a lesson in endearment | bts

003 - Jungkook

He couldn't believe it.

"No way." He noticed Jimin peeking at him but he couldn't explain himself right at that moment. Right here was the girl that he'd given pointers and assistance to. I'm meeting someone famous tomorrow. That's what she had said.

Why hadn't he paid proper attention to what she'd said? As the other members made their way to their own seating areas with the fans, he stood staring at her until she shyly came up to him and bowed.

"Hello. My name is Daye. We met yesterday and you helped me out a lot. Sorry I didn't tell you I was meeting you. I wanted this experience to be as genuine as possible." He glanced over her clothes.

Indeed, although her clothing consisted of just a short red dress and a small black cardigan, her black tights, black boots and small golden accessories gave her an air of elegance that hadn't been there the last time they met. And red. It was his favourite colour. She noticed him staring at it and flushed slightly.

"Um . . . I know your favourite colour is red, but it's mine too. Or more like my lucky colour. I thought I'd need it tonight." He blinked and smiled softly at her.

"Sorry. I'm still a little shocked to be honest." He laughed out the last word.

"I am curious though. Why did you enter this contest?" He asked.

"Well, I lived in the rural part of Korea and as I was growing and working, it seemed that life was getting rather dull. Then, a few years ago, I got a portable radio for my birthday and the first song I ever heard on it was a BTS one. I loved it, and it made doing chores so much more enjoyable. Recently, I moved in with my grandparents and they, knowing how much I like BTS, got me as much merchandise as I wanted. I slowly became fascinated with well." She paused and blushed profusely.

"You."

"Me?" The maknae asked, a shy smile suddenly breaking out of his face. She nodded and looked to the floor.

"Although you don't speak much, you work very hard. You're also incredibly young, but you're professional on stage and in interviews. You don't act false around the other members and you're friendly towards each other. I admire that." She finished quietly. Jungkook paused, staring at her, and was about to speak when,

"Dress up! All fans need to go to the TV room!" The manager called. Daye locked eyes with Jungkook.

"I'll see you in a bit." He managed to say. She nodded and smiled minutely before turning and making her way to the TV room with the other fans. The maknae sighed and moved to his area to start changing.

~*~

It was the half time period. They had about twenty minutes to catch their breath before having to go and change for the second half of their concert whilst fans could get snacks and drinks and go to the bathroom. Walking with a brisk casuality, Jungkook bowed to the guard standing in front of the TV room and entered. The seven fans were rooted to the large screen on the wall opposite the door, which was replaying some edits that had been shown at the beginning of the concert so none of them noticed his coming in.

He patted Daye on the shoulder. She and the curvy girl that Jimin was partnered with both turned to him. He gestured to the door with his head his heart beginning to pound in his chest. What the heck was he doing?

She glanced back at the girl beside her and a look passed between them before she got up and followed Jungkook out. They walked leisurly down the corridor, though Jungkook made sure to keep his distance.

"What do you like most about the city?" He asked as Hoseok scooted past them, pausing to glance between them before smiling knowingly and continuing on. Why are people doing that today? Jungkook wondered.

"I haven't actually seen much if it. I only got here two months ago. Most of my time has been spent helping grandma and catching up on coursework."

"Really?" Jungkook was amazed.

"There are very nice places to see. The shops, the river, the parks." An idea popped into his head and he voiced it without filtering,

"I could take you around if you want." Daye stopped walking. Jungkook turned back to look at her.

"Are you serious?" She asked. He nodded.

"This is our last concert for this set of promotions. After this we have about two weeks of down time before rehearsals start again. If we ask Manager hyung, then we might be able to meet up and go sightseeing." Though he said it nonchanontly, some part of his wanted to see more of this innocent, naive person. The other part of him was mildly terrified of going out with a girl without the rest of his members. Fortunately, the manager was strolling past. Jungkook caught his arm and waited till he was looking directly into his eyes.

"Manager hyung. I'd like to go out for a day to show Daye the city. Do you think I need someone with me or am I okay to go alone?" He queried, phrasing his words to emphasise that he really hoped he would get an escort because he had no idea what might happen if he were to be alone with Daye. The manager glanced briefly to the girl. Jungkook was usally rather reserved and a good judge of character, so he nodded his head slowly, interested in how this might unfold.

"Alright, I'll assign you an escort. When do you plan on going?"

"Tomorrow?" Jungkook glanced at Daye, who nodded quickly in agreement.

"Anytime you aren't busy is fine."

"Time?"

"Around eleven, maybe? So that there are less people about?" Daye suggested, looking to the maknae for agreement, which he provided by nodding vigorously. The manager cast a glance at the two of them and nodded before leaving. Jungkook turned to Daye and spread his arms.

"It's settled. Where should we meet?"

"Um. Maybe the park bench where we first met?" She said, blinking slightly when the more defined parts of his body showed up as his shirt stretched across his shirt. He agreed and they exchanged phone numbers, Jungkook giving his manager's number because he wasn't allowed to give his personal one. As they finished, Daye's phone began to ring.

"It's my grandpa. He's waiting for me outside. He has to pick me up at halftime because it would be too dark to go home on the bus when the concert ends and we live quite a way away from here." She explained apologetically. He nodded in understanding and bowed, ever the polite young man.

"It was cool seeing you again." He said. She grinned at his statement.

"It was way cooler seeing you, but okay. I'll see you tomorrow on the bench?"

"I'll be there." He called as the door shut silently behind her.