First Love

Chapter 11

"You're a slave driver," complained Jin to J-hope, the dance leader of the group.

The 7 members of BTS slumped down on the floor, catching their breath as the dance practice were concluded. It was well known that the group's dance moves were considered as the toughest and the most precise and uniformed in the industry.

"I love you too hyung," replied J-hope with his smile. Despite Jin's complain, every one of them knows that he would spend more time practicing on his own. He felt he was lacking but in truth he's a great dancer.

"I feel like I can sleep a whole week after this," said Yoongi from the floor. "Taehyung-ah, lift me up. I can't feel my legs," said Yoongi to Taehyung who was already up and drinking his water.

"Jungkook, help me with this old man," said Taehyung to Jungkook who was already up. They were laughing when Jungkook switched Yoongi in a fireman hold, bringing him to the door and circling back around the room. Yoongi laughed and slapped Jungkook's back in protest with his free hand and was unloaded on a chair nearby.

"Jungkook, I need a lift too!" protested Jin, raising his arms for Jungkook to bring him up.

"You can lift yourself up, Jin-hyung," Jungkook shook his head and went far away from Jin.

"You ungrateful kid. I have fed you until you are all grown and this is how you repay me," Jin pouted. "What a cruel life," he sighed dramatically.

"I'm hungry. Anyone wants food?" asked Namjoon, also known as RM, their group leader.

"I would kill for jjangmyeon and dumpling," said Jimin as he went closer to Namjoon who was scrolling through the menu on his phone.

"I want that too," said J-hope as he tied his shoelaces.

"Rapmon-hyung I want extra spicy jjampong and dumpling," requested Jungkook as he joined Jimin crowding Namjoon.

"The bibimbap at Jae-noona's place is nice," commented Taehyung longingly.

"Jae-noona? Our Jae-noona? She has a restaurant?" asked Jimin curiously.

"Yes, our Jae-noona. She works in a restaurant few minutes away from here, she doesn't own it," Taehyung continued. "The food was delicious. I wonder if they do delivery too," he pondered.

"She's a mean pianist. You should see her play," added Jin.

"Our Jae-noona is a pianist?" asked Namjoon.

"Yoongi-hyung said she played at Carnegie Hall when she was young," said Taehyung. All eyes went to Yoongi at that instant and everyone went quiet. They could hear a pin drop.

"What?" asked Yoongi as the studio went silent. He was busy looking at his phone when they were talking about food to realize that the topic had jumped. They were looking at him attentively.

"You know Jae-noona?" asked J-hope.

"She's not your noona, Hope-ah. She's the same age as you. You know her too, so what about it?" asked Yoongi.

"I didn't know that she's a pianist," said Jimin.

"Jin-hyung and Taehyung knows," defended Yoongi.

"But we didn't know she played at Carnegie. You did," said Jin.

Yoongi just waved it away, "I told you I worked with her brother before. No big deal."

"I asked you about Jae-noona from Daegu before and you say you didn't know her" reminded J-Hope.

"She's not your noona," said Yoongi again.

"Oh really? When is her birthday?" fished J-Hope.

"January 15th," replied Yoongi. Everyone's jaws dropped.

"You even know her birthday," stated J-Hope incredulously.

"I told you, I worked with her brother," defended Yoongi.

"I've worked part-time before but I didn't know my boss' sister's birthday," said J-Hope suspiciously.

"Still my noona," added Jimin.

"Carnegie Hall, man," commented Namjoon who were scrolling his phone. Yoongi bet that he went looking for more information after he heard the name. "Whoaaaa, she must be a genius. Carnegie Hall - Since it opened in 1891, Carnegie Hall has set the international standard for musical excellence as the aspirational destination for the world's finest artists. From Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Judy Garland, and The Beatles, an honor roll of music-making artists representing the finest of every genre has filled Carnegie Hall throughout the years," added Namjoon.

"How old was she when she performed there, Yoongi-hyung?" asked Jimin.

"10," replied Yoongi.

"Is there something else that we don't know?" asked Jin curiously to Yoongi.

"Were you close to her before coming to Seoul?" asked Jungkook.

"You gotta hear her play. She was amazing. She was really fast," Taehyung cut in, saving Yoongi from having to answer those questions.

"Go to the restaurant if you want to," Yoongi grumbled.

"Excuse me, I'm hungry and are we going to order food or not?" asked Namjoon again.

"I'm going to Jae-noona's place," said Taehyung as he looked at the clock. It was nearing to 10 p.m. If they were lucky, Jae would be playing again. He changed his sweaty clothes to a clean one and stuffed it into his bag.

"I'm following," said Jimin as he put on his hoodie.

"Yaaa, I'm with you," said J-hope.

"Don't get your hopes up. If the restaurant is full, Jae-noona won't be able to play," said Taehyung.

"How did you know that?" asked Jin.

"I asked," Taehyung replied. She told him that she would only play if there were not many customers around. She didn't have time during peak hour and would be occupied bussing and running around sending food to the table.

"Yoongi-hyung, want to join us?" asked Jimin.

"Nah, you go on ahead. I'm just gonna order delivery. I'm tired," dismissed Yoongi getting up and headed to his studio.

Should he go too? He pondered as he sat down in his chair.

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Author's note:
Did you watch the BTS commencement speech for the YouTube Graduation Class of 2020?

They really smashed it with their speech. And don't forget Spring Day - The last time we saw them performing that song was in 2017. 2020 is definitely a memorable year, worldwide.