The only noise in the dark library was the loud thunder and heavy rain. You could hear whispers and movement throughout the library.
"Hey y/n, I didn't intend to go through your things, but that book title seems really cheesy, even in the summary," Jin whispered quietly. "Do you have a problem with the novel I read?" y/n whispered quietly, feeling hurt.
"I honestly didn't expect you to be someone who reads romance novels, because I know this for sure. You usually prefer horror ones." "I still enjoy horror, but since everyone in my class has been discussing this novel as the best romance for months, I read all the reviews and chose to give it a try. How bad can it really be?" "I won't stop you from enjoying romance that's so cheesy."
Y/n smacks Jin's shoulder.
"Ouch, what was that for?" "Keep talking like that and I'll smack you even harder; I'm serious about this." "When did you become so tough?" "After all the bullying I faced years back, I chose to finally stand up for myself. "Alright, alright, I'll stop calling it 'cheesy,' but please don't hit me on the shoulder; I need it for the choreography."
Y/n and Jin began to argue but soon started laughing when Jin surrendered.
"Um, y/n, I know this isn't my place to ask you this, but are you happy dating Suga?" Jin inquired nervously. "Uh, yeah, I am. He's really nice. I know it's only been about 2 days since we started dating, but I've begun to notice the small things about him. For instance, that day in the cafeteria when Namjoon suggested I sit elsewhere, I was surprised that Suga chased after me. He even got my three favorite snacks from the convenience store," y/n said while gazing at the library ceiling in the dark. "Ah, I see," Jin replied.
"Should I admit my feelings to her now? I need to do it even if she's already in a relationship with Suga, but I need to let go of these feelings before I experience another heartbreak, and I should bring up the kiss we had six years ago, just in case she forgot," Jin thought.
"By the way, y/n, there's something I need to share with you." "I have something to say too, Jin." "You go ahead; I insist." "No, you go first since you brought it up first."
"I know you're dating Suga, but y/n, I have had feelings for you since we were kids. My feelings are real. Honestly, when I learned you were dating Suga that day he announced it in the music studio, I felt heartbroken. I never expected to feel this way; I thought it only happened in K-dramas, but now I see it can happen in real life too. I wonder if you recall the kiss we had 6 years ago," Jin said with all his strength.
"Oh, Jin. So, you have liked me all this time; that's really sweet of you. My— I—also have genuine feelings for you, but—" y/n hesitated. "I've always had feelings for you, but now that I'm dating Suga, I can't reciprocate those feelings. I'm really sorry. And yes, I remember that kiss we had 6 years ago. Honestly, it was surprising, and it felt magical," y/n said, her eyes welling up.
"I'm happy to know you feel the same way about me. Perhaps in the future, when you're single, we could date if that's what you want," Jin said confidently. "I would love that," y/n replied, excitedly wiping her tears. "Come here, y/n, let me give you a hug to help you feel better and wipe those tears away," Jin said, offering his comforting words to y/n.
They embraced for about 10 minutes until the lights in the library turned back on.
Everyone stood up from the floor and cushions, hurriedly collecting their things and doing their best to leave safely.
After their hug, y/n and Jin stood up, gathered their belongings, and made their way to the bus stop.
Both were reflecting on their earlier conversation, wondering, "Was it a smart decision to admit to each other the feelings they had been holding on to for so long?"
Just as Jin boarded the bus with y/n, he received a message from Jungkook.
[Jin & Jungkook]
Jungkook: I heard you were at the bookshop with y/n when there was a major power outage. Are you alright?
Jin: Yes, I'm fine. The lights just went out suddenly.
Jungkook: I'm glad to hear that.
Jin: So, what's going on?
Jungkook: I just wanted to check on you and make sure you get home safely. This storm isn't letting up anytime soon.
Jin: I will!
"Hey y/n, have you heard from your parents?" Jin inquired as y/n spoke on the phone with them. "Don't worry, Mom and Dad, everything is okay; I'm with Jin on the bus. The storm has paused for now, but I expect it to start raining heavily again soon since I checked the forecast—so you're saying I shouldn't go home right now because the street is flooded? Where should I go then? Even if I ask Jin, I feel like it would be a hassle. Okay, I'll ask Jin."
She asked Jin if she could stay at his studio apartment after the storm passes.
"Mom, Jin confirmed that he completely agrees for me to stay over at his place once the storm is over, and he will drive me back home afterward. Just please inform me when the street is clear of flooding, because remember that time I texted Dad and he didn't reply, and I ended up soaked? Okay, Mom, I'll update you when I get to Jin's studio apartment. Bye."
Y/n finished her call with her parents while Jin gazed out the window at the sky.
"It has been a while since she stayed at my studio apartment. Now that I think about it, did I leave it tidy before I left? I'm probably overthinking it again; I must have because I can't handle messy places, especially with this rain," Jin reflected.
The bus pulled up to the stop, and y/n and Jin got off, opened their umbrellas, and headed towards Jin's studio apartment.
They stopped at a 7-Eleven in Anyang-si to find something to eat.
"I'm so hungry," y/n said, glancing at the aisle. "Me too, let's get some noodles and kimbap. You can pick your favorite snacks, and I'll choose mine," Jin replied while talking to y/n from the other aisle. "Okay, I'll get my favorite snacks, pay for them, and look for a seat," y/n said as she spotted her favorite snacks.
As Jin looks for noodles, kimbap, and his favorite snacks to buy and pay for, he goes to the machine to add hot water to the noodles when a mysterious girl touches his shoulder.
"Hello, are you Jin from BTS?" "Yes, I am," Jin replied as he turned around. "Can I ask why a good-looking guy is at 7-Eleven alone in the middle of the night without his group?" "Well, sometimes the members enjoy having some personal space and just being ourselves, so it's quite unusual to see one of us out here." "Oh, I see. But why do you have 2 cup noodles and 2 kimbaps? Are you with someone?" "Yes, I am actually here with my best friend; she's currently paying for her snacks and will be coming this way," Jin said, glancing at the cash register.
The mysterious girl turned to see who Jin was calling his 'best friend,' and her jaw dropped in surprise.
"Jin, I must say this to you as someone who's a fan of you, but she's trouble. She's the reason we despise her because of what happened six years ago."
Jin stood there reflecting on what the fan had told him, inhaled deeply, and replied with frustration: "If you hate her, then don't consider yourself a fan of mine. You belong to the toxic fandom, not mine. After 6 years, I've been always defending her since she's innocent. If you have any evidence like what you've seen in the news, that isn't evidence at all."
"But, Jin, this is for the best. I'm still going to support you and be your fan regardless, but if you have intentions of dating someone in the future, please don't date her." "And who are you to tell me who I should date?" "But Jin, I urge you to hear me out, I've heard negative things about—"
"Excuse me for interrupting your little chat, darling, but I caught everything you said about me being trouble. Did you lose your voice, or do I need to get down on my knees to apologize for interrupting what you were planning to say about me? Go ahead, I'm ready to listen," y/n declared confidently as she walked toward the fan.
"Um, never mind, I'm just going to leave." "No way, you aren't leaving this store until you share any other details you know about me." "Jin, please, as your admirer, can you assist me?"
The fan turned to Jin for support.
"Hun, Jin isn't your friend here, and he won't help you. Are you worried that I might harm you? That's what many have been saying about me—that I cause harm to others. You're just another addition to my collection of haters, and I continue to gather them one by one. So tell me, 'fan,' what other rumors have you heard about me?"
"Please don't hurt me, but the buzz I picked up about you around my school is that you bring misfortune to idols." "Bad luck for idols—what kind of wild info is that? People nowadays really lack a life outside of their phones and spreading false information. Now that you've shared that with me, you're free to leave."
Y/n stepped aside to let the fan exit the store.
The fan girl dashed out of the store at lightning speed and hurried home.
"I see the noodles are already cooked; we should eat before they get cold and rush before the streets flood," Y/n said, feeling hungry.
Y/n and Jin sat by the window, enjoying their cup noodles and kimbap while sharing a warm moment.