𝐳𝐤𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧

The week had barely left her enough time to breathe. Schedules blurred into rehearsals, rehearsals into meetings, meetings into studio sessions that stretched long past midnight. Somewhere between comeback preparations and endless responsibilities, she'd realized she hadn't done anything simply because she wanted to. So, on the first free day she could claim for herself, Soyeon disappeared. Not somewhere grand. Just far enough from Seoul that the city's constant noise softened into birdsong and bicycle bells. A quiet little town tucked between gentle hills, known for its antique shops overflowing with forgotten treasures, whimsical storefronts, handmade trinkets, and bakeries whose warm scent drifted through the narrow streets. The kind of place where time seemed content to move a little slower.

A canvas tote rested over one shoulder, already holding an old vinyl she'd stumbled upon and a tiny ceramic cat she'd absolutely convinced herself she didn't need before buying anyway.

For once, nobody recognized her. Or if they did, they were kind enough to leave her be. Golden afternoon light spilled across the cobblestone streets as she wandered without much of a destination, occasionally stopping to admire old cameras, stacks of weathered books, or little music boxes that still played despite their age. She'd just stepped out of a bakery, paper bag tucked under her arm and the smell of fresh pastries following behind, when she absentmindedly rounded a corner.

Thud.

"Oh—"

She instinctively reached out to steady both herself and the other person before either of them could lose balance, her eyes lifting behind the brim of her cap.

"...Jongin oppa?"

A blink.

Then a small laugh escaped her.

"Well... I definitely wasn't expecting to run into someone I actually know all the way out here."

Her gaze drifted briefly to the bag in his hand, then back to him, the corners of her mouth curling a little higher.

"...Don't tell me this was your escape plan too?"

Jongin had been staring at his phone, trying to find the next souvenir shop that his sister had sent him to check out, when the collision happened. There was a soft exclamation, his phone dropped to the ground, and a hand reached out to grab him while he instinctively did the same. The bag in his other hand clinks softly as it sways from the sudden movement.

"Sorr— ah, Soyeon-ssi, are you okay?" He lets go of her, eyes quickly gazing over her to make sure that she wasn't hurt and from what he could tell — only the pastries looked a little crumpled. "I was busy trying to find this shop... ah, I wasn't looking where I was going."

His palm is placed on his forehead, a sigh leaving his lips as he shakes his head — phone still on the ground — before he processes what she is saying.

Escape plan?

Crouching down, finally picking up the device displaying his destination nearby, Jongin lets out a soft laugh. "Not quite. I tend to forget to buy things for my family when I'm away so my noona always sends me to do it at the start of the trip." There's that easy laugh, the one that's so free and silly. A gentle squeak mixed with joy.

"Have you already felt the need to escape?"

With tours happening, it had been a while since Jongin had been able to catch up with Jin. It had been too long but not long enough for that awkwardness to settle between the friends. With food in front of them and drinks to ease the night, Jongin laughs at some story he was telling before a loud commotion brings their attention elsewhere.

"Oh?" Jongin lowers his hand, looking over at the couple a few tables behind Jin. "Looks like we get some entertainment tonight." The place isn't fancy by any means but there is usually a type of decorum people should have when the place is busy with patrons are trying to eat.

A loud shout brings more attention towards the arguing couple as the woman throws her water over the man and starts to yell at him, the language colourful enough to make the devil blush. It's hard to pick up completely, the pitch causing some of her words to get squeaky but by the behaviour — the man definitely fucked up.

"I've always heard about public break ups but I never thought I'd be witnessing one."

It was good to be home, even if it was only for a little while, after all those months away on tour. Though if Seokjin was honest, he had been so happy with his members that he hadn't noticed all the time that had passed until he was on his own bed, rather than a hotel room. And now, being home meant meeting those friends he had missed while being away.

"I definitely do." The idol knows that it probably isn't great to find enjoyment in another man's misfortune but from the very not-so-subtle insults being hurled his way, Jongin figures it's deserved. "It's definitely cheating but... who with?" He starts to pondering, brow furrowing together as he tries to figure it out. "It has to be someone close to her for it to be this bad..."

It's not until a piece of meat is hurled at the man's head, nearly hitting an innocent bystander, did the situation start to gain more attention from others.

zkdlin: we have been paired up for some variety show out of the city. zkdlin: i only just found out about it but... i thought you would have requested a change. zdklin: are you sure you're okay with this?

────── @jnnekims

The practice room is too clean...

Not sterile. Just... emptied out in such a way that feels very intentional. Like someone came through one last time, gathered all of the noise, folded it neatly and all that's left is that echo. Not even the fog and sweat like how it used to envelop all the mirrors...

Those were the days.

Then somewhere bleeding through the speaker, Jopping starts up; that familiar intro, low and almost reluctant. The smallest breath of laugh uncontrollably escapes... Of all the songs in this company's repertoire.

'Cause when we jumpin', it's poppin'⸻

It sounds thinner like this... incomplete. Stripped off the crowd, the lights, bodies moving in perfect sync like always. Now just reduced to a track echoing mirrored walls. His gaze immediately drifts to that certain spot, landing on a familiar scuff near center floor.

Hyung, watch this.

Tongue clicking softly at the soft spot of cheek, attempting to interrupt another memory if he's agile enough. Doesn't work. Jaw shifting, holding something in place before it slips...

Especially the recent one.

A low sigh leaves him as he thinks about the kid, his friend, someone he got really close to during the SuperM days and how the halls won't really be the same without him. No more laughter, no more excited greetings and wanting to show him new things, no more help with his English and teaching Jongin new words.

No more Mark Lee.

In his thoughts, Jongin almost misses the other man in the room and one look at him, the older knows exactly what is going through his head. If Jongin misses the kid for small things, he couldn't possibly imagine what Taeyong is going through as the leader.

As the men walk towards the entrance, some of the students stop and look at them, dressed as if they attend. Jongin is wearing the bomber jacket of the university with a backpack on so he looks the part. Doing so often causes people to stare and wonder who he is, especially when people don't really recognise him.

A soft, small scoff follows immediately at those words. Dismissive. Light enough to pass as teasing of course but also quick enough to keep it from landing somewhere it shouldn't. How many times had he said those lines to anyone, really? Fingers shifting around the bouquet still sitting on her lap, smoothening out a petal that didn't need any sort of fixing in the first place.

Something to do....

Something to feel.

And without thinking, body angling just enough as shoulders easing back against the plush of leather, making space... anticipating. And then, nothing. No reach across, not a quiet voice of him saying 'hold on'. Just the soft click of his own seatbelt, the shift of gears.

❝ 뭐야...~ (What...~) That sounds like a line. You say that to everyone you drive around? You keep saying things like that, I might start believing you. ❞

Light. Easy. Very her.

Very them.

Just a joke. Bantering, nothing more than that. Her hand moves immediately, fingers finding the metal end of her own seatbelt, pulling it across with a smooth motion, a soft click cutting cleanly before it can turn into anything else. Like this is always hers to do. And like she wasn't expecting anything to begin with.

❝ Mmm... that's good, though. ❞

Gaze flicking towards him for a fleeting moment, just enough to catch that curve of that charming smile and the way he looks ahead like he actually means it before looking away again... back to the blur of passing bright lights outside the window.

❝ Quite the busy man, you are. As always. ❞

Not quite a concern nor a praise. Just stating a fact. She's been busy herself too. Just an acknowledgement, the kind that doesn't ask for anything in return. A passing silence lingers for a moment, not awkward or uncomfortable.

❝ So this is how you are when practice goes well? ❞ Another small scoff that's much softer this time, a small smile tugging at the corners of those glossy lips. ❝ Duly noted. ❞

"Why wouldn't you believe me?" Jongin questions, not pushing for an actual answer but genuinely confused. "When do I ever say things that I don't mean? I do like being around you and seeing you — it makes me smile, Nayeon-ah."

This starts to cause the man to wonder if he doesn't give enough. Does he compliment her enough? Praise her? Show her how much he appreciates her? Why wouldn't she believe the words that he so readily gives her and nobody else?

Who else is there?

While he's internalising, he continues to show that smile, that charming one that shows those dimples that he thinks are one of his more attractive features. That's something he's been practicing, how to look calm on the outside while thinking about something serious — mostly because he knows his face gives everything away.

"How are you going, hm? I know you're still touring, you all must be feeling exhausted after all the work that you're doing?" The one good thing about being an older group, especially a male group, is that there's a point where you can focus on something outside of tours and never being home. "Have you been resting while since you've been home?" There's a gentle care in his tone as he drives, glancing her way before looking at the road again.

While driving, Jongin wants to hear about what she's been doing, how she's been and seeing if there's any way that he can help her relax before they continue their tour. He hasn't been able to see her in a while and it feels like they've barely spoken while both being busy — not a good sign in his opinion, so he wants to try fix that.

251001 kyunghee university festival