Jeon J's car glided through the sleeping streets of Seoul.
The city was quieter at this hour.
Streetlights stretched across the windshield in long golden lines, disappearing behind them as quickly as they appeared. Reflections of neon signs and distant headlights slid across the dark windows like fragments of a dream.
Inside the car, however, no one seemed particularly interested in the scenery.
Minji sat in the front passenger seat, her arms loosely folded, her expression calm but thoughtful.
In the back, Sophia, Hana, and Ruhi were squeezed together.
And all three looked miserable.
Minji noticed.
She turned slightly, looking at them through the rearview mirror.
"Tomorrow, we're leaving too," she said, her tone casual but firm. "So make sure all three of you have your bags ready."
Hana immediately frowned.
"Why are we leaving?"
"Because Zoya is going," Minji replied simply. "We're her friends. We should look after each other."
"But she could stay," Ruhi murmured.
"I already told her that." Minji sighed. "I said it clearly, right in front of all of you. She still refused."
The girls' faces dropped again.
Minji caught their expressions and shook her head.
"Stop looking like someone cancelled your whole life. We'll come back."
They remained silent.
Then Hana spoke more gently.
"But later, maybe the TBS people won't be free. Right now, they are. We can spend some time with them, enjoy ourselves a little…"
Ruhi nodded.
"Let Zoya go. It's only two days. After Easter, we'll come back. She'll still be here."
Minji thought about it for a moment.
Then she snapped her fingers lightly.
"Okay. Let's do this."
Everyone looked at her.
"We'll talk to Zoya again. If she agrees this time, we stay."
She paused.
"And if she doesn't…"
Her eyes narrowed playfully.
"…we all leave together without telling her."
Sophia finally smiled.
But Hana's expression remained thoughtful.
Minji glanced at them through the mirror again.
"Seriously, don't you remember what happened with her on Christmas?"
The laughter disappeared.
"We were all with her that day," Minji continued quietly. "I still don't understand why she's like this sometimes. She came all the way here for her education, yet there's this strange fear inside her. She panics over the smallest things."
Ruhi shook her head.
"I don't think she runs away or gets scared all the time."
Her eyes drifted toward Jeon J.
"The way she stood in front of Teahun today? That was full competition."
Jeon J's hands remained steady on the steering wheel.
But his eyes briefly lifted toward the rearview mirror.
Hana nodded.
"We were surprised too. She's so easygoing here. Seeing her like that actually made us happy."
She smiled.
"And honestly… that was only the second time we've seen her talk that much."
"Second time?"
Sophia looked genuinely surprised.
"When was the first?"
Hana laughed.
"You seriously don't remember?"
She leaned forward slightly.
"When we asked her to give Bamson something?"
A few smiles appeared.
"She handed him her favorite biscuits and snacks without even thinking."
Hana laughed harder.
"And then, two seconds later, she looked at us and said, 'No more. I'm not giving my favorite snacks to a dog.'"
The entire car erupted in laughter.
Even Minji covered her mouth.
Hana wiped the corner of her eye.
"And when we dropped Bamson off at the dorm…"
She looked at the others.
"Remember what she said?"
Ruhi immediately laughed.
"Oh, yes."
Hana straightened, imitating Zoya's serious expression.
"She looked at the three of us and said, 'Please explain things to your nephew. He should stay within his boundaries and not cross them.'"
Everyone laughed again.
"We were already shocked," Sophia added.
"But Bamson looked even more shocked."
Hana nodded dramatically.
"He just stared at her like—"
She widened her eyes.
I've been here this whole time and haven't even acted like a dog once. I've been so quiet!
Another wave of laughter filled the car.
"And the moment Sophia tried to explain—"
"We completely lost it," Ruhi finished.
The laughter rolled through the car like a sudden storm.
Only Jeon J remained quiet.
Then, in the middle of the laughter, his voice cut through.
"Nephew?"
The laughter slowly faded.
Jeon J glanced at them through the mirror.
"She called Bamson your nephew?"
Sophia nodded.
"Yes."
"She used to call him a dog at first," Hana explained. "We told her to call him Bamson. Then she said, 'Oh… he's your idol's son. So that makes him all of your nephew. I'll call him that.'"
Jeon J's lips curved into a faint smile.
But it disappeared almost immediately.
His eyes returned to the road.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then a thought quietly settled somewhere deep inside him.
If Bamson is their nephew…
His fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
Then what are you to them?
The question lingered.
Uninvited.
Unanswered.
"Where did you disappear?"
Minji's voice pulled him back.
She lightly tapped his arm.
Jeon J blinked.
"Nowhere."
His answer came too quickly.
Minji raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Instead, Jeon J cleared his throat.
"Tell me something."
Everyone looked toward him.
"What biscuits and snacks did she give Bamson?"
Minji stared.
"I'll buy them," Jeon J continued. "You can give them to her."
"You can't buy those," Minji replied.
"Why not?"
"When she came here, she brought them from home. Two days later, the Bamson incident happened. Whatever was left, she gave him."
Ruhi laughed.
"She didn't exactly give them to him."
Jeon J glanced at her.
"We forced her."
"That's an important detail," Hana added.
Jeon J exhaled.
"Fine. Then tell me if there's anything else she likes here."
He thought for a moment.
"Or we can check one of the Pakistani-Indian supermarkets. Maybe we'll find the same things."
Hana shook her head.
"We don't even remember what they were."
Jeon J immediately reached for his phone.
"Give me one minute."
He dialed.
"Jea."
His voice became businesslike.
"Where are the Indian and Pakistani supermarkets?"
Jea answered.
"Itaewon, Hyehwa, and near Dongdaemun."
"Itaewon is fine."
He ended the call.
Then immediately dialed another number.
"Teahun. I'm sending you a location. Come there."
Another call.
"Kim Joon. I'm sending you the location. Come there."
A sleepy voice answered.
"Jeon J… we're exhausted. Aren't you tired yet from roaming around?"
Jeon J glanced toward the road.
"You go if you want. We're coming."
He paused.
"Teahun will be with me. Are you all going to your own homes?"
"I don't know," Yomin's sleepy voice came faintly from somewhere in the background. "I didn't ask anyone. Maybe Jinhun's house."
"Okay. Reach safely."
Jeon J ended the call.
"We'll come after dropping Minji."
He looked at Minji.
"We're heading to the Indian-Pakistani supermarket in Itaewon."
Minji blinked.
"What?"
"Tell Zoya to check for her favorite snacks and biscuits."
His expression remained completely serious.
"I'll pay."
He paused.
"I don't want Bamson to owe her anything."
Minji stared at him for a long second.
"And what does she get out of it, Jeon J?"
His eyebrow lifted.
"Her name is Zoya."
Jeon J shrugged.
"Is saying a name really necessary when you understand the point?"
Hana smiled.
"She'll be happy today."
Ruhi nodded.
"Buying her favorite things might actually cheer her up."
"I hope we find them," she added. "She couldn't find them in Busan."
Jeon J bit his lower lip thoughtfully.
"Buy anything."
He glanced toward the mirror.
"Just let the damage Bamson caused be repaid."
Minji shook her head.
"You're taking this way too seriously. She only says those things to tease us."
"I still don't want it."
"Ufff."
Minji leaned back in her seat.
Hana suddenly looked at her.
"We should talk to Zoya now."
"Why?"
"Otherwise she'll reach home and start packing."
Minji sighed.
"We'll see."
By the time they reached Itaewon, the clock had already passed midnight.
The streets were still alive, but only barely.
The supermarket glowed brightly against the dark street, its colorful signs reflecting on the pavement.
Teahun's car was already there.
Yomin's car stood nearby.
Jeon J parked and stepped out.
Kim Joon emerged from the other car with the others.
Jeon J looked at him.
"I thought you weren't coming."
Kim Joon gave him a tired look.
"The one whose house we were going to was with Teahun."
Yomin added, "So we called everyone here instead. We'll go together."
One by one, masks went on.
Woolen caps were pulled low.
The group moved toward the entrance.
Teahun suddenly pointed at Jeon J.
"Hyung, your disguise is terrible."
Jeon J ignored him.
Then Teahun turned toward Minjo.
"Look at him. He looks like he's going to arrest the supermarket."
Minjo laughed.
"Teahun, put your black glasses on too."
Teahun sighed and put them on.
Then he glanced toward Zoya.
His eyes practically screamed:
This is all because of you.
Zoya noticed.
She pressed her lips together, fighting a smile.
Then she simply shrugged and walked ahead with Minji.
Inside, the bright supermarket lights made the late hour feel strangely unreal.
Zoya stayed close to Minji.
After a few minutes, she leaned toward her.
"Why did you bring us here?"
Minji pretended not to hear.
Zoya frowned.
"Minji."
"Hm?"
"I'm getting late. I still have to pack. If I stay up this late, I won't get enough sleep."
Hana laughed.
"If we tell you why we're here, you'll be surprised."
Zoya looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Ruhi carefully explained.
"When Jeon J found out that Bamson ate your favorite snacks and biscuits while he was missing…"
She paused.
"He brought us here."
Zoya blinked.
"And said you should check whether you can find them. Or buy something else."
Her expression changed.
"He just wants to repay the favor."
Zoya slowly turned.
Across the supermarket, Jeon J was entering with the others.
Their eyes met for a brief second.
He looked away first.
Zoya said nothing.
"Why did you bring us here at this hour?"
Yomin asked, walking up beside Jeon J.
"Suddenly remembered groceries?"
Jeon J stopped.
Then, deliberately loud enough for everyone to hear, he said,
"Someone fed Bamson two packs of biscuits and snacks."
He looked around.
"I'm here to repay that."
Everyone froze.
For half a second, there was complete silence.
Then Minji's group burst into laughter.
Zoya stared at him.
Seriously.
Jeon J avoided her eyes.
Yomin laughed, finally understanding exactly what was going on.
"Come on, Zoya."
He gestured toward the shelves.
"Go find your favorite things."
Teahun looked at him.
"How do you know what she likes?"
"I heard it from Zoya while talking."
Jeon J glanced toward Zoya.
She immediately looked away.
Jinhun grinned.
"We'll buy something too."
Jeon J frowned.
"If you're paying, pay for us as well."
Jeon J walked away without answering.
Someone laughed.
"Silence means yes."
Everyone scattered through the aisles.
Zoya moved slowly between the shelves.
Her fingers passed over packets of biscuits, tea, spices, and snacks.
Yomin appeared beside her.
"Did you find your favorite?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"Let's search together."
Zoya smiled faintly.
"No."
She glanced around.
"I'm not even looking."
Yomin frowned.
"I'm just waiting for everyone to finish so we can go home. I need to pack."
Her gaze drifted across the aisle.
Jeon J stood several meters away.
Their eyes met.
Only for a second.
Zoya turned away.
Yomin noticed.
He smiled.
"Buy something."
"No."
"Zoya."
"No."
"Otherwise, we won't be able to pay our bills because of you."
She finally laughed.
"Very clever."
She looked at the shelves again.
"Fine."
Her fingers stopped at a few tea products.
"I'll buy tea ingredients."
She picked up powdered milk.
Then tea powder.
Yomin looked at them.
"What kind of tea do you miss so much?"
Zoya smiled.
"Our country's favorite drink."
"Will you let us taste it?"
She looked at him.
"Why not?"
Then her smile softened.
"If you like it."
Yomin nodded.
"Deal."
Zoya looked toward the clock on her phone.
"But I'm leaving tomorrow."
Her voice dropped.
"It's already late."
"Hmmm…"
Yomin smiled.
"We'll see."
Eventually, they reached the counter.
One by one, the bags were placed down.
The cashier scanned the items.
Cards were tapped.
People collected their bags and left.
The noise gradually disappeared.
Until finally—
only Jeon J and Zoya remained.
The cashier scanned the final items.
She reached toward Jeon J for the card.
But before he could hand it over, Zoya quietly separated her things.
"My bill is separate."
Jeon J looked at her.
A sharp silence fell between them.
He stared.
She handed her card to the cashier.
Jeon J stepped closer.
"What is this?"
His voice was low.
Angry.
It was the first time they had spoken directly.
And somehow, it was nothing like the conversations everyone had imagined.
Zoya swallowed.
"I'll pay for my own things."
Her voice was soft.
But it trembled.
Jeon J noticed.
He leaned slightly closer.
"Stop this."
Cold.
Controlled.
But unmistakably irritated.
The cashier looked between them.
Recognition flickered across her face.
She had probably realized who he was.
Zoya lowered her eyes.
"I don't want to buy anything."
She quickly took a step back.
"Thank you."
And before Jeon J could say another word—
she walked out.
He remained standing there.
For a moment, he simply stared after her.
Something about the way her voice had trembled stayed with him.
Outside, the arrangements had changed.
Hana, Ruhi, Teahun, and Jinhun were in one car.
Minji and Sophia were in Jeon J's.
Zoya instinctively headed toward Teahun's car.
But Hana caught her arm.
"Sit with Minji."
Zoya frowned.
"Why?"
"You'll sit there."
"I came in this car."
Before anyone could answer, Minji leaned out slightly.
"What happened?"
"I don't want to sit there."
Teahun immediately leaned against his car window with a grin.
"Oh?"
He raised his eyebrows.
"Zoya wants to come with me?"
Zoya shot him a deadly glare.
"She'll miss me," Teahun continued.
Zoya rolled her eyes.
Then, without another word, she turned and walked toward Minji's car.
She opened the back door.
And sat down.
A few seconds later, Jeon J arrived.
He opened the driver's door and got in.
The engine started.
Before driving away, he handed Minji a bag.
"Some items were left at the counter."
Minji looked inside.
"I paid for them."
He paused.
"Check whose they are."
His eyes lifted toward the rearview mirror.
And found Zoya.
She wasn't looking at him.
Her gaze was fixed outside the window.
Toward Teahun.
He was sitting in his car, grinning and teasing her through the glass.
Zoya struggled not to smile.
Jeon J watched the reflection for a second longer.
His expression remained unreadable.
Then his eyes returned to the road.
The car slowly pulled away from the curb.
But something had changed.
Neither of them knew what to call it yet.
And perhaps that was exactly what made it dangerous.
To be continued…
Regards,
ZK💌