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[Cupid] - [Jack stauber's micropop]

As the final notes of the concert echoed through the arena, a wave of satisfaction washed over Sora. Witnessing Jay conquer his anxiety on stage was an extraordinary experience.

Patiently waiting for the venue to empty, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Startled, she turned around to find Jay standing there, a satisfied smile on his face.

"You scared me," she glared at him, voicing her surprise.

He chuckled loudly, brushing off her reaction. "So, what do you think?"

"About what?"

"The performance."

"I've noticed a change in your stage presence. No visible anxiety, although I caught a glimpse of your hands shaking when the camera focused on you. You handled it well, though. It seems we're making progress with that stage fright of yours."

"You sound like a robot. Can't you just say it not from a therapist's point of view?"

"But that's what I am," she replied matter-of-factly.

Jay sighed loudly. "Come on, I'll take you somewhere. You'll meet the other members."

"That's not necessary. I'll just go home. See you later!" She tried to leave, but he brought her back by the hood of her dress.

"Don't worry, we don't bite."

"I'm not sure if you're vaccinated, though."

Leading her backstage, she wasn't surprised by the opulence, the various food machines, or the general hustle and bustle. In fact, she navigated the arena as if it were familiar territory.

"You seem to know your way around here. Not your first time, huh?" Jay inquired.

"Yeah, it's not my first. Jaehyun always takes me backstage. I guess that's the privilege of being his cousin," she explained.

As they greeted the staff along the way, she noticed the other six men seated on a sofa. She felt a twinge of nervousness, but she didn't let it show. Jay, however, sensed it and reassuringly held her hand as he led the way.

"Guys, say hi. This is Sora," Jay introduced, prompting the members to rise from their seats and greet her with bows, displaying utmost respect. She reciprocated with polite bows of her own.

As they began talking about typical topics, she wasn't surprised by the casual friendshep among them.

Heeseung, curious, asked, "Sora, spill the tea. What was Jay like outside the spotlight?"

Sora replied, "Well, let's just say he's a lot more anxious about his cooking skills than his singing."

Sunoo began teasing, "Really? So he's not the kitchen king he claims to be?"

Jay, defending himself, said, "Hey, I can make instant noodles like a pro!"

"Instant noodles? That's gourmet, Jay."

"Jay-ssi has a secret stash of honey. Don't tell anyone." Ni-ki added.

"Why am I 'ssi' and not 'hyung'?"

Jungwon asked, "Ms. Jung, does Jay hyung tell you his dad jokes?" Sora just shook her head, and the other 02s chuckled to themselves. "He probably doesn't want to scare her away."

Jay, proudly, said, "How do celebrities stay cool? They have many fans." They all suddenly went quiet, side-eyeing each other, until Jay burst out laughing. "Sorry."

Gradually, she grew more comfortable, and they started engaging in lively conversations, overall having a good time with occasional teasing directed at Jay.

Jay chuckled, "Well, I won't be coming to the dorm tonight."

The other members seized the opportunity to tease him, one suggesting, "Hey, use protection or something."

Amidst the laughter, Jay rolled his eyes.

Then he led her away from them, carefully hiding their faces in case reporters were lurking. Finally entering his car, they sat in silence, away from prying eyes, the atmosphere between them turned tender. The faint background music set a subtle tone.

"You were amazing today..." Her voice, soft and sincere, caught Jay off guard. "What?"

"I recall you mentioning not wanting my therapist's perspective. How about a view from our... 'situationship,' I guess?" she said, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

He expressed his gratitude, and the air between them thickened with unspoken sentiments. Jay began uttering sweet words, pouring out his feelings for her. For the first time, she smiled genuinely, swept up in the warmth of his words.

As he inched closer, intending to bridge the gap between them, she found herself momentarily paralyzed. It was an unfamiliar sensation – a departure from her usual response to advances she would usually shove away a man's face. With Jay, everything felt different, and it always had.

The moment their lips met, a rush of conflicting emotions surged within her. Breaking the kiss, she whispered, "It's wrong." Jay's response was unyielding, "I really don't care."

Amidst the shouts from excited fans, the atmosphere outside Jay's car became chaotic.

"OMG, Engene! I think that's Jay's car!!"

"Word?"

"Girl, who cares? Just go home and leave the guy alone."

The crowd started circling the car, and Jay and Sora exchanged wide-eyed glances, unsure of what to do. Starting the engine would reveal Jay's identity, and the reporters might have seen them entering the car.

"Hey, let's just stay quiet. They'll leave. The windows are tinted, and it's dark; they won't see you," Jay whispered, and Sora nodded. The plan seemed to work for a couple of minutes until zealous fans began thrusting their phone cameras into the windows.

Panicking, Sora ducked, and Jay pressed her deeper, using his hand as a shield.

"Jay, stop! My back hurts!"

"What can I do? This is messed up. If they see a strand of your hair, we're doomed."

Growing fed up with the intrusive fans, Sora decided to take matters into her own hands. She reached out, swiftly locating and tapping the car horn.

Security arrived just in time, dispersing the overzealous fans, and as they left, Jay accelerated away from the scene. In the quiet of the car, with the soft glow of the moonlight illuminating their faces, Jay broke the silence.

"I'm taking you somewhere."

Sora sighed. "I have work tomorrow, you know that, right?"

"We won't be spending the night, just dinner."

She hummed in agreement, and the rest of the car ride unfolded peacefully. Sora found herself enjoying the beauty of the stars overhead. Finally, they reached their destination—a charming cottage nestled in the midst of the forest.

The atmosphere might appear eerie to others in the darkness with only the moonlight casting its glow, but for them, it held a serene beauty and tranquility.

Nestled in the forest, the cottage exuded enchantment under the moonlight. The cobblestone path, lit by strategically placed lights, guided them to a rustic yet modern haven. Large windows hinted at coziness within, while a porch with inviting seating beckoned under the night sky.

As they opened the gate, lights illuminated their path, revealing the captivating aura of the house. Sora couldn't help but marvel at its beauty.

Surrounded by tall trees, the cottage emanated a timeless charm. The air carried a subtle pine fragrance, contributing to the tranquil atmosphere.

"This place is stunning, but the memories hurt," Jay remarked.

How many extravagant residences did he and his family own? She was aware of their wealth, but the extent surprised her.

"Was this your childhood home?" she inquired.

"No, not really. I just came here for vacations. I was actually born in Seattle and raised there for... years."

"Ah, so you're an American city boy," she teased.

He chuckled at her observation. "Well, if you want to get to know me better, we can start from here."

Jay unlocked the door, ushering her inside. The table was adorned with red candles, elegant flowers, and untapped wine—an evident testament to his meticulous planning.

Sora quirked an eyebrow, "So, you plannrd this whole setup. What if I decided to head home by myself?"

Jay smirked, "I wouldn't allow it. I'm a gentleman, and I always get what I want."

As he pulled out the chair for her, she seated herself, quietly appreciating the revived chivalry. In that moment, with Jay, the gentleman of the evening, she found a touch of sophistication that had seemingly become rare.

Taking her on a tour, Jay shared snippets of the house's history. In an open area, he pointed out, "My father used to host small music parties here, inviting all sorts of people. Music has always echoed through these walls; I didn't discover it; I was born with it."

Ascending the stairs, they entered a spacious room adorned with numerous guitars and instruments.

Jay selected a classic brown guitar, wiping off the accumulated dust. "This was the guitar I used for my first performance, in front of my father's guests," he revealed, his voice trailing off as a harsh memory crossed his mind. "I made a mistake that day, and what hurt more than the error was my father's hand, not the mistake."

Sora, curious, inquired, "When did it all begin?"

Jay reflected, "It started when I expressed my desire to pursue music. Initially, he'd say mean things, but it escalated when I made it clear I wanted a career in music. Ironically, I was supposed to be a musician, then take over my father's company. Becoming an idol was an act of rebellion against that destiny."

"What was his reaction to the news?" Sora questioned.

Jay somberly responded, "I wouldn't know. I cut off all ties with my family when I debuted."

Suddenly, his mood shifted abruptly, and he said, "Let's leave; it's getting too late anyway." As they stepped a foot inside the house, it started raining even harder.

They began to run to the car so fast, getting all wet. Jay tried to drive, but apparently, the wheels were stuck in the mud. No matter how much he hit the brakes, the car was stuck.

"What do we do now? I have a meeting early in the morning," Sora exclaimed.

"Sora, just please stop thinking about work and get back inside if you don't want to catch a cold," Jay urged.

They decided to spend the night inside the house since they had no way out.

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IM FREEEE i can finally write again