❝ effort ❞

No more efforts, Jungkook had quit trying since that night and their relationship simply changed back to just neighbors. It had been pretty much bothering Jihyun.

And it was already Saturday.

Obviously, she remembered it and expected him to ask her again. No idea why, but she wanted him to put some efforts, again. It definitely sounded selfish, but not really since she wanted to give him a chance.

But she had waited really long and the sun had begun to go down. That was it, she could not wait anymore and proceeded to knock on his door. It took a while for him to open it.

"Jihyun?" Jungkook looked with his eyes half open and seemed like just woke up from a deep sleep. "A-Aren't you attending the wedding?" she asked hesitantly.

Her words confused him for a few seconds until he got it and checked the time. "It has already ended, " and the embarrassment she felt was to the next level. "Oh, " she looked down to avoid and hide it.

"But there is the wedding reception tonight-"

"We're attending. Get ready, " she stated and ran off of the embarrassing moment.

The same dress she bought for the dinner with his client was what she put on since that was the only decent one for a party look. With no idea, if Jungkook was going or not, she got ready and waited for him outside.

A good looking man who looked perfect in black walked out of that door which got her interest while she was waiting there. "You look good, " she passed a compliment. That surprised him. "Thanks. You too," he replied awkwardly.

"But are you sure you want to go? Noona thinks we are together, " he asked for reassurance and she gave him.

It was uncomfortable, but someone was happy since it was the first time she made an effort. An awkward ride to an awkward party and there it started.

The venue where they arrived was extremely impressive. "Can you hold my hand?" Jungkook asked, looking at a totally different direction from her. She grabbed that hand and intertwined their fingers together.

It was just an act. He was well aware, but really?

The recognizable woman was right there, holding hands with a man, definitely the groom. Her lips got curved when she noticed Jungkook and got wider in the sight of the partner he brought.

"I'm glad you came, " the bride claimed her happiness. Jihyun handed her a bouquet of flowers. "He is Jungkook, my junior since middle school and his girl,..?" she waited for someone to complete it.

"Jihyun, " Jungkook did it.

"I told you that you will get a surprise if you come. And yeah, you might even find some of your friends tonight. Have fun, " she winked at him and walked away with her husband.

As said, he noticed a few of his seniors from his middle school. "Jungkook? Is that you, Jungkook?" the eldest one laughed. Oh, how he missed that windshield wiper laugh.

The six handsome boys welcomed him in their group. "I missed you all so much, " he cried, followed by a warm group hug. "And she is...?" one of them pointed at Jihyun. "Isn't it obvious, Jimin?" another one hit his head.

"Taehyung! You're dead, " Jimin chased him around and both of them eventually came back alive.

Two beautiful women were standing behind and laughing at them. Jungkook elbowed Namjoon and asked him about them. "Here, she is our hope's fiance and she is our- I mean my fiance," Namjoon pushed Hoseok towards his fiance and stood glued beside his own.

"So I'm the only one single here?" someone from the corner voiced out. "Yoongi Hyung, I'm here for you. I love you. Marry me, " Taehyung made a pouty face and got rejected with a light slap on his lips.

Those old friends were having fun and as usual, Jihyun sneaked the way out. She definitely wasn't left out but she loved that way.

Alone. Silence. Peace.

Sure enough, it didn't last long.

"Jihyun?"

The sound of heels clicking began to come closer as Jihyun turned around. The beautiful bride was right there. "What are you doing here? Are you bored?" she pouted and sat beside Jihyun. "I love it here, " Jihyun simply answered.

"You two seem completely opposite of each other. I'm happy that he found you. But I know that you guys aren't together," she started, leaving her in surprise. "Oh, you look surprised. I just overheard him talking to himself. That's how I found out, " she laughed nervously.

"Everything was cool in middle school, you know? Those six guys graduated one by one and Jungkook was left out after everyone did. We were good friends back then. But after he graduated, in high school, he befriended some cool kids and that changed everything including our friendship and HIM. We ended up being friends with benefits. You already know about it and HIM, " she went on, not giving a damn if Jihyun was even interested in her talk or not.

"I just wanted to tell you that you've unknowingly done something a lot of people around him have been trying to do. You've changed him. Really. But now I hope this heartbreak won't lead to anything worse. I'm not trying to pressurize you on accepting him or anything like that. Don't take it that way. It's your sole decision and it will be respected—"

"JIHYUN! Noona?"

"Your dad is looking for you, " Jungkook told her. "I'll see, " she raced out without waiting any time. "And I was looking for YOU. Why do you always leave me like that?" he scolded her.

But it only made her happy. "You're finally talking to me comfortably, " she commented, making him realize about it. "What did she tell you?" he got nervous again. "Nothing at all, " but he wasn't convinced.

"Anyway, Thank You. I got to meet my Hyungs after a long time because of you. I mean they even flew here for Noona and me, " Jungkook seemed genuinely happy. "I feel so bad for lying to them, " he bit his lips followed by a heavy sigh.

"But we're just friends."

•••