Spending the dark hours in the classroom, gliding her brush against canvases became a routine for Eunsook. With the charity event nearing, she spent more and more time with her art supplies than her bed. Her mind would sometimes wander and she would sit idly, staring at her paintings for long, but she never let go of her brushes.

"Why don't you take a break for today?"

"That's what you say everyday," she immediately said and Jungkook winced, hanging his head in defeat. "You can go, you know? I'll be very late."

He wanted to ask how late was 'very late' according to her. It was well past midnight, maybe near dawn, and she had no signs of stopping even though she cracked her back every now and then. He stayed beside her, talking to her whenever she was in a slump, running on small errands like fetching some food from the convenience store, and complimenting the paintings whenever she cursed at them.

Eunsook groaned, throwing her head back. "This is shit!"

"I think it's pretty good though," he said.

She grew immune to it. "Yeah, sure. And so was the last trash that I scrapped."

He hummed, looking at the painting closer. "You know what I think you need?"

"A break?" She rolled her eyes.

"An inspiration." He stood up and grabbed his jacket off a chair, making her look up at him. "And you're terribly lacking inspiration, cooped up in this room all the time. Come on, let's go."

"Go?" She tried to protest but still stood up with a sigh. "Go where exactly?"

He checked a few things on his phone and then grabbed her wrist with a smile before leading her out the door. "Somewhere you would like!"

She could not believe he actually drove her to the seaside at this hour. It was rental, he clarified. She did not know that he only got it to drive her home every time she stayed out late. He told her that a walk down the seaside would not only give her fresh air but also refresh her mind. Wrapping his jacket around her, Jungkook led her to calm sea that glistened and reflected the moonlight. The stars were more visible than elsewhere, and Eunsook stood a little longer to take in the view before walking with him.

"Isn't it nice?"

She suddenly yawned, feeling the exhaustion weighing heavier now that she relaxed. "You're crazy for bringing me here, but yeah. It is."

Jungkook felt a small pride fill him and a smile grew on his face.

Comforting silence fell between them as they walked leisurely, taking in the scenery, and the waves gently provided them with nature symphony. The darkness was being lifted slowly and the black sky turned navy and blue. Eunsook asked to sit down and tried to give his jacket back when Jungkook shivered a little beside her, but he was more stubborn than her.

"I'm not weak!" She protested.

He chuckled before yawning. "Yeah, you're not. You're really strong."

Seeing him, she yawned, too, and groaned. "I want to sleep."

"Then sleep."

"Ugh, it's because of you. I should've held more and finished a little more."

He hung his head lower, his hair getting tousled by the sudden gusts of wind. "Do you regret coming here then?"

She suddenly felt guilty when her joke went too far and reached out to brush his hair, so silky and soft against her fingers. "No, that's not what I meant to say. I'm really thankful to you."

He turned his head to her with wider eyes, seemingly questioning her which she found adorable.

"For always staying with me and for driving me here when you must be tired, too. I really appreciate it. I'm always grateful... Thank you."

The sun peeked a little from the horizon and the rays gave him a golden glow around him, looking like a scene out of a fairytale, out of a painting. Her hand that brushed his hair rested against his cheek as she paused, mesmerized, and stared at him, unable to form a thought.

Jungkook held her gaze and fell into the moment. As if hypnotized, he leaned closer, closing the already small distance between the two. But when he got close enough, he gently bumped his forehead against hers and smiled playfully.

"Are you falling asleep with your eyes open?"

She blinked and chuckled. "I thought you were."

He pinched her cheek, making her frown, and his smile grew wider. "Come on. I'll take you home."

Even though the night ended with little to no progress, Eunsook was able to have her paintings hung up for display at the charity event in time. Still, she was pacing here and there, feeling out of place among the suited up guests. And rather alone as Saejin was going here and there to greet them and entertain their small talks. She looked very relaxed and accustomed in her bright white mermaid dress as if luxurious things were made for her in Eunsook's eyes. The purple haired woman, on the other hand, fiddled with her dress material, feeling stuffy and frenzied.

She quickly grabbed a can off one of the round tables and was about to drink when someone put a hand on hers.

"Woah, you're going to overdose on energy drinks at this rate," Jungkook said, making her eyes widen. He was wearing a black suit with a turtleneck underneath. "Saejin invited me."

Eunsook smiled unknowingly, but then quickly frowned. "Let me have this. I think I'm going to drop from exhaustion."

"The last time," he warned with a slight pout and she immediately downed the drink. "How do you feel?"

"Like shit.

He laughed, leaning against the round table, facing her. "Oh."

"I want to see their reactions but I don't want to at the same time. I feel out of place but I feel like I did something good."

He took her shaking hand in his and held her eyes. "You're not out of place. Saejin did what was right. Your works need to be appreciated and marveled at. How can they not like it?"

She never had trouble staring into his eyes, but somehow, this time, she could not seem to do it, and looked away. Maybe she drank an energy drink with alcohol content. Her cheeks were warming up.

"W-What if they don't like my works...?"

"Then their eyes are just for decoration," Jungkook said firmly.

No, she knew why she was feeling like this and blushing. How could she not? But she also knew how short-lived her relationships were and losing him became something she never wanted. The warmth of his hand was something she always wanted to feel, and she held onto it and smiled at him.

"Thank you."

She was never sure what he felt for her. He was usually so nice and kind, and falling for his kind gestures thinking she was special would be horrible. But she did not know how his heart raced whenever she smiled at him like now.

"Are you enjoying yourselves?" Saejin came dashing with a grin. "Help yourself to the refreshments and drinks. Dinner will be served later. And Eunsook, there are some guests who wish to meet you. Do you want to?"

Eunsook froze for a moment before spluttering, "M-Me? O-Oh, sure!"

"Don't worry about anything. We'll meet them after the auction ends." She patted her shoulder.

"Do you do this often? Like all these people and stuff," Jungkook said, making them look around the dazzling room with velvet decorations. "This event is amazing."

Saejin shrugged. "Well, sometimes? Our dad manages everything and I help. We also have welfare centers for children."

"Sae!" Her father called and she went up to the stage to commence the charity event as the host.

As she introduced the items for sale, Eunsook's paintings were displayed one by one, eliciting exclamations of excitement from the guests. The stark contrasts between her pieces and the range of colors had the guests talking among themselves, filling Eunsook with curiosity and pride.

While this was going on, to celebrate the occasion, her friend bought a bouquet and was on his way home to welcome her later and ask her for dinner when a knife was plunged into his abdomen and his blood spilled onto the ground, illuminated by the street lights. Taehyung fell to the ground and the criminal fled. The flowers in his hold were painted red and the empty street was echoing his coughs.

"Thank you, everyone! Have a good night!"

The charity event was a success, and all of Eunsook's paintings were sold at high prices. The profits were to be donated to hospitals for children, and Eunsook shared a toast that celebrated the wonderful night.

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Hey~ Are y'all doing well~? It's already October~ 🫠