turned to the window to hide her smile from Nayeon and touched her lips which almost kissed Nayeon. This night was proof that Nayeon feels something for her. She is almost certain of it. If all goes well, she could have a girlfriend by the end of the week.