Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

People want to be famous for multiple reasons.

They say it's because they want to gain their confidence, they want fame, they want to meet their favorite celebrities, they want money, and they want to travel across the world.

One of them is also having the opportunity to travel around the world. It was a privilege that Katseye had always enjoyed. They love how they get to travel in several countries that they've never been to, experience other cultures, and be able to try out different traditional foods.

Being famous truly has its perks, indeed. Because right now, they were doing just that for their Asia tour. They were able to experience many different types of fans, whether they're the type to sing loudly or just watch, record, and admire. 

Currently, they have wrapped up for their touchdown in Indonesia. It was the kind of visit that they would never forget because the fans were all enthusiastic. And when it comes to hyper crowds, it always leaves them emotional and it becomes so memorable that it makes them want to stay.

As the ending of "My Way" echoed through the massive arena, the sound was nearly drowned out by the hyped cheer of the crowd. Thousands of lightsticks swayed, and it looked like a sea of glowing stars that made the girls feel like they were standing at the center of the universe.

Daniela stepped forward with her chest heaving as she flashed her signature dimpled smile. She grabbed her mic, her voice breathless but full of genuine warmth. "Jakarta! You guys are actually insane! Thank you for giving us so much energy tonight!"

Lara nodded beside her. “We really didn't want this night to end. You’ve made us feel so at home."

Then Manon gave the signal. They had practiced this specific line for hours in the dressing room, giggling over the pronunciation. Daniela took a deep breath, holding up three fingers.

"Okay, on three! One... two... three!"

"We love you, Indonesia! Terima kasih banyak atas semua dukungannya!" they shouted in unison. (Thank you so much for all your support!)

The crowd erupted into a wave of screams. With final waves and blown kisses, the moving part of the stage where they were standing, lowered fully until they vanished from the crowd's eyes, signalling the actual wrap of the performance.

When they were finally at the underground part of the venue, the "Idol" personas switched into exhausted, hungry teenagers. Staff rushed toward them with cooling fans, bottled water, and thick towels.

"Whew! We killed that," Megan exhaled, leaning her head on Daniela's shoulder as they walked toward their dressing room. "But I feel like my legs just turned jelly."

"Tell me about it," Daniela laughed, wiping a smudge of glitter from her cheek while Lara was wiping her own tears from getting emotional because she wasn't immune to the feeling of being so loved, supported, and appreciated by thousands of people.

Manon, who just downed at the water bottle given to her in one go, exhaled a huge breath. Her brows were furrowed like she's been thinking deeply in her head while swallowing all of that water. Her eyes, however, were faintly red from her own drying tears.

Lara seemed to notice that the woman was in deep thought, because she glanced at her from the corner of her eyes and smiled teasingly with a hint of confusion. “Are you good? Why do you look so troubled?”

Manon shook her head, looking quite ashamed as she decided to admit what has actually been bothering her just now. A tight smile appeared on her lips. “I wasn't able to say the sentence properly. I ended up stuttering, and I'm pretty sure the fans noticed.”

“Are you kidding me?” Megan gasped, looking at her bandmate in disbelief. “I barely even noticed. I’m pretty sure I’m the one who's cooked cause I ended up saying straight up gibberish in the last words. I ended up having to lower my voice until they couldn't hear me anymore!”

“Y'all, we literally practiced it several times when we were in the van,” Daniela huffed, unimpressed as she looked between the girls whose postures stiffened and with racing minds. 

“Oh shit,” Manon winced, biting her lower lip in contemplation. “Do you think they're gonna clip us and hate us for that then? Like I can already imagine fans posting it to point it out then saying how we want to please the fans by speaking their language but can't even say it properly-”

“Stop worrying about that,” Lara interrupted firmly yet softly, making the three girls look at her. “What matters is that our performance here was a success. And even if they did notice y'all mispronouncing the sentence, who cares? We tried our best.”

“Yeah,” Daniela nodded in agreement with both hands on her hips, a relieved and confident smile on her lips now that Lara stepped up. “I fully agree. No need to fuss about it.”

“...Okay,” Megan sighed like a weight had fallen off her shoulders, but she did end up taking a sip of her own water bottle to calm her nerves and the adrenaline she had from performing in front of so many people.

Meanwhile, Manon just smiled again, genuine this time and gave a soft hum that meant she was convinced and relieved that it may not be a big deal after all. Even if she had already performed so many times with her members, she would always end up feeling anxious before and after performances. 

She knew how wild people can get. That's precisely why that feeling never fails to leave her completely, and how she can already predict how the fans—or haters—would react even at the small things based on the unpleasant experiences.

“I'm so excited to go back to the hotel, honestly,” Daniela yawned softly, leaning against the wall, "I can finally sleep for 48 hours.”

“No. Not quite,” Lara grinned like a sly cat, her eyes gleaming with a faint hint of excitement that the three of them noticed. “We still have the last stop, remember? We're going to the Philippines."

Daniela blinked in realization at this. “Oh. Right.”

The Latina mentally scolded herself for forgetting because how could she when it was something that Lara had been mentioning lately? They've been going to these tours in Asian countries, but there wouldn't be a day where Lara doesn't mention how she's going to show them around the Philippines when they reach there, how it's going to be so memorable for all of them, and how excited she is to introduce them to her friend.

The friend all of them had no clue about, that is. 

They weren't surprised by this enthusiasm that came from Lara, though. In fact, the Indian woman has actually been going to the Philippines. 

“Wait, I almost forgot,” Megan said, squinting at Lara. “You’ve been basically living a double life there, haven’t you? I still don’t get how you have the brainpower for linguistics courses while we’re literally touring the globe.”

Lara’s smile didn’t fade. If anything, it sharpened. “It’s called ‘immersion,’ Megan. My professors say you can't truly understand the syntax of a language like Tagalog unless you’re breathing the same air as the people who speak it. It’s part of my coursework.”

A glint of pride could be seen through her eyes as she continued on.

“I’m not just the rising global popstar sensation Lara Raj, but I’m also a scholar of the world.”

“A scholar who barely sleeps,” Manon added, her voice laced with genuine concern. She reached out, adjusting the collar of Lara’s performance jacket. “We’ve talked about this. Every time we have a break, instead of flying back to LA or just crashing at a spa, you’re on a red-eye to Manila. You’re going to burn out. Is a linguistics degree really worth that much physical exhaustion?”

Daniela nodded, crossing her arms. “Seriously. We know you love the Philippines, but you treat that place like it’s your oxygen. Even Missy was confused why you insisted on making it the final tour stop with such a long residency afterward.”

Lara let out a light laugh, though she pointedly avoided Daniela’s piercing gaze. She turned toward the vanity mirror, picking up a cotton pad to dab at her makeup.

“Look. It's not just about that,” Lara said softly, her reflection staring back with an unreadable expression. “The Philippines… It grounds me. Aside from India, there’s a certain rhythm there that I can’t find anywhere else. Besides, I told you guys, I have a friend there. Someone who knew me long before Katseye. It’s important to keep those roots, you know?”

“The mysterious friend,” Daniela teased, though her eyes remained curious. “The one you’ve known since you first started studying there years ago? You’ve never even shown us a picture.”

“Because she’s shy,” Lara lied smoothly.

She remembered the afternoons spent in a library in Quezon City, long before Katseye was even a concept. She remembered the smell of rain on hot pavement and the way Sophia would bring her Jollibee food from her shift just because she knew Lara had been studying too hard. 

Lara had mastered the grammar of the language, but it was Sophia’s voice, the way she laughed at Lara’s mispronunciations, that made her keep coming back. 

The linguistics degree was a perfect shield. A logical reason to fly halfway across the world just to sit in a booth at a fast-food chain and watch a girl in a red uniform work.

“Anyway,” Lara said, clapping her hands together to break the tension. “The point is, the Philippines is going to be very special. And since I’m the ‘local expert,’ I’ve already talked to the organizers. We’re doing the project at a specific Jollibee branch. That's where my friend works.”

Manon groaned, her face paling slightly. “Tell me the Jollibee mascot won’t be there. You know those things give me the creeps. The eyes, Lara... they follow you.”

Lara let out a genuine, mischievous laugh this time, thinking of the person she knew would likely be tasked with entertaining them. She tilted her head back as she was in a laughing fit. 

“Babe, it’s the last stop of the tour. You have to face your fears eventually.”

Daniela stretched, her muscles popping. “I don't care about mascots. I just want that 48-hour sleep our managers promised, even if it has to be on a plane.”

“Same,” Megan agreed wholeheartedly, but she was also unable to hide the faint curiosity in her eyes with what she just heard Lara say. They were eventually led to be escorted by the bodyguards to leave the venue safely, but her bandmate's words lingered in her mind.

Is it really going to be as memorable as she says? I kinda hope it is.

It was approximately 6:34 PM in the Philippines. The sun had long dipped below the horizon, but the neighborhood that Sophia lived in was still lively as always. 

The sari-sari [1] stores would still be active, the kids would be running around and chasing after each other, tricycles would be passing by the road, and someone would be blasting some loud karaoke down the neighborhood.

Sophia’s flip-flops were clicking against the pavement as she walked down the narrow street of their village, carrying an empty bottle of Coke that was family sized. They were on the way to one of the sari-sari stores to have it refilled.

Beside her, Yoonchae, her adopted sibling, had her phone clutched in both hands as she scrolled through social media. Sophia could hear the audio of Gameboy playing from it.

"Ate Sophia, tingnan mo ‘to!" Yoonchae shoved the screen toward Sophia’s face, nearly hitting her nose. “Pinost ng Katseye photo nila galing sa Jakarta. Ganda ni Lara, noh?” (Look at this! Katseye just posted their photo from Jakarta. Lara looks so pretty in this outfit, doesn't she?)

The Filipina was quite startled from the sudden jumpscared of the screen being shoved in her face, but the first thing she saw from it was indeed a post from @katseyeworld.

Then her eyes focused on Lara. The only Katseye member she knew and had always been familiar with. She giggled, gently pushing the phone away so she wouldn't trip over a stray rock.

“Oo na, nakita ko na.” She said with a soft, weary smile. “Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na yung babae na dating umiiyak sa mga Tagalog conjugation verbs ay nagpe-perform na ngayon para sa libu-libong tao.”

(Yes, I saw it. To this day, I still can't believe that the woman who used to cry over Tagalog conjugation verbs is now performing for thousands of people.)

It was Yoonchae's turn to giggle, “Uuwi na naman siya, ate. But it's with the girls this time. Tingin mo ba na meron siyang time na bisitahin tayo? Or masyado na ba siyang big time?” (She's coming home again, ate. But it's with the girls this time. Do you think she'll have time to visit us? Or is she too much of a big time now?)

"Lara? Never," Sophia said confidently. She remembered the late-night study sessions, the way Lara’s eyes would light up when she finally understood a local joke, and the way she’d linger at the door whenever it was time to leave. "Lagi nga niya ‘ko tine-text the whole tour. Parang mas excited pa nga siya makita tayo kaysa sa actual concert nila, eh.”

(She’s been texting me the whole tour. It seems like she’s more excited about seeing us than the actual concert.)

They stopped in front of a small tindahan [2], the wooden shelves packed with glass jars of biscuits, hanging sachets of shampoo, and rows of snacks.

"Pabili po!” Sophia called out, leaning against the counter. When the elderly woman appeared, she asked for the coke bottle to be refilled and pulled out 40 pesos from her wallet. (I'd like to buy, po!

The Korean girl, however, didn't stop. Instead, her eyes had already lit up at this revelation that her big sister just said.

“Wait, so bibista nga siya?” She asked like a child who had just been given candy, unable to resist the big smile growing in her lips. Especially then when Sophia gave a soft hum in affirmation. (Wait, so she's actually going to visit us?)

“Maybe. Sabi niya eh. Pero baka pagbawalan siya ng manager.” (Maybe. Since she said so. But the manager might not allow her)

“Pagbawalan?!” Yoonchae repeated with a gasp of disbelief, face shifting to defiance at the possible cruelty that might be coming from whoever is managing the girls. She slammed her hand down on the wooden ledge of the tindahan, making the jars of candies rattle. Her Korean accent was thickening as she mixed it with the local slang she’d picked up. "If that manager stops Lara from coming here, papatayin ko sila. Isasako ko sila at itatapon sa Pasig River [3], I swear."

(If that manager stops Lara from coming here, I will kill them. I will put them in the sacks and throw them in the Pasig River, I swear)

Sophia nearly choked on her own breath, quickly grabbing her younger sister’s arm to pull her back. "Yoonchae! Ang bibig mo, nakakahiya kay Aling Nena!" (Yoonchae! Your mouth, it's embarrassing to Aling Nena)

The elderly shopkeeper just chuckled, handing back the cold, condensation-covered bottle of Coke. "Hayaan mo na, Sophia. Palaban talaga 'tong kapatid mo." (Leave her be, Sophia. Your sister is just really rebellious)

But Yoonchae wasn't finished. She began pacing the narrow space between the store and a parked tricycle, her thumbs flying across her phone screen.

"Seriously, Ate! Lara works so hard. She studies those boring linguistics books until her eyes turn red, she dances until she can't feel her toes, and all she wants is to eat sinigang [4] with us! If they try to keep her locked in some fancy hotel in Makati just because she's a 'global idol' now, I will start a riot. Ako na mismo ang pupunta sa hotel at sasabihin ko sa guard na ako ang matagal na niyang nawawalang pinsan.” (I'll go to the hotel myself and tell the guard I'm her long-lost cousin)

Sophia sighed, tucked the heavy bottle under her arm, and started walking back toward their house.

"She's not just 'Lara' anymore, Chip. She’s Lara Raj of Katseye. There are rules. Security, schedules, paparazzi..." Sophia’s voice trailed off, a small pang of something, not quite sadness, but a dull ache, hitting her chest. 

Once again, she was struck with the reality that their friendship wasn't as free as before. She was just a girl from the neighborhood who knew the best way to crisp up chicken skin. Lara was someone who belonged to the world now.

"Well," Sophia started, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper as they reached their front gate. “Hindi lang basta sinabi ni Lara na susubukan niyang bumisita. Sinabi niya sakin na plano pala ng management ng surprise second collaboration sa Jollibee, kaya gagawa sila ng advertisement video para dun. At hulaan mo kung aling Jollibee branch yung pinili nila for the filming?”

(Lara didn't just say she’d try to visit. She told me the management actually plans a surprise second collaboration with Jollibee, so they're going to make an advertisement video for it. And guess which Jollibee branch they picked for the filming?)

Yoonchae’s jaw dropped, and her eyes went wide. "No. Way."

"Yes way," Sophia grinned. "Sa branch kung saan ako nagtatrabaho. And since ako yung senior crew member on shift that day, sinabi ng manager namin yung role ko." (At the branch where I work. And since I was the senior crew member on shift that day, our manager told me my role)

"Are you the one serving them?!" Yoonchae shrieked, jumping up and down so hard her slippers made a loud thwack-thwack sound against the concrete.

"Even better," Sophia said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Ako daw yung nasa loob ng mascot suit para salubungin sila. Ako yung magiging giant bee, Yoonchip. Ako yung mage-entertain sa Katseye.” 

(They asked me to be the one inside the mascot suit to welcome them. I'm going to be the giant bee, Yoonchae. I'm going to be the one entertaining Katseye)

Yoonchae stared at her for a long beat, the anger at the managers completely forgotten, replaced by a look of pure glee. 

"Ate... Did you know that Manon is terrified of mascots? Ibig sabihin nun na ikaw ang magiging reason in case she screams on camera. That would be best day of my life. Pwede ba ‘kong sumama?”

(Ate... Did you know that Manon is terrified of mascots? That means you're going to be the reason in case she screams on camera. That would be the best day of my life. Can I come with you?)

Sophia laughed, opening the door to their house. "Ewan ko. Tatanungin ko pa siya. I just hope I don't pass out from the heat inside that suit before I get to see my bestie’s face." (I don't know. I'm still going to ask her)

Manon had always been scared of airplanes, and that was a well known fact.

It was something that fans already knew. Sure, she was an idol. People expected her to get used to it already, and she really has been, but there were still times when the nervousness of it still reached her.

A neck pillow was wrapped around her neck, and she leaned back against the seat of the private jet they were in. She has already made sure for the fourth time that her belt was buckled tightly in its place

The sound of the jet engines was nothing to the girls. Megan and Lara were both asleep with blankets wrapped around their bodies to protect themselves from the coldness of the air conditioners, with a sleep mask covering their eyes. 

Manon looked at them from the corner of her eyes and swallowed hard. Unease curled in her chest, one she couldn't help as her fingers instinctively tightened on the blanket resting on her lap. 

If there was something Manon had to be jealous of, it would be the fact that all of her bandmates didn't have a fear of airplanes. She wished that she was just like them, so she would be able to get the well-deserved rest she needs every time and allow herself to get comfortable, but she just couldn't. Every slight dip in altitude made her stomach do a somersault that had nothing to do with excitement.

Across the aisle, Daniela was also the polar opposite of her. She was slouched in her seat, scrolling through a playlist with her legs draped over the armrest. 

Without any intention, she allowed her eyes to glance at the woman across from her, which immediately softened when she saw the way Manon was gripping her own blanket.

"Hey," Daniela called out softly, breaking the silence through the cabin. Manon snapped out of it briefly and made eye contact with her bandmate, and she was met with the sight of the Latina's concerned eyes scanning her from head to toe.

Then, their eyes locked, and Daniela frowned. 

"You’re doing that thing again where you try to grip the plane into staying in the sky. You know the pilots have it covered, right?”

Manon let out a shaky breath, a small, sheepish smile fluttering onto her lips. "I can’t help it, Dani. It just feels so thin. The air, I mean."

Seeing the older woman like this made Daniela have the urge to unbuckle her own belt for a second. And she did let her urge take over because she actually did try to unbuckle her own seatbelt.

Manon thought she was going to get up and cross the gap, but the "Fasten Seatbelt" sign flickered overhead with a sharp ding.  

In defeat, Daniela huffed, settling back, but she didn't retreat. Instead, she leaned as far as her seat would allow, reaching her arm across the wide aisle that separated them.

Manon met her halfway. Their fingers laced together in the empty space between their chairs. A bridge of warmth over the abyss, and she could feel her shoulders ease.

"Better?" Daniela asked, her thumb tracing slow, rhythmic circles over the back of Manon’s hand.

"Yeah," Manon exhaled, finally leaning her head back into the neck pillow. "Thanks. I don't know why I'm extra jumpy today. Maybe it's because it's the last stop so everything feels...I don't know. Heavy?"

Daniela’s gaze lingered on their joined hands. "It’s also the vibes, I think. Lara’s been acting like we’re going to a sacred pilgrimage, and the rest of us are just trying to keep up." 

She chuckled, but then her expression turned thoughtful as she continued on. “I’m gonna miss this, actually. I love how everyone was so loud, like that time when I sang my part in Gabriela and I could barely hear my voice because they were singing so loud.”

Manon smiled fondly at that, her eyes never leaving on the woman who still held her hand. “I noticed the same thing. Even when we're singing, I could even hear someone shouting, ‘Face tea, body tea!’ or ‘I love you Manon! You're so hot!”

As the Swiss-Ghanian woman imitated the fans, Daniela couldn't help but laugh. It was like music to Manon's ears, even with the evident weariness clinging into it. Just hearing this made her forget that she was afraid of airplanes.

Manon turned back to the window bashfully as her cheeks turned pink, recalling how much the fans complimented her. “It was so distracting, honestly.”

Daniela squeezed her hand in comfort, grinning ear to ear now. “I'm pretty sure all of us agree with you. This Is one of the most fun tours we've ever had. I might actually cry on my bed once I realize it's truly over.”

“Oh, don't even start with the crying," Manon teased, though her voice was soft. "If you start, Lara starts. If Lara starts, Megan is a goner. We'll end up being a puddle of tears."

Daniela chuckled, her thumb still drawing those rhythmic circles on Manon’s skin. “I guess that's true.”

Silence settled between them once more.

Alright, I can handle this, She thought, her hand never leaving Daniela's. Feeling the warmth of her bandmate's fingertips made her feel safe. It reminded her that she wasn't alone in this write flight.

Just when Manon was about to relax into her seat and try closing her eyes to get herself to fall asleep just like the other two, a sound from Daniela reached her ears.

“Pfft-"

Manon blinked, looking so confused as she turned her head to the side to glance at the Latina once again, who had her fist pressed over her lips to try and stop a laugh, but now she just bursted out laughing completely.

Now she was even more confused that her eyes went wide in surprise. What could Daniela be thinking about for her to start laughing like crazy all of a sudden?

“Oh my god!” Daniela laughed, her shoulders shaking slightly the more she did so, “I just- I just realized that you're going to meet the Jollibee mascot in person again! I completely forgot you had beef with him!” 

“Excuse me?” Manon gasped loudly, not expecting this sudden attack at her. Daniela was laughing at her? As much as she very much enjoyed being the reason for the woman to smile, she was certainly not expecting that. “Beef? Dani, it is not 'beef' when the other party is a six-foot-tall insect with that unblinking stare!" 

She had whispered-shouted with her eyes wide with mock indignation. She even tried to pull her hand away, but Daniela gripped it tighter, her body shaking with suppressed giggles.

Manon ignored the way her heart skipped a beat because of it.

"Too bad cause he’s everywhere, Manon. He’s the national symbol! He’s probably waiting at the gate with a bouquet of chickenjoy," Daniela continued, her eyes dancing with mischief. She started doing a stiff but rhythmic bobbing motion with her head, imitating the mascot's walk. "He’s got those big, round eyes that just... stare into your soul."

"Stop it!" Manon hissed, though she was giggling now as well now, too. Even her shoulders were shaking.

"In your dreams. Lara told me they’re going all out for us," Daniela leaned in closer, her face lit by the dim cabin lights. "I’ll protect you, though. If the bee gets too close, I’ll just challenge him to a dance-off. He can’t handle these moves."

Manon rolled her eyes, but the tightness in her chest from the plane's turbulence was completely gone. "You just want an excuse to film a TikTok with Jollibee."

"Hey! He's a crustacean- no, wait, a bee is an insect. Whatever. I’m doing it for you," Daniela flicked Manon’s nose. "The things I do for my ungrateful roommate..."

"Will you two please shut up?"

A muffled, grumpy voice rose from the seat in front of them. Lara pulled her sleep mask up just enough to reveal one squinting, judgmental eye. 

"Some of us are trying to sleep in peace. If I hear my bae “Jollibee” one more time, I’m kicking you both out of this plane.”

Daniela and Manon froze, looking like two kids caught breaking into the cookie jar. Did Lara just refer to that bee mascot as her bae? 

Nonetheless, they shared a look before immediately dissolving into a fit of silent, shoulder-shaking giggles. They buried their faces in their free hands to muffle the noise.

Lara groaned, pulled her mask back down, and shifted aggressively in her blanket. 

"I hate it here," she muttered, though a tiny, fond smile tugged at her lips before she drifted back off.

As the laughter died down into a comfortable silence, the cabin lights dimmed further. The sounds of the jet engine felt less scary now.

"Okay, okay," Daniela whispered, her thumb returning to its slow circles on Manon’s skin. "We should sleep. For real this time."

"Yeah," Manon murmured, her eyelids finally growing heavy. "Sleep. But don't let go, ‘kay? Just in case of turbulence or something."

"Of course, girl. I got you," Daniela promised. She settled back into her own chair, but she didn't close her eyes immediately. Instead, she looked out the window at the dark expanse of the ocean below, then back at Manon. 

"You know... I have this weird feeling. Like something big is going to happen once we reach there."

Manon shifted, her gaze meeting Daniela's. She was looking at her with an expression so soft, so genuinely adoring, that the older woman felt a strange surge of heat radiate from her chest down to her toes. 

"Something good?" Manon whispered.

Daniela’s smile widened, her dimple catching the faint light. 

"The best," she breathed. She squeezed Manon’s hand one last time before closing her eyes. 

"Sleep well, Manon."

Manon's heart raced for a reason that had nothing to do with the height of the plane. At least not anymore.

"Sleep well, Dani.”