Spring Day // Kim Taehyung ( V )

Chapter 40 - its just a friendly date, dont worry.

It was early afternoon when I finally finished preparing for what I considered a casual outing with Taehyung. Not exactly a date—more like a friendly get-together, a small gesture of appreciation. He's been a good friend, and honestly, he deserves this break.

The girls had insisted I go. They assured me they'd be fine, knowing the guys would keep them company. Especially Angela—she's been through enough lately, and I knew she needed a bit of normalcy.

My outfit was simple—black sweater, ripped jeans, white and black Converse. Black always feels like a safe choice, especially today. I'd done my makeup minimally, just enough to look fresh, not trying to impress Taehyung or anyone else. This was just a day out, after all.

Once I was ready, I headed downstairs. The guys were already there, and the girls had woken up and were sitting on the couch, engrossed in a K-drama. They'd woken me up earlier, reminding me about today's plan. I hadn't seen Taehyung yet—just knew he was around somewhere.

"Hey, guys," I greeted, smiling as I approached. Joan was sitting on the couch with the others, who were scattered around, some on the floor, some on the other couch.

"Did you and Taehyung coordinate on the dress code?" Joan teased with a grin.

Dress code? I looked down at my outfit, confused.

Huh?

The others exchanged amused glances, a teasing spark in their eyes. Then, I noticed him—Taehyung—by the stairs, looking effortlessly composed. He was dressed differently than I'd expected, and I realized—oh. They'd meant the dress code.

I froze for a moment, awkwardly shifting my gaze between our outfits. He looked incredible—an outfit that I wouldn't have guessed he'd pick, yet somehow suited him perfectly. It was different from his usual quirky style—more polished, a bit daring. Honestly, he looked good. Dead good.

Angela, sitting nearby, smirked. "You guys look cute," she said, eyes twinkling with mischief.

I rolled my eyes and gently pulled Taehyung away from the group before she could start teasing further.

"Take care, alright? Be home early and safe," Namjoon reminded us, giving a quick wave before they all went about their day.

As we stepped outside, I hesitated. "Aren't you worried people might see you with me?" I asked, glancing at him. Being an idol, I didn't want to be mistaken for more than just a friend.

He shrugged. "Not really."

It's strange how relaxed he is about these things. I wonder how he manages to stay so cool in situations like this.

"So, where are we headed?" I asked, trying to hide my curiosity. Today marked the first time I'd really spent alone with him—no group, no distractions. It felt different—exciting, but a little awkward too. I've been around the members almost daily, but this was uncharted territory. I realized I hadn't quite opened up to him yet, not fully. There was something about him—an air of mystery—that kept me a little distant.

He chuckled softly, eyes crinkling. "I'm taking you somewhere my brother used to take me—a kind of brotherly date," he said with a wink.

Turns out, Taehyung and Namjoon are that close. I'd suspected, but hearing it confirmed made me realize how much they care for each other—more than I'd initially thought.

"Sounds... gay," I teased, rolling my eyes.

After a few minutes of driving, we arrived at an unfamiliar, vibrant place—an expansive cultural park filled with colorful plants and bustling crowds. It was mesmerizing, alive with energy. I'd never seen anything like it nearby.

"This place is beautiful," I said, genuinely impressed. "I can't believe I missed it all this time!"

Taehyung smiled warmly. "Welcome to Ilsan's Cultural Park."

The name alone felt poetic—simple, pure, artistic. It suited the atmosphere perfectly.

"Where should we eat?" he asked, glancing at me.

My stomach growled loudly, reminding me how hungry I was. "Surprise me," I said with a grin.

He nodded, offering his arm. Hesitant at first, I took it—just for today. It was a small gesture, but meaningful. Yesterday's kindness still lingered in my mind, making me feel more comfortable.

Soon, he cheered, "Food's here!" holding our trays. And guess what? He took me to McDonald's. I was surprised—expected something fancier, maybe. But honestly, I didn't mind. Sometimes, the simple things are the best. Besides, it's not every day you get a 'date' at McDonald's, right? Mainstream restaurants are overrated sometimes.

"I'm starving," I laughed, digging into my burger.

He looked a little anxious. "I didn't think you'd react like that," he admitted nervously.

I paused, fries halfway to my mouth. "Are you kidding? As long as I'm eating, I don't care where we are. Stop beung a drama queen and eat," I said with a smirk.

He grinned. "Drama king."

"Whatever," I retorted, biting into my food.

Honestly, I'd forgotten how good McDonald's fries are—crisp, salty perfection. I was grateful he brought me here, especially since I'd been craving comfort food.

As I ate, he watched me with a teasing glint. "Careful, you might choke," he joked.

I rolled my eyes but ignored him, taking another bite. Moments later, I felt a lump form in my throat—dangerously close to choking. I quickly grabbed my drink and gulped down a big sip, coughing softly.

He chuckled softly, giving me a knowing look. "Cute," he said quietly.

I couldn't help but smile, feeling a strange warmth. Today was unexpectedly good—simple, honest, and real.

The residual laughter from my brief choking episode lingered as I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Taehyung watched me with an amused expression, but there was something softer in his eyes—an unspoken understanding.

"See? Not everything has to be perfect," he said, voice gentle. "Sometimes, it's just about being here, in the moment."

I nodded, feeling a strange sense of comfort. It was rare to find someone who made even the simplest outings feel genuine. Taehyung's ease was contagious, and for once, the nerves that usually crept in around him seemed to melt away.

We finished our food in comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging small smiles or comments about the park's vibrant scenery. The atmosphere was light, yet beneath it, I felt an undercurrent of something more—something unspoken, waiting to surface.

After we finished eating, Taehyung suggested we walk around the park a bit. As we strolled along winding pathways lined with blooming flowers, the chatter of nearby families and couples felt distant, almost insignificant. It was just us, immersed in the quiet beauty of the place.

He paused near a small pond, throwing a pebble that skipped across the surface. "You know," he started, voice contemplative, "I've always liked coming here. It's a place where I can just breathe. Sometimes I forget how important it is to slow down."

I looked at him, surprised by the rare openness. "Yeah," I agreed softly. "I think we all need that sometimes."

He turned to face me. "Thanks for coming today. I know it's not something big, but I wanted to spend some time with you—just as friends, no pressure."

His words hung in the air, and I felt a flicker of emotion—gratitude, maybe a touch of something deeper. I smiled, feeling the warmth spread through me. "Me too. It's been nice. Honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did."

Taehyung grinned, a little shy now. "Good. I was worried I'd mess it up or make things awkward."

"Not at all," I assured him. "You're easy to be around."