Unseen Connections ( HopeKook )

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The café on the corner of 7th Street was quiet in the early evening, the low hum of conversation mixing with the soft clink of mugs against saucers. Jungkook pushed open the door, the bell above it ringing as he stepped inside. He scanned the room, searching for a quiet spot where he could sketch in peace, his bag slung over one shoulder.

Spotting an empty booth near the back, he headed straight for it, dropping his bag onto the seat before sliding in. The air was warm, the smell of coffee beans strong, but comforting. Jungkook pulled out his sketchbook, flipping to a fresh page, ready to lose himself in the quiet rhythm of pencil against paper.

"Are you using this seat?" A voice interrupted his thoughts.

Jungkook looked up, startled. A tall guy stood in front of him, his features sharp but softened by a friendly smile. He wore a worn denim jacket, his dark hair slightly messy as if he'd been running his hands through it.

"Uh, no," Jungkook muttered, moving his bag to the side, assuming the guy wanted to sit down across from him. "Go ahead."

The guy didn't sit. Instead, he chuckled softly and nodded toward the chair beside Jungkook's. "No, I mean, are you saving that chair? For someone?"

Jungkook frowned, confused. "No... why?"

The guy's smile widened, and he sat down next to Jungkook without asking, pulling out his phone as if he belonged there. "Great, because I'm here now."

"Wait-what?" Jungkook blinked, staring at him. "Who are you?"

The guy looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Hoseok. And you're Jungkook, right?"

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat, his pencil freezing in his hand. He didn't remember ever seeing this guy before, let alone telling him his name. "How do you know my name?"

Hoseok leaned back, his smile turning a little mischievous. "Let's just say we have a mutual friend."

Jungkook narrowed his eyes. "Which friend?"

Hoseok shrugged, tapping away at his phone, seemingly unconcerned with the interrogation. "You'll find out soon enough. Just trust me on this."

Jungkook stared at him, suspicious. "I don't trust random people who just show up and know my name."

Hoseok grinned. "Fair point. But I'm not exactly random. I've been watching you for a while."

Jungkook's blood ran cold. "Excuse me?"

Hoseok quickly raised his hands in surrender, laughing at Jungkook's reaction. "Okay, that came out wrong. I don't mean watching in a creepy way. I mean, I've noticed you. You come here a lot, right? Always sitting in the back, sketching in that notebook."

Jungkook blinked, feeling a little unsettled but also curious. He did come to this café often, and now that he thought about it, he did recognize Hoseok's face. He'd seen him a few times before, sitting at a different table, always with a book or his phone. But they'd never spoken.

"Why would you notice me?" Jungkook asked cautiously.

Hoseok leaned in slightly, his eyes sparkling with something Jungkook couldn't quite figure out. "Maybe because you're interesting. Maybe because we're connected in ways you don't know yet."

Jungkook's brow furrowed, the air around them suddenly feeling charged. "What do you mean?"

Hoseok gave him a knowing smile. "You'll see. Give it some time."

Jungkook's skepticism deepened, but something about Hoseok's calm confidence made him hesitate. He should probably leave, maybe call it a night and go home, but instead, he found himself staying, intrigued despite himself.

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