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A/n:
Delulus, this is not an update. This is a bonus chapter
with an interview
I promised a few months back when I asked you to leave
your questions for our
four main characters
(check the end of chapter 18).
I do hope you love it.

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Alex: *smiles widely, motioning enthusiastically* "Come on in, guys! Take a seat."

Yoongi: *sits down slowly, side-eyeing Alex* "This is for your 'Hot-Hearted' book, right? You better not be writing any of this down."

Vienna: *slides into the chair next to Yoongi* "If you do, I'm suing for emotional distress."

Alex: *laughs* "Alright, alright. I promise this won't be a legal matter. Let's just have some fun. I'm gonna ask you a few questions my readers sent in. Ready?"

Yoongi: *sits back, arms crossed, smirking* "Born ready. Let's get this over with."

Alex: *grins* "First question is for Detective Peach—I mean, Detective Min." *stifles a laugh* "Did you get Jungkook to pay for the dry cleaning of that shirt he'd ruined?"

Yoongi: *raises an eyebrow, unamused* "Really? You're starting with that? Can't believe I'm stuck answering this." *leans sideways in the chair* "No, I didn't. But I considered sending him a bill. Peach juice doesn't come out of fabric easily, you know?"

Vienna: *smirks* "You should've handed him a sponge and told him to get scrubbing. It'd do him good to deal with his own mess for once."

Yoongi: *grins* "Tempting, but the thought of him anywhere near my stuff? No, thanks."

Alex: *chuckles* "Fair enough! Alright, let's move on to the next one. This one's also for you, Yoongi. A reader wants to know—'What were the questionable and poor life decisions you made in your twenties?'"

Yoongi: *shrugs nonchalantly* "Where do I even start?" *pauses for a moment, looking thoughtful* "Well, before I met Jisoo, I almost joined a gang. I was just looking for something, I don't know... something to make sense of things. But luckily, a friend of mine slapped some sense into me. I ended up in the police academy instead, which turned out to be a better option. So, you know, small win." *smirks*

Vienna: *snickers* "That's putting it lightly."

Yoongi: *shrugs* "Some things you don't advertise, but yeah. Sometimes the 'wrong' path can lead to the right one."

Alex: *eyes widen* "Damn, that's... deep. But I get it, Yoongi. That's some serious stuff... Anyways, that brings me to the next question—'How did you and your wife meet?'"

Yoongi: *grins* "Well, she was a waitress at this little café I used to go to when I was feeling... well, lost, I guess. Ji wasn't impressed by my charm... actually, she didn't care much about me at all. Just a regular guy with a regular order, y'know? I had to work a bit harder to get her attention. But I'll admit, she's got a way of making you realize your life could be more than a bunch of bad decisions."

Vienna: *teases* "Wait, you didn't have that 'Yoongi charm' working for you?"

Yoongi: *laughs dryly* "You know, surprisingly, no. But I didn't mind putting in the effort. Ji's worth it."

Alex: *nods* "Yoongi, we've got a few more questions about your family. So here we go—'How did you propose?' 'How many kids do you want?' and 'What does your wife do?'" *grins* "I'll let you answer all three."

Yoongi: *shrugs casually* "Ji's a music teacher, works from home now. As for kids, one's enough for me—Yoona's a handful. Don't need any more chaos." *glances at Vienna*

Vienna: *snorts a laugh* "Yeah, just like her dad—keeping it low-key while raising a mini-tornado."

Yoongi: *chuckles* "You're not wrong. And as for the proposal? Simple, classy—candlelight dinner. No need to overcomplicate things when the moment's already perfect."

Alex: *grins* "Aww that's nice! Here's one more for you—"

*Yoongi's phone rings, and he glances at the screen, groaning under his breath.*

Yoongi: *stands up, holding up a finger* "Sorry, it's Namjoon. Duty calls." *waves and walks off*

Alex: *shakes her head with a grin* "Well, Yoongi's gone on another mission. Vienna, looks like it's your turn! Ready for some questions?"

Vienna: *sighs* "Yeah, hit me."

Alex: *nods* "Alright, first question—'What made you decide to become a cop? Because something like that, especially for women, has something more deep-rooted, something intimate.'"

Vienna: *leans back slightly, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable*
"Honestly? It wasn't about heroics. After our mother bailed, Kang needed someone, and my dad wasn't around much—always working. So, I became the fixer. Figuring things out, cleaning up the messes, making sure things didn't fall apart. Becoming a cop? It just felt like a natural progression." *pauses briefly* "But if you're asking what keeps me in it now, it's the people who think they can wreck lives and walk away like nothing happened. Maybe that's personal, maybe not. I'll let you decide." *a flicker of a smirk crosses her lips* "Also, someone's got to show these guys how it's done." *coughs lightly* "Doyle." *coughs again, feigning innocence*

Alex: *nods, impressed* "Damn, okay. Next one—'What did you see in Jeff that made you date him in the first place?'"

Vienna: *jaw tightens, but she keeps her composure, her tone dry* "Bad judgment, mostly. I guess I mistook arrogance for confidence... and myself for someone who'd tolerate it. Live and learn." *shrugs, her expression unbothered, though there's an edge in her eyes*

Alex: *laughs softly* "Alright, I'll take that as a 'lesson learned.'"

Vienna: *glances at her phone, already half out of her seat* "Great. If that's all, I've got a case to crack." *grabs her jacket and throws it over her shoulder* "Thanks for the questions—maybe next time, pick ones that don't involve my ex." *turns on her heel and strides off*

Alex: *hops off the chair* "Wait! There's more... And she's gone." *sighs*

Taehyung: *sweeps in with exaggerated flair, arms wide* "Author-nim! I've arrived to bless your humble gathering. Aren't you honored?"

Jungkook: *follows, rolling his eyes* "Tone it down, Tae. She's not impressed."

Alex: *chuckles* "I was hoping you'd show up in Hanboks."

Taehyung: *winks as he twirls into a seat* "Anything for you, author-nim. Next time, I'll even bring a fan for a wow effect."

Jungkook: *sits down, giving Alex a look* "Ignore him. He's been like this all day."

Alex: *grins* "More like his whole life... Anyways, ready for the questions?"

Taehyung: *leans forward, chin in hand* "Always. Make them spicy, though. I thrive on drama."

Jungkook: *deadpan* "Great. Can't wait."

Alex: *grins as she settles back in her chair* "Alright, first question's for you, Taehyung. A reader suggests, and I quote, 'Wear something casual sometime.' Thoughts?"

Taehyung: *gasps dramatically, clutching his chest as if wounded* "Casual? Do they mean boring?!" *shakes his head, visibly distressed* "Why would I deprive the world of my fabulousness? Author-nim, please tell them I could never."

Jungkook: *cuts in with a scoff* "You wore sweatpants just last week."

Taehyung: *spins toward Jungkook, pointing accusingly* "That was loungewear! It's different. And might I add, even my sweatpants have flair."

Jungkook: *scoffs* "Sure, if by flair you mean rhinestones."

Alex: *laughs* "Alright, alright, calm down, you two. Jungkook, a reader asks you to 'describe yourself in one sentence.'"

Jungkook: *brushes a hand through his hair* "I'd say... 'Mysterious troublemaker with a talent for making an impression.'"

Alex: "Not bad, Jungkook." *smirks, leaning slightly forward* 'Taehyung, want a raisin? No? How about a date?'"

Taehyung: *gasps softly, placing a hand on his cheek as he leans in with a mischievous grin* "Author-nim, if you wanted to confess, you should've done it over a meal. But yes, I'll clear my schedule just for you."

Jungkook: *groans under his breath* "Here we go..."

Alex: *laughs, holding up a hand* "Relax, Taehyung. That wasn't me—one of the readers sent it in."

Taehyung: *blinks, then breaks into a wide, amused smile* "Oh, so my admirer has taste! I love it. Whoever you are, you've earned my attention."

Alex: *still grinning* "Alright, now that we've settled that, what's your favorite pickup line?"

Taehyung: *gives a cheeky wink without missing a beat* "Easy. 'I gotta complain to Spotify for not naming you this week's hottest single.' It's charming. Like me."

Jungkook: *mutters, shaking his head* "More like cringy, but okay."

Taehyung: *points at Jungkook, unfazed* "You just don't understand artistry, Jungkook. Let me know when you're ready to level up your game."

Alex: *smiles* "Speaking of artistry... One of the readers wants to know what Jungkook thinks of Lucio Fontana's artwork."

Jungkook: *deadpan* "Oh, I'm a huge fan. It's like the canvas had an existential crisis and just gave up." *makes a cutting gesture with his hand* "Truly avant-garde."

Alex: *laughs* "Alright, Jungkook, next question. What happened to Melanie's bra?"

Jungkook: *expression darkens* "Don't even remind me of her." *looks away, visibly uncomfortable* "That girl is a nightmare."

Taehyung: *grins cheekily* "Wait till Vienna finds out you're keeping souvenirs." *giggles*

Jungkook: *groans, shaking his head* "I swear, if either of you says another word, I'm gonna burn the place down."

Alex: *laughs* "You mean like Prague?"

Jungkook: *voice rises* "It was Tae's fault!"

Taehyung: "Hey now! It was your pan!"

Alex: *throws her hand palm up* "Alright, alright. Let's continue with the questions."

Jungkook: "Ask Tae something tricky."

Alex: *looks through the notes* "Okay, Taehyung, here's a spicy one. 'Are you still pining over your ex?'"

Taehyung: *sighs softly* "Jennie is impossible to get over. You don't understand, author-nim—what we had was..." *pauses for dramatic effect* "...true love." *his voice drops into a dreamy tone*

Jungkook: *rolls his eyes* "Two weeks, Tae. Let it go."

Taehyung: *ignores Jungkook, suddenly leaps out of his chair and grabs Alex's notes* "Wait, wait—what's this?" *flips through them* "Oh, there are reader questions for our dear author-nim? Looks like now it's your turn to be in the hot seat." *grins mischievously*

Jungkook: *takes the notes from Taehyung* "There's a lot of questions about your craft... Okay, here's one: "How long have you been writing?'"

Alex: *shrugs, smiling* "I've always liked coming up with stories. Even before I learned how to read, I'd dictate fairy tales to my grandpa."

Jungkook: *softens, tilting his head* "Aww, that's adorable."

Alex: *laughs lightly* "I actually have no idea what happened to those. Maybe my grandpa just doodled while I was talking."

Jungkook: *chuckles* "Alright, next one. A reader's asking if you have the whole plot of 'Hot-Hearted' figured out and how many chapters there are going to be."

Taehyung: *groans dramatically, snatching the notes back* "That's boring! We need a better question!" *scans the page and grins cheekily* "Ah! Here's a good one! If you could go on a date with one of the characters, who would you choose?"

Alex: *blinks, startled, her cheeks flushing pink*

Jungkook: *leans forward, smirking* "Please tell me it's not that boor detective Peach!"

Alex: *shakes her head slightly*

Taehyung: *clasps his hands together, smiling brightly* "It's me, isn't it? I knew you had a thing for me!"

Alex: *laughs nervously, shaking her head again, eyes flicking to Jungkook for a split second*

Jungkook: *catches her gaze, eyebrows raising as he points to himself* "Me?"

Alex: *blushes deeper, biting her lip before giving the tiniest nod*

Taehyung: *gasps, collapsing back into his chair with a hand over his heart* "The betrayal! Right in front of my handsome face!"

Jungkook: *leans back with a smug grin* "Well, this just got interesting."

Alex: *groans, covering her face with her hands* "I'm supposed to be interviewing you!" *stands abruptly, grabbing the notes back from Taehyung* "There are questions about Vienna for the both of you."

Jungkook: *glances at an imaginary clock on the wall* "Would you look at the time! We have an auction to prepare for." *leaps off his chair and gives Taehyung a nudge*

Alex: *frowns, crossing her arms* "But the auction's on Sunday."

Taehyung: *straightens his shirt, already heading for the door* "We gotta roll, author-nim. Sorry to cut this short. Gotta beat the traffic."

Alex: *stares after them in disbelief* "What traffic? It's past midnight..."

*Jungkook and Taehyung practically trip over each other as they hurry out the door*

Jungkook: *tosses over his shoulder* "We'll call you!"

Taehyung: *grins* "Don't miss me too much!"

Alex: *sighs, shaking her head as the door clicks shut* "What just happened?" *slumps back into her chair, muttering* "I need a raise for this."

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A/n:
Well, my dear delulu readers,
that's all for now!
Thank you for joining me in this exclusive behind-the-scenes look
at the chaos that is Hot-Hearted.
And special thank you to everyone
who left the questions for me
and the characters. 💜
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Don't forget to vote!