CHAPTER FIVE

When he is a well known photographer, who is absolutely obsessed with butterflies but you have fear of Lepidopterophobia
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Y/N practically radiated excitement as she bounced through the front door the next morning, Ji-eun trailing closely behind her. “Mum, I’m home!” she called out, her voice brimming with joy as she slipped off her shoes and hung up her coat.

“I’m in the kitchen!” Mrs. Lee’s voice echoed warmly.

The moment Y/N stepped into the kitchen, she was met with a loving embrace and a radiant smile from her mother. “You’re just in time—I’ve just finished preparing lunch,” Mrs. Lee announced, her tone as warm as the home-cooked meal awaiting them.

As Ji-eun busied herself setting the table with bowls, chopsticks, and spoons, Y/N poured four glasses of juice. Mrs. Lee served the steaming dishes, urging them all to eat their fill, her nurturing presence making the house feel even cosier.

But it didn’t escape Mrs. Lee’s notice how Y/N’s beaming smile had remained firmly in place since she’d walked through the door. “You’re unusually bubbly today, Y/N,” she observed, her curiosity piqued.

Y/N bit her lip, trying to contain herself. “I was going to wait until later, but…” She drew out the last word with exaggerated suspense.

“Don’t tease! Just tell me,” Mrs. Lee insisted, her patience clearly wearing thin.

Before Y/N could reply, Ji-eun, unable to contain her excitement, blurted, “We met Kim Taehyung a few days ago, and the friend we stayed with last night? It was him!”

“Ji-eun!” Y/N whined, burying her face in her hands as her mother’s jaw dropped, her spoon clattering to her bowl.

“You met Kim Taehyung? I don’t believe it!” Mrs. Lee exclaimed, her disbelief written across her face.

“I’ve got proof,” Y/N countered triumphantly, pulling out her phone and scrolling to the photo she’d taken with Taehyung. She handed it to her mother, a grin spreading across her face. “But that’s not even the best part. He invited all of us to his art gallery, and…” She paused dramatically. “He asked me to be part of his art exhibit.”

Mrs. Lee’s eyes widened in astonishment. “What did you say?”

“She told him she’d think about it,” Ji-eun interjected, slurping a mouthful of noodles.

Mrs. Lee’s expression softened with concern as she set the phone down. “Y/N, sweetheart, you do realise you’ll have to be around butterflies, don’t you?”

“I know,” Y/N murmured, her gaze dropping to her bowl. She shrugged lightly, picking up a piece of beef with her chopsticks. “I guess I’ll just have to try to get over my fear.”

Ji-eun and Mrs. Lee exchanged a knowing glance. They both understood the depth of Y/N’s fear—a trauma rooted in her childhood. Despite Ji-eun’s persistent efforts to help her, the memory of that incident had cast a long shadow over Y/N’s ability to move forward.

“You know you don’t have to do this,” Ji-eun said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Y/N’s shoulder. “Taehyung told you it’s your choice. What happened to you was traumatic, and there’s no shame in taking your time to heal. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

Y/N’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I know, but… it’s been years. Maybe it’s time I faced it.”

The rest of the meal passed in near silence, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air. After lunch, Mrs. Lee left for her shift at the hospital, reminding the two girls to stay safe before heading out.

Later, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, Y/N called out to Ji-eun, who was sprawled across her bed. “Eunnie?”

Ji-eun hummed in response, not bothering to open her eyes.

“Can you do me a favour?” Y/N asked tentatively, fiddling with the hem of her shirt.

“Of course.”

Y/N approached her, holding out a glass jar. “Catch a butterfly for me.”

Ji-eun raised an eyebrow but took the jar without question. Heading into the garden, she carefully captured a vibrant yellow butterfly and brought it back upstairs. “What are you going to do with it?” she asked, setting the jar on the bedside table.

“I’m going to try and face my fear,” Y/N declared, though her voice wavered slightly.

“Alright,” Ji-eun said, her tone supportive. “Let’s start small. Just hold the jar.”

With visible hesitation, Y/N picked up the jar, her hands trembling slightly as she observed the delicate creature inside. At first, she felt a flicker of confidence—until the butterfly began flapping its wings furiously, the soft but erratic fluttering noises echoing against the glass.

Panic gripped her. Her breath quickened, and with a startled cry, she dropped the jar. The butterfly escaped, its fragile wings carrying it around the room in a chaotic dance. Y/N let out a terrified shriek and bolted from the room.

Ji-eun sighed, opening the window to guide the butterfly back outside. After ensuring the jar was cleaned up, she called Y/N back into the room.

Y/N entered hesitantly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Ji-eun immediately enveloped her in a comforting hug, her arms a fortress against the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her friend.

“It’s okay to be afraid,” Ji-eun murmured, her voice soft but firm.

Y/N’s tears spilled over as she buried her face in Ji-eun’s shoulder. “I just feel so pathetic. I really want to do this—for Taehyung—but I don’t know if I can.”

Ji-eun pulled back, cupping Y/N’s face in her hands. “You’re not pathetic, Y/N. You’re brave for even trying. Take it one step at a time. And if it ever gets too much, you don’t have to do it. You’re enough just as you are.”












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