003 Liu Jimin

Four young girls wearing masks sneaked into the bar. For them, still mere trainees, this was a rare opportunity.

It was mostly a matter of not having much pocket money. Even though none of the four came from particularly poor backgrounds, the cost of living in Seoul was exorbitant; no matter how thick their little wallets were, they could be emptied in an instant—especially here in the Gangnam District. Besides, slipping out of the dormitory wasn't exactly easy either.

"Jimin unnie~"

They had requested a booth further inside, as they couldn't afford a private room. The moment she took off her mask, Kim Minjeong couldn't wait to crack a joke, though her tone was a bit sassy:

"Is it really okay for us to come to a bar like this?"

"Huh?"

Liu Jimin curled her lips into a goofy expression, then glared at Kim Minjeong. "If I recall correctly, it was a certain little girl surnamed Kim who was fussing and demanding to come here, wasn't it?"

"It wasn't me, it wasn't... I..."

Kim Minjeong was just about to deny it when she realized that among the four of them, she was the only one with the surname Kim. "Well, anyway, it’s all Chaehyun’s fault! How could our Chaehyun be so bad!"

At that moment, Kim Chaehyun, who had just been eliminated by SM Entertainment and was left lonely and adrift without a new agency, was being unfairly blamed in absentia.

"Minjeong is not being a good girl."

Liu Jimin’s expression was slightly tense. They had spent a long time researching online before selecting this whiskey bar in Cheongdam-dong, which also served light meals. A bar dedicated to whiskey was considered a quieter, high-end type of "light social" venue, which, aside from being pricier, effectively avoided a lot of trouble.

However, the biggest trouble was right beside them.

Liu Jimin looked at the *maknae* (youngest) of the four. Indeed, according to the laws of the peninsula, one must be 19 to purchase alcoholic beverages or enter establishments like bars. And their adorable *maknae*, Ningning, was only eighteen this year. Fortunately, since she was a foreigner, they had tried their luck, and sure enough, her cuteness helped them breeze past the check.

"Unnie, I want to drink this."

Ningning flipped through the menu, which was filled with various whiskeys. Not wanting to take advantage or let her unnies spend too much, she simply ordered a signature drink set that had a bit of everything.

"It’s my birthday today, so order whatever you want. It’s my treat, and it’s also to celebrate the four of us finally making it into the debut group."

Liu Jimin was being uncharacteristically generous; her mother had transferred her some money.

"Can you unnies actually drink?"

The *maknae* closed the menu and asked a question that hit right at the heart. All three of her unnies fell silent.

"I can drink... about two bottles of soju."

Liu Jimin was very confident; after all, she hadn't been tricked by a certain unscrupulous older brother for nothing. It was just that he had been so busy lately that he was nowhere to be seen—she feared he might have even forgotten her birthday.

"I can drink a little, too."

Uchinaga Aeri remained calm and collected; clearly, she was the experienced one.

"What is that supposed to mean!!"

Kim Minjeong was unhappy, grumbling, "Am I the only one who hasn't had a drink before?"

"Since that's the case, let's just order this signature set. It doesn't seem like the alcohol content would be too high, and then we can order some food. They have mini burgers, fried snacks, and all sorts of platters here."

Ningning made the decision with great assertiveness. Despite the *maknae* usurping their authority, Liu Jimin had no objections. Just as she was about to place the order, she heard a voice from behind:

"The portions in the signature set are actually very small; the vessels they come in just look nice, but it won't be enough for the four of you. And how can you come to a whiskey bar and not drink whiskey? I suggest ordering this whiskey introductory tasting set instead; you'll be able to sample the characteristics of different origins..."

"Ah!"

Yoon Yunhui’s sales pitch was cut short mid-sentence because someone let out an unseemly shriek, interrupting his recommendation.

Liu Jimin was startled. She turned and looked up at the person who had appeared so unexpectedly.

"Eh? Why is Yunhui oppa here??"

Yoon Yunhui, the one being questioned, suddenly leaned over, bracing his arms on the back of the booth sofa, and brought his face close to Liu Jimin’s.

"That’s the question I should be asking you. Jimin, do your parents know you’re out fooling around in a bar?"

"Aigoo, get away from me! Please! You’re too close!"

Liu Jimin used physical action to express her distaste, raising both hands to cup Yoon Yunhui’s face and push him back. Yoon Yunhui didn't dodge or resist, and Liu Jimin wasn't actually using much force, so to any onlooker, their actions looked like flirting.

Kim Minjeong opened her mouth wide, stunned into silence.

"Mom knows! I told her, and she even transferred me the money."

Liu Jimin was indignant. She wasn't a child anymore; why shouldn't she be allowed to go to a bar?

"Then..."

Yoon Yunhui wanted to say something else, but suddenly realized a problem.

Wait.

What is today's date?

*Shibal.*

I forgot!

Today was April 11th—Liu Jimin’s birthday.

As the president of the 55th General Student Council at Yonsei University for the 2020 term, Yoon Yunhui was indeed very busy. His tenure had begun after winning the election at the end of last December. After completing the handover with the previous council, he started organizing final exam coffee and snack events and promoting the new council’s vision. Entering 2020, he chaired the tuition deliberation meeting in January, conducted freshman orientation in February, reported on the winter break’s achievements and held commemorative events at the start of the new semester in March, and now, in April, he was busy preparing for the school anniversary.

Yoon Yunhui also had to steal moments to balance his studies while digesting the script for *The Penthouse*. He was practically a superman!

And then, Yoon Yunhui had forgotten Liu Jimin’s birthday.

Completely, entirely, didn't even notice.

Time slipped away quietly.

Liu Jimin’s gaze became increasingly dangerous. She narrowed her eyes, judging the Yoon Yunhui in front of her. Clearly, through his sudden stuttering, it was easy to tell that her dear Yunhui oppa had forgotten her birthday.

"Oppa~"

"Stop, don't get all sappy. We aren't that close. Anyway, I'm heading off."

Yoon Yunhui decisively chose to retreat, but Liu Jimin grabbed his sleeve and said playfully:

"Don't go yet, oppa. Did you forget that when we were kids, you said you wanted to marry me as your wife?"

"Childhood nonsense. Jimin, let's not bring up the past. Let go; it’s better for both of us."

Yoon Yunhui chuckled, playing along with Liu Jimin’s comedy act. In the end, Liu Jimin, who had started the joke, was the first to break character:

"Hahaha, sigh. Oppa, wish me a happy birthday. I know you've been very busy lately."

After the laughter, Liu Jimin sighed, looking a bit lost and lonely. Yoon Yunhui reached out and patted her head, comforting her.

"Happy birthday, our Jimin. It really is because I've been too busy lately. You guys go have fun—I know the owner of this bar. Put it on my tab."

"Ehehe, I was just waiting for that!"

Liu Jimin instantly perked up. The sky cleared, the rain stopped, and the silly Jimin was itching for trouble again.

"Heh, I know you too well. Keep the money your mom transferred to you for yourself."

Yoon Yunhui shook his head, looking as if there was no saving this Jimin. "I won't disturb you anymore. My friends are waiting for me. If you need anything, give me a call."

"Mua~ Got it, Yunhui oppa~"

Liu Jimin gave an exaggerated flying kiss, which scared Yoon Yunhui into running away, while her three friends remained shocked, as if struck by lightning.

Kim Minjeong’s mouth had been hanging open since earlier; only now did she ask in a daze:

"Jimin unnie, that handsome guy... who was that?"

"Hmm..."

Liu Jimin feigned mystery, keeping Kim Minjeong in suspense before finally breaking into a smile.

"He is..."