"me, jihyun and hobi are gonna have the biggest party ever!!"

"they betrayed me..."

"two criminals loose in town..."

"jungkook?!"

"you brought that cake for me?"

"it was just a coincidence."

"make a wish!!"

"i'm glad i got to spend christmas alone with jungkook."
—————————————————

The Christmas Eve I spent together with Jungkook was the best I could've asked for, but it was sort of like a special reward.

Still, nothing changed between Jungkook and me as the season passed. The new year began, and eventually spring came by again. The cherry blossoms sprung, and we all started our second year of college.

The University was preparing to welcome all it's new students.

We were all lined up for tennis practice. As coach started speaking. "I'm Namjoon, the 54th generation captain of the tennis club."

"Our new student would like to have some words."

He points at a small looking girl with hair up to her shoulders. She walks up to the middle.

"Hi! My name is Ayano! I joined this year under the law degree. Last year, I placed first in the women's division of the national high school tournament. My goal at this university is to win the national college tournament. And... to capture Jeon Jungkook's heart!" She walks up to him, and gives him a wink as Jungkook just stares, showing no emotion.

You turn your head towards Areum, who was next to you. "What have you been teaching your little sister??"

She replies, with an angry tone. "That's what I'd like to know!"

—————TIME SKIP TO LUNCH——————

"So we're in our second year now, huh?" Hobi says, sitting next to you.

"It feels weird being called senpai, doesn't it?" He says.

"I know right? I still feel like a new student myself, though.." You reply.

"Why are you reading so intently, Jihyun?" You look over to her, who has been reading the whole lunch period.

She looks up. "Oh! Actually, starting tomorrow..." She pulls up the book cover. "I'll be working part time in the editing department of this magazine!"

"What?!" You and Hobi say in unison.

"Well, we have to start thinking about our careers and stuff, right? I've always wanted to work in the editing department of a women's magazine. I kept marketing myself over and over, and I finally got accepted!!"

"That's amazing, Jihyun! I'm so proud of you!" You grab her hand.

"Though they said I'll only be doing basic work at first.." "But! I feel like I'm finally standing at the starting line! I'm going to do my best!"

Hobi speaks up as he looks at you. "Hey, Y/N, what are you going to do after graduation? Maybe.. marry into Jungkook's family after graduation?!"

Your face turns red. "Of course not!!" "But come to think of it, I've never given my career any thought."

Jihyun speaks up. "You better start thinking about it and make a move soon, girl."

"That's right, you're taking it too easy." Hobi chimes in. "We have to start to start hunting for jobs next year. Start researching, and then take action. I want to get into a recording or music production company.." Hobi says silently.

Jihyun teases. "Could it be Yoongi's influence~?"

Hobi blushes deeply. "A-at first, I just wanted to support him... but..then i got more interested in music. I want to help him in any way I can, and cheer for him."

"Aww!!" You smile and trail in your thoughts. "My future dream is...."

You go deep in your thoughts.

——————

There you are, standing with your arm wrapped around jungkook's. With a bouquet of flowers in your hand, and jungkook's arm on the other, you look up at him and see him in a handsome suit that matches your wedding dress. You smile and hug him.

——————

You start giggling and your friends stare at you weirdly.

"It's not like that!!" You exclaim.

"You're so obvious.." Jihyun rolls her eyes playfully, and Hobi laughs.

Before I knew it, everyone was moving on to their dreams, and me...

What's my future dream?

—————————

As you wash the dishes with Mrs. Jeon, she speaks up. "We want to have a party to celebrate you and Jungkook moving up a year."

You get excited. "Then, will Jungkook be coming home that day?!"

She smiles. "Of course, what's a party without it's guest of honor?"

"It feels like such a long time since Jungkook has been here." You smile and do the dishes faster with excitement.

"Doesn't it~ I can't wait!" Mrs. Jeon replies. "Also, Y/N, you better make your move fast.

"Huh?" You reply.

She continues, "Well, it's a new semester, and a new rival just joined your university, right?" She paces around. "You can't afford to sit around."

"Mrs. Jeon, how—how do you know this?"

"Mother knows all," She smiles. "Sure she's cute, and probably a better tennis player than her big sister, but she's the type to crumble when the going gets tough. She'll flip from Jungkook to another man whenever it suits her. She doesn't have the tenacious power to keep pursuing Jungkook no matter what, like you do!"

"Is that supposed to be a complimen—"

"Do your best, Y/N! You're in second year now." She reassures. "You'll be turning twenty this year, so you're not a child anymore."

———————

'L/N Restaurant'
3RD Person View

"It's been a while since the last time you came here by yourself, Mr. Jeon." Kisang hands him the plate with his food.

Mr. Jeon chuckles. "Every now and then, I feel like having a drink by myself." He takes a sip out of his drink. "This always tastes best with your cooking, Kisang. This really is a great restaurant."

...

Mr. Jeon takes another sip. "Hey, Kisang, what do you plan to do with this restaurant in the future? Have an apprentice take over? Or maybe find a successor through marriage to Y/N?"

John and Jin are carrying plates. John whispers into Jin's ear, "Hey Jin, isn't this the part where you'll say, 'I'm gonna marry Y/N and take over this restaurant,' like always?"

Jin nods slowly, and walks to the back room, with not a happy look on his face.

Kisang puts another plate on the table with dessert. "I do want to get John and Jin to the point where they can stand on their own, and run their own restaurants. Every chef yearns to own a restaurant with their own name on it."

"But what will become of L/N's? This restaurant, I mean." Mr. Jeon asks again.

"Well, even if Y/N was my successor, Y/N has no talent for cooking, and I don't think it's something she wants for herself. I'm resigned to the idea that this restaurant's lineage will end with me."

"But you've built this place into such a fine restaurant.." Mr. Jeon looks around as he eats.

"Well, it's my fate for having a daughter who isn't very intelligent." Mr. Kisang chuckles.

Mr. Jeon looks up, "But you know, there is the option of marrying her to a successor, like maybe Jin over there. He's had a crush on Y/N since high school, hasn't he?"

Kisang whispers, "Between you and me, Jin has talent, for sure. He has the potential to grow into a sushi chef worthy of upholding this restaurant. But that's up to Y/N, not me." He smiles. "I know it's the same for you, but I've always done what I've wanted to do. So I can't tell my daughter to marry the chef of my choice, just because I want her to maintain the restaurant."

Mr. Jeon shifts in his seat, and Kisang continues, "But if there's ever a man with weird enough taste to marry a girl like her, I think it's best if she spends her life with the man she loves."

Mr. Jeon smiles back. "You're right."

John walks up to Jin in the back room, "All right, all right, move, move, move" He gestures to Jin playfully.

"I'm sorry," Jin replies.

"Jin?" John scans him. "What's the matter..? Not feeling well?"

Jin darts his eyes nervously. "I'll take out the trash." He forces a smile.

Jin heads out with two bags on both hand. He puts the right trash bag in the trash bin, and sighs deeply as he looks at the trash bin on his left hand. After putting the trash in the dumpster, he turns around and gets remembered of the sight he saw on Christmas eve night. Her smiling, with a cake, and Jungkook.

"This isn't like you, Jin.." He says to himself. "What's wrong with you..? ..Why do I feel so muddled up?" He breathes in and out.

Inside the restaurant, Mr. Jeon speaks up as Kisang hands him another refill. "Maybe it's just my ego that wants my son to take over my company, after all."

"You mean Jungkook?" Kisang taps on the table.

Mr. Jeon nods slowly and takes a sip out of his drink. "He's just not interested."

"Well, even if Jungkook doesn't work out, there's always V, and Jimin." He says optimistically. "You've got three intelligent sons. Your situation isn't like mine, I only have Y/N. It'll be fine."

Mr. Jeon says in a whisper, "It can't wait until V's old enough.."

"What?" Kisang replies, and watches Mr. Jeon as he continues eating silently.

————THE NEXT DAY————
Y/N'S POV

"Jihyun's late, class is about to start." Hobi says next to you.

Jihyun rushes over, as her heels tap the ground. "I'm here!" She raises her hand and sits down.

"You made it in the nick of time." Hobi moves over so Jihyun can sit.

"Work ran late last night, so I haven't slept." She pants heavily from running.

"You've been up all night? Are you alright?" You question.

"I'm fine, the editing department is so intense right before publication, it's like everyones running at max! The more work everyone does, the better the articles get. I'm an amateur, but even I can sense it. A magazine really is a living thing. It's such a thrill just being there! The work is so rewarding!"

Hobi high fives her, "I totally get it! It's so crazy!"

You admire both of them as they exclaim.

—————

Lunch time arrives, and you walk up the stairs with Hobi and Jihyun. "What shall we do for lunch? Go to the cafeteria again?" You ask, but Jihyun cuts you off. "About that.. I'm sorry, but I have work in the afternoon, so I gotta go."

Hobi follows, "I'm having lunch with a music company veteran today. I gotta go too."

"Oh well, maybe next time then." You smile. "See you tomorrow!"

You head over to the lunch tables, and eat by yourself.

"Jin," You say, as you spot him in front of you.

"Try this," He hands you a plate.

"Sure! What is it?" You ask, as it looks like some really fancy food.

"L/N might start serving some of my creations soon. So.."

You widen your eyes, "They'll serve your creations at the restaurant?! Amazing!"

"W-well, I only have this one dish so far, and it's just something simple to serve even before the appetizer. They'll only serve it if the boss tries it and approves. It'll take many more years before someone like me can create a full course."

You giggle, examining the plate. "Still, it's awesome~"

He pouts, "Save the praise for after you taste it."

"Then I'll try it right away," You pick up the plate and hold it towards your mouth. You start chewing and chewing, savoring the taste.

"Is it bad? Did I screw up the seasoning?" He panics, looking at you.

"No, it's good." You smile. "Jin, you've been good at cooking since high school, but this is totally different. It tastes like a professional made it!"

"...Seriously? But the look on your face was saying otherwise."

You chuckle lightly, "I was just thinking.. everyone is so amazing... You, Hobi, and Jihyun all know what you want to do, and are working towards your future dreams. However, I'm the only one who hasn't found anything at all.."

Jin smiles. "Everyone has their own pace in life. You just have to find your own pace, that's all."

You nod. "How did it feel when you decided to be a chef, Jin? What made you decide that's what you wanted to do?"

He crosses his arms. "Huh, I'm not sure. It's not the kind of thing you think about it with your head. It's the same as falling in love with someone."

"The same as falling in love with someone..?" You ask.

"..right. When you fall in love, you don't think about it with your head. You just naturally know. You just realize, 'I love this person.' It's the same as that. You don't think about complicated things, your heart just races. You feel happy, and you want to be with them forever. It's the same as that. You suddenly realize you're doing what you want to do." He smiles a bit, biting his lip.

"I see.. but.. wanting a job that will let you be close to the one you love isn't the same as finding a job you want to do, right?" You look at him.

"What?" He says, with an expression full of confusion.

"For example," You smile. "If the man I loved was president of a company, then I'd want to be his secretary. If the man I loved was a pilot, then I'd want to he a flight attendant. If he was a tennis player, I'd want to be the manager who organizes his schedule." You smile even more, imagining each single scenario with Jungkook. "If he was a college professor, I could be his research assistant." You giggle and quickly snap yourself out of it. "I sometimes daydream like that about my future work..but there's one problem with those dreams. Based on the work of the man I love, what I want to do changes left and right. That's different from what I want to do, right? You can't call that a future dream..."

You look over, but see Jin thinking to himself.

"Jin?" You question.

"O-oh.. so.. if the man you love was a sushi chef, you'd be the co-proprietor of his restaurant, right?" He laughs nervously. "Living to support a loved one's dream is a good thing. Men want to make women like that happy. I think you'd make a fine co-proprietor, Y/N."

You laugh nervously, "Don't tease me like that, Jin~! Here, I'll take this." You grab the plate again and start finishing it in delight.

Jin lets out a small smile as he watches you eat.

————TIME SKIP————

You head to the bookstore, and walk through the stands until finally, a book section catches your eye.

"Here it is, the job hunt guidance corner." You mumble and walk to a certain section of books.

You grab a couple of books.

'You just naturally know, like when you fall in love, huh?'

Ask you skim through the books, you spot Jungkook at the library reading books. You admire him from afar, lost in your thoughts. You take a look at the books he's reading from afar, but can't read too clearly of what it is. As you walk out of the library you think to yourself,

'I wonder what book Jungkook was reading..'

Then you remember, that memory, in winter, on the same bed. What Jungkook said..

"So I thought I should get out on my own, to find what I really want to do. I decided that if I stayed home, graduated college, and took over my dad's company, is that really what I want? I'd only be living on a track my parents set out for me."

As you walk down the stairs you sigh.

'I feel like I'm being left behind, all alone...'

————AREUM'S POV————

As I walked in the bookstore, I spotted someone familiar reading books in the distance.

"Hey, Jungkook. Rare to see you studying, what are you reading?" I get a closer look and scan the books.

"Are you studying for your second language class?" I ask.

He stays quiet, continuing to write down things.

Wait a minute.

"That's a.. a music industry book! Why? What brought this on?"

Jungkook continues being silent, and darts his eyes to the ground without saying anything.

"i love you not only for what you are,

but for what i am when i am with you."