Staegma ✧ taejin

03

The screen remained black, before completely changing to what Seokjin figured as a bedroom, judging by the bed that situated on the right. There was a desk on its left, followed by a tall bookshelf next to it, then the door. On the bottom left of the room was a dresser.

Suddenly, the door was opened, and a tall man with a mullet came inside, holding flowers. He was wearing a button-up shirt, paired with black pants. Seokjin was impressed at how visually accurate and attractive the game creators made the game.

Or the character. Same thing.

Hello, Jin. I have some flowers for you. Hope you like them.

He was restricted to reading subtitles. He was in no position to complain, though.

"Yeah, thanks, or whatever."

??? smiled shyly, and Seokjin 'grabbed' the flowers using his controller, but he never felt anything in real life. ??? was still smiling as Seokjin looked at him through the VR glasses. Cute.

But Seokjin isn't one to admire. As an experiment, he threw the flowers on the ground and stomped on them.

When he looked up at ???, who now looked shocked, Seokjin was impressed at the emotion. ??? does know how to react, doesn't he?

"I don't even know your name," Seokjin challenged, wanting to know how ??? would react next and what emotions he expressed. "You would give me flowers without us even knowing each other?"

What do you mean? I'm your boyfriend. We are together.

"I don't know your name. I only know that you're my," he air-quoted, "boyfriend."

??? looked sad. It's me, Taehyung.

"Taehyung. Nice name."

Thanks. I like your name too, Jin.

"Do you like me just because of my name?" Seokjin pressed. Taehyung's face switched to something akin to horrified, eyes wide and mouth slightly open.

No, no! It's not because of that. I like you because you're you. He waved his hands defensively.

Seokjin experimentally high-fived Taehyung. He laughed obnoxiously when Taehyung looked worried when he missed it.

Can we do it again? I didn't get to touch your hand.

"No."

Seokjin grabbed the nearest object in front of him, which was a phone, and pretended to call the police. "I'm calling the police, Rebecca. It's illegal to miss a high-five."

Taehyung now looked confused. Who's Lebeka?

"Rebe—cca," Seokjin repeated, clearly enjoying this. "You're Rebecca."

No, I'm Taehyung.

"I thought you were Rebecca?"

Please don't call the police. Let's high-five again and I promise not to miss it. Taehyung raised both of his hands. Pick a hand, Jin.

Seokjin chose to ignore him and walked towards the chair situated on the desk. In real life, he only walked and blindly looked for his couch, sitting on it.

He looked back again at Taehyung who dropped his hand and followed him to where he was, sitting on the bed near the chair.

I'm glad we get to hang out like this, Jin. Thank you so much for making time for me from your busy schedule.

"Sure."

Seokjin moved his controller to play with Taehyung's ears. Instead of being irritated as Seokjin expected, Taehyung only grinned — a boxy, rectangular smile that impressed Seokjin.

He wondered how Taehyung would react if he was angry. Would he break up with Jin? Storm out of the room? Keep quiet?

"What are your hobbies, Taehyung?"

Well, I draw, read, and play the sax on my spare time.

"Play the sax? You sound like an old man trying to be hip and cool."

Taehyung 'laughed.' Ha ha ha ha ha. You're so funny, Jin.

"This is weird. You can draw?" Seokjin said. "Then draw here. Right now. Get your stuff and draw."

Taehyung smiled shyly. I haven't been drawing for a while because I'm busy with work —

"Get your equipment and draw," Seokjin faked an authoritative voice, ignoring the other words from the subtitles. "Now, Taehyung."

Only if you say please. Taehyung smiled mischievously. I'll draw.

Seokjin never moved a muscle. He only stared at Taehyung.

But Taehyung's smile never faded. It was slightly uncomfortable, though, but Seokjin reminded himself that Taehyung was a virtual character. Of course there has to be something to stimulate him to react. Doing nothing will result in nothing.

"Stop smiling. You're making me uncomfortable."

Ah! Sorry. Sorry. I'll draw now.

Taehyung stood up and walked past Seokjin, heading for the bookshelf. While he had his back to Seokjin, the latter had grabbed his foot jokingly.

Ha ha ha ha ha. I'll get back to you soon.

Seokjin punched the back of Taehyung's knees.

Ah! Be careful. I can't fall.

Taehyung finally turned around, now with a sketchpad and pencil in hand. He sat back down on the bed, facing Seokjin. What do you want me to draw, Jin?

"What can you draw?"

Hm? Taehyung leaned in, eyes looking questioningly at him. Sorry. I didn't catch that. Can you repeat what you said?

"I said — what can you draw."

Whatever you want.

"Draw me, then."

As Taehyung began to draw Seokjin, the latter took the pencil away from him and raised it up.

Hey!

"Are you mad?" Seokjin asked mockingly, curious on how Taehyung would react.

Give it back to me.

He doesn't look angry.

Jin, please? I can't draw without my tool.

"You won't need a tool. Draw without a pencil. You're evolved."

What are you talking about?

"Nothing. I have to go. Bye." Seokjin paused the game, before taking off his VR equipment.