IV. UNO TRAGEDY

"If I lose, I'll buy a month's worth of snacks for our lounge."

"Well, if I lose..." he trailed off. Hyeonsu, a fellow performance director, drew in a sharp breath, looking between the younger dancer and his cards. "Then nothing, I'll just hold a grudge. There's no way I'm spending any money."

The whole dinner was going very well... that's until Sungdeuk's wife suggested they (after they clean up) play UNO since she ordered a new set, not a BTS one much to their dismay. Only three performance directors were available to attend the dinner, including Gyeoul. Sungdeuk invited two fellow 83-liners, Pdogg and Lee Hyun, to dinner because he felt guilty that their other coworkers couldn't make it

Only two players remained — Shin Hyeonsu, a desperate twenty-seven-year-old that hated losing, had three cards left, and Ahn Gyeoul, a tricky player that knew what she was doing and was still a bit bad at the game, had two left. Judging by the expressions of their coworkers who shamelessly peeked at their cards, it was obvious who was going to win.

"Tu-nu-nun-tun tu-nunun-tun-tun," Lee Hyun vocalized dramatically, making the majority burst into airy chuckles. The intense song set the mood, alright. "It's the final countdown! The final countdown!"

Hyeonsu hummed and placed a red card on the table. The younger one bit the inside of her cheek thoughtfully while a cute two-year-old boy waddled over to her. Gyeoul's heart melted as soon as she saw Siwoo look up at her with his big glassy brown eyes and pouty lips. The toddler made grabby hands at her.

She picked him up and placed him on her lap. "Which card should I play?"

"Is that allowed? Isn't that cheating?" Hyeonsu whined, looking at the others for backup.

"She's our maknae, let her do what she wants," Sungdeuk, her biggest enthusiast, replied, earning a cheeky smile from the youngest dancer.

Gyeoul turned her attention back to Siwoo who pointed at the very card she was going to put down in the first place, "This one? Are you sure?" Siwoo nodded and looked up at her with a gummy smile. She nuzzled her cheek on the side of his head. "Okay."

She put a red skip card on the table on top of his.

"UNO!"

"UNO!"

Hyeonsu kissed his teeth. "Damn it."

Everyone glared at the man. Gyeoul was quick to cover Siwoo's ears before Hyeonsu could spew out the first syllable.

"Sorry," Gyeoul mocked. She placed another red card on the table. Her last card. "Not sorry."

All the people in the dining room burst into cheers, except Hyeonsu who whined and threw his head back. Gyeoul was up on her feet, dancing with the toddler in her arms. Hyun clapped along while laughing at the loser's expression. Ha Jaehui, another performance director, congratulated Gyeoul and patted her head to rub the victory in Hyeonsu's face.

Hyeonsu sighed, standing up and opening his arms for a hug. "Alright, you win. Congratulations, Gyeoul. I'm just kidding about the grudge, I will most definitely not hold a grudge against you." She didn't budge. "Come on, give me a hug."

Gyeoul narrowed her eyes at him, "No."

"Why not?"

"You'll put me in a headlock."

"I promise I won't."

"What makes you think that I'll believe you?"

"Why would I lie?"

"That's one of the biggest lies ever!"

A playful grin appeared on Hyeonsu's face. "Come here," he beckoned, walking closer to Gyeoul.

She fought off a smile, "Pdogg-nim, please protect me!" The dancer bolted behind Hyowon, narrowly dodging her senior's attack. The producer only laughed and took Siwoo from her arms.

Gyeoul ran around the house, hiding behind all the people she could reach while Hyeonsu chased after her like an idiot.

"Alright, kids. Stop running around before you knock some furniture over," Yeonghee spoke up, catching the back of Hyeonsu's shirt, allowing Gyeoul the chance to flee.

Jaehui chuckled, "Why stop them? It'd be great practice for you when Siwoo grows up."

Yeonghee gave Jaehui a look.

Gyeoul smiled and discreetly shuffled away from Hyeonsu, standing on Sungdeuk's side. She cleared her throat, looking at the hosts. "I just, uh, wanted to say thank you for doing all of these even though I don't work at BigHit full time. It really means a lot. I'll make sure to do better and work harder."

Sungdeuk reciprocated her smile and gave her a side hug. "It's no problem. Consider it a thank you for helping us around for free when it's not even in your contract." The younger one bowed her head slightly at her mentor. "You should get going, it's getting late."

She nodded and proceeded to say her goodbyes, starting with Siwoo who adorably hugged her goodbye, then to the others, then to Siwoo again for the last time because she couldn't resist his cuteness.

"Bye-bye again, coconut. I'll be visiting you as soon as I can," Gyeoul cooed, tapping his cheeks lightly with her fingers.

The little toddler whined and outstretched his cute pudgy hands in her direction, a clear indication that he wants to be carried by her. Gyeoul scrunched her nose and took Siwoo from Hyowon, twirling and dancing around, causing the child to let out loud giggles.

"Why don't you just take him with you?" Hyowon mused.

"Don't tempt me."

"Why don't you just make one?" Yeonghee teased.

Gyeoul froze, her head turning in Yeonghee's direction, looking at her as if she said that chicken was a vegetable. Awkwardly she handed the baby back to the mother, giving Siwoo one last little wave before wordlessly putting her shoes in the doorway. This caused her seniors to laugh. Sungdeuk followed her actions and walked her out of the door to her car and bid her goodbye before going back inside.

As she entered the door, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a text message from Taehyung.

TAEHYUNG
jungkook sent me a meme and it reminded me of you

TAEHYUNG

Gyeoul laughed, pinching the bridge of her nose in embarrassment. She could feel herself sinking down into the driver's seat.

GYEOUL
KIM TAEHYUNG JEJQJJAHSYWH

GYEOUL
you will never live that down will you?

GYEOUL
what can i do so you'd forget that?

TAEHYUNG
i will never forget this my memory is immaculate HDHHAHAHAHA

TAEHYUNG
how was the dinner?

TAEHYUNG
did you pack any leftovers?

GYEOUL
you all weren't kidding when you said that yeonghee-eonnie's cooking is amazing

GYEOUL
and there weren't any leftovers to pack NBDNAJAHHAHAH

GYEOUL
all was well but i think hyeonsu-sunbaenim will lock me out of our lounge

TAEHYUNG
instructor shin? but he's pretty chill

TAEHYUNG
did you fight?

GYEOUL
something like that

GYEOUL
we were playing uno and we were the last players and he lost

TAEHYUNG
i feel his pain

TAEHYUNG
uno hates me :')

GYEOUL
can't relate uno loves me

TAEHYUNG
that's not fair

TAEHYUNG
everybody loves you

GYEOUL
ikr it's a curse

GYEOUL
HDHHAHAHAH

GYEOUL
anyway i have to go

GYEOUL
i've been texting you here on sungdeuk-sunbaenim's driveway for about five minutes now and they're probably wondering if i fell asleep

TAEHYUNG
felt like 30 seconds HSHHAHAHA

TAEHYUNG
drive safe :))

On any other occasion, Gyeoul would have had a messy self-monologue to keep herself chill when talking one on one with someone famous, but the conversation was somewhat easy with him, though a bit awkward. It was beyond her why they didn't try to become closer before. She was glad they were becoming fast friends.

A silent plea to the universe passed by Gyeoul's mind, hoping that Hyeonsu wouldn't be so childish the next day.

❆

"Come on, my things are inside! Let me in!" Gyeoul groaned, banging her fist on the lounge's door. "You said you wouldn't hold a grudge."

Hyeonsu didn't answer.

She could clearly picture him pretending to listen to something on his earbuds while scrolling through his social media accounts. Petty bastard. When their seniors would ask why he locked her out, he'd make that as an excuse saying that he didn't hear her basically trying to break down the door because his music was on full blast. Again, petty bastard.

"Yah, let me in!"

"Excuse me?"

As if the universe had to embarrass her further. She gulped, slowly easing up from the door and turning around, eyes widening by a fraction as she saw her boss and Namjoon standing before her. Gyeoul couldn't tell if the CEO was amused or weirded out, but Namjoon was seconds away from doubling over in laughter.

"Is everything alright?"

Gyeoul cleared her throat, bowing at her boss, "Everything is well, sir." Namjoon snorted at her answer, cupping his hand over his mouth and looking the other way while the Bang Sihyuk remained disbelieving. "The door is locked."

"How come? Is there someone inside?"

"No, no, no," she denied, each 'no' sounding more like a lie than the last. Namjoon made faces, trying to tell her to just tell the truth. "I mean, there is someone, but I don't think he can hear me because he's choreographing something and his headphones must be on full blast." She pursed her lips and looked back at Namjoon, "Can I borrow a card? A driver's license, perhaps?"

"I don't have a driver's license," Namjoon responded, "I'd let you borrow my credit card but I left my things in my studio, so..." He trailed off.

Bang Sihyuk pulled his wallet out of his pocket and handed her his credit card — his freaking black card to be precise. "You can use this."

All life was sucked out of Gyeoul's body due to the immense embarrassment while Namjoon was having the time of his life, already leaning his palms on his knees as almost-soundless squeaks replaced his usually loud laugh. Bang Sihyuk was either ignoring him or enjoying every bit of the unusual situation like he was. His hand was still outstretched holding the card.

"I appreciate the help, sir, but you, it's – you know, it's—" she cut herself off, looking at Namjoon for help but he was busy laughing. She was alone in this one. "Not to be picky or anything because I truly appreciate it, but can you lend me an ID instead?"

Bang Sihyuk chuckled and nodded, pulling out his license instead.

Gyeoul looked at the card and then back at her boss before taking it in her hands. The men watched in anticipation as she lined the card by the doorknob. She pushed on the door and shuffled the card on the tiny gap. The dancer gulped, sparing a quick glance at Namjoon and Bang PD before wiggling the license along the gap and pushing the card with a bit of effort.

With that, the door creaked open, revealing her senior lying down on the couch, a bag of snacks on the center table, and his phone balancing on a pillow on his stomach. As he saw the three figures by the door, he scrambled to get up and bowed respectfully. When he picked his head up, he discreetly sent his junior an incredulous look. Gyeoul smiled sheepishly at him and turned back to Bang Sihyuk, handing him his license back.

"Now that your predicament is settled, I should go make a phone call. Have a nice day."

The CEO pulled out his phone and nodded at the three goodbye. The younger batch didn't speak until they saw him turn the corner, hearing brief fragments of the call.

"Hello? Yes, I'd like to add smart locks to the construction of the new building."

Gyeoul groaned and entered the lounge, shoving Hyeonsu aside (even though there was another couch) and plopping down face first. She abruptly sat up, glaring at her senior and taking a handful of his snacks before snatching her bag from the floor and walking out, brisk walking to the studio with a giddy leader who fell into step with her.

"Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming. I can't believe I witnessed that. That's never going to leave my mind," Namjoon said as if he saw something legendary, teasing the younger. She glared at him and moved to pinch him as he asked, but he jerked himself away. "I didn't mean it literally!"

"You know what? This is nothing, that was nothing," Gyeoul shrugged, keeping her face passive. "It's fine. It's fine. This will just be something I'll laugh about in a few years."

"I'm enjoying laughing about it now," Namjoon further teased, following the younger one inside the studio. She glared at him.

They entered the studio and Namjoon was called on by the other rap line members. He sent a smile over to Gyeoul and walked off. She went to place her bag by the chairs and sat down, pulling out her phone to read some things over since some of the others weren't there yet.

"Gyeoul!"

She turned her head in Jimin's direction and smiled as she saw him waving her over, Taehyung was beside him on his phone. The dancer smiled back and wordlessly made her way to them, sitting down on Jimin's other side.

Gyeoul didn't question Jimin when he reached for her right hand, simply switching her phone to her left and allowing him to play with her right. Jimin's phone was charging on the other side of the studio so she figured he must truly be bored. She glanced at their hands for a moment to see Jimin comparing their hand size before going back to reading the lyrics of a song she was planning on choreographing for a class in 1MILLION.

"Our hands are almost the same size but yours are pretty," Jimin said with a pout on his lips. Her fingers were only half a centimeter smaller than his.

She smiled at her phone, wiggling her fingers, "Your hands are pretty too. There's a whole separate fandom for them."

He squeezed her hand in appreciation and reached for another hand from his other side — which was Taehyung's. He also allowed Jimin to take his hand without question while still scrolling through Twitter.

Jimin then nimbly placed Gyeoul's hand by his knee and compared his hand size with Taehyung's, laughing slightly to himself at the size difference. He took Gyeoul's hand from his lap and lined it with Taehyung's. Amazement filled his features at how good their hands looked together.

As if a light bulb flickered to life above his head, he perked up and went to execute his idea. Jimin adjusted how their fingers were lined up with each other and interlocked them. He smiled as if he was an artist content with his masterpiece and looked over in Taehyung's direction.

Taehyung was already looking at their interlocked hands, conscious of how his heart was acting like he drank strong coffee. He could almost feel himself getting flustered at how nice the warmth of her hand felt against his, how right her hand fits in his. He tore his eyes away from their hands and looked at Jimin who was more than aware of his friend's reaction, raising his eyebrows repeatedly. Taehyung narrowed his eyes at him before turning his gaze at Gyeoul who looked like she was in her own world, reading something on her phone.

Perhaps if he stayed still, she wouldn't notice and they'd hold hands longer. But wouldn't that be creepy?

"Jiminie!" someone from the other side of the studio called.

Without another word, Jimin carefully stood up and went to where he was being called. Turning back, he discreetly winked at Taehyung before leaving them. Still holding hands.

Don't make it weird, Taehyung thought, shaking his head slightly and going back to his phone. He did this all the time with the other members, what's the difference?

Gyeoul sighed, switching off her phone to take a break. She'll figure out the wordplay of the song later. Looking around the studio, almost everyone was there except Sungdeuk and the camera crew. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jimin laughing with Jungkook, Yoongi, and some of the staff.

And just like that, her soul left her body.

If Jimin was over there, then who was holding her hand?

Obviously, it wasn't a ghost because if it was, Hoseok and Seokjin would be screaming right now. She looked to her right and relaxed. It was Taehyung. Then her mind went haywire again. It was Taehyung.

Curses aimed at Jimin flooded her mind as her gaze went to their joined hands. But the longer she looked at them, the more she felt like she didn't mind. She didn't mind holding his hand. She didn't mind not letting go. Looking at Taehyung, he didn't appear to be bothered or simply wasn't aware of the position Jimin put them in.

For the sake of professionalism, Gyeoul squeezed his hand slightly before she let go. She smiled sheepishly at him, "Sorry."

Taehyung turned his head to her and played it cool, "Oh? I didn't notice." He offered her a smile before going back to his phone.

Gyeoul chuckled, knowing very well that he did notice. She stood up and walked up to Namjoon who graciously joined Jimin's group and told them all about what happened with the CEO earlier. Taehyung's eyes followed her, barely noticing the delicate smile forming on his features.

❆

A nine-year-old boy ran around the bustling train station, neck straining from trying to see over the busy crowd of people. Trying to find his best friend.

Because of the swarm of people trying to get on the train as fast as possible, the two friends were separated from their parents who were pushed onto the train while they were left on the platform. They were together until they also got separated by another crowd of people.

Visiting Seoul at such a busy hour, and on a holiday at that, proved to be a horrible idea.

Tears started to brim his eyes as he started to lose hope. He was alone and he had no idea where Gyeoul was and whether or not she was safe. He was scared.

Suddenly, a familiar hand encased his. A hand he was so used to holding after the many times their parents forced them to do so whenever they fought. The feeling of that familiar warmth brought a sense of comfort in him that allowed the vulnerability of his tears to stream down his face.

"They'll come back for us," Gyeoul reassured, though her shaky voice and teary eyes made the statement less than comforting. "Let's go wait on the bench."

She tugged on his hand and led him over to a less crowded spot. The girl pulled him down as she sat down and let go of his hand, fiddling with the paws of her sweater as her tear-filled eyes observed the people passing by in an attempt to distract herself from the pit growing in her stomach.

A hand held hers again. She turned her head and met Taehyung's fearful eyes mirroring her own.

"I've never been lost before," he admitted, harshly wiping his tears with his sleeve. He scooted closer to the girl. "Can we hold hands for a little bit longer? Please, hold my hand, and don't let me go."

Gyeoul only nodded and dropped her head on Taehyung's shoulder.

Even after their parents found them and rode the train home, they never let go of each other's hands.

NOTE

songs mentioned in this chapter — the final countdown by europe