CHAPTER 24
Yibo grabbed Gee from her shirt's collar.
Yibo: You'll sit beside me.
Gee was surprised and puzzled, but she smiled wide looking at Yibo so she followed him to the other side of the table. Leo and Se Ju were also puzzled why Gee followed senior him. They looked at jer with eyes asking why Gee just gave them shrugging shoulder in response. Yibo pulled a chair on his right side then he sat there and pulled another one then he looked at her. Still wondering, Gee just smiled and sat beside him. Yuna was keeping her reaction watching the two. Sean was also looking at the two with a smile on his face. He went to them and sat beside Yibo. Leo and Se Ju stood up and took their seats to sit along with Gee. Gee was smiling wide at the two. Yibo just gave them a look.
After a minute their food finally arrived that made everyone got excited. The trainees all stood up and simultaneously bowed their head and shouted their thanks to the trainers and when Gee and her group who played the volleyball stood up, the others bowed again facing them, and shouted their thanks to them.
Ms. Kim: It was a good match although Gee was really bad at playing it, hahaha
Gee bit her lips and tapped her head acting cute that made everyone laughed, Yibo just smirked shaking his head looking at her.
Ms. Kim: But thanks to Emma who played like a professional volleyball player and to Yuna, Leo and Se Ju they were able to win (she clapped looking at them)
Everyone was clapping while looking at them.
Emma: B-but if it wasn't for Gee, we will never be able to play, I thought he was stupid to volunteer himself because he doesn't really know how to play b-but because he- he trusted me I-
Emma was trying to keep the embarrassment from saying those words as she was blushing she couldn't utter the words thank you so she threw an energy bar to her face, good thing Yibo was able to catch it. Everyone was shocked.
Yibo: You have a unique way of saying your thanks ha (holding the energy bar)
Gee was surprised but she smiled at Emma and gave her a thumbs up but Emma was blushing she can't look at her.
Se Ju: Wah a tsundere (his eyes were sparkling looking at Emma)
Leo: (turned to look at Gee with bored eyes) hah, such a dangerous guy
Yibo: (gave Gee the energy bar putting it on her head) So you're popular with girls too
Gee: (took it smirking at Yibo) well hahahaha
Ms. Nana: Ehem! I hope you are not forgetting one of the most important rule of this training.
Kite: Ehem! I hope we are not forgetting about the food?
Everyone turned their look at Kite then to Ms. Kim with their puppy eyes.
Ms. Kim: Oh well everyone, let's eat (she gestured her hand with a smile)
Everyone took their seat and started to eat. It was a harmonious moment for the trainees and the trainers, they were having fun while eating.
Leo: hey bro I'm really curious on why did you volunteered in joining the volleyball match when you didn't know how to play in the first place?
Se Ju: yeah you got all of us fooled you know.
Gee: I had a feeling that she loves volleyball and she can make us win the game, but it turns out she's a pro (laughed before she took a bite)
Yibo is secretly listening while slowly eating his food.
Leo: Are you trying to make her fall for you?
Gee: ha?
Sean and Se Ju were surprised they almost spit the food inside their mouth. Yibo just smirked.
Leo: so that's what it is, I thought you were just being kind, so that's how you make girls fall for you huh? You're dangerous bro, but you should really teach us how to get girls (looking at Gee)
Se Ju: Yeah! Emma seems hard to approach and she used to be annoyed with you but you were able to tame her.
Gee: Stop it you two, I don't have any intentions like that. I just had a gut feeling that she can make us win and… it just sucks when you're left alone (she smiled to them)
Leo and Se Ju were silenced and smiled at her then they continue eating. Sean and Yibo smiled in secret while they are eating.
Yibo was about to eat his favorite carrots when he saw Gee doesn't have them on her plate. So he took a piece from his and put it on Gee's plates that surprised her even Leo, Se ju and Sean. He put another two pieces.
Yibo: You should eat them, its good for your skin.
Gee: (smiled) thank you senior Yibo (then she took a first bite, she smiled even wider while she munching it with her mouth closed)
Gee was very happy, she had potatoes on her plates so in return she put it on Yibo's and smiled at him. Yibo was a little surprised but he gave her a little smile. Leo, Se Ju and Sean were smiling in secret. While Yuna was trying to calm herself seeing what the two did to each other. When Yibo was looking for his drinks, he found out that there was one missing and that was his. Gee took a sip on her drinks then she put it down. She took another bite from her food then when she was about to take another drink from her bottled water, Yibo took it and drank from it. Gee was surprised with eyes wide open looking at how Yibo was drinking her bottled water even Leo and Se Ju, but the most surprised persons were the Zhang siblings.
Sean: (his thoughts) she really had earned his trust huh (looking at Gee with a smile)
Gee: wah senior Yibo! Why did you drank my water?
Yibo: (puts down the bottled water, wiped his mouth) I had no choice
Gee: (took the bottled water) ha? Really? (looking at the almost empty bottle) thank you for sparing a little amount for me huh! I appreciate it, I think it will last until tomorrow haha (sarcastic)
Yibo: I thought you might get thirsty so I didn't drank it all
Gee: (shocked) ha? (laughing sarcastically) ha ha so that's how it is huh? such a kind trainer (tapped Yibo's back with a little force) thank you senior Yibo!
Everyone were shocked at what Gee did to Yibo, even Gee was shock, she bit her lower lip and gave him a wide smile as he was looking at her with a dead fish eye look.
Yibo: (surprised from the sudden attack, but smiled back sarcastically) you're welcome! (tapper Gee's back with force)
Gee was even more shock because from the hit on her shoulder that she received from him.
Gee: ah! (she hits him back)
Yibo hit her back. The others were laughing and shaking their heads watching them.
Kite: these two fighting over a bottled water. (shaking his head)
Yuna was trying hard to keep her fangirling reaction then she stood up and went to the table where bottled water are placed.
Sean was very shocked at what he was witnessing. He couldn't explain what he was feeling right now watching the two exchanging hits at each other's back. Yibo used to do it with him sometimes and to his friends from his group. It made him smile as he realized something.
Sean: (his thoughts) Yibo really treats her now as his friend. Congratulations Gee, you have fulfilled your goal why you auditioned for the training in the first place, but I hope you would continue it not because of him, I hope you would do it for yourself (smiling watching Gee having fun playing with Yibo)
When Yibo and Gee were about to hit each other again, Yuna stopped them by putting bottled water on their faces. The two were surprised, their face were wet so they were wiping their faces as while glaring at each other. Sean, Leo, Se Ju and the others were keeping themselves from laughing.
Yuna: S-stop it okey! You two! What are you ? 3 year old kids? (trying to be calm)
Yibo: I didn't started it. (looking away)
Gee: Why did you hit me back? (glaring at Yibo)
Se Ju: wait! Are you two fighting again?
Everyone were surprised and puzzled looking at the two.
Gee: huh? Ah haha n-no, haha (panick)
Kite: Don't worry Se Ju, having a fight with your friend makes the friendship grow stronger hahaha
Se Ju: ah I see
Gee: (smiling wide) hahaha yeah! Hahaha right! Senior Yibo and I are friends hahahahaha
Gee suddenly became very happy smiling wide as she turned to look at Yibo, then she raised her hand and was about to hit him at his back but Yibo raised his hand for defense. The two were surprised Gee burst to laughter. She was laughing her stomach was aching and was leaning back so she got out of balance and fell from her seat. Everyone was shock again nd got worried but she was able to stood up nd went back to her set like nothing happened and was tapping Leo's shoulder.
Gee: haha I'm okey bro hahaha
Leo: agh! (shocked from the hit)
Yibo just smirked and was shaking his head looking how happy Gee was.
Yibo: (his thought) Friends huh (he smirked at the thought)
Everyone was smiling looking at the two then they continue eating and chatting. It was a very pleasant and cheerful early dinner for them.
The next day…
They had their normal routine that day, language and vocalization training in the morning with Sean, Ms. Geronimo then choreography training on the afternoon with Kite, Yibo and Ms. Nana and Ms. Kim. They were dismissed at 4:30 so they can watch the games during that day.
The AMPM Ent staff, employees and some artists are gathered again in the compound central ground. It was filled with cheers and laughs just like the other days. The event that time was piggy back riding. It was being hosted by one of Yibo's co-hosts in the variety show he is currently working.
Host: This game piggy back riding is open for everyone who wants to join. The goal of this game is very simple. The pairs will raise to get the flag on that finish line. But before they can go the finish line, they will exchange riding at the checkpoints before they reach the goal. There are 4 checkpoints from the starting line before the goal so that means the pairs will take turns 4 times.
Gee, Yuna, Leo, Se Ju and Maya are listening to the host they didn't noticed that Yibo, Sean and Kite were standing at their back.
When the host was about to say something a staff approached him and whispered something to him. The host was nodding his head, then he gestured okey.
Host: Okey AMPM Ent fam, as suggested by the board members, it should be played by the representatives of each department. Artists, employees, staffs, training program, field representatives, and all. And for the price of this game, the winning pair will have one wish granted which they can get whenever they want.
Everyone became more enthusiastic. There was a pair of women from the artists who went first.
Se Ju and Leo turned their look to Gee and simultaneously asked her with sparkling eyes.
Se Ju and Leo: Let's go!-
But they were both surprised even Yuna, Maya, Sean and Kite when Yibo suddenly blocked the two, grabbing Gee's hand and pulling her walking towards the playing ground.
Gee was surprised looking at Yibo while she was walking along with puzzled eyes.
Yuna and the rest seemed to be paralyzed as they watch the two.
Host: Alright! another pair coming from the training program. (trying to recognize the taller guy) oh its a pair of trainee and my friend trainer Yibo (he waved at him smiling)
The crowd cheered as Yibo waved and smiled back to him and everyone. The trainees were cheering loud for them.
Trainees: Go Gee! Go senior Yibo!
Gee was like a robot waving back to them. Yibo noticed that the Gee was like not herself, he smirked so he gave her a head-butt. Everyone were shocked.
Gee seemed to snap back when she felt something hit her forehead. She was holding it when she saw Yibo was also holding his forehead. They were both rubbing their foreheads. But she smiled when she saw it was Yibo so she kicked him on his leg with her legs.
Gee: that hurts senior Yibo!
Yibo: I know (rubbing his forehead)
Host: Ah please players don't get yourself injured before the game start okey (laughing)
Everyone were laughing at the two. The two stood up properly. But Yibo kicked her back at her legs in secret. Gee glared at him but Yibo gestured with his mouth that they are quits.
Sean was laughing at the two holding his stomach and Kite's shoulder, Yuna and rest was laughing too.
Se Ju: I didn't know that senior Yibo has that side of him.
Maya: yeah, but I hope he stopped hurting him like that.
Sean: (calming himself from laughing) hahaha just so you know, he seems to be a quiet person but if you got close and become friends with him, you will regret it hahaha he is a bully and very childish!
Kite: yeah! He is a different person when off the stage!
Leo: Oh no! I felt sorry for Gee bro somehow (looking worried)
Maya and Se Ju were looking at Gee with worried eyes for their friend. Sean and Kite were just laughing. Yuna was smiling looking at the two.
Five pairs completed the starting line, it was composed by pairs of women from the artists, Gee and Yibo from the idol training, pair of guys from the administration department, pair of women from the promotion department, and another pair of guys from the utility department.
The game was about to start, the pairs are talking to each other who will ride first.
Yibo and Gee were both looking at the field seriously, analyzing the flow.
Yibo and Gee: I'll let you ride first
They were both surprised so Yibo bent his knees.
Gee: senior Yibo? If I ride first, then it will make you carry me longer?
Yibo: (looked at her seriously) do you really think that you're a re- (he sighed)
He grabbed Gee's hand pulling her closer to him taking her on his back then he bent his knees and pulled Gee's hands.
Yibo: Even if you are pretending in front of everyone, don't forget about what you really are when you are alone with me.
Gee was surprised then she smiled. She felt something different inside her. She feels her face was burning and she couldn't breathe properly as her heart beats faster.
Gee: Thank you senior Yibo for keeping my secret. (she whispered to Yibo's ears)
Yibo felt a tingling sensation on his ears as Gee whispered to him. It was the first time he heard her sounded like a girl with soft voice that his ears were turning red. So he turned his head to look at her but they were both surprised their faces were close to each other that their nose bumped. Yibo immediately turned his look away.
Gee: sorry senior Yibo, am I heavy?
Yibo: (crossed his eyebrows puzzled at Gee's question) N-no
Gee: ah
Yuna and Maya were both shocked at what they saw. Sean and Kite were smiling as they gave each other a look then returned their eyes on Gee and Yibo while Leo and Se Ju were laughing.
There others who are secretly smiling at what they saw but the others were just cheering because they didn't saw what happened as they are focused with the other pairs.
The host pulled the trigger that marked the start of the game. Gee and Yibo were both not speaking as they focused on helping each other. But aside from focusing on the game, the other reason why they are so serious is because their heart beats were both pounding hard. Yibo was smirking when he can feel that Gee was nervous as he can feel her heart beating fast.
They were the second pair to reach the first checkpoint. He carefully lowered his body and helped Gee to ride down. Gee took a deep breath and released it abruptly with a shout that surprised him. Then she bent her knees.
Yibo suddenly realized it would be somehow hard for her because she is a female though she acts like a guy.
Yibo: hey, don't force yourself okey, let's just do it for fun.
Gee just looked at him with serious eyes then she smirked.
Gee: Let's win the wish! (she smiled)
Yibo was surprised but he smirked in return.
He carefully put his arms on Gee, he felt somehow nervous when he felt Gee's warm back on his chest. Gee grabbed his arms then she pulled him closer to her them grabbed his legs and pushed him a little higher. Yibo was surprised at Gee's strength.
Yibo: hey are you okey?
Gee just smiled then she started to walk a little faster. In just a couple of seconds, she got tied with the pair of guys who ranks first then she passed through them and got to the second checkpoint first 5 seconds ahead of them.
Yuna was shocked, even Sean and Kite. Yuna smiled but with pain in her eyes looking at Gee. She remembered her conversation with Mr. Zhang.
Mr.Zhang: She worked hard to survive, she even worked at constructions sites, carrying those heavy hollow blocks and bags of cement.
Yuna felt pity for her friend.
Kite leaned to whispered to Sean.
Kite: Is she really a female?
Sean was surprised and burst to laugh looking at how confused Kite is. He nodded to him but Kite still couldn't believe it. He turned to look at Gee with a pain in his eyes as he remembered his conversation with Moru.
Moru: Because of how he looked, people always mistook her as a man, so most of his jobs in our hometown were lifting heavy objects, he used to work as a helper in food industries pushing heavy carts, lifting heavy boxes even baskets of vegetables and meat in the market. Good thing she didn't developed any side effects from it according to the doctor but she will have a difficulty in carrying a child in the future.
He was about to cry so he covered his mouth then leaned his face on Yuna's back but he couldn't helped his tears so he suddenly was crying in silent like a child people near him were shocked specially Yuna and Kite who felt embarrassed so they moved away from him feeling disgust. When he realized it he just smiled and pulled Yuna and Kite back to him.
Yibo was still puzzled looking at her asking himself at how strong Gee was. He smiled looking at how focused but with a bright smile at her face as she was about to ride on his back. He pushed her a little higher and grabbed her legs more firmly. Then he walk faster making sure their opponents will not get close to them. They were both focused in winning the game but they look like they are enjoying it at the same time.
Yibo reached the goal 6 seconds ahead of their opponents. They were both catching their breath as they bent their knees. They looked at each other and smiled then they raised their hands and gave each other a high five. Yibo didn't let go of her hands, they were waving while their hands are holding each other while Yibo's other hand is waving the red flag he got from the goal post.
The trainees, Yuna, Sean and the others were cheering for them. Leo and Kite were shouting.
The host approached them.
Host: congratulations! You two seemed to be very focused in winning this game. It got me curious, what could be your wish?
Yibo: (still catching his breath) that's. (breath) secret (smiled)
The host and the others seemed to be disappointed as their curiosity suspended by Yibo.
Yibo and Gee were smiling at each other and were still holding each other's hands.
Host: Aish! Trainer Yibo is such a secretive person (shaking his head)
He was about to say something when he noticed Yibo is holding the hand of Gee.
Host: They really enjoyed the game, I think they want more they wouldn't let go of each other's hands hahahaha
They were both surprised they pretended to be laughing but panicking inside, they raised it again and waved then they slowly let go. Everyone were laughing. Leo had the face of questioning again so he leaned to Yuna and ask in a low voice but Sean heard it.
Leo: Is senior Yibo gay?
Yuna and Sean: ( got irritated so they both answered) No!
Se Ju: Is Gee gay?
Maya: Of course no!
Leo and Se Ju were both shocked looking at the three.
Kite shaking his head with his hands on Leo and Se Ju's shoulders feeling sorry for them because the two were almost crying from the shock.
The other players approached to congratulate Gee and Yibo. Then the official photographer for the events took a picture of them with Yibo holding the flag with his right hand on Gee's shoulder while Gee's posing with both hands in piece sign oh her face. After the photoshoot when they were about to return to their friends Yibo grabbed her from his collar that almost choke her.
Gee: Gah senior Yibo, are trying to kill me from choking?
Yibo didn't answered, instead he gave the red flag to Gee. She was surprised holding the flag looking at him.
Yibo: What are you going to wish for?
Gee: (smiled) Why are you asking? Your getting more interested in me now ha senior Yibo
Yibo smirked and hit her on her head then he turned his back and started to walk away from her. Gee just laughed at him then she grabbed his shirt and jumped on his front.
Gee: (smiling with sparkling eyes) I'll wish to keep my bike here.
Yibo: (smirked) I knew it
Gee: (smiling wide) How did you know? Ah I know, because we are close friends already, we share the same brain cells now senior Yibo?
Yibo: (smirked) We don't (he messed Gee's hair and started to walk)
Gee fixed her hair then she followed him.
Gee: But senior Yibo how about you? What is your wish?
Yibo: I don't have any…
Gee: (got excited) you don't have? You mean you just joined the game with me so I can get the wish because you know that I would wish for my bike?
Yibo just looked at her.
Gee: (got even more excited she hold Yibo's left arm) wow senior Yibo! That was very cool of you hahaha (released his arm then bowed) thank you senior Yibo!
Yibo: You have to grant me a wish in return.
Gee was a little surprised but she smiled standing up.
Gee: Okey! (but she felt a little nervous) haha why did I felt a little scared hahaha
Yibo smirked looking at her that made her gulped.