"The Dragon Returns"

"The Dragon Returns"

by:

Virgilio F. De leon Jr.MD

YuuA looked out the window as the rain continued to pour. She could not help but think of him during times like these. It was the warmth of his hands as he massaged her tired muscles after practices. The warm soup he would fix her when she got home. The way he spoiled her was way beyond she could expect from anyone. And now she did not even know where he was.

"YuuA-nim , please concentrate on us back here."

"I am sorry." YuuA bowed toward the choreographer who cannot help but slip a little bit of annoyance at the distracted idol. The rest of her members tried their best to look straight ahead except for Seunsee and Bee who were concerned about YuuA's increasing distractions.

Seunsee whispered to Bee. "You ought to take her out more"

"And suffer through another blank wall session? If she isn't staring into a wall or traffic she kept on mumbling about where could he be again and again. It's driving me nuts."

"Is it because she still cares about him that bothers you even if you are already dating finally?"

"Yes.I wish I could make her forget about him but that has to be her own decision to make."

"Wisely put Bee. You know how stubborn that person can be when she wants to."

"It has been months since he has been near us. Red and Blue are still here but they are mum about where he is."

"YuuA keeps on asking though."

"I feel helpless when she does that but I really can't complain about it. She seems to be so unstable lately."

"Give her a kiss."

Bee sighed remembering how futile even basic skinship can be with her nowadays. They had more time to be intimate when they were friends. She should feel happy that YuuA shared her feelings but why is it that she somehow feels cheated.

"Believe me I keep on trying." She growled at Seunsee.

"Try harder or you will lose her."

Bee cannot help but feel that she already lost her. She tried to dismiss the upsetting thought by copying the move that the instructor was showing them and she was early by a second.

"Bee-nim are we in practice or are you trying to butcher my routines? A lot of you seem to be so distracted today. Focus. Mr.Kim wants this done by the end of the week. Your comeback needs to yield great results , your life as an idol group depends on it. We will break for now. Be back here in 15 minutes and by then I want all of you to clear your heads of all these unwanted distractions."

Once they were out of the practice room Bee grabbed YuuA's hands. "Can we talk?"

"Bee. Just leave me alone."

"I can't and you know that."

YuuA looked straight at the rapper and put on that look that could make dragons stand still. "Leave me alone."

Bee clenched her fist and said nothing as the main dancer walked away. Seunsee was right behind her. "That didn't go well."

"It didn't and it is that damn dragons fault."

"Let's not blame someone who is no longer here."

"Oh he is here alright. He is still in her head."

"Frustrating isn't it?"

"What?"

"Fighting against a ghost."

Bee punched the wall behind Seunsee. "Makes me wish I can do that to him."

"Maybe you could. If I let you." All 8 members turned around to see V standing there in the opening of the basement area , both hands filled with red delivery bags which they know is filled with food. The scent wafted in the enclosed space.

"Thats...Jjangmeyeon!"Linnie shouted as the other members dashed to take the bags away. 

"Ah ah ah. First a weigh in." V said as he kept the food at his back and safely within any of the girls reach. Bee and Seunsee sat dejected. At this rate they have gained more pounds during fighting training and would be sure to be the last to eat.

Hyosin their eldest took the scale first and was within her weight target. V handed her a set. Linnie was the same and the anime-eyed Jinyo beamed as she was actually below her projected range. Binmi blew a silent kiss at V as he stood in front of her."Talk to me later Oppa ok?"

Seunsee weighed next was suspicious when she was within her weight goal. "Take the set and eat. You are hungry aren't you?" Seunsee's stomach grumbled as she took the box of food.

Bee weighed and walked away. V tried to give her her share. "Keep it."

"You need to protect her right? How can you do that when your stomach keeps distracting you?Eat."

"Fine." Bee took the food and sat in a corner to eat in the basement. Most of the girls were huddled together silently enjoying their food.

"It's like you never left. You still keep bossing us around." YuuA said declaring her presence.

"Which reminds me. It is your turn to weigh."

YuuA seemed to protest but stepped on the scale anyway.V handed her her food and for a brief moment their fingers touched sending a flash of memory in YuuA's mind.

Bee was beside her in an instant."Are you ok?"

"I'm ok. I just need to eat and sit down." YuuA said as she glared at V.

"You wanted to know where I was. I told you. As I promised on that first date I will not lie to you." V said as he turned around.

"Are you going again?" YuuA asked despite herself.

"I might be staying for a couple of days. Mr.Kim has been complaining that all of you are distracted and need someone to whip you into shape."

YuuA shoke her head and groaned. It seems V was going to be their manager in the interim. 

She sat down between Bee and Seunsee and began eating.She hid the smile that was fast spreading across her face.