*Flashback*

~Seokjin~

Seokjin stood by the window, his eyes narrowed at the sight. His emotions were everywhere and he's never had such a hard time trying to control himself and remain calm. Just after things were getting good with Rijin too... 

"I'm Yumi," he heard a female voice saying as she stood beside Seokjin.

He glanced down at her and saw that her eyes were bright with happiness. Why was she so happy meeting someone like him? A stranger who she is going to marry.

"I know," he replied, turning his gaze back to the view.

"I'm really happy I got to meet you," she said, with a soft tinkly laugh. "I don't know much about celebrities and how this whole marriage thing will work out with me not being a celebrity..." she trailed off. "But I think it'll be okay as long as you're here. I was a bit worried when my father told me I am to be married but now seeing that the man is you, I'm not worried anymore. Ah, sorry about how I behaved before too. It's...complicated."

Seokjin glanced down at her, about to say something but she quickly cut him off.

"Oh, right! You just got back from your world tour, right? You must be tired—no, wait, are you hungry?" Yumi asked. Before Seokjin could answer her, she was already walking back towards the table to grab something for him. He didn't need to look at her to know that's where she's gone.

A few seconds later, she came back and stood beside him, holding up a plate. His eyes went to the slice of shortcake for a brief moment before he glanced at her.

"Why, what's wrong?" Yumi asked, blinking. "Do you not... like sweets? I, um," she flashed a shy smile. "I really like sweets. I love shortcakes so I... wanted you to have some."

Seokjin crossed his arms, leaning against the wall, "Your height is alright. Not too short, not too tall. Your looks on the other hand..." he trailed off.

Yumi lowered the plate. "What?"

Seokjin clicked his tongue in annoyance, "I don't know you that well and I'm thankful for that but from what I can see," he studied her for a beat before concluding, "You're a below average."

That's when Yumi held up at the plate and fling the shortcake at him. Right in his face.

Seokjin straightened himself, "Hey!" he shouted.

"You a$$hole!" she yelled.

Seokjin glared down at her. "What did you say?"

"I—I won't marry someone like you," Yumi said, shaking her head before rushing out of there.

"Too late, Shortcake," Seokjin called out after her. "We're already set to marry in two months."

***

"Hyung," Namjoon said.

Seokjin was jerked back to the present and glanced at his members who are waiting for his answer.

"How would I know," Seokjin said, nonchalantly. "The woman is either cursing or quiet. It's one or the other."

He watched them all fall back into their chair in disappointment.

"It's a shame," Yoongi said and the members agreed with him. "She's really beautiful too."

Seokjin reached for his drink, pulling up the straw towards his lips. As he sips his milkshake, his thoughts went back to his first encounter with Yumi. Looking back, Yumi may have already opened her heart to Seokjin at that first meeting... that was until Seokjin started treating her badly.

"How naïve," Seokjin muttered to himself at the memory of the two of them.

The members continued talking about their concert and what to improve when they suddenly heard people talking about them. Pulling their caps down and masks up, they turned their bodies away and towards the wall to conceal themselves. Just what they needed.

"I don't know why they're so popular," they heard a female say. "They're not that good."

"Right?!" another laughed. "All this fuss for nothing."

"Their songs aren't even that great," a guy replied. "I could do better than them."

"I don't know why they are so popular," another voice answered.

"Especially the vocalists," one piped in. "They're the worst. You know which ones I'm talking about, right?"

The rest of the group giggles.

Seokjin lifted his eyes and saw that, like himself, they were just eating quietly and pretending that they couldn't hear the conversation behind them.

It was getting more and more awkward as the conversation goes on. From what Seokjin could hear, it was a group of friends, both girls and boys talking about Seokjin and his members. They continued to trash talk about the members and Seokjin going from their singing to their rapping and their dancing. He would be lying if he says it doesn't affect him. Looking at the members' stoned faces, they were hurt and a little affected by it too.

"They can't even dance," Seokjin heard one of the boys say, "Especially that—what the f—"

"Oopsie," Seokjin heard Yumi said.

All of the members' head turned towards where her voice was coming from. She was right in front of the group behind them.

"You did that on purpose!" one of the high schoolers got up. Yeah, they were students alright.

"No," Yumi said, swaying a little. "I drank more than I should have."

Seokjin rubbed his temples. Someone tell him Yumi did not just pour her wine over them. The last thing they need is for someone to recognise them and connect the dots.

"You are so dead—"

Seokjin was about to get up but then Hoseok grabbed his arm, shaking his head. They shouldn't make a scene right now.

"Let's leave," Hoseok whispered.

Seokjin scowled, "Not without her."

"I know," he hissed. "Grab her and then follow us."

"At least let me finish my meal," Jungkook muttered.

"I'm really good with knives," Yumi's voice interrupted their conversation. Seokjin glanced over and saw that she was carrying some cutleries. It seems like she'd gone to order something else while she was refilling her wine. She picked up the knife and wave it, "And I'm a little tipsy so I might accidently cut something I don't want to."

Seokjin's eyes slid towards the members and his eyes narrowed at their expressions. Taehyung and Jungkook bite down their lips, trying not to smile. Jimin propped his elbow on the table, covering his mouth, trying to hold back his laughter. Namjoon's eyes were still on his food as he eats but he was smiling. Yoongi let out a short chuckle, his arms crossed as his eyes were pinned on Yumi. Hoseok? Well, he slapped Yoongi's arm, trying his best to keep Yoongi quiet. 

"You did that on purpose!" the girl accused. "Are you pissed because we were talking about BTS? What are you, a fan?"

Yumi eyed her for a brief moment before saying, "No, I'm not a fan."

The girl laughed in disbelief, "I can't let you get away with—"

"Let's just leave it," one of her friends said, grabbing her arm to stop her from moving towards Yumi. "She's crazy."

"Just a little," Yumi replied, smiling brightly.

Seokjin watched as the students pushed one another away and towards the front door with them cursing at Yumi. But you know what she did? She held up her empty wine glass, calling out, "Excuse me? Can I get another refill—"

Seokjin moved fast. He grabbed the glass and the tray and the cutleries from Yumi's hands and placed it on their table before dragging her out of there.

~Yumi~

"You didn't have to," Namjoon said, slowly. "But thank you for standing up for us, noona."

I waved him off, "I wasn't standing up for you guys."

Not really. After refilling my glass, I walked back to the join the others, only to hear those high school students talking ill about the members. I wanted to ignore them but I couldn't... not when the members were right there. You can say I was reminded of the things I've gone through while I was in high school. Yes, that's why I said and did what I did. No one was there for me back then... and now I just can't let that happen to someone else.

I eyed them all in the eyes, "I wasn't."

They all shared a look except for Seokjin who was scowling at me.

"Really, I'm not a fan," I confirmed and watched their faces fall, all except for Seokjin. Right, my opinion never really mattered to him anyways.

"Oh," Jungkook mumbled, awkwardly.

"But I think you guys are pretty cool," I said, smiling at the memories of what I'd witnessed at their concerts. I glanced at them and saw that they were watching me now, giving me their full attention. "I think after everything you guys have been through... you deserve this. Fame. Money. Respect." I hesitated. "Happiness too."

"Shortcake," I heard Seokjin said.

I glanced sideways at him, "What?"

"We're riding alone," Seokjin told the members, grabbing my hand.

I tensed up at that. We were—holding hands.

"We'll meet you back at the hotels," he said. "Don't wait up."

"Eh? Where are you going?!" Namjoon called out. "Hyung!"

I glanced at the members as Seokjin dragged me away from them and then back to Seokjin. I could see that he was focused on something else... and I sigh. I will never know what's on his mind and I think... that's a good thing.