Caramel Macchiato (Jungkook's perspective)

Chapter 4

I sit in the car, my fingers drumming on the steering wheel, grinning like an idiot. I can't help it. I'm still buzzing from meeting Minseo. She didn't even flinch when I asked for her number. Not even a twitch. How does that happen?

Anyone else would've jumped at the chance, right? I mean, not to sound narcissistic, but I'm Jeon Jungkook- an international star, a whole celebrity. People usually lose their minds just at the sight of me. But not her. Nah, she's cool as ice. Collected. Like, she had her priorities straight and didn't even let my lame attempt faze her. It's kinda... refreshing. Different.

I can't get her out of my head. I keep replaying that moment- her calm expression, her soft voice as she said no. A small part of me is still surprised, like, seriously? She turned me down, and yet... I'm totally fine with it?

As I head over to Jimin hyung's place, I stop by to grab some warm food. I know he's probably lounging around, waiting for me to come over so we can just chill and talk. The break's been pretty low-key, and we haven't done much, so I figure it's the perfect time to hang out.

I knock on his door, balancing the food bags, and Jimin hyung greets me with his usual playful grin. He looks pale but his nose remains red. He wipes it, "Yo, Jungkook, what's up?" He says and looks at the packets in my hand, "You brought food?" he sniffs it, "Smells like shrimp. You're a total hero."

I step inside, setting the food down on the table. "Of course, I did. Can't let you starve when you're sick, hyung."

We sit down, and as we dig into the food, we start chatting about the usual- work, music, how we're spending the break. But my mind keeps wandering back to her. Minseo. The way she handled herself, the way she looked, how she felt so untouchable, yet so real.

Before I know it, I'm blurting out, "I met this girl."

Hyung pauses mid-bite, raising an eyebrow. "Oh?" There's this teasing glint in his eye. "Really? Tell me more."

I immediately regret saying it. Shit. Too soon. "Ah, no, forget it. Not important."

But this hyung isn't about to let it go. He leans forward, his curiosity on point. "Come on, you can't just drop that and back out. Spill it out. Who is she?"

I sigh, realizing there's no backing out now. "I met her at the café today. She's... well, she's different, hyung. Calm, collected, dreamy even. You know? She wasn't all over the place, didn't even care that I'm... well, me."

He's grinning now, clearly enjoying this. "Go on."

I start talking, feeling my heart race as I think about her again. "She was sitting there, working on something- so focused. When I asked for her number, she just straight-up said no. Like, with no hesitation. And I don't know, hyung, I've never met someone so... unbothered by who I am."

Jimin hyung laughs, but there's something sharp in his tone. "Wait, wait- she turned you down? Like, you asked for her number, and she just said no?"

I nod, feeling a little embarrassed as I repeat it. "Yeah. She said she didn't have time for it."

He leans back, his grin softening into something more sympathetic, but there's still that teasing edge. "Kookie, you didn't get her number, and she didn't show interest... are you sure she's into you at all?"

The bubble of excitement I've been floating in all day suddenly pops, deflating a little. His words hit harder than I expected. "I mean, I didn't think about it like that... she was busy, but maybe she just needed more time to warm up? It's not like she hated me or anything."

Hyung chuckles, but there's no cruelty in it. "I'm not saying she hates you, but... it doesn't sound like she's interested either, Kook. I don't want you to get all dreamy about someone who didn't even give you a second glance."

My heart sinks a bit. He's right. She didn't seem interested. She was polite, calm, but not... interested. Dang it, Jungkook, what were you expecting? Just because I'm some big deal doesn't mean everyone's going to care. She was probably just trying to get through her day.

I sit back, feeling the weight of it now. "Yeah... maybe you're right."

Jimin hyung watches me for a second, then his tone softens. "Look, I get it. She sounds like she's got that mysterious thing going on, and I know that's your type. But maybe you should take it slow. If it's meant to be, you'll see her again. Just don't pin all your hopes on it."

I nod, staring at the floor. I feel a bit dumb now for being so giddy. Jimin hyung's right- she didn't show any interest, and I didn't even get her number. Why did I even think there was something there?

But even as I sit there, slightly heartbroken, there's a small spark of hope that doesn't want to go away. Maybe I will see her again. Maybe I'll get another chance. And that thought, small as it is, keeps me from sinking too far into disappointment.

"Yeah," I finally say. "You're right. If it's meant to be... I'll see her again."

But still, I can't help but hold onto that tiny flicker of hope.