My Idol| Yang Jungwon ff

7|

-Jina's POV-

The oppressive Korean sun beat down on my back as I shuffled along with the herd of my classmates. Our guide's monotone drone about the architectural significance of yet another palace gate blended into the background noise of chattering tourists. All I craved was an air-conditioned haven and a vat of iced tea. Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the monotonous hum.

"Jina, is that you?" I whipped around, heart skipping a beat, to see Jungwon standing a few feet behind me. He looked effortlessly cool beneath a baseball cap, a faint smile playing on his lips. Memories of our stolen conversation by the cafe flooded back, sending a blush creeping up my neck.

"Jungwon!" I stammered, momentarily flustered. "What are you doing here?"

"Filming a content shoot for the group," he explained, gesturing towards a group of cameramen discreetly setting up equipment near a pillar. "But then I saw you looking a little... glazed over. Everything okay?" My cheeks burned hotter.

"Just a bit overwhelmed," I mumbled, fiddling with the strap of my backpack. "This palace is beautiful, but all this history can be a bit much after a while." Jungwon chuckled, a sound that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine.

"Tell me about it. How about I help you find a shady spot to cool off? Or maybe grab some of that delicious bingsu I saw a vendor selling over there?" The thought of icy, sweet relief made my mouth water.

"Bingsu sounds amazing!" I admitted, a genuine smile breaking through my initial awkwardness. Jungwon grinned.

"Perfect. Let's ditch the crowd for a bit. My treat." He led me away from the throng of tourists, navigating the palace grounds with a confidence that spoke of familiarity. We found a quiet corner beneath the shade of a sprawling ginkgo tree, a haven from the relentless sun.

A nearby vendor cart displayed vibrantly colored bowls of bingsu, each a promise of cool refreshment. Jungwon ordered two towering mountains of shaved ice, adorned with condensed milk, fresh fruit, and chewy rice cakes. As we dug into the sweet treat, a comfortable silence settled between us. Stealing glances at Jungwon, I couldn't help but admire the relaxed way he carried himself. The playful glint in his eyes was the same one that had captivated me during our previous encounter.

"So," he began, breaking the comfortable silence. "Tell me about this school trip. What's been your favorite part so far?"

Emboldened by his genuine interest, I launched into a detailed account of our Korean adventures – the bustling markets, the serene temples, the delicious food we'd sampled. Jungwon listened intently, occasionally interjecting with questions or sharing his own experiences of growing up in Korea.

Time seemed to melt away as we talked. The initial awkwardness vanished, replaced by an easy camaraderie. I discovered a thoughtful and kind person beneath Jungwon's idol facade. He made me laugh with his playful anecdotes, and I found myself captivated by his passion for Korean culture, a subject that suddenly seemed much more interesting than the textbook descriptions I'd endured.

"Wow, I can't believe it's already getting late," Jungwon exclaimed, glancing at his watch. "We must've been talking for hours." A pang of disappointment tugged at my heart. Our conversation had flowed so easily, I hadn't realized how much time had slipped by.

"Yeah," I agreed, a touch of sadness in my voice. Jungwon's gaze softened.

"Listen," he began, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. "I know this might sound crazy, but..." He trailed off, his cheeks flushing a light pink. My breath hitched in my throat. Could he be...? "Would you maybe like to, uh, hang out sometime after my schedule calms down?" Jungwon finally blurted out, his voice barely above a whisper. "You know, not just in a palace-filled-with-tourists kind of way. Like, a real date?"

My heart soared. A real date with Jungwon? It seemed like a dream.

"I'd love that," I said, a wide smile spreading across my face. "Thank you, Jungwon. This is the best part of my trip so far." As we stood up to leave, a thrill of excitement coursed through me. This unexpected encounter had blossomed into something more, a chance to explore a connection that felt genuine and exciting.

The scorching sun seemed less oppressive now, and the weight of my backpack felt lighter. The promise of a future date with Jungwon was all the refreshment I needed.