JB POV:

(Y/N) froze next to me as I heard Jin hyung call me. I didn't know what to do, Jin hyung kept prolonging the conversation and as nice as it was to catch up with him. Now. Was. Not. The. Time. I felt her shoulders tense as we turned around unwillingly. She pressed herself further into my side as though trying to make herself as small as possible. My heart broke.

I could hear her panicked distraught thoughts as she pleaded for some way to get out of this situation. I knew they were her soulmates. But she hadn't completely opened up to why she was so adamant on not bonding with them, I knew sooner or later it was going to start affecting her.

"How've you been Jaebum-ah?" Jin hyung asked.

"I've been good hyung. Busy these days but good." I replied, trying to hint that I couldn't stay.

"Oh, the second semester always seems to become busier, maybe it's the break..." he said looking thoughtful as he pondered over it. I wanted to drag (Y/N) out of here.

"Why haven't you introduced the lovely young lady next you? (Y/N), isn't it?" Jin hyung spoke up making her tense up even further at being mentioned.

I heard her think that clearly her trying to be small hadn't made her unnoticeable.

I racked my brain for ways to get her out of here.

She looked up slightly, raising her head fractionally before tilting it towards the group. She slid her hand out of mine and I looked at her confused. She slid to my other side and tiptoed upwards to pull her bag off my shoulder, body brushing against mine as she struggled to slide it down. I lowered my shoulder allowing her to reach it easily.

She pulled it over her own shoulders and pulled her hood up.

"I'll get going oppa, you stay here and chat. See you later." She murmured before her arms came around me to hug me quickly. Before I could even reciprocate the hug, she dashed off, feet flurrying quickly.

I looked at the group and before they could comment, the door chimed again and then a quiet thanks, I turned my head to see (Y/N) bowing to the server, her cheeks aflame before she ran out again.

I chuckled at the sight; she came in to say thanks. Of all things. And in this situation. She still came back to be polite and considerate.

"Was it something I said?" Jin hyung asked, a tone of concern in his voice.

"No hyung, she's just..." how do I word it. Avoiding you guys like the plague? Panics at the sight of you? Had a meltdown because of Tae? No.

I settled on a simpler explanation.

"She's not comfortable around strangers at all." I said lightly observing their faces twist into different expressions.

Tae slumped in his seat, Jungkook's arm going around him to reassure him.

I sat down on an empty seat, mind going to (Y/N). I hoped she didn't run into them again. Two times was twice too many.

(Y/N) POV:

I stepped into Serendipity, the cat café where I worked. My shoulders relaxed as the door shut behind me, the comforting aroma of coffee and pastries baking filling the air and the mewling of the cats greeting me. I waved to Hwasa unnie who stood behind the counter, she smiled at me before returning her attention to the customer. I quickly slid to the staffroom to put my bag into my locker and grabbing the apron to tie around the customary uniform of a white blouse and pastel yellow skirt. The blouse had pastel yellow embroidery and the Serendipity logo above my chest on the right side and my name tag. I was glad Serendipity didn't have a specific requirement for shoes, we needed to be able to move around quickly to serve the customers as well as taking care of the cats. Heels were banned. They could accidentally injure the cats, but it also meant I didn't have to walk home at night on aching feet. And I couldn't be more thankful.

The first few hours of my shift passed relatively quickly, there were a few high school students who came by regularly to play with the cats. Serendipity had a specialised menu which featured cute items and incorporated a cat theme into the majority of the foods and drinks. It was a popular spot but today it was relatively empty. Many classes ran late on campus today and I was grateful that I got more time to cuddle up with the cats after topping up their food and water bowls and cleaning out the pen.

It was a little after six when the chimes rang alerting me that someone had entered the café. Hwasa unnie was in the back making a new batch of cupcakes, we were running low, and the next shift worker was to arrive soon. I gingerly got up, mindful of the cats and the tabby kitten I was playing with.

I brushed down my uniform with the lint roller placed nearby and used the hand sanitiser dispenser to clean my hands before stepping behind the counter to go wash my hands. Hygiene was a strictly enforced policy, one I agreed with. Drying my hands, I looked up smile on my face to greet the customer.

"Welcome to Serendipity..." my voice tailed off, eyes widening in shock.

In front of me stood a familiar figure. A certain figure whose eyes turned into crescents as they smiled, those same eyes staring at me. Park Jimin.

"Annyeong (Y/N)-ah!" he chirped, I recoiled from the familiarity and casualness he used to greet me. When had I ever indicated I was 'friends' or 'casual' with him? I started evaluating every gesture and action I had ever directed to him but fell short. There hadn't been many encounters at all, I tended to avoid them like the plague.

Smoothing my face into the professional mode, I restarted my greeting.

"Welcome to Serendipity. We hope your visit here will be pleasant. How can I help you today?" I recited, avoiding meeting his eyes at all.

"Oh, uh...do you not remember me?" he said, ruffling the back of his head with his hand as he looked down at me.

I stayed stoic. I had to get him to order and leave to sit down already.

"I'm Park Jimin. I visit this café a lot and..." he added hopefully.

"Park Jimin-ssi, what would you like to order?" I asked.

"Oh uh...what would you recommend?" I groaned internally, suffering at his attempts to prolong the conversation.

"I would recommend the calico cat soda and if you want something sweet, we have a fresh batch of cupcakes coming out soon. Do you prefer a specific cat design you'd like on them?" praying and begging for Hwasa unnie or the part-timer to turn up.

My prayers were heard, Hwasa unnie stepped out the back kitchen with a large tray of cupcakes in her hands bringing them forward to put into the display.

It seemed to distract him because he bounded over to the display and eagerly started scanning them, he pointed at one and I nodded walking over to take it out.

"Eating in or to go?" I asked.

"Eating in!" he chirped, and with every word he spoke, my heart continued to sink further and further.

I carefully placed the cupcake onto a plate, adding a small fork before moving over to make his drink. Sighing, I placed it all onto a tray and made my way over to where he was seated.

I placed the tray down, hands trembling at the close proximity near us. All it would take was an accidental brushing of fingers and it would be game over. I hurried to place the plate and tall glass in front of him, eyes hyperconscious of his movements before I turned to rush back behind the refuge of the counter.

I breathed out, trying to control the panic. Just then Myungsoo oppa arrived. He was due to start his shift ten minutes ago and had he been on time, this nightmare could've been avoided. We were close because our shifts were always together but at the moment, I was anything but pleased as I saw him dash in, slightly out of breath.

He rushed behind the counter approaching with his arms outstretched but i dodged out of his hug, glaring at him instead.

"I'm sorry (Y/N)-ah!" he wheedled as he pouted at me.

I felt myself melt slightly under his aegyo, but I had to be firm.

"You're late." I said crisply, glad that my voice had stopped wavering as I tried to glare at him.

He chuckled, leaning forward, bending down to look at me at eye level.

"Aigoo...whenever you glare you just end up looking like a cross kitten. It makes me want to smother you in blankets and hide you from the world, don't tempt me." He cooed; I averted my eyes to stop myself from melting into a puddle.

How did he know how to always turn the conversation around? I always ended up being teased or chided gently. And he was the one who was late today!

I sighed, knowing I had yet again lost to him.

I left to go work in the kitchen, needing to get my hands busy as I always did when my stress levels began to rise. Whenever I started panicking a nervous tingling would begin and I couldn't stop fidgeting. When JB oppa had picked up on that habit early on into our friendship, he always tried to keep me occupied. Keeping me occupied meant my mind was diverted and gradually my stress would lower.

At 7, a group of halmeonis would visit the café's every Monday. They were all either widowed or living alone and spending some time around the cats helped them therapeutically. My heart always went out to them and with that thought in mind and I set to work making some cake hoping that by the time they came, they'd have a fresh cream cake to dig into.

I got to work quickly, and within the hour the cakes had cooled, and I was finishing the decorating when Myungsoo oppa stuck his head in.

"The halmeonis are asking for you." He called. I wiped my hands clean and carefully transferred the finished cake onto a stand, bringing it out slowly. I placed it down on the counter before moving forward to greet them all.

"Annyeonghaseyo halmeonis. How have you all been?" I greeted, a natural smile spreading across my face as I looked at them all.

"Aigoo... (Y/N)-ah, how have you been? You're looking a bit peaky dear"

"Such a charming girl. What I'd give to have you as my granddaughter."

"You know it's these visits that keep us going, without these some of us would've given up a long time ago..."

"Ah halmeonis don't say that. You all are so precious and matter to me. I'm so glad you could make it. I'll bring out some lattes to go with the cake." I said before bowing slightly and walking off.

I got to work, making each cup of latte different, the designs intricate and carefully done. Myungsoo oppa nudged me.

"Shame they don't love me." He sighed dramatically making me laugh.

I nudged him back with my hip before lifting the tray up.

"Such a shame honey. Bring the cake please." I said tilting my chin towards the cake sitting on the back counter on a tray ready to be served.

I walked out carefully, looking at my hands shake under the heavy weight. I was looking at the halmeonis laugh and chat, and it eased my heart. Knowing that I was able to help them even if it was a brief moment in their lives that I'd made happy or enjoyable made me feel that I had a use, a purpose. The smile however quickly faded. A sudden jolt hit me as a body came barrelling into me sending me and the tray flying.

I fell backwards, feet slipping out underneath me as I lost my balance, tray tilting backwards as all five mugs of latte when splashing onto me as I landed on the tiled floor. I heard the sound of the mugs shattered, the smash resonating in my ears before I registered a burning sensation.

The lattes had landed mostly on my midriff and chest, the hot liquid seeping through my white blouse discolouring it and burning my skin underneath. I hissed as it began to burn, a flurry of footsteps before Myungsoo oppa knelt next to me.

He carefully placed an arm around me helping me get up whilst carefully navigating the shards that lay around me, I put my hand out to steady me and winced, a piece piercing my left palm. I then realised the gravity of the situation. My shirt had plastered to my skin, but the problem was that the latte had turned my blouse opaque. My marks.

I rushed to cover my right side, blood smearing the blouse as I gingerly got up. Myungsoo oppa's eyes were blown wide open as he scanned me from head to toe. I hunched over slightly trying to shield my right side from view. The marks were always extremely sensitive to sensation, the longer you went without having bonded with your soulmates, the worse the side-effects became. I hadn't become largely affected yet, but sensitivity was now the root of my discomfort.

"Give me your hoodie." I gasped out to Myungsoo oppa who dashed off after helping me into a chair. He quickly returned with his large black hoodie, I grabbed it using it as a safety blanket to shield my midriff from view before walking off to the side to slip it on. The hoodie drowned my uniform and me, hanging just above my knees. I pulled the sleeves over to cover my hands and tugged the hood up, feeling a sense of security and a barrier. I didn't know who it was who had crashed into me but soon Myungsoo oppa, Hwasa unnie and a figure behind them approached.

"(Y/N)-ah, go home. I've called Eunwoo to pick you up. Luckily, he wasn't too far, he was popping over anyways." Myungsoo oppa insisted.

Hwasa unnie nodded.

"Your shift is nearly over anyways. Don't come back to work until you've had those burns looked at. Head straight to the university medic-bay." She instructed holding out my bag.

Just then Eunwoo came sprinting through the door, eyes frantically scanning the café until they fell on me. He reached me, panting slightly.

"What happened? Are you okay? Of course, you're not, let's get you checked up." He spouted as he gently helped me get to my feet, taking my bag off Hwasa unnie bowing in thanks to her.

"Thanks, hyung. I'll get going now." He said before the figure behind them stepped forward.

"I'm really really sorry. I didn't mean to barge into you, and now you're injured. And it's all my fault." And it was then I realised who the voice belonged to.

"Jimin hyung?!" Eunwoo spoke, shock and a hint of anger creeping into his tone.

He bowed in apology before approaching hands outstretched, I nervously slid behind Eunwoo's figure, using his larger frame to shield me slightly. Both from view and from reach.

Jimin flinched, freezing and Eunwoo wrapped an arm around me, his arms blocking me from sight further.

"I've got to go now and get her checked up hyung. We can talk later." He spoke firmly, not waiting for a response before wrapping that arm around my waist, removing it in a flash when I winced, before settling it on my shoulders protectively.

I prayed no-one had seen it. Especially not Park Jimin. Because if he had, I didn't know how I could get out of it.

JIMIN POV:

I watched her walk away, guilt consuming me as Eunwoo took her to the medic-bay. It was the nearest place for her to get checked at. What had I done?! I didn't mean to barge into her on my way out of the café, I had just received a text from hyung saying they were all waiting on me to get dinner and Jin hyung was just leaving his shift. I was so eager to be with my soulmates that I just ended up injuring someone.

How was I ever going to make it up to her? All I could see was her flinching away from my hands as though she believed I was going to harm her, her body curling up in pain as the coffee burnt her skin, her hand coming away bloody after she got up.

I dragged a hand down my face, throat choked as I wondered just how I was ever going to be able to look her in the eyes after this.

JIN POV:

I was just about to end my shift at the medic-bay, there hadn't been too many students today thankfully. It was a horrible regular occurrence for girls to make their way to the medic-bay claiming pains and injuries but whenever I checked them over, they were perfectly fine. It was beginning to frustrate me, that I couldn't even go about my usual life without the hindrances the campus girls posed.

I looked down at the text Jimin-ah had just sent, grinning at the screen at the eagerness he showed when he said he was running out the café to meet us. Such a sweet soulmate. Just as I clocked out though, I had just put my coat on when I recognised the approaching figure.

Eunwoo. What had happened? Why was he here? Was he injured? How? Endless questions sprung to mind and I hurried forward when I realised, he was supporting a small figure next to him. (Y/N). I remembered her from the café earlier with Jaebum.

"What happened Eunwoo-ah?" I asked about to help him but (Y/N) whimpered. His attention went back to her.

"Excuse me but could you get us a female nurse?" he called out, a young doctor running out.

She hurried over to Eunwoo's side bending down to talk to (Y/N). she carefully escorted her to an empty room.

Eunwoo stood there with panic in his eyes as I reached out to place a hand on his shoulder.

"What happened?" I repeated but to my surprise he shrugged my hand off staring at it with an unreadable expression.

"For that you're going to have to ask Jimin hyung." But there wasn't a softness to his voice, instead it wavered.

I sighed, knowing I wasn't going to get anything out of him. I couldn't exactly check (Y/N)'s condition either, not when a female nurse was requested so resigning myself to having to ask Jimin and left with a burdened mind.

I hoped (Y/N) was going to be okay.

(Oh no! Another run in! My my that's some bad twist of fate, coincidence much or has the universe had enough and is pushing you to be happy? I didn't intend for the cafe scene to run on but the actions write themselves! Do you want me to wait a bit before it happens or quick plot development?? How was it? Liked it, loved it, hated it, tossed your screens away? I haven't decided on what your ability is going to but there will be an explanation on why there is a lot of nervousness in you! Myungsoo is Infinite's L and I thought who else to have her work with at a cat cafe than someone literally playing a cat hybrid in his latest drama?? He's a softie! As of right now, the boys aren't too interested in you... but maybe another series of 'coincidental' meetings would make them think otherwise...? Next chapter...the introduction of the webtoon into the plot so keep your eyes peeled!)

I hope you're all healthy and happy! Remember boredom can be cured, there's plenty of content and BANGBANGCON too!

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3