A few days have passed since the ADIDAS photoshoot. The days have become colder and the training for the national women's volleyball team only increased. Dalnim was used to all that, winter practices were always tougher. However, what she wasn't used to was the constant chatter from her teammates.

Even after a week, the disbelief of her being friends with Park Chanyeol hasn't faltered. It's actually quite a surprise no one had blabbed it out to the world yet, although she was thankful that hasn't happened. She couldn't bother with all that drama, not when a competition and the Olympics are getting closer.

Speaking of Chanyeol, the two were still able to be in touch. Even if it wasn't a lot, they would have late night discussions about Christmas in their hometown. They would relay to each other about their schedules and any possible changes in it. The pop star mentioned that he would have to ride back to Seoul by Christmas afternoon for EXO activities. As much as Dalnim complained how his company should give him and the boys rest for the holidays, there wasn't much she could do about it. She simply has to accept that.

But at least she'll have some time with him.

"Unnie, unnie! Isn't this really cute? Think this would be good for my family's Christmas get together?" Tae Ri asked her older teammates on the red, shimmering dress she picked up from the rack.

Coach Seon had suddenly called that practice to be pushed back so to later at four. At the moment, a few of the volleyball girls decided to meet up to do some Christmas shopping before heading to the gym. Unlike her teammates, Dalnim had been diligent on getting presents for everyone, most of which came from online. So mostly what she has been doing for the past couple hours was give her friends opinions.

"Dalnim-unnie, are you listening?" The young libero stepped over to her and yanked the earbuds out from her ears. Tae Ri paused as she noticed the catchy tune playing. She bobbed her head, the smile spreading along her lips. "Tender love~ Oh unnie! You're listening to EXO, now. I'm so proud of you."

Both Hye Rin and Yoon Kyun leaned in and gaped at the music as well. The three nudged the girl, all with very pleased expressions on their faces. In response, Dalnim took her earbuds back from Tae Ri, her head turned away in embarrassment. "Will you guys stop it? I'm only listening to it because of my friend." She turned her heel, placed an earbud back into her ear, and looked at the clothes rack behind her. This didn't stop her friends from crowding around her still, all singing along to Tender Love. "I will flick each of your foreheads!" And as if to show proof that she will do it, she held up her hand.

All three stepped back from her, but the smugness didn't leave. "Are you going to get oppa something for Christmas?" Hye Rin asked her all of a sudden.

Dalnim shot her a look before turning back to the Christmas sweaters. "Who? Young Gi?"

"No, silly! Chanyeol-oppa."

"That's right! You're going to give him something, aren't you?" Yoon Kyun pressed on. "What are you going to get him?"

The black-haired girl frowned as she continued to look at the sweaters. Her brows furrowed as she practically felt the others' breath on her neck. "I don't know."

The three paused. "Huh? You don't know what to get Chanyeol-oppa?" Tae Ri muttered, confirming her thoughts. In reply, Dalnim nodded her head solemnly, a little ashamed by the truth.

Dalnim had been an early shopper when it comes to Christmas, so she doesn't have to worry about last minute presents. But Chanyeol came back into her life out of the blue. As much as she wanted to get something for him and she would consider herself a close friend, it's been years. While they're slowly getting back to the friendship they shared as they were children, Dalnim felt like she still barely knew him. 

What was his likes now? 

What good does he enjoy eating? 

What places did he visit while touring?

How could Dalnim know what he would want for Christmas? A matter of fact, it's even worst because she had already missed his birthday. If she were to get him a present, it'll have to be twice as amazing.

"Well... Maybe we can help you," Yoon Kyun suggested.

The two younger girls were ready to agree with the plan, grabbing onto Dalnim's arms and dragging her to the men's section to the store. All the girls were quick to show her shirts, jeans, and anything they could find, but looking at them all, none satisfied Dalnim.

Nothing was enough to make up for eight years.

It wasn't like she could ask Chanyeol, himself. That'd be incredibly shameful if she did, she'd also die of embarrassment.

If she could ask the EXO members, she would, but she had no means of contacting them except through Chanyeol himself. That would be too suspicious.

She could try to contact his parents. However, they probably were as clueless as she was. Surely, Chanyeol's mother would give him another hand knitted scarf, or socks, or sweaters, or anything in the realm of being knitted. Plus, it's been a while since she talked to the Parks... (She'll definitely have to reunite with them again, as they were practically her second family.)

How did her younger, more innocent self been able to find him gifts so quickly before? 

"Unnie, we've been looking for a couple hours now. How about we get him that one button-up shirt we saw earlier?" Tae Ri said with an exhausted sigh. The four girls sat in a row on the bench, all with hands full of shopping bags, except for Dalnim, whom only gotten a Christmas sweater for herself. It seemed like getting a gift for Chanyeol today isn't going to happen.

"Oh, hoobae, isn't that your boyfriend over there?" Yeon Kyun asked, nudging Dalnim's side. The oldest girl pointed over to the distance, and looking at the displays on the window, was Young Gi.

If only Dalnim could actually hit Yeon Kyun right now. "Shut up, unnie, he's not my boyfriend," she hissed at him. She raised her hand up, waving it around to get her best friend's attention. "Young Gi-yah! Young Gi!"

The male's head turned the second he heard his name. Upon seeing his friend and her teammates, he waved in greeting and trotted over to them. "Hello, ladies! Late practice today?" He asked the four.

"That's right, oppa," Hye Rin answered with a nod. She then checked her watch, letting out a disgruntled sigh. "We have about a few more hours until then but I need to leave in a bit to practice my blocking with Hana-unnie."

"With Hana-unnie, again? She isn't going to hard on you, is she?" Tae Ri mumbled, shooting the maknae a concerned glance.

Hye Rin shook her head. "Not at all! She's very helpful."

"Make sure she drinks more water though," Young Gi piped up. "Last time I saw her, she looked a bit dehydrated."

"Yes, oppa!"

Young Gi then averted his gaze on Dalnim, patting her head as he usually would. "Haven't you been done with your Christmas shopping, Dalnim-ah?"

"Oh, we've actually been helping her find a present for Chanyeol," Yeon Kyun replied for the spiker. When she received a glare from the said girl, she quickly added, "But we haven't been successful."

Young Gi's expression darkened at the mention of the superstar's name. "Oh, really?"

"How about you help her, oppa?" Tae Ri suddenly suggested, her eyes darting back and forth between the two friends. "Maybe a guy's perspective is just what Dalnim-unnie needs."

"When do you need to go to the gym, Dalnim?" Young Gi asked, his tone of voice oddly uninterested.

Dalnim replied, "Just at the assigned time."

"Fine, fine. I'll help, c'mon." He motioned for her to stand up.

The star spiker looked at her teammates. "Let's go?"

Yeon Kyun and Tae Ri shared a teasing glance. "No, no go ahead, Dalnim-ah. We'll just look into one more store and get going. You two have fun, alright?" The oldest said. She picked up Tae Ri and Hye Rin up to their feet. "We'll see you at practice!"

Dalnim frowned at this as the three hurried away, giggling. She finally stood up, shaking her head at their stupidity, and gestured Young Gi for them to go. He looked at her in confusion, as to such a reaction. She pursed her lips before telling him, "It's nothing you need to know." She linked her arm with his, tugging him along. "C'mon, I need your expertise."

The two entered a couple stores, looking at all their men's clothing. Even with Young Gi's (lack of) help, nothing appealed to Dalnim. It had been a while since she actually worried about something so trivial. The anxiety was beginning to eat up inside of her. 

Maybe she should just look up something online.

"You're not much help to me, Young Gi," Dalnim grumbled, as they stepped onto the escalator. Her eyes shifted over to the small bag he held, now realizing the expensive jewelry brand. She gasped, marveled that her friend had the kind of money to get something from there. "Are you not done buying everyone something? Who's that pricey gift for?"

Young Gi held the bag behind his back, as well as pushing Dalnim's face so to stop her from looking. "Hey, mind your business. This is for Mom."

"Huh? Coach Seon likes that kind of jewelry?" Dalnim questioned as she swatted his hand away.

"Of course! You've been stuck with my mom two years now, and you didn't know that?" He scoffed at her. "Psh, actually, you knew her longer than that. You're not really observant, are you?"

"Shut up." Dalnim slowed down her pace when watches on display caught her eye. One in particular had a vintage style, with a brown leather strap and a silver face. She stared at it for a good minute, imagining it on Chanyeol's wrist.

"Dalnim-ah, wipe that goofy smile off your face, will ya? It's creepy."

Dalnim beamed at Young Gi, pointing at the very watch. "What do you think, Young Gi-yah? It's perfect, isn't it?"

He peered in and a disapproving expression crossed his face. "The price is not so perfect."

At the sound of this, Dalnim pulled Young Gi with her into the watch store. A man who worked inside quickly came to her aid. "Hello, I noticed you eying that particular watch. Would you like me to get you one?" Dalnim could only nod at him before he disappeared to the back room and came back with a black box. Popping it open, the watch glistened in its perfection. "You have a good eye, miss."

Dalnim got a glimpse of the price and she gulped. It was way above her budget... But now she saw the watch, it'll be hard for her to part with it. 

"Oh excuse me?" Out of no where, an elderly woman who also looked to work in the shop had come up to them. "You're Yoon Dalnim, aren't you? In the national women's volleyball team?" Flustered, Dalnim nodded at her in response. "Oh my, I've read all about you in CHEER Magazine! It's an honor to have you in my store."

"Ah, thank you," Dalnim replied with a small smile. 

The woman glanced back and forth between her and Young Gi, a subtle smile on her face. And just by looking at her, Dalnim was sure the woman thought Young Gi was her boyfriend too. "Would you like this watch, Dalnim-shi?" That wasn't really the question she was expecting, but Dalnim nodded anyway, her eyes focused on the watch. "Lucky you, it's 40% off!"

"Wait, it's 40% off?"

"Yes! It'll be the perfect gift for your handsome boyfriend here."

I knew it. She does think we're together, Dalnim thought with pursed lips.

"Me... Handsome?" Young Gi was beaming, his own cheeks flushed red. "Ma'am, you're too kind."

"I'm being serious. You're such an attractive couple," the woman replied, patting his shoulder. Before Dalnim could interject that they were, in fact, not a couple, the woman continued, "I'm the manager of this little shop, so it'd be my pleasure to give you something you desired. My goodness, you two remind me of me and my husband when we were younger~" She then went over to the cash register and punched in the discounted price. Dalnim bit down on her lip as she saw the new price for the watch. It was perfect for her. "I know this sounds like I'm bribing you, but would it be okay if I get a picture with you? I have to show my children!"

Dalnim could only sigh at the situation before her. 

Yeah, ok. Just this once.

~*~*~*~

Dalnim smiled widely at the purchased watch, swaying back and forth on her bed out of joy for getting it at such a reasonable price. After paying for the watch and getting her picture taken with the manager of the watch shop,they realized if they don't leave right that second, Dalnim would be late for volleyball practice. They had fled the store and the shopping center as fast as they could. They couldn't have cut it any close on time. The volleyball player actually felt thankful that they were able to find and get Chanyeol's gift when they did. 

She fell back onto her bed, looking up at the ceiling. 

Today's grueling practice and it being late into the night, she should be dead tired, but she couldn't sleep a wink. This had been been a reoccurring problem ever since she (re)accepted her feelings for Chanyeol. Her mind completely clouded with EXO's rapper. Lately, she had been listening to his group's songs non-stop and been watching the variety shows he'd been a part of. 

If anything, it turned her in a complete fangirl. She even managed to binge watch EXO Next Door. As it wasn't that hard a feat to accomplish, it was still something Dalnim thought she'd end up doing. 

As someone who tries hard to maintain her sleep schedule for the sake of volleyball, this was unhealthy. If only she could calm her feelings, maybe she could get a grip back on her life... and her precious sleep. She likes him way too much.

Knock, knock, knock!

Dalnim shot straight up into sitting position, confused by the late night visitor. She quickly picked up one of her hoodies and slipped it over her mostly exposed body before running over to the front door. Cautiously, she opened the door. Once seeing who it was, she held the door wide open. "Young Gi-yah, what are you doing here? Miss me already?" Dalnim scoffed at the sight of him.

She looked at him up and down. Young Gi was still clad in the outfit he wore earlier that day, and judging by his shivering body, he just came from outside. This could only mean that he was just now getting home. She thought back as to why that was.

Oh, that's right. 

Young Gi decided to hang around in the gym while the volleyball practice went on. Once the practice was over, they were supposed to go straight home, except Hana had stopped them.

"I just need to talk to Young Gi for a moment, alright?" Young Gi and Dalnim exchanged glances, having their own small debate just by eye contact. Hana let out a growl, her patience running low. She snatched onto the male's arm, tugging him away from Dalnim. "This will take a while so go home, alright? I don't need you hanging around like an annoying fly."

Dalnim left right after that. As much as she wanted to hit that girl for the attitude, she decided to just leave it. Besides, if she didn't leave at the moment she did, she would've missed the bus to go home. 

Did his and Hana's conversation really take this long?

She then took one whiff. 

"Did you go out drinking?" Dalnim asked her friend. 

"Hana insisted," he replied. Young Gi's face was undoubtedly solemn, there was something bothering him. What did the two talk about for him to act so weirdly? "Were you about to sleep?"

Dalnim shook her head. "I wasn't, surprisingly enough. What happened?" 

"Mind if I come in? I'm actually really craving your coffee right now," he suggested.  

"Yeah, sure. Come in and you can talk all about it, alright?" Young Gi was quick to scurry into the apartment. Dalnim closed the door behind her, mentally preparing herself for whatever her best friend will be talking about. 

Her restlessness finally came to use. 

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A/n: If you guys haven't seen my message on my wall before, I'm expecting to update this story a lot, so please look out for that! I'll also be updating my Baekhyun story more, while I put my Kyungsoo story on a longer break. I hope that's ok with you guys! I guess that my bias won in terms of writing motivation haha.

Although, this was more of a filler chapter... sigh, sorry. Next chapter will be MUCH better, promiseee. This was a very Young Gi centric chapter and I... don't know. Why not. 

Alsooo, since I finished Reply 1994, I have a question for y'all. Which drama should I watch next? (1)You Who Came from the Stars, (2)The Producers, or (3)Heirs?? Or is there any dramas I should watch instead?? I gotta watch as much as I can while I'm on break, ha.

Double also, I've been listening to B1A4 for the past few hours. Thank you Reply 1994 for introducing me to Baro and leading me to search him and his group up on Youtube. They definitely need more love, ok? Their songs slaaaayy. I honestly can't believe cute patootie Baro from the drama is this low voiced, rapping heaven in B1A4 XD 

If I don't update before then, have a happy new years everyone!! Let's look forward to it!