Jungkook locked his phone after he made sure his message was sent. He was suddenly given instructions by his hyung and he can't say that he didn't expect it. Not that it was a big deal since they were required to have two girls and two boys in a group anyway. Though, he wanted to tease his hyung a little bit by showing defiance but who would've thought he would bring up the fearsome Irene card. None of them would go against that, fearless as he may be, Jungkook wouldn't even dare.
While the student council president, Lee Hongbin and vice president, Park Jiyeon were briefing the freshmen and seniors about the plan of activities for the day, Jungkook's eyes wandered around his group that stayed at the far back.
Yugyeom, Bambam & Seokmin were in a serious conversation about the possibility of being attacked by wild animals in the middle of the night. Jaehyun & Myungho responsibly listened to the briefing while Mingyu and Eunwoo were talking about tents and how to put them up. They weren't a small group but conveniently even. They'd be divided into two groups for the sleeping arrangement. Now, all that's left to do is decide who pairs with who, Jungkook thought.
"Hey." The guys all turned their attention to him. "I'm grouping with Yeri for the activities, who's with me?"
None of them answered right away, instead, they all looked at him weirdly. Not in a bad way, no– more like in wonder. "Yeri? You mean, Kim Yerim from the same class?" Jaehyun asked in which Jungkook replied with a simple nod.
"Since when were you acquainted with her? Isn't she always with Joy?" Bambam asked.
"Jungkook is close with Joohyun sunbaenim though. Were you told to?" Yugyeom asked with no offense intended. The others looked at him, and thought that it was a fair point but Jungkook only shrugged.
"We have to form a group with two girls and two boys. Yeri's a friend and that's it." Yugyeom technically wasn't wrong. He was told to group with the girls by his hyung but it's not like he wasn't thinking about doing so before he was told to.
"Again." Bambam interjected stubbornly. "Since when were you friends?!"
"Woah woah ~ what's the fuss?" Mingyu chuckled and gave his friend a pat on the shoulder. "Jungkook can be friends with whoever he wants, you know."
"Of course he can." Said Myungho. "I think what Bambam's trying to point out is how the hell it happened considering the fact that we never see Jungkook talk to girls in class. Right, Bambam?" He turned to Bambam who in turn, nodded.
Eunwoo stayed quiet but he could hazard a guess that it all started with mutual friends.
"I do talk to girls." Jungkook tilted his head. "Just not in class."
"Jungkookie knows a lot of noonas, and some of them live together with Yeri is what I know. Isn't that right, Jungkook-ah?" Jungkook nodded at Seokmin, answering everyone's question.
"You did mention going to the grocery with Jimin hyung and meeting Seulgi sunbaenim by coincidence, right?" Eunwoo asked, finally letting the group hear his voice. Jungkook only nodded in reply.
"I'm guessing Yeri was also there."
"Yup."
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Jimin stared at her and blinked, confused at what she had just said. 'Please don't be mad at me.' He wondered if she was messing with him. Thoughts clouded his mind– of all people, why would he be mad at her?
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand."
"Oh, uhm–" now it was her turn to be confused. Seulgi looked at the ground thoughtlessly. "I was thinking that you're upset because I caused a scene and also troubled everyone earlier."
Oh, so that's what she meant. "And... and I haven't seen your smile since we got here." She added, a little downhearted which of course, tugged at his heartstrings looking at her puppy like expression. Jimin couldn't help but to let out a soft chuckle and gave her head a soft pat.
"I wasn't angry, though. I'm sorry for making you misunderstand, but I wasn't angry. I was just–" he paused, looked at her leg that was now bandaged up and added, "I was just worried."
"That's why-" Seulgi squeezed her eyes shut as her cheeks were being pinched. "Be mindful of your surroundings." Or else I'll be worried the whole trip and might just tie our hands together the whole time. He thought but of course hid that mischievous inner thought with a gentle smile.
There it was. The smile that she was unconsciously longing for. And suddenly, everything was better now.
•••
Mountain biking was a piece of cake for Seulgi. Soon enough they were at their destination. In the brilliant sunshine the lake was a perfect mirror for the trees that surrounded it. From above that watery world was so clear and perfect it could be another dimension, waiting for someone to dare enter it.
After they had parked their bikes on one area, each and one of them went about their business, some taking pictures and some just simply taking in the environment. Enjoying the peace from nature they rarely ever experience.
"Wow." Wendy whispered to herself. "This place is beautiful. Look at the lake, it's so still." She said to no one in particular but the other three nodded in agreement.
"Alright, you two." Taehyung clapped before gently pushing both Wendy and Seulgi in position by the lake. "Let me see those pretty smiles ~" He cheekily added and raised up his camera. The two girls immediately understood and did as told. And with a light snap of the shutter, the picture was taken.
Tilting towards the boy beside him, Taehyung grinned. "Don't worry, I'll send you the copy." And gave Jimin a playful wink which only earned him a soft punch in the arm.
"Okay! So I see kayaks, canoe boats and paddle boats. Which one do you guys want to do first?" Wendy excitedly chirp. The other groups had already chosen their group activity and most of them found it convenient to ride the paddle boat for their first group activity.
"Why don't we ride in pairs?" Taehyung suggested.
Jimin eyed the water rides. "The kayaks are available for two. So," He turned to the three of them. "Who goes with who?" He asked which earned him looks as if asking if he's really slow or just plain stupid. Seulgi only watched the interaction in amusement.
"C'mon Wendz– we should go before we catch his stupidity." Shaking his head, Taehyung led Wendy to one kayak and handed her a life vest.
Jimin turned to Seulgi who was looking at him the entire time and thought to himself; Yeah, maybe I am stupid. Shook his head before taking her hand and led her to the kayaks.
Looking at their intertwined hands, she couldn't help but smile.
Jimin helped her put on the life vest and carefully guided her on one of the kayaks. They didn't say a word to each other, and for some reason, they both knew they didn't have to. Sailing peacefully, Seulgi took in a deep breath, absorbing the serenity of the moment. Jimin was settled behind her and took it upon himself to row, just following the flow of wherever the soft current took them.
It was her first time on a kayak but somehow, she doesn't feel nervous at all. She knew that the place was safe as it was a private property but a part of her knew it was mostly because Jimin was behind her, radiating a sense of safety for her. That she knew if something would ever happen, she'd be safe.
"Tell me if you're getting bored, okay? We can find something else to do." Jimin looked at her attentively but Seulgi shook her head, looked up the bright blue sky and closed her eyes, smiling.
This alone is enough.
"I love being with you."
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"Why are you following me?" Yeri scrunched her nose, glaring at the boy who was stubbornly following her like a tail. She was getting weird looks from the girls and she didn't like it at all. And what's worse was; he was not alone. For some reason, he had dragged along with him one of his friends, tailing her as if they were both lost dogs in need of a loving home.
Jungkook only shrugged, acting like he wasn't doing anything odd. Yeri then turned to the other guy and gave him a look which earned her a chuckle from Mingyu.
"Sorry for fooling around. It's just that, Jungkook and I wanted to group with you."
"Me?"
"Yeah ~ you two are friends, right?" Yeri turned to Jungkook, eyes wide in alarm.
"What? We are, aren't we?" Jungkook teased. "Or are you taking it back?"
"Wha– I... I didn't say that." Yeri huffed and pouted, Jungkook smirked and ruffled her hair, meanwhile Mingyu watched the two and couldn't help but think what an odd combination they were.
"Cute." Mingyu mumbled under his breath which didn't they didn't miss. Turning both their heads, the two looked at him, confused.
"What?" They asked at the same time. Yup, an odd combination indeed.
"Nothing ~" Mingyu chimed cheekily, "I just thought you both look cute."
"I'm definitely cuter." "I'm definitely cuter."
"Stop copying me." "Stop copying me."
"I'm cuter." "You're cuter."
Jungkook and Mingyu didn't hold back their smiles as they watched the girl turn red from the unexpected comeback. "This is fun. Let's get along, Yeri-ssi." Offering a hand, Mingyu went for a handshake which Yeri took hesitantly. She was still wary from all the eyes that she could really feel staring at her, But, maybe this isn't so bad.
"Yeri. Just Yeri is fine."
"Then... let's get along, Yeri-ah." Mingyu offered a kind smile.
...
"Alright, that's enough. You've shook hands for too long." Grabbing her by the shoulder, Jungkook turned Yeri around and led her to walk. "Where is Joy anyway, wandering around alone– you two should know better. I can't help but think only two out of five of you are the responsible ones."
"That's not true!"
"Right." He halfheartedly replied. Turning around, Jungkook raised his brow. "C'mon Gyu, let's find Joy."
Somehow, there was something different about his friend. A warmer feeling than he exuded before. He once had an adorable childish vibe on him but now he could sense a boyish charm and although it was faint, it was definitely there. Mingyu decided he can't say for sure but maybe once the other guys notice the same, it might be worth discussing.
"Right behind you ~"
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Our Baby 🐣
Now grouped with Yeri and Joy.
Brought Mingyu along with me ~
ChimChim 🌸
Taehyungie and Wendy left us.
Our Baby 🐣
Someone tell me why we became their personal photographers.
"Heyy ~ At least you get to take a picture of an adorable model like me." Jungkook pushed Yeri's face gently away from his phone. The girl was too close to the screen.
"Reading someone else's messages, this kid has no manners." He smirked, then a ping rang from his phone. The moment Jungkook unlocked his phone, Yeri's face was on it again which he let her do this time.
"I've always wondered what a group chat filled with males is like." She muttered to herself.
"We're normal."
"You guys take really good photos, by the way." She turned to him and smiled. Another ping alerted on his phone.
TaeTae 🐯
Are we having a contest? ㅋㅋㅋ
"Wendy eonnie! Why do they get pictures by the lake? I wanna take pictures by the lake too!" Jungkook let out an exhausted sigh as he let himself be shaken by the petite girl beside him. Well, it wasn't as if I haven't been doing just that since before.
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32.2k reads and 1.5k votes, I can' t believe I left this book too long that it has grown to these numbers. I feel bad for leaving everyone hanging for such a long time but a lot has happened, and really, it's so difficult to be a university student but then again, here I am, graduating in a few days time. Holy- time flies by so fast it has me emotional. I actually cried after realizing that I have survived four years of suffering but now I'm finally graduating ~~
Again, I'm sorry for all the wait! I also had to review a lot of notes and stuff on this book because honestly I forgot a lot of info I had in mind. ALSO- DAYUM I SUCK AT WRITING. I'm so rusty that I've been cringing while writing this chapter the whole time but then, I have to start somewhere right?
Anyway, all the comments asking for an update actually motivated me to do so. The votes especially, you guys are amazing! Thank you very very much for waiting! I give you "This alone is enough."
💛 Alice