If You

Jiyong ran offstage into the wings, panting heavily. “Two encores and they’re still going crazy,” he said, glancing back at the crowd.

Emily handed him a water bottle. “Are you gonna give them a third?” she asked.

Jiyong grinned. “Daesung’s got it under control.”

What does that mean? Emily wondered. The crowd roared and she caught a glimpse of Daesung walking onstage. “Is he on?” Seungri asked, coming over to them. Jiyong nodded. “Watch,” he said, beckoning Emily over to the viewscreen. They watched Daesung walk out onto the main catwalk until he was in the middle of the audience. He stopped and stood perfectly still, his head down. The longer he stood there the louder the crowd screamed.

“What is he doing?” Emily asked.

“Just watch,” Jiyong insisted.

Daesung slowly put his hands to his chest, eliciting more screams from the crowd. There was a burst of light and in one motion Daesung ripped his shirt open, exposing his bare chest. Backup dancers ran out and a song started, the bass practically shaking the arena. Daesung stood on the catwalk, running his fingers through his hair while he sang.

Emily put a hand to her mouth. “What the…” she trailed off. She looked at Jiyong. “I’ve never seen him like this!”

“Daesung’s got a certain image in Japan,” Jiyong said smugly. Daesung pulled off his shirt completely and the crowd screamed again. “I’ll say,” Emily whispered, shaking her head.

The song ended and the lights went down, the arena going completely dark. “Time for our last bow,” Jiyong said, handing Emily his water and running back onto the stage. Emily watched them line up together and bow deeply, waving at the fans as they left the stage again.

“That was quite a show, Daesung,” Emily said, nodding at his bare chest. “Like what you see?” he asked, giving her a twirl. Emily splashed him with Jiyong’s water and Daesung yelped. “Not the pants!” he said, twisting away from her.

“Let’s get dressed and go to dinner,” Sagowa called, waving them over. They all walked back to the dressing room, where Emily waited in the hallway while the boys changed out of their glittering stage costumes.

“Ready?” Youngbae asked, emerging from the room first. Emily nodded. “Where are we going?” she asked. Youngbae shrugged. “Probably somewhere local,” he said, putting his jacket on.

Emily swallowed a groan. More Japanese food? she thought, her stomach twisting slightly. While she always enjoyed sampling local cuisine, the thought of another fish and rice meal made her stomach turn.

“What’s with the face?” Youngbae asked, raising an eyebrow. “It’s nothing,” Emily said, shoving the queasiness away. “I’m just tired.”

“Emily? Are you okay?” Daesung asked, coming out of the room. “You look a little green.”

“I’m fine,” Emily said firmly. “Are the others-”

“Who’s ready for sashimi?” Seungri said, sliding a pair of sunglasses on. Emily groaned and leaned against the wall, holding her stomach.

“Whoa, what’s going on?” Seungri asked, coming over to her. Emily squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the feeling to pass.

“Why is everyone standing in front of the door?” Jiyong demanded, squeezing between Daesung and Youngbae. He saw Emily bent over and stopped. “Oh,” he said awkwardly. “Are you sick?” he asked.

“No, I’m okay,” Emily said straightening up. “Just a little queasy.”

Jiyong glanced at the others. “What happened?”

Seungri shrugged. “I don’t know. All I said was who’s ready for-”

“Don’t!” Emily said, holding up her hand. She sighed. “I’m sorry. I just can’t think about eating any more raw fish, or rice or noodles.”

Seunghyun laughed. “Why didn’t you just say so?” he said. “We thought you enjoyed trying all of the food.”

“I do, it’s just-” her stomach gurgled and she paused, grimacing. “You go to dinner, I'm going back to the hotel.”

“Are you sure?” Youngbae asked. “You look sick.”

“I'll be fine,” she said, waving them away. “Go have fun.”

The boys left reluctantly and Emily took a deep breath. Sagowa came down the hallway and stopped abruptly. “Are you ill?” he asked concernedly. Emily shook her head. “Just tired. I'm going back to the hotel.”

“Call me if you need anything,” Sagowa said, bowing slightly before continuing on his way.

Outside Emily hailed a taxi, staring out the window as they headed back to the hotel. Maybe I'll have a quiet night in, she thought.


******


Jiyong stared out the window, flipping the pages of his menu absently. “Stop that,” Youngbae ordered. “You're bending the pages.”

Jiyong closed the menu and tossed it aside. “What are you getting?” he asked. Youngbae shrugged. “Probably something beef. You?”

“Mm-hm,” Jiyong mumbled. Seungri smacked him and he jumped. “Quit,” he said, shoving Seungri lightly.

“You must be worn out,” Seunghyun commented. “You've barely spoken since we left the arena.”

“Mm.”

Daesung smirked. “Have you heard from Emily?”

“What?” Jiyong demanded, coming out of his thoughts. The others chuckled as Daesung perused his menu carelessly. “You seem awfully preoccupied, so naturally I assumed-”

“Leave him alone, Daesung,” Seunghyun interrupted.

“I hope she's not sick,” Seungri worried.

“She probably just needs some sleep,” Youngbae replied.

“Maybe I should call her,” Jiyong said, already getting up.

“Relax, you can check on her when we get back,” Youngbae said, motioning for him to sit down. Jiyong resumed his seat, crossing his legs distractedly. Youngbae gave Seunghyun a look and Seunghyun cleared his throat. “Jiyong, we want to ask you something.”

Jiyong looked up from his wineglass. “Okay,” he said cautiously, glancing around the table.

“When are you going to ask Emily out?”

“What?!”

The others shushed him, waving at Sagowa disarmingly. “You heard me,” Seunghyun said, leaning back in his chair.

“We know you like her,” Seungri said.

“And she likes you,” Daesung added.

Jiyong sputtered for a moment. “What makes you think-”

“Oh please, you’ve been making eyes at her since we left China,” Seunghyun said, folding his arms. “I think we've known you long enough to recognize when you like a girl.”

Jiyong sighed. “Fine,” he admitted, “but I don't think she feels the same way.”

“You may have had a rocky start, but you made up, didn't you?” Youngbae asked.

“Yeah, but-”

“Then what's the problem?”

Jiyong raised an eyebrow. “Just because we're friends now doesn't mean she wants to go out with me,” he said pointedly. “Besides, I'm not sure we can date. What if her contract prohibits it? Not to mention the field day the press and the fans would have. An idol dating a foreign writer? Everyone would be in uproar.”

Daesung shook his head. “Stop thinking about press and fans for once. Think about you and Emily. Would being with her make you happy?”

Jiyong smiled. “Yes,” he said truthfully.

“Then all you have to do is ask her. As far as we know, there's nothing that legally prevents you, and Sagowa can handle the press.”

Jiyong looked at Seunghyun. “I thought she liked you,” he confessed. The others laughed and Seunghyun shook his head. “Me? We're just friends,” he assured him. “Just ask her already and put everyone out of their misery.”

Jiyong bit his lip. “Okay,” he said finally. “But… I’m not sure how.”

Youngbae leaned in. “Here's what you do.”


******


Emily had just put on her pajamas when there was a knock on the door. “Coming,” she called, slipping her robe on before opening the door. “Oh, it's you.”

Jiyong nodded. “Are you feeling better?”

“Much. I think all I needed was a hot shower. Want to come in?”

Emily stood back and let Jiyong into the room, closing the door behind him. “Do you want a water or something?” she asked, opening her mini fridge.

“That's okay,” Jiyong said, waving her away. He looks worried, Emily thought, straightening up. “Is something wrong? You look nervous.”

“No,” he said immediately, “nothing's wrong. I just wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Okay,” Emily agreed, sitting on the bed. She watched him pace for a few moments, sipping her water. “Why don't you sit down?” she suggested. Jiyong did, sitting beside her on the bed.

“What is going on?” she asked, alarm growing in her spirit. “Is it Youngbae? Has he relapsed?”

“No,” Jiyong replied.

“Then what? You're starting to freak me out.”

Jiyong sighed. “I'm sorry, it's just… this isn't easy for me.”

Emily reached over and covered his hand with her own. “Whatever it is, you can tell me,” she said softly.

Jiyong took a deep breath. “I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me,” he said rapidly.

Emily blinked a few times, unable to comprehend what she just heard. “What?” she said softly.

“I know you weren't expecting it, and I wasn't either, but I've realized what an amazing woman you are and-”

Emily didn't hear the rest, Jiyong's speech drowned out by the roaring in her ears. He… he wants to date me? A warm, glorious feeling began spreading throughout her body, making her smile. She put a finger to his lips, silencing him. “Yes,” she whispered, her smile growing.

Jiyong's eyes widened and he stood up quickly. “Really?” he asked in disbelief.

Emily raised her eyebrows. “Unless you weren't serious…” she trailed off, getting up slowly. Jiyong grabbed her hand and pulled her in, grinning. “I'm dead serious,” he whispered, kissing her hand.

“Then it's about time,” she said, blushing slightly. “I was beginning to think you were the most clueless man I'd ever met.”

“I thought you liked Seunghyun,” Jiyong confessed. Emily threw her head back and laughed. “Maybe you are the most clueless man I've ever met,” she teased.

He leaned down and kissed her gently, almost as if he were afraid of hurting her. Emily returned the kiss confidently, putting a hand to his face. “You should go,” she said, pulling away.

“Go?” Jiyong repeated. “Just like that?”

Emily smiled. “We can discuss this further in the morning,” she said, pulling him over to the door. “There's no rush.”

She opened the door and Jiyong stepped out into the hallway, looking a little dazed. Emily kissed him lightly on the cheek before closing the door again. She leaned against the door and giggled. So much for a quiet night in, she thought.


******


The next morning Emily was transferring her notes to her laptop when someone rapped on her door. “Come in,” she said, munching on a bagel.

Daesung poked his head in, grinning hugely. “We just wanted to see if you were feeling better,” he said, stepping aside to reveal the other members.

“Come in,” Emily said, waving them in. “I'm just working on the book.”

“Sounds fascinating,” Seungri said, flopping down onto the bed.

“Any interesting notes over the last few days?” Daesung asked.

Emily paused mid-bite. “Just the usual,” she said slowly. “Why?”

The others laughed and Emily suddenly understood. “You know!” she exclaimed.

“Of course we do!” Youngbae grinned.

“Who do you think talked Jiyong into asking you?” Seungri added.

“Not that he didn't want to,” Seunghyun quickly amended, “he just needed some encouragement.”

Emily shook her head. “How did you… “

“Know?” Seunghyun finished. “We knew he liked you the moment he set eyes on you in that green dress. Poor guy couldn't speak the whole way to MAMA.”

“I assumed he was nervous,” Emily said. “I suppose you're all pretty pleased with yourselves?”

“Always,” Youngbae said, winking at her.

“We still have to talk to Sagowa, you know,” she warned. “My contract doesn't prohibit me from dating Jiyong, but that doesn't mean Sagowa’s not in for a shock.”

“He'll be fine,” Seungri said, brushing it off. “Though I'd give anything to see the look on his face when you tell him.”


******


“Dating?!”

Jiyong nodded. “I asked her last night. You're the first to know, besides the guys of course.”

Sagowa leaned back in his chair, mouth open. “I never would have thought…” he trailed off, rubbing his face.

“We know the contracts between me and YG ENTERTAINMENT don't prohibit this,” Emily said, “but we wanted to talk to you before anything else happened. We don't want to cause you any grief.”

Sagowa nodded. “I appreciate that,” he said finally, “and you're right, the contracts do allow for this. However, this could cause some serious ripples in the entertainment world.”

He sat up and folded his hands on the table. “The tour ends in several weeks. I think it would be best if you didn't go public until after it's over. YG will prepare an official statement and maybe an appearance or two, then everything should settle down.”

Emily and Jiyong nodded. “We understand,” Jiyong said.

“In the meantime, just continue on as before, but don't go out by yourselves,” Sagowa instructed. “We don't want to give any hints before we're ready. Understood?”

“Yes,” Emily said, looking at Jiyong.

Sagowa sighed. “I need to make some calls. You can go.”

They left Sagowa's room and sighed. “That went well,” Emily said, relieved.

“Now all we have to do is wait until after the tour,” Jiyong added. He reached for her hand, then slid it into his pocket instead. “That's going to be hard,” he murmured. They arrived back at her door and Emily smiled at him. “It's only a few weeks,” she whispered, tilting her head slightly. Jiyong glanced up and down the hallway, then kissed her. “I'm already counting,” he whispered, continuing down the hallway.

Notes