Heartbeat // JK

6 - Between Friends and Rivals

The warm scent of waffle cones and chocolate hit us the moment we stepped into the brightly lit ice cream shop. The cozy atmosphere was a sharp contrast to the chaos of the night—the teasing, the club, and the lingering buzz of alcohol still humming faintly in my mind.

Jin's eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store.

"Ah, finally! A place worthy of my presence," he announced, striding toward the counter as if it were his stage.

"Hyung, tone it down," Namjoon muttered, his tone half-amused, half-exasperated.

"We don't want to attract attention."

"Too late!" J-Hope chimed in, his grin infectious as he gestured dramatically toward Jin.

"Worldwide Handsome has arrived."

Jin shot him a wink, unbothered.

"As he should."

Meanwhile, Taehyung was already pressed up against the glass display, his wide eyes scanning the tubs of brightly colored flavors.

"Omg... what this?" he asked, pointing at a vibrant pink swirl with sprinkles, his Korean accent adding a melodic lilt to his words.

"Cotton candy," the cashier replied, her polite smile faltering for a split second as her eyes flicked to the group.

She recognized them—of course she did—but she masked it well, her professionalism intact.

"Cotton candy," Taehyung repeated, his voice filled with wonder.

"It's so... happy-looking. I want it."

Jin snorted.

"You'd pick the most childish flavor."

"It's art," Taehyung shot back, his voice earnest.

"Hyung, you don't understand."

Jungkook, standing quietly beside me, gave a soft chuckle. His hand was still laced with mine—a subtle, grounding presence that sent butterflies fluttering through my chest.

"What you favorite flavor?" he asked, his voice low and slightly slurred from the alcohol but no less steady.

"Strawberry," I replied, glancing up at him. His dark eyes met mine, soft and attentive, and for a moment, the noise around us faded.

He smiled, small and shy.

"Mint choco," he said, his accent thick but clear.

"Of course," I teased, nudging him lightly.

"You would pick the most controversial flavor."

He tilted his head, his grin widening.

"It's fresh."

Taehyung spun around, his cone already in hand.

"Mint choco? Jungkookie, no!" His expression was one of exaggerated horror.

"That's toothpaste flavor."

Jungkook groaned, ducking his head as his ears turned pink.

"Hyung..."

"It's not toothpaste," Jin interjected, holding up his cone triumphantly.

"It's the superior flavor. Only those with sophisticated palates can appreciate it."

"Sophisticated palates?" Namjoon echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"Hyung, you're eating ice cream, not drinking wine."

As the group dissolved into playful banter, Emma stepped closer to the counter, her phone clutched tightly in her hand.

"This place is so cute," she said, her voice overly bright.