The following afternoon Jimin is at cheer practice standing front and center as Coach Heo gives the squad a lesson on perfection. Really, she's just taking them all on another trip down Olympic memory lane. Not a day goes by that there isn't a constant reminder of why Coach Heo struts around wearing a bronze medal all the time and how they could also have medals if they took practice seriously.

Honestly, if Jimin wanted a tacky medal that badly then she'd just buy one.

In fact, she stopped paying attention after the third time Coach Heo referenced her bronze damn Olympic medal. Now she's just clock-watching because practice was meant to be over fifteen minutes ago which is a total drag, but Jimn finds that there's just a little satisfaction in being late.

Why? Because fifteen minutes ago, she was meant to be meeting Minjeong at the library and there's something about making her wait that's truly satisfying.

─

By the time Jimin gets to the library, she finds Minjeong sitting alone at a table near the back of the study section. She's nose deep in a book and surrounded by others along with her laptop. As Jimin approaches, piercing brown eyes meet hers over the top of the hardcover Minjeong holds.

There's a loud snap of the book closing before Minjeong's setting it down and crossing her arms.

"So you finally decided to join me?" She says in a clipped tone then looks to her watch, "Thirty minutes after the time you suggested by the way."

Jimin does her best to keep from snickering and just raises her coffee cup in greeting.

"What? I like to make an entrance," She replies with a cheeky grin. Minjeong's quick to roll her eyes as Jimin takes a seat across from her. She notes what looks like mathematical equations and scrunches her nose, "What's all this?"

"My work," Minjeong answers shortly before gathering it all in a neat stack. "I figured I might as well do something productive here since you decided to take your sweet time."

Jimin lets out a laugh, "Practice ran late so technically it's not my fault. Take your complaints to Coach Heo. I'm sure she'd love to hear them."

"And the coffee?" Minjeong points out, "Is that a technicality too?"

Jimin bites the inside of her cheek. This girl will be the death of her, she's such a smart ass!

"No," Jimin replies proudly, "That was all me. Didn't think you'd mind."

"Oh no, not at all," Minjeong says sarcastically. "And it's okay, I didn't want anything. Thanks for asking though."

"Just reading your mind," Jimin smirks before taking a sip.

Minjeong's stare hardens before she takes a calming breath and her expression shifts into a forced smile, like it's taking everything in her not to get up and walk out. Being the little shit Jimin can be, she loves every minute of it.

"So," Minjeong says in a more pleasant tone, "Are we here to waste more of my time or is there a real reason you wanted to meet?"

Although Minjeong wears a smile and although her tone is pleasant, Jimin can still feel that she's on thin ice so she dials down the sass...for now.

"We need to work out the," Jimin pauses and looks around to make sure they're completely alone. Assured, she continues, "The details of our arrangement."

Minjeong narrows her eyes, not understanding.

"We've spent a year hating each other. There's no way people won't think something is up if all of a sudden we're dating," Jimin explains in a hushed tone. "We need a game plan."

"True," Minjeong nods. "Before, you'd hook up with any girl that looked your way and now you actually have taste."

"Cute," Jimin sneers. "Anyway, we have to ease into this. Right? Jaemin's onto something with the whole spending time with each other because of the assignment thing but I don't know if that's enough."

"Do you think people will really pay that much attention?" Minjeong questions, "I know I've said you're self-absorbed but really?"

Jimin chooses to ignore that second part, "I'm trying to cover our asses. This thing has to be water-tight, okay? We need a story, an alibi. I've suddenly been taken off the market, people are going to notice and they're going to talk. It's inevitable."

"Wow," Minjeong shakes her head with a laugh, "Off the market? What are you, a prized cow?"

Jimin doesn't look too amused, "Yes. I'm your prized cow so what's our game plan?"

"Why are you asking me? This whole thing is your bright idea."

"No, it's Jaemin's," Jimin replies. "Besides, don't you love asserting your ideas and opinions first? I'm just biting the bullet now because I don't want to be here all day."

"You don't want to be here all day?" Minjeong's eyes widen in disbelief but she lets that comment roll off of her too. "Fine. So first thing's first – how did we start dating? Who asked who first?"

Jimin frowns, "What do you mean who asked who? This isn't prom."

"So? There's still an asker and an askee."

"Askee?"

"Yes Jimin, how do you think relationships happen?"

"The other person never leaves?"

Minjeong lets out a huff, "You know what? Nevermind. If anyone asks – it was me, I asked you out first."

Jimin looks completely offended, "What? Why does it get to be you?"

"Because you never make the first move."

"That's so not true," Jimin gasps, "I make moves! My moves are great. My moves get me laid!"

Minjeong gives her an unimpressed look, "And yet I'm still trying to wrap my head around how. Anyway, back to the alibi."

"Right."

"Okay, I'm thinking," Minjeong hums as she taps her chin. Jimin watches as she sips her coffee until suddenly Minjeong sits up like a light has just gone off, "Okay I got it."

"Yeah?"

"This has to be realistic, right? Otherwise, no one will believe it," Minjeong asks, "So how about this: we start off simple and easy. You've had a thing for me ever since I transferred here last year."

"What about that statement is realistic?"

Minjeong ignores her, "You were completely blindsided by my beauty when I walked into class. It was basically love at first sight."

"No," Jimin shakes her head, "No love. We are definitely not there."

"Okay fine," Minjeong corrects herself, "It was like at first sight...but nothing ever happened because the timing was always wrong – "

"Naturally."

"You were always with someone else – "

"Dramatic."

"And so was I."

"Very dramatic."

"Can you stop?" Minjeong groans, "Your interjections are making me lose my train of thought."

"They're not interjections. It's creative criticism. Deal with it, this is my story too."

"Whatever," Minjeong huffs, "Anyway...like I said, nothing ever happened between us, but then this project was assigned. Everyone was broken up into teams, but those teams were special. They were formed by drawing names out of a hat."

"Interesting."

"And the name you chose was mine."

"Huh," Jimin sits back only the slightest bit impressed and sips her coffee again. "Throwing in a little fate. Not bad."

"Totally. And get this," Minjeong goes on, "We're both single at the same time for once."

"You know what that means," Jimin wags her brows jokingly. "Someone's about to be wooed."

Minjeong nods, "Working on this project meant having to spend loads of time together, something we weren't used to since we ran in different circles and we're both super busy with our extracurriculars. Mine being academic and yours being well...Heather, Ashley, Stephanie, or whatever flavor of the week you're on."

Jimin doesn't look amused, "Just get back to the story."

There's a mischievous glint in Minjeong's eye as she continues, "So in our free time, we're always together but it starts becoming less about the studying. We eventually get to know each other more, past the obvious attraction for one another."

"Hang on, obvious?" Jimin starts to smirk, "Do you find me attractive?"

It was meant to be a joke, harmless teasing if you will, and Jimin anticipated Minjeong brushing her off as per usual. Instead though, she swears she sees the slightest misstep in the usually quite calculated blonde.

In fact, one could say Jimin might've even seen the slightest bit of a blush creep onto Minjeong's cheeks. Again there was an odd sense of satisfaction in being able to embarrass Minjeong while simultaneously feeding her own ego, but it doesn't last long.

"In this story which I'm currently making up," Minjeong insists. "Yes. I do find you attra – Nope, I don't think I can bring myself to say it. I already feel nauseous."

"Ha. Ha," Jimin says dully. Her ego's slightly bruised as she grumbles, "So funny."

"Anyway," Minjeong continues. "As I was saying, studying. We were doing that."

"Yeah," Jimin smirks. "Until we weren't..."

"I don't know," Minjeong shrugs. "I'd drop hints that I liked you but they were going over your head. You were completely oblivious, because well...you're you."

"Okay, I don't know if I like that part."

"Tough."

"Rude."

"Anyway, on one of our late-night study sessions," Minjeong takes a dramatic pause. "Something happened."

"I found my lady balls?"

"You sure did," Minjeong exclaims sarcastically. "And with them, you finally made a move!"

"Thank God! I was about to take over this story. Your portrayal of me is horrible."

"Well, if the shoe fits."

Jimin resists the urge to knock over the stack of books closest to Minjeong's laptop and instead pastes on a smile.

"What happened next?"

"You kissed me."

Jimin's brows rise, "Oh did I? Now that sounds like something I'd do."

"Does it?" Minjeong starts to snicker, "Because right after, you ran off like a scared little girl."

"What?" Jimin gasps, "No! Why?"

"Apparently you thought you crossed a line," Minjeong shrugs. "A classic case of not thinking I'd feel the same way, it happens so often. I'm sure there's an underlying reason you do that, probably something to do with realizing you actually suck."

Jimin scoffs, "Wow."

"So instead of talking it out, you just bolted."

Jimin shakes her head. "And I thought your portrayal of me was bad before..."

"Don't be mad at me," Minjeong replies, "Be mad at yourself. You did this."

"I did not!" Jimin huffs before realizing that they're arguing over a made- up situation. So she drops it and points out a flaw in Minjeong's story, "I thought you said I didn't make the first move?"

"You're right, you don't."

Jimin starts to frown but Minjeong follows up with another reply.

"You half-assed this first move, you know," Minjeong starts to grin, "Like you half-ass most things."

"I don't half-ass anything."

"You do and you did this time as well because after you kissed me, you ran off," Minjeong tells her, "I had to go after you and we had this whole Nicholas Sparks moment where I told you how I feel and everything."

"Nicholas Sparks?" Jimindoesn't look impressed, "Bit basic. Were we standing outside in the rain or something too?"

"Even better," Minjeong replies, "It was snowing. But not like the heavy kind, it was more of a flurry, the kind where the snowflakes stick to your eyelashes. It was very magical."

"Oddly specific, but okay."

"You asked," Minjeong shrugs. "Anyway, I made this big romantic declaration about how I've liked you ever since I first saw you and how it was always you. It would totally put The Notebook to shame."

"Fuck The Notebook, what about me? This is all very one-sided. I want a moment too!"

"Oh, you have a moment," Minjeong assures her. "Your speech is just as good."

"Not better?"

"Of course not," Minjeong smirks, "You told me how I'm the hottest, smartest, most impressive woman you've ever met and how you wished you would've made a move sooner because none of these randoms could compare to me. I've always been the one that got away."

"Laid it on thick there."

"Well, you have some strong feelings for me. You couldn't help it."

Jimin lets out a laugh, "Yeah. They're strong alright."

"Anyway, I asked you out right there and we've been inseparable ever since," Minjeong finally finishes. "Think you can manage to remember all that or should we go with something simpler and more realistic for you?"

Jimin quirks her brow, "And what might that be?"

"Something that screams Yu Jimin. Something that's so true to your nature. Something that everyone who knows you would believe."

"Okay?"

"We matched on Tinder."

Jimin's jaw drops while Minjeong tosses her head back with a hearty laugh.

"That's not how I meet people, thank you very much!" Jimin then pauses to rethink her statement. "Okay, it's not how I meet most people. Give me a little credit here."

"Whatever you say, dear."

"Dear?" Jimin mocks. "Am I suddenly dating someone in their late fifties?"

Minjeong rolls her eyes at the jab but persists, "Whatever. Let's just give the dating apps a rest while we're an item, huh? I don't need you straying from me because you can't keep it in your pants."

"Please. Faithful is my middle name. I'm in this for the long haul," Jimin says with determination. "We'll stick to the first story. With some minor tweaks, everyone will eat it up. Because there's no way I'm telling my mother I met my serious girlfriend on Tinder."

Minjeong only shrugs, "So we've nailed down the story now. What else do we have to do to make this believable?"

Jimin starts to think, but she struggles to find an answer. Considering she's never pretended to date anyone before, she's not really an expert. Whatever it is though, they need to have it perfected by the time they board the plane in less than a week's time.

"We're two of the smartest people at this damn school," Jimin says after a moment, "I'm sure we can think of something."

─

Jimin spends the rest of her night doing just that. She's approaching this thing like it's another one of her class assignments, but she finally realizes what's missing. This relationship can't only pass as real on paper, it also needs implementation – believable implementation.

"Well duh. You think you two can just say you're dating and never interact?" Jaemin jokes when Jimin breaks the news to him.

Jimin huffs as she slumps next to him on the couch, "I thought about it briefly but I think I was more focused on the big picture of it all. That picture being that I'm in this mess in the first place with her of all people. Now I've got to like...what? I don't even know!"

"What do you mean you don't know?" Jaemin laughs. "Just do what you do with other girls."

Jimin gives him a look, "I'm not doing that with her."

It takes Jaemin a second to make the connection before his face fills with realization.

"Obviously not that!" Jaemin replies, "I mean everything but that...like the lead up."

"You know I'm more of a physical person," Jimin reasons. "I can't do any of the lead up stuff either."

Jaemin eyes her curiously, "Shit. You really don't know. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen you hanging out with a girl you're talking to on campus before."

"Yeah, well there's a reason for that," Jimin replies smugly, "I like my hanging out to be done in dark spaces, hopefully with good music in the background and a soft surface within arms reach."

"That's...kind of creepy."

"I'm talking about a club," Jimin rolls her eyes.

"That's for hook-ups and one-night stands," Jaemin jokes. "You're in a serious relationship now. You've got to change it up. Where's the romance?"

Jimin lets out a tired sigh, "This is too much work."

Jaemin smirks as he pats her on the shoulder, "Yeah but it'll be worth it in the end. Mama Jung will totally hand you a job and you'll have that grant in the bank."

"Yeah," Jimin groans." But at what cost?"

Jaemin just reaches for a pillow and smacks her in the stomach with it. "Quit your bitchin'," He tells her. "You make being with Minjeong sound like pulling teeth."

"Have you met her?!"

Jaemin shakes his head, "You'd be on your ass if she didn't agree to this."

Jimin drops the attitude a little in favor of remembering something she heard Jaemin say to Minjeong yesterday.

"And why did she agree?" Jimin questions. "You two apparently talk about more than nerd shit during those study sessions. Spill."

"That's not my business to tell."

"Bullshit. You're my best friend. What happened to we're supposed to tell each other things?"

Jaemin doesn't waver, "Minjeong's my friend too and I'm not going to talk about her personal stuff like that when she's not here. It's not cool."

"So it's bad then?"

"Jimin," Jaemin chastises. "Seriously. Drop it."

It's rare that Jaemin takes that tone with her, so Jimin backs off for now but his resistance doesn't make her any less curious. In fact, it doubles it – triples it even! Minjeong's always so perfect, it's so annoying! It'd be interesting to see what's really going on, but what could it be?

─

The next day, Jimin awakes at her usual time and goes off to get ready for class. She's so relieved that it's finally the day before winter break, because the early mornings are slowly killing her now that it's freezing outside.

Once she's dressed, Jimin heads to the kitchen to get her first coffee of the day together along with her breakfast. Like normal, Jaemin's already gone to football training and he's left the kitchen a mess. Although, maybe he's learning because at least his cereal bowl made it into the sink this time.

It's not long before Jimin's out the door and on her way to class. She's hugging her books to her chest, using them to shield herself from the cold wind. Yeah, she's definitely over this weather.

There are a few students around heading in the same direction and everyone has that same tired, zoned-out look on their face that screams it's too early for this – understandable because it's true. No one in their right mind would be okay with being up and about at this time.

However, one person sticks out from the crowd.

"Dear God, no," Jimin mumbles to herself as Minjeong makes her way over. She's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, two things Jimin can't stand which is why she's not a morning person.

"Good morning," Minjeong says sweetly.

It makes Jimin cringe, but she thinks about what Jaemin said last night. She has to put in a little effort here so she might as well start now, especially since Minjeong's taken to walking along side her for some reason.

"Morning," She says. "You're a little far from where you need to be, aren't you?"

"I figured I'd walk you to class today," Minjeong replies with a smile.

It's hard for Jimin to keep the grimace off her face. Minjeong's really going for it here, but Jimin can't stand the thought of her pulling off this role better than she can.

"Awh. How thoughtful of you," Jimin tells her with a smile of her own.

Minjeong only winks before she's placing her hand on Jimin's forearm. The touch surprises her so much so that she breaks character for a moment.

"What are you doing?" She asks, "You trying to carry my books to class or something?"

There's a glimmer of annoyance in brown eyes but it fades quickly. Good to know the real Minjeong's still in there beneath this act.

"No," She says.

Jimin frowns, "Then what?"

"Wow," Minjeong exhales. The annoyance from before is once again evident, "You really know nothing about being in a relationship."

Jimin's about to protest when Minjeong cuts her off.

"Give me your hand," She says in a hushed whisper though she still smiles sweetly.

"What for?"

This time Minjeong's the one to break character for a split second.

"Are you kidding me?" She asks before pasting on that smile again. "Couples hold hands, honey."

"Don't call me that."

Jimin barely has time to react before Minjeong's slipping her fingers through Jimin's. She does an awkward juggle to adjust the hold she has on her books, but oddly enough they pull it off.

"If I can't call you honey, what can I call you?" Minjeong whispers.

Jimin thinks about that for a moment. She's never really been into the pet names, they always made her feel weird. However, she doesn't mind the occasional baby but that's only when it comes out around a moan or a whimper and they're caught in a compromising position.

That definitely won't be happening here which reminds her, this little arrangement is going to put quite the damper on her sex life. Yet another thing she didn't account for!

"Do we have to?" Jimin ends up asking instead.

"I guess not," Minjeong replies. She waits a moment before adding, "I mean, this is your mess. Who am I to ask you to do the bare minimum and commit to the role?"

"Alright fine," Jimin grumbles. "Call me whatever."

"Can do," Minjeong says with a proud smile.

There's a few curious glances in their direction as they get closer to their destination, but Jimin and Minjeong maintain their composure. It's oddly effortless despite everything that happened leading up to this moment, but they soak it in.

The further into the building they get, the more people they cross.

The more people they cross, the more looks they receive.

And holy shit, they're actually doing this!

"So here we are," Minjeong says as they reach Jimin's class a couple minutes later.

The few students seated already stare at them in the doorway and for Jimin and Minjeong it's like stage lights have just turned on: it's showtime! Jimin didn't think this far ahead and by the looks of it, Minjeong's at a loss too.

With another glance into the room, Jimin's heart begins to race because they're losing their audience.

She knows what she has to do, doesn't mean she's going to like it, but drastic times call for drastic measures though. Jimin acts fast and leans in. Her hand falls to Minjeong's shoulder for leverage while her lips land on her cheek for a quick peck.

Emphasis on the quick.

When she pulls back, there's a brief look of surprise on Minjeong's face but she soon masks it with another smile.

"Have a good day," Minjeong adds with a grin.

"Thanks," There's a smile on Jimin's face too but that's because they're totally nailing this and everyone's eating it up just like they planned. "You too."

"Okay," Minjeong takes a step back. "See you later...love muffin."

Jimin's eyes widen and her face goes red hot with embarrassment. Thank God her back is turned to the class!

"Love muffin?" Jimin grits her teeth.

Minjeong only smirks as she turns and goes on her way, totally fine with the chaos she's left in her wake.

Jimin's hoping that no one heard that last part as she makes her way to her seat. She's thinking about how she should've seen it coming in hindsight considering she told Minjeong to call her whatever. What a rookie mistake!

Deep in her thoughts of possible revenge, Jimin's about halfway to her desk when someone stops her: Park Sooyoung

She's one of the writers for the student-run magazine who specializes in Student Relations which really means she's constantly in everyone's business. She's usually the first to know about the hottest gossip and she can't keep a secret to save her life.

This couldn't be any more perfect!

"Karina," Sooyoung greets with her voice recorder at the ready. "I had no idea you were dating Kim Minjeong."

Jimin nods coyly as she takes a seat next to the writer, "Oh. You saw that?"

"Uh yeah!" Sooyoung squeals. "You guys are so adorable."

Jimin waves her off although she equally loves the attention. It's all the reassurance she needs after Minjeong's little pet name incident.

"Aren't we?" Jimin replies. "It's still relatively new but we couldn't be happier. She's really just a dream come true."

Jimin surprises herself with how easy it was to lie about her feelings.

"Awh! Stop it. Who knew Minjeong was the secret in taming the infamous Karina?"

Jimin struggles a little more that time to keep her expression even, but she manages a smile and a laugh. She's not sure what Sooyoung's inferencing with the whole infamous part but Jimin keeps the conversation rolling.

"Not me, that's for sure," Jimin replies charmingly. "I guess the saying's true: when you know, you know."

"I love that! So what's the story?" Sooyoung entices.
Jimin begins to smirk. Now's the time she gets to put her own spin on their origin story and man, does she have a few rewrites! Of course, she'll have to keep some of the basics the same because who knows who is talking to Minjeong about this too but surely it wouldn't matter if she adds a couple more details.

"Well, I'm glad that you asked," Jimin starts off. "It all started last year, Minjeong's first day on campus. What a small glass of water she was! I've never seen someone so," Jimin pauses and struggles to find the right adjective. She tries remembering the actual first time she saw her and nods, "Lost."

"Lost?"

Jimin chuckles, "Yeah. She had no clue where she was meant to be. Actually, she walked into the wrong class by accident. I'm not usually the go out of my way for a stranger type but something about her made me feel different."

"Awh!"

Jimin smiles, feeling like she's got Sooyoung on the hook now. It's not a complete lie, Minjeong being lost on her first day but it works in her favor. In reality, Jimin didn't make a move. Jaemin was the one who got up to show her the way, but Sooyoung doesn't need to know that.

"So I went and walked her to class, the right one. Turns out we had another class later on in the day together, but we never got to sit together. From then on, it was always passing glances. When ran in different circles, you know?"

"Definitely," Sooyoung nods. "That's why I don't think anyone saw this pairing coming."

"No?" The question slips out before Jimin can stop it. Sooyoung's comment makes her a little nervous but she keeps the smile on her face despite feeling suddenly on edge.

"Oh it's pleasantly surprising. That's for sure," Sooyoung clarifies. "I'm all for opposites attracting."

Jimin's brows furrow, "Opposites?"

Sooyoung looks at her curiously, "You're one of the most popular girls on campus, and Minjeong's incredibly involved with various academic programs."

"And that makes us opposites how? I'm also involved."

Sooyoung struggles, "Well, yeah but Minjeong's work in robotic engineering is nothing short of revolutionary, not to mention her hot streak during the Brainiacs' last match up against The Whizz Kids who are the current reigning champs."

Jimin bites her cheek. She didn't realize she was speaking to Minjeong's number one fan. Suddenly, the interest in talking to Sooyoung about them is gone, and replacing it is her familiar disdain for the blonde.

"So she's on a dorky trivia team with an even dorkier name and she's kind of good with a screwdriver," Jimin replies passively. "So what?"

Sooyoung chuckles, failing to see that she's struck a nerve. "I think it's a little more than just being good with a screwdriver. Minjeong was one of the leading engineers in the development of Lord Tubbington."

Jimin rolls her eyes, "It's a weird robot cat that barfs hairballs. Big whoop."

Sooyoung raises a brow, "Are you also into robotics?"

"No," Jimin wrinkles her nose. "But I could be..."

"Really?"

"What? Like it's hard?" Jimin waves off, "Anyway what's all this have to do with Minjeong and I being opposites? We're...we're like two peas in a pod, couldn't be anymore similar."

Sooyoung pauses for a second, "Well you're..."

Jimin can't help but cross her arms defensively, "I'm..."

Sooyoung lets out a nervous laugh, "You're a very talented cheerleader being coached by a former Olympian. You're basically an Olympian yourself so you're like – "

"I'm not just a talented cheerleader," Jimin interrupts. "Before Minjeong even got here, I was at the top of our class. Why does everyone seem to forget that?"

Sooyoung tilts her head to the side, looking as though she just realized she offended someone. However, that someone isn't meant to be offended by their girlfriend's accomplishments. They're meant to be supportive and encouraging and anything but jealous.

Not that Jimin's jealous of Minjeong. She's far from that.

"Sorry," Jimin stops herself from going off the rails. "I'm super proud of my girlfriend's accomplishments. She's so ambitious and driven, most of her ideas are just...sheer genius."

Sooyoung begins to smile again, "Of course. It wasn't my intention to make it seem like she's better than you or anything."

Jimin struggles to keep the smile on her face, "No. I get it. She is a lot more involved in the academic side of things. She's just so great at it too. She's great at practically everything."

"Exactly. I was meaning that you're more of the socially elite," Sooyoung stammers. "A cheerleader – a smart cheerleader – dating someone who would be considered more of a nerd. It's like opposites attracting and I – "

"Alright class!" Professor Lee addresses with a clap, "Let's get started."

Sooyoung looks thankful for the interruption.

"Sorry," She says sympathetically. "We're gonna have to cut this short."

Jimin only nods, wondering how long she would've lasted before potentially smacking the girl with her book.

—

Thanks to Sooyoung and her big mouth, the word about Jimin and Minjeong spreads fast. By the end of cheer practice pretty much everyone knows about their relationship which is great.

What isn't great is how badly Jimin's struggling to stay in character. It seems that everyone shares the same sentiment as Sooyoung when it comes to Minjeong being so great and if there's anything Jimin hates more, it's being overshadowed – especially by her.

It's like having a pet peeve and you know you're being a little ridiculous for being annoyed about it, so you try to be the bigger person and ignore it for the sake of not causing a scene. However, when everyone in the entire world decides to do that one thing that you can't stand, then what? How can anyone just ignore it? The answer is, you can't.

So when Jimin finds Minjeong hanging around the gym after cheer practice lets out her patience is nonexistent.

"Well hey there, Shnookums!" Minjeong greets sweetly like she's done all day. She's on her fourth cringey term of endearment which reminds Jimin...

"You're killing me with the names," Jimin says flatly.

"But you said I could call you whatever."

"I have limits."

Minjeong only smirks as she follows Jimin out of the double doors and into the cold.

Jimin's already regretting not spending the extra minute or two to put on her warm-ups, but she's over the day and just wants to go home already. Her dastardly plans of annoying Minjeong have totally backfired and now she's once again regretting ever agreeing to this.

All day it's been Minjeong's so lovely and Minjeong's so smart and Minjeong once single-handedly saved me from failing a class – it's so irritating! And it's like Minjeong knows it irritates the hell out of Jimin so naturally, she's loving this.

If only the student body knew that side of the younger, Jimin's sure they'd be changing their tune real quick!

"So," Minjeong prompts as she hooks her arm through Jimin's. Jimin looks down at the unwelcome gesture, "So?"

"Successful first day?" Minjeong asks.

Jimin has to think about that. As much as she hated having to be constantly bombarded with comments about how cute she and Minjeong look together or the numerous retellings of how they started dating, the day turned out better than she thought.

"Well, it was definitely something," Jimin says. "I didn't realize you had such a following."

Minjeong scoffs, "I don't, not like you. All day it's been Jimin's so talented and Jimin's so hot and I'd totally let Jimin step on me."

Jimin crinkles her nose, "What does that last one even mean?"

"Beats me," Minjeong shrugs. "But several people said it and it sounded like it was a good thing. It was so weird, but hearing everyone singing your praises all day while having a smile on my face – it was exhausting."

Jimin starts to smirk, "Well at least you know how I felt. People would not shut up about you and all your accomplishments."

"You must've loved that," Minjeong grins deviously. "Can't believe you didn't cave."

Jimin lets out a laugh, "You have no idea. The willpower I have is unmatched."

"Of course it is," Minjeong dismisses as she drops her arm from Jimin's.

With one glance around, they find that they're practically alone now aside from a couple other students heading home and they've just made it to Jimin's complex. Jimin isn't sure where Minjeong lives, but she doubts it's here since she's never ran into her which forms the question:

"Hold on. Why are you here?" Jimin asks as they stop in front of the door.

"I'm walking you home?" Minjeong replies like it's obvious. "Like a good fake girlfriend should?"

Jimin blinks; she's never had that happen before and she's never done that for anyone else either. For once, she's kind of taken aback and unsure of how to react.

"You know this isn't a full-service thing," Jimin manages to say. "If no one's around, you don't have to keep up the act."

Minjeong gives her a look of disbelief, "And that's the difference between you and I."

Jimin's brows furrow, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I'm willing to put in the extra work for the best outcome, because you never know who's watching," Minjeong then nods to a couple standing off to the side that Jimin hadn't noticed. "Meanwhile, you're totally fine with being average."

Jimin's jaw drops at the comment, but she quickly scrambles to form a comeback.

"Average? Never heard of her," Jimin huffs. "And for the record, I put in the work. How do you think word about us traveled so fast? I'm the one that spoke that shit into existence to that gossipmonger Sooyoung."

Minjeong tries to brush her off but it only emboldens Jimin.

Who is she to say that she's not putting in the work? Does she even know how hard it is to fake date her? Probably not because apparently she's God's gift to this campus and Jimin should be so lucky to date her.

"Make no mistake," Jimin continues, "Just because you think you're one- upping me with your little perfect girlfriend routine doesn't mean I'm not equally in this. I can be a way better fake girlfriend than you and that's a fact. I'm just warming up!"

"Oh really?" Minjeong laughs, "Says the girl that's apparently never had a relationship last longer than a couple weeks. Before this morning, you didn't even know couples held hands."

"I knew!" Jimin counters, "I just didn't want to do it with you."

"Neither did I! I'm sure your hands have been in many unimaginable places but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make in order to pull this off."

Jimin rolls her eyes, "Look. Just because you haven't witnessed my sweet moves, doesn't mean I'm incapable. I'm super suave with the ladies."

"Right," Minjeong drawls out. "Did Jaemin tell you that because I've got some news for you..."

"Hey, I don't see you with any significant other on your arm!" Jimin challenges. "At least I get some type of action."

Minjeong's smug grin drops and Jimin takes that as a win.

"You know what? Let's just get through the rest of the week," Minjeong grumbles. "We're of no use to each other if we can't even make our New Year's appearance."

Jimin only nods in agreement before Minjeong's walking off without another word.

A part of her is proud that she was able to dish out the truth just as well as Minjeong and another wonders if they'll actually be able to keep up this act.

An even smaller part of her wonders if they'll even make it onto the plane.

____

hope you guys enjoyed! upvote and comment for faster update! <3 really appreciate it if you does! <3 let me know if there's any mistake!