The Baggage You Carry • Jung Hoseok

Part 9 • Y/n

Friday, March 20
Hannam-dong, Seoul
4:36pm
Y/n

Tutoring was usually something you looked forward to every week - it was fun challenging yourself with a new language and there was no feeling in the world quite like nailing a phrase without any assistance from someone else.

Unfortunately, today was not a normal day and you found yourself to be in a pretty foul mood. You were actually starting to feel bad for your mood - you could tell that your eyes were sharp and your mouth was set in a perma-frown and Namjoon was obviously walking on eggshells around you.

Apparently, he had enough when he heard a particularly loud groan coming from your mouth and he put his worksheet down.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked you gently - obviously not wanting to potentially upset you further. You started feeling a bit bad - Namjoon was a really nice guy and was doing you a massive favour by helping you learn another language for dirt cheap, and here you were taking out your frustrations on him. You were a terrible friend.

But, could you even consider Namjoon a friend? You saw him at least one a week (sometimes more, depending on how confident you were feeling), and he was always really nice to you - making sure to ask how you were adjusting to life not only in Seoul, but South Korea. But, did that make you guys friends? You weren't prepared to have that conversation yet.

"Yeah, I'm okay." You shrugged your shoulders. "I'm sorry for wasting your time today." You sighed again - that seemed to be a common thing you were doing today.

Namjoon looked at you confused and reached for his coffee cup. "What do you mean 'wasting my time'?" He drank from his cup and finished his beverage before looking at you intently.

The thing about Namjoon that intimidated you was that you could tell he genuinely just cared about people and it was super evident in how he interacted with people. Take how he was interacting with you right now for example - he was making eye contact with you and was genuinely interested in making sure you were okay.

It was nice.

"I mean, I didn't come prepared for lessons today," You started off and you looked down to avoid his intimidating stare. "I'm frustrated and I'm taking it out on you." You stared intently at your fingers and you were playing with them nervously. "I'm just not being very grateful is all."

Namjoon chuckled and you looked up to meet his eyes. "You aren't wasting my time Y/n." He started. "You've had a hard day - besides, you've only been here for like what, 3 months?" You nodded as an answer to his question. "So, you're getting used to a new city, in a new country with a language that you barely know. You're allowed to get frustrated every now and again."

You pouted - Namjoon was really nice and you were appreciative that he was so understanding. "Thank you Namjoon." He gave you a massive smile and shrugged his shoulders.

"What are friends for?"

You and Namjoon continued the tutoring session for another 20ish minutes before his tall, attractive friend (who's name you couldn't remember for the life of you) came over to the table and sat down in the seat right next to Namjoon.

You awkwardly played with your pencil as the two men spoke in Korean. You were able to pick up tiny little words but not enough to get a grasp of what they were saying. Suddenly, you heard your name and you went into instant panic mode - what were they saying about you?

"Y/n," Namjoon said and pulled you out of your trance. You cleared your head and looked up at him. "This is my friend, Jin." He said in English. Jin seemed to notice his name and he glared at him.

"Jin Hyung." He corrected as he glared at Namjoon. He quickly tore his eyes off of Namjoon though and gave you a massive smile, and the only thought that went through your head was 'oh my god, his cheeks.'

Namjoon rolled his eyes at Jin's comment and turned his attention back to you. "This is Jin Hyung." He corrected himself and subtly glared back at Jin - who looked beyond impressed with himself. "Jin Hyung, this is Y/n." He introduced you to Jin in English.

"Hello! It's nice to meet you!" Jin said excitedly in English, and stuck his hand out for you to shake.

"Nice to meet you too." You responded in Korean (you were pretty sure your pronunciation was way off) and shook his hand. Jin looked at you rather surprised.

"Wah, so good!" He complimented you, and you blushed and mumbled out a thank you. He elbowed Namjoon in the ribs and mumbled something to him in Korean and Namjoon rolled his eyes again and mumbled something back. Namjoon looked at the time on his phone.

"Sorry, Y/n. Jin Hyung and I have to get going. We are meeting some friends tonight." He said as he started packing up his stuff. You nodded and started packing up your stuff.

"That's fair, I have to get going too." You said as you reached into your pocket to retrieve the money for today's session. He shook his head and smiled at you.

"Use that to buy yourself a new bag." He said as he stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder. "I'll text you about a time next week?"

You nodded and stood up as well and grabbed everything and nodded. "Sounds good, thanks Namjoon. It was nice to meet you, Jin."

Namjoon and Jin waved to you as you both walked in opposite ways out of the cafe. Now it was time for a quick shower and street food with Lucy.

———

"Gamsahamnida." You said to the little Korean auntie as she handed you a bowl of Jajangmyeon. You and Lucy had decided on heading to the Myeongdong Night Market and you were beyond grateful for it. It was one thing to tell Namjoon about your struggles, but it was another thing talking to someone who has been in your shoes not too long ago.

"So, let me get this straight," Lucy started as she grabbed her own bowl of Jajangmyeon from the auntie and thanked her in Korean. "You accidentally took someone's bag and you have no idea whose it is?"

You groaned - it sounded worse coming from someone else. "Yes! I don't even know how it happened." You replied as you made your way to a table that was available for diners. She laughed and shook her head as you both sat down.

"It could be worse. And besides, at least you'll always remember to check what bag you're grabbing from now on." You gave her an unimpressed look while she continued to giggle to herself.

You both continued to munch away on your food until it was all done and you wiped your mouth with a napkin. You both cleared your empty containers and started walking down through the market until you saw a place that sold a lot of bags. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to invest in a new one?

Right before you walked in to the store, you heard your name.

"Y/n! Over here!"