The Scandal | VSOO

thirty-eight | team dinner

Third Person POV

The second the press conference ended, Jisoo was the first to stand.

Before any of the reporters could call her name again, before any of the cast members could stop her for conversation, she offered a quick bow toward the audience and immediately disappeared backstage.

She didn't look back once.

Especially not at Taehyung.

Staff members hurried around congratulating the cast while cameras continued flashing nearby, but Jisoo moved through the chaos without slowing down.

The van ride back was unusually quiet.

Jisoo sat near the window with her arms crossed tightly against her chest, staring out at the blurry Seoul lights passing outside.

Irene carefully glanced over after several minutes of silence.

"...Are you okay?"

Jisoo let out a dry laugh.

"Do I look okay?"

Irene sighed softly, already expecting that answer.

"That reporter crossed the line."

"No, because actually what was that?" Jisoo suddenly looked at her in disbelief. "Who asks that during a press conference?"

"The media's been waiting for you two to appear together again for months," Irene muttered carefully.

"Yeah, well, they got what they wanted." Jisoo scoffed before leaning back dramatically against her seat. "God, that entire interview was suffocating."

The more she thought about it, the more irritated she became.

Especially remembering Taehyung sitting there looking so calm.

So unaffected.

"We've both moved forward." Jisoo rolled her eyes aggressively at the memory.

"Oh, please."

Irene pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.

"Look at him acting all emotionally mature and unbothered," Jisoo continued, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Like excuse me? Since when does he speak for both of us?"

"You technically said something similar," Irene pointed out carefully.

"That's different."

"How?"

"Because I'm allowed to say it," Jisoo said immediately.

Irene burst into laughter.

Jisoo groaned dramatically, throwing her head back against the seat.

"No, because actually the audacity?" she continued ranting. "He really sat there saying we've both moved on like he's the prize here."

Irene shook her head knowingly, already recognizing where this was going.

"Jisoo..."

"No, let me speak," Jisoo cut her off instantly. "Because if we're being serious right now, I'm obviously the catch."

"There it is."

"I'm successful, attractive, booked every month, ambassador for luxury brands, and emotionally intelligent—"

"Emotionally intelligent?" Irene repeated slowly.

"Yes."

"You almost fought a reporter with your eyes today."