The third invitation sat on Jisoo's table longer than it should have.
It wasn't because she didn't care. If anything, that was the exact problem—she cared too much about everything at once. Her schedule had been insane for the past year, jumping from drama sets to film promotions to endless brand commitments, barely giving her enough time to breathe properly, let alone fly halfway across the world for a single night event.
The first time she declined, it was easy.
The second time, slightly regretful.
By the third time... she stared at the letter for a long moment, fingers resting lightly on the edge of the envelope, her thoughts drifting somewhere very specific.
Jennie.
"Just come once," Jennie had said months ago, voice echoing through a late-night FaceTime call, her face squished against her pillow, eyes half-lidded but still annoyingly persuasive. "You don't even have to stay long. Just walk with me. I'll hold your hand the whole time so you don't run away."
Jisoo had laughed softly at that, shaking her head. "You make it sound like I'm a child."
"You are," Jennie replied immediately. "My child."
"I'm older than you."
"Not emotionally."
That had earned her a glare—and a smile.
And now, standing in her dressing room with the invitation still in her hand, Jisoo found herself exhaling quietly before reaching for her phone.
Her manager picked up almost immediately.
"Yes?"
"...I'll go this year."
There was a pause on the other end.
Then—
"Finally."
⸻
Meanwhile, across the city, Jennie was having the exact opposite kind of moment.
"What?!"
Allison didn't even look up from her iPad as Jennie practically launched herself off the couch, nearly tripping over her own blanket in the process. "Jisoo just confirmed for the Met Gala this year."
Jennie blinked rapidly, her brain scrambling to process the words before letting out a loud, completely unfiltered squeal as she grabbed the nearest cushion and hugged it like her life depended on it.
"She said yes?! She actually said yes?!" she repeated, pacing back and forth now, her excitement bubbling over in the most obvious way possible. "Do you understand this is a historical moment? Kim Jisoo willingly attending a social event? Voluntarily?"
Allison hummed. "It took three invitations."
Jennie stopped mid-step, pointing dramatically. "No, because I've been telling her for MONTHS. Months, Allison. I literally begged. I used emotional manipulation. I almost cried."
"You always almost cry."
"That's not the point."
But she was smiling.
Wide, bright, completely genuine.
Without thinking, she grabbed her phone, already opening Jisoo's contact like muscle memory.
Jichu 💛
Her thumb hovered for a second.
Then—
