Jung Soo Ah's POV

"I didn't know you would be interested in catching up with me in Korea." The words of Yoongi played in my ear. I stumbled up from the grass as I watched Yoongi walk toward Hoseok. I crumbled back onto the cool, dewy grass. The way Yoongi stared at me, raising an eyebrow, with that little smirk on his face. What had he been thinking?

I tangled with my thoughts, rolling onto my side, the grass tickling my cheek and hand. All I wanted was to spend time like this again when we got back to Korea.

My brooding was interrupted by the chirping sound. "Enough playing," I told the chick who was hopping on the grass, its tiny claws digging into the soil. The bright yellow chick, looking like a citrusy-flavored lemon cupcake, stood out adorably against the lush green grass. It had grown a little since the first time I saw it.

"You've grown up. You'll be leaving me tomorrow," I mumbled with a bitter smile, gently picking it up and tucking it inside the basket.

I got to my feet and joined the others.

"Soo Ah, you are here. Then let's release the lantern into the sky now that everyone is here," Grandma said. We all nodded, and she smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corner.

We all wrote our wishes on the lanterns and let them into the sky. They floated like little fireflies scattered all over. The air was a pleasant mix of sweet food aromas, and the warm, grounding smell of pine incense was such a comfort.

"What did you wish for, Yoongi?" Hoseok asked.

"If I say it won't come true," Yoongi replied, eyeing Hoseok.

"Yoongi, spill it."

"Yoongi slightly narrowed his eyes. "Oh! I wish you had a better brain and less annoying," Yoongi said, tilting his head.

"Yoongi!"

"Seriously, you two," I sighed, and my stomach started growling. "Let's go. I'm about to pass out due to hunger," I said, inhaling the malty scent of Yuanxiao filled with red bean paste from the local food stall. It's always endearing to watch them bickering like little kids.

We finally reached there after a little walk and the place was decorated with glowing lanterns. Either side of the road was filled with food shops. A whiff of steam from grilling meats and sweet pastries curled into the cool air, making my stomach growl even more.

After having our dinner, we made our way to my grandpa's friend's place, where we were about to stay for the night. My grandpa's friend rents out this place for tourists to stay. We'd planned to head back home that night, but Hoseok wanted to stay, so we did.

"Hey! Hoseok," I called him, being a little confused. "Why did you change our quick visit to an overnight stay?" I asked him.

Hoseok leaned in and whispered in my ear. "Yoongi has never seen the county. Let's give him a tour tomorrow." I grinned, understanding the overnight stay.

"Soo Ah, come here!" Grandpa called me out. Hearing his sudden voice, I walked toward him. He was staring at the empty field in front of the house. We all glanced at each other.

"You know, this place would be dotted with ripening, juicy muskmelon fruit," he said, adjusting his glasses and looking at everyone.

"My friend, when he was a little kid playing around this particular spot," Grandpa pointed out the field. "A musk melon started rolling on its own and then..."

"And then?" Hoseok asked.

"The musk melon started talking to him."

"Grandpa! You are scaring me," I said, clinging to my grandma.

"What is this? Some old Chinese tales?" Yoongi asked, looking puzzled.

"Is it a magic muskmelon?" Hoseok laughed. "It's winter...so how is there a musk melon here?" Hoseok asked, scratching the back of his neck.

"I was just teasing you all!" Grandpa chuckled. He crouched beside it, "Maybe it had been missed out during harvest and survived the first frost."

"Old Guo! Enough with your ridiculous stories," my grandma said, playfully pulling him toward the house.

"Don't be a scaredy cat, Soo Ah. Let's get some sleep," Hoseok said, hitting my head.

After getting to my room and soaking in the tub, I finally jumped into bed, pulling the quilt over me. In the early morning. I woke up to the sound of clanging of utensils and the crisp slicing noise. I freshened up and went to the kitchen.

"Grandma!"

"Grandma! Are you there?" I didn't get a reply.

On the kitchen counter, I found a muskmelon. It didn't look like a juicy fruit at all, but rather a creepier presence after Grandpa's story. I stared at it, my mind still being still half-caught in the story. Suddenly, it rolled off the edge, falling onto the floor and breaking into messy pieces.

"Ah!" I shouted. Looks like what Grandpa said is true. I turned around to flee, only to find Yoongi standing there with a spatula clutched in his hand, blinking at me.

"You didn't actually think that melon rolled off by itself, did you?"

I flushed, "To be honest, yes."

"I placed the melon on the edge to grab a call. It must have fallen down due to weight."

"Oh! I get it now," I mumbled, pausing for a second.

The topic needed changing. "Do you know how to cook?" I asked, curious to learn more about him. But why am I'm curious about him?

"I've been living alone for a few years, so I had to learn how to cook. Also, my friend runs a restaurant and I've learned a lot of recipes from him," he explained.

I regret mocking him a few days ago for not knowing how to cook. Oh gosh, why did I even say that? I felt really bad. I wanted to melt like butter on a hot pan now.

"Maybe you could share some of those restaurant secrets sometime." I smiled and continued. "I need some coffee now. Would you like a cup too?" I asked, turning toward the cabinet to reach for the coffee powder. I clumsily put my heel on Yoongi's foot.

"Oof!" he cried out in pain, scaring me. Startled, I fumbled the coffee tin in my hand. It slipped and hit my head on the way down, spilling powder all over me. I stood there, smelling like roasted coffee.

Yoongi, who was wincing in pain, slowly started to chuckle, looking at me. The chuckle grew to full-blown laughter, clutching his stomach, completely forgetting his pain. The spatula slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

After a minute, he stopped smiling, and everything went silent. We stole awkward glances at each other.

"I'm...sorry... Let me take a shower," I blurted out.

"Soo Ah!" he called, "Forget it."

I started to walk away when he suddenly said, "010-8162-..."

"What?" I blinked at him, being confused.

"Didn't you say you wanted to catch up with me in Korea?"

"I was just kidding. If you don't want to..." I trailed off.

He swallowed nervously before repeating, "010-8162...That's my number. Add me on KakaoTalk. If you want those restaurant recipes, save them," he said and brushed past me quickly.

I hastily pulled my phone from my pocket, my fingers still dusted with sticky coffee powder. I quickly typed his number, saving it as Yoongi.

Did you like the chapter? If it felt boring, I'm sorry!

How is Soo Ah and Yoongi' s relationship turning out?

-Shin Haari