Stirring The Soul

Chapter 50

You look at Jungkook who looks around him in mock despair. He'd been hoping to sit next to you and enjoy discreet physical contact during the meal.

"Let's raise our glasses to the winners of today's task, i.e. Seokjin1000, i.e. us!" You enthusiastically applaud your team members while the other team grumble words of congratulation. You hear Jin mumble something about Jungkook and Taehyung being preoccupied and Namjoon's leadership skills falling short today. Jungkook playfully elbows Jin, saying, "Well, if there was a contest to see who's the most handsome, of course, the real Kim Seokjin would always win."
Jin seems to be mollified by this and starts to verbally appreciate the food being laid out in front of everyone.

"I think we should raise a glass to the wonderful organiser of today's activity too," interjects Jimin. "Thank you Noona, it was so much fun!" Everyone agrees, saying "hear, hear, yes, well done Anna, my selfies will look so cool on Twitter."

"Thank you, it was my pleasure. I really wanted to do something different and fun for JK's hyungs whom he adores a lot" you say, indicating Jungkook, who looks embarrassed. "I hope today is one that you'll remember for a long time, even after you go back to Seoul," you continue, reminding yourself that this is a bittersweet moment. You focus on looking at everyone else except Jungkook.

"Right, the food is here, so let's enjoy, especially since Jin will be paying!" you say, grinning at Jin playfully. Everyone quickly becomes engrossed in their food and in the conversations with their immediate neighbours. Jin is on fine form cracking food-related jokes, which you reflect, he has made into an art, of sorts. "Hey what's orange and sounds like a parrot?" he asks. You, Mia and Layla stare at Jin expectantly.

Everyone else says, "A carrot."

"Oh you've heard that one have you?" asks a surprised Jin.

"Yes hyung, you told it to us yesterday," Taehyung replies with a deadpan expression.

The banter continues and Jimin, whom you've avoided talking to so far, manages to start a conversation with you. "Noona, was our Jungkook a good student when you were teaching him?" he asks.

"He was an excellent student, supremely talented," you reply succinctly.

"Oh, but I thought maybe he was always practising since he rarely answered my calls and when he did speak on the phone, he said he was too busy," Jimin persists. You look at him and glance at Jungkook to make sure he's not listening, but Hobi is occupying him by showing him all the pictures he took.

"I think his other studies kept him busy, I only helped him once a week," you say still not explaining much. You know that Jimin wants you to confirm the type of relationship you have with Jungkook. His innocent facade might fool others, but you can tell he's fishing and have to keep your guard up.

"So Namjoon hyung, remind us what our schedule is when we go back to Seoul?"
Namjoon immediately proceeds to answer Jungkook's question at length, causing everyone to become engrossed in what he has to say. You look at Jungkook, mouthing the words, "good job" for deflecting Jimin's attention.

So far, nobody has said anything to you that might indicate they know anything about you and Jungkook. You feel relieved and look to Yoongi, whom you've been wanting to speak to all evening. He has become much more animated now and less intimidating and is answering your question about his upcoming mixtape. "I want to show how my alter ego has grown over the years and the ideas he had before may not necessarily be the same now," he explains.

"That's so cool, Yoongi. I really love how you are able to adapt to the music you're involved in, whether it's with BTS, other artists, or even as AgustD. Your transition is so effortless, I'm truly in awe," you say, lauding him with deserved compliments. He gives you his renowned gummy smile in appreciation.

Jin, who has been politely listening, leans in to ask you something when you're done talking. "Noona, I noticed that you called Jungkook, JK earlier. I don't think others did, but you have to be careful. Jungkook didn't tell me who, but it's obvious you're the one he's fallen for."
You look at him, unsure of how to respond, when he continues, "Don't worry, you don't need to explain anything. I just wanted to advise you that his life as an idol back home is intense. He can't have the relationships that his non-idol friends can. I've watched him grow up over the years and he's not like other guys. He's innocent. I want him to be happy and I can see you're a kind-hearted person, but you must realise that your relationship may not, or rather will not be able to go any further. Please don't take offence, I'm just trying to look out for both of you."

You listen carefully to everything Jin says. He's been very straightforward and hasn't said anything which you don't already know, so you can't take offence, but the inevitability saddens you. You feel a lump in your throat forming and you stay quiet, simply nodding at Jin. He doesn't say anything more.

You remain silent for the rest of the evening, which doesn't go unnoticed by Jungkook. Soon the meal comes to an end, all courses happily consumed, and Jin goes to pay for the bill at the counter. Nobody objects to him footing the bill since being the eldest, it's almost expected. And they considered it fair since they have to put up with all the bad Dad jokes.

When you all finally leave, you walk ahead of the others, wanting to be alone for a bit. Namjoon, though, finds his way next to you, clearly wanting to talk to you about something. You look at him in trepidation, wondering if he is going to follow-up on Jin's advice.

"So Anna noona, Jungkook tells me that you are quite the accomplished composer," he says. This catches you off guard, but you reply, "Oh well, I did major in composition, but things changed over time and I didn't pursue it. I don't know about being accomplished, though, I only wrote a handful of songs at the Academy. Nothing came of them."

"I read some of them and they're pretty insightful," he says. "I'm going to show it to a couple of producers at Big Hit and see what they think. Who knows, there might be room for another lyricist on our team."

You look at him, astounded. "Be part of your team?" you repeat.

"Yes, I don't see why not. I'll let you know the outcome of our discussion when I go back to Seoul," he says, in a matter-of-face tone. You thank him for offering to do this for you, though inwardly not really expecting anything to come out of it. Soon after the conversation, you hail three black cabs. With the promise of keeping in touch, the guys get into two cabs, while you and the girls get into the third one. You deliberately do not pay special attention to Jungkook and merely wish them safe travels back home. Once inside the cab, you recount the day with Mia and Layla, who have lots of details to pore over. The conversation makes the journey feel short and soon you're home.

You rush upstairs and into bed, not wanting to allow your mind to dwell on the conversation with Jin. Sleep welcomes you within minutes and you don't see the long succession of text messages that arrive from Jungkook.