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Even though Uchinaga Aeri had been living in South Korea for about a year, she still confused some words. It wasn't the headache-inducing confusion that it had been months ago, but there were some remnants of problems, which she liked to clear up with her friend, Jeon Somi.
The way the two met was quite funny. Aeri didn't have much training time, and knew almost no one in the industry. The Japanese woman found fascinating the case of trainees who had known each other for several years, and even between the comings and goings of the company, continued with their friendship. Aeri had none of this, trained a little, and was soon thrown into presentations and variety shows. In one of them she met Jeon Somi.
Aeri had heard several rumors about the South Korean half-breed with Danish ancestry, but all he thought when she saw her was ''wow'', because she had a unique beauty, and because she had bleached hair at the time, she did indeed look like a Barbie. However, despite all her stateliness, Somi was very cute, and immediately started talking to the Japanese girl.
Two startting the conversation in Korean, but as Somi felt more comfortable in English, they continued the conversation in the other language. It was funny to see the other members of Aespa and also the staff trying to decipher their conversation.
It didn't take long for the two to exchange cell phone numbers. They talked frequently, especially during periods when they were not promoting music releases. The gap increased considerably after Somi's full album promotions, in which she texted almost every day.
Because Aeri was also unoccupied with the group's lack of releases - due to Sooman's family squabbles - the two started seeing each other frequently, especially at Somi's apartment, since the soloist lived alone.
Aeri thought this was great, and as much as she liked living in Aespa's dormitory, she missed having more privacy, something she could have with Somi, because she was also away from any manager, being able to eat snacks and watch whatever she wanted. On that particular night, Aeri had arranged to bring lots of candy and snacks. The bag of fastfoods was very heavy, after all, Aeri had tired of waiting for Somi to open the door.
When the Japanese woman decided to leave the bag on the floor so she could get her cell phone from her purse and call Somi, finally the owner of the apartment decided to answer.
"Wow, you kept me waiting, unnie..."
"Don't call me that, Aeri."
"But isn't that what women call their friends in Korean?" Aeri walked through the open door and left the bag on the table. From the way Somi looked, I knew she was not in a good mood.
"It's wrong because you are older than me."
"Minjeong taught me that the hierarchy of experience is very strong here."
"That's right, but..." The blonde crossed her hands, which highlighted her teddy bear pajamas. "I seem to be much older, I don't Like it".
"And..What if I call you onee-chan?"
"That's even worse."
"Why?" Aeri couldn't hide her indignation. "It's very cute in Japanese!"
"Worse than friendzone is sisterzone, since onee-chan literally means sister in Japanese.'' Somi thought, but without the courage to verbalize
"I know, but... " Added the blonde.
"I don't know what to call you, so-" The Japanese girl scratched the back of her head. "Can you be a friend?"
Friend.... That was really the relationship they had, of friendship... But why did admitting it hurt Somi so much?
"And is there a specific term for friends with benefits?" said the Japanese girl.
Somi almost dropped the peanut packet on the table.
" I don't know... I think lovers..."
"Wow, that's strong." The brunette laughed nervously. " It sounds like something serious".
" I don't know, people misrepresent things. Like lovers in English, which you can use for anything.
"Like...Chocolovers?"
"That's right."
"And somilovers?"
"They exist and =are my fans." Somi laughted.
"Wow, .... but I'm your number one fan, and I don't want to get in line for an autograph." Joked Aeri.
Somi, who until then had been slightly irritated (without knowing exactly why) was calmed by Aeri's smile.
"Let me see.... " The blond put her hand on table.. "Do you have membership?"
"No... how do you get it?"
"Hm... I might have to give a stamp."
"With a peck?" - Aeri made a surprised expression.
"I don't know what you mean..."
"Peck, right." She smiled. "Like a little kiss"
"Aeri..."
"It's just an innocent little kiss, right? Only to celebrate...The membership union."
Somi moved in for a kiss on Aeri's cheek, but the Japanese girl cleverly turned her face away, so that their lips were glued together.
Somi, although reluctant, soon understood what Aeri meant and surrendered to the kiss. In fact, the Japanese woman had a strategy of pretending to be unaware, and Somi fell for it.
Was Aeri smarter than Somi imagined, or was it Somi who was too foolish to be in love? In the end, all that mattered was the fact that the two were friends, lovers, and every other word that showed love.