Nascent

Chapter Twenty-One

Jimin's POV

**Chapter 1**

Jimin couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched when he first encountered her. She was dressed in a way that made her seem suspicious, almost like a stalker. His instincts kicked in, and he approached her cautiously. After a brief, tense exchange, the misunderstanding was cleared up, and she called him "Mr. Grim Reaper." Her boldness intrigued him, and he couldn't help but feel that she would bring some excitement into his life.

**Chapter 2**

Their second meeting was more relaxed. She needed help setting up a bookshelf, and Jimin was more than happy to assist. He noticed how her eyes lingered on his hands as he worked, a detail that both flattered and amused him. After they finished, she made him a sweet drink that was so good it became a staple in his grocery shopping, although nothing ever tasted as good as the one she made. Spending time together like this deepened their connection, and Jimin began to see her as more than just an interesting acquaintance.

**Chapter 3**

Helping her clean the snow off her car was a bonding experience. They talked about their backgrounds—she shared her origin and job, and he opened up a bit about himself. He almost revealed his dream of becoming a florist, something he hadn't told many people. She handled his flirty attitude with ease, not affected by it as much as others, which made him respect her more. He started to realize that she was someone he could be honest with.

**Chapter 4**

She invited him to her housewarming party, and he eagerly accepted, helping her set everything up. Her place was pretty and reflected her personality. Jimin left early to buy her a bouquet of yellow roses, symbolizing the beginning of their official friendship. While making the bouquet, he got some cuts from the thorns, but it wasn't until she pointed them out that he noticed. Her concern for him warmed his heart. At the party, he noticed how gorgeous she looked and met her friends Lily and Jin. Jin seemed to harbor feelings for her, something she was oblivious to. This night marked a significant step in their relationship.

**Chapter 7**

They spent an evening watching a movie and ended up sleeping next to each other on the rooftop, with Jimin's hand over her waist and her head resting on his arm. It was the first peaceful sleep he had in months, a respite from the stress of inheriting his father's business. This rare moment of tranquility made Jimin realize how much her presence calmed him.

**Chapter 8**

Jimin helped her with a list of things for her new lifestyle. They had Frosties and talked about sunsets, sharing cute and meaningful conversations. They learned more about each other's hopes and dreams, and Jimin felt their bond growing stronger. He started to see her as someone who could be a significant part of his life, though he didn't fully grasp the depth of his feelings.

**Chapter 9**

During a visit to a café, they talked about life and teased each other about Lily and Taehyung's budding romance. On their way out, Jimin tucked a tulip behind her ear, captivated by her beauty. He opened up about what he truly wanted to do in life but had to pursue something else due to circumstances. He was shocked at how easily he confided in her, something he hadn't done with anyone other than his close friends. This was when he came up with the idea of fake dates to get to know each other better. He mentioned having an interest in a girl, using it as a cover, while Y/N had no idea she was the girl he was referring to. Jimin's friend convinced Y/N to go along with the fake dating to help both of them, as she was inexperienced.