“Bom Ratatata tatatatata…,”

“Bom Ratatata tatatatata…,” the hand appeared from the blanket, busy touching the floor looking for the source of the sounds. After it was touched the squared shape thing, it grabbed it and pull it into the burrow of the blanket. In a second the sound wasn’t heard again.

The weather was chilly and the sound of water hitting the earth was heard. Chaeyoung pulled off her blanket after she turned off the alarm. She looked at the clock then looked at the window. She couldn’t see anything from the window, but since there was now sunlight, it must be raining outside. Raining in the middle of the summer was a rare event. But, she loved it. The weather was perfect to bury her body under the blanket. She decided to went back to sleep and skip breakfast. Right after she closed her eyes, she heard Jimin was getting down from his bed. She felt bad for Jimin if she selfishly decided to go back to sleep while Jimin was probably hungry.

“Do you want to eat breakfast?” Chaeyoung asked Jimin with her sleepy voice.

“No. I just want to pee then back to sleep,” Jimin answered her with the same voice tone.

“Great,” Chaeyoung was relieved and pulled her blanket again and went back to dreamland.

The cloudy weather successfully produced a high rate of melatonin of those siblings. They both finally awake after the clock hit 13.00. Their empty stomach became a natural alarm for them. Chaeyoung sat up and walked towards the kitchen with half-closed eyes. She was about to lay down on the couch but she saw Jimin already occupied it. She changed the direction and sat down on the dining table chair. She lifted her feet and leaned on the chair then stare blankly. She stayed like that for about ten minutes. She finally put down her feet and stretched her body like a cat. She stood up and walked towards the kitchen sink and washed her face. After she felt a bit refreshed, she opened the kitchen cabinet and took a box of unopened cereal. She then opened the refrigerator and took a carton of milk. She put it on the dining table then took two bowls and two spoons from the dishes shelf.

“Manggae-ya do you want cereal for breakfast?” Chaeyoung asked Jimin while pouring the milk into her cereal bowl.

“Err yeah. I am hungry,” Jimin answered with a mumbled voice.

Chaeyoung poured the cereal and the milk then bring it to the table in the living room where Jimin was sleeping. Jimin was eating his cereal on the state of half sleeping. That’s why he kept holding his spoon in the air and didn’t scoop the cereal. Unlike Jimin, Chaeyoung was busy staring at her cereal and didn’t even touch it. In the middle of fighting against their sleepiness, the sound of ringtone was heard. Chaeyoung ordered Jimin to go to their bedroom to answer the call. Jimin refused it at first but after Chaeyoung repeated the order several times, he moved his feet and went to the bedroom. Jimin put the phone on the speaker so that Chaeyoung could hear it. It’s their Mom who was calling. The call made them fully awake and finally, they could eat their cereal properly. Although their Mom couldn’t saw them, their unconscious selves were told them to eat properly or they will get scolded.

“So, when will you come here? Grandpas and Grandmas are asking me nonstop,” Mom asked Chaeyoung at the end of their phone call.

“Oh, about that, I haven’t decided. But, I will come. Don’t worry,” Chaeyoung answered hesitantly.

“What? Come to Jeju? Sis, you haven’t talked to me about this,” Jimin was surprised about the plan.

“I am about to discuss it with Jimin today. Okay, Mom, see you,” Chaeyoung end the phone call afraid her Mom will scold her for not telling Jimin.

Jimin was staring at his sister with demanding explanation expression. Chaeyoung sighed then explained about the money their grandparents gave. Jimin wanted to go but after he thought about it again, he decided to not say it. He knew Chaeyoung was hesitating because it’s not cheap to go to Jeju. It’s better to save money for their daily life.

“Well, basically, I am free every day. So… it’s up to you,” Jimin replied with an objective answer. He didn't want to make her feel guilty so he just let her decide. Chaeyoung smiled then said she should check her schedules first.

After a discussion about the Jeju trip was over, Chaeyoung went to the bathroom to brush her teeth while Jimin was setting up his game equipment. Rainy day was the perfect time to play the game all day. After Chaeyoung went out of the bathroom, Jimin went inside. While Jimin brushing his teeth, Chaeyoung was boiling water and made the hot chocolate.

Jimin was ready to play the game but then Chaeyoung came and sat next to him. She took the game console and stared at him while smiling. Chaeyoung told him that she wanted to play too. Jimin was confused and looked unpleased but Chaeyoung was persuading him by saying that it’s not fun to play the game alone. What Chaeyoung said was right so he let her play with him.

“NOONA!!! AH PLEASE!!” Jimin almost threw the game console.

“HAHAHAHAHA You see that?!” Chaeyoung was laughing hearing Jimin’s nag.

“You, really! Ah, how could you?” Jimin was complaining.

“I do not become the first rank since elementary school for nothing. Smart people are different. See? Even if I never played the game I can easily beat you after some practice,” Chaeyoung was boasting herself after she successfully defeated Jimin in Mario Cart for countless times.

“Hah, don’t be so cocky. Let’s play another game,” Jimin didn’t want to give up so he challenged her with another game.

“Fine. But, I can’t concentrate. I am so hungry. Should we order chicken?” Chaeyoung stood up from the sofa to look for her phone.

“Good idea. I am so hungry. We haven’t eaten lunch yet. Anyway, sis let’s order half original and half spicy chicken,” Jimin took a break by lying down on the sofa.

While Chaeyoung was scrolling down her phone to look for the chicken restaurant, their doorbell was ringing.

“What? Do the delivery these days become so fast?” Jimin was amazed and quickly got up from the sofa to the door.

“I haven’t ordered it yet,” Chaeyoung was confused and it made Jimin stopped halfway before he reached the door. They were wondering who will come to their home. Jimin was peeping through the door eye hole. He then looked at Chaeyoung whit a frowning face.

“Who?” Chaeyoung was getting curious.

“Chicken. I mean I see someone holding a box of chicken. But, you said you haven’t ordered it.  It’s strange. So, how? Should I open the door?” Jimin replied with a scared expression.

“That’s strange. Let’s pretend we are not here. Don’t take a risk,” Chaeyoung chose to not open it as precautions.

Since they didn’t open the door, the delivery man was ringing the bell again. The siblings were panicked. Jimin then suggested to calling Jin. Chaeyoung agreed then immediately dialed Jin’s phone.

“Hello, Oppa?” Chaeyoung talked in low voice almost whispering.

“Oh. What? Why are you whispering?” Jin sounds so confused by the way Chaeyoung talked.

“There is a weird guy in front of the house,” Chaeyoung told Jin the reason she called.

“Are you at home? Wait, what do you mean by a weird guy?” Jin was demanding more detail.

“Well… that’s… we aren’t ordering chicken but then there is a guy with a box of chicken keep ringing our bell. We are too scared to open it,” Chaeyoung was giving more detail as Jin requested.

“Ooh, the weird guy is coming to deliver a chicken you're not ordering. Hmm… HEY, ROSEANNE!! OPEN THE DOOR NOW!” Jin was shouting and it made Chaeyoung startled and instinctively put away the phone from her ear then quickly told Jimin to open the door. Once Jimin opened the door, he was greeted by Jin’s smiling face.

“Why do you take a long time to open the door? And, what? A weird guy is standing in front of the door while bringing a chicken you guys don’t order? HAHAHAHHA WHAT A WARM WELCOME PARTY TO YOUR HANDSOME BROTHER WHO NICELY BRINGING CHICKEN FOR HIS BELOVED COUSINS,” Jin came in while nagging sarcastically. Jimin and Chaeyoung were giggling while following him into the living room.

“Oppa, I am sorry, I didn’t know it was you,” Chaeyoung smiling prettily and apologize with a cute voice, hoping he will forgive their rudeness.

“Oh, hyuung we are truly sorry. Sis is right. We are scared because we just about to order chicken but it already arrived. How can we not open the door for you who come all the way here in this weather while bringing a box of chicken? We are such a bad little brother and sister,” Jimin also apologizes but he made his statement longer. He knew Jin loved to be praised so he was hoping it will bring down his anger.

“Stop it already. You guys are not wrong. You did a great job by not opening the door for a stranger. Although it makes me angry, well I can’t help it. I was the one who told you to not open the door for anyone. Aaah I am so thirsty,” Jin still annoyed but he knew his cousins weren’t doing anything wrong.

Jimin immediately walked to the kitchen and pouring cold water into a cup and gave it to Jin with both hands. Jin drank all the water in one shot then told them to open the chicken box. Chaeyoung and Jimin were jumping in joy then racing towards the kitchen sink to wash their hands.

“By the way Hyung, why are you randomly come and even bring the chicken?” Jimin was curious about the reason Jin coming to their home in this weather. He knew very well that Jin really loves this kind of weather which the best for sleeping and being lazy all day long.

“No reason. You guys know that I am a kind older bro who wants to visit his little bro and sis. Is that wrong?”

“Ayyy… I don’t believe it. Usually, you are the one told us to come to your home,” Chaeyoung doubted him.

“Oh, I am just bored. I am so stressed with all my college projects and I need time to relax. Staying at my home is not helping me to relax because it reminds me to do all the works. So I come here to play the games with Jimin,” Jin finally gave an honest answer.

“Aaah… Our poor Oppa. We welcome you here because we don’t want you to get stress. But, what should we do? I sincerely want to help you but… If you are going to play the game here so it means my electricity bill will be higher,” mischievous thought suddenly popped out on Chaeyoung’s head.

“What is that? I bring you chicken but you still complaining about the bill?” Jin was smelling something fishy on Chaeyoung’s statement.

“I think it’s not enough. How can you…,”

“I got it. I will pay for dinner too. Satisfied?” Jin could guess the direction of their conversation.

“As expected from Seokjin Oppa. You are indeed the best Oppa I ever had!”

“Forget it. Anyway, do you have a cola? Chicken is the best with cola,”

“Let’s play rock, paper, scissor, the one who loses should buy the cola,” Jimin gave an idea. He knew since he was the youngest he usually becomes the sacrificial lamb. But, this time he didn’t want to step out OF the house. He already planned something on his head. He stared at Jin and intentionally blinking twice. Jin who saw Jimin strange act was confused but a few seconds later he realized the code Jimin tried to deliver. Both of them were holding their smiles while getting ready to play the game.

Jimin and Jin were screaming in joy after they won the game. They both pull out scissors while Chaeyoung pulled a paper. Chaeyoung felt something wasn’t right because Jimin and Jin were looking extremely happy. They were suspicious. Chaeyoung asked them whether they planned it but, like the criminal who never admits for their crime; both of them didn’t admit it. Chaeyoung didn’t accept the result and asked for a rematch. Jin and Jimin were feeling bad so they agreed. Unlucky for Chaeyoung even when they play fair and square, she was still losing. She got up lazily and walked towards the kitchen to take the shopping bag.

“I am leaving. Don’t eat all the chicken,” Chaeyoung wore her sandals then opened the doors. She looked at the sky. It’s still cloudy although it’s not raining. She was hesitating about whether to bring an umbrella or not. She decided not to bring it because she remembered she lent her flipped umbrella to Jaehyun and now there was only a big umbrella from the hospital. It will be a nuisance if she brings it, besides it won’t take long to buy soft drinks.

“Bring the umbrella. It might rain!” Jin shouted while still playing the game.

“Nah, it won’t take long,” Chaeyoung refused.

“At least, bring your jacket. I don’t want you to get sick,” Jin was paused the game and turning his head to Chaeyoung. Chaeyoung about to reply but Jin was faster to order Jimin to bring Chaeyoung jacket. Jimin was grumbling but he can’t say no to Jin’s order. He walked towards the laundry basket and took the hoodie that Chaeyoung hasn’t ironed because it just got dried. He tossed it to Chaeyoung then walked back to the sofa. Chaeyoung tied the hoodie around her wrist then closed the door.

Chaeyoung was humming throughout her way to the convenience store. Some people might hate a cloudy day, but she loves it. It’s chilly and a bit windy. It’s perfect to listen to ballad and soothing songs. This was also perfect to thinking, thinking about her life, thinking about happy and sad moments, thinking about the past and the future, thinking about what song she should sing in the next charity event, thinking about the theme of next concerts, thinking about everything.

“Welcome!” the clerk greeted Chaeyoung right after she entered the store. She smiled at her then immediately walked to the soft drinks shelves.  She stared at the shelves, thinking whether to buy the 1-liter bottle or the 600 ml. After a deep thought, she decided to buy a smaller size. It will be more convenient to bring. But then, she put it back again because she realized she will produce more trash if she bought 3 of it. So, she took the 1-liter bottle of coke. She also took the biggest size of snacks. After she thought she already bought her needs, she put all of the goods to the clerk. When she waited for the clerk to processing her groceries, she remembered that she forgot something. She hurriedly walked towards the ice cream freezer and took 3 chocolate-vanilla flavored cone ice creams and 1 watermelon flavored Popsicle.

Chaeyoung opened the popsicle wrap then hold the stick together with the wrap. That way, it won’t meltdown to her hand. She ate the popsicle on her way back home. She intended to finish the popsicles before she arrived at home so that Jin and Jimin won’t know she ate it herself. Even if they found out, she just said it was her delivery payment. She already ate half of the popsicle when she arrived at the playground. Now, her mischievous thought appeared again. She will intentionally play for around 5 minutes so that Jin and Jimin won’t be able to drink their soft drinks. It was their punishment for trying to cheat her before. She was giggling while imagining Jin and Jimin were annoyed because she took too long to come home.

The distance between the playground and Chaeyoung apartment wasn’t so far. Although it started raining, she believes she could manage to arrive before the rain gets heavy. She sat down on the swing while eating her popsicle slowly. She moved the swing gently by using her feet while enjoying the cold wind.

“Park Chaeyoung,” Chaeyoung stopped her feet from moving because she thought she heard someone was calling her name. This was the second time she heard it. At first, she wasn’t sure because the voice was so soft so she continued to swing, but, now she decided to stop to focus on the voice. This time, the voice was slightly louder than before that made her sure someone was calling her. She looked at her surrounding but no one was around. Yes, who will roam around on the neighborhood on this cloudy day? It’s better to wrap yourself with a blanket and stay at home.

“Chaeyounga….,” the voice was heard again. It was coming from behind. She looked behind but no one was there. She was curious and looked upon the slide deck. Maybe someone tried to prank her by hiding on the slide and called her.  She moved back and forth from the swing to peek between the slide’s deck bars. But, no one was there. She was chuckled then decided she just heard it wrong. Although it’s cloudy, it’s still afternoon. No ghost will appear in the broad daylight, or precisely as soon as there was a sun, they won’t dare to appear.

There was a small part left, with two bites, Chaeyoung will finish the watermelon popsicle. She decided to stick to her first plan. Even though she was ensuring herself that she misheard the voice before, she actually felt scared a bit. She decided to eat the popsicle at a faster speed.

“hihihihihi…,” Chaeyoung stopped biting the last bite of her popsicle. She heard it. She heard it clearly. Someone was laughing. Unlike when she heard her name got called, now, she didn’t dare to even move her head. Her heart was beating so fast and her body began to get weak. She prayed on her heart that what she heard wasn’t a laughing voice. She tried to stand up but her feet become weaker as the laughing voice was heard again. She closed her eyes and praying hard wishing the voice to go.

Chaeyoung felt the chill on her spine. She kept closing her eyes and praying before she was completely frozen. She felt someone was pushing her swing. She clutched on the swing’s rope tightly and continued to pray. Her eyes were tightly closed. She was afraid once she opened it she will saw a terrifying face.

“HAHAHAHAHA” suddenly the voice of a man laughing was heard. Chaeyoung opened her eyes slowly and moved her head to look behind. She was relieved that she saw a familiar boy was lying down on the sands while laughing out loud.

Chaeyoung breathed in relieved after she found out the one calling her and laughing was a human. Although she was relieved, she was still in shock. She looked down to calm her heart and tried to set her expression. She was embarrassed because she looked frightened before.

Looking at how Chaeyoung stared down and covering her face, Jungkook was feeling bad and stopped laughing. He stood up and walked toward her. He stood beside her and bent down to saw her, but since she looked down, her hair was covering her face. She remained silent and it made Jungkook felt guilty. Jungkook sat on the next swing while still looking at her. He was waiting for the right moment to talk.

Jungkook moved his swing closer. He looked at her then tilted his head tried to peek between her hairs. He bites his lips while thinking hard what should he asked her.

“Are you okay?” Jungkook asked carefully.

Chaeyoung released her hand from clutching on the swing rope then touched her face while sniffing. Jungkook was surprised because he didn’t expect Chaeyoung to cry. He just wanted to prank her but didn’t know she was scared till crying like that.

“Are you crying?” Jungkook asked again. Chaeyoung answered with sniffing sound. It made Jungkook felt guiltier.

“I am sorry. I didn’t know you will get so scared,” Jungkook moved closer hoping Chaeyoung will look at him. He felt bad because she didn’t even want to saw his face. He moved his feet two steps away so that the swing was back to its original position. He was sitting there in silence, waiting for Chaeyoung to respond to him. He was really bad when it comes to comforting people.

“Hahahaha, it’s scary right?” Chaeyoung moved her hair behind her ears and laughing. Jungkook was surprised and relieved because she didn’t cry.

“Sorry. I don’t know you are afraid of ghosts. I just know you are afraid of dogs, not ghosts. Are you mad?” Jungkook still felt bad.

“I am not mad. I am just… a bit pissed,” rather than mad, Chaeyoung actually relieved that it’s not a ghost.

“That’s the same though. Well, I am very sorry. I called you for real, but after I saw your epic reaction, I decided to prank you. It turns out you are scared. Hehehe… I am sorry, but your reaction was so funny,” Jungkook couldn’t help but laugh while he recalled Chaeyoung frightened reaction.

Jungkook stopped laughing after he saw Chaeyoung was looking at him with a deadly stare. He looked upfront immediately to avoid eye contact with her. He was swinging his swing to get away from Chaeyoung’s nag.

“By the way, what are you doing here?” Jungkook asked to toned-down her anger.

“Is that supposed to be me to ask that question? My home is around here so it’s normal for me to be here,” Chaeyoung answer made Jungkook embarrassed.

“Well yeah, you are right. But, I come here quite often you know. I always meet up with my senior here. I am so familiar with this neighborhood,” Jungkook tried to sound cool and not panicking.

“Does he live around here?” Chaeyoung asked him again although she already knew the answer. She knew the friend that he means.

“N… no he isn’t. It’s just… he likes to meet up here, for a personal reason that I can’t tell,” Jungkook was trapped by his answer. Listened to his stutter, Chaeyoung was holding her smile.

“Wait a minute… I often come here, but why we haven’t met each other before?” Jungkook suddenly realized something was not normal. Chaeyoung gulped. It’s not that they never meet each other. It’s just Jungkook who never saw her. Only if Jungkook knows why she got to know him, Jungkook will not be surprised.

“Well because you don’t know me back then. Maybe we often passing each other but since we were strangers we didn’t give any attention,” Chaeyoung gave an objective answer.

“Ah, that’s right. No wonder we keep bumping to each other now. Maybe because we are aware of each other presence,” Jungkook nodded and agreed with her theory.

A droplet of water was fallen on Chaeyoung’s hand. She lifted her hand and observed it. She then lifted her head and looked up to the sky. The grey clouds were getting darker, the wind also getting stronger. The wind messed her hair so she decided to bun her hair. A droplet fell again. Now, she lifted her hand where the palm face upwards, waiting for the next raindrops to fall.

“Hey, I think it’s gonna rain,” Chaeyoung said while feeling more and more raindrops on her palms.

“Oh, you are right. I think we should find a shelter,” Jungkook stopped the swing and looked around to found the place where they can use shelter from the rain.

Without warning, the rain suddenly fell heavily. It made both Jungkook and Chaeyoung panicked. They were looked around confusedly but luckily Jungkook was faster to found a shelter. He was shouting to go to the slide. They were running towards the slide and bumped each other once they were about to climb the slide. Jungkook let Chaeyoung went first. He then was running towards the slide’s stairs and climbed from there. They were reached the slide’s deck at the same time. Right before Chaeyoung’s entering the deck, her hair bun was bumped into the decks’ door roof and it made her head bounced back. Jungkook who witnessed it was laughing so hard and it made Chaeyoung embarrassed. Finally after pulled down her hair bun a little, Chaeyoung successfully crawled inside the deck.

The deck was cramped for both of them. They were sitting next to each other while watching the rainfall. For a moment, they both enjoy the nature sounds. They were drowning on their thought.

“This is a nice place,” Jungkook broke the silent.

“Yeah. It has a beautiful view, in every weather, every season and every time,” Chaeyoung felt so proud of her hidden place. Even though it’s hard to come in the afternoon because of the kids who played. She once came here when she was sick and didn’t go to school.

“I guess you come here often,” Jungkook smiled while hearing Chaeyoung’s comment.

“Ha.ha.ha not really. I rarely come,” Chaeyoung lied. She was afraid Jungkook will know if she spied him when he was talking with his senior.

The rain got heavier. Chaeyoung was getting worried because she supposed to come back home now. Luckily, Jin and Jimin seemed to have fun with their game so they didn’t notice that she was away for too long. But, thanks to this rain, she will have a solid reason in case they ask.

“Hey Chaeyoung,” Jungkook called Chaeyoung while playing with his shoelaces.

“hmm?” Chaeyoung startled because she was spacing out for a bit.

“You… what do you think about me?” Jungkook asked her while loosening up his left shoelace.

“EEhh??” Chaeyoung’s eyes were getting bigger as she heard those questions. She was flustered because of it. Out of the blue, in this atmosphere, in the cramped place like this, he abruptly asking a weird question. Chaeyoung was confused with what kind of answer she should give him. His question wasn’t clear.

Jungkook moved his attention from his shoelace to Chaeyoung because she didn’t answer right away. He was confused at Chaeyoung’s weird expression. She looked startled, shy and confused at the same time. He was wondering why did she react like that?

“Oh, hemm…. Well…. Could you explain in what term are we in? I mean what exactly the aspect that you mean?” Chaeyoung tried to hide her flustered face so she asked him a question that sounds professional.

This time, it’s Jungkook who felt embarrassed. As he thought about it again, his question might lead to misunderstanding. His face was getting redder.

“Emm… about my ability to study. You know that… you’d been teaching me for a while, so yeah, I’d like to know about it,” Jungkook was flustered while explaining what his question means.

“You are… hard to focus on. It needs more time for you to completely concentrate on your study. Well, it’s not your fault. It’s just you are the type who can’t stand still and concentrate. You are the kinesthetic type. But, since you can’t move around during class, you at least should make a note which consists of lots of graphs, charts, or any kind of drawing. By teaching you for few times, I realized that you have a better understanding when the material is visualized,” Chaeyoung didn’t back off when it comes to commenting about her student’s evaluation.

“Your explanation is way too detail. But, I am glad to know that I am not stupid…,”

“WHAT? STUPID? WHO DARE TO SAID THAT? Nobody is stupid. God gives us a brain, although it’s processing ability is not the same for each person. We may not good at some aspects, but we can learn it! Although we take slower than anyone, it doesn’t mean we are stupid! More importantly, never ever say to yourself that you are stupid!” Chaeyoung was getting angry.

Jungkook who got scolded was afraid. He never saw Chaeyoung becoming so angry like that. He was afraid but slowly a smile was forming on his lips.

“Why are you smiling?” Chaeyoung was confused.

“Hahaha… No, it’s just you are so… funny,”

“WHAT? FUNNY? Hey, I am being serious here,”

“I know, I know I am sorry. I just think this situation is funny. I just asked about your opinion but I getting scolded at the end. Hahaha… I just found it interesting and… cute” Jungkook still giggling while looking at Chaeyoung’s annoyed face.

Chaeyoung heart was pounding so fast as she heard Jungkook called her cute. She felt all the blood was boiled and suddenly the air was getting hotter. She was fanning herself using her fingers and quickly turned her head away. She was too embarrassed and happy at the same time. She thought she might go crazy. She wanted to leave but thanks to the rain, she had to trap alone with him for the next minutes. Well, although her rational brain said she hates the rain, her heart said the opposite.

Finally, Chaeyoung was managing to calm down. Now, she was facing another problem. Sitting up straight made her back hurt. She looked behind then dragging her body to the back so that she could lean on the deck’s wall. Once she was leaning her back, she was straightening her feet. Now, her back and feet were released from the pain. While relaxing her body, she stared at Jungkook’s back. She recalled his question again. Why did he suddenly ask about his studying performance? Something must be troubled him. Chaeyoung knew, whenever he came to meet his former captain, he must discuss something important. Something that only the captain who understands.

Jungkook looked behind and saw Chaeyoung already sitting in a comfortable position. He smiled then following Chaeyoung’s steps. He dragged his bottom to the end of the deck so that he could lean his back on its wall. He looked outside and the thought of his discussion with Jiho popped out again on his mind. Last night he got offered by Seoul Youth Football Association to join the Seoul Soccer Team trial. If he passed the trial, he will join the team and compete on national competition where he would compete with another ace team from the different cities in South Korea. It’s a big opportunity for him. He loves soccer and he loves challenges. But, everything had its consequences. If he joining the team, he should spend a month in quarantine and the next three months competing. Although he still able to come to school,  he would miss a lot of classes and will become less focus. He was hesitating whether he could pass the school exam. He was in the second grade now and next year, he should prepare for the national university entrance exam. 

“Just do it,” Chaeyoung muttered a word with a soft voice that made Jungkook returned to earth after spacing out.

“What did you say?” Jungkook asked again to confirm what he just heard. Her voice was so soft and he didn’t hear it clearly because of the rain.

“Just do it. I don’t know what you are going through right now. But, I think, whatever it is, just follow your heart. Just do it. Don’t worry about anything,” this time, Chaeyoung spoke with a louder voice.

Jungkook just stared her with admiration. He was amazed. Although he didn’t say a word, she seemed to know what troubled him. Chaeyoung looked at Jungkook who looked surprised. She assumed that what she just thought was right. He might have troubled to decide about something.

“Well, of course, if that thing you are about to do is not something harmful. We should do everything that we like when we are young. Once we become an adult, we have so much to think about. So, before we regret it in the future, better to do it now. No matter what adult and other people think, just do it. So what? We hot. We young,” Chaeyoung cheered him up again while adding a tag line at the end.

Jungkook who heard her tagline was trying so hard to not laugh, but he was losing. He was laughing and it made Chaeyoung smile. Chaeyoung told him that she heard a song yesterday and love it, especially the lyric that she said before. She also said that she wanted to look cool by saying those words, but her mom was the one who owns the copyright. She was only relaying her Mom advice to him. Jungkook was nodding and complimenting Chaeyoung’s Mom.

“You know, I envy you a lot. You seem to live freely. You seem to do everything that you want to do. No matter what people say. You seem to don’t care about what people will think about you. Once you decided something, you are so ready to face the consequence. I am afraid that Jungkook is changed. But, now I realized that maybe you are just being more mature. Although it’s normal and a good thing, I want you to live as you are,” after a silent break, Chaeyoung finally collecting all her braveness to tell him about what on her mind. She knew she wasn’t in the position to judge him, but she felt that she had to say it.

Jungkook didn’t give any respond so it made Chaeyoung afraid he might get offended. She awkwardly stared at Jungkook to check on him. She then smiling after their eyes met but quickly throwing her gaze to the front. Her sudden action made her embarrassed because it looked so obvious that she was being shy. She felt so shy and embarrassed so she did a little movement. Somehow a little movement could make her less awkward. She was adjusting her sitting position to be more comfortable. She leaned off then leaned on again and realized that her hair bun was making her head, not in a comfortable position.

Jungkook looked outside the slide. The rain wasn’t as heavy as before. He needed more time to fully digesting what Chaeyoung said about him.

“So, for you, I am that kind of person,” said Jungkook with a sad and down voice. He was grateful that she looked at him as such a positive person. But, he was also sad because he was afraid he actually might not like what she thought. He looked down at his waist and played with his bracelet. He touched it gently and smiling.

Chaeyoung who was decided to untie her bun suddenly stopped what she was doing after she heard what Jungkook say. She quickly turned her head to Jungkook to check on him. She was afraid that what she said earlier made him sad. She was intending to say it encouraging him but she didn’t know it could become a boomerang.

“OF COURSE! You are the freest and carefree person I have ever know,” Chaeyoung didn’t want to let him down so she intentionally said it in a bright and cheerful voice and even made Jungkook startled a little.

“Well… that’s also what I like about you,” she added after a few seconds of pause. This time, Chaeyoung said with such a low and soft voice and it even sounds like a mumble. Although she was sure she said it soft enough so that Jungkook won’t hear it clearly, she felt so shy. She quickly finished untied her hair and styling her hair so that it can hide her face.

“So, that’s why you like me,” Jungkook repeated what he heard and he said it clearly. He was intentionally looking at Chaeyoung to see her reaction. Although he couldn’t saw her full expression, he could tell she was surprised. She might think he didn’t hear it, but since the rain began to stop, he can hear it as clear as crystal.

Chaeyoung was frozen. She couldn’t even move her neck. She kept staring straightly to her feet. After a few seconds, finally, her body and mind can function normally again. Her heart was racing and pumping the blood with double speeds to her body. She began shaking her feet right to left to calm herself down. The deck temperature also seemed raised. She was gulping and breathing so fast. She didn’t believe she just confessed to him again. All the efforts she made to made things normal during their tutoring lesson were becoming useless. She was afraid Jungkook might hate her. She was recalling the time when she first confessed. He looked so mad and uncomfortable. She regretting why she had to say it. She was afraid things will become awkward. She still wants to get close to him. She still wanted to be his friends. She blamed . Why did it choose the heart rather than the brain?

 

After took a deep breath, Chaeyoung decided to look at Jungkook’s reaction. If he looked normal and not felt bothered with what he just heard, she should act as if it was nothing. She just said what happened and what she felt long ago. But, if he looked uncomfortable and upset, then, she’d better stay away from him forever. Besides, they also had nothing to do anymore. He just asked her to tutor him for his remedial test. Chaeyoung put her hands together, close her eyes, and silently praying. She then moved her head and tried to peek at Jungkook’s reaction with the edge of her eyes. She immediately looked at the front again after she slightly saw Jungkook was staring at her. Her eyes were shaking and her heart was pounding so hard. She was too panic and couldn’t saw the expression of Jungkook’s face.

 

She failed the first attempt. Now, while clenching her fist, she told herself to bravely see him on the face. She counted to three then forcefully moved her neck muscle to look at the man who sat beside her. She looked at him straightly in the eyes. They were having a staring contest for a few seconds. The blood on her body was moving too fast to her face. She felt she was about to have a heart attack if she kept staring at his eyes. She cut the eye contact and unconsciously put her hand on her heart to calm it down. She was staring blankly to the front. She didn’t believe what she just saw. How could she still survive after she saw him staring at her with such a loving gaze? She couldn’t believe her own eyes and thought she was imagining it.

 

While Chaeyoung was fighting against her thought, Jungkook was smiling like a fool. She might be flustered because she didn’t expect he would say what she just said. She was stoned but then began to feel nervous. She kept moving her feet and seems to have a mind war inside her head. She carefully tried to peek on him but since she seemed too shy she quickly looked away. Jungkook kept observing her with a warm gaze and a lovely smile. He guessed she might felt so embarrassed and didn’t dare to look at him on the eyes. Jungkook made a bet with himself, in the count of three, he bet she will turn her head again so he hides his smile. Bingo! Now, they were having a staring contest.

 

Four seconds. This time, she looked at him in the eyes for four seconds. As expected, she was the first one who looked away. Jugkook was still looking at her and unconsciously smiling. Suddenly he felt the air inside this deck was getting hotter. His heart also seemed to pound faster than usual. He then looked around the deck and estimating the dimension of the deck. He tried to distract his thought because he suddenly realized that he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her.

 

“Anyway, how’s your fight with your friends? Haven’t you make-up with them yet?” Jungkook changed the topic because he was aware that the atmosphere was getting awkward between them. He decided to become the first one to talk to showed that he wasn't given much attention to the latest topic.

 

“Oh, about that, I…,” she hesitated to answer. She was about to finish her answer but then she halts it again because her phone was vibrating. She looked at the phone screen and remembered that she should come back home because her brothers were waiting for her. She answered the call and told her brother that she was trapped in the rain that’s why it took so long for her. She said the rain was stopping and she was on the way home.

 

“I think, I should go home now. My brothers are waiting for me. Well, they are waiting for their drinks. The rain has stopped too,” Jungkook didn’t ask but somehow Chaeyoung felt she should tell him about the call.

 

“Well, it’s just a drizzle now. Are you not bringing an umbrella?” Jungkook looked outside the deck and put his palm outside to check on the rain.

 

“No. But I bring a hoodie. My home is not far from here. I just need to run so I won’t get soaked. The rain hasn’t completely stopped. You’d better stay here until it completely stops. I am sorry but I should be leaving first,” Chaeyoung felt sorry towards Jungkook but she also afraid she will get scolded by her brothers. She was crawling to the slide but Jungkook told her to take the stairs instead. Her pants might get soaked if she slides down. Chaeyoung took his advice then climbed down the stairs.

 

“Be careful. It might be slippery,” Jungkook watched from the deck.

 

“Thanks,” Chaeyoung carefully stepped down the stairs then quickly ran towards the area beneath the deck to wear her hoodie. She can’t wear her hoodie inside the deck because it was too narrow. She put down her shopping bag then untied her hoodie on her wrist. She wore it quickly and put the hoodie on. After her preparation was done, she hurriedly walking through the rain.

 

Jungkook who was still sitting on the deck watched her speed walking towards the road. He was worried that she might trip because the road was slippery. Moreover, she was bringing a shopping bag with a 1 Liter bottle of soft drink on it and had to walk quickly with a slipper in the rain. Right after she was outside the playground area, she stopped and walked back. Jungkook was wondering whether she left something. He was looking around the deck tried to found out the thing she left, but the deck was clean.

 

“Here, take this,” Chaeyoung put out something from her shopping bag and gave it to Jungkook. Jungkook was confused because she suddenly gave him an ice cream.

 

“Hurry, take this,” she didn’t want to climb the stairs again but since it was too high, she had to tiptoe.

 

“Why suddenly?” Jungkook took the ice cream she gave while wondering about her reason.

 

“To save me,” she was smiling mysteriously then walked away even before Jungkook said thank you. Jungkook looked at the ice cream. It was starting to melt. He quickly opened the wrap and the melted ice cream.

 

When he was busy eating the melted ice cream that almost reached his hand, Chaeyoung was back again. He was wondering, what it was this time.

 

“I am sorry if it’s already melting,” said Chaeyoung from beneath.

 

“You come back here just to say it?” Jungkook was laughing because of her action. She smiled and walked away without answering his questions. But, after a few steps, she turned around and paused.

 

“JUNGKOOK, JUST DO IT!! IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE LESSON, FEEL FREE TO ASK ME FOR HELP!! DON’T LET YOUR SCORE HINDERING YOU FROM YOUR DREAM!!” Chaeyoung was shouting from the place she was standing because the rain was pouring again.

 

“I GOT IT. THANK YOU!! HURRY GO HOME IT’S RAINING AGAIN” Jungkook replied to her while making a shooing gesture to told her to go.

 

She was smiling then waving to him. After she turned around, she wiped her face with her palm because she got slapped with the water when she gave him the ice cream. She walked at a fast pace but still in the safety limit. She didn’t want to slip and fall. The rain was getting heavier and she had to go home quickly before she got completely soaked. Although she was in a rush, she was walking in ease. Luckily she still remembers the ice cream. She bought three of it but Jin will become suspicious if she didn’t eat it while she was waiting for the rain to stop. Jin was a quick-witted guy. It’s better to avoid a question from him because she can’t lie.

 

Jungkook was watching her from the deck. He was touched by her action. She was coming back although it was rain just to tell him that she will lend her help if he needed. She was a very kind person. He watched her walked down the street until her back disappeared. After he can’t saw her again, the memory that buried on his mind was coming back.

 

“Finally, I found you,” Jungkook was smiling ear to ear after he realized he just found the girl he was looking for.

***

 

The café was not as crowded as a typical café in this area. The café had the minimalist interior and it perfect to spend your time here doing your work. Jungkook looked at the price of the menu list. No wonder this place was not crowded. The menu was pricey. But it was worth considering how the café providing a private and calm environment. If it’s not for Mingyu who called him here, he must never step his feet to this café. He decided to choose ginger tea to warm his body and it made Mingyu looked at him with confused expression but he didn’t say anything. It’s unusual for Jungkook to ordered ginger tea. He wasn’t the type who cares about his health by drinking an herbal drink.

 

“So, what’s your name again?” asked the girl who sat across the table.

 

“Jeon Jungkook,” Jungkook replied shortly.

 

“Ah, right. Jungkook. I heard you are the captain. You must be popular. Do you have a girlfriend?” asked her again.

 

“No, I don’t. For your information, we aren’t allowed to have a girlfriend,” Jungkook provided the information she didn’t even ask.

 

“What if one of your team is getting caught for dating?” she asked further questions unlike what Jungkook predicted.

 

“Then, they won’t become the line up on the match. They will be benched. That’s the rule,” Jungkook knew this was the ending statement to close the conversation about this topic.

 

The girl responded with a nod. She stared at Mingyu with a meaningful smile then she was back on her laptop. Jungkook observed the girl. She looked like she was a college student, judging from the way she dressed and the way she talked. She looked more mature and somewhat had that aura that only college students had. Jungkook didn’t know Mingyu had another guest. He just came because Mingyu desperately asked him for help. He had no idea what kind of help he should provide. He simply just came, sat down and ordered ginger tea which luckily not need a long time to be served.

 

The battery of that girl's laptop seemed to get low and she needed to charge it. Mingyu took the charger then busily looked behind the table for an electric socket. The girl was smiling and feeling so grateful. Now she was back doing her project. In the middle of working, either of them would start a conversation. They talked about their daily life and what was troubled them these days. Sometimes, the girl included Jungkook in the conversation, maybe to be polite since Jungkook also there with them. Jungkook thought this girl must be one of the girls that fall in love with Mingyu. Or maybe they were already dating. The way Mingyu treat her looked so sweet. Moreover, the girl was pretty and looked smart, clearly Mingyu’s ideal type.

 

“Hey Mingyu, I think …,” Jungkook felt like he just wasting his time here so he decided to end this meeting and escape from this place.

“Noona, what should I do? As I told you before, I have an appointment with him,” Mingyu cut Jungkook’s speech and he looked so apologetic towards the girl.

 

“Yeah, it’s okay. I am the one who stole your time. Don’t need to feel sorry,” she smiled but somehow looked sad and disappointed.

 

“But, are you okay? You will be alone,” Mingyu sounded he worried leaving her alone.

 

“I am not a kid. I can take care of myself,” she responded coldly.

 

“Hahaha… I know I know. Anyway, don’t forget to bring back your umbrella. Once you arrived at your dorm, don’t forget to text me. I am leaving first. Jungkook, let’s go!” he stood up and took his jacket that he hanged on the chair. Jungkook also stood up then bowed to her. He saw Mingyu was already walked towards the door and hurriedly following Mingyu from behind. Mingyu paid the bill then walked outside. Jungkook took his umbrella from the umbrella rack stand. He folded it and put it on its cover then lastly put it on his bag.

 

The rain was completely stopped now. Mingyu was leading the way to the bus station. Jungkook just followed him without asking anything. They didn’t know where to go until they rode on the bus. Jungkook suggested going to the PC Room and Mingyu agreed. Jungkook said his Mom wasn’t at home because she was hanging out with her friends so he could be home late tonight.

 

Three hours had passed and they finally got out of the PC Room. Unless their stomach didn’t growl, they would be there for the next two hours. It’s already dinner time so they decided to look for a family restaurant. Mingyu texted Taehyung to ask for the popular restaurant around the area they were now. While waiting for Taehyung to reply to his text, they both were walking around to find a restaurant.

 

There were a few family restaurants around here. They weren’t sure which restaurant they should choose. So, they decided to take a stroll along this road and decided after they finished looking at all the restaurants. While they were walking down the street, Jungkook asked Mingyu the reason he told him to come only to become the third wheel.

“I did that to reject her,” Mingyu answered.

“What? Did she confess to you? But still, what’s the relation between me and rejecting her confession?” Jungkook confused by Mingyu's answer.

 

“She almost confesses, but thanks to you she cancels it.”

 

“How did you know?”

 

“From a hunch? I’ve lots of experience with this matter. So, yeah that’s why I can predict what will happen. If you didn’t come, maybe she will confess. I really really really hate when I should turn down their confession. I don’t want to hurt them, so I call you. Answer to the third party is less painful for me.”

 

“I don’t get it. Did I say something to reject her?”

 

“You said it. We aren’t allowed to date unless we want to get benched forever,”

 

Jungkook was wondering, whether it was him who was too dumb to understand or Mingyu who didn’t explain it simply. Looking at Jungkook's dumb face made Mingyu laugh and decided to tell Jungkook in detail. But, before he did it, Taehyung replied to his text. Mingyu then decided to explain to Jungkook later once they eat.

 

Mingyu and Jungkook were walking following the direction the digital maps told them. When they arrived, the restaurants were full and noisy. Since they both not a big fan of a trending restaurant, and also since they were really hungry, so they decided to find the place were not too crowded and comfortable to sit for quite sometimes without receiving deadly stare from the employee which indirectly tells them to leave. They kept walking and finally found the Korean food restaurants which have few empty seats. They came in then quickly ordered the food.

 

“At first, I thought you want to introduce me to your girlfriend. I think you want to tell me to keep it a secret,” Jungkook continued their conversation while poured the water to his and Mingyu’s cups.

 

“Why do you think like that?” Mingyu took his cup and drank the water after he replied.

 

“You ask me why? Hey, you treat me as I wasn’t there. I felt like I was invisible. There were only you and her on that table,” Jungkook put his cup down and fill it again with water.

 

“Hey, do you know why my ideal type is an older girl?” Mingyu asked.

 

“No. Is there any reason for it? I think the ideal type is something that has nothing to do with reason,” Jungkook innocent reply made Mingyu think Jungkook was so cute. His body might look like men but his mind was still as pure as a boy.

 

“At first, I say it to tell the same age and younger girl to back off. But now, I do prefer an older girl. Why? Because they are more mature. I don’t have to use explicit words to reject them. Just give them simple hint and code then they will back off. Unlike younger and same-age girls. They are quite persistent. Maybe because they are still young and have lots of fighting spirit. That’s why I should state a clear answer. Their reaction also… it’s so painful that makes me feel like I am totally an ,”

 

“Aaah. I see I see. But, about earlier, what code you use to reject her? Wait, you said I was the one who gave her the code. What was it? I don’t think I say something meaningful,” Jungkook got more interested in this code thing.

 

“You tell her about our soccer rule, remember? The reason why I asked you, not the others was because you are the most straightforward. You are not hesitant to say about our rules. That’s a bad thing about the older girl. They tend to ask for proof that they see with their eyes or logical argument,”

 

“So, which part of it those have a meaning to “back off”?”

 

Mingyu took a deep breath and looked tired with Jungkook’s slow understanding. But, he couldn’t blame him. He never deals with this situation.

 

“That means, I have no interest in dating. I told her before that I really love soccer. Soccer is one of the fun things that I find in school. I even tell her that I won the Spring Tournament. By telling her that we will get benched if we get caught dating, indicates she has no hope because I prefer my soccer team than her. I even call you and made you tell about it, she could get a hunch that I don’t have any interest to have a romantic relationship with her. You know, pretty and smart older girls have lots of pride. She understands the situation so she decided to back off. Besides, she doesn’t want to destroy my dream if she insists to have a relationship with me. She knew better what it feels to live as a high schooler who still have a big dream,”

 

Their short conversation was stopped due to the foods that they were desperately waiting for finally arrived. The auntie served the side dish first, then the rice. They were too hungry to wait for the main dish so they decided to eat the rice with the side dish.

 

“As I think about it again,” Jungkook was talking while munching his food. He was paused to digest his foods. Before he began to continue his talk, the auntie was coming again and brought two bowls of hot back-bone soup. They thanked her and in no time put their spoon to the soup and taste it. Jungkook put the whole rice into the soup while Mingyu poured the soup into his rice bowl.

 

“You said you want to reject her. That’s mean you don’t romantically like her. But, the way you treat her was too… nice? I mean you can create big misunderstanding if you treat her like that,” Jungkook personally thought it’s better to say to her directly about his true feeling although it’s hurt rather than act nice and give her false hope.

 

“Ah, that. That just me being a jerk,” Mingyu answer right away without having much thought.

 

Jungkook was coughing because he didn’t expect the answer.

 

“Surprised, huh? Hahaha… Let me tell you something interesting. Both girl and boy, they love it when they know there is someone who likes them even though they can’t return their feeling. I know I raise her expectations towards me. I know I can directly say or at least act like I have no interest to prevent her to have a deeper feeling. But, I don’t want her to hate me. Deep inside my heart, I don’t want to lose a fan. That’s why I said I just being a jerk,”

 

“That’s…. I have no word to say,”

 

“I know right. Although it’s hurtful, well both ways are hurtful. Whether you reject them directly or indirectly, but, still I prefer to act nice although it’s painful. I am fully aware I create a misunderstanding and although I reject them, they still have lingering feelings and little hope because I treat them nicely. But my goal is, become a sweet jerk. I want to be reminded as a sweet jerk than a rude jerk,”

 

“No offense, but your concept somehow suits your image,” Jungkook was staring at Mingyu in disbelief expression. Mingyu was laughing at him and also at his own-self.

***

 

Jungkook pressed the door code and entered his home. The light was off which means Mom hasn’t come home yet. He looked at the wall clock. It’s at 8.30 PM. He texted her Mom asking for the time she comes home. She replied right away and told him she will be home around 10 PM. Jungkook chuckled then replied to her by telling her to have fun. It’s been so long since her mom was out to having fun with her friends till late at night. Jungkook went straight away to his room and prepared to take a shower.

 

The mirror in the bathroom was dewy because of the vapor from the hot water. Jungkook wiped the mirror with his hands then staring at his reflection. He suddenly thought about what Mingyu said when they eat their dinner. He questioned himself whether he also being a jerk towards her. He knew she likes him and she turned so shy and clumsy whenever he stared at her or got too close to her. At first, he did it because he just wanted to . He was known to be a prankster. But, as he thought about it again, he sounds like a bad guy who toying with the girls feeling. He thought Mingyu was a bad guy by playing with girls’ hearts, but here he was, not different from his friend.

 

After wearing his sleepwear, Jungkook jumped to his bed. It felt so nice and extra comfortable. He closed his eyes for a while to enjoy the feeling of resting his mind and body. He was about to sleep but his eyes were forced to open again by the sounds of his vibrating phone. His hands were looking at his phone area around his pillow but he couldn’t find it. He sat up and looked to his desk. With heavy steps, he walked towards his desk and sat down on the chair. He grabbed his phone and swiped the screen. He touched on the yellow app icon and its window was open. He touched the first chat and read it. His teammates were asking him to join the online game. He was tired but he couldn’t say no to online games. It still a holiday which means he was free to wake up late. He his PC then put his phone on his pants. He got out of the room and went to the kitchen. He should ensure preparing enough food and drink so that he won’t sneak out at midnight.

 

“What are you doing?” without Jungkook realized, his Mom was already standing behind him with crossed arms.

 

“Oh, Mom. You are home,” Jungkook was showing a guilty smile because he was caught right-handedly. His Mom was looking behind his back and saw the snacks he just put out from the kitchen cabinet.

 

“Preparing for the battle?” his Mom was walking closer and did some inspection for the food supplies. Jungkook moved aside naturally. He didn’t answer his Mom question but with his guilty smile, his Mom already knew the answer.

 

“So, Mom is right. Alright, since it still holiday you can stay up late. But, don’t be noisy. You will disturb our neighbor,” Mom was smiling warmly.

 

“Thanks, mom. You are the best!” Jungkook didn’t expect the plot twist but he was so happy.

 

“Of course. You can’t find a Mom like me. Enjoy your game. You should eat chicken tonight!” Mom was leaving him and walked towards her bedroom.

 

Jungkook was laughing as he heard his Mom’s comments. Where did his Mom learn about the chicken? It’s a term popular among gamers. Eat the chicken means they win the battle. Jungkook never disappointed about his Mom's surprise. He sure was glad that she was his Mom.

 

Jungkook stared at the snacks on the kitchen table. He thought that the amount was enough. He grabbed it and since it’s too much, he ended up hugging the snack and hold the coffee can on the left hand and jug of water on the right hand. He climbed the stairs then went straight to his room. Jungkook put down all the snacks on the desk next to his PC and sat down on the chair. He was so ready to play the game but the vibration from the phone was disturbing. Jungkook took out his phone from his pants and read it. This time, it’s not from his soccer group chat, it’s from his chemical supplementary class. The class president told them the result was out and it will be announced tomorrow.

 

Talking about chemical class reminded him of Chaeyoung. He unconsciously smiling after he remembered the thing that he discovered today. He pushed back his chair so that he could reach his book stacks. He was looking through his school textbooks but he couldn’t find it. He opened the drawer and saw a book with a rose doodle on its cover. He smiled after found what he was looking for. He took it out from the drawer and opened the first cover. So, today he just found out that the owner of this book, the black hoodie girl, was the same girl that gave him the book that helped him study. He desperately looking for that hoodie girl to return this book but couldn’t find her because he didn’t know anything about her. He could ask the clerk of the convenient store to return it to her, but he wanted to do it himself. He wanted to apologize because he almost caused the girl's life in danger. Speaking of causing her in danger, Jungkook suddenly remembered the takoyaki incident. He now knew the reason why Chaeyoung said whenever they were together, she seemed to encounter the life-threatening incident. He was confused at first because he thought it was the first time, but now it all made sense.

 

The group chat was getting so noisy again. They were busy scolding each other for not showing up. They were about to start the battle. Jungkook put the book on the desk then rolled his chair to get closer to his PC. He put on his earphone and busy playing the game with his friends.

 

Jungkook leaned on the chair, took off his earphone and stretching his body. The team was decided to take a rest for 15 minutes. Some of them ordering late-night snacks, some lie down on the bed, some were eating the snack they were prepared. Jungkook put some pieces of the potato chips to his mouth. He opened the can of coffee and drank it. They still have a long way to go. The night was still long. Jungkook was holding the chips then spin his chair while waiting for his team to coming back. When he was spinning, the book that he took from the drawer before was catching his attention. He stopped the chair, put the chips on the desk then his fingers to clean up the crumbs that stick on it. He opened the first page. No name was written on it. There was only a picture of an artistic rose. He wondered whether Chaeyoung was a big fan of rose. She seemed to have a rose pattern on her books.

 

“New semester has begun. New house, new friends, new environment, new pages. Everything is new. That’s why I should live as a new me too,”

 

Jungkook read the first sentences on the first page. He quickly closed the book. It was a diary. It was rude to read someone else diary. He put it back again on his drawer. He was spinning his chair again. After one full circle, he took his phone. He read all the chats he hasn’t read. After he read and replied to the chat, he opened the gallery. He wanted to clean his gallery by deleting some of the unimportant pictures. When he swiped down the picture, he saw the picture that Mingyu took today at the restaurant. He sent it to the group chat because the restaurant that they visited today was serving delicious foods. They should go there as a team sometimes. Looking at the picture reminded him of the conversation when they were having dinner.

 

“You are so kind to every woman. I wonder how nice you could be when you treat your future girlfriend.” Jungkook asked Mingyu after finished his meals.

 

“Hmm… that’s a great question. I don’t even know the answer. But, you know, I think I can treat her differently. Maybe… I will change when I am with her. Instead of becoming sweet and kind, I might act become childish to win her attention. Some of my friends said when you are together with your beloved one, you can change into a completely different person,” Mingyu answering while smiling like he was falling in love. He might want to experience that feeling.

 

Jungkook shook his head. He sat straight then tilted his neck to the left then right. He was back to his PC, wishing to throw away that thought on his mind. He was back to play the game but he wasn't focused and it made him lose the game in a second. He stopped playing then sipped his coffee again. He was in a war with his heart. He wasn’t sure whether he just a jerk like how Mingyu described himself or he had “something more” towards her.

 

Reminiscing about what happened today made Jungkook's heart was shaking. It was hard for him to describe what he truly felt. Which one is he? The jerk who loves to tease the girl who likes him or did he slowly fall for her? He knew all along that she had a feeling for him. Since the first day she tutoring him, he unconsciously . He was fully aware that she got all red whenever he did something that might a bit intimate. Well, she even got shy when he stared at her in the eyes. He knew it but he somehow kept doing it. That’s made him sure that he was no different than Mingyu.

 

Jungkook was sure about him being a jerk, but he was hesitating whether his feeling was change. He remembered that his heart suddenly pounding so hard unlike usual when she cheered him up today. Moreover, he unconsciously kept looking at her and couldn’t stop smiling. He was bringing an umbrella, but why did he choose to not saying it and stay with her? He also not the type to console his problem with people who aren’t that close but, why he suddenly spat out a question and almost talks about his trouble. After gave a deep thought about it, Jungkook made a conclusion that he only being a jerk. His heart was a bit shaken due to hear encouraging words. That’s all. He might felt a bit touched that’s why he was looked at her differently today. It’s simply just he adore and admire her. Maybe, it’s also the sign that he was already comfortable around her. Yes, that’s right. That’s must be the answer. The reason why he was about to talk about his problem was that he felt comfortable and finally saw her as a friend, not as someone who just taught him about Chemistry.

 

Jungkook looked at the drawer. He should return her book. Should he meet her tomorrow? He could return her book and also told her the result of his exam. Besides, he owed her an apology for almost made her life in danger. He took his phone and started to type. But then, he stopped and realized that it’s already past midnight. She might be asleep now. It wasn’t polite and it made him looked bad. He put his phone away and back to his PC. He clicked and started a new game but his mind wasn’t there. He stared at the PC with a blank stare, tapping his finger on the mouse, and shook his leg. He dragged his chair to take his phone. He suddenly remembered that Chaeyoung said her bedtime was passed midnight. There was a chance she still awake right now. It’s better to ask her now. It will be too sudden if he asked her tomorrow.

 

“Hey, are you sleeping?” he typed it on his keyboard but then he erased it again. He did it several times and finally decided to send her a short simple word “Sleeping?”. He touched the sent button, put his phone on the desk then flipped its screen. He back on his PC and start a new game again. His phone suddenly ringing and he quickly grabbed it. He saw the screen but it’s the timer that he set before. His group chat was begun to get noisy again. His teammates ware back, which means he will start the battle again. He felt a bit disappointed but he was quickly back to focus on the game again. This time, he put his phone near the mouse.

 

Jungkook was playing the game but sometimes his eyes were stealing a glance at his phone. There was still no notification. He looked at the bottom right of his PC. He shouldn’t wait for her. It’s way too late. She might be asleep now. He should give up and this time should be focused on the game.

 

“AAAHHH JUNGKOOK WHY ARE YOU DEAD SO QUICKLY???” Taehyung was screaming on his earphone several minutes later.

 

“Oh, I am sorry,” Jungkook apologized then took his earphone off. He was smiling so widely while staring and typing on his phone.

 

“Are you free tomorrow?”

 

“I have an appointment with my friend, but I think it won’t be long. Why?”

 

“I took your belonging by mistake and I want to return it,”

 

“Really? What’s that? I don’t feel like I lose something. Well, I become forgetful lately so I might not realize it. So, tomorrow, when? Where?”

 

“It’s up to you. Somewhere close to your appointment location? I’m free so, I’ll let u decide,”

 

“Allegro Café at 2 PM?”

 

“That’s fine. Then, sorry for disturbing u late at nite. See u tomorrow,”

 

“it’s not tomorrow, it’s today,”

 

“Sorry, my mistake. Then, see u at 2,”

 

“kay, see ya! ^^

 

Jungkook put down his phone then returned to his computer. He told his teammates that he will retreat for tonight. He was too sleepy. Despite the nag and scold from his friends, he still logged out then shut his computer down. He grabbed his phone then walked towards his bed. He turned off the lights then rest his head on the pillow. He looked at his phone and read his conversation again. He was smiling and after he read it for the second time, he put his phone down and closed his eyes.

 

The roses!!! Jungkook who tried to sleep suddenly sat up because once he closed his eyes, he thought about the rose drawing on both books. He the light again then sat down on his chair, took the book from the drawer and took another one from his school bag. He compared both of the covers. It was the same. Although there was inconsistency on the line, it showed the same pattern. He then looked at the box beneath his bed. He was hesitating but with heavy heart, he took that box. The box was opened and he took out the pile of sticky-note and one envelope.

 

With a pounding heart, Jungkook re-read all the sticky notes. He observed one by one. The drawing on each note wasn’t consistency unlike what was draw on the books. The handwritten was also different. He opened the envelope and read the letter. The letter was attached to the book that Chaeyoung gave him. It’s a confession letter. The letter that was causing chaos on Jungkook’s heart and mind. He gulped. There was a chance that those all were written by the same person. He wanted to know the truth, about his suspicions, but at the same time, he also scared. Some parts of his heart told him to let this passed. There was no use to talk about the bad thing that happened in the past.

 

Finally, after considering a lot of pros and cons, Jungkook decided to find out the truth. Although it’s rude to read someone else diary, that diary was the answer key to all of this mystery. Jungkook took the diary and started to read the first page. Curiosity killed the cat. That’s what people say. And, as Jungkook reach more and more pages of that diary, he slowly led his heart to follow the cat’s steps.