𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 - 𝐥𝐤

chapter sixteen: almost

Jungkook was on his way to pick up Jimin. The boy was slacking off and hated to move a muscle, so Jungkook, being the good friend he was, had hit the road for a fifteen-minute drive to the YG building. Jimin was waiting patiently inside, his usual lazy self.

Seoul wasn't always known for its busy streets, but today was different. Bumper to bumper, cars moved timidly, and Jungkook's frustration grew. He called Jimin to tell him about the traffic, but the older man cared less. He wasn't the one stuck, so why would he bother? Jungkook hated himself for even making the call, knowing he wouldn't get a helpful reply.

The traffic was getting to him. He was frustrated and felt like he could throw hands at anyone; he just wanted to get out. He let his eyes wander, observing the busy streets of Seoul, a place he missed. Everything felt nostalgic, and he couldn't help but smile.

As he looked from the buildings to the billboards, a familiar face caught his eye. This time, he was properly convinced. A picture of Lisa, almost barefaced, from her latest issue of Nylon Magazine. The ad announced that in two days, she would be having a meet-and-greet with fans for her Elle magazine issue, alongside her brother.

"Filthy rich," he muttered to himself. He couldn't imagine her current life, wondering if she was eating well or restricting herself from food, as was common for models. He knew she was a big eater once, and the thought worried him.

He was snapped back to reality by a chorus of car horns. The traffic had eased, but his car was still stalled in the middle of the street as he admired Lisa's billboard.

"Damn, Lisa," he whispered.

"Wow, I didn't know you could still—"

"Hyung, I—I think I found her," Jungkook cut him off.

"Who? Your Thai crush? Where?" Jimin teased.

"On a billboard." Jimin was stunned, but then he burst out laughing.

"Jungkook, stop. You're making me cackle," he pleaded, but Jungkook's expression was dead serious.

"Hyung—"

"Fine, fine. Who is it?" Jimin gave in, trying hard to contain his laughter.

"Lisa Manoban."

"Lisa Manoban? Lisa fucking Manoban? The greatest model today?" Jimin was shocked. So his instincts were right all along? Last night, he had suspected that "Lalice" and Lisa were the same person based on Jungkook's photo, but he didn't want to believe it.

"Hyung, you're right," Jungkook said before Jimin could even speak.

"I am," Jimin replied, realizing this was the perfect opportunity. Now that he felt closer to Lisa (after their talk earlier, and the reason he'd wanted Jungkook to come was to make him jealous), he could make them meet.

"Well, great! Lisa-ssi is inside, you can meet her—or maybe not." Jimin was about to head toward the lobby entrance with Jungkook close behind when he saw Lisa arguing with her brother. Both of them were shocked.

"Whoa, Lisa and her genes never disappoint," Jimin said out of nowhere.

"Is that Kimmy? Oh my god, he's so tall," Jungkook whispered, recognizing his own childhood playmate.

"Lisa is tall, but he's taller. Oh my god," Jimin said, stunned by the sight of the siblings. They didn't seem to care who was watching, as Taehyung was laughing, and Lisa looked like she was about to explode in anger at any moment.

"Let's go, Jungkook. I'm sure there's a better time for your reconciliation." Jungkook laughed. Jimin's knack for words never failed to amaze him.

"Whatever, hyung," he teased, heading back to their car. He broke his gaze from Lisa and her brother, which he'd found impossible to do a moment ago.

"If you don't get in this car in three more seconds, I won't give you passes for her meet-and-greet," Jimin shouted from inside the car. The words "meet-and-greet" made Jungkook's ears perk up. He ran at the speed of light, slamming the car door shut.

"Tickets for her meet-and-greet, thanks," Jungkook said with a grin, starting the car and leaving Jimin in shock.