Chapter 9

The music at the bar was loud, the kind that made the floor vibrate and conversations melt into laughter and half-heard words. Lights flashed in shades of violet and blue, reflecting off glasses and eyes and the occasional mischievous grin.

And in the middle of it all—Lisa was gone.

Not physically, no. She was very much present, slouched slightly against the bar counter, cheeks flushed pink, her laughter just a little too loud, her movements a little too loose. But mentally? Completely, utterly drunk.

“Rosé… I think the floor is moving,” Lisa slurred, gripping the edge of the counter like it was the only thing anchoring her to reality.

Rosé snorted. “That’s because you’re moving, Lili.”

“Am not,” Lisa pouted, her lips forming a soft, stubborn pout that only got worse when she turned to look around. “Where’s Nini…? My Nini…”

Jisoo, who had been calmly sipping her drink, gestured toward the dance floor. “She said she’ll be back. Probably getting drinks.”

Lisa frowned deeply, her brows knitting together in dramatic confusion. “But I need her now…” she mumbled, already slipping off her stool.

Before anyone could stop her, Lisa wandered off, weaving through the crowd like a lost puppy in a sea of strangers.

—

Jennie returned with drinks in hand, only to find Lisa gone.

“Where’s Lisa?” she asked immediately, her voice carrying a hint of concern.

Rosé pointed vaguely into the crowd. “She went looking for you.”

Jennie sighed softly, setting the drinks down. “Of course she did…”

A fond smile tugged at her lips as she followed the path Lisa had taken, scanning the crowd carefully.

It didn’t take long to find her.

Lisa was standing near the edge of the dance floor, swaying slightly, staring at someone with wide, sparkling eyes. Jennie slowed down, curious.

“Hi…” Lisa said, her voice soft and breathy.

Jennie tilted her head, amused.

“Hi,” she replied, playing along, stepping closer.

Lisa blinked, clearly struggling to focus. “You’re… really pretty,” she whispered, leaning in slightly.

Jennie had to bite back a laugh.

“Oh yeah?”

“Mhm…” Lisa nodded seriously. “But… not prettier than my Nini. No one’s prettier than her. She’s my girlfriend, you know. I love her. A lot.”

Jennie’s expression softened instantly.

“Really?” she murmured gently.

Lisa nodded again, more enthusiastically this time. “Yes! I’d never cheat on her. Ever. She’s my whole world.”

Jennie stepped closer, closing the gap between them. “Then what are you doing right now?”

Lisa paused.

Her brain clearly tried to process the situation—and failed.

“…talking?” she guessed.

Jennie laughed softly, reaching up to cup Lisa’s cheek. “You’re unbelievable.”

Lisa leaned into the touch instinctively, eyes fluttering shut for a moment. “You’re warm…”

Before she could overthink it (not that she could in her current state), Lisa leaned forward and pressed a soft, clumsy kiss onto Jennie’s lips.

It was gentle. Sweet. Completely uncoordinated.

And entirely sincere.

Jennie kissed her back just as softly, smiling against her lips.

When they pulled apart, Lisa blinked slowly, staring at her with dazed confusion.

“…you taste familiar,” she mumbled.

Jennie couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing.

“Come on, Lili,” she said, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Let’s get you home.”

Lisa nodded obediently, already leaning into Jennie like she belonged there.

Which she did.

—

The next morning was not peaceful.

Lisa woke up with a pounding headache and a sinking feeling in her chest.

She groaned, sitting up slowly, memories from the night before hitting her in blurry, fragmented flashes.

The bar.

The drinks.

The pretty girl.

The kiss.

Lisa froze.

“…no.”

Her eyes widened in horror.

“No no no no—”

She scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over herself as panic took over.

“I kissed someone,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I kissed someone that wasn’t Nini—oh my god—”

Tears welled up instantly, guilt crashing over her like a wave.

She rushed out of the bedroom, heart pounding, only to find Jennie in the kitchen, calmly making breakfast like it was just another day.

Lisa stopped in her tracks.

And then—

“Nini—!” she cried, rushing toward her.

Jennie barely had time to react before Lisa wrapped her arms around her tightly, clinging like her life depended on it.

“I’m so sorry!” Lisa blurted out, her voice breaking as tears spilled freely. “I didn’t mean to—I was drunk and I thought—I think I kissed someone and I didn’t know what I was doing and—”

Jennie blinked.

Once.

Twice.

And then she sighed softly, trying not to smile.

“Lili…”

“I would never cheat on you!” Lisa continued, pulling back just enough to look at her, eyes red and glassy. “You’re my Nini, you’re everything to me, I love you so much and I messed up and I hate myself for it—”

Jennie gently cupped her face, stopping her rambling.

“Lisa.”

Lisa sniffled. “Yes…?”

“…Who do you think you kissed?”

Lisa hesitated, clearly ashamed. “…a really pretty girl…”

Jennie raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Lisa nodded miserably. “She was nice too… and she smelled good… and—” she gasped softly, horrified again. “Oh my god, I’m describing her—this is worse—”

Jennie couldn’t hold it in anymore.

She laughed.

Lisa froze.

“…why are you laughing?” she asked weakly.

Jennie leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

Lisa blinked in surprise.

“Taste familiar?” Jennie teased.

It took exactly three seconds.

Then Lisa’s brain caught up.

Her eyes widened.

“…Nini?”

Jennie nodded, smiling warmly. “Yeah, genius. You kissed me.”

Silence.

And then—

“…oh.”

Lisa stared at her.

“…OH.”

Her entire face flushed bright red as realization hit.

“I—wait—so I didn’t—?”

“Nope.”

“And the pretty girl—?”

“Still me.”

“And the kiss—?”

“Also me.”

Lisa covered her face with both hands, groaning loudly. “I just had a whole emotional breakdown for nothing…”

Jennie laughed, pulling her into a hug. “Hey, at least now I know how much you love me.”

Lisa peeked at her through her fingers, still embarrassed. “…I really thought I cheated…”

Jennie softened, brushing a strand of hair away from Lisa’s face. “You didn’t. You just fell in love with me all over again… while drunk.”

Lisa huffed softly, then wrapped her arms around Jennie tightly again.

“I’m never drinking that much again,” she mumbled.

Jennie smiled, resting her chin on Lisa’s shoulder.

“Good,” she said softly. “But if you do…”

Lisa pulled back slightly. “Yeah?”

Jennie smirked.

“Make sure you only kiss me.”

Lisa’s lips curved into a shy smile.

“Always, Nini.”