5
-ˋˏ 第五 : strawberry lips

A bit more background information about Jisoo's family, and especially about her sister, Irene.

If you piece an intelligent brain, a cold facade, a pretty face, and authoritative aura together, that would be her. Irene had quickly severed all contacts from her parents as soon as she turned the age of 18. Jisoo knew that Irene secretly wanted to know how their parents were doing, but Irene was severely scarred from the divorce. Unlike Jisoo who had little recollection of all the fights and glass shards being thrown, Irene was put in the middle of all the adult arguments. Jisoo could understand why she was so desperate and eager to leave Korea altogether, and make a new life and a new name for herself: Bae Irene.

-ˋˏ

"When on Earth did you start wearing dresses?"

The incredulously stated question from her older sister who was gawking at Jisoo's flouncy dress made Jisoo slightly regret going shopping with Jungkook. The midnight blue dress was sleeveless with golden floral patterns adorning the hems of the dress, perfectly complementing Jisoo's milky white skin. She figured that it would be better to start getting used to wearing such girly clothes, however she was uncomfortable with how her sister and some of the maids reacted to her wearing a dress.

Was she really that unfeminine?

"It just happened," Jisoo mumbled vaguely, walking outside of the mansion with Irene beside her. The limousine was parked outside, with their butler Sungjae opening the doors with a respectful dip of his head. However, his left eyebrow arched a bit questioningly when he saw Jisoo. She immediately wished she could go back to her room and not go out.

After awkwardly greeting each other, Irene explained that she had already made reservations in a Korean restaurant. Jisoo was curious why her sister who had left their family for such a long period of time would come back out of the blue.

The car ride to the restaurant was quick, fortunately. Jisoo didn't want to engage a conversation with her sister, since she knew that it would probably end up with even more nervous tension. Entering the restaurant, the aromatic scent of steaming stew and kimchi filled Jisoo's nose. She couldn't wait to eat.

"I hope you've been doing well," Irene smiled gently, picking up the menu as she sits on her seat.

"Why... why are you here?" She bit her lip, immediately regretting her choice of words. Jisoo just had the tendency of getting straight to the point that it made her seem cold and brash.

Irene wasn't bothered at the very least. "I decided to move back to Korea to expand my clothing line branch, and I figured that I could stay with you and mother again. It'd be a hassle to buy a penthouse, since you guys still live here. And... I missed both of you."

Before Jisoo could say anything else the waitress came by and the sisters had to order. "I miss you too," Jisoo quietly admitted after the waitress went off to the kitchen. She added with a small smile, "Mother's doing well. How's father?"

Irene snorted, rolling her eyes and leaned back on her chair. "That bastard? Off in Europe with a new woman. Asked me if I wanted to tag along. He keeps acting like he didn't destroy both of our lives by going off with another woman."

Maybe I shouldn't have brought it up. "By the way, you look amazing. I have never seen Kim Jisoo, my sister, wear a dress, not even a skirt. What changed?"

What changed? Funny question. Stupid feelings, a fluffy boy by the name of Kim Taehyung, and a cocky brat Jeon Jungkook.

"Maturity?" Both the sisters chuckled in amusement. Jisoo felt relieved that the tension lessened.

"Since you're maturing, got any romantic interests on the line?" Irene winked suggestively, wiggling her eyebrows. Jisoo choked on her drink, trying not to spit it all over her table. Irene's eyes widened in realization.

"You do! Jisoo, I didn't know you were the type!"

Jisoo grunted, slumping in her seat and covering her eyes with her palm, then sat up straight and narrowed her eyes at Irene. "Don't tell mother."

Irene smirked. "As long as you tell me who it is."

Jisoo figured it would be fine to let her sister know. It was her first 'crush' anyway, and she rarely had any opportunities to bond with her sister. A swarm of butterflies erupted in her stomach as she struggled to find words. "He's- He's a classmate. Kim Taehyung."

"Is he cute?"

"Yes," Jisoo mumbled, trying not to cringe.

"Is this why you're dressing up all of a sudden?"

Jisoo's eyes widened as she fumbled for words. "No. Yes? Maybe..."

Irene arched a suggestive brow with a small smirk painted across her lips. "This boy must be someone to make you this flustered. Wonder if I can meet him-"

"Don't you dare."

"Just saying!"

-ˋˏ

Nothing out of the ordinary, Jisoo wounded back into her sanctuary between racks of novels, biting on her lower lip unconsciously as she probed the column of volumes. Her eyes gleamed when she caught an eye catching title, and she seized the novel with both her hands. She had a thirst for more intriguing plots, and since she had been spending too much time with Jungkook, she figured that she had to retreat back to her cavern of stories to keep herself sane.

Not long she was already halfway through the novel, when a hand grabbed the book out from her grasp, shaking her out of the plot. Jisoo narrowed her eyes at the perpetrator and her insides boiled when she saw the unfortunately familiar face.

There he was, Jeon Jungkook almighty, his hand holding the book that she had been reading. A small smirk tugged on his lips when he scanned the cover of the book.

How she wished she could wipe that smirk off his face.

"Percy Jackson?"

"Hand it back, Jungkook."

"No can do, Chu."

"Now."

"You're going to get wrinkles soon if you keep scrunching up your eyebrows like that."

"If you were actually concerned about my eyebrows, then hand it back."

"Hmm... I don't think I'm concerned, so no thanks."

Jisoo stood up from her seat, a scowl painted on her lips much to Jungkook's delight, and threw her backpack behind her shoulder, and started walking away from the son of a jerk as fast as possible. Her shoes clicked against the floor as she angrily walked back to her classroom. Immediately she pulled out her chair and sat on it, muttering incoherent words that even she herself didn't understand as she rummaged through her backpack. Finally she forcefully fished out her textbooks and her pencil case, then threw the contents on her desk which made a loud sound.

Classmates who sat near her warily looked up from their activities and eyed Jisoo uncertainly. At this point, she couldn't care less. Why on Earth was Jeon Jungkook able to make her this fired up? Fired up til the point she wished she could dig out his organs and stuff them back into his mouth. And yet, she wasn't usually like this. Or maybe it was because Jeon Jungkook's very existence was this annoying.

It's a wonder why other girls can even stand him, Jisoo shivered, holding back an eye roll.

Suddenly her phone started beeping madly. She nearly jumped out of her seat when the notification ringtone started playing. Quickly, she zipped open her bag and grabbed her phone, trying to cover the sound box with her other hand to muffle the volume. As soon as she unlocked her phone she turned of the ringtone and opened her chatbox. There was no way her mother would bother sending her more than four texts. Then realization dawned on her and an ugly frown formed on her lips.

Huffing, she shoved the phone back into her bag. Even though she could faintly feel the vibrations from her bag which indicated that more messages were flowing in, she didn't bother checking it. It was so obvious who was sending the long string of messages. The only person who would bother bothering her.

"Class, please go back to your original seats," the teacher strictly demanded, stepping into the classroom. As he started the lessons, Jisoo bit her lip, thinking back to the messages. Should she really just ignore them? What if something happened to him? Serves him right then.

Then again, she won't be able to succeed in winning her crush's heart if he's dead.

She flicked open her phone and tapped into the messages. He had sent her ten messages.

jk daddy

yo kim

jk daddy

hello?

jk daddy

u ded?🤔

jk daddy

i think u are

jk daddy

btw the book you read isn't that good😌

jk daddy

and r u free today?

jk daddy

i got a sched of our lessons, plus math lessons for me🤗

jk daddy

we go to the mall first and then we give your face a makeover since it's plainer than bread

jk daddy

and then we go to a cafe so that u can tutor me

jk daddy

i know you're excited, you don't need to say it 😉

"Excited? My foot," she hissed under her breath, then shoved her phone back under her desk.

Today was going to be a long one.

-ˋˏ

"First of all, boys hate giggling. Even though Kim Taehyung is a petty pathetic human being, don't giggle when you're flirting with him." 

Jisoo rolled her eyes. "Well that's easy. I never giggle. Mind telling me what boys actually likes in flirting?"

"You know, I think your original personality is enough. You actually have a good personality."

"Oh, really?"

"No."

"There he is." Jisoo smirked coyly as she walked beside him to the entrance of the mall. "And I was shocked for a moment."

"I see you're taking notes from my sarcasm?" Jungkook shot back with his own signature playboy smirk.

"Oh please, I was born with it." Jisoo was trying to fight back an amused laugh. For some reason she felt like she was having a small battle with a child. Jungkook noticed a small quirk on her lips and teasingly leaned closer to Jisoo.

"Someone's about to smile," Jungkook taunted, trying to fish out a smile from her. He had never once seen a smile on Jisoo's face. It'd be ironic if he was the one who made her smile, and not that bastard Taehyung.

Jisoo pushed his chest with her index finger and scoffed. "In your dreams, playboy."

"It's a wonder why you haven't fallen for my charms yet," Jungkook sighed, a pout on his face.

"Because your tricks are cheap."

"Don't patronize me. You're just too dumb to realize that I'm every girl's ideal man."

"So I'm dumb?" Jisoo raised an eyebrow. "Says the one who has an IQ lower than an atom."

From nearby, an elderly couple chuckled at the bickering duo, which snapped both teenagers from their squabble. The elderly woman laughed heartedly and tightened her grasp on her husband's hand. "My my,  young love is indeed refreshing."

"Reminds me of how we used to argue like that," the elderly man commented in amusement as he looked at Jisoo and Jungkook.

The teenagers jaw dropped to the floor.

Then they both looked at each other.

In disgust.

"As if I'd ever like a boy like you."

"Hey, more like, as if I'd ever like a girl like you."

After that Jungkook toured around the mall and at last he reached a makeup department store called 'Face Shop'. A range of cosmetics were displayed for customers to gawk over. Lipsticks of every shade of color you could imagine were lined up beautifully and palettes of wonderful combination were piled on top. Most of the customers were unfortunately teenage girls who were busy looking at themselves in the mirror and admiring the makeup products. Jisoo grimaced. If you told her one year ago that she would end up possibly putting on makeup, she wouldn't have believed you.

Jisoo shuffled uncomfortably when she noticed a lot of pairs of eyes looking at her way, and she knew they were most definitely looking at Jungkook. She had to admit that he did have the looks, but oh boy, if only they knew how his face and his personality contrasted.

The two approached the counter where there were booths of makeover sessions done by professional makeup artists. Jungkook flashed a grin at one of the makeup artists and winked at her. "Hey there. Is there any spots left?"

The makeup artist lifted up her lip tint stick and swerved around to properly look at Jungkook and her cheeks flushed bright red with her eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe that Jungkook was talking to her. Jisoo secretly scoffed.

"Y-Yes... Right here!" she squeaked, then proceeded to walk to the directions of the other booths before stopping in her tracks. Jisoo arched an eyebrow and understood why she stopped walking. All of the makeup booths were occupied. A wave of relief and a tad disappointment washed over her. At least she didn't have to get her face lifted today-

"Excuse me, Miss, can you please move out of the booth?"

Just like that, the very sentence snapped Jisoo up and to her bewilderment the makeup artist that was smitten by Jungkook was urging the customer out of her booth. The customer looked up in astonishment and drew her eyebrows together. "Excuse me? I paid for the makeup booth."

Jungkook's jaw dropped as he speculated the scene too, but Jisoo nudged him forcefully with her elbow and scowled at him. "Do something!" she hissed, then pushed him forward.

In a flash, the flabbergasted Jungkook morphed back into Mr. Cocky, collecting himself and apologetically looked between the makeup artist and the customer. Raking through his hair he bit his bottom lip and quickly said, "It's okay, we can come by later."

The makeup artist shook her head, about to protest when the customer's eyes gleamed when she saw Jungkook. Her vexed face immediately changed as she batted her lashes at Jungkook and licked her lips flirtatiously. Jisoo wanted to throw up- this woman had to be a 23 year old woman, and yet she was openly ogling at a minor. Gross.

"Tell you what, sweetie." The customer tossed back her platinum blond hair, smiling at him with her red lips. She handed him a business card and stood up from her seat. "I'm from a modelling company, and I think you'd make a great addition if you tried out as a model. If you contact the number in the card, then I'll leave." She winked at him. "Deal?"

Jungkook smirked coyly. "Deal."

Just like that the customer strode off.

Jisoo gulped.

-ˋˏ

Three things went across Jisoo's mind while the makeup artist dabbed some rouge on her cheeks, and she tried not to scowl as she did so.

One, she was going to murder Jeon Jungkook if the makeover turned out to be a flop.

Two, she couldn't believe that she was putting on makeup, and all for one boy.

Three, Kim Taehyung better notice her after all this.

"There! You look fantastic, if I do say so myself," the makeup artist beamed, and then adding one final touch to her heart shaped lips. In the makeup artist's perspective, Jisoo had beautiful features, yet Jisoo didn't seem to bother enhancing her features. What a pity. But the makeup artist had a fun time touching up her face- it was like painting on a canvas.

While she smothered a layer of tint, it happened to land on Jisoo's tongue and in curiosity she tasted it. It tasted sweet, bitter, smooth...

Jisoo arched an eyebrow when she saw the name of the lipstick color. Strawberry red lip tint. Not bad. And it tasted like dessert too.

"Finished! You can go show your friend while I go get the receipt," the makeup artist informed.

Jisoo breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at the mirror again to comprehend the visual sight in front of her. Her long raven hair was slightly curled at the ends and were now framing her milky white complexion, which contrasted with her plump strawberry lips and her cherry cheeks. Her lashes peaked out with the help of the curler, and thankfully the makeup artist didn't use any of those fake extensions that Jisoo honestly disliked. She was also wearing eye contacts, which took a while to adjust but she could still see things the same when she was wearing her glasses. Jisoo did looked different, not exactly in a bad way.

Then she noticed Jungkook behind her.

Rolling her eyes, she swerved around and tilted her head. "Okay, so what's your comment this time, huh?"

Jungkook's jaw nearly dropped and his eyes rolled out of his eye sockets. Well, almost. She didn't look like the snarky, cold ice princess Kim Jisoo. She looked like Kim Jisoo if she was a ethereal goddess— what the hell was he thinking? He couldn't believe that he was admitting that Kim Jisoo was actually pretty.

Obviously he won't admit it out loud

"You look... considerably better." Jungkook mumbled under his breath. "The makeup artist handled it well— I mean, I thought that it was impossible to make your face look better, since your original face is... indescribable." He emphasized on the word "indescribable" sarcastically.

Jisoo rolled her eyes. Typical Jungkook. "I'll take it as a compliment that was meant as an insult, thank you very much." Jisoo stood up from the booth and tied up her hair, frowning. "I was wondering when I could put my hair up again."

"You don't like it down?"

"Of course not. It makes my face itchy as hell," Jisoo scrunched up her nose. "I'll go get the bill, then."

-ˋˏ

After paying the bill, Jungkook led Jisoo to a nearby cafe just a few blocks outside of the mall. The picturesque coffee house was quaintly settled between an antique shop and a book store, and the window-pane walls displayed the cozy interior of the cafe.

As soon as they stepped inside the place, an elderly lady behind the brewing machine waved her hand ecstatically, seemingly towards Jungkook and Jisoo. Jisoo arched an eyebrow and looked sideways at Jungkook, who glanced at the lady and a boyish smirk tugged at his lips.

"Hey, Mrs. Sung!" Jungkook shouted, stirring some of the customers up from whatever they were doing. He ran up to the brewing corner and winked at the woman, Mrs. Sung.

The elderly lady was elegant, even in an apron tied around her waist and her hair pulled back into a bun. Her smile was graceful and sweet as honey. "Jungkook-ah, how are you doing these days?" Her smile turned into a frown when she spotted something on Jungkook, then shook her head with a sigh. "I thought I advised you to stay away from those big gangs."

Curious, Jisoo gave Jungkook a look-over and her eyes slightly widened when she saw a bandage around his forearm. "When did you get this?" she asked.

Jungkook rolled his eyes and laughed. "Why? Are you concerned for me?"

Scoffing, Jisoo glared at him dirtily. "Why do always assume that I would care about someone like you?"

The lady looked at the two with particular interest, a small smirk forming on her lips. She looked at Jisoo and smiled politely. "Are you Jungkook's friend?"

"No, Mrs. Sung," Jisoo bowed politely.  She shot a sideways glare at Jungkook as she continued, "He's not the type of friend that I will have."

The lady wiggled her eyebrows at Jungkook. "Jungkook, I like her. Treat her nice, won't you?"

Jungkook pouted, as if wounded and pretended to look pained. "But- she's the one that should be nice to me."

"Be a gentleman," Mrs. Sung scolded, then proceeded to go to a shelf and get a glass, pouring the espresso delicately and then poured milk to make a perfectly white foam. "Dear, can I get you anything?"

Jisoo shook her head. "No thanks."

"Strawberry latte please!" Jungkook suddenly turned on his aegyo mode, which ultimately shocked Jisoo. But then again, he usually acted this goofy, so she wasn't too surprised. Mrs. Sung grunted and rested her hands on her hips haughtily.

"Are you going to pay this time?"

"Fortunately, I got a big chunk of cash this time so I can pay for the drinks I ordered last time too," Jungkook grinned sheepishly, then fished out some bills and handed it to Mrs. Sung. However, she looked at the money suspiciously before looking at him disapprovingly.

"If this is the money you got from racing illegally, then I'm not accepting it."

"But-"

"Unless you promise me you're not going to go anywhere near the tracks."

Jungkook looked like he wanted to protest, but then he gave up and nodded. "Promise," he mumbled. Mrs. Sung beamed.

"Now that's a good boy. Get to your seats and I'll be with you in a while." Mrs. Sung shooed them to their seats while she went to prepare his drink.

soooooo hi!!! thanks for reading and sticking until here, please continue supporting me! make sure to vote and comment, and send me a nice message so we can be friends 🥰🥰🥰

did you like this chapter?