disclaimer
ahri is a huge liar at the start lol enjoy.
and don't judge her too hard; there are many
psychological reasons why she is like that.
it's all about logic, baby.

⋆ ☄︎. · ̊ * 🔭
chapter two

"We're a boy-group. As much as I know, boy-groups don't have girls."

"Are you delusional?" asks Ahri in return to his question. There aren't many complex sentences she knows, yet she's heard those words so many times that she's simply memorized it. "We aren't a boy-group."

Both of their fiery gazes clash against each other in an almost vicious manner. They do not even dare blink. They just stare at each other. And the other members notice the irritated tension between those two as well; gazing between each other curiously.

Si-Hyuk gathers the attention back to him with a firm cough. "I don't want any discussions or fights, got it?" the CEO asks, shooting them a stern gaze. "Get along."

"Yes, sir," Yona responds back formally.

Grumpy grandpa grits his teeth and nods.

"So," Bang Si-Hyuk begins. "Get to know each other first. Our first meeting is tomorrow at 11 a.m. sharp." He leaves.

Taking the initiative, the boy from before now stands in front of Yona. "Nice to meet you, Ahri." He smiles, dimples poking into his skin. "I'm Kim Namjoon, said leader and born in 1994. Please speak comfortably around us."

"Okay." She nods lightly, a small beam on her face.

Another boy stands up and makes his way toward her. "Hello! My name is Jung Hoseok, and I'm 19 years old. I'm also born in 1994." He smiles at her as well.

Just like all the others do, actually—except for one grumpy person. They all smile and are as polite as ever. That observation causes instant warmth to spread across her chest. 

The corners of his lips are eaten out by his puffy cheeks as he smiles. "I'm the oldest, Kim Seokjin I'm 21 years old, born in 1992."

"Hey! Park Jimin, 95' liner. Nice to meet you, Yona!" He chuckles lightly while examining her cute and shy self, having the urge to ruffle her hair; but debating against it to not make her uncomfortable.

As soon as Ahri turns her head toward the next person, her eyes widen immensely. Her brain stutters. "Hi! I'm Kim Taehyung. 95' liner as well." Ahri gulps, bowing slightly.

Next up is a black-haired boy, who hasn't said anything yet. In fact, he hides behind a chuckling Namjoon. The leader encourages him to step forward. And he does. "H-Hello. I'm Jungkook." He gulps, gaze located at the floor. "Born in 1997."

"19..." Ahri tries comprehending the huge number he has just named, and she blinks rather excessively while scratching her head. "Wow, big numbers..."

"You're not from Korea?" Namjoon asks.

That question turns her rather embarrassed, scratching her head even more with a sheepish chuckle. "Well, yeah, but no..."

"Huh?" All of them exclaim in confusion.

"I am Korean," she declares, nodding. "I was born in Germany. I lived there. My Korean is not that good, I apologize."

Taehyung's mouth gapes open slightly. "That's crazy! I had a friend who lived in Germany as well!"

"A-ha-ha! When worlds collide!" Yona laughs it off loudly and in pure desperation to change the subject.

Fortunately, it does, indeed, change as all eyes turn toward the last member. "Min Yoongi, 20," is all he says.

"Hi..." she starts whilst they're all expectantly gazing at her. "Um... I'm Kim Ahri. Actually, Kim Ahri Yona. But you guys can call me Ahri. Or Yona. I don't actually care—" Ahri digs her fingers into her palms to end her seemingly incessant nervousness.

They chuckle lightly, except for Grumpy Grandpa, who observes every single one of her movements carefully. His eyes narrow. But Ahri is quick to hide her hands in the pockets of her jacket before he could mutter out something embarrassing.

"Okay, good, now we know each other a little better," Namjoon smiles, looking at everyone. "I think it would be great if we went outside to eat something for a little more bonding. Everyone is hungry, right?"

All the boys agree instantly. "There's a cafe down the street. We should go there. I heard it's amazing," Jimin suggests. "Are you hungry as well, Yonnie?" He smiles toward the girl, whose mouth runs dry.

"Uh..." No money, no money, no money, she repeats in her head many times warningly. "I want to stay at home. I need to..." She's searching for the right verbs, thinking deeply—a few members chuckle at how adorable she looks while doing so. "Unpack!" Yona exclaims while finding the wanted word, snipping her fingers. "Yeah! Unpack!"

Unpacking my nonexistent suitcase! Sounds fun! Yona pushes those inner voices away.

"No, you can do that tomorrow! We'll get to know each other better!" Jimin chimes.

"I don't know—"

Yoongi interrupts her swiftly, "Why, are you scared?"

This boy is testing me. Ahri blinks toward him with irked eyes. He's testing my patience. Her nails dog even deeper into her palms. One, two three, four, five— I'm fine. Completely fine.

"No. Let's go," she announces, leading the way.

Why do I keep bringing myself into these stupid decisions?

There are many thoughts inside of her head that are distressing her, but she can't help herself but go back to those. In the span of a few hours, too much has happened to let go of it.

Faster than thought, they have arrived at their destination. And the sight of the familiar café makes her gasp. It's where she got her chocolate cake for free. Yet as Yona searches for the same sign again, it is not to be found. She frowns. Did I just imagine that?

Whilst they casually enter the café, Yona searches around the place by her eyes to find the same employee again. Yet he is nowhere to be found. She pouts at that.

Nonetheless, the group collectively take a seat at a large table. Taehyung is right on her side while Yoongi is opposite of her. And she couldn't be any happier about it.

"You seem oddly familiar."

Her eyes jump up at Taehyung's accusation. She gulps. "Me? No," is all she can weakly offer while shaking her head excessively.

"Really?" Taehyung's eyes squint in suspicion. As he's about to speak up, though, he suddenly stops himself. It's like something has changed.

So, he shows her a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes, nodding softly. "Yeah, you're right..."

"Well," Namjoon speaks up, "Since we all already know each other but Ahri doesn't, let's start with basics." His gaze locates toward the said girl. "I'm from Ilsan."

"Nice," she comments.

"I'm from Daegu!" Taehyung states, Yoongi nodding along with him.

Jimin smiles. "Me and Jungkook are from Busan." Said boy nods along, avoiding Yona's eyes.

"I used to live in Gwacheon," Jin says casually.

"I'm from Gwangju!" Hoseok states excitedly.

Simply the atmosphere around these boys is comforting and spreads kindness by a single and slight smile. Yona observes all of them thoroughly, and her heart beams at the positivity they radiate. It's nice. It's different.

Though Taehyung cuts that off as he suddenly asks, "Where are you from, N—Ahri?"

Ahri blinks excessively—something that has grown out to be a habit a long time ago. "That's a good question..." she mumbles, smiling through the pain of ambivalence.

"I used to live in Cologne. Germany."

That makes Yoongi laugh slightly. "Ah, now I understand." He examines her, chin on his palm.

"But Namjoon asked where from Korea you're from. You already told us that you're from Germany—and, trust me, we can see it through your poor language skills."

"You do have a satoori dialect, don't you?" With every single word he utters, her sweat intensifies. "Gyeongbuk region. I recognize an accent from Daegu when I hear one."

This bitch...

She doesn't even know how to respond. He owns me with this one. I'm done. I'm finished. Farewell, my paradise.

"Oh, you're from Daegu, Ahri?" Hoseok exclaims, beaming a smile. "That's so cool! I wonder how I couldn't recognize it, to be honest..."

"What are you doing here again?"

Simultaneously, her eyes widen. Ahri swiftly turns around to stare at the generous employee from before, mouth gaping open. Blinking, she releases incoherent, quiet noises while thinking of something to say.

He simply stares at her in confusion. "I thought you had no mo—"

"Oh my god! Jisoo-oppa! Long time no see! I thought you would still be at your parents' house? When did you move out? Woah, and you work too? What an independent man! We love that!" All languages mix up in one as she speaks. Ahri has jumped up from her chair and engulfs the young boy in a tight hug, an uneasy feeling in her stomach.

Without even needing to tell him, he understand her situation by simply gazing around the boys' faces. "Ah, yeah... You know how it goes..."

By now, all of her members are puzzled to say the least. And Ahri notices it, spinning back around toward them while beckoning to so-called Jisoo. "Oh. This is my mother's friend's son: Jisoo. We were friends as kids."

Jisoo awkwardly smiles at the boys, waving. "Hello. Nice to meet all of you."

They greet him back and flash some smiles, except for Yoongi and Taehyung; who look at the girl with slightly narrowed eyes.

"Uh, I have to get back to work now," Jisoo states. "It was nice seeing you again..." He still doesn't know her name. "Uh—Bye." He leaves.

Soon on, the boys talk about different topics while examining the menus. The aura changes back to a lighthearted one, once again.

Nervous sweat drips off of Ahri's forehead as she sits there. "Um, I'm not really hungry..." she tells the others, gulping.

"Ah, Ahri-ah, you can't say that," Seokjin intervenes, smiling softly. "You have to eat a lot to grow stronger and be healthier. Did you at least eat something today?"

Each of her facial features relax, tense shoulders relaxing. "Don't worry." A light smile plays on her lips.

"Then, how about you buy some tea? Or coffee?" Jimin suggests, stretching over the table to point at the offers he has selected for her. "They also have strawberry milkshakes!"

Can I please just dig a hole in the floor and never come back.

"Uh—" Ahri blinks excessively, gaze turning hazy because of the constant, overthrowing stress.

Jimin takes that as an agreement. "I knew you'd like strawberry!" He orders a sweet milkshake for her.

Yo, yo, yo, wait, hold up— Ahri's eyes are thrown out of their sockets, panicking. Though as the others notice her bewilderment, she feels humiliated and dives deep down in her chair. Jiminie, you're so nice, and for what?

It doesn't take long for the orders to arrive. The boys immediately dig into their meals and drinks, emitting satisfied groans. Yona chuckles lightly while watching them, slurping on her sweet milkshake that makes her forget about the consequences. They continue discussing some business regarding their debut and whatnot.

"I'm so full," Hoseok declares, burping. His eyes widen at that unwanted sound; quickly apologizing.

Everyone inclines their head as an agreement. Namjoon is soon beckoning a waiter over, wanting to pay and leave the café soon.

This is it. Embarrassment, here I come. "Uh, guys—"

But all of them talk over her small voice. Her lips turn into a straight line, heartbeat raising immensely. She's already forming apologetical sentences, yet the languages seem to be mingling together because of her nervousness, once again.

Lo siento for not having Geld... Ahri shakes her head swiftly; trying to reincarnate that sentence. Money... Money... What was money in Korean?!

An employee cleans the group's table and politely takes their money. "Yona, did you already pay?" Jimin asks.

With widened eyes, she looks up at him. "M-My wallet is—"

"Thank you," says the employee, causing both of their heads to whip toward her. She bows and leaves.

Confused, Jimin and Yona gaze in between each other. They blink dumbly.

"Someone paid for her meal already," Namjoon pops their bubble of puzzlement. He smiles lightly, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Must be your secret admirer, Ahri."

"My what?" Her brain can't comprehend it.

Namjoon's eyes widen. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot that you aren't from Korea." He furthermore explains, "A secret admirer is someone who—"

"I know what it means," she cuts him off, ashamed that she has presented herself so badly for them to think of her as someone who isn't close to her native language and culture. "I just struggle a bit with speaking, but I understand everything perfectly."

"Ah, right..." Now, Namjoon is the one who's ashamed. He didn't have any bad intentions—and Yona knows that—but he may have formed his words a bit insensitively. "I'm sorry, Ahri-ah."

Yet she's quick to brush it off, shrugging with a light smile. "It's fine."

"Great. Let's leave now," Seokjin states.

The group stands up simultaneously. Between themselves, they speak in a comfortable, familiar manner. Ahri notes that they are already close to each other; considering that they've known one another for quite some months—even years. That fact makes her slightly uneasy to engage herself into one of their conversations, since she doesn't want to seem like the nosy person who interferes into other people's issues.

As they're all walking in front of her, she's left behind. Ahri scratches her head. But then, she's suddenly pulled into a corner by her arm.

Her eyes widen, immediately muttering out curse words while hitting that stranger quite harshly. Ahri hears sounds of pain from a familiar voice, and she's quick to pull away.

"Sorry..." mutters the generous cake-employee, rubbing the now sore spot on his chest that she has caused. "I shouldn't have dragged you out of nowhere. It's just that..."

His brown eyes train themselves on her. He sure isn't one to be afraid of eye-contact, but it turns Yona rather nervous. "Why did I have to lie? And why did you call me Jisoo?"

Oh.

Fidgeting with her fingers, Ahri swiftly breaks contact with his eyes. She clears her throat. "Ha-ha, funny story..."

Though his face isn't packed with amusement. He's rather serious—confused, actually. What is this girl scheming? Thousand of question marks rotate through his head.

Ahri can't answer any of them, though.

No response is muttered out of her mouth. He sighs. "You know what? I don't care." He waves a distressed hand around. "I don't even know you, but you've been really confusing ever since you gawked at that chocolate cake until now."

"Sorry." She blinks, stunned and embarrassed that he's been watching her every move. "I can't explain—"

"Forget about it." His voice has calmed down as he shakes his head, and he emits another small sigh. "My name is not Jisoo, though."

"Kinda figured that out," Ahri shoots, unfazed.

Somehow, he can't help himself but to remain keeping his eyes on her. "Jung Jaehyun," is all he says.

"What?" she blurts out, blinking.

"My name." He nods curtly. "It's Jung Jaehyun."

Yona's eyebrows rise soon, realizing his intentions. "Oh." Her lips form into a straight line as a form of a friendly smile. "I'm Kim Ahri... Yona. I guess."

"Okay, Kim Ahri..." He playfully mocks her expression and voice. "Yona."

A small laugh leaves him, and it is soon copied by her. Yet the atmosphere changes to a more awkward one only some moments later. Ahri clears her throat, pointing behind her. "Um, I—"

"Ahri! Where are you?" Hoseok screams from afar.

Jaehyun lightly chuckles again. "See you around, Kim Ahri," he lulls, leaving right after. 

And she does, too. Yona jogs toward her members, who are curiously looking back at her.

"Where were you, Yona?" Taehyung asks, casually putting his arm around her shoulder whilst all of them walk home.

"I was just saying goodbye to Jisoo," she mumbles, scratching her head.

On the same night, Ahri lays in her bed—more likely, her lonely mattress—while reflecting today's events.

Simply joining a music group is something she never thought she would've done. It all seems so surreal. And the fact that all of the members are so kind to her makes her wonder and doubt herself.

All of them are determined and passionate about their goal to debut. They have devoted their life for music, and Yona can tell by their worn-out yet still gleeful expressions on their faces. Every single one of the boys have that saddening yet utterly mesmerizing look.

It causes Ahri to have rather negative thoughts, though; thinking that she isn't enough—that she doesn't hold this so-called dream as dearly as the others do. Maybe she shouldn't even be here in the first place.

She just got accepted without any circumstances. She didn't even have to train for years like the others did. All she did was present everything she has and now she's here. At a place Ahri doesn't even deserve.

Ahri's lips curl downward. This isn't right.

Through her window shine small splinters of the moonlight. The mesmerizing sight causes her gaze to locate and stay there. The moon has come to the sky as a mother comes to sing a soft lullaby, to ease her children into a star-filled night.

Yet that delightful-sounding illustration only makes her feel worse about herself.

And so Ahri watches how those azure nights bid farewells to the sky and part ways like a devoted king does to let the tangerine sun take its place and shine through instead.

"This isn't where I belong..." she mumbles, sitting up.

Ahri glances around her room, but there is nothing as close as a home. It's dull. It's hollow. This is only a house, not a cordial, warm home.

Once again, she shakes her head softly. The girl soon stands up and tidies the place up; extinguishing it from the marks and memories she has created in a short amount of time.

Closing the front door behind her, Ahri leaves the dorm—and so her once newly painted life.

"I have to talk to grandma first..." She wraps her thin jacket tighter around her form; the cold wind biting through her skin. "And then, I can talk with Bang Si-Hyuk about training first and letting the boys do what they did before I came."

Perfect plan, Ahri! Thanks for messing up and then leaving like nothing happened, once again!

"No problem, pal," Yona responds back casually.

Some time passes for her to finally arrive at the train station. Even at this ungodly hour, a numerous amount of people have huddled up at the huge place.

"Daegu, Daegu, Daegu..." mumbles Ahri while squinting her eyes to scan through the upcoming trains and their prices.

Oh. She idiotically blinks at the price. How did the conversion from won to euro work again...

"It's 25€, you brainless moron."

In shock, Yona jumps and swiftly turns around to face the voice. But the sight of her member makes her face turn sour. "You again..." She rolls her eyes.

"Why do you need to go to Daegu?" Yoongi' eyes are narrowed, utterly curious. "And why did you suddenly leave in the morning? We have a meeting today."

"I won't attend it." Ahri spins around, taking swift steps to leave. But he doesn't bat an eye to chase right after her, which causes a scoff from her side. "Are you stalking me?"

Yoongi scoffs, rolling his eyes at the accusation. "No. But you can't just leave all of a sudden. And why won't you attend the meeting? It's our first meeting together. That's very irresponsible and immature of you."

I'm throwing myself out of this window. Yona tries her best to stay calm, exhaling thoroughly.

To her dismay, he doesn't intend on stopping with his bombard-like questions any time soon. It annoys Ahri. It annoys her a lot.

"Why do you care?" she snaps, eyes filled with uncontrolled rage. "I need to go to Daegu, and that's that!"

"With what money? You couldn't even pay for a milkshake, for God's sake," he's swift to retort.

Buf Ahri isn't one to back down. Especially not in an argument or a fight. "Because someone paid for it! And how would you even know?"

"Now—this may be hard for you—but look inside your brain and think really hard." Pure sarcasm drips from his voice.

Realization hits her like a truck. Ahri's eyes widen as she simply blinks at him. "I—" Words leave her.

"You must be stupid if you think that I didn't notice how you have no money. It was very obvious." Yoongi slightly rolls his eyes. "Anyway. Since you won't tell me why you're suddenly going to Daegu, I'll find out myself."

Is he stupid? Ahri's face scrunches up. "You don't know my family."

"I'll find out, don't worry." There's still irony and sarcasm prominent in his voice. "Let's catch the train now. It's about to take off."

Huh? Who is this man?! Ahri is bewildered to say the least. "What train? I have no money!" The last word is said in English, since she still doesn't know what it means in her native language. It makes him laugh at her lightly.

"So stupid..." Yoongi rolls his eyes again at her statement. He's already walking away, and now Yona is the one chasing after him. She keeps throwing exasperated questions at his back. "Just wait."

They have arrived at a shelter. The woman inside of it greets them politely; both of the members returning it. "Two tickets to Daegu, please," is the next thing Yoongi says, and it totally throws Ahri off.

"Why are you—?!" She can't find the correct words, but, inside, she's fuming. What is this man even doing?

After Yoongi pays for two tickets, the employee hands them to him. He walks away, and Yona follows him. "I don't want your money." There is a profound stubbornness she possesses. Yet all it does is annoy Yoongi.

"Look." He turns around rather swiftly, causing her to almost collide against him. It seems that his last ounce of patience has faded. "You don't have any money, you—for whatever reasons—just left and now want to go to Daegu. How? Did you even think of how that's going to work without a significant plan?"

"I am providing you with what you need, so put your worthless pride away and accept it." His eyes are rigid, narrow. "There is nothing you can do. Ever since you entered our dorm, you've been nothing but sketchy. I don't know why you are able to suddenly be with us without any training, but it is how it is now. You can pay me back later if it's so important to you. But, for now, just be quiet."

Her knuckles are colored in a snowy white by how harsh she balls them together. Ahri's gaze is located downward whilst she tries her hardest to remain calm; jaw clenched and breath heavy.

She hesitates before muttering out rather unwillingly, "...Okay."

"Perfect," finishes Yoongi tiredly.

Worthless price, huh? Whilst they're walking toward the train, her mind wanders elsewhere. She's so deep in thought that she doesn't even notice the vehicle taking off.

And so, hours pass. All Yona does is sit there, chin propped up by her palm while gazing out of the window. She's already thinking of what to tell her grandma. Her reactions are also in those thoughts, and Ahri fears nothing more but rejection from her beloved grandmother.

But as Yoongi lightly taps on her shoulder, she's pulled out of that universe. "We've arrived." Ahri nods, still absentminded. They exit the train and stand at the station without a proper plan. "What now?" he asks.

Now is Ahri's time to take the lead, already swift on her feet while putting her hands in her pockets placid manner. "We're going to my grandma. She lives far away, but I know a retour."

That makes his brows furrow in slight confusion. Yet as he wants to ask her some questions, she has already rounded a corner. His eyes widen at her swiftness; trying to match her fast pace as well.

Without proper success, though. Yona is simply too fast and Yoongi is not the most athletic person to begin with. "Can you slow it down?" He breathes heavily. "Why are we in such a hurry? It's literally 6:34 a.m."

"My grandma won't be home in 30 minutes," is all she states. And it seems that she is quickening her pace. Yoongi emits a dissatisfied groan at that.

Both of them have jumped through the sketchiest and darkest areas the city may have. Yoongi grows puzzled and perplexed by how she knows so many unsafe places. Even the small groups that are huddled up in the different alleys seem to be out to trouble; eyeing the duo almost viciously.

"Do you live around here...?" He asks quietly, returning the weird glares the groups throw at him.

"Don't look back at them," mutters Ahri, her voice showing more emotion than her with apathy plastered face. It's like she puts that harsh facade on purposely. "And, no, I don't."

Soon on, though, the two of them go through one last narrow street before entering a dazzling scenery; a great contrast to the dark and dangerous-looking alleys. The view is filled with rich browns and greens. Numerous and wide trees are placed side by side as the grass beneath them shine with tiny drops of water that the rain has caused beforehand.

"This is where I live," she says.

The astonishing scenery allows her soul to take a serene breath. They walk a few more minutes to arrive at a small and cordial neighborhood. There are still splinters of nature and its loyal companions splattered everywhere—may it be in forms of striking flowers or simple plants.

Yona walks further. Then, they're in front of a small house. It's quite obvious that the building is old; the dark wood prominently wearing out. As she wants knock on the brown door, she suddenly stops herself midair.

"Yona, there you are!"

Her breath gets stuck in her throat. Said girl slowly spins toward the voice of her grandmother, showing the old woman a tiny, nervous smile. "Hey, grandma..."

"I just went out to pick some strawberries like every morning, but then I noticed that I forgot my basket." The sweet woman laughs at her foolish action. She searches for her keys in her pocket, not looking up. "So I came back. But, where were you, baby? I called Yejun to ask him if you guys are still studying, but he didn't pick up the phone.

"I thought you went out and caused trouble again." She chuckles lightly, shaking her head. "But I'm glad you didn't."

Paralyzed. That's what Ahri is. She simply stands there, immobilized. Even as her mind is fulfilled with thoughts and commands, she can't do anything. Her heart sinks.

Yet as her grandma has finally found her keys and looks up, her eyebrows furrow at the sight of Yoongi, who is right beside Ahri. "Nana, who is that...?"

"Um, grandma, this is—"

"Min Yoongi, madam." He takes a deep bow in front of the woman, whose eyes have immediately soften at the short eye-contact they had. "I'm Nana's friend." Though Yoongi doesn't miss a chance to tease the girl. Ahri cringes at how he pronounces her infamous nickname.

Smiling, the old woman beckons at her home. "Well, let's get inside, then. I made tteokbokki yesterday. You guys must be hungry."

Instantly, they comply to the elder's request. The three of them enter one by one, and Yoongi is examining the warm home with analytical eyes in the back.

Because of how leisurely he strolls, Ahri looks behind her shoulder with furrowed brows. The sight of him watching an older familiar picture makes her eyes widen; simultaneously whizzing there.

Before she could say anything, he asks, "Do you and your grandmother live alone here?" His eyes stay keen to the family picture—wherein a middle-aged man, a beautiful woman, an older brother, and a younger version of Ahri can be seen. It's an old picture, and Yoongi takes in the family's gleeful laughter and smiles.

Ahri's eyes are frozen on the picture for a while, before she apathetically answers, "Yeah. I've been living with grandma ever since I was twelve."

"What are you guys doing? The food is going to get cold!" Grandma Kim yells from the kitchen.

Swiftly, both of them stride inside the kitchen and take a seat opposite of the woman. She pours a large amount of different, warm meals on their plates.

Grandma Kim sips on her tea, watching them eat in silence. "So, since when are you two together?"

Both of them choke on their foods. "Girl, that's so illegal..." mutters Ahri in English, quickly drinking water while also handing Yoongi a bottle.

"He's five years older than me, grandma." Yona shoots her relative a knowing look; hoping she'll catch up to her intentions soon.

"Oh." The woman blinks. "You don't look your age, Yoongi."

Said boy takes it as a compliment and bows his head, still awkward about the earlier said accusation. He clears his throat.

"I'll, um—" Ahri stands up from her seat. "I'm going to the bathroom."

Each of the woman's features develop into more rigorous ones once her granddaughter leaves. Her dark eyes locate themselves on Yoongi, who blinks with widened eyes; taken aback and slightly scared.

"So, Min Yoongi." She folds her hands on the table. "I don't know what's going on between you and my granddaughter, but I don't want anything bad to happen to her. If I hear that even the smallest thing happens to her, you will be hearing from me."

He bows his head again. "O-Of course."

"I am very serious when it comes to Yona." But her facial features soon soften at the mentioning of her name, lips curling downward. "I promised myself to never allow anyone to afflict or invalidate her emotions ever again."

She firmly shakes her head. "But I also know that my time is only limited." In her eyes waver the sad truth. "Nana always refused to bring anyone here. There was a time where I thought that she didn't have any friends, only to later on realize that she may have had too many."

"But since she brought you here, I'm sure that you aren't like those people." Yoongi is not exactly what she means by that, but he notes to himself that he'll just ask Ahri later on.

"So..." A small, worn-out sigh leaves the crook of her neck. Her once hardened face has ultimately softened, and she now looks at him with eyes that mirror her sweet soul. "I want you to take good care of her."

To say that Yoongi is caught off-guard would be an understatement. So many more question marks have evolved inside of his head. Yet he swiftly nods his head. "I will. Don't worry."

As soon as she notices her granddaughter in the doorway, she warmly smiles at her. "Yona, I..."

But Ahri can't hear anything. It's like everything is inaudible to her. The only thing guiding her are the voices in her head. And the most prominent voice is telling her to talk with her grandmother right now—no matter the consequences.

"Grandma, I have to tell you something."

That stops the woman from speaking any further. Yoongi is just as confused, spinning around to look at her. "Alone." Ahri gazes at him. "Please."

Yoongi catches up to the message and exits the kitchen.

The serious tone in Ahri's words cause her grandmother to grow more concerned. "Are you okay, Yona?" Grandma Kim's eyebrows are furrowed in worrisome. "Did something happen?"

"No, I..." She pulls the chair and sits down in front of her. Ahri's head has fallen, and she stares down at the freshly cleaned floor. She gulps.

"Grandma, I—"

No words are able to leave her lips. She's struggling. She's deeply struggling. Ahri clenches her hands tightly as negative thoughts cloud her vision.

"You can tell me, Yona." But her grandmother takes those cold hands in hers and unlocks the tight hold she's had on them.

Breathe in and out... Yona reminds herself.

"Grandma, I joined an agency." Yona doesn't have the strength to look up at her. "To become an idol. I went there yesterday. I didn't study with Yejun like I told you. I lied."

Slowly, her grandmother releases her warm hold on her hands. The realization makes Ahri's eyes widen, lips opening ajar. Her gaze whips upward to lock her gaze with her grandma's, whose eyes are drowning in deep waves of complete and utter disappointment.

"Why are you always lying to me, Ahri?" Her voice is detached, monotonous. "What is it that you fear?"

"You could've told me beforehand. We could've talked about it." Yet she slowly shakes her head. "But you never want to talk about what concerns you. You just do it. You never think of the outcomes it has on others—the outcomes it has on the future of your life."

She frowns and stares at her. It seems like she has grown older simply by this disappointment, and that causes Ahri's heart to shatter into pieces.

Her skin is so fragile, it ruptures on anything more than the softest of touches. The open eyes are focused and do not move; staying on Ahri, who burns to ashes under it. Her eyes are white, obscured with cataracts so completely that Ahri cannot tell her eye color.

"You told me that you go to school regularly, but then I find out that you've been skipping classes for months." She shakes her head again. "I didn't even know what type of people you were around with. I had to learn that through your best friend not even two years ago. Even he told me everything that had happened as he was still here, but not you. Why? Why are you always running away?"

The disheartening ocean of truth is neck-deep now. But her grandmother has long lost balance of her feet and sinks down, deeper and deeper. There is no one in sight to help her back up. She has always been alone when it comes to the truth, after all.

And all Ahri can do is stare as she drowns.

"I will repair it all one day..." Tears turn Yona's vision blurry, locking her eyes with her grandmother's. She croaks out, "Just not today."

With that, she stands up and leaves the kitchen to enter her own bedroom. Yoongi is seated down in her bed, silently watching and blinking at her. He doesn't say anything. And she's glad he doesn't.

Ahri pulls out a traveling bag and puts in the few clothes she has. There isn't much in her room to begin with, considering that she was mostly outside in the dark streets than in her warm home.

Yet there is something that catches her eye instantly. Yona examines the map above her bed for a few seconds before folding it and putting it in her bag.

There is a silence to her soul. She is fall leaves under frost. Ahri can feel the chill in her blood, coldness bringing the synapses of her brain to a standstill. Part of it is a pain, yet one is numbness.

Right after, they exit the home, and Ahri thinks about how it has turned into a house, once again. They walk away silently. But she suddenly halts.

Ahri looks back at her old home for one last time.

Farewell, my paradise.

( INCORRECT QUOTES ! )

incorrect quotes show how armys
see the relationship of the members.
but it is also used to show some scenarios
of the storyline in a more entertaining way.

-

namjoon: wait, i'm not sure what this sentence means
ahri: "ignorance is bold and knowledge reserved."
namjoon: woah, you can read latin?
yoongi: you can read?
ahri:

seokjin: in the name of the father, son, and holy ghost
jimin: head, shoulders, knees, and toes—
ahri: turn up your nose and strike that pose—
hoseok: HEEEEEEEY MACARENA

ahri: if you have an opinion about my setting, please raise your hand
yoongi: *raises hand*
ahri: now put it over your mouth.

ahri: what's your type?
taehyung: tall, virgo, last name kim
ahri:
ahri: you hAVE A CRUSH ON NAMJOON?!
taehyung:

hoseok: i'm so hungry
ahri: come eat what my mother made
hoseok: what did she make?
ahri: me

yoongi hey guys do you think i look good in this outfit?
ahri: for someone who's 70% water, you don't look very refreshing.
jungkook: BURNNNNN!!!!!!
namjoon: water cannot be burned, jungkook.
jungkook: EVAPORATEEEE!!!!!

yoongi: this date is boring
ahri: its not a date. i said i was going to daegu.
yoongi: then why did you invite me?
ahri: i specifically told you not to come with me but you said "fuck you, i do whatever i want" and followed me here

ahri: have i ever lied to you?
everyone:
ahri:
ahri: i mean, in this room?

namjoon: where's ahri?
yoongi: somewhere disappointing god

( FUN FACT ! )
jimin + yona (yomin/jimri)
is the first ship of the group.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE ! )

1. now that i think of it, jin or another
older member would've instantly paid for
ahri's meal lol. it's a normal thing in
korean culture to let the elders pay, and
we already know that seokjin did pay
a lot for jungkook's meals. let's just
act like we don't know that tho lmao.

- - -

2. ahri can speak korean, but the sentences she forms aren't complex. they're really simple.

for example, she doesn't say ;
"I don't even have any money to pay for that."

she says
"I don't have money. I can't pay."

she also mixes up languages all the time.
and when she's nervous, it's really hard
for her to form sentences and speak in general.
her default language is german and english.
all the history behind her knowledge of so
many languages will be explained.

- - -

3. do you guys want me to include the actual
sentences she speaks in different languages?
for example, if she says something in german,
should i write it in english so that everyone
understands, or would you enjoy it more if
i write it in german?

either way is no problem for me.
i speak many languages myself
and can include them with ease.
it's all up to you. please tell me your preference!

- - -

4. to all my lovely re-readers,
first of all, i am so glad and grateful that you
guys are reading my book again! i will be
trying my best to not disappoint any of you!

i would also like to mention to please
not spoil anything for the new readers.
you guys have more knowledge about the
storyline and ahri's hard-to-deal-with
personality, so please choose to provide
more understanding and empathy to the
new readers in the comments rather
than completely spoiling something c:

- - -

5. please note that not every
compliment and strong bond need
to have a romantic background or future.
you can obviously still ship tho, i like that :p