Jimin was not entirely sure if he did a good job at 'getting to know' Seulgi and 'befriending' her. He could only hope she didn't find him weird for knowing her favorite drink and watching her intently whenever she drew on her sketchpad or whenever she looks at the paintings on the wall. Although he was a bit satisfied with the conversations he initiated with her. Not too boring but not entirely personal.
But Jimin couldn't help but glare at his best friend who was more pleased at the outcome of this day. To say that Jimin was embarrassed was an understatement. He was in between feeling thankful and feeling murderous towards Taehyung. But in reality, it was the former.
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After their orientation with the setting and equipment they are to use in their part time job, Taehyung and Wendy prepared themselves for a short training. Originally, Jin suggested for Jimin and Seulgi to act as separate costumers ordering separate orders but Taehyung being Taehyung had something else in mind.
"Instead of that, they could act like a couple on a coffee date!" Not prepared from that kind of suggestion, Jimin froze, speechless.
"Couple? Well, that's not a bad idea." Jin mused, his arms crossed as he slowly nodded in agreement.
"Of course it's not! In fact, it's a great idea!" Taehyung turned to Sandeul, Jin's best friend, also the co-owner of Hwa Yang Yeon Hwa Coffeehouse who Seulgi described as the sunbaenim with chubby cheeks and a charming smile. The girls were told that it was okay for them to call him and Jin "oppas" which made Jimin mumble "Hyung's such a flirt." in a small voice with only Taehyung catching it. "Will that be okay with you, Wendy-ah?" Sandeul turned to the girl who was just as stunned as Jimin.
"Huh? Oh! Uhm..." Wendy trailed off, eyeing her best friend. "If Seulgi's fine with it. I guess." Taehyung grinned at his Sandeul hyung, realizing he was on the same boat as him.
Jimin turned to Seulgi. Of course it's not fine with her. Suddenly asking her to do something weird, she's not− "Alright."
"Eh?!" Jimin blurted out all of a sudden, not expecting her reply but Seulgi only gave him a shrug.
"Will it help Wendy with the training?" She asked, tilting her head. The question made Jimin pause; thoughts struggled to organize in his head. Then it clicked, his shoulders slumped at the realization. She would readily agree to anything for the benefit of her best friend or even for any people close to her. He felt ridiculous for getting worked up about it but he wasn't sure if he's relieved or disappointed that she didn't think of it that way.
Wendy noticed his sudden change of mood and this made her chuckle to herself. Looking back at Seulgi, smiling sweetly at her, she nodded. "It'd help a lot."
With a clap of his hands, Jin looked at everyone. "Well, I guess it's settled. Jiminie and Seulgi will pretend to be a couple. Come in and act as real costumers. You don't have to memorize everything on the menu right away, Wendy. You still have ample time to do so, for now let's focus on service." Jin explained in which Wendy nodded in response.
"As for Taehyungie, you serve the food orders, alright?" The café served their food menu by waiters.
It seemed like everyone was fine with it, he didn't have any reason to say no anyway. With a soft sigh, Jimin spoke. "So, should we order something TaeTae should serve?" A few more minutes, and the discussion was over. Wendy was half worried and half looking forward while Taehyung on the other hand was simply enjoying the situation.
Jin sensed something odd from his friend, so with a nudge he grabbed Sandeul's attention. Giving him a look, Sandeul understood but shrugged off Jin's questioning thoughts. "Now, all that's left is for the two to act as a real couple. Right, Taehyungie?"
Grinning cheekily, Taehyung nodded and slung his arm around Sandeul's shoulder. Jimin could only glare at the two for teaming up against him. "Of course, the training will be much more realistic that way. Right, Wendy?"
Wendy blinked and struggled to supply their statements but thought of something right away. "Oh! Right, we don't have to worry with the acting since Seulgi is naturally good in acting even though she doesn't take Dramatic Arts course but..."
Everyone looked at her. "But?" Jin asked.
Knowing what the problem is, Jimin continued for Wendy with an adoring grin. "She doesn't know what couples do."
Everyone looked at Seulgi who was looking at them with eyes as innocent as a lamb's.
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"When are they going to finish?" Jimin complained, eyeing them with perturbed look that only caught Wendy's attention. Taehyung and Sandeul had Seulgi huddled between them saying they were having a team discussion. Even without saying, it was obvious that huddling her didn't suit his taste but he merely thought of it as impatience.
"Yah! You punks! You're taking forever; Wendy will kill you if you tell her unnecessary things." Jin complained which earned a chuckle from Wendy.
"Ok, we're done! Now, you two head out."
"Do we really have to start outside?" It was new for Seulgi. A lot of things were new for her; Jimin talking longer than a sentence, Jimin complaining, Jimin glaring, and just simply Jimin. She has been quiet most of the time, observing everything and everyone around her.
Noticing that he was in a sour mood, she stepped forward, pulled his sleeve and looked at him in the eyes. "Let's go out."
A small squeak unexpectedly left Wendy's mouth which she stopped right away by covering it with her hands. Eyes wide, she looked at her companions and wished to the hidden stars that she shouldn't have. She was now not only stopping a squeal but her laugh as well as she watched three adult boys with their hands covering their mouth feeling the same feelings as her with tinted cheeks.
He was knocked breathless. The simple statement with double meaning caught him off guard. For a moment he forgot how to breathe when he heard those three words as he looked down at her sparkling eyes filled with innocence not knowing the power that her words had against him.
With one last tug on his sleeve, "Okay." He took her hand, noting how small hers was on his. He was so unsure if he should've done that, but it felt so thrilling. The feeling of holding her hand is not unlike walking on the edge of a cliff. His heart raced, pounding so fast, that it doesn't sound like heartbeats, but to a dull and obstinate hum. It felt like a pressure cooker, locked up, and boiling quickly. Her hand was warm, yet he felt like a nuclear reactor.
The four who were left behind did not move a muscle until they heard the bell ring signalling that they are now outside. Then they scurried to their places in excitement.
Unable to let out a word because of a lump on his throat, Jimin gulped before daring to look at her. Their hands still intertwined made his heart hammer non-stop. He could even feel his own pulse making him wonder if she could feel it with her hand against his. "What did hyung and TaeTae tell you earlier?" He asked in a quiet voice as if not wanting to disrupt the serenity between them.
She looked up and met his eyes. With hesitation, she replied, "They told me to not tell you." But she didn't want keeping secrets from Jimin for some reason so she pondered and eventually decided. "Aegyo."
"Aegyo?" He looked at her, confused, but he couldn't ask further because Jin stuck his head out and gave them the go signal. The two of them, hand in hand, walked in with Jimin opening the door for her. With a small thank you, they began the act. Sandeul and Jin sat on one of the tables, watching and evaluating but mostly watched like audience watching a romantic movie in a cinema.
Looking around as if it's her first time inside, Seulgi tugged on his sleeve again with her free hand and pointed at the table at the corner of the café that had a perfect view of the whole place. "Oppa, let's go sit over there."
Taehyung tightly clasped his hands into fists and curled himself as he watched his best friend's face turn an embarrassingly dark shade of pink. She's done it! She's done it! He thought to himself as he shared a quick meaningful look with Sandeul.
Finally finding his breath, Jimin nodded and failed to not stutter. "Ah- o-ok." Jimin was about to lead them to the place she had pointed at but she pulled back his hand and tightening her hold on it which made him turn sharply to her with wide eyes from surprise. "I want to order together with oppa."
What did they teach her in that short span of time that made her do and say these things?! Jimin didn't know how to react but led her to order together nonetheless. Wendy was still trying to register the situation. There she was, her Seulgi, calling the guy that may or may not be attracted to her 'oppa' which may or may not be killing him inside right now. Lord, help him.
Wendy picked herself up when the pair was now in front of her. She smiled at Jimin who shyly looked away while Seulgi on the other hand... Haah... Seulgi-ah. You man killer. "Good afternoon. May I take your orders?" She smiled at the two and waited patiently knowing that Seulgi was probably looking for the peppermint mocha latte she wanted. Wendy forgot to tell her earlier that the drink was available, she felt bad for Jimin because Seulgi will most likely be lost as she read the menu above them.
Jimin watched Seulgi as she bit her bottom lip, reading the whole menu above Wendy. He chuckled and patted her head once. "One Peppermint Mocha Latte, and one White Mocha with few less pumps." Seulgi turned to him, surprised. Then she smiled, just a little smile at first, but as it grew it pressed her rosy cheeks up, slowly and finally the smile reached her eyes, lighting them, causing them to crinkle at the corners. In that moment she was everything he never thought he had ever hoped for. In the next, realization dawned.
Wendy was in awe, drowned in the waves filled with beautiful meaning as she watched the two of them. "W-would you like something to eat?" For some reason, Wendy was happy, very happy. If ever she was right... That would be wonderful.
Remembering the instruction given to her, Seulgi nodded, completely dedicated to the task. "Fruit toast please."
Receiving their drinks, Jimin brought the tray to their table after being told that the Fruit toast will be served. He pulled a chair for Seulgi in which she thanked in a small voice, and then sat across from her. He let out a sigh as if he was holding his breath all the while before placing his elbows on the table, cheek on his palm and fixing his eyes to the girl in front of him who beamed as she sipped on her drink. Unconsciously smiling, he chuckled from the foam above her lips. There were no tissues, without hesitation and thoughts, he pulled out his handkerchief and wiped the foam off catching her off guard. Jimin's hands froze, surprised by his own action, struggling to make coherent thoughts.
"What a lovely couple drinking sweet drinks, having sweet foods, and doing sweet things! Enjoy your Fruit toasts!" Taehyung literally skipped as he made his way towards Wendy who tried so hard not to squeal right then and there. Taehyung was laughing excitedly in a small voice, his hyungs giving him thumbs up.
"H-here, your fruit toasts." Jimin gently pushed the plate towards her while she only watched. Remembering their team meeting earlier, she turned to the table of the two older guys and gave a quick look to Sandeul before picking up a toast with a fork.
"Say aaahhh..."
Jimin blinked at the sight, "I− No, Uhm... I can−" He trailed off when she pouted and even looked at him with puppy eyes. It was too much that he almost swore. Ignoring the obvious looks from them, he opened his mouth and took a bite from the toast, his heart beat drummed within his ears and cheeks tainted with a shade of pink.
Satisfied, Seulgi couldn't help but let out a short laugh. "Does it taste good?"
Everything becomes delicious if fed by you.
"Yeah, try it." With that, Seulgi also took a bite where he had bitten; it took him a lot of will power to not groan. When will this suffering end?
Thankfully, it ended when Jin decided to fill Wendy and Taehyung with additional information about the whole menu and how each are made. While they were back in training mode, Seulgi and Jimin silently munched on the toasts end enjoyed their drinks.
"Jimin-ah." Without warning, Seulgi suddenly called, grabbing his attention. He looked at her pointing somewhere and followed. She was pointing at a painting just above the wooden sideboard. "Is that Jungkookie's painting?" She asked, looking at him with a curious expression.
Before giving an answer, Jimin asked back. "Why? You like it?"
Seulgi nodded in response. "It's very pretty and well made. I like the unique mixture of colours of the cherry blossom; the harmony of blue and purple but not completely competing with the original colours of the blossoms." She smiled. "It's beautiful."
Happiness bubbled inside him. "Thank you."
"Eh? You painted that?" She turned to the painting again before looking back at him. Jimin gave her a small nod, feeling a bit shy. But the information only left her astonished. Now that it has come to this, Seulgi suddenly felt a surge of excitement, taking his hand with both of hers and looked at him with sparkling eyes filled with admiration. "Join us!"
"E-eh?"
"Arts club! Join us! Please?" Again with her pout. "I've always wondered why you never applied for the club when we're both taking Visual Arts. Ah well, for one, I thought you didn't because majority of the members are girls but you don't have to worry about it because Jungkookie is with us and− and, uhmm... If the girls scare you, I'll protect you!" Her expression was filled with determination that he couldn't help but forget his uneasiness from their hands and let out a short chuckle instead.
"I'm not scared of the girls." He grinned cheekily, took back his hand and gave her a pat on the head before leaning his cheek on his palm again. "Arts club, huh." He muttered to himself.
Now that she mentions, why didn't I apply? Then it registered to him; it was because she was there. After their first meeting, he went to a phase where he was completely and utterly lost as to how to approach her knowing full well that he'll most likely make a fool out of himself. But then, it was different this time. This time, he wanted to change the situation, get along and be friends, and if possible, probably more.
"Is it okay if I apply late?"
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Seulgi was happy; Wendy noted and that mere fact made her happy too. Seulgi enjoyed her time with the new oppas she met, her time watching Wendy and Taehyung work hard, and her time with Jimin who she only used to watch from afar. She felt tingly inside, seeing his smile up close, hearing his voice range change from light to deep. There were times he muttered, words left his lips breathily making her hold her breath so she wouldn't miss a word.
What made her happy the most was the discovery of Jimin's paintings. It turns out that every painting on the wall were his. She couldn't help the bubble of excitement inside her so before they left, she asked Jimin, the painter, and Jin, the owner, if she could take pictures of all of it. Jin was more than happy to let her and even suggested that Jimin should take the picture of her with the paintings after she had voiced out to everyone her love for them.
"This one is my favorite." She told everyone happily and proudly, pointing at the painting she had asked him about before, which only left the painter blushing but was obviously over the moon.
The two boys offered to walk them home as it was already late and it might be dangerous for them to walk by themselves although the neighborhood was fairly safe, it was better to be sure.
"Thanks for coming with me, Ddeulgi." Seulgi let out a soft laugh.
"You worked hard. I'll always come with you on your duty." The two continue a lighthearted conversation while Taehyung behind them won't let Jimin escape his teasing, imitating how he held her hand, how he wiped off the foam from Seulgi's lips, how he bit on the toast she fed him, and how he watched her "creepily" as how Taehyung described it.
"Shut up." Jimin who was mentally drained could only hit his best friend lightly.
They stopped in front of a baby pink coloured house with a well-managed lawn garden. The girls turned to thank them for walking them home and bid their goodbyes but before it was too late, Jimin called out to her.
"Seulgi-ah!" Both girls turned back but Wendy knew she was out of their business so with a smile, Wendy whispered that she'll head inside ahead in which Seulgi nodded in response. Taehyung, thinking that it was now or never gave his best friend the space he needed so he wouldn't be too embarrassed. He can tease him on the way home anyway.
Jimin walked towards her slowly, trying to come up with the right words. Should I invite her now? How? Damn it. I'll just say good night.
"Jimin?" Seulgi tilted her head, noticing his troubled look. "Is there something wrong?"
"Ah. No, nothing. Uhm, I−" Get a hold of yourself, Park!
"Can we exchange contacts?"
There was a pause. He was nervous because asking for her number might be too sudden but his worries were easily dismissed by her beautiful warm smile.
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Mochi 🍑
Good night, Seul.
"Please don't tell me you're giving people random nicknames again."
"Ehe~ it's not random though. He looks squishy."
Bear 🐻
Good night, Chimnie.
"Aww ~ she gave you a nickname!"
"Shut up and stop snooping! You too, Jungkook-ah!"
"Dang, I got caught."
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Hello! I just want to say that... dang it, this chapter is so hard. I really had trouble with thoughts like "How do I make heart fluttering moments?!" "Is this enough?" "asdfghjkl Wings Tour!" HHA.
Anyway, I'm in between being satisfied and not for this chapter. Please tell me your thoughts. How is it? Romance is just ugh. I might be adding random texting scenes at the end of every chapter. Look forward to it!
Before I forget, for all my readers from day 1 of this book, have you all read the revised versions? :( Because I added a lot and changed stuffs here and there. If you haven't, I hope you take the time.
And, if you check my profile, you'll see a book of collection. "Eyes On You" is a collection of drabbles, mostly Jungkook's thoughts and are connected to the story. Not really connected in a way that you have to read it to understand this book. More like, additional events? Yes yes, that's it. If you're curious, go check it out. I update EOY randomly though.
I'm dedicating this chapter to my lovely new friend, Shang! ♡ Thank you to everyone who have added this pathetic story in their libraries and to those who leave comments. To those who are reading and voting, love you all! Kaepjang!
♡ Alice