Last night's dream was different. It made her recall information, yet everything is still a blur.

9 dates... Princess... Empire... a King who has the same name as her father...

Was that her? Was that her past life? Thoughts kept lingering in Kyungmi's head.

"It depends on your next life whether you still want to finish this life—" remnants of Aerin's words still feel fresh to Kyungmi's ears.

How will I want to finish the past when I don't even know what it is... Kyungmi grumbles.

"Consent"

Oof. Kyungmi bumps into someone.

"I knew she was going to bump into someone," Jihye mutters.

"Sorry about that Sejin-ssi. Seems like Ms. Kim over here isn't herself today," Yejun apologizes towards a tall man the woman accidentally bumped into.

Today, at this moment, they are at BigHit. Today, they're going to meet with BTS.

"You slept in today, was late, and now, you're totally not yourself. Are you alright?" Jihye asks Kyungmi. Usually the woman reeks authority and professionality. However, the woman they're with at the moment is filled with confusion and uncertainty.

Sejin answers with an 'It's alright,' a smile plastered on his face. Behind him, is the meeting room they'll be having a meeting on.

"Yeah yeah... sorry Jihye," she says as she enters the room

"Jihye?" Both Jihye and Yejun freeze. It's working hours... and they're in their working area... Jihye? Not Ms. Im? Something's definitely going on. The pair looks at one another, telepathically agreeing on the same thing.

However, when they turn their attention back to Kyungmi, just like them, the woman is also frozen.

"You..." Wearing a white t-shirt underneath a FILA jacket, the maknae of the BTS sports a shocked face meanwhile Kyungmi wears a face of hesitation and bewilderment.

Is Kyungmi alright?

"You guys know each other? Wait, no. Jungkook you know Kyung—I mean, Ms. Kim?" Jihye is confused as well, now mixing her words.

"Yes noona..." the maknae answers Jihye. "We met her yesterday—"

"OOOHHHHHHHH," loud voices of the other 6 men coos, followed by weird behavior such as two people jabbing each other in the stomach with smirks in their face, two people eyeing their maknae, one person who seemingly didn't care, and one who whispers something into the maknae's ear, making him red.

"Where did you meet her?" The leader asks.

"Oh was it when you said you're going to find a book on royalty and empires—"

Royalty and empires...? Kyungmi takes note. However, she still feels stunned with Jungkook in front of her.

"Now, now, boys. Let me remind you, we're here for work." Their manager, Park Sejin comes and hushes the males.

Right work... Kyungmi tries hard to separate herself from that troubled self and back to her professional one.

And with one snap, Kyungmi's aura immediately changed.

"Yes. Thank you Mr. Park," Kyungmi acknowledges their managers' work.

"Good morning to you all. We haven't formally met yet," the lady smiles to all the people in the room. "I am Kim Kyungmi, and I'll be heading this project since our leader is still in the states. I'll take the lead whatever happens here. However, he's still part of this project. He'll still be given input, and I'll be reporting whatever will occur in this meeting," the youngest in the room speaks with power. The seven men along with their manager become speechless at the formality of Kyungmi. Considering she is 3 months younger than the group's maknae, technically, she is the maknae in the room. Meanwhile, her companions, Jihye and Yejun, just silently nod seeing Ms. Kim is back to business.

"Let's start the first agenda shall we?" she says, sitting down opposite to the group members and taking out her laptop and a notebook to jot down notes.

---

Arms crossed, feet on top of the other, Kyungmi silently observes the wooden table in BigHit's café.

1.

2.

3.

Seconds tick as she gets more lost in thought.

"Something's definitely bothering you," comments Jihye, sitting down opposite her. "What's up?"

Kyungmi hesitates, unsure whether to tell this to her unnie.

"Is it about those dreams again?" Yejun joins in, a tray with a slice of cake, iced americano, and a banana smoothie on hand.

How does he know? Kyungmi only share those dreams to Jihye and her parents—

"Sorry Kyungs, it slipped from my tongue," Jihye sheepishly apologizes, making Kyungmi roll her eyes—

"Why are you dreaming about him though?"

"Why Jungkook?"

Kyungmi is stacked with questions from her colleagues.

"I... I don't know," is her simple answer.

"And the weird part of it, she dreams of his death..." Jihye mutters, leaving a sour taste on Kyungmi's mouth.

Silence overtook the three as they silently reflect and analyze Kyungmi's situation.

"Oh!" Jihye chirps. "What if it's the start of your strangers to lovers arc!"

"Oh boi..." Yejun facepalms.

Is strangers really the right term Kyungmi should use? She felt like she knew him..m

"It depends on your next life whether you still want to finish this life..."

Or will she be finishing a life? A story?

"I dreamt something new last night," she admits to her confidantes.

"Give me five dates, princess. And I'll make you fall in love with me—"

"It's a historical AU!" Jihye squeals, earning a hit from Yejun.

"First of all, you read too much fanfics," he scolds the woman beside her. "Second, what do you mean historical AU? Strangers to lovers? This is delusional!" He looks at the stunned lady on the other side of the table, "Kyungmi, you're engaged!"

Right.

Engaged.