Jungkook POV:

After witnessing that incident with Y/N, my mind was all over the place. My phone buzzed, and it was Jin Hyung calling. I wasn’t in the mood to talk, but I answered anyway. He started off with his usual rapping and all that nonsense, but I barely paid attention. Suga Hyung shut him up and then Jin Hyung got to the point—something about Dad coming home, and that he had an announcement for us, along with some news. I couldn’t care less. What did I even expect? After everything that’s happened, after how they’ve treated us, the news hardly matters to me anymore.

We listened to him talk, but my focus shifted when I heard Taehyung ask, almost hesitantly, if he was coming. And when Jin Hyung told him that no, he wasn’t, it hit me harder than I expected. I felt a rush of anger and frustration building up in me, but I stayed silent. Why was I even surprised anymore?

The conversation ended, and as soon as the call cut off, I couldn’t sit still. Without saying a word, I got up and walked out of the room. Neither Jimin nor Taehyung stopped me. They knew exactly what I needed—a little time alone.

I made my way to the rooftop, the place where I usually go to think. It’s quiet there, away from everything and everyone. I sat down in my usual spot, looking out at the sky. The clouds were drifting lazily, and for a moment, everything felt distant. But it didn’t help the storm inside me. The anger, the disappointment, the questions I still didn’t have answers for—they wouldn’t go away.

But for now, all I could do was sit there, letting the silence drown everything else out.

Jungkook sat silently on the rooftop, trying to process everything that had happened. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, guilt, frustration. He didn’t want to be seen, especially not by anyone from his group. His heart was heavy, and he wasn’t ready to face anyone yet. So, when the footsteps approached, Jungkook didn’t think twice. He quickly ducked behind a low wall and tried to hide, hoping the person wouldn’t notice him. But it was no use.

"Yeah, come out. I know you are here," a voice said.

Jungkook froze for a moment before standing up slowly, his voice shaky. “Ho-how did you know that I am hiding here?”

The figure sitting at the spot where he had been just moments before replied nonchalantly, “Just, I know."

Jungkook blinked in surprise, trying to process what was happening. He walked up, now facing the person who had invaded his private space. His eyebrows furrowed as he tried to control the irritation rising within him. “Yah, first of all, why are you here? And second, why are you sitting in my place, Y/n?”

Y/n simply shrugged, looking up at him with a calm expression. "I just want some time alone, that's why I’m here. And as for sitting in your place, I can sit wherever I want. Your name isn’t written here. If you want to sit, you can sit beside me."

Jungkook was taken aback by her casual response. He narrowed his eyes, half-annoyed and half-intrigued. “Yah... First, you take my place, and now you’re telling me to sit beside you?” He was about to continue, but she cut him off, her tone unwavering.

“Are you sitting or not?” she asked, staring at him with a cold glare.

Jungkook sighed in frustration, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. “Ya-ya-yah... don’t stare at me like that. I’ll sit next to you, don’t worry. You don’t have to glare at me."

What neither of them realized was that despite the coldness of their words, neither of them was speaking with any real malice. They were both just two people, hiding from the weight of their thoughts, each seeking solitude in a place that was supposed to be their own. Yet, the rooftop had become a shared space, whether they liked it or not.

Jungkook: "Why are you here?"

Y/n: "Didn't I tell you? I just needed some fresh air."

Jungkook: "Yeah... but I know there's another reason. But you're not going to tell me, are you? Well, you know, you can share it with me. I won't tell anyone."

Y/n: "And why do you think I'd tell you? Even if I did, how would I know you wouldn't tell anyone else?"

Jungkook: "Okay, okay, I get it, business-minded. Fine, I'll share why I'm here too."

Y/n: "And I really don't want to know. Besides, I already know you’re probably going to skip class today."

Jungkook: "What...? How can you say that? You just got here today, you don't even know me! How could you assume I’m going to skip class?"

Y/n: "I... I just said it because it came to my mind."

Jungkook: "Sigh... Forget it. I was just asking because I saw you looking upset when you came up to the rooftop. If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. I’m not interested anyway."

(He stands up and starts walking toward the stairs, but Y/n stops him.)

Y/n: "Wait... I can't tell you everything, but I can tell you one thing."

(Jungkook stops, silently listening to her.)

Y/n: "I'm here because I’m missing some important people."

Jungkook: "What do you mean by 'important people'? Are there more than one?"

Y/n: "Not more than one... but five. I lost five people. Including Stray Kids. I can’t bring them back. And after losing them, I lost Stray Kids too. They misunderstood me, and now I’m trying so hard to fix it, but everything’s out of my control. All I can do is wait for a miracle."

Jungkook: "You know, Y/n, you're not the only one who's lost everything. There are people out there who have lost everything too, but they’re still going on with their lives. They’re still fighting to survive. I know how it feels when the most important person in your life leaves you all alone in this world."

Y/n: "You don’t understand. The pain I feel is different. I have everything: my mom, Blackpink Unnie, my best friend Zhe... But still, I miss them. You have everyone. Your father, and most importantly, you have your older brothers. I envy you for that."

Jungkook: "I understand your pain. I can feel it because I’ve also lost some important people in my life. But you're not the only one who's lost something. And you're not the only one who's still trying to move forward." (He says it coldly.)

(He walks toward the door, without glancing back at Y/n. The weight of pain, anger, and guilt hangs heavily on him. He couldn’t save the people he once loved. Just before leaving, he turns to her.)

Jungkook: "Please, don't tell anyone about this conversation."

Y/n: "Mmm... You too. Please don’t tell anyone, and just act the same as you always do with everyone."

(Jungkook stares at her for a moment as she sits on the edge of the rooftop, then turns to head back to class. Y/n stays behind for a while, lost in her thoughts. After about 15 minutes, she reaches her class, sitting at her desk, resting her head on the table. She plugs in her EarPods and starts listening to music. Jungkook watches her from his seat, waiting for the class to end.)

Jungkook’s POV:

Suddenly, Y/n’s phone rang, and she excused herself, walking out of the classroom. From the look on her face, I could tell she was scared, but then her expression changed, shifting into wonder and happiness. But why am I even thinking about her? She has nothing to do with me. I shouldn’t be thinking about her at all. Yet, why does it feel like I’ve known her forever? Why can’t I talk to her like I talk to everyone else? Ugh, I feel like I’m going to explode with all these questions. I shouldn’t talk to her. It's messing with my head too much.

Y/n’s POV:

After Jungkook left, I stayed in the classroom for another 15 minutes before heading to my next class. The teacher didn’t say anything—she wasn’t there when I arrived. I went straight to my seat, plugged in my EarPods, and started listening to music, my mind wandering back to what Jungkook had said.

As I was lost in the music, my phone suddenly rang. I checked the screen and saw that it was my mom calling. I wondered why she would call me now—she never calls during school or office hours. Was something wrong? My thoughts started racing, but I quickly picked up the call. That’s when I noticed someone was staring at me. It was Jungkook.

Y/n: "Mom, what’s wrong? Why are you calling me? You never call me during school or office hours. Is something happening? Why aren't you telling me what's going on?"

Mom: "Y/n, can you please let me speak? You’re not giving me a chance. How am I supposed to tell you anything if you keep interrupting me?"

Y/n: "Oh, sorry. Please, go ahead. You know I can’t risk anything happening to you. You’re all I have, and there are a lot of people out there who want my position, along with my company. I can’t risk you."

Mom: "Yeah, I know. But forget about that for now. I want to talk to you about something important. Please come home early today. I have an announcement to make, and tell Zhe to cancel all of your meetings today."

Y/n: "Okay, I’ll come home as soon as my classes are over. I’ll tell Zhe to cancel all meetings."

Mom: "And make sure to come with Zhe. I don’t want him working alone in the office. You give him too much work. I want him with you, or you don’t have to come home."

Y/n: "Wah... Mom, you’re my mom, not Zhe’s. Why do you care about him so much? That dumbhead, he’s even stolen you from me now." (cute angry tone)

Mom: "Yah, don’t call him a dumbhead. Just come home with Zhe, or I’m not letting you in without him."

Y/n: "Fine... I’ll come with him." (angry pout)

Mom: "Aww, my baby’s pouting."

Y/n: "Mo-mom, how do you know I’m pouting?"

Mom: "I’m your mom. I know you better than you know yourself, okay?"

Y/n: "Okay, okay. I’ll go to class now. Bye."

Mom: "Hmm, bye."

After finishing the call with my mom, I returned to class, put my earphones back in, and started listening to music, waiting for the day to end.

TIME SKIP

Author’s POV

All the classes were finally over, and it was time to head home. Y/n packed her bag and started searching for Zhe, as he was in a different section than her, and her unnies were also in their own areas. She waited for Zhe in the parking area. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice, followed by some noises. She knew exactly who it was.

Lisa: "Finally, the hellish tutor session is over!"

Zhe: "Ugh, I’m so tired from that tutor. But I can’t go home yet. I have to head to the office for more work. This never seems to end."

Y/n: "We’re not going to the office. We’re going home."

Zhe: "Why? Don’t we have the meeting with Mr. Zhan?"

Y/n: "We did, but I extended the meeting date. Mom wants to announce something important, so we need to head home." (cold tone)

Zhe: "Okay, okay. Let’s go home then."

Y/n: "Hmm. Unnies, we’ll meet tomorrow. And about what happened at lunch, I’ll tell you when I’m ready to talk about it." (cold tone)

Jisoo: "Alright, whenever you’re ready, let us know."

Y/n: "Hmm. Zhe, let’s go. We’re getting late. And unnie, my driver will drop you off at your house. I’ve already arranged an SUV for you." (cold tone)

Rose: "Y/n, we don’t need your car. We can manage on our own."

Y/n: "You know I can’t risk it. Just call me when you reach home." (cold tone)

Jennie: "Okay then, bye."

TIME SKIP

Author’s POV

Y/n and Zhe finally reached home, but Zhe didn’t seem eager to head to his room. He was still walking around, trying to find a better place to stay.

They both went to their rooms, freshened up, and then met again in the dining room, where Mrs. Lee had been waiting for them. They sat there for 15-20 minutes, but Mrs. Lee hadn’t said a word yet.

Y/n: "Mom, are you going to tell us what happened? It’s been 20 minutes, and we’ve been sitting here like this. You know I have meetings, right? I only extended the date of the meeting."

Mrs. Lee: "Ah... ah... Y/n, I don’t know how to tell you. I’m just... worried that you might get angry, that you might stop talking to me. I’m afraid."

Suddenly, Y/n stood up, walked over to Mrs. Lee, and sat next to her.

Y/n: "Mom, I’ll never get angry with you, not ever in my life. Just tell me what happened."

Mrs. Lee: "Umm... Ah... someone... someone proposed to me."

Y/n and Zhe: "What? Really? Who is it? We want to meet him!"

Y/n: "Mom, really? Who is he? I want to meet him. He’s got guts to propose to you! I’ve lived with you for 10 years, and I still don’t know how to handle your anger. He must be something special. I’m going to salute him."

Mrs. Lee: "Yah... you brat! How can you say that? I’m your mom, not your friend!"

Y/n: "Aish, okay, okay, sorry. Just tell me who he is."

Mrs. Lee: "He... he’s Mr. Ki... Ki Kim."

Y/n: "Wait, Mr. Kim? The second-richest businessman, after me?"

Mrs. Lee: "Yeah, yeah... Are you angry with me? You’re not going to leave me, right?"

Y/n: "Mom, didn’t I tell you I will never get angry with you? Never."

Mrs. Lee: "Really? Then... will you accept my relationship with him?" (She asked, hopeful)

Y/n: "I can’t give you false hope. But I want to meet him, and his family too. I know he’s good in business, but I need to see who he really is, especially since I don’t want you getting hurt. I’ll meet him first and then tell you my decision."

Mrs. Lee: "And what about you, Zhe?"

Zhe: "I agree with Y/n. I think we should meet him first, then I’ll decide."

Mrs. Lee: "Okay..." (She says, a little disappointed)

Y/n: "Hey, Mom, cheer up. If you’re going to stay sad, who’s going to eat the food I’m going to make for you? And it’s Indian food."

Zhe: "Yeah, Mom, please cheer up. I don’t know when Y/n will cook again, especially Indian food. I’m not going to miss it!"

Mrs. Lee: "Alright, alright. I’m fine now."

Y/n: "Okay, then I’m going to make dinner. Zhe, come with me. Mom needs to tell someone some really good news."

Zhe: "Oh, yeah, yeah. Mom, you can talk to him as much as you want; we’re not going to listen."

Mrs. Lee: "Yah, you two brats, get over here. Or I’ll beat both of you!"

With that, they both ran off, heading towards the kitchen to make dinner.

After preparing dinner, they all sat down to eat. Y/n and Zhe did their college work and some office tasks after dinner, then eventually went to bed.

As for Mrs. Lee, she spoke to Mr. Kim about Y/n’s wishes. Mr. Kim agreed to meet Y/n and Zhe, and they all planned to meet the next day since it was the weekend, and no one had work.