SCENERY / Taejin

6. Date

It was a Saturday when Sunbae invited me to his friend's restaurant for the mentioned date.
As I was heading out the dorm, Jin-hyung was in the kitchen. I tried to rush out without him noticing but he did.

"Hey..where are you headed? Could you bring me a lil something on your way back if you're gonna be quick?"

"I have a date," I was almost inaudible.

"WHat??? A date??!"

Jungkook's head peeked from his room in amusement.

"Park Sunbae is setting me up with (name) noona from that recent (name) drama."

"Woahhhhh! Why didn't you tell us?? That person.. is she? Ahhh right.. She's really tall and pretty and she's nice on TV. Of course you'd hide it from us. Taehyung-ah, you're lucky as heck!," Jiminie came out almost shouting from the washroom.

How and why are they hearing all these?

"I gotta go. Stop being so nosy."

The word 'nosy' only triggered them to annoy me more. Jungkook had left his room by now to join Jiminie in teasing me right to my face. To the point I started laughing...and then, we were all laughing.

"Hey hey! break it off. Be on your way, Tae-Tae. You don't wanna be late on the first day," Hyung's voice interrupted us.

"You're finally gonna get kissed by a real girl now~ ngihihi,"
Jimin was protruding his lips at me.
"Just don't bring her home yet. Kookie will get scared if a real girl is anywhere within 5m of him,.."

"Hyung!!", Jungkook already had Jimin's head locked in his arms and they moved away grunting and laughing.

I turned my eyes to Jin-hyung. He was laughing looking at the two members prancing away. I suddenly didn't want to leave anymore.

"Umm..hyung? You said you wanted me to bring you something?"

"Huh?," He looked startled, "Uh no. It's ok. I'll ask one of the other guys. You focus on the date."

"Just tell me. Namjoon and Suga hyung are in the studio and Hobi-hyung went to visit his family. Jiminie and Kook would fight you all day before they agree to go get it. I'll be quicker than any of them," I gave him a weary smile.

"Well...Ok then. I need some white chocolate, some caramel candies, fresh strawberries, yellow and green food colouring, orange blossom extract, vanilla bean pods, a litre of heavy cream and 2 dozens of blueberry and mango yogurt."

Both of us went silent for a whole minute.

"Pfffftttt"

"Should I take a luggage along to fit all that?"

"Khihihihihihihi," hyung just continued laughing.

"I'm kidding. Just go. I'll force Kook to go out with me and get it. We'll have a nice little baking date here while you're out on your date too."

Jealousy activated. My lips twitched and all laughter had suddenly left me.

"Don't you dare. I'm gonna get the stuffs. So, don't you dare get them before me," and I rushed out sooner than I had said the last word.

_____

I arrived at the restaurant. The staffs led me to a room and opened the door to a group of people laughing at the table. My arrival interrupted them and they stood up to greet me.

As soon as I sat down near my Sunbae, the girl across me whom I recognised was my date extended her hand.

"Hello there, V-ssi. It's finally nice to meet you."

"A-ah yes.. me too," I manage to stutter as I shook her hand for the shortest couple of seconds and retraced it back under the table.

Besides Park-hyung and me, there were 4 other people including my date. They took turns asking me questions and congratulating me on Bangtan's growing success. I kept my replies short yet polite.

The food was heavy and the drinks heavier. The table started getting louder and merrier as the hours passed. I kept glancing at the window and the setting sun and kept murmuring to myself the list on my shopping errand.

"V-ssi.. are you having an awkward time?," my date was looking at me concerned. The others were too engaged in their talks to notice us.

"N-no..I'm fine. I'm sorry if I've been a bit distant. It's all a little new for me."

She smiled. And she shifted in her seat and got up.

"They say there's a nice garden at the rooftop of the building. Would you mind accompanying me to get some fresh air there?"

I felt like I was obliged to agree given the way I had been avoiding her all evening.

And so, I nodded yes.