They ended up at a bowling alley tucked between cafés and karaoke rooms—one of those slightly retro spots with neon lights, old-school pop music, and the comforting scent of fried snacks lingering in the air.
Chaeyoung tied her hair up with a scrunchie she pulled from her pocket, narrowing her eyes at the lane like it had offended her. "Okay, but just so we're clear, I haven't done this in like... two years."
Jungkook was already inputting their names onto the screen. His: JK. Hers: CHAE. "Perfect. No excuses when I win."
She snorted. "Watch me get a strike on the first try."
She didn't. But her second round? Clean shot.
Jungkook blinked. "You've been lying to me."
"Beginner's luck," she sang, grabbing a nacho from their shared tray.
They didn't keep score seriously. Mostly it was them teasing, making up dumb victory dances, and high-fiving with exaggerated flair. Every now and then, their fingers lingered just a little too long. Neither of them mentioned it.
****
After bowling and a healthy amount of trash talk, they found a cozy samgyeopsal spot on a quieter side street, its sign flickering softly above the door. Inside, the tables were half full, the air thick with the sound of sizzling meat and easy laughter.
Chaeyoung slid into the booth first, tying her hair up lazily as she reached for the side dishes. Jungkook sat across from her, already helping with the grill. It was automatic between them—like they'd done this a hundred times before.
"Grilling meat in all black," she teased, eyeing his shirt. "Bold."
He raised a brow. "Coming from the woman who owns six identical black tops?"
"Touche."
They cooked and ate without rushing. Chaeyoung stole all the garlic. Jungkook built her the perfect lettuce wrap when she wasn't looking. The conversation meandered—stupid things Jimin said at work, Lisa's newfound obsession with pottery, Tae's upcoming trip to Busan.
And then it quieted for a beat.
"You're really okay now?" Jungkook asked, watching her with calm eyes as he flipped a piece of pork belly.
She nodded slowly. "Mostly. Still aches a little when I carry heavier stuff, but... I'm fine."
He nodded back. "Good."
She didn't say thank you—but the way she looked at him across the table, like she knew he'd been checking in even when she hadn't answered all his messages, said enough.
Later, they ended up walking off their dinner by the Han River.
The city glowed behind them, casting gold and blue hues on the water. They moved at an easy pace, steps quiet, breeze soft.
At one point, their arms brushed. Neither of them pulled away.
"You read through Monday's layout notes?" she asked, kicking at a loose pebble on the pavement.
"Yeah. I synced with the team this morning"
Chaeyoung nodded. "I should be back full-time by Monday, by the way."
Jungkook glanced at her. "Only if your arm says so."
She smiled. "It's not in charge. I am."
He huffed a soft laugh, then added, "I've been keeping things moving. Don't worry too much."
"I'm not. Not with you handling it."
That made him pause slightly. "Really?"
She turned toward him, expression sincere. "Yeah. You've been... steady. It means more than you think."
STAI LEGGENDO
Back Then
Storie d'amore"I'm not trying to fix anything," he said finally. Chaeyoung's voice was flat. "Good."
