BEHIND THE SCENES

chapter 38: regret-inciting rules

Jieun nodded slowly. "That's understandable. I wouldn't want anyone randomly coming into my room as well. So I would like this rule to apply to the both of us."

"Fair enough," Jungkook agreed easily. "Rule number 2! Keep your volume down at all times, the thing I hate most is noise."

"Sure, that's easy-" Jieun nodded amicably. "I hate noise too. Let's live together quietly, Jungkook-ssi."

"Rule number 3! No inviting friends over for parties or gatherings without my permission. I hate mess in my house."

Jieun frowned. "Exactly how many rules are there-"

"Rule number 4! Do your laundry separately from mine - I don't like mixing my things with other people's."

"Jungkook-ssi-"

"Rule number 5! Consumption of skate, kimchi, durian, garlic or any other pungent food is strictly banned in this household. I'm sensitive to smell."

Jieun's jaw dropped. "What?!"

"Rule number 6! Do not ever touch any of my things, including my food in the refrigerator, my laundry, everything. Please respect my private space."

"Excuse me? You're the one who-"

"Rule number 7! No usage of the air conditioner unless for sleeping at night. Use the fan instead."

"Excuse me-"

"Rule number 8! Do not ever-"

"Stop!" Jieun yelled, waving her hands and interrupting Jungkook at once. "Stop, stop, stop!"

Jungkook raised his eyebrows as he stared at Jieun. "What?"

"Exactly how many rules are there?"

Jungkook thought for a while. "Maybe... 50?"

"And you think I can remember all of them?"

"No," Jungkook said with a shrug as he reached into his bag and pulled out a piece of paper. "That's why I have it all printed out for you here. I just quickly thought it out last night though, so if I have any additions along the way, I'll keep you updated."

Jieun's jaw dropped as she took the document from Jungkook and stared blankly at it. "No pets allowed, no singing, no cooking unnecessarily, no snacks- No snacks?!"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I told you I don't eat any unhealthy food. I'm trying to maintain my body, Jieun-ssi. Please understand."

"But that's you!" Jieun shook her head in disbelief. "Unlike you, I like snacks, I like watching TV while eating snacks - I like Hot Cheetos, I like OREOs, I like cookies, I like chips, I like-"

"Yeah, I know-" Jungkook shrugged. "And I think you might be slightly confused here, because I like snacks too, Jieun-ssi. I'm human too, after all. But maintaining my figure is part of my job scope, so that's where the problem lies. If there's snacks lying around my house, do you think I'll be able to diet properly? Just eat an apple instead, or something. It's just a tiny sacrifice you'll have to make while you're living here with me."

"Just a tiny sacrifice?!" Jieun inhaled sharply as she shoved the document in Jungkook's face. "You call these 53 house rules you have printed for me over here... 'just a tiny sacrifice'?! Jungkook-ssi, I'm Korean and you're asking me not to eat kimchi?!"

"I'm not banning you from eating it-" Jungkook shrugged. "You'll just have to eat it outside. This is my house, I make the rules, Jieun-ssi."

Jieun stared blankly at Jungkook for a few seconds. Then she shook her head and fumbled around for her phone. "I want out. I'm not doing this anymore."