Page 73 of Teach Me K-Pop

“Was that post-sex selfie really necessary?” Kija asks. “I’m glad you worked everything out, but that definitely violates my no-details policy.”

“It wasn’t post-sex,” I argue, having sent the picture for the specific purpose of getting him all riled up about it. “We were just lying in bed talking and happened to be shirtless. The sex happened like, hours before.”

Kija groans loudly. “Too much information!”

“You were the one who wanted to know if our reunion had gone well. I was just offering evidence of success,” I remark, absolutely sounding every bit as proud of myself as I feel. Turns out, it’s fun to be the one with the good stories for once.

“Knowing that you have defiled one of the idol industry’s darlings is something I have to live with now. I did not need proof,” he grumbles. “Still, I’m happy for you. So what now?”

I glance at the list I made while I was on the plane, only able to decipher about half of what I’d written. But I remember most of it, particularly the options that seem more feasible and the ones I’m most excited about. “I have some ideas. Nikko and I discussed a lot of things, but for now we are just going to try to make sure we find some way to speak to each other every day. I know he wants to talk to Chita and the other members about it, and he figured there’d have to be some kind of meeting with management. So heads up for you, I guess, if you’d be involved in that.”

“Not really my area, but if I knew it was on an agenda, I’d go just because it’s you,” Kija tells me.

“I appreciate you looking out for me. For us,” I say, trying not to get all giddy about being able to say “for us” in this context. Because thereisan us.

Me and Nikko.

A legit couple.

Boyfriends.

Kija chuckles, “I can hear you smiling. And honestly, I thought you’d be telling me you were just getting ready to move back to Seoul. You’ve been talking about it since you left. This seems like a good reason to do it.”

“That is definitely something I’m considering,” I admit. “It seems like the easiest solution, which is crazy, when I’m talking about picking up and relocating across the globe. But his whole life is there. And I want my life to be with him, so…”

“Oh my god. I am not ready for this version of you.”

It sounds like he’s getting up, probably to go to the fridge for a beer or something as he complains to himself. I laugh.

“I’m so glad you’re enjoying this.” There’s the distinct sound of a can top popping, then he continues. “I thought I knew what to expect because I’ve seen you when you’re into someone, but I should have guessed it would be totally different because you are stupid in love with him, and that I have not seen before.”

“Yeah, I really am,” I sigh, all dopey and smitten.

“Ugh. Please. Enough.” Despite the complaining, he’s happy for me, I can hear it in his voice. “Are you going to tell me about any of these ideas you had, or should I just wait and see if you show up on my doorstep at some point?”

“That’s actually number five on my list—surprise Kija with that visit he’s always asking for and crash on his couch until he makes me leave,” I tell him, even though that is not exactly on said list.

Kija grumbles. “I was going to offer to help you if I could, but I take it back.”

“Too bad. It’s out there already; it’s too late,” I tease. Kija does feature prominently among the possibilities, though, so I need to see if he’s on board with any of the schemes I’ve concocted.

We toss scenarios back and forth for a while, which is mostly him suggesting better alternatives to what I had come up with, until I get a text from Nikko asking if I’m available. I reply right away that I will be in just a moment.

“Okay, I recognize when it’s my time to go,” Kija says, loudly.

“Huh?” I look around like he can see me, despite having the call screen open in front of me and knowing he can’t. “What?”

“I heard your text tone, and then it got very quiet for an awkward amount of time, so I’m sure that it was him, and now I’ve lost you.” He knows he’s right, and I don’t need to tell him. “Let me look into some things for you, and we’ll talk again soon, yeah?”

“Thanks, you’re the best.” I hang up with him and run to the bathroom to check my reflection in the mirror. Even though Nikko has seen me in various states of disarray, I feel like I should at least attempt to look decent when we chat now.

Starting the call, I’m smiling already, just waiting for him to pick up. We had a brief chat yesterday when we’d both finally gotten home, but it was short, interrupted by Chita calling Nikko into a house meeting.

“-ase,” he’s saying as he pops up on the screen. As soon as he sees me, he blows a kiss. “Not as good as the real thing.”

“No, but I’ll still take it.” I blow one back and he grins, catching it and tucking into his pocket.

“For later, when I am alone,” he tells me.

---