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Jennie's POV
8th August, 5:25 pm
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I knit my eyebrows together, not pleased with the way it turned out. The rhyming doesn't click the way I want it to. Ripping the page out of the notepad, I crumple it up into a ball and aim it at the trashcan nearby from my bed. If I have my facts straight, this marks the 13th page of my futile efforts, the fourth one missing its mark and landing outside the trash can. I roll over onto my back and let out a frustrated groan.

This marks my second unsuccessful attempt at maintaining my secret song diary for our upcoming comebacks. I've been at this for months now; determined to keep it hidden from the manager and any officials from our agency. I don't want a repeat of what happened three years ago when our CEO confiscated my blue diary. It feels unjust at times. I've already penned many great songs, with more in the works, yet they never allow me to release them. All I can do is wait for the day when I'll have more freedom than I do now. All I can do is wait.

I push all my thoughts to the recesses of my mind and lean over the edge of my bed to place the diary in the bottom drawer of the bedside table. With that done, I roll up on my bed again and open Netflix on the laptop that has been powered on for about ten minutes now.

Without any prior warning, the door swings open, and a loud exclamation of "Jennie unnie" fills the room. I turn to see the approaching figure, none other than our Lisa. A soft smile graces her face as she strides forward, only coming to a halt when she reaches the wooden edge of my bed.

"Great timing, Lisa." I sarcastically say and turn my laptop in her direction to give her a clear view of how she has disrupted my 'kdrama-time'. Yet, that infectious smile remains on her face, now with a touch of mischief.

"You should be grateful," she retorts, revealing two mugs of hot chocolate -I can discern from the aroma- that she had concealed behind her back.

"Well, now I truly am thankful," I reply, reaching out my hands to accept one of the mugs. She hands it over, seemingly understanding my unspoken request.

Before I could take my mug, my concentration broke with the sound of a familiar and insistent jangly ringtone. My official phone typically stays powered off, so the ringing is likely from my personal phone. And it is. Lisa fixes an intense gaze on me, and I signal for her to go ahead and start drinking. She hesitates but eventually takes a sip from her cup. I fetch the phone two meters away from Lisa because the device surprisingly says that it's a call from Jeon Jungkook.

"Hello?" he greets from the other end of the phone when I answer the call.

"Um," I stammer, "Yes?"

"Jennie noona... is that you?" It's considerate of him to confirm my identity. Although, I detect a slight tremor in his voice when he says 'noona.' He was the one who suggested it and he is uncomfortable now? Ha!

"Yes," I reply, a touch louder than necessary, but I quickly cupped my hands around my mouth afterwards. It's all good as long as Lisa doesn't become suspicious. After all, I have nothing to hide.

He exhales in relief and continues, "I could tell from your voice, but I wanted to be sure. I'm Jungkook."

"I know," I respond after blinking my eyes repeatedly. "So..." I add, thinking I shouldn't be the one stumbling over my words when he initiated the call. A few more moments pass, but he remains silent.

We share a peaceful silence until Lisa's voice interrupts from the bed, casually asking how much longer I'll be occupied. I shoot a quick look her way, indicating that I'm on a call. However, she seems unfazed and gives me an inquisitive look. I can't help but think that Jungkook is taking his time unnecessarily. He should just say what's on his mind so I can join Lisa for some hot chocolate. Of course, he's unaware of our cozy plan involving hot chocolate.

"If that's all you've got to say, I'll be hanging up," I speak directly to him. There's silence on his end for a few moments, and then an "mmhm" reverberates through the line.

"Can you meet me near your dorm like last time?" he states, sounding like he's about to hang up.

But I quickly interject, saying, "Wait, hold on a minute. Why? Meet you for what?"

"I've got something to give you... Whatever, uh- just come if you're available. I'll be waiting," he states. There's a certain quality in his tone that persuades me. I refrain from further questioning, mainly because I haven't seen him in almost ten days, and a part of me oddly wishes to see him again. What's going on with me?!

"Not near my dorm," I pause briefly before adding, "You'll be at yours, I mean, the BTS dorm- THE HILL in Hannam, right?"

"Yes, but how did you-" I interrupt him before he can ask how I know and clarify the location, "Actually, could you wait for me near Hannam Bridge?"

"Uh, umm, okay," he stammers. There's a moment of silence, and then he suddenly says, "Doesn't it seem odd if you come to meet me? I'm the one who initiated this."

"Nah, it should be fine," I dismissively remark, followed by, "Besides, I have some errands to run there."

"Oh," he responds, "Alright then."

"Okay," I confirm, my lips pressed into a firm line.

"Yeah, alright. I'll see you around six," he chimes in from the other end of the phone, and the line disconnects shortly after. I continue holding the phone to my ear, oddly finding the call-ending beeps satisfying. Lately, many sounds have been that way for me. Eventually, I end the call too. I come back and Lisa eyes me as I retrieve my mug from the side table. I join her on the bed and begin, "So, um..."

"Who had you talking for such a while?" she inquires, gesturing for me to have my hot chocolate before it gets cold.

"No one, you wouldn't know. Leave it," I reply, taking a sip from my mug.

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Jungkook's POV
8th August, 5:51 pm
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I'm concerned that I might be coming across as overly clingy. If I were in her place, I think I'd see myself that way. She values her personal space, and I can't help but acknowledge that I've unintentionally trespassed into it repeatedly. I'm aware of the need to adopt a more refined approach, and I'm genuinely grateful for her patience with my idiosyncrasies. However, today, during our noon conversation, her tone carried a deeper sense of irritation, leaving me with a pang of remorse.

I'm thinking about giving her some space and not bothering her anymore. But, I can't escape the feeling that her character holds a certain sway over me, like a gentle puppeteer. I'd gladly nurture a friendship with her, but only if it aligns with her comfort.

I'm currently standing on the sidewalk of the Hannam Bridge, on its northwest side. This choice is based on the assumption that if she is coming to Hannam from elsewhere, she will have to use this route. I'm savouring the delightful weather here. There's a gentle and warm breeze that keeps tousling my hair. The sky is an illusion of a colourful canvas, thanks to the radiant sun, which will set over the horizon in about an hour.

She messaged me around ten minutes ago, saying she was nearby and should be arriving soon. Following her advice, I made sure to conceal my identity since we can't risk being caught on camera or by Dispatch. Blending in as an average person seems like the better choice. I dressed in a black collarless polo shirt layered over a plain black sweater and an inexpensive 15,000 won grey trousers. This trouser is quite comfortable compared to some of the fancier pants I've worn before. I deliberately went for a non-expensive look to avoid standing out like Jeon Jungkook, the golden maknae. I have to look like an average person. But I also kept my look kind of fashionable -which shouldn't be a problem since everyone in Korea is somewhat fashionable.
*15,000 won = approximately 12 USD.

I pass the time by casually kicking a pebble, my gaze casually drifting across the scene in a quest for fleeting distractions. Nothing truly captivates my attention. There's nothing out of ordinary- just the steady flow of cars, the occasional passersby, the gentle caress of the wind, the warm embrace of the sun, and the vast expanse of the aureate sky.

A luxurious blood-red Porsche suddenly glides onto the sidewalk from the southeast approach of the Hannam Bridge. It's the very same luxurious vehicle that had left a lasting impression on me during a showroom visit months ago. The car's one-way window acts as a reflective canvas, momentarily capturing my reflection.

With the gentle descent of the driver's side window, it reveals Jennie's entrancing face, akin to a hidden treasure emerging from behind a veil.

"Quick, hop in. I can't stop the car here for long" she urges, her brows furrowing in concern. Perhaps not the warmest greeting I've ever received from her. I swiftly enter the car from the opposite side, settling into the passenger seat. She takes the wheel, a revelation to me as I hadn't known she had a driver's license.

"Where are we going?" I ask, but she remains silent. I sneak a glance at her outfit– a grey compression shirt underneath a navy denim hoodie. Her hair's in a low bun, styled with braids –something like a simple bun plait. She leans over to retrieve something from the back pocket of my seat, and my gaze locks on it: a black mask. I just realized that she wasn't wearing a mask before, but she didn't need to. This car was empty except for my presence now. She wears the mask and tucks her hair behind her ears which creates a change in her hairstyle.

"Shall we grab a drink first?" she inquires, deftly steers the car. I'm not the least bit thirsty, leaving me at a loss for words. "I'm thristy," she chimes in, her eyes glinting with a concealed smile beneath her mask. It's a lovely smile, one that makes me wonder if she wears it often, considering her different stage persona.

"Coffee or cola?" I pose the rather foolish question out of nowhere.

"Anything cold will do," she responds, pulling the car in the middle of the main road. "I know of a good café here in Hannam." Her words evoke a chuckle from me, and she shoots me a puzzled look.

"Why are you laughing?" she inquires, her expression a mixture of confusion and annoyance. Hadn't she just said something funny? After all, I reside here in Hannam with the other BTS members in our dorm. I should be more aware of this area than her.

"Isn't it funny that you're saying what I should be saying?" I respond with a faint smile, though it doesn't fully form due to my focus on the street ahead. She appears concentrated, a side of her I haven't seen much of before.

"I live here, you live here. We both have the right to suggest a coffee shop. What's wrong?" she remarks, her gaze fixed on the road. I struggle to decipher her exact meaning. What does she mean by 'she lives here'? Is she attempting to play a prank on me?

"What do you mean by saying you live here?" I counter, my stubbornness taking me by surprise as I fix my gaze on her face, searching for something familiar.

"You never knew?!" Her voice laced with astonishment. The overpass road descends and merges with the underpass. She smoothly makes a right turn to Dokseodang Road and she adds, "I've been living in THE HOUSE at UN Village for three years now. You had no idea?"

"Oh," I exclaim, the realization slowly sinking in, followed by a more profound "Ohhh." Unconsciously, I swallow awkwardly, triggering an unexpected coughing fit. Her earlier confidence in navigating these streets and also suggesting me to meet here in the place suddenly makes complete sense now. The embarrassment of not knowing, despite my years here, heightens my discomfort, leaving me red-faced and coughing. Coughing consciously and deliberately this time.

"You seriously didn't know that? I literally live two roads away from your dorm," she remarks, her voice carrying a hint of the same disdainful tone I often receive from Jin hyung. I can't help but feel like I deserve it. I should have been more aware. We've been here for two years, yet I have absolutely no knowledge about our neighbours. In particular, UN Village is a place where some of Korea's wealthiest individuals reside, and it never once occurred to me that Jennie might be among them.

"No, I didn't," I admit, my voice carrying the tone of a thief caught in the act, and she responds with a loud sigh that seems almost mocking. Is she sneering at me? I can't discern her expression beneath that confounded mask.

"I bet your hyungs do," she remarks, perhaps posing it as a question, but I'm not entirely sure. She awaits my response, but none comes. Instead, I pivot the conversation, asking, "Where are we going, by the way? There shouldn't be any coffee shop around here...Haven't we passed them all already?"

"No, not a coffee shop. We're going to my house first; I need to park this car there," she replies. "But you wouldn't even know if there's actually any coffee shop here, considering you're not even aware that I live around here." Ok, damn. She didn't fall for my attempt to change the topic and cleverly roasted me in return. I stay silent, a bit self-aware after getting roasted.

She presses down on the accelerator after checking the deserted street. On the left pavement, children are laughing and playing. Inside the car, silence reigns, yet the outside world remains so noisy. I know every atom, every tiny detail of this street. It's the very road that leads to our dorm. Never in my wildest imaginings did I think she lived so close. However, it's not entirely my fault for being unaware because she probably comes here temporarily, like most other K-pop idols. At least, that's what I believe.

Shortly after, Jennie drives into her driveway, which leads to a spacious two-story building known as 'THE HOUSE.' The front gate automatically opens, revealing a path to the garage within the apartment, and she quickly enters. After parking the car, she turns off the engine, removes the keys from the ignition, and turns to me, saying, "Let's go." We swiftly exit the car, grab our backpacks, and leave the garage.

"Did you purchase this house?" I inquire, observing the building and its surroundings. The house looks spacious and the exterior decoration is pleasant. predominantly featuring a gold-fusion colour scheme, while the building itself is constructed with grey stone tiles. What enhances the charm of this place is the breathtaking natural view, accompanied by the soothing melody of chirping birds.

"Mmhm," she responds affirmative with a hum, locking the garage door using a remote control, and then tucking the key into her pocket. "Don't expect a house tour from me; I'm not one to invite just anyone inside. Shall we head back to the main road?" she asks, and I shrug in agreement. We exit her residence, with her leading the way.

_

This café is quite spacious; it's a four-story building with a coffee lounge on the third floor. To be honest, I've frequented this well-known café, "Paul Bassett Hannam Coffee Station," many times. It's conveniently located at the junction of Hannam Main Road and Dokdeosang Road. However, lately, it's a different scene; it's rather quiet. It's a near-empty canvas, with just a sprinkling of patrons like ourselves and the dedicated staff. This tranquil transformation is a departure from the usual bustling atmosphere that sought-after cafés enjoy. How did the scene change so much? Did they go bankrupt or is it because of the Covid pandemic situation?
*"Paul Bassett Hannam Coffee Station" is an actual café in Hannam-dong. The author does not claim any ownership of it. It's used in a fictitious manner.

The café staff here seem to share a familiarity with Jennie, akin to the bond they have with me, if not stronger. Despite being a frequent visitor with my close friends, it's evident that Jennie is another cherished regular. The familiar female barista graces us with a warm smile and swiftly dons a disposable mask from a nearby container. I catch sight of Jennie waiting patiently, arms folded, while I attempt to surreptitiously crack my knuckles, the soft sound unintentionally breaking the hushed ambience. The barista then turns back to us, her demeanour brimming with grace, and formally inquires, "How can I help you?"

"We would like..." She turns to me and continues, "Coffee to go?" Her intense gaze at me doesn't stop while she waits for my response.

"Yeah. I'll take an iced Frappé with shredded chocolate" I flatly reply and ask her back, "And you?"

"Iced Americano with one pump of vanilla syrup" she states to the barista.

The barista jots down our order on a sticky note while simultaneously vocalizing it, saying, "One iced frappé with shredded chocolate on top and one iced Americano with one pump vanilla syrup, to-go. Is that correct?" Both of us nod in agreement, and she proceeds to calculate the bills. "The Americano comes to 3911 won, and the Frappé is 4125 won. Your total is 8036 won, ma'am," she says, lifting her head from the calculator and gracing us with yet another friendly smile.
*3911 won = approximately 3 USD
*4125 won = approximately 3 USD

"Alright," Jennie responds. I prompt to retrieve my wallet from my rear pocket to settle the bill. But I get flabbergasted when I notice Jennie reaching into her purse. Is she attempting to do what I suspect she is?

"You don't have to—" I start to say, but she interrupts me before I can finish. "I don't let others pay for my things," she asserts, raising one of her eyebrows.

"Are you covering it, then?" I inquire, realizing that when it comes to food, societal norms and gender roles tend to take a back seat.

"No, we're settling separately," she says, avoiding eye contact as she retrieves some cash. Well, she's untamed. I take my card out of my wallet. The previous staff member seems to have disappeared, replaced by another familiar male barista. He's well-acquainted with me and appears slightly surprised to see me hanging out with her. This male employee is Ko Tae Joon, whom I typically refer to as Taejoon hyung or just Joon hyung. The female employee from earlier is his girlfriend. The amusing thing about him is that he's unusually short for a man. I never thought I'd meet a guy shorter than Jimin before.

I bury my thoughts inside my head as I get Interrupted by Jennie's constant nail-tapping on the counter-desk creating a tip-tap kind of noise. It's the kind of thing girls do after getting their nails done the previous day. I purse my lips in a hard line because the sound is so unpleasant to my ears but she seems to be enjoying it.

"Are you two on a date?" Joon hyung asks, startling the both of us.