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Stuck In a Love Simulator

Chapter - 09
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"—And the last thing I wanted was to for both of you to come late." The teacher scolded Joae and the tall broad guy stood beside her. As I mentioned, her luck was at her worst side.

Jungkook was absent and none of his classmates knew about him. None.

And right now stood beside him was Namjoon, trying to convince teacher for his late arrival for the glass after break time. The teacher really have some personal grudge against smart students. Both Namjoon and Joae (Real one) were the glass topper and the physics teacher couldn't seem to digest that fact cause both of them were bad at his subject.

His hand was set on his hips as he glared at them both individually before sighing. "I have no choice but to pair you both up for the next project."

What?

Joae couldn't conceal her disbelief. Kim Namjoon again? She scoffed to herself at the thought. Do they see no one in the class. Kiara. Maya. Yoongi. Yu-min. Haji. No one?

But out of all he have to choose KIM fucking  NAMJOON.

"Sir I can do it myse—"

"And I will deduct your project markings, thank you." The teacher flexed his fat fingers before smirking as if he had own the world cup 2025. "Now are you both heading for the next class or deciding to bunk it too?"

'Such a femboy asshole' Joae cursed him in his mind jaw clenching before the teacher left them behind. Joae turned herself towards him ready to tell him do it all by himself when ye interrupted her by pulling off his glasses and looking down at her with a very calm expression that she almost fail to recognise it was Namjoon.

"Sweet herbs coffee shop. After school. We will discuss about the assignment there" Her brow seized with confusion as he spoke. What did he think of himself? He can decide all for her— "Please, make sure to arrive early."

Something in his tone oddly soothed Joae down. The hatred and anger she felt for him disappeared for a moment before she clenched her jaw and 'tsk'-ed before walking in.

Joae's Point Of View :

Looked down at my phone before looking up at the sky. It was grey. Cloudy. Not like I preferred sunshines anyway, but isn't a big fan of rains either. I shrugged debating whether to go to the coffee shop or not. It wasn't a cosy whether to visit a café and again it WAS NOT a date that I was attending with one of enemy—Love Interests.

I didn't particularly had a reason to hate Namjoon when I first saw him but the betrayal was too damn hard. If he would chose not to tell me an answers I wouldn't make it a big deal but what he did is the worst out of all the options he had.

I sighed and decided to go.

It's not like I will have a good time in my house anyway.

Two steps. I only took two steps only for my dear Step Brother's to honour me by blocking my paths with his arms crossed like some bodyguard.

"That's not the direction of our home."

"And you are not supposed to block my direction either"

"Where are you going?"

"Your business?"

Taehyung sighed as I watched him scratch his neck with a nervous expression. But why the hell was he nervous. "Look... I know how dad & mom behaved yesterday but that doesn't mean you can run away from home like tha—"

"Excuse me?" My eyebrows shot up at his assumption. Dude really thought I would be running away from home, especially in a world where I was transmigrated.  The thought makes me laugh and depressed at the same time. "I never said I was running away"

I watched Taehyung's stoic face shift with subtitle hint of blush forming over his cheeks as he let out a 'oh'

I watched how his red Love-O-meter glowed and my eyes widened. '50%' already?

For a moment I almost thought to kiss Taehyung and fulfill the rest 50%. If only it was this easy & if only he wasn't Joae's Brother.

Own brother or not. My step brother or not.
I've messed with this person's life enough but I can't do this to her. As I share the same heart, same nerves, same emotions as her, it's pretty clear she doesn't feel anything for her step brother. Atleast there's no muscle memories for him, like she had for Hoseok & Seokjin.

But I managed to smile. "Go home, Tae. I will be back after finishing a business"

From my eyes, I could clearly see how much the nickname effected him. I was just messing around with him a bit. Nothing to serious I'd do with this guy.

I watched his nod and walk away. For the first time he didn't look annoyed after finishing a talk with me and obeyed like a puppy.

Well that's good if I get to keep Taehyung to my pocket.

Now back to Namjoon.

The weather wasn't cozy enough to spend time in a café but it looked like Namjoon was comfortable here.

Joae  pushed opened the café door with a soft 'clink'. Her eyes roam through people sitting in the table not like there were many. The majority were all senior citizens. Her eyes straight fell on the brown headed four eyed guy looking down at a book with peach colour cover.

Joae took in a sharp breath before walking towards him with a neutral expression. 'I am here for the assignment'— she stopped right infront of his table waiting for him to look up. And when he did, he simply motioned her to take the seat opposite of his.

And she did.

She took out a book from her bag and held it front of her,"Which portion did he tell us to cover? I think this---"

"Joae" Namjoon put the book which read 'The art of Memory Making', as he faced her with his expressions full of remorse "I am sorry."

Joae felt her lips part with slight surprise. She put the book down and clenched her hands looking at Namjoon. "Don't you think it's too early to say this, Namjoon"

Namjoon ran a hand through his hair feeling the weight of the situation "I know... I shouldn't have misguided you when you asked for help. It's just.. I... I couldn't hold myself back. I thought maybe for the first time I will be the only one who will come at the top, alone." He watched how her knuckles turned white as he sighed,"I know I was being selfish and I completely understand that you may not trust me in upcoming situations but beleive me, I am really guilty for what I've done. I was unable to look past our past interaction, our conflicts. I should've denied you instead of misguiding you. I will never do this again...

I'm not even asking you to forgive me at this point because if you'd ever did that to me I would too have never forgive you. But Joae, I genuinely want to improve our relation with me. We can be friends. But again, I'm not forcing anything" one waiter came to their table approaching with a cup of double expresso. Namjoon thanked him politely before looking back at Joae holding the cup of coffee "Drink this if you're okay with my suggestion. Otherwise, I will just takeover the whole assignment myself as I do deserve some punishment."

The tension in their table was palpable especially for Namjoon who wanted Joae to drink the coffee. He really wanted her to be his friend, not only because out of guilt because it would be the only way to know his rival more.

Joae hesitated as she gulped scratching her nail against the soft coffee table cover, her tongue occassionally darting out to lick her dry lips. Finally, she pushed back the coffee cup towards Namjoon.

Namjoon took it as a sign that she didn't really want to be his friend. A frown appeared over his face.

"I don't drink coffee" she stated, a smile slowly appearing on her lips. "I prefer smoothies."

A look of pure amusement & excitement crossed his face as he nodded before calling for the waiter. "Two croissants, strawberry waffles & Rash berry smoothie"

And that's how Namjoon's Love-O-Meter increased to '+30'

As she pushed open the front door, the weight of her exhaustion and frustration threatened to overwhelm her. The stern expressions of her parents, etched in her mind like a warning, made her hesitant to step inside. But as she crossed the threshold, a warm, comforting aroma enveloped her, immediately soothing her frazzled nerves.

The sweet, buttery scent of freshly baked pies wafted through the air, like a gentle hug. It was a smell that transported her back to happier times, when laughter and love filled the house, rather than the stifling atmosphere of rules and expectations.

As she breathed in deeper, the tension in her shoulders began to ease, and her footsteps lightened. The soft glow of the kitchen lights beckoned her, promising a refuge from the stress and anxiety that had been weighing her down. The pies, perfectly arranged on the counter, seemed to whisper a message of comfort and reassurance which she didn't feel like for an eternity.

"You're home, Joae" she flinched hearing her father's voice as she turned back to find him... Smilling? For real? "You came late, Was there any problem at School?" He asked while leaning against the counter, no hint of anger or frustration on his face.

Joae was unable to take in what she is seeing. Her parents' being gentle was like seeing sun shining in the night sky. Yes, impossible.

She couldn't understand why was he acting like this as he grabbed onto her shoulder before looking down at the pies. "I made them. You can smell the sweet right? Let me get some for you."

Joae was unable to form words at the sudden drastic change in their behaviour. Since she came into this world, no one hqs treated her right. So the sudden hospitality gradually scared her.

She slowly took in the plate of pie as her father pulled the chair for her.

Taehyung entered the kitchen along with his mother who immediately smiled at the sight. "Joae! You're home darling?"

Joae nearly choked over the small pie, her father panicked and held out a glass of water for her. He let her take a sip.

"Are you okay Joae?" He asked, his face screamed concern.

She was unable to take in the sudden change all at once.

She looked at Taehyung for answers while he shrugged making it clear he has no idea.

Her mother walked towards her standing the other direction before they suddenly engulfed her in a small hug. Taehyung's eyes also widened in shock.

Joae almost felt like choking at the strong grip of her parents hug.  "M-mom, da-d! I can't breathe..."

But they didn't let go only holding her tighter.

"We're sorry" her mother spoke.

"We should've gave you more attention" her dad added.

"We were too distracted to make Taehyung family that we forgot that you might also feel left out. That you will feel like we don't love you. But Joae... We love you. You're our daughter. Good or bad. We will cherish you. We don't need a reason to love you as our daughter, you're born to get it."

"And about yesterday..." Her mom buried her face in her neck,"I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you but I felt no other way to calm you down. I was out of my mind and I... Physically took action." She pecked her cheek.

Joae was suddenly overwhelmed by the sudden feeling of warmth and a missing sense of nostalgia. A love she never received from her own parents. A love she deserved.

A tear of joy slipped from her eyes as she just gave in, her shoulders relaxing as she let them hug her.

Joae's father gaze fell on Taehyung who was caught smilling. He motioned him to come and join them. Taehyung was taken a back before he quickly joined them.

It was a moment of compassion which they shared. It wasn't filled with unnecessary tension. Maybe all their moments won't be filled with pies & strawberries but things won't be more complicated.

Communication was the key in this game.

It was early in the morning and Joae was suddenly woken by her mom. She gave her no reason and asked her to get ready. She felt puzzled but didn't question her.

Wearing a pair of denim skirt & black crop top she left the house along with Joae.

"Where are we exactly going ,mom?" Joae asked, still grumpy that she couldn't get more sleep.

Her mother only smirked before replying the unexpected

"Shopping."

Soon they entered the show room of her mother's favourite shop. It was like her real world. All too shiny for her eyes in the morning. The cool atmosphere gradually causing her to shimmer. Her eyes ranke through the trending clothes shops & shoes displayed then laying them over the outer decoration of the place.

"Wow..." She muttered under her breath, a sense of excitement coursing through her. Joae aka Yujin, loved shopping as she was an influencer in her real world. She would make a perfect model if she ever returned to her world.

She will make a perfect model and return to her world- she thought.

She walked along her mother laying her hands and eyes on random clothes or magazine pictures over the boards and walls.

She was fascinated by the beauty of this place.

Her mother guided her towards a specific clothing store in the department. Greeted by an pale woman who was dressed extremely formally. Joae admired her.

Your mother also greeted her with a small smile before her mother held out Joae's hand and pulled her towards the rack of clothes. Pulling out each and every dresses and mapping those over her.

"You're extremely skinny" her mother sulked before shaking her head,"You should eat vegetables and no skipping meal."

And then the real drama started. One by one she pulled out dresses that might suit Joae. And she had to try them all. According to her mother, none of them suited her (and she was right).

Until....

Her eyes fell over a particular red frock. A fluffy waist ribbon strips frock with a wavy cut. Her mother eyes narrowed with a satisfied smile along with Joae's.

"It's expens—"

"Your dad's credit card is with me" her mother spoke proudly as if she didn't sneakily take that. "Hurry up and try it on, we have to buy shoes for you and a suit for Taehyung as well."

"Suit for Taehyung? But he is not with us-"

"I know his size and he would only complain. Now do what am I saying instead of wasting time" she pushed her inside the trial room,"I am sure it will look good on you"

Her mother was all giggly and bossy. Joae frown... Would her own mother be like this too? Would she also take her to shop if circumstances were different?

She shook her head. She began to try on the red frock. Tying the ribbons over the shoulders. And it actually fit. She fixed her bangs before walking out of the trial room cat-walking. Mom's face held no secret in hiding the amusement as she could taste the daughter's own confidence in this frock. Joae watched her grin before handing her father's card to the fancy looking woman and she gladly took it, cutting the money and giving it back.

She packed the bag then went to purchase Joae's heels and suit for Taehyung before she booked a cab for Joae to go home while she had some alternative business to attend.

"But mom—you haven't told me why you bought me this all. Was those for the slap-"

"Jimin, Taehyung's friend, his birthday is tommorow remember?" Her eyes looked at the cab driver who waited impatiently behind the wheels for them to finish,"He invited you both to his birthday party as I quite remember Taehyung telling me. I kind of know that you didn't have many things to wear in your closet so...I..."

Regret and remorse painted on her face.

She neglected her daughter and she was well aware of that. She has noticed that after years. She has realised where she has been wrong the entire time.

But only if those could fix everything.

Joae didn't speak much and only gave her a convincing smile. Her mother's mouth parted as if to say something. As if to tell her that she didn't mean to harm her. That she has always loved her. Though the cab driver seem too impatient.

"Miss, I've other duties to attend to. Please get in!" His tone held back no annoyance, probably in a bad mood.

Her mother's eyes narrowed as she whispered to Joae's ears one last time,"I will make sure to give him a half star rating, no worries. Go home safely"

Joae laughed before waving her hand and getting in, driving back to the house. Though she had no plans what to do. Especially, when she had almost forgotten one of the love interest's birthday.

It will be a huge drama.

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Nothing special, just a filler.
I'm sorry for the late updates. I will try ro write whenever I get time but it just that the writer's bann gets me too often.

I have ideas but lack the energy :(