The Clandestine Us

Twenty-seven

───── ❝ Jungkook's POV ❞ ─────

We went up to the rooftop party later than the preferred time. We were enjoying our own company, so going up wasn't exactly a priority. But the extroverts in our group were determined to have fun, and the rest of us had no choice but to go along with it.

The moment we arrived, we were greeted by blaring music, a crowd lost in dancing, food and drinks scattered everywhere, and all kinds of social interactions unfolding.

Some were being overly polite, some were bursting with energy, and then there were those who were clearly going to spend the rest of the night together—only to act like complete strangers at award shows.

A waiter—or some kind of staff member—greeted us and led us to a table where food and drinks were already prepared.

Most of us stayed in our seats, while others disappeared into the dancing crowd or went off to different tables, likely spotting familiar faces.

I stayed with DK and Minghao, while the rest of our group had already scattered.

"I just wanna go home. I'm so done for tonight," Minghao muttered, absentmindedly tapping his fingers on the table as he leaned back in his chair.

"I'm still okay. This is a whole new experience for me," DK answered, taking a sip of his beer.

"I don't get how the others still have the energy to party for hours straight. Just looking at them feels like watching three consecutive opening performances," Minghao added with a sigh.

"Yah, The8, this isn't even your first time. Still, you might as well make the most of it," I said before taking a bite of barbecue.

"If we had started here from the beginning, I probably would've enjoyed the whole night. But nah... that's why I'm heading home first," Minghao said, already shifting in his seat as if ready to leave.

"Yah, no way. We're going home with the hyungs, remember? They'll kill you if you leave first," DK reminded him.

Minghao didn't respond and just leaned further into his chair. DK started talking about how unexpectedly fun the party turned out to be. I agreed—it was supposed to be a casual gathering, but it had turned into something bigger than anyone had imagined.

Even though we were caught up in our conversation, we both noticed Minghao tsk as he looked at his phone.

"Why? What happened?" DK asked, curious as he leaned over to peek at Minghao's screen.

"Scoups and Jeonghan already went home. Aigoo, those two..." Minghao sighed, sounding calm, though I knew he was annoyed.

DK laughed first before reassuring him.

"Don't worry, we'll be going home with Joshua once the party's over."

At the mention of Joshua, something nagged at me. I had been meaning to ask about him and Jennie. They seemed close, and for some reason, it was getting to me.

"I have a question," I started, feeling more curious than hesitant.

The two looked at me, waiting for me to continue.

"What is it?" DK asked.

"Do you know the connection between Jennie and Joshua? They seem close," I said, trying to sound casual.

"Why?" Minghao narrowed his eyes at me, suspicious.

"Hmm," DK hummed, pretending to think. "Shua-hyung mentioned that they met in LA, and after that... yeah, I'd say they got pretty close." He nodded, as if recalling something.