"Unnie, did you see it?" asked Eun-Ji. IU looked at Eun-Ji with a confused look. "What do you mean?" She replied with a question. Eun-Ji pushed her phone towards IU, showing the instagram post that she read. "Apparently, Jung Kook nearly passed out at Seoul Music Award last night," Eun Ji explained as IU scrolled down the post.
(Video credit to the owner)
She watched the video of him collapsed on the stage after the performance and the other video of him nearly fell during the performance. His face clearly looked tired and during the speech, he looked breathless. "Did they push them too hard? I mean, they are international stars now. Slowing down a little bit doesn't hurt right?" Eun Ji commented, obviously did not agree with how BTS company handling the boys.
"They really have hectic schedule right now and knowing them, they always put the best on everything that they are assigned for," IU stated. Knowing BTS members through Jung Kook made her realized what they have achieved so far was the fruit of their efforts for all this time. "Thanks for telling me, Eun Ji-ah," IU continued.
She grabbed her iPhone from her bag and quickly texted Jung Kook. The last time he texted her was before him departing to Tokyo for their Love Yourself World Tour in Tokyo. They just came back from Tokyo to attend this year SMA and their hectic schedule must be taking a toll on them. IU did not join this year ceremony since she did not release any album last year and she did not watch it either.
'Are you okay?' she texted him. 'I saw the video. Have a good rest Jung Kook-shi. This exhaustion is not good for your health' she continued.
"Ji Eun-ah, let's go," her manager Hanteo-oppa calling her at the door. They needed to be ready for a commercial shoot. IU quickly grabbed her belongings before approached her manager. She shoved her iPhone back into her bag before passing it to her manager.
***************************
"Hyung, you better consult with Bang-PD for better management of our schedule. Look how tired our members these days. Jung Kook nearly passed out last night and Suga-hyung suffered for leg injuries. And don't let me start talking about other members too," Namjoon confronted their manager. Jin nodded his head, agreeing with Namjoon's words.
"Next time, please don't schedule a concert in between award shows. You know how tired it is when we perform on the concert and need to perform for award shows too," Jin said.
"I know and I'll do my best next time. I guess we are too greedy we don't think of you guys," Sejin apologized. He did talk with Bang-PD regarding the boys schedule but since the tour was already planned months before the award shows, he and the team cannot do anything to change the date.
"How are you guys feeling?" he asked while worriedly looking at Jung Kook and Suga.
Jung Kook raised his right thumb, telling that he was okay. "I'm sorry for causing chaos last night. It was just because of the flu. Only if I took a good care of myself I won't be in this bad state of health," Jung Kook said, blaming himself for being in a bad condition.
"I'm okay. I'm going to the therapist after this so I'll recover in no time," Suga said when Sejin looked at him. Their manager nodded his head, satisfied with their respond. "Make sure others have a good rest too. Jung Kook, no more driving and gateway for this time being. Nam Joon too. Have a good rest since we need to get ready for next tour. Just give me a call if you need anything," the members nodded their heads upon hearing Sejin's instruction.
"Suga, let's get moving. We need to see the therapist in an hour. Better not get caught in the traffic," Sejin said. Suga stood up and walked with a slight limp following their manager.
"Now kids, what do you want to eat? Let's this hyung cook you whatever you want," Jin said.
"But hyung, Sejin-hyung asked us to rest," Taehyung replied.
"We need to eat and I refuse to eat ordered food today. So, what you want to eat?" Jin smiled. He always considered cooking as part of his therapy time. No matter how busy and depressing the situation was, he always found time to cook. Seeing the members enjoying the meals that he prepared gave him immense satisfaction.
"We will eat whatever you cook hyung," Nam Joon said. "Do you need any help?" he was about to offer Jin his help but the older hyung quickly refused. "I would rather be peaceful in my kitchen. Rest Nam Joon-ah, I'll be fine on my own," Jin chuckled. The other members understood how much help the leader will provide when it came to cooking.
"I'll be in my studio then. Jung Kook, sleep. And don't forget to drink your cold medicine too," Nam joon sternly instructed the maknae before caving into his studio. "Arasso hyung," Jung Kook replied. He then excused himself into his room, hoping than he can fall asleep.
******************************
Jung Kook focused on the screen in front of him. His fingers were skillfully clicking on the various buttons on the screen while his eyes quickly spotted the flaws on his current work. The only sound that echoed in his room was clicking and tapping sound that his fingers made on the keyboard and the mouse. Sometimes he mumbled the dialog before typing them. Instead of sleeping, he settled in front of his computer, continuing his new video editing for GCF. Well, he tried to sleep but his brain refused to.
Jin nagged at him when he realized Jung Kook was video editing instead of sleeping when he came to the maknae's room earlier. After dinner, Jung Kook continued despite of Jin's and Nam Joon's naggings. He then locked the door and ignored Jin's constant nagging outside his studio. Jin finally surrendered when Jung Kook did not respond to his words. It was not that he did not want to sleep, he just cannot fall asleep. Something that made Jung Kook wonder since he used to fall asleep easily. He must be getting older now so his body started to complaint as much.
'Ding' the sound echoed. Jung Kook looked at his iPhone. His bunny smile appeared when he noticed notification from his 97-line group chat.
JaeHyun (JH): yaaa, Jung Kook, are you okay now?
Yugyeom (YY): He must be resting now.
JK: Yaa yaa, stop disturbing me. I'm busy.
BamBam (BB): What are u doing? You should be resting now.
JK: I would if I can. The problem is I cannot fall asleep. Been trying since this afternoon but naah, my body insists to stay awake. So I'm video editing now.
Mingyu (MY): yah, drink some milk. It works like a wonder to me.
JK: Didn't work on me.
JH: His body got used to it since he drinks milk every day.
JK: Thanks for the concern guys but I'm out now. Need to focus.
BB: Sure but don't spend too much time on that.
JK: Sure, bye.
Jung Kook noticed another chat from IU. He smiled as he opened the conversation. 'Noona. Sorry for not noticing your text. I must be occupied with something. Thanks for your concern but I'm okay now' he typed his reply. He sent the message before continuing with his work.
IU: Why are you still replying to my text now? You should be resting.
JK: I'm resting noona. Can't I texting while resting?
IU: I mean you should be sleeping
JK: I can't. Cannot sleep. Don't know why. Should I take sleeping pills instead?
IU: Yah. Don't you dare. Have you try another approach?
JK: I did. I'm editing a video now. Better do something than doing nothing other than staring at the ceiling.
IU: You better stop that now. I demand you to stop doing whatever you're doing and go to sleep. Do you know how worried I am when I saw the video? Are you sure you are okay? Did you go see the doctor?
JK: I'm fine noona. I'm down with the flu but I'm recovering now. The only problem is I can't fall asleep. Even the flu medicine cannot put me to sleep now.
IU: At least try. Staring at the computer screen will make it worst.
JK: Then what should I do? Stare at the empty ceiling again? I've been doing that for hours but not a blink of sleep came to me.
IU: Should I sing you to you? You know, like last time you sang for me? It works like magic to me.
JK: oh. Will you?
IU: let's do a video call then? I'll play the guitar.
Jung Kook quickly saved his work before turning off the computer. He made his way towards his bed and settled himself under the thick duvet. He grabbed the bunny stuffed toy with him and patiently waited for her to give him a call like a child waiting for his mother to read him a good night story.
(Video credit: @jeonkookie_iu. The owner did amazing job editing this)
He quickly answered the phone call when his iPhone vibrated. "Noona," he said once her face appeared on his screen. He waved at her and IU laughed at his excitement. Well, he missed her obviously. "Annyeong Jung Kook-ah," IU said, slipping with informal greetings. Jung Kook noticed, these days, she sometimes called him Jung Kook-ah instead of Jung Kook-shi. Well, he did not mind at all since it felt closer that way.
"Did you eat?" she asked.
"Jin-hyung cooked for us. It has been a while but it's good to taste home cooked meal," he replied with smile on his face.
"Did you eat noona?"
"I did. Mom visited me and she brought me a lot of side dishes. Might last for weeks since I rarely eat at home," she said.
"Is it true with the rumors? That you're going to come back with a drama this year?" Jung asked as he remembered reading an article that his noona was going to be a lead for a new drama this year.
"That's the plan but I'm still considering it. Since I'm going to have a comeback album this year, we need to properly arrange it," she explained.
"Ah, an album and a drama. I'm excited!" Jung Kook replied.
"Why?" she shortly asked.
"Then we got to attend the same award shows next year. It's so boring when you're not around," he pouted. IU laughed at his respond. She remembered the last time when the maknae was criticized because of his lack of respond during girl group performances.
"Yah. You shouldn't say things like that. Remember, we might be competing the same award categories later."
"I don't mind. You can take all the awards as long as you can save me from boredom."
"Yah, stop. Let's get on the business then. What song that you want to request? Palli, I don't have all night," IU pouted.
"What about Knee? Remember I told you that I used to listen to Knee a lot? Now, I requested an acoustic version," Jung Kook requested. IU nodded before placing the phone on her dressing table. "Wait for a while," she said before disappearing from the screen.
"I'm back," she said while showing her white guitar. She cleared her throat, slowly getting into mood. Jung Kook watched as her fingers slowly moved to the strings. Soft melody of Knee slowly filled the space between them. IU smiled as she looked at Jung Kook's on the screen.
(All credits go to the owner)
She laughed when she hit the wrong note. "I'm sorry. It's been a while since I play this song. I hope you understand. Consider that as warming up," she said before starting from the beginning. She slowly sang the song. Jung Kook unconsciously hummed along with his eyes never left the beautiful goddess in front of him. He remembered his brother bragged about him and his friends attending IU's concert; how wonderful her voice singing live. Well, if he had a chance, he wanted to brag about this moment to his brother; his noona singing him lullaby was worth to be bragged right?
He clapped his hands when IU finished her song. "Encore! Encore!" he said.
"I thought you already fall asleep," IU replied.
"And miss that amazing performance? Not a chance," Jung Kook said. He changed his position, settling to a better position. "So what's your group up to after this?" IU asked. "More tour I guess?" she added. She placed her guitar beside the bed before lying on the bed.
"We're going to Singapore this weekend for Love Yourself Tour. I promise I will take a good care of myself. I was down with the flu so that's why I was in a bad shape. I'm taking cold medicine and have a few days of resting before getting back to practice," he told her the plan. IU shocked as she heard of him going to Singapore.
"Singapore? When is the concert?" she asked.
"On 19th January. Wae?" Jung Kook looked at her with a confused expression.
She awkwardly smiled at him. "Well, I guess it is another coincidence then? I'm going there too with my family. I promised them a vacation once I finished with my 10th year anniversary concert," she confessed.
"On the same date?" Jung Kook asked.
"I'm going on 17th and will stay there for a few days," she replied.
"Come to our concert then, noona. If you have time, that is," Jung Kook genuinely excited upon hearing her going to Singapore on the same period as their concert will be held. "I don't know about that. Let me think about it," IU replied. She wanted to attend but imagine the mess and rumors they might cause if media spotted her going to the concert even though she just wanted to be there to support her friends.
"I will hang up now. Have a good rest Jung Kook-shi. Make sure you eat enough food and drink your medications," she said before ending up their video call.
Jung Kook contently sighed as he watched the screen darkened once IU ended up the call. Another coincidence?
Author's note:
I know the plot is a bit redundant and i'll try to speed up the story later on.