The Magic Shop: A BTS Short Story Compilation

4: Memories

Yoongi couldn't remember the last time he went out with a woman. Although some may think he was exaggerating, it was a statement of fact. Believe it or not, at the ripe old age of 31, he still had zero experience with the opposite sex and had no memory of ever going out with any woman before. Tonight was a first.

No regrets, though. Ever since he'd cut ties with his parents, he'd had to strive for each and every penny he earned. There was simply no time to date. In the beginning, he almost broke his back working several odd jobs. Then one night, while working as a delivery guy for a chicken restaurant, he ran into Kim Namjoon, and by that, he meant  Kim Namjoon, who was learning how to drive, nearly ran over Yoongi and his moped. Thankfully, aside from a few cuts and bruises, he got out of that accident unscathed. A very apologetic Namjoon, though, decided he was going to help Yoongi no matter what or else risk bad karma. That was the start of their seven-year-long friendship. Namjoon played a huge part in bringing Yoongi where he was now. That's why although Namjoon was younger, Yoongi respected him a lot.

I wonder what Namjoon would do in this kind of situation?

Despite his clumsiness, Namjoon possessed boatloads of charm. He would probably know all the right things to say. Yoongi, on the other hand, absolutely had no idea what he should be doing. On Yeoreum's suggestion, they were on their way to a nearby street full of pojangmacha to grab a late-night meal. He watched the woman walking next to him from the corner of his eye. Both of them hadn't said a word to each other since they'd left the office building. Whereas Yoongi was used to silence, he understood people found it uncomfortable.

He should say something.

Anything.

But what?

A gust of freezing wind teased the dark tendrils of her hair. She shivered. This could be the opportunity he was looking for.

Should I...

Grabbing the hood of her white padded jacket, he plopped it over her head. When she turned his way, shock written all over her face, he was at once filled with regret.

He shouldn't have done that.

"It's cold," he mumbled, then sped up his steps.

They didn't have that kind of casual relationship. Besides, who was he to assume she needed taking care of? More importantly, who was he to take over that role? That was his unintended gender bias rearing its ugly head.

Ugh! You idiot.

"Min Yoongi!"

The sound of her boot-clad footsteps slapping against the pavement chased after him. Yoongi hastened his steps. He should never have agreed to this dinner. What was he even thinking? There was a reason he avoided most human contact. He was awkward as heck. He was surely going to screw this night over.

"Min Yoongi!"

Kim Yeoreum ran smack into his back, nearly causing him to topple over with the impact. A small shout left his lips, while his hands waved around for balance. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him back.

"Are you---" he turned around to confront her, but when he saw a few people turn their way, he lowered his voice to a whisper, "---crazy?"

"It's your fault for leaving me behind."

Yoongi tried to shake off her grip, but she held him even tighter.

"Let me go, you crazy woman!"

"Only if you promise never to leave me again."

"Wh-what do you mean? I didn't leave you. I... I was just walking ahead."