A/N: I know I typed this up a lot, but just a heads up that there is cooking involved in this chapter.  Once again I don't necessarily think it will be as mouthwatering as the one chapter where she makes the breakfast empanadas in Brazil, but it still might make you hungry.  So I figured I would give you all a heads up, as well as an opportunity to grab something to eat, if necessary, before hand.

Just before the staff is scheduled to leave for the day I wind up in the kitchen again. Dasom agreed not to do any cooking beforehand, but I did let her pick out the menu for tonight. I appreciated her expertise and insight so I allowed her full reign regarding the menu. However, because I would be the one cooking the meal I had to make sure that I had copies of those recipes and any tips I might need before I actually did any of the cooking.

"The only cooking I did was hard boil the eggs since the braised eggs recipe calls for them to be hard boiled ahead of time. The meat is marinating in a bulgogi sauce in the fridge, but otherwise I haven't done any other cooking or prep work." She then hands over to me six sheets of paper. "I found versions of each recipe online and printed them out for you. I did make some notes in the margins of variations I would personally suggest regarding either a step of their method or an ingredient."

"Thank you, Dasom. You really didn't have to go to all this trouble."

She shakes her head. "It's no trouble at all. I would say it is just part of my job, but in all honesty I have been enjoying teaching you. You are a great cook and only need guidance because you are unfamiliar with Korean cuisine in general."

I probably shouldn't hug the staff but I have my arms wrapped around her before I can consult my brain about my own actions. "Thank you again."

Just before she leaves, a pair of arms wrap around my waist from behind. "Sorry, I holed myself up in the studio for so long."

I lean further into his embrace. "I don't think that's something you need to apologize for. Getting lost in your craft is completely understandable. Also, it's a part of you so of course I accept that." I think for a second. "Just do me a favor and make sure to eat and sleep. Those are the only two things I will find myself overly concerned about."

"Speaking of eating. Thank you for asking Dasom to bring me something to eat for lunch and letting me know about our supper plans." He looks at the ingredients spread out in front of us on the counter. "So, what are we having?"

Oh, Dasom didn't tell him the menu. "We are going to do bulgogi steak and lamb skewers on the grill." I'm about to explain about the side dishes but he surprises me by hurriedly pulling away to look in the fridge. When he finds the sealed containers of marinating meat he pulls them out. My eyes nearly bulge out at the contents of each container. There is definitely more meat marinating in each container than I would have expected. But, I have a feeling, judging by the way Yoongi is eyeballing the see-through containers, that won't be a problem. I'm guessing that either leftovers would be welcome, or he didn't foresee a problem devouring that amount of meat in one setting.

Yoongi kisses me on the forehead and turns to go start up the grill, and I pull out the recipes and start getting to work. Jin joins me not long after that, and we set to formulate a plan on who does what. While we are prepping vegetables I turn to ask him. "So, did you get everything worked out for tomorrow?"

He turns his head to smile at me. "Yeah, I think we are all set."

I think of the feminine outfit I had bought with him in mind that is sitting in my closet. The one I hoped to wear before he had even asked me to wear something feminine, and honestly I found myself relieved when he asked for that exactly. "Good. I'm excited to spend some one on one time with you." I tilt my head up to smile in his direction.

He doesn't waste the opportunity to first plant a peck on my forehead. But he surprises me when he trails the bridge of his nose lightly down the side of my face, pecking my cheek for a brief moment, before continuing southward to take my lips sweetly with his own. If I didn't have a knife in my hand I would totally pull him further into my body, fully embracing him, and deepening the kiss. Instead I sigh and pull away. Putting my attention back on the dishes we are preparing.

Once I really look at the recipes I am exceptionally thankful for the amount of prepwork that Dasom did. It would have taken a long time to cut all the vegetables for each dish she had planned. Jin and I first start on combining the ingredients for the dishes that will need to be cooked. He first focuses on combining the ingredients for the morkovcha, a spicy shredded carrot salad. I combine the ingredients together for the mu namul, a Korean radish side dish sauteed in a skillet first and then boiled for a few minutes to soften the radish. The only other dish to cook is the soy sauce braised eggs, which Jin assures me can be started the same time after these preparations are done. "So, what time should I be ready for our date tomorrow?" I ask him.

He pauses to think for a minute. "I'd like to get there around 6:15/6:30 pm so probably around 4/4:15 pm."

I focus back on my task at hand and simply reply with an okay; just so he knows that I did hear him.

Once those dishes are prepared Jin takes over for me at the stovetop until I am done with the two final things that I need to prepare. I first get started working on the oi muchim dish. It is the only side dish we are making tonight that is served raw. I would describe oi muchim as a spicy cucumber salad. I personally love cucumbers so I am excited to try this dish. Although I do find it odd that part of the water content from the cucumber will be taken away before the other ingredients are added.

It doesn't take me long to measure out the dry and wet ingredients necessary for the dish. But I do have a bit of time to wait while the salt pulls out some of the excess water of the cucumbers. So once I toss the cucumbers with the salt I set them aside, check on how Jin is coming with the dishes on the stovetop, and then begin to work on the dipping sauce for the skewers.

I'm immediately excited to see that the sauce calls for Asian pears. I'm almost curious if Namjoon mentioned my desire to try the fruit, even if that desire was only discovered last night. Unlike all the vegetables that Dasom had prepped the Asian pears are still whole, and I can only guess that was because they probably have the tendency to oxidize like apples do.

Once I am done with the sauce I turn back and finish the cucumbers. That's around the time the rest of my soulmates show up from wherever they had been hiding themselves. I turn to go and wash my hands in the sink and I feel a set of arms entwine my middle. "Hey Petal?"

"Hey what, Hobi?" There is a sliver of excitement in his voice that I am exceptionally happy to hear since he has been off since the night we spent at the club.

"I know you have a date with Jin tomorrow, but I was curious if you would reserve the day after for me?"

Perhaps that shouldn't' surprise me, but I still feel that trill of unexpected excitement course through me. I turn in his arms and veil my own excitement with curiosity. "Oh? You have something in mind?"

"That I do." He grins at me mischievously. I'm not surprised that he is able to read the enthusiasm that I was sure I was doing a damn good job of hiding.

"Do I get some kind of hint? I mean I'm only asking because I at least need to know how to dress."

"Nah, Petal. You don't get a hint. As for your outfit. I'm working on getting that taken care of myself."

I find myself frowning. "You are going to buy my outfit for our date?"

"Buy it? Yes, I will be using my money to purchase it. Shopping for it? No. I'm leaving that in the capable hands of my sister. So, if you are worried about me seeing the outfit beforehand you don't have to be worried. Outside of telling Jiwoo my plans I will have no say so in the decision making process of the outfit itself. "

I don't know how thankful I am regarding that. I mean it is kind of silly that I don't really want any of them to see the outfits I plan for our dates and special outings together. But, that's not what has me worried. What has me worried is that Hobi and Jiwoo are cut from the same cloth, and I am worried that what she purchases for me might be a bit more risque than I would traditionally choose myself, let alone wear.

"The dishes here are done." Jin announces which has me frowning. I was planning on helping him at the stovetop after I finished the sauce and cucumber dish. "Oh, and I also made kimchi fried rice."

Wow, was I really that unobservant that I didn't see him get those ingredients together and start that dish also? Not to mention I planned on cooking, yet somehow he ended up being the one to do the actual cooking. Jin seems to sense my inner monologue and comes over beside me. "When it comes to these dishes in particular I think the most important part is the seasoning and the preparation. The work on the stovetop is merely the finishing step and is honestly pretty easy. Don't worry that you didn't end up playing a part in finishing the meal."

I am exceptionally thankful for his reassurance. I'm not even completely certain why it bothered me so. I take a minute to remember my own grandmother's words. "Every process in the preparation is important to the finished dish." I nod and reach up to kiss Jin on the cheek.

We all decide to eat at the table poolside again. Each of my soulmates that didn't help cook take one of the dishes out to the table with them. Jin runs off and helps Yoongi bring one of the plated skewers to the table.

When Namjoon sits down at the table I can tell how exhausted he is feeling so I go over behind him and rub his shoulders a bit while the table is being set up. He frowns when I pull away from him though to sit down on his right beside him. He leans over and whispers to me. "You have very gifted hands."

I smile and look him in the eyes. "Why thank you."

I'm not surprised when Jk sits beside me on my right. He lays a hand on my upper thigh and pulls my attention to him. While we haven't said the words to one another I see how he feels reflected in his eyes. I do my best to pour the same emotion into my own. Once the skewers are actually laid out on the table is the moment he turns his attention away from me and fully focuses on the food.

I feel a poke on my shoulder and turn to Jimin on my left. He pulls me close and whispers softly. "I miss you. We should schedule that book reading session together sometime soon."

I pensively nod. "Perhaps that can be part of the events when it's your first day off?"

He considers for a second and nods in return. "That's not a bad idea."

Only a few moments later my eyes are completely entranced at the spectacle directly across from me. Yoongi isn't just eating the lamb skewers with gusto. That would probably only mildly describe his enjoyment of the dish. No, he is literally devouring them in a way I don't believe I have ever seen him tackle the food. I hadn't had lamb before so I picked up one skewer myself. I almost hated to let him in on my thoughts, but I hated food going to waste more. "Yoongi? Do you want my skewer? I haven't had lamb before. I tried it, but I don't really like it."

He eyeballs the lamb skewer, with most of the beat still on the stick, then he eyeballs me. "I guess you had to have some flaw somewhere." He makes sure to add that teasing glint in his eyes so I know that he is only joking.

I shake my head and hand off the skewer. "Eat your meat, Bear." I don't recall when I had said his pet name in front of the others the first time. I only know that for some reason now I am only just remembering that when I first called him by his pet name he had asked me to not call him in front of the others. I glance around the table, but everyone seems to be engrossed in their food and chatting with one another.

"Should we have another pool night after we eat? Well, after we rest and digest our food, I mean." Tae asks.

The agreement on this decision is unanimous.