"So, was this necessary?"

"Of course it's necessary."

"We're going to be late."

"My mom will handle it."

Young Gi insisted that he give Dalnim a ride to ADIDAS's photoshoot.

She was more than okay with the plan, except the tan-skinned boy had overslept that morning. To add onto his carelessness, he had forgotten to call a day off from the hospital. It took an hour to call his coworkers to see if anyone could fill in for him. If only Dalnim carpooled with one of her teammates' cars, she wouldn't be stuck in traffic with the idiot.

The ravenette slumped down in the passenger's seat and pretended to choke herself with the seatbelt. Young Gi side glanced at her and swatted his hand at her to stop. After taking thirty minutes of her nonsense, he handed her the auxiliary cord. "Just put on your English music."

Dalnim took the cord with no complaints. She plugged in her phone to the speakers of the car and put her music on shuffle; the first song to play was John Legend's All of Me. Her head swayed to the slow beat and sang along to the words she knew by heart, not minding the few missed notes here and there. That was your typical Dalnim.

"By the way..." She stopped her mini concert and looked at her best friend expectedly. "The hospital will be throwing a little Christmas show for the patients on Christmas Eve. Would you like to go to it?"

"Don't I always come?" A knowing smirk crossed her face as she leaned closer to the driver, poking his arm in a childish manner. "Are you going to perform that little dance with your coworkers again?"

"Yes," the male sighed. "But, that is not all."

"You're doing something else?" He nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. Dalnim smacked his arm out of her excitement, her mouth agape. "What are you doing?"

"That's a secret."

"That's lame! Are you going to sing, dance, or act?" She then held up three fingers. "Or is it a triple whammy?"

"Yoon Dalnim-ah, I'm not telling you. You'll have to wait for my amazingness until then just like everyone else."

"What was the point of telling me? I'm going to die with anticipation!" she burst out. "Since when have you become secretive around me?"

Young Gi reached over and ruffled her hair. His hand was immediately met with Dalnim's famous slap. "Just this once, I promise. You'll know everything by then."

"Does Coach Seon know?"

"No."

"You're lying."

"I'm not, so don't try to ask her."

Dalnim decided not to press on to the matter anymore than it should. She could be a stubborn person if she persisted, but she knew how far she could go on a debate with her friend. She'd rather not have useless words be flung back and forth for hours, that'd just be a waste of time. But that's one reason why her and Young Gi clicked when they were first acquainted. He knew how to handle her brashness.

The rest of the ride consisted of music blasting and the two of them singing to the top of their lungs... Badly.

When they finally made it to their destination, they were 7 minutes late. So in a rush, the two scrambled out of the car and ran into the building. They were given passes to allow them in and were lead through the hallways and doors (at an excruciating slow process.)

Coach Seon had called her before that she would stall for time until the two of them make it there. She mentioned that she wanted her volleyball team to be properly introduced to the crew they will be working with today. That wouldn't be possible with the team's main star. (Dalnim winced once hearing that last part and was already hung up before she could put in her own input.)

They finally reached where they were supposed to be, a high ceiling room with the lights dimmed down with just the lights from the camera equipment to brighten the place. There were a handful of people scattering about, but that was expected at such a well-known brand's company.

"Ah, here she is!" Dalnim and Young Gi hurried over to the only recognizable person in the room. Coach Seon wrapped her arms around both her star player and her son in a tight hold once they reached her. She turned the two to the direction of a man in his forties. "Here is Yoon Dalnim. I apologize for her lateness. I thought it would be wise she ride separately to avoid any fans." She pushed against the two's backs and forced them to bow to the man. "Dalnim, this is the main photographer. You need to listen to his directions today."

"Yes, please take care of me and my team today," Dalnim told the man with a smile.

He snapped his fingers at her, letting out a whistle. "Ah, it's no wonder you're getting so popular nowadays, Yoon Dalnim-shi! They really aren't exaggerating on your beauty," the photographer replied, reaching over to pat her shoulder.

Young Gi stepped forward, blocking his hand. "Hey, Dalnim, shouldn't you go change? I'm sure the girls are waiting for you," he said, getting Dalnim's attention.

"That's right. Just go down that hallway and the first door to the right is the dressing room, Dalnim," Coach Seon added.

Dalnim obeyed and rushed off into that direction. Just as she entered the room, she was met with her team's nagging. She just waved them off dismissively and quickly apologized for her lateness. A woman handed the female spiker an outfit to start the photoshoot with. When Dalnim finished changing, she had her makeup and hair done.

The volleyball team filed out of the dressing rooms, all clad in the navy blue tracksuits and limited edition ADIDAS running shoes. They jogged back to the main room and bowed to all the workers, muttering out their thanks and how they will work hard for the day. "Wow, my girls look really nice in this outfit!" Coach Seon gushed, reaching over to feel the slick fabric from Tae Ri.

The photographer clapped his hands to get the ladies' attention. "It's about time we introduce the boys you will be working with today. Firstly, we would like to place your phones away onto the table in the back and we can proceed." The girls obeyed, even though a few struggled to do so. Once done, they went back to their positions. "Alright, we have the wonderful pleasure with working with a very well-known group--"

"Please get on with it!" Hye Rin called from the back of the group. Gasping, Coach Seon smacked the maknae in the back of her head for the outburst. But the big reveal had come into the photoshoot themselves from the wide entrance, earning squeals from all of the volleyball players.

Even though the girls knew, who wouldn't cheer at the sight of EXO?

Dalnim looked at each face of the group her team is completely gushing over. She will admit, they were all attractive men. But as she counted, there were six boys present, not the nine that her team informed her about beforehand.

Suho.

Xiumin.

Lay.

Chen.

Baekhyun.

And Sehun.

"We apologize but a few of our members are doing individual projects and will come in later," Suho announced, in which Dalnim could tell must be the leader of their group. "But let's have a fantastic photoshoot together!" The boys then bowed at the girls in return.

The adrenaline was coursing to each of the girls' veins. They made it their private mission to work as hard as they can and impress the boys with their professionalism. Dalnim could only watch as they discussed about how they should try to wow the boys. She could only roll her eyes and tell him that they should just act normally.

"Dalnim-ah, you don't understand. They're god damn EXO. Our normal is not permitted," Yeon Kyun hissed at her. From that point on, Dalnim made sure not to interfere with whatever plan they were scheming.

The photographer requested to take pictures of small groups to start the photoshoot, as not all members of EXO have arrived. The girls, their enthusiasm at its peak, swayed to whatever directions they were told. And much to the volleyball team's shock, the ones who had to wait for their turn were able to talk to the EXO members.

Dalnim must have to admit that these boys were all kind and friendly. They were people easy to joke around with, and she appreciates that. She was expecting people much more snobby. She was glad she got that perception wrong. Maybe she should allow herself to actually listen to these guys' music.

Dalnim felt an arm wrap around her shoulder. She peeked to her side and saw it was only her best friend. "Wow, so this what a photoshoot is like. Quite hectic, don't you think?" Young Gi mumbled, laying his head against hers casually.

"It really is. I haven't gone yet but I'm getting a little nervous," Dalnim confessed as she watched four of her teammates effortlessly pose with Lay and Xiumin. She actually couldn't quite believe it. Her volleyball sisters posed like they were expert models. She should've gotten some pointers from them before today. "I'm afraid I'll come off as awkward."

"You? The Yoon Dalnim who gotten her own article in CHEER Magazine? Wow, this is new," the dark-haired male uttered. "Where did your confidence go?"

"I'm only confident when I know what I'm doing," she scoffed, shrugging off his arm. "This is my first time modeling for someone."

"Yoon Dalnim!" The raven-haired girl perked up at the call of her name. The photographer was gesturing for her to come over. "I want to take some shots with you, Baekhyun, and Chen together."

Before she could take one step, Young Gi grasped onto her wrist. Once baring a glance at him, he gave her a thumbs up. "Dalnim-ah, you got this. There's no need to feel weird." She nodded at him, pumping her hands into the air. "Fighting!" they chanted together before she scurried off to the photographer.

Already there were her two other photograph buddies. The two boys bared her warm smiles, in which she returned with a grin of her own. The one sporting a lighter do, Baekhyun she remembered, let out a sigh. "Man, he really is lucky!"

Dalnim blinked in confusion. "Excuse me?"

The other, Chen, nudged Baekhyun into his side. "Don't ruin anything," he hissed at him, which she still heard. He then held out his hand to the girl. "Hello, I know we've been introduced before but I'll go ahead and introduce myself again. I'm Chen. I've heard you're not familiar with us."

This furthered her confusion even as she met his hand with hers. "That's right but where'd you hear that from?" She asked him.

Chen pulled away his hand, the awkwardness taking over.

Baekhyun was the one to answer. "Oh, your teammates mentioned it to us."

"Oh, did they?" Dalnim thought back to who was talking to either of the singers during their break. "Anyway, yeah. I'm not usually one to listen to Kpop, but maybe that'll change after today."

"You sure do know how to warm a person's heart, Yoon Dalnim," Chen beamed. The three of them went to stand in front of the white backdrop due to the photographer's demand. Dalnim felt the nerves kicking in as the camera seemingly stared into her very soul with its black lens. She was struggling on how to pose with the two handsome boys beside her. Both Chen and Baekhyun took notice to her discomfort. "You don't have to worry too much about it, Yoon Dalnim-ah."

"He's right. This is supposed to be a lighthearted shoot. You can act naturally," Baekhyun input. Her eyes drifted over to Young Gi, who was in the middle of talking to Hana. He caught her gaze and mouthed her words of reassurance. "Is he your boyfriend?"

Dalnim's gaze returned back to the man, a scowl on her face. "He's not!" she scoffed. The two raised their hands up in defense. "Sorry, I've been teased about that way too much. He's just my friend."

"Ahh, that's good to hear," Chen replied with a nod. He quickly added in, "Because of your growing fanbase."

Dalnim thought about it. Would she really have to be single for the sake of her fame? What a hassle. She'll date whoever she wants and no one could do anything about it. Why do people have to be so childish about a person's love life anyway?

An idol's life must be difficult, she thought. She mentally wished the boys of EXO luck in their private affairs.

"Here, how about I show you a video we took before we got here," Baekhyun piped up, taking out his phone from his sweatpants pocket.

"What the heck, you don't have to put your phone away?" She asked him.

"Oi, Byun Baekhyun! Why do you have your phone with you?" The photographer called out, the irritation evident in his voice.

"Oh."

The three of them giggled. Baekhyun went ahead to show Dalnim the video he took earlier that day, despite what the photographer said. For the first few minutes, it looked like Baekhyun was trying to take a selca along with the tall one, Sehun. All of a sudden, she heard a small plop sound come from the phone. Sehun had stepped back, looking frantically at his shoulder. After realizing what happened, Dalnim burst out in fits of laughter.

Poor Sehun just got bombed by a bird.

Both Chen and Baekhyun joined in with her laughter. They were laughing so hard to the point that tears were forming in their eyes. "That pure look of terror when he saw it gets me every time," Chen snickered.

"Did you just show her that video?!" Sehun called out from the back.

"Maybe I did," Baekhyun smirked.

"I'm going to kill you later, hyung!"

"Just try! I dare you."

Dalnim's stomach was starting to hurt from her laughter. If the circumstances were different or in a whole different life overall, maybe she could've been good friends with all these boys. However, they were in a whole other level from her. As she was gaining popularity in South Korea, these boys were known all over the world. They were completely out of her league.

She liked them and so she promised herself to listen to their songs once and for all when she returns home.

"That's good. I love that genuine joy you all are showing!" The photographer shouted towards them as he snapped more pictures of them. Dalnim didn't even realize that the man had started. And because of Baekhyun and Chen, she didn't feel nervous anymore. She thought she'd feel uncomfortable with these superstars but they showed to be just any other guy.

The three continued to pose for the next ten minutes, some serious and a few completely silly. Dalnim was having a blast modeling for the camera with the EXO boys.

"Oh, they're finally here!" Baekhyun uttered out, stopping abruptly with his eyes focused towards the entrance. She followed his gaze. Three more men came entered the area. They had the same intimidating aura that the rest of EXO had, so it was no doubt the remaining members who had the individual projects to finish before arriving.

But Dalnim's eyes were trained on one, the tallest out of the three.

Her eyebrows furrowed in both confusion and agitation and she pointed her index finger towards the slender man. "YAH! YOU!" She burst out.

"And there it is," Chen laughed.

"Oh, God, I think she's going to kill him," Baekhyun replied in stitches.

Dalnim exhaled slowly to calm herself down.

So, this was what he meant about meeting her soon.

And this was his reality.

An international Korean popstar.

He had fulfilled his dream.

"I'll deal with you later," Dalnim shouted at him, the threatening tone in her voice enough to send a chill down anyone's spine. Dalnim turned towards the photographer and bowed at him. "I apologize for my outburst, I will continue working from here on."

The whole room, volleyball players and ADIDAS workers had ceased into silence, the puzzle pieces moving together in their brains. But even with the revelation that Yoon Dalnim and EXO's Park Chanyeol knew each other, everyone went back to work.

Now that Chanyeol, Kai, and D.O were present, the photographer wanted a big group together, volleyball girls and EXO. They made the photos look like they were all really good friends with one another, laughing and goofing off. The process went on for hours. Outfit changes, different hairstyles, switch of posing partners. And not to Dalnim's surprise, she had posed the most out of her team. Of course, this photoshoot was initially for her and they're taking the advantage of doing so.

Her last outfit consisted of vibrant green running shorts, a black sleeveless top, and a deep blue hooded jacket with highlight yellow-green shoes to compliment it. Her black hair was down in gentle waves and her makeup stayed simple. And yet, she was still Korea's Athletic Beauty in everyone's eyes.

"Ok, last one, I want Dalnim and Chanyeol to have a duo shot together," the photographer commanded, waving for the two to go to the front of the backdrop. The childhood friends obeyed the order and stood beside each other in front of the camera. "Now, you may act like you usually would around each other, ok?"

"How we usually would?" Dalnim asked.

"Yes."

No one was expecting what happened next. Everyone watched the two in awe, getting the feel how their friendship was like... And knowing them, they weren't too shocked.

"SUNNY, I CANT BELIEVE YOU KEPT THIS FROM ME FOR ALL THESE YEARS."

"I'M SORRY. NIMNIM, YOU'RE CHOKING ME A BIT."

"AM I? GOOD."

Dalnim had pounced onto Chanyeol's back, arm wrapped around his neck and a vice grip on his shaggy hair. Regardless of the pain, EXO's rapper was laughing heartily at the current situation. Sure, he was in pain, but Dalnim's reaction was too priceless. If only he was able to take a picture the moment he had walked into the room, he was sure to treasure that picture forever. "Yah~ What is this? This isn't how you greet your best friend!" Chanyeol chimed as he twirled the girl around on his back.

"What?! How dare you say that to me!" Dalnim shouted into his ear. "A simple, Oh, Dalnim, I fulfilled my dream of being famous singer came true, would've sufficed, don't you think?"

"I thought you would've known! You know, since my face is practically everywhere now. You really do live under a rock, NimNim. It's seriously depressing."

"I've been too busy fulfilling my own dreams! My bad."

"That's right, it is your bad! You know, before getting a new number, you would think of adding my number and shoot me a text. But no! I get nothing. I get a really excited ten page essay on my phone from your sister."

"Oooh, that's right, she had a really big crush on you."

"Does she still?"

Dalnim shrugged. "Not sure. She keeps her business to herself while I keep mine to myself. But, since you're in EXO and all, I'm sure she still does." She finally hopped off of Chanyeol's back. Her eyes were trained on him.

Maybe that was why she was so taken aback when she saw him again.

She could tell right off the bat that everything shifted about the boy.

A fucking international superstar. Incredible.

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

~*~*~*~

"Thank you for today!" The volleyball team bowed for the very last time to ADIDAS and EXO. It was now around four in the afternoon, and everyone was tired from the hectic day. The pictures had turned out wonderfully in Dalnim's opinion. She felt assured enough to be okay with her face shown in stores. Hopefully, this will turn out positively for her sisters.

The girls were already changed back into their regular clothes and ready to leave the studio. Young Gi approached Dalnim, nudging her arm. "Great job out there, bestie!"

She eyed him suspiciously, her prior agitation coming back to her. "Did you know Sunny was EXO's Chanyeol when you first met him?"

"Dude, I was way too tired when you introduced me to him. Seriously thought I was dreaming. When you mentioned his actual name a couple days ago, I had an assumption."

"Idiot, you should've swung it by me."

Dalnim and Young Gi's attention were suddenly averted away from each other and instead on the man that had approached him. Chanyeol grinned sheepishly at the two, a hand rubbing the back of his neck. "Hello, Young Gi, nice to see you again."

"Ditto."

Chanyeol then turned himself towards the girls and Coach Seon. He gave them a bow. "Hello, I apologize for asking but I have two requests. Can you all please promise not to tell anyone of mine and Dalnim's past friendship together? It'd be less messy that way." The women were fast to agree to the EXO member's request.

"What's the other request, Chanyeol-shi?" Coach Seon pressed on.

"My second request?" The tall man bared a quick smile in Dalnim's direction. "I'm going to steal Dalnim for the rest of the day."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/n: Bless the Beagle Line.

Bless winter break.

Bless the bullshit I've done for school and still getting awesome grades.

Bless my friend, Crystal, for showing me the great heavens called Real GOT7 and having me realize my real bias be Youngjae (still in love with Jackson though, ffffuuuu).

And bless you all. 

So, this was Dalnim's "BIG REVEAL". She seriously does live under a rock. The poor girl. What are we going to do with her. But, yo, what do you all think Chanyeol will be taking her? ;)

Now that I'm on break, I'm hoping to edit Goodbye Summer and getting back to the swing of things, but I also really want to finish my Black Butler story so it can FINALLY be done. Like, god damn, I am so done with it mentally... not physically though ಥ_ಥ

Although, I will also try to continue writing this story. I don't know, anymore. Would you guys want me to focus more on this story rather than my Kyungsoo story? Just curious. I do have a sure path from start to finish (kinda) on this story so maybe this would be easier to complete. 

Oh well. I'm tired, but imma go watch Reply 1988.

Goodnight everyone! (or good morning or afternoon wherever your lovely self is at) <3