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01
Happy Birthday

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JISOO

December 30th

"Happy birthday Taehyung!"

"Ayo, I can't believe you're a legal adult now."

"Congrats bro! You're officially the oldest person in this classroom."

"You're right, I'm officially your elder now so you better respect me!"

That's actually false. If I remember correctly, I already turned 18 a good few hours before that Taehyung kid. Also, plenty of people in the classroom have turned 18 already, given that it's December, but obviously, I'm not going to say anything about it because that would be a waste of my time.

I drown out the chatter of my noisy classmates and resort to doing what I do best: studying.

We have a literature test today and I wasn't able to visit my brother yesterday because I had to study for it, so today I'm taking a day off work to visit him.

Hopefully he'll be in the mood for rice cakes when I see him. I saw a sign on my way to school saying that they're 50% off! I definitely cannot let that offer go to waste.

Literature class is a bit more of a struggle for me than my other classes. I manage to maintain a high A in the end usually, and at least it's my last class of the day.

I'm one of the last to turn in my test, and people tend to think it's because I'm really thorough and check my work a lot. In actuality, I've been struggling to finish the whole thing. When people see the rankings at the end of the semesters, they automatically assume that whoever's at the top is naturally smart.  It's absolutely untrue.

I work my ass off to get into the top three every semester, and so does everyone else up there. The only exception might be that Taehyung kid, since all he does is sleep during class. I don't know how he even manages to get in the top ten!

He's popular, has a bunch of friends, and all the girls (not so) secretly wish to be his girlfriend.  He's the embodiment of social butterfly but I still I don't understand why people like him so much. Taehyung may be smart and good looking but he seems so cocky. Not to mention—he's filthy rich and flaunts it with his overpriced accessories.

I could never like someone like that.

"Class, we're going to have a huge project this semester!" Groans of displeasure are heard throughout the room as our teacher starts talking, "Don't worry, this project is quite fun! It won't be due until a while after New Years, so you have a lot of time. You're going to be writing an essay about your partner. We've had you write plenty of essays done about yourself, but writing one for another person is a different story."

NO!

I hate partner work with a burning passion. Not only does it force me to talk to someone, but it means that I also have to rely on them to do part of the work.

This project seems especially daunting since I actually need to get to know my partner. Ugh, absolutely not.

"I know you guys are all eager to pick your own partners, but we've done plenty of partner work where you can choose already. I'm drawing sticks for this one," the teacher says, and everyone groans again.

She starts listing off pairs as I listen intently.

"... and Ahn Hye-jin, Park Jimin and Yook Sungjae,  and lastly, Kim Jisoo and Kim Taehyung."

WHAT?

My mind is reeling. Why the heck am I paired up with him, of all people?

From the other side of the classroom, I see him send me a small, forced smile. I respond with a nod of the head and return my focus to the teacher. I really don't want him to be my partner.

"For this project, you have to write about what 'home' is to your partner. Home is a very vague topic, no? For some people it could mean the physical house, and for others it may be the presence of another person. I want you to find out what home is to your partner, and write about it as if you were them. The rubric for this essay is on my website!"

I don't even know what my home is. I would say my brother, but that would mean that I have to tell Taehyung about... a lot of things.

"I suggest exchanging contact information with your partner today or before the weekend break ends. That's all, class dismissed and happy new years!"

With that, people are scrambling out of their seats and searching for their partners. Some are excited, and some are absolutely seething. I'm part of the group that's seething.

Taehyung starts walking to me, his eyes crinkled up by a pressed smile, and he's obviously not happy about this arrangement either.

"Hi," Taehyung says once he's reached my table as I'm packing up my bag. "Since we're partners I was thinking we should—"

"Give me your phone," I mumble, zipping up my bag and reaching my hand out. He looks a little surprised by my straightforward manners, but I don't want to waste time. Rice cakes are waiting for me.

"Uh okay." He hands me his phone(I note it's the newest edition) and I punch my number in, not sparing him a glance. "So, about the project, are you free—"

"I'll text you when I'm free."

I don't give him time to respond when I turn to leave the classroom.

"Damn. You got paired up with the ice princess," someone says to him, and I internally chuckle at the nickname. It's so stupid.

Whatever, I just need to get to the rice cake shop. I walk in a bit of a hurry until someone bumps into me.

"Watch it," I sneer, and the girl looks up to me in what seems to be disgust. I know her; she's an underclassmen who goes by Joy. It's quite ironic actually, since she seems to bring me anything but joy. But then again, no one really makes me happy other than my brother.

"What about you watch it?" She crosses her arms.

"You're the one who ran into me," I state and step aside to walk past her, not bothering with another look. I could hear her say swear words under her breath but I could care less.

She's well liked at school. I mean, she's pretty, relatively smart, and actually nice to people she likes. I'm not one of them.

But it's understandable; we're too different.

I don't mind it, though. I like being alone.

It's not that other people aren't cool, it's just that I simply do not want to waste my energy on relationships that will only inevitably crumble in the long run. Friends don't last forever. Boyfriends don't last forever.

Marriage doesn't last forever, and I know that from first hand experience.

Family, though? That's different.

Jungkook and I could never grow apart. He's the only person I will ever truly love and care for because he deserves it. Truthfully, he deserves more than just my love, but he can't get it because he's stuck in a hospital 24/7.  It's hard enough to love one person, so why should I even bother with others?

——

The rice cake shop I saw earlier this morning stuck out like a sore thumb because usually there's no one on this street.

Due to the unique location, I thought more people would be lining up to see what this rice cake shop is all about. To my surprise, no one is here.

Oh well, more rice cakes for me then.

"Hello," I greet politely once I get to the front of the shop.

I expect an old lady to appear at the counter, but instead, I'm greeted with a young man no older than 30 years old I'm pretty sure. He's quite handsome. His brown hair appears fluffy and looks like a coconut. It reminds me of Jungkook.

"You can see me?" he asks, pointing to his face in disbelief.

I furrow my brows, "Yes? Uh, can I get some rice cakes please?"

Why does he look so frazzled?

"Oh, of course! Anything for you! I was starting to worry that no one would be able to see my beautiful face today! Thank goodness you came along! How are you?" While frantically preparing rice cakes, the guy rambles on and on about how excited he is to see me.

I nod as if I know what's going on. Maybe he's on drugs or something.

"I'm doing... okay. Thanks, and you?"

"Amazing now that I've seen you! Or if anything, now that you've seen me!" He cackles wildly, and finally hands me a bag with the rice cakes in it.

Okay, he's definitely crazy.

"My name is Jin!"

I don't care about his name, but nod along anyways. I reach in my pocket to pay but he stops me by grabbing my hands.

"Don't worry about it, hon. You don't have to pay."

My eyes light up. Okay, maybe Jin is crazy but I'm not about to pass up on an opportunity for free food.

"Thank you!" I bow and offer him a smile.

"You're welcome! See you soon!" He yells as I walk away from the stand.

See me soon? This guy must actually be high.

Oh shit, what if he poisoned the rice cakes? I can't have Jungkook eat poisoned food!

——

"Wait! Let me try eating it first," I almost let Jungkook take the first bite of rice cake, but snatch it out of his hands before.

"Why, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, just making sure it's still good," I laugh, being sure not to spill the sauce on the white hospital sheets as I lean over his bed to grab the little box. I take a fork and stab into a rice cake before popping it into my mouth. It's safe. "It tastes pretty good."

"Really?" With a beaming smile, Jungkook takes a bite too. I'm happily chewing on another piece when he spits out his rice cake all over the bed.

"Jungkook what the fuck? Gross!" I yell, swiping red bits of rice cake off of my arm, while Jungkook coughs repeatedly. Disgust turns into worry, "Wait, you good?"

He coughs a few more times, "This tastes like shit! Are you pranking me?"

"Does it? It tastes fine to me." I sniff the rice cakes before deciding to throw it away. It's not worth risking it. "I kinda got it from a sketchy place."

Jungkook sighs, leaning back on his bed as I prepare new sheets for him. He looks comfy in the hospital covers, especially with his several stuffed animals surrounding him.

Jungkook turns on the TV when I sit down at the couch.

"At 8am this morning, a young lady was found dead behind her apartment building. After running some tests, it has been found that she was raped before being murdered. They haven't caught the culprit, so police are warning people to stay aware when returning home tonight!" The lady on the TV speaks urgently.

"Jisoo, you should go home early today."

"What? But it's my birthday! I canceled work so I can be here with you, you know?" I huff and sit down again.

"I do know, and I actually got you something but I'm not giving it unless you go home early today."

"Ooh you got me something? What is it, what is it?" I grin, ignoring his plea for me to go home early.

"It's not here yet. I ordered it online, but I didn't think it'd take so long for things to ship." Jungkook laughs sheepishly and apologetically smiles.

I shake my head, "Pff, whatever, I'm honestly surprised you even got me anything. And did you use my money or auntie's?"

"... yours."

We burst out into laughter. He really got me a present with my own money.

"But seriously, go home early today,"  he says after a moment, and I only pout at him. He leans over to ruffle my hair, "besides, I'm tired today. Okay?"

"Fine," I grumble, "I'll go. Should I call when I get home or will you be sleeping?"

"Sleeping. I stayed up all night playing video games."

I chuckle at my younger brother's tendencies before heading out of the room to let him sleep. 

TAEHYUNG

Jisoo is so rude.

I saw the exchange between her and Joy earlier, and I just can't decipher why she's so cold. I tried being civil since we're partners for the project, but she still didn't want to be nice with how she kept interrupting me.

I truly do not understand how someone can be so evil. Like seriously, I don't think I've seen someone hate human interaction as much as she does.

I remember that at the beginning of high school some people tried to be friends with her, but only got pushed away. She once straight up told a dude who confessed to her, "I'm not interested because you're not worth my time."

Then who is worth her time? With an attitude like that, no one wants her time either.

I sigh as I walk from school. A stand at a usually lonely street catches my eye.

Rice cakes are 50% off? Hell yes.

Dashing to the little stand, I pull out my wallet, already ready to pay. I'm hungry.

"Hello?" I ask meekly. Is anyone even here? It looks like the shop is open. The curtain pulls open with a loud rustle, and a young man with bored eyes turns to face me.

"Oh wow, I didn't think I'd get you this early." The man eyes me up and down. "Anyways, you want lamb skewers? Wait, this is a rice cake shop," he mumbles to himself.

"A box of rice cakes, please."

He prepares the rice cakes in silence and I awkwardly stare at him in the process. Finally he hands them to me and locks his gaze on mine carefully, which takes me by surprise considering how aloof he seemed just a minute ago.

"My name is Yoongi. Remember it. The rice cakes are free." He shoves the bag in my hands and roughly pulls the curtain closed again.

I blink a few times.

That was weird. But hey, free rice cakes!

____

I'm walking home after hanging out with some friends. I told them that I bought them rice cakes, but they said it tasted bad so I ended up eating the whole thing myself. Maybe they just wanted me to have it all since it's my birthday.

I got a lot of presents; Jimin got me a new watch, Joy gave me some face masks(which I have no idea how to use), and Sungjae dramatically serenaded me with a song before giving me a gift card. It was hilarious.

I love my friends. I don't know what I'd do without them.

Jisoo pops into my mind again when I find myself wondering how the heck she's managed to live without friends. I heard she lives alone, so does that mean that she's locking herself out of the world? I'll never understand how someone can have so much hate.

I'm about to turn a corner when I spot a familiar looking back hunched down near a bush. The girl is squatting down and starts mumbling.

I squint my eyes and move forward to get a better look, and to my surprise, it's who I was just thinking of.

Jisoo.

What is she saying?  I go to the nearby trash can and hide behind it, trying to listen in to whatever she's mumbling. I'm curious. That girl is as mysterious as she is rude.

"Hey little dude," she whispers... sweetly? Am I hearing this right?

A meow can be heard from the bush, and she makes clicking sounds with her tongue. Eventually a small beaten kitten emerges from the leaves.

She inhales sharply, "Dude! You're bleeding!" With gentle hands, she caresses the feline in a gesture to ask for permission to pick it up. With a soft purr of consent, the cat is lifted into her hands and she brings it close to her chest. "Look, I'll take you home for today and get you cleaned up, okay?"

My eyes widen when the cat snuggles up against her. She's being nice?

I find myself panicking when she starts turning my way, and do the first thing think to do to avoid being caught.

I jump into the trash can.

I hear her gasp in horror at the rumbling sounds the tin makes from when I jumped in here. It smells like shit. It's dark and there's definitely something liquid that's touching my pants as I'm squeezed in this tiny space, but for some reason the thought getting caught practically spying on Jisoo is way worse than being in a trash can.

"Okay dude, we gotta go, there's been news of a rapist and murderer in this area and it's going to get dark." She says, and I hear her footsteps becoming more distant as she speed walks away.

Finally, I climb out of the trash, almost face planting in the process.

Was that really her?

Her calming voice and gentle gestures make her seem like a completely different person from when she's usually at school.

With burning curiosity, I head home.

____

There's someone on the couch.

I should be home alone right now. I rarely have company.  Didn't Jisoo just talk about there being a murderer and rapist in the area? Oh my god oh my god oh my god.

Am I about to encounter them?

I gulp, gathering all the knowledge and courage I had from my TaeKwonDo lessons as a kid when I approach the person on the couch. The lights are out and I can't make out their face, but it's definitely a man. He's appears to be sleeping, weirdly enough.

I really should call 911 instead of trying to take a peek at him, but something in me panics when his eyes open.  I threw my fist as hard as I could onto his face, leaning my entire body weight into it while squeezing my eyes shut.

My hand lands on my couch instead of a person.

Confused, I flutter my eyes open to be met with... the rice cake shop guy!

JISOO

I'm screaming at the top of my lungs when I see a tall, broad shouldered man standing in my apartment living room.

To my surprise, he screams too, and even has the audacity to start running away.

I put down the kitten I had in my hands as gently as possible, and bravely dash to my kitchen to grab the sharpest knife I could find.

"Get out! Get out right now or I'll call the police!" I'm pointing the knife towards him.

I squint my eyes, is that... Jin? The rice cake shop guy?

"I'm sorry! I'm not here to hurt you!" He puts his hands up in a defensive manner. "My god teenagers these days are fiesty," he mumbles, likely thinking that I won't hear him.

"What are you doing here?" I challenge, still pointing the knife towards him.

"I'll explain everything, just put the knife down, would'ya? It makes me uncomfy." Jin kneels down on the carpet with his arms raised, acting submissive. I'm not falling for that.

"No." I quickly glance at my pocket, considering getting my phone to call the police, but I remember that I ran out of battery earlier. "Talk."

"I guess I'll just have to deal with you pointing a knife at me, then." He sighs, and goes to reach for something in his pocket.

Is it a gun?

Oh hell no.

I'm not dying today.

With hesitance, I try throwing the knife towards his foot. I don't want to kill him but he needs to be in enough pain for me to run away.

I shut my eyes, not wanting to see the bloody scene, but instead I hear a laugh erupt from Jin. When I take a peek, I'm astonished to see the knife sticking into the floor, through Jin's foot.  Part of his foot is transparent.

Like, see through.

"Good aim. I knew you were chosen for a reason," He comments, then throws me an object while I'm still in a trance from staring at his foot.

I dodge the object at first, but when I see it land on the floor I realize it's a bracelet.

"Pick it up," Jin says.

Too spooked and shocked to retort, I do as told, internally berating myself for listening to him.

"Jisoo, you're what we called a chosen holder."

"What the fuck?" I breathe out, still staring at his foot. He chuckles and removes the knife from his foot, only to stab it in his chest. Instinctively, I look away, but when I return my gaze to him, the knife stabs through his now transparent chest.

"I'm Jin, and I'll be your guardian from now on. No one else can see me and this knife doesn't hurt me, because I'm kind of not real." He smiles somewhat charmingly and I'm left opening and closing my mouth like a gaping fish. "Are you ready to listen to the rest?"

"Absolutely not! Am I going insane? I'm leaving--"

"No! Stay, please, you have to listen," He begs, and I stay frozen again, contemplating what to do. "look, I'll take the knife out so you're not creeped out. I'll explain everything."

As he takes the knife out of his chest, I grab my phone from my pocket and find the nearest charger. Luckily there's one by the kitchen so I stand there as I eye him. Jin sighs.

"You see that bracelet in your hands?" I take a peek at it and nod. "That gives you powers."

Powers? Someone please wake me up already.

"I know it's weird right now, but trust me when I say it has to be you. The rice cakes you ate earlier proved that you're suited for this job."

"Why? H-how? What?" Curse my stutter.

"It was infused with Bangtan Leaves. Normal people find it really bitter and unbearable to eat, but only holders can withstand it. Only the chosen holders can see the rice cake shop too, since it was an illusion made by me."

"An illusion?"

"I was waiting all day for someone to see me, that's why I was so surprised when you came to order," he chuckles, leaning back on his hands now that I've let my guard down a bit.

I suck in a deep breath, and wipe some sweat from my forehead. The kitten from earlier nuzzles against my foot, and I lift it up to my chest for some means of comfort in this odd situation.

"I know this seems like a lot, but I need you to save your town. There's this... person, or group, I don't know for sure but, I know they're not good. They've gotten a hold of a large amount of Bangtan Leaves and tainted them."

"Saving who and what? What the fuck are tainted... B-bangtan leaves?"

I start shaking like a leaf. No pun intended.

"Tainted Bangtan Leaves make people angry and do things they usually wouldn't do. It gives them physical and psychological powers that the normal human cannot fight against. We need you to stop them with clean Bangtan Leaves. With this infused bracelet you'll be stronger whenever you're wearing it, but when you bite right here, it'll uh... transform you."

I stumble upon hearing the information. For some reason, my gut is telling me every word that he's saying is true, but it can't possibly be. It doesn't make sense!

"I know! I know! It sounds crazy, but you'll get used to it. Don't worry, it wasn't long ago that I was in your very position." He thinks for a moment, "Like 1000 years ago maybe?"

I'm feeling lightheaded. Can this guy get out of my house?

"With the bracelet, you not only get physically stronger and more durable, but you're also able to basically see things in slow mo! When you're transformed, you get even more enhanced abilities, a cool mask thingy that covers your face—which will protect your identity—plus telekinesis-type powers!" Jin keeps going, and I drown out his voice since my phone is charged enough for me to call the police.

Immediately, I dial 911.

"Wait, don't--"

"Hi, there's an intruder in my house, please come quickly!" Desperate, I clutch onto the kitten tighter. It's my only source of comfort.

As I'm telling the dispatcher my address, Jin stands up and walks toward me.

"Get away!" I yell, and throw a nearby mug at him, only for it to pass through his body again. "Please help!"

Suddenly, the dispatcher goes silent. When I check the phone, I see that the call has ended against my will. I don't remember pressing the end call button.

"Please Jisoo, you have to do this." Jin pleads, and I back away in fear.

"You're telling me that I have to... to s-save my town? What the fuck? Are you high? Am I high?"

Jin sighs, "Here's a motivator: if you get the most of the leaves, you get one wish granted from our boss."

"A wish?" I perk up at that.

"Yep. The Boss is very generous. You just have to really want it. That's usually the prize for most of our holders."

"Any type of wish?"

What am I saying? He's obviously not in his right mind to be telling me about all this fantasy shit.

"Yeah. You could wish for money, a new house, a boyfriend," He notices my face contort in disgust at that and lightly chuckles, "or you could also wish for someone to be revived or cured, ya know, something of the sorts."

The change in my expression is uncanny. I don't remember exactly what he said I had to do, but if I can help Jungkook with this...

"Interested now?" Jin smirks.

"I just have to really want it?" I repeat in a daze.

"Yep. Bangtan leaves are a powerful tool designed to assist your true desire. They're multifunctional. Try to think of something you want. If you really want it, the Bangtan bracelet will turn purple. If you don't, well, it won't do anything."

Even though I try not to, I think of Jungkook living his life unconfined to a hospital room. Him being able to go to school, make friends, and continue his passions without physical restrictions. That would be amazing.

"See?"

The bracelet in my hands is indeed, glowing purple.

I gape at it.

"Got it? Now you just have to get the tainted Bangtan leaves. Your first mission is that rapist and murderer that was on TV today. Bring the leaf home and I'll show you how to cleanse it. I think he's nearby actually... oh right! That's another thing I can do. I can sense--"

"Wait wait wait! You're moving too fast!"

Jin rolls his eyes, "Well, what can I say? There's a murderer on the loose! We don't have time to dilly dally--"

"That thing you said... I have to get most of the leaves? Aren't I supposed to get all of them?"

"Well yeah, I think so, but there might be another holder that's going to work with you, so you just need to get more than them to get your wish granted," Jin explains far too casually.

"This is too much. I must be hallucinating." I shake my head. This cannot possibly be happening.

"Also, If there is another holder, you are NOT to learn their identity, got it? I'll explain why later, but just know that you cannot know their identity and they cannot find out yours no matter what," Jin continues as if I didn't just say this is too much.

I've had enough of this drug dealing rice cake guy.

"Oh my god, will you shut up!" There's nothing to throw at him anymore, and I know physical touching would be useless, so I attack him with the most venom-laced voice I can muster.

"Calm down Jisoo--"

"You're telling me that I have to save my town from th--this unknown evil with a random stranger that I can't know the identity of? Me and this stranger are suddenly..." I struggle to find the correct words, "superheroes?"

"Uh... happy birthday?"

Author's Note:

How do we feel about the first chapter?

Sorry if it's a bit slow with the Tae content, but that's because there's a lot of elements to this story and its going to be a slow-burn hehehe

Anyways, if you look forward to the rest of the story, please leave a vote or comment letting me know! It would mean the world to me :)

<3 lalalalala7fire