PIECE OF ME     ୨୧     @lgcminnie     /     “miiiiiiiiinnie,” Lili Practically Whines

lili’s face immediately morphs into one of disagreement, head shaking as her thoughts disappear from the task at hand. she was too pretty to be thinking so hard for whatever reason, “to you — maybe. you’ve got the type of face that could suit any hair color.” an unexpected compliment, but a truthful one nonetheless.

“like i can understand a member or two but a whole group is insane, especially with how nosy people can be.” there was a far chance that news of the changed birthdays wouldn’t have broken by morning, especially in today’s digital age. “that’s so weird though, birth years? that’s just asking for creeps to take advantage —“ she shudders, “i don’t even want to think about it, how gross.” 

Kyoka shrugs it off, her thoughts already elsewhere. She doesn't remember seeing anyone around with green hair so she guesses they're probably in another training group outside of the languages, where she's too focused on squinting at the material to notice the other people around anyways. "Green is a nice color," she adds, rather unhelpfully.

A glint in her eyes appear as Kyoka recognizes a fellow forum scavenger. "I've heard about that," she said with an impression of a blasé attitude. (It probably isn't very convincing.) "We used to hide our birth years, but it was easier to hide without social media. People were still able to guess, though, I wonder how that worked with the whole group.".

for what it’s worth, lili finds kyoka and her random bursts of word vomit amusing — and since it didn’t take much, mere silence had triggered today’s bout, lili didn’t quite mind listening. (read: keep her entertained throughout her otherwise mundane day full of practices and lessons)

so, whilst picking at her food — she had taken a good two-three big bites before deciding she was already bored with what she had ordered and wished she ordered something else — she looks up at the sudden rush that kyoka takes when gulping her water. “now that you mention it,” lili pauses, letting her eyes wander to the surroundings of the company’s cafeteria scene, frowning when who she’s looking for is no where in sight. “i think there’s someone who’s 04/04/04, but no 03/03/03…”

౨ৎ lupin iii with @lgclili

They're eating lunch (for whatever reason, Kyoka still hasn't figured out why herself it just happened) together in silence when suddenly she brightens at a realization. She whips her head to face the older trainee, a I-don't-have-anything-of-value-to-say-but-I-somehow-think-it-is-of-value expression on her face.

She quickly swallows her food, chugging a mouthful of water to better rinse it down before she speaks. "Your birthday is 01/01/01." She then points at herself. "My birthday is 02/02/02." Brilliant observation, Kyoka. "Is there anyone around with a 03/03/03 birthday? That would be neat, I think."

EYE OF THE STORM     ୨୧    @yujinlgc     / backdated !

it was an ill-kept secret that lili was rotten to the core. sure, she liked to think of herself as a better, bigger person when it came to most things but even the ugly head of jealousy was hard to hide. 

harder to hide when one of her close friends — at least, closer than most — had just debuted before her. 

yujin deserved it, of course she did, she worked harder than anyone she knew but that couldn’t — wouldn’t — stop lili from secretly wishing for her despair, her downfall, because deep down that was just how vile her heart was — how despicable her ambition had ruined her. but it wasn’t like it was yujin’s fault that lili was left behind — falling through the cracks so far below to not even be considered — no, it wasn’t yujin’s fault at all.

and yet, that wouldn’t — couldn’t — stop lili from blaming her. 

but like any bigger, better person, lili was trying her best to keep it hidden; smiling when she sees her friend at her debut showcase. grinning and bearing it when she sees her friend’s face all over her social media. she was the bigger and better person, but lili was seething through it all.

very much so as she sits beside her so-called friend and listens, with bated breath, as the other vented about struggling with her new-found fame, god — it was taking everything within her from rolling her eyes, livid at what she was hearing. 

“so,” lili deadpans, about a word or two from being fed up, trying to simmer her anger as she gnaws at the straw of her matcha latte. “what do you want me to say, yujin?”

໒꒱ . XU LILI _ 1V1 CONSULATION 、WORKSHOP # 002

lili prided herself on her one on one evaluations with her coaches. something about receiving critiques empowered her, in a way. if they flat-out told her she sucked, it evoked an irrational sense of determination in her. if they flattered her, it validated her. in the end, it was a win-win situation that worked in her favor. 

“ WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE YOUR STRENGTHS RIGHT NOW? ”

her strengths have always been her most steadfast of skills — they were what made it easy for lili to transition from some no name agency to the likes of legacy in a matter of weeks. her defaults came easy, rolling off the tongue in a crescendo of confidence that she wonders why seo youngjae had bothered wasting his breath. “singing, dancing, modeling — it’s a triple threat combination that i feel like i’ve perfected.” and to this day, lili believes is her clandestine repetotoire for her future and yet — "do you not agree?" she asks, at point blank, because if seo youngjae didn't, then obviously lili was not working hard enough. ( and that irked her )

“ WHAT ARE THREE SKILLS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS? ”

she ponders this, and realizes the slight deflation in her response. it’s no surprise to anyone that her confidence had taken hit after hit in recent months. being looked over and not even considered for certain projects had been low blows that lili had tried her best to not get to her — since nobody asked, lili assumed she had done a good job in not showing it. but now, as the cards are laid down on the table and lili is asked to foresee what she could possibly do more — she feels affronted, almost affixed to her thoughts. “i feel like i’ve fallen short on my performance” — lili only says because coach jang insung had told her something along the same lines in passing the other day and if insung noticed, there was no way it wasn’t going to be brought up today. and lili knew better than to hide from the inevitable. “so, i’d probably work on my performance.” there was also that small stint as an extra for that film project, not much came of it but lili did like her time there even if she didn’t have lines, and if her face was covered — it was something. “maybe try working on my acting, actually being on a set had struck something in me, i guess. i couldn’t really stop thinking about it.” it was her way of saying she liked it without being so upfront about it. “i was also thinking of trying my hand at hosting but if i don’t like it … i could just keep working on my singing, i still have yet to really perfect my whistle tone.” 

“ IF GIVEN A CHANCE, WHAT TYPES OF GIGS WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING? ”

“with my current understanding, i feel i would be better suited to modeling and acting opportunities. i am interested in hosting but i don’t think i’m quite well-suited to them yet. otherwise, for modeling and acting, i feel like while i lack experience, i have learned enough about the field and have shown my interest enough that i would be easier for me to adapt to them.” a long-winded answer that, in hindsight, sounds almost rehearsed. and for that, lili’s fingers sneak into the side of her trousers for a slight pinch. it was an answer — eloquent, smooth, almost convincing in nature — that almost mimicked something her grandmother would have ate up and lili … at this point in her consultation, wanted to be honest — apparently, some habits were just too hard to forgo. 

“ DURING YOUR TIME HERE IN LEGACY, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LESSONS THAT YOU’VE LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF? ”

while not something she learned while at legacy, she finds it’s something that is becoming more and more of a hindrance to her growth and it’s — “i’m impatient. i feel like i’m ready for whatever it is you’ve yet to guarantee me.” but no matter how impatient she is, she finds herself drowning in this impatience. “and it makes me make more mistakes than i’m used to. i feel like i need to learn better ways to calm myself and/or learn how to be patient.” the latter is easier said than done, so lili prays for the former more than anything. and while lili does not beg, her words seem to beg to differ. 

"we'll talk more in april."

lili leaves feeling like she’s said something she shouldn’t have. a fault of saying too much to ears that only nitpicked to their heart’s desire. a disadvantage, lili thinks, as she walks away from her meeting with youngjae with an almost bitter taste in her mouth. suddenly, lili did not care for how fast time felt. she did not look forward to april. 

🥺 💗

“christ,” lili curses under her breath, fingers running through her hair as she steps back. she was thankful — no, relieved — when she sees the other open her eyes to a blurry haze. she was alive — there was no need for cpr that lili did not know heads or tails of or 119. shit, should she still call them just in case? the girl did look like she needed some type of medical attention. “are you sure, you looked like … kinda two steps to heaven?”

watching the other nearly stumble, lili sighs; hands on her hips, brows furrowed before shaking her head. a hand raised to stop the other, if not extend a hand to stabilize her. “no, no — it’s okay. i was going to use it but you don’t look so good, you should stay. rest, maybe go to the infirmary? does this happen often?” 

One moment, she was studying her form in the mirror, checking the angle of her leg as she pointed it towards ceiling. The next moment, she was looking into the eyes of a girl she recognized but was not overly familiar with and completely soaked.

Junyi was not alarmed - this was, unfortunately, a common enough occurrence.

"I am alright," she whispered reassuringly, bringing a hand up to sweep across her wet bangs. People did not typically use water to wake her up; they most often opted for shaking and shouting. Junyi wasn't sure if she preferred this method more.

Regardless.

"Thank you for your help. Apologies if I alarmed you." She smiled despite the circumstances and sat herself up slowly. "I must have overheated. Or something." Her doctors in China informed her that she had a problem with her qi, and that was why she experienced these moments of weakness. It's been improving, but not quickly enough.

"Are you here for the practice room?" Junyi glanced at the clock. "Sorry. I'll get going now." She reached for her towel in the corner to wipe her face. Must have moved too fast, because she nearly fell over again.

grin and bear it, she told herself from the mirror.

but no matter how many times she chanted that she was a million miles away on some uncharted island, sipping mimosas and lounging under a below the equator heat, something — more like someone — always seemed to break her out of her reverie. to be exact — it just so happened to be the incessant squawking of her peers. 

somehow, they had taken it upon themselves to run around until they got that correct ha! and to no one surprise, it had gotten to lili’s nerves rather quickly — to a point that she was wondering if she should feign an illness, or maybe fake a fainting spell? what could get her out of this room and out of earshot of these fucking mockingbirds. 

just when she had half the mind to fake a faint right then and there — she spots chaekyung. in ten seconds flat, she’s near and dear, fallen into the other’s arms in what could only be seen as lili’s very own oscar-worthy performance, for all the practice room to see and hear. “oh, chaekyung — i don’t feel so well. check my temperature, will you? i feel so faint.” she directs a look to the other before continuing her play, a frown playing on her lips as she breathes low and slow. 

✩⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀ 𝐨𝐲𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐢 𝐡𝐨𝐢⠀ ˎˊ˗ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ft. @lgclili

"can i skip the part where we have to scream? no? okay..." chaekyung sighed as the coach denied her request. of all the songs she was assigned, "catallena" was her least favorite and for good reason. the song was loud (literally) and the dance moves were bizarre. she couldn't even fathom what kind of strange outfit she'd have to wear on filming day. perhaps she'd spend most of the time with her head lowered, consumed by embarrassment.

glancing around at the other trainees, who were busy perfecting their screams, chaekyung poked two fingers into her ears. it felt like being trapped in a haunted house, but in broad daylight with the practice room lights on. "hah," she muttered under her breath, realizing only the ants could hear her. "hah. hah." this time, slightly louder, her eyes fixed on the ground as her fingers remained in her ears, drowning out the noises to focus on her voice.

chaekyung was holding up fine until someone leaned against her. it was lili. "unnie, are you alright?" lili asked, using her body to support the older female's weight.

other than a keratin treatment, lili would be aghast to have a lick of bleach touch her virgin hair. her fingers reach for her unsplit ends with a testing eye before flicking the hair over her shoulder, “i would,” kyoka was right, lili would look good in pink — as she looks good in anything — her ego was showing. “but i’d rather not, i love being brunette.” 

it would probably lili’s only boring flaw — the fact that she had never wanted nor ever would want to dye her hair another color. 

“people can be such antis,” and in their line of work there were many of those. not that lili was a good person, herself, but she was far from a 일진 of the likes that were constantly getting thrown around in media these days. “try not to hang around those bad apples, okay?” 

her chopsticks tap her silver tray, glancing at what she had leftover on it ; "do you want my potatoes?"

She tucks a strand of her hair behind at the unexpected compliment. "If I have the money one day," Kyoka solemnly begins, "I want to dye my hair pink and green, like a strawberry." And then she promptly hides her face behind her hands at that declaration, mumbling something about pineapples again. Once she's recovered from her own words, Kyoka adds, "But I bet you'd look super super pretty in pink too!"

Nodding along to Lili's words, Kyoka takes the time to finish off the rest of her plate. "One person in your school who hates you and-" she collides her fists together into an explosion to illustrate her point.

"Yup! Everyone had stage names too, so that technically our real identities are private." She shrugs. "But the entrance exams are all posted anyways and people can guess age orders based off stories so it's not that helpful." Besides, all the academy girls knew each other, so really, everything was an open secret.

any other day, one where the sun wasn’t in her eyes or the wind wasn’t messing up her hair — or where lili wasn’t paranoid that chicken shit had gotten underneath her fingernails — maybe lili would have tickled her competitive bone. but no, apparently that day was not today. and lili knew a losing game when it’s been had and from the get go — soap? was no winning contender in anyone’s book.

it wasn’t as if the people around here went through soaps as quickly as they would water — they couldn’t be that dirty, could they? she sniffs, trying not to appear too miffed by the idea before turning back to emi.

“surprised — why?” she feigns her own little raised brow in confusion, a smile playing on her lips as she looks at the juice cups. her finger dances in the air around them as she tries to choose, “which do you recommend, you’ve been here all day — which has been selling the most?” 

she swore, just when she thought she had legacy figured out, they wanted to throw another curveball-- like sending them out into the country, having them feign for themselves, or at least it felt that way sometimes. really though, all mimi could do was cackle at the different shenanigans they had been put through. it was all in a good fun, and honestly, she hadn't realized how sick of the practice room she was until they were heading far far away from it.

fresh air would do her some good anyway, it had been a rough couple of weeks.

and she liked competing. it was fun, it lit a fire under her, even more so when she realized she was losing. so to say this weekend had been... eventful was an understatement. it was nice to get closer to the trainees and unnies, though.

sometimes, this makes it easier to feel like she fits in.

juice selling was going well, and the team was excited, hushed whispers around their future spoils of vicotry when the voice rings through and emi turns, blinks a bit at lili as she tries to hide her snort. she takes the bill with ease, moving to get change, and gestures to the juices. "take your pick, take your pick. i am a little surprised you wanted to get one from us, though." she admits with a chuckle.

“yes, c’mon — a, press a!” lili urges. yet, at his reluctance, she can only playfully roll her eyes, “alright, i’ll show you how it’s done.”

it was a gamble, doing so, having her character run across the screen towards one of the other trees — she presses the ‘a’ button, showing her character shake the tree in succession only for a green leaf to slowly drift to the ground. “see! you get cool rewards if you shake the trees.” pocketing the item, she uses the joycon to drag her character back down the screen.

returning back to where his character was standing, lili once again suggests for him to try it. “since i got a leaf — it’s probably some type of furniture. if you shake it, we’ll probably get some money!” 

it would be even better if it wasn’t money, but this lili neglects to say.

it was really a miracle that he got a contract since he pretty much didn’t know anything about those games he had been playing during the halloween party. Still, he played his part well, which led hyuk to that exact moment, when he was paired up with lili to play games and have the most fun of it.

looking to the side whenever she laughed at his ridiculous attempt to make his character go from one side to the other onscreen, hyuk went from his grumpy mode (because he hated losing to anything), to kind of chill, taking that opportunity to bond more with people and make the brand more interested on him. “press a, you said?”, he looked to the side, offering her a friendly smile, but trying to find any deceit in her eyes, “you press it first so i know you’re not trying to kill my kid out there!”