Sing For Me

*****

Jungkook brightly hummed a familiar tune, one overheard playing from one of the stores he passed by, as he walked his way to the café where they agreed to meet, both Yuna and him. It was just a walking distance away from the pet store he visited to purchase supplies for his Jin-hyung’s sugar gliders. Well, that is if anyone is like him who considers a seven-kilometer distance as efficient for walking.

Jungkook glanced at his wristwatch for the time. He still had more than fifteen minutes to spare and from his estimates, he’ll be at the café in less than a minute. He’s never been the early bird type of person when it comes to meeting, so it’s a wonder for him now why he decided to leave and do his hyung’s errand earlier than usual just to reach the café way before the agreed upon meeting time.

After a few smiles to the people who recognized him here and there, he finally arrived at the café where he was supposed to meet with Yuju. It was a dainty and quiet café that’s located at the center of a little neighborhood. From the reviews he read online, he found out that not much people visit it, meaning there would be lesser eyes that would see him and Yuju together. Rumors about them would not be able to spread like wildfire. He guesses maybe that’s one of the reasons Yuju suggested this place. In their industry, whenever dating rumors get passed along, it is usually the girl who would get the hate and knowing their group’s huge fanbase, Yuju is really at a disadvantage. In fact, he’s very much thankful she agreed to meet him outside of their company’s buildings despite the great risks it poses.

“Good afternoon, sir. May I take your order?” the lady greeted him as soon as he reached the counter. He looked up at the menu displayed overhead. There were the usual pastries and cake flavors one would always see at cafés. The drinks were also the mainstream lattes and milkshakes. It made him further think of Yuju’s reasons for the choice of the location. One, it’s either she loves the taste of the food and drink here compared to other food establishments or two, she’s really just in it for the privacy, nothing more and nothing less.

“I’ll have one iced americano, one macchiato, and two servings of your strawberry cream cake please.”

One thing he learned from growing up with his hyungs is to always be a gentleman. He might not know what Yuju’s preference is for her drinks and her sweets, but he reckons that it’s more appropriate for him, as a gentleman, to order anything than to have Yuju arrive with him having nothing to offer.

“One iced americano, one macchiato, and two slices of strawberry cream cake. Is that all, sir?”

He nodded and the cashier, probably already in her late thirties, smiled at him.

“It will be served in five minutes, sir. Here’s your number.”

He reached out for the plastic standee that contained his table number before he left to occupy the seat at the corner of the café. He deemed it as the safest place for them since it’s slightly hidden from the other tables inside the café, so it’ll be less worrisome for Yuju and him regarding the threats of the public eye.

Once settled, he checked back the time on his clock. It was still five minutes before two. He still had enough time to ready his state of mind. It has been years since he last went out with a girl. Well, he’s not actually going out with Yuju since their meeting will be for work but still, they’ll be alone. Bang PD-nim won’t be with him. Heck, he could already picture how awkward he’ll be later on.

Jungkook took a deep breath to calm down his system before he examined himself in the reflection of the glass vase in front of him. He usually doesn’t want that much attention from girls which is quite ironic since most of their fans are from the opposite , but today, he just can’t help himself. He’s feeling the urge to look presentable…boyfriend material, as some would phrase it.

~~~~~

Yuju let out a small yelp as she found herself tripping because of her absentmindedness. Lately, she finds herself spacing out and before she knows it, she’s pulled back to the thought of meeting up with Jungkook on a weekend afternoon. Now that Saturday came, she guessed the reveries would end. Unfortunately, it turns out it only got worse especially since she’s now just minutes away from their meeting time and her feet seemed to have walked oddly faster than they usually do.

“I’m just excited to work with BTS, that’s why,” she mumbled to herself as she held her chin up after the little accident. She was quite relieved the only person who witnessed her clumsiness was a toddler who just looked at her with a questioning look before returning her attention back to her melting ice cream.

Yuju checked the time on her phone since she basically forgot to her wristwatch out of the anxious feelings she was having while she prepared herself for the afternoon’s meeting with Jungkook. As a matter of fact, she even forgot if she turned off the lights back at their dorm before leaving. If she hadn’t done so, she’s sure to have one hell of a nagging from her Sowon-unnie once she returns home.

It was a minute later when she finally caught a glimpse of the café. She felt herself smiling when she realized that after such a long time, she finally was able to go back here. This place was memorable for her. It was her safe haven way back during her middle school days, when she was still a trainee. She could still vividly remember how she’d order the largest cookies and cream frapuccino whenever she’d feel down after failing to do her best during evaluations. That was sort of her comfort food back then.

The feeling of nostalgia swelled in her chest as she slowly approached the café entrance. Her head went from side to side for a few times as she examined the place. She noticed that the exterior hasn’t change one bit since her last visit. The flower beds filled with bushes of roses were still there as well as the sign board that displays the day’s specials. The wooden benches were also still there, in the exact same spot.

Yuna grinned. She felt weirded out at seeing how this café remained the same after all these years while she, on the other hand, has experienced so many changes. She’s no longer in her middle school uniform. She’s no longer stressing herself out because of evaluations. Plus, she’s an idol now- an idol who’ll be meeting her ultimate bias for a future collaboration. Thinking back on how far she’s gone, from being that hopeful trainee to now being a member of a popular girl group, sometimes she just couldn’t help but think everything is nothing but a dream. Reality still feels like a joke, as if she’ll later on find herself waking up to her bed with her middle school uniform waiting to be worn for another boring day at class.

“Yuna-ssi!”

There was a mixture of excitement and pure happiness in the voice that greeted her as she stepped inside the café. She didn’t even have to look up to know who it is. The owner of this café did somehow become her second mother.

“Ajumeoni!”

Yuju found herself enclosed in a tight hug as soon as she went over to the lady waiting for her by the counter, giving her a delighted grin.

Once they finally released of the embrace, the lady held her by the shoulders and looked at her from head to toe with that proud look one would see a mother giving to her daughter after not seeing each other for years.

“Look at you. You’ve grown so well.”

A hint of a blush adorned Yuju’s cheeks at the compliment. She’s been hearing the same things from most of her aunts and uncles but hearing the words come out from her closest ajumeoni felt different, more special.

“I’m still your little Yuna nonetheless, Jangmi-ssi.”

Jangmi reached up to cup Yuju’s cheeks and caress it delicately, the proud smile still gracing her lips. “Gosh, I missed seeing this face personally. It’s a good thing I often see you on national television.”

The statement caused a little giggle to come out of Yuju’s lips out of the mild embarrassment. Knowing that someone is avidly watching her on music and variety shows still somehow felt surreal and implausible.

Jangmi saw the slight unease that was reflected in Yuju’s face, so she decided to relieve the teen of her discomfort.

“Can I get you your usual order?”

Yuju waved her hand to dismiss the idea. She thought that if she got here first than Jungkook, it’d be better to wait for him before placing an order.

“I’m meeting up with someone here. I guess we’ll just order together.”

Jangmi gave a teasing grin and lightly elbowed Yuju on her side. “Oh, is it your boyfriend?”

“No. We’re meeting up for work.”

“Like a music producer?”

“Sort of, but we’ll be rehearsing here if you don’t mind.”

Jangmi gave Yuju a small pat on the shoulder and an encouraging smile. “Of course. I won’t mind. You’re always welcome here…you and your boyfriend,” she said before giving a wink that made Yuju blush a hundred times more. Heck, she was meeting with Jungkook and he is not her boyfriend and never will be in a hundred lifetimes.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” she muttered before retrieving her phone from her back pocket to give Jungkook a message to let him know she just arrived at her meeting place. It wasn’t ten seconds later when she received his reply.

Look behind you.

Heeding the text, Yuju turned around and to her surprise, Jungkook was already there, seated at a lone table by the corner with two cups and cake slices, waving at her with that bunny smile she always thinks looks cute on him.

“Is that him? Is that your ‘producer’?” Jangmi whispered as she, too, looked at the direction of where Jungkook was. “He looks quite young to be a producer, though,” she added.

Yuju turned to Jangmi and gave a smile. “I’m guessing you only listen to our group’s music then.”

Jangmi gave a puzzled look at the statement but Yuju waved it off saying, “Nevermind. It’s better that you don’t know.”

“You really should enlighten me on what you just said.”

She chuckled and returned the pat on the shoulder she received from her ajumeoni, somehow teasing her. “Maybe some other time.”

They exchanged smiles before she reckoned that she should get going. She waved a hand at Jangmi as she walked away, the smile never leaving her face even though she already turned her back on her ajumeoni.

A tune entered her mind as she walked, and she gave in to it. She hummed to herself, almost skipping as she walked. She soon stopped when she noticed that she was getting near Jungkook who was occupying a table that’s well-hidden from other customers’ eyes. She didn’t even need to think twice and approach him.

“You’re early,” she said. It made Jungkook look up. He was wearing his earphones, probably entertaining himself as he waited for her.

“I ran an errand near here, but it turns out I finished it faster than expected,” Jungkook explained while removing his earphones before setting them neatly aside all the while gesturing for Yuju to take a seat.

She shrugged as she deemed his explanation was enough to answer her query. She then took the seat opposite his and removed her sling bag before placing it at the seat next to her. Their table does cater four people but as unfair as it may seem, there will only be two of them this afternoon. Well, after being here for many times now, she knows the pack of customers will be arriving later in the afternoon anyway since most of them are students that just wants to hang out after classes. They’ll probably be done with practice by then.

“I rehearsed the song with Jimin-hyung, by the way. We tried recording it yesterday, but I don’t think it met up to my expectations. I mean there wasn’t that chemistry in the duet. I guess two guys singing it really doesn’t fit the mood I’m aiming for with this song. I hope you don’t mind me personally asking that you be my collaboration partner though. I just thought your voice would sound good in this song.”

Jungkook was blabbering and he didn’t even notice it while Yuju simply stared, nodding every now and then even though she hasn’t really gotten all that he had said, only the part where he rehearsed the song with his hyung. When it was time for her to reply as Jungkook finally finished speaking, she realized that she didn’t have anything to say. She opted to ask how the rehearsal went but he probably explained throughout that dialogue he just had. She just didn’t catch it, and when she felt like it’s taking her far too long to come up with a reply, she just went with whatever it is that popped up on her mind when she stared at him as he talked.

“You really do work hard.”

Yuna tried to force a smile to mask the fact that she’s literally just diverting him away from his brought-up topic because she didn’t listen to all of it. The Heavens probably saw her distress as she found Jungkook falling for her little attempt of an escape from trouble.

He scratched the back of his neck and a bit of a red tint adorned his cheeks. “I’m just doing what I love.”

His answer triggered another thought to pop up in her mind. Now, she wasn’t even forcing it just because she needed a getaway. She wants to know her opinion on the matter.

“Your fans are getting way concerned about you though. They think you need some rest. I’m quite getting why they think that way.”

He snorted. “You read the article?”

“It’s all over the internet.”

“I really don’t think why having a girlfriend would help me. Our fans are really weird sometimes.”

There was honesty in his voice when he said that, but she honestly doesn’t know the lad’s fans enough to agree or disagree, so she just hummed. He could be the judge as to what the sound she made would mean.

“Girlfriends nag at their boyfriends to keep their bodies healthy. They literally act like moms most of the time. Maybe that’s why,” she said although she’s not quite certain herself if what she said was valid. It did just come as a conclusion from what she observed over the years of having friends that are in relationships.

Jungkook went silent. She guessed he might be contemplating on her statement, but when she decided that it would be better to take it back as it’s clearly just her opinion and it shouldn’t matter that much, he spoke up.

“Do you do that?”

She blinked. “What?”

Jungkook shuffled in his seat and it was obvious how he’s feeling a bit awkward, but he still repeated it though. This time, he made sure to clarify his words. “Do you do that?  Do you nag at your boyfriend about his health?”

Well, that enlightened her. Plus, it also amused her. Did he really think she’s in a relationship right now? She wondered if she looked and acted like she is indeed dating someone.

A light chuckle escaped her lips and she shook her head. “I’m sorry to disappoint you but I don’t have a boyfriend. Never had one all my life.”

Jungkook’s lips rounded and the blush returned to his cheeks as he felt somehow embarrassed after jumping to conclusions with her relationship status.

Instead of being affected by the topic, she found herself getting entertained by the cute reaction Jungkook did when he realized his mistake. He looked like an innocent child that just found out fishes can’t live out of the water and she would have laughed but she suppressed it, not wanting her companion to feel more embarrassed than he already is.

She clasped her hands to divert themselves from the topic and said, “I say we skip that and start with business. What do you say?”

Relief flashed all over Jungkook’s face and it made her smile, seeing how adorable he looked looking like that. She swore she’ll never get over this fangirl side of her as long as he keeps making her heart flutter every time he gives her these cute expressions. She just hopes he won’t notice.

~~~~~

Jungkook reclined in his seat as he stretched out his arms and breathed out a long sigh.

“You look tired,” Yuju said. It was a statement they both know is true but Jungkook was too proud to admit that. He was fine. Well, at least, he felt fine and it may be because he’s so used to exhaustion now that it doesn’t even get to him anymore.

“It’s okay. I could still manage.”

Yuju’s lips thinned and her eyes squinted. She could clearly see the tiredness in his eyes that denying it wouldn’t convince her. She is no fool after all.

“We should call it a day.”

Jungkook was quick to react at that, too quick that his mind also hasn’t processed why he reacted in the first place.

“No,” he voiced out although it came more of a mumble to himself than an actual reply. He’s not sure why he’s being shy about it anyway. That or he doesn’t want to listen to what his mind is telling him.

You still want to be with her for a little longer, it says.

“I know you still want to practice some more but you really need to rest. Don’t wait until your body gives up on you and you end up passing out somewhere in the streets.”

He was debating on himself on whether to listen to her or follow his selfish want of staying here a bit more. Heck, he doesn’t even care if they practice or not. However, he also has this thought that if he does tell her that he wants to stay and spend some time with her, she might not agree to meet with him like this the next time around when he calls for practice. He’s not even sure if she really agreed to this or she was just forced to agree out of respect for his decision.

“You might get sick if you push yourself too hard,” she said, and it snapped him out of his thoughts, making him look at her.

He would have negated her further but the way her eyes held sincere concern for him made him do otherwise. He heaved a sigh before a frown made its way to his lips. He knows it’s his defeat.

“Fine,” he whispered but Yuju heard it loud and clear which made her smile a little, knowing how she was successful at convincing him to heed her words.

She may be contented with his obedience, but he was not. It meant parting ways with her and for some odd reason, he hated that.

“When can we see each other again?” he blurted out of the blue that he immediately regretted for sounding so obvious with his intention of meeting up with her. He felt relieved though when he looked up to see her face and saw that she wasn’t at all affected in the same way he feared she would.

“This Monday, perhaps? We could also try and record it to figure out which parts already sound good and which parts need fixing.”

He frowned so deep internally. If she wanted to record, then that would mean they’d have to meet up at either Source Music or Bighit’s studio and he wasn’t exactly too keen on that idea. Can’t they work elsewhere? He doesn’t see anything bad with going out of their company’s premises.

“Or we could meet here,” he suggested and scanned the place before he added, “There’s not a lot of customers and it offers a nice atmosphere.”

She smiled and the way he sees it, she’s deciding on whether to save him the trouble and just agree or tell him the truth that she’s really not that comfortable with being out with him in public. She may not say it, but he can see it in her, that she’s anxious on spending time with him so publicly for doing so would probably earn her some hate from his fans. He understands that. It isn’t easy for her especially when it’s mostly the girls who are being hated when it comes to idols being suspected of dating each other. What he doesn’t understand though is why she should even feel that way. It’s not like he won’t speak up for her if ever rumors do spread. He reckoned he should assure her of that but he’s not sure how to say it or where to begin.

“I don’t think-”

“Don’t worry. My fans won’t bite your head off. Besides, aren’t they asking me to date anyway?”

Okay, that went out completely wrong for him.

Jungkook bit his lower lips and prevented himself from ripping all his hair off as he desperately prayed for the ground to swallow him up. What he said was too embarrassing. He basically implied that they should date but it was a joke, right?

Maybe, he thought, answering his own question before he finally gathered enough courage to look at his companion once again.

She was blinking at him, quite not knowing how to reply to the ‘joke’ he made, so he relieved her of her burden and gave a forced laughter.

“I was just kidding,” he said although it did feel a bit halfhearted.

She soon began to get a grip of herself and joined him as she chuckled in a way that sounded like she’s in doubt of whether she’s doing the right thing or not. He found her reaction cute though. Her innocence was too adorable that he can’t help but stop faking a laugh and just stare at her instead.

It took her a few seconds to realize he was now just staring at her and she felt herself get self-conscious at the eye contact he was giving her. She tugged on her sleeves and cleared but that didn’t stop Jungkook from what he was doing.

“Are you sure you’ve never had a boyfriend before?” he asked what was on his mind as of the moment and it took her by surprise at how out of the topic his question was.

She decided to respond anyway.

“I wasn’t lying when I told you that I’ve never dated before. Why the sudden question anyway?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. It is maybe because seeing how you seem so likeable makes it quite impossible for guys not to fall for you.”

A blush crept up her cheeks at the compliment and Jungkook couldn’t stop a smile from forming on his lips.

“There were some who tried asking me out, but I turned them down. I felt like I wasn’t ready to start dating yet,” she explained.

“Until now?”

“Huh?”

“Do you think you’re not ready to date until now?”

He wasn’t certain why he asked that, but his curiosity was killing him. He doesn’t care if she answers the question or not. He just wanted to test his luck on it. Fortunately for him, he was born lucky.

“I think I am. I just haven’t found someone good enough for me.”

He should rephrase what he thought a while ago. He was born more than just lucky.

Jungkook tried to keep hidden the grin that threatened to show itself upon hearing her reply for he knew it would look not just awkward but weird as well. She might think he’s thinking funny of her.

“Why are we talking about my relationship again?” she asked and honestly, for him, he’s not sure either but he opted to keep it safe instead of blurting out things that might cause him trouble later on.

“Just curious.”

~~~~~

Yuju already reacher threshold of their dorm but she could still feel her heart pounding intensely in her chest. She reached up one arm to clutch and feel its beating as she leaned her form on the door. Never in her life has she felt this way before. Her mind is a mixture of so many things as of the moment- thrill, embarrassment, joy, confusion, and so much more than she could mention.

“Get a grip,” she told herself before giving a gentle slap to both her cheeks. “He is off-limits. You don’t want to enter danger zone.”

She continued coming up with discouraging words in her head to prevent herself from thinking about her sunbae further as she made her way inside and threw her shoes somewhere in the corner. Well, what she’s doing would have been efficient but there was one thing throwing her off- herself. She is Choi Yuna after all and she’s been fangirling over her sunbae (sunbaes if you include Namjoon) for years now. There just no way- absolutely no way- she could contain herself.

“Why am I even trying?” she said before eyeing the BTS poster stuck to her side of the room.

*****

It's finally out, everyone! Chapter three is finally out after so long. I deelpy apologize fot this delay. I honestly had a writer's block on this story. I didn't know what else to write and when I do write something, I always end up rejecting it. Hence, the three weeks it took me to post another chapter. Forgive me if this chapter is crappy or something like that. It's the best I can do as of now. I'll try better next time. :)