"Is everyone here?"
"Yes, hyung-nim!"
"Jungkook, did the costume fit at the back?"
"We managed something, hyung."
"Is there space up front for the guitars though, because we are struggling with space here."
"Unnie, I'll take it on my lap! Give them to me."
"Wait are you sure Solar? These are pretty heavy."
"It's fine, Jungkook will help me hold them up, right?"
"Oh? Oh, yeah yeah sure!"
Minor arrangements sorted out, the performance crew settles in the first minivan which takes off to the basketball stadium in which the games will be held the coming weekend – specifically, two days to follow. The Secret Services already took a look at the venue earlier this week, however this time they are re-visiting the venue with the dancers, singers and technical guys for a full practice.
They have managed to pull through all the extensive arrangements: from the full performance to set, costumes and mascot promotions, you name it. So far Siin is the hot topic of not only Gidae but all across universities in South Korea. The fan-meets have been aired on national television, the mascot's official webpage and accounts buzzing with views and comments. They have even managed to make money through an online store they set up with Siin the Swan merch – thanks fans, it was very well appreciated – as well as raised some donations for a Save the Swans non-profit foundation Jin hooked a deal with.
Their image is perfect on the media right now.
Gidae University's dean even made a statement for an earlier interview regarding the Nationals, addressing Siin as a "fresh look", a swan of its own who is revolutionizing Gidae's previous anonymous mascot campaigns.
It's getting realer each day that passes, and Jungkook is buzzing with excitement. He has been motivated more than ever to make this a memorable experience, can't get enough of the thrill of being trusted to handle such a big stage. His team members have gotten really supportive during the week, making sure to check up on him – Jin and Yoongi must have called his earlier exhaustion. Their encouragement touched Jungkook, as he kind of had forgotten that they were friends before these mascot matters... The two took him skating over the week and bought him food. It was like getting back something he had lost. It was inspiring.
Through the ride jokes are exchanged, mostly harmless banter between YAGJA (Adora's band) and Secret Services, occasional guesses on the basketball game scores and conspiracy theories on what the other mascots might have prepared. Yong-sun is an insa as they call a true insider in slang, Jungkook notices, when she stars spilling all the gossip she knows about game sabotage strategies certain universities prepared for this year.
She is close with the guys from the basketball team, and it's immensely comforting when she says that she has never seen them work harder for nationals before. There is a bigger pressure for their university to win this year since the nationals are being held in their hometown. Jungkook can almost picture the flashing headlines at the end of the big night if everything goes right:
"Gidae University to claim 10th Winter National University Games men's basketball title with victory 4 years in a row at its mainland Gidae!"
He is filming a short behind-the-scenes vlog when Shady interrupts them from the driver's seat.
"This is it, team."
Everybody forgets about the camera, looking at the entrance of the giant stadium through the windows.
YOU ARE READING
Stranger | Jikook/Kookmin
FanficThere are stranger things about the world. There are stranger things about people. But nothing and no one has been as close to being the stranger Jimin is to Jungkook. Quote in the cover: If you judge people, you have no time to love them. ~ by Moth...
