why me?

---

At one side of the CDG airport terminal, a group of young men clad mostly in black and had their faces
hidden under bucket hats and face masks mulled about as their manager was having a crisis at the
counter.

Is there any way for you to contact the client to switch seats? Or maybe upgrade them? I mean, we just
really need to stay together he trailed off pleadingly.

Im really sorry sir, but we cant disclose our clients information to anyone. Im afraid if you want to get on
this flight you have to settle having some people sat apart from the rest of the group, the flight attendant
smiled at him politely.

What do I do? We dont have enough money to upgrade everyone to business class but maybe just the
boys the man said in Korean. He contemplated telling the nice lady that he was traveling with a world
famous idol group. Who knows, maybe she was a fan and upgraded them for free? But it might attract
more attention from the people around them and they really needed to lay low because of recent incidents.

Sir, I advise you to book your flights now as you have no more time until check-in and if you wait more,
some people might take more seats from the ones you picked, they said, gesturing to the line at the other
booths at the counter.

Alright, alright. Ill purchase all of them right now, he said and handed her his card.

Ill gladly do that for you, please wait a moment. She began collecting the passports and printing the
tickets and receipts. After the flight attendant explained the details of the flight, the manager walked
towards his group and told them to hurry up because the check-in was already open for their flight.

Hyung, were not taking a direct flight? Jungkook asked when the manager explained the situation at the
check-in line. They had to re-book their flight on short notice because the direct flight to Korea was
cancelled due to a storm back at home.

Sorry Jungkookie, and well have to split up. But dont worry, Ill have the seven of you up front with Sejin.
Well take the rest of the seats scattered, he said patting his back.

Its okay hyung, you dont have to stress about it so much, Jungkook said. He didnt like his hyung
stressing out about things like that.

It was a bit of a wait and Sejin took the flight ticket and stood in front of them next to Namjoon, talking to
Jin and Hoseok while Jungkook settled with playing on his phone behind Taehyung and Jimin who seem
to have stopped their energetic play fighting and were just looking around, occasionally asking if he was
alright or tired. Yoongi was next to him talking to one of the managers about their upcoming schedule.
They didnt realize this was how they unconsciously positioned themselves for the flight. Jimin was
secretly pleased to be next to the maknae until he checked the seat numbers, with Jungkook and Yoongi
peeking over his shoulder.
Hey hyung, none of us have window seats, Yoongi said suddenly looking at his own with the same
confused face as Jimins.

Yeah, someone already had them so youll be seated with another person. Sejin will be with another two
but Namjoon-ah, Jin-ah, Hobi-yah, Taehyungie, and Jimin-ah will sit together. Youll be with Jungkookie,
right? he said, checking the passes again.

Hopefully they wont recognize us, Namjoon said.

Yoongi was clearly not up for sitting next to a complete stranger but the situation could not be helped. He
contemplated switching seats with the others but he didnt have the heart to submit his younger members
to that. Jungkook will probably be just really awkward or insensitive as he plays his games uninterested in
the rest of the world. Hoseok or Tae will probably just talk them up until they get tired and that will attract
attention. But what about Jimin? Maybe hell be okay with it, especially because hell be seated next to
Jungkook, might be able to coax the younger out of his games for once but that would mean sitting next to
Taehyung.

Yoongi was about to ask Jimin to switch seats with him but his passport was already being handed back
to him along with the printed boarding passes, flight CR309 seat number 21J. Yoongi inwardly cursed
himself for missing his chance.

Ah hyung, I thought well be sitting next to each other, Jungkook says, wrapping an arm around Jimins
shoulders and showing him his boarding pass that indicated his seat number at 21I.

Well still be seated next to each other idiot, Jimin said ruffling his hair and showing him his that said 21H
but his smile didnt quite reach his eyes.

They walked towards the boarding gates with only minutes to spare.

It was an eventful morning up until after lunch and Gia desperately needed some time for herself before
the 8-hour flight. She had gone to Paris with only a weeks notice and was unable to purchase return
tickets up until that day. She sat at the front of the boarding gates in the plush seats provided and waited
patiently while drinking her Americano and catching up on her reading, a modern collection of poetry in
Satooriglasses pushed up her nose, covered in a scarf and a black face mask, ear buds in being a clear
sign that she did not want to be disturbed, her boarding passes peeking out from her coat pocket. The
place was slowly being filled up and she disconnected her phone from the socket, thinking it only polite to
let other people use it.

The business class passengers were being called in, thirty minutes earlier than the boarding time. She
took off her glasses and dropped them in her bag mindlessly, massaged her temples, lowered the volume
on her phone so it would be heard when her seat number was being called. She had a small valise with
her, containing a change of clothes for the connecting flight shell take and some souvenirs that didnt fit
her checked in luggage. She also had a large bag with her containing her laptop, HD earphones and
some other fragile and essential things she couldnt put anywhere else. Besides, she still had to catch up
on work, might as well do it on the plane.

When her seat number was called, she walked up to the gate and politely showed her pass and went to
her seat. No one was there yet so she hauled her luggage up the compartment, put her bag under the
seat in front of her, but not before taking her book and pen. In no time she was settled in, seatbelt on,
book in front of her face, music at full volume, gadgets in airplane mode for optimum Do Not Disturb mode
that she didnt even hear the man coming up to her row asking in heavily accented English, Is this seat
21J?
---

Yoongis group were one of the last people to board the plane and they were sort of thankful that the
whole process wasnt met with difficulty except for the part that they couldnt sit next to each other. Only a
handful of people were able to recognize them but didnt bother them, just took their pictures from afar. It
was hard to go around airports these days, knowing that their avid fans were always just around the
corner. It was also lucky that they had chosen this flight instead because the next flight to Korea would
surely be packed with their fans going back from the KCon that they attended in Paris.

Jungkook held his bags for him, as well as Jimins. Probably to make sure that asking the foreign flight
attendants wouldnt be his responsibility and so it had to befall on Yoongi.

Is this seat 21J? he asked in English.

To his annoyance, the woman who sat at the window didnt respond and the two boys looked at each
other. The other members were settling in in the same row so they figured it was the right one, and seeing
that there was nowhere else to sit, they settled themselves in. Jungkook was uncharacteristically silent
beside him, and kept side-eyeing the girl next to Yoongi.

Hyung, shes reading a book in Korean, Jungkook said. Yoongi turned and true enough, she was. Shes
even reading something in satoori. What if shes a fan?

Well, she didnt even look at me, it should be all right, Yoongi reassured him. But to be honest, he
became apprehensive himself. He couldnt exactly see the girls face, obscured by the face mask and on
top of that, the book was too close to her face.

What if she stalked us way over here thats why hyung wasnt able to seat us next to each other?
Jungkook asked with wide eyes and Jimin and Taehyung was looking over to them, faces concerned.
Yoongi chanced to look at her again and tried to appraise the woman beside him.

She doesnt look like shes a sasaeng fan to me. Her bag even looks expensive, Yoongi said. Jungkook
was about to argue that doesnt mean anything when the announcements came on, none of it in a
language they could fully understand. But they had all been in many flights before that they understood
what they were expected to do.

Soon the plane was taking off, with Hoseok holding tightly to V and Jin while they waited for the seatbelt
sign to turn off. The woman seemed to be accustomed to the turbulence as well as she didnt even move
or say a word in the first hour or so of take-off, save for turning the pages of her book.

They took off their seatbelts when they were finally allowed and the flight attendants were getting ready to
serve them their food as Yoongi guessed. When the woman realized that the seatbelt sign was off as well,
it was like she was struck by lightning or something. Is she crazy? Yoongi thought.

She put her book on her lap, took out her bag from under the table and sat it between her and Yoongi
wow shes really slender and kinda small?opened the foldable table in front of her, took out her laptop, a
tablet, and a set of Sennheiser headphones and proceeded to boot everything up and plug them together.
Yoongi realized that she was wearing an in-ear type earphones like the ones they use in concerts but hers
were a pair of Snugs wireless and a sparkling diamond like colour as she took said devices off and put it in
a case beside her laptopthats why she didnt hear meand proceeded to work in silence yet again.

Yoongi and Jungkook sat there stunned staring at her as she accomplished this in under five minutes.
Shaking their heads and looking at each other in slight awe and confusion they averted their gaze. She
seemed to be editing and fixing a set of codes for a program, finishing off her Americano and putting on
her headphones.

Hyung! Look at her headphones she looks so cool! Jungkook scream-whispered which caught Jimins
and Taes attention yet again.

She cant hear us, the Sennheisers are noise-cancelling, Yoongi was still looking at her stuff, especially
realizing that her other set of headphones were custom-made ones and probably cost a fortune. Yoongi
tried his hardest to pry his eyes away from her laptop screen and not be a total creep. Huh, one moment
they were suspecting her of being a stalker and the next he was acting like one.

Who cant hear you? Tae asked from behind Jimin, wrapped in a blanket and smothering Jimin with his.

Hyung we think this girl is a stalker, shes Korean! Jungkook said still in a low voice, even if they
probably wont be understood by any of the people around them, mostly Arabs and French people if
Yoongi was correct.

Idiot shes just reading a Korean book, and she might not even be aware that BTS exists, Yoongi said,
slapping him upside the head that made the other two laugh. They tried to look over to her as well,
interested. Anyway, dont bother her, we dont know her.

Jungkook still gave him a worried look and Jimin reached out for his arm to pat it, Its gonna be fine
Jungkookie. Tae settled back into his seat and soon, most of them had gaming consoles out, absorbed in
their own worlds.

Yoongi-yah, Jungkookie, are you guys all right so far? their manager, suddenly standing in their aisle
said next to them, interrupting Jungkook and Jimins game and Yoongis nap. The girl beside him was now
running the program that he now recognizes as a mixing program for music as she fiddled with her tablet
with an interface that didnt look so different from his Maschine back at home. His eyes widened and held
Jungkooks arm as he was telling their manager that they were fine.

Jungkook-ah, look, shes a sound engineer or something, he whispered, even if he knew that her
earphones were noise-cancelling. Their manager noticed the exchange and asked what was going on.

They think shes a sasaeng fan, Jimin supplied, but he too looked a little bit worried.

Has she done anything to you? The manager remained cool but was looking over to the girl as well.

Nothing except being Yoongi-hyungs dream girl, Taehyung said and Yoongi shot him a deadly
glare. Stupid interviews and their fan-service baits he thought.

Whos Yoongi-hyungs dream girl? Hoseok said, and now all of them turned to Yoongi.

Yoongis mouth fell open but no words came out, just a broken Uh but he was saved by the flight
attendants hauling the food carts along the aisle in front of them that their manager was sent back to his
seat. Sejin looked at him questioningly from two aisles away having caught a whiff of the conversation
from Tae but Yoongi just shrugged.

The flight attendant had to wave her hand near the girls face to catch her attention seeing as the two boys
beside her were of little help. And truthfully, they were kind of scared she really was a sasaeng fan.

But her head snapped up and swept away her things as the flight attendant began to ask her, We have
chicken

Oh, p-pardon. Le vgtarien sil vous plait avec de vin blanc. Et aussi madame, je voudrais acheter des
donnes, pour accder le wifi? she said in a polite but curt tone. Her voice was hoarse from not talking.

Ah, un moment madame.

Merci beaucoup, she said as she accepted her food.

Even as the attendant turned to Jimin and the others, Yoongi and Jungkook sat there completely stunned
by the exchange that none of them could understand, forks in mid-air. That and the fact that the girl took
off her face mask and was proceeding to eat but paying them no attention at all. Jungkook took longer to
recover than Yoongi that he had to turn his face himself back to his food. Looks like she isnt a sasaeng
fan after all, Yoongi whispered and Jungkook looked comically alarmed as he gestured that she might
hear them.

Yoongi stole glances at the girl but this time as the girl looked down at her food, her long black hair fell
beside her and his view was once again obstructed. He tried to remember what she looked like but all he
could deduce was that she was definitely Asian, probably even Korean. He thought about their fans and
thought about whether they think about the members frustration when they want to get to know a girl and
were held back like this for fear of recognition and a scandal. He sighed and the girl turned her head
slightly as if stealing glances at him but proceeded to just gather the things at her tray neatly to save the
attendants some trouble, then drank her wine from the small bottle, staring out at the slowly fading light
outside.

Yoongi and Jungkook found out what she wanted from the attendant as they came back after gathering
Yoongis cup of coffee and the girls cup of tea. He gave her the Wi-Fi username and password as she
swiped her card in payment for access. From what Yoongi could tell, it was also very expensive to access
internet on the plane.

They were quiet for a while as the boys tried to take a nap and the girlnow on an illustrator application
with a different tablet this timewas fixing what looked like the interface he saw earlier on her other tablet,
headphones on. He was frustrated that he couldnt even strike up a conversation with the girl so he put on
his neck pillow and covered his eyes with the complementary mask and blanket the plane gives out. It was
only a few minutes before he heard a conversation in Korean from two people he didnt recognize. He
feigned sleep.

Gia realized she was the only one awake in their row of people on the plane and the lights were dimmed.
She didnt have her glasses on and she was too stubborn to fish them out of her bag I wont be able to
see them in there anyway she thought. She had just sent an e-mail to her boss responding to the
corrections on her manuscript for her upcoming book, excited because this one was her first academic
one. She wonders how it would be received by her colleagues and students. It was tough to be a linguistic
scholar in a language she only adopted.
She was finishing up an e-mail to her sister about the work she did on debugging her program for a new
sound manipulation app that they were working on together when she looked at the time. It was nearly
10pm at home and she dreaded the video call that she knew was coming.

True enough, her laptop notified her that her sister indeed was calling. Some of the people around her
were sleeping and she didnt want to disturb them but at the same time she didnt want everyone awake
while she talked to her sister. She opened the light overhead, cleared her space except for two notebooks
and a pencil, plugged out her headphones, and opened the video call.

Hey, its been six days, we thought you were dead, the girl asked in their own language with English
mixed in. She was in her room, the lamp could be clearly seen from the corner of the screen and the bed
was behind her, pillows and blankets haphazardly thrown around. Her sister was looking at her screen
and obviously not at her but then she looked up. Youre hairs black, wow. I havent seen you like that in
four years, what are you even wearing?

Gia was about to reply when her sister took in her surroundings.

Where are you? Are you in a bus? she asked confused.

Dont be too loud, people around me are sleeping, she replied in the same language, voice still hoarse
and a pitch lower and turned the laptop toward the window.

Why are you in a plane? she asked almost hysterically and Gia turned the volume down. Youre
supposed to be in Korea waiting for me!

Calm down, which reminds me. Talk to me in Korean, she said, the latter of the sentence switching to
Korean herself.

Is that wh

Tsk, in Korean I said, she cut her off.

Is that why you didnt answer my calls for the last week? What did you do? Where did you go?

Okay first of all, sorry. Second of all, I went to Paris for a conference that I thought was okay to skip but
apparently I had to give a speech etc. boring stuff but now Im on my way back to Korea, she explained.

Then use your earphones or something? You have a collection!

I dont want to listen to your voice in HD!

Will you get back in time to pick me up from the airport? Or did you forget? her sister asked in English
yet again.

Okay, see here, Im in a plane surrounded by Arabs and Europeans so I cant talk to you in Arabic,
French, English or whatever and since youll be spending four hours waiting for me at the airport you
might as well practice your Korean right now.

Youre making me wait four hours at Incheon? Cant Lyra-unnie pick me up? her sister said incredulously.

Gwyn come on, you know Lyras busy. Shes a trainee now and I dont even see her most days, she said,
a hint of something in her eyes.
But what am I gonna do for four hours? she slumped in front of her computer, looking at it like she wants
to throw it somewhere else.

I sent you an e-mail, work on fixing the sequence. The program at the moment can only do 50 strings. I
want you to make it 100, she said matter-of-factly absentmindedly grabbing her pencil and sketching from
memory.

Cubase cant even make 40 why do you want me to do 100?

Yah! Whos funding your project and your education in Japan and youre on your way to Korea for a
graduation present are you seriously denying me what I want? she said in an even and calm tone as she
continued sketching what seems to be forming a face.

Her sister was rambling about what was happening the last week when she said, Yah, youre not even
paying attention to me. Youre probably just drawing Yoongis face again, she said.

Without missing a beat Gia turned the page, switched notebooks, kept writing with her head down, and
held one up cover facing the camera, Im not sketching, Im writing verses.

Yah, youre holding up your sketching notebook.

Shit, she cursed under her breath and her sister laughed, Shut up.

Anyway, you really look like a professor now. Is it because you finally received your doctorate degree?
Moon Kook Joo seonsaengnim! Are you acting all grown up now too? she teased, using formal language
and her Korean name, throwing in an uri unnie in there for good measure, just to rile her sister up.

Yah, say this with me ah Gia began

Ah.

Teh...

Teh.

Ate. Ate is what you call me you little dork. I dont want to be called unnie, Gia said. It reminds her of the
way she tried to catch herself a girlfriend but always failing because the girls started calling her unnie and
mistaking her advances as familial.

But youre making me speak Korean, its only naturalher sister made a facebut anyway did you
finally go shopping in Paris?

Gia just rolls her eyes, she knows her sister knows that she doesnt like brand name clothes. Yah, you
know I would never, these clothes were just a gift from a colleague. I think she was hitting on me too.
Didnt let me go from when she picked me up from the airport up until earlier when I told her I needed to
be early to buy plane tickets.

She gave you clothes?

Yeah, look at these shoes, it makes me 5 inches taller. I couldnt refuse because she looked like she was
about to cry and argued that I should look more than presentable at the conference because I was the
youngest PhD holder in there, her sister laughed at that. She knew Gia could be so dense sometimes,
but she has her own personality.

Remember when you went to the first day of classes, the first class you ever taught? You wore
sweatpants and your favourite hoodiethe unspoken thing here being, they were BTS merchandise
and pretended to be one of the students until you surprised them that you were the professor! Gwyn was
laughing loudly again and Gia turned down the volume.

I should start taking off this makeup too. It looks too western and it feels heavy. I really dont look like
myself.

Yoongi didnt know what to do so he pretended like he was asleep until Jungkook was clearly woken up by
the laughter. Kook Jooas he heard from the conversationherself wasnt really loud but her sister was.
He shifted so that his back was towards her, took off all that was on his face and put a hand over his
mouth, much to Jungkooks surprise.

Shes a fan! Yoongi whisper-screamed to him. Jungkook only blinked at him, which confused Yoongi. He
would have thought the younger would have a much stronger reaction.

Quit being loud hyung. You woke me up for that? Why were you laughing? he said as he took off
Yoongis hand from his mouth. Yoongi only shook his head to indicate that it wasnt him and gestured for
him to look over. Jungkook understood that she was conversing with someone through video chat, talking
about poetry or something. He looked over to Jimin and noted that he was fast asleep, and he sighed in
relief. Yoongi was comically still wrapped around him, afraid to look back at the girl. It would attract more
teasing from the other members.

After a few more minutes of them conversing, where at one point Yoongi realized he was sitting next to a
polyglot speaking to another albeit less skilled polyglot, the flight attendants were about to serve lunch.

I need to go now, theyre serving food, Kook Joo said and proceeded to clear her things again, apart
from the laptop when she knocked over the case with her wireless earphones and reached down for it,
turning the laptop to momentarily face Yoongi. He sat there mortified as he saw himself on the screen and
Jungkook beside him looking much the same, with her sister staring back at him with mischief in her eyes.

When Kook Joo straightened it out again, about to bid her sister goodbye, her sister asked her, Yah! Why
did you keep this from me?

What do you mean, what am I keeping from you? Kook Joo asked confused.

Wait where are your glasses? Are you wearing contacts? she asked

Uh it was dark earlier, I was too lazy to look for them in my bag, she said, which earned a tsk from her
sister thats why, oh my god why is she this stupid? She has a bigger IQ than Rap Monster! She took this
as an opportunity to torture her sister some more before exposing what she knew.

Hey wait, youre going to the BTS concert with me right? Lyra-unnie sent me two complimentary tickets
telling me I should take you! I cant believe youre still being stubborn! she said.

We talked about this. Come on, I have to go, she eyed the attendant, still in the business class section of
the plane but she was only on the second row.
When was the last time you went to a concert?

Never, she said lowly, hiding it under a cough.

Youve lived in Korea for four years and youve not gone to one concert? Yah, Ate Gia! Whats wrong with
you?

Yah, who are you talking to, huh!? Ill have you know I go to gigs almost every week! Im a busy person
you know! Who else will feed mom and dad, you and your 4 siblings huh?

Yah, youre no longer poor! You have a Korean, European and American pay check you know!

Can you please shut up, why are you talking about that, do you want me to get robbed or something?

Come on why arent you going to concerts?

I-I dont Im not ready Its like, its all an illusion? They give me so much inspiration and theyre so
untouchable to me that I dont want to shatter that yet, or put them down from their pedestal in my head
come on, this is stupid, she said, feeling weird for having this conversation. The flight attendant was near
their row now, I have to go.

I have a feeling youre going with me she said and then proceeded to talk in another language but
Yoongi heard his name.

Kook Joos face snapped towards Yoongi, fingers scrambling for her glasses inside her bag, eyes still
squinting at him and never leaving his face. When she got them on, she looked mortified for a second but
her expression evened out and became unreadable.

Yoongi-oppa! I love you! He heard from the screen, her sister making finger hearts at him before she
could close the window and shut her laptop, her eyes never leaving Yoongi. The two of them stared at
each other until the flight attendant caught their attention.

Oh sorry, but what would you like for today? She said to Yoongi and Jungkook in English before she
looked at Kook Joo and a flash of recognition came into her eyes Oh, Mme. Gia Asuncion! Jai appris que
vous avez pris ce vol! Est-ce que vous tes confortable? Ah ouais, voil un plat vgtarien pour vous. And
you sir, she asked, motioning to the boys. Kook Joo accepted with two hands and nodded her head
more like bowed slightlythanked her, and proceeded to eat. Yoongi eyed a more expensive looking wine
being given to her from under the food cart. The boys received ones from the top.

At this point Yoongi was very confused. The girl had two names, was not Korean, was ARMY, was a
university professor and a doctor, was probably famous if the expensive wine given her was any indication,
and was ignoring them, probably from embarrassment. He decided to play it cool because Jungkook can
hardly contain himself and was red in the face. Why is he the one getting embarrassed? He thought as
Yoongi munched on his beef.

A little while later while they were served coffee and tea, Namjoon went up beside them and he and
Yoongi talked in the aisle, leaving Jungkook sitting down looking up at them, drinking his water.

Hyung whats going on? Namjoon asked, carefully sipping his hot coffee.

Nothing, we just had an embarrassing situation over here, Yoongi said, doing the same, speaking in a
low voice. Jungkook looked towards Kook Joo again. In his head, she could have passed as a university
professor, in a peach long-sleeved silk blouse, a flowing plaid navy skirt high on her waist that reached
past her knees, black pumps with the red underneath. She was turned away but this time her hair was tied
and he noticed she didnt wear any make up.

Why, who embarrassed who? Namjoon asked in a normal voice and Jungkook put a finger to his lips as
the girl looked like she was listening to the conversation.

The passenger beside us didnt recognize us because she didnt have her glasses on and she only
realized who we were after her sister told her over video chat. Apparently she is a fan. But yeah, it was
pretty embarrassing on her part, Yoongi said. He felt less intimidated by her now, felt like he could tease
her about what happened, even.

Oh, make her feel comfortable then. Shes still a fan. And we still have about, 4 hours before we land,
Namjoon advised. Itll make things less awkward if you talk to her, at that Yoongi looked at him like he
understood, but he would be lying if he said he wasnt nervous. Jungkook only looked at Namjoon like he
had grown a third head.

The girl suddenly stood up and made her way over to the aisle, saying a small excuse me to Jungkook
without meeting his eyes, trying to manoeuvre her way past Yoongi and Namjoon when things happened
all at once: Namjoon bowed to her to greet her. She turned back not wanting to be rude and was about to
reply when Namjoon spilled his coffee all over the sleeve of her blouse.

All seven of them plus Sejin, the two managers and the nearest staff behind Jungkook and Yoongi, the
other two behind Hoseok and Jin stood up and stared horrified at what Namjoon did for what seemed like
minutes as Kook Joo made a little hopping dance to indicate that the coffee scalded her.

Yeah, this will totally not make this awkward, Jungkook said, the first one to say anything at all and all
the eyes on the shirt shifted to eyes on him.

To their surprise, Kook Joo started laughing and it eased the tension from all of them like a funnel.

Im so sorry! I didnt mean to! Namjoon started grabbing her arm, grabbed a bunch of tissues from Jimin
who was keeling over laughing at Namjoon.

Yah Joon-ah, her shirt is really expensive what are you going to do? Yoongi joked, looking over at Kook
Joo who tried to deny it.

Way to go Kookie! Jimin said and both Jungkook and Kook Joo looked at him, amusement on their faces.
The managers except Sejin started to sit down as the latter made his way to the mess and the same flight
attendant who gave out the expensive wine went to them as well. Ah, so she answers to Kook Joo Yoongi
thought.

Oh no, are you all right Madame? The wine flight attendant motioned to her arm while she tried to stop
Namjoon who was still dabbing away at her shirt.

Oh Im fine, its fine Kim Namjoon-ssi! Please stop, to which Sejin held onto both Namjoons arms and
moved him away slightly, bowing to Kook Joo as well.

Were sorry about this really, well pay for dry cleaning your shirt and all, Sejin said kindly as Kook Joo
reached for her bag, looking for her handkerchief and scarf, saying that it was all right and refusing the
offer. Can I have your contact details please, Id really like to have this settled. Especially we cant have
this leaking out to the media, he said pointedly now.
Kook Joo looked at him, her expression unreadable yet again. Sejin only pointed to inside her bag where
a business card was peeking out, Can I?

The atmosphere was once again very charged and awkward. Another flight attendant, one who
recognized BTS and probably was aware that they requested to be protected and remain anonymous in
the flight came over to them as well. Is there a problem here? he said in Korean.

Ill help you Moon Kook Joo-ssi, its all right, one of our passengers just had an accident, the wine flight
attendant said to the other and motioned for Kook Joo to come with her, speaking in Korean as well.

Come on hyung, dont be like that, Jin said from a few seats away and Yoongi felt a little grateful to his
hyung.

The people settled down a bit as Kook Joo was swept away, the members eyes trailing after her towards
the front. Im sorry daerinim, Ill try to keep the other guests clueless about this, please go back to your
seats, the other flight attendant urged them.

So much for making this situation better, weve embarrassed her twice now, Yoongi said to Namjoon.

Ill try hyung, just wait, Namjoon assured them and went back to his seat.

What are we going to do Sejin-hyung? Hoseok asked.

Were not going to inconvenience her further, Jin told him before Sejin could reply.

Yeah, Im still compensating her for her trouble though, Namjoon supplied.

But what if Sejin started but Kook Joo was walking back toward her seat again. She had her blouse
folded on her arm holding her bag. Her peach scarf was around her shoulders above a cropped white tank
top, hugging her torso, not exposing much skin as she wore her high-waist skirt folded into what looked
like loose pants. She didnt look like a professor anymore.

Can I ask her how she did that to her clothes? Taehyung asked Jimin looking down at his mostly Gucci
attire, which earned him an elbow to the ribs but everyone really was staring, mouths open. Kook Joo
noticed and went red in the face. Before she can ask Jungkook to move his legs Namjoon was at her side
again but all he could do was stare at the floor. Overwhelmed by her appearance, after opening his mouth
and not knowing if he wanted to talk in English or in Korean, he just looked at Yoongi and went back to his
seat.

Oh now so I have to do it? he groaned inwardly.

Gia was mortified about what happened but her mortification slowly became amusement at what Namjoon
did, and then felt offended with how Sejin treated her like she was just another one of their fans. She tied
her hair in a bun and tied her skirt warrior princess style that she saw on the internet once. She washed
her face and applied soothing product to fight the stress she was feeling, one of the things she was
grateful having learned in Korea. Afterwards, she sighed and tried to wash out some of the coffee in the
sleeve and dried it with the hand dryer. Looking at herself in the mirror she donned her multiple earrings,
rings and bracelets, feeling like herself again.

She wrapped her scarf around her and opened the door to the wine flight attendant, looking worried still
about her.
Oh, thank you for your help, you dont have to fuss over me really. Youve done a lot, she started saying
in English this time.

Oh but its my pleasure, she smiled and looked her over. But I actually wanted to ask you something.

Oh? What is it? Gia asked as the attendant fidgeted.

I wanted to ask for your autograph! I have the books with me, theyre in my compartment though her
eyes trailed off to probably where they were.

Oh sure, its the least I could do! Im probably not allowed in the business class bathroom and you still
lead me here, she laughed and looked at her expectantly.

Oh, Ill just get them, you can go back to your seat please, she said as she eyed the seatbelt sign turning
on.

Gia wanted to sign it right then and there because she didnt want to do it in front of the boys, the people
who inspired her to write the books in the first place. She begrudgingly walked back to her seat and settled
in after another comical encounter with Namjoon.

The wine flight attendant was clutching her books to her chest and Gia reached for the fountain pen in her
bag when two of BTSs managers unbuckled and went to her, probably thinking that she wanted an
autograph from the boys. The same white, peach and black, the first two having a flower pattern at the
front and the latter having minimalist circles at the side were suspiciously similar to their photo books

Gia reluctantly called out from her seat, Its fine! Shes, um, here for me, she said to the managers,
making her the centre of attention yet again.

Please go back to your seats, The wine flight attendant smiled at them. And went over to Gia to give her
the books before arranging them in the right order. Peach the oldest in English, black her second book in
French, and white her relatively new book in Korean.

I purchased these at Sorbonne, I was glad they had a copy of all three! Oh but your latest one I forgot at
home, she said in Korean, probably to make the other people aware as well, much to Gias exasperation.

Oh, thats great. Which ones your favourite? she asked, to which Yoongi looked at her with mild
amusement. Hes probably thinking I have a big ego or something Gia thought.

Oh, the first one I read was this one, she said holding up the white book. But I havent read the rest yet,
she said shyly.

Oh thats great, this is actually the first I ever wrote. Itll be good if you could read it in this order. She
arranged the books, red in the facethe first one being the white book, then the peach, and then the
black. Yoongi raised an eyebrow at her. Oh no theyre judging me, they know Im a total fan girl and a dork.
Gia why are you a dork, why are you this embarrassing? her brain supplied as the attendant thanked her
and bowed to her multiple times.

Can I have your business card Madame? Im planning to study poetry as well at Seoul Dae! she said
enthusiastically and then realized where she was, only if its okay with you of course, gosh why am I
being shameless!

Shit now they know where I work oh my god can I jump out of this plane please she thought but reluctantly
gave her the business card just to shut her up. She was showered with more praises that she was sure
she looked like a tomato at the end of it. But finally, the wine flight attendant left them as it was again, time
for snacks.

She was playing a game on her phone for a few minutesher data had already been used up by the
video chat earlierwhen Yoongi cleared his throat next to her.

Im Min Yoongi, its nice to meet you Moon Kook Joo-ssi, he said, offering his hand.

She looked stunned but quickly composed herself and took his hand. Yes, Im MoonI mean I guess you
heard my name. Im really sorry for my little sister earlier. That was really embarrassing.

Yoongi found her completely level-headed but in truth, she was internally panicking that he hasnt let go of
her hand yet. Oh my god Im going to die, Yoongi is holding my hand! Dont look at the veins in his arms!
Just look at him straight in the eye! Stop smiling so wide! It was chaos in her mind.

You know, Joonies probably really guilty. It wouldnt be so bad if you could give him your business card
too no? He just wants to make it up to you, he said, letting go of her hand finally.

Yeah, we would appreciate it if you could just let us make it up to you, Jungkook added, supplying a
smile of his own.

Am I in heaven? Gia thought. Really, its not necessary! I didnt spend much on the shirt, in fact it was a
gift! She waved her hands in front of her embarrassedly.

Which means we really need to get it fixed now, your friend might be upset about the shirt! Taehyung
said from across the aisle.

Why is Jimin an angel oh my god did I save my country in my previous life? Yes Gia, make K-drama
references in this k-drama situation, way to go, she thought. She reluctantly handed another card to
Yoongi.

I told you she wont resist your cute faces! Hoseok said to Jimin and Taehyung, Hello! Im Hoseok! Nice
to meet you Joo-yah! He waved.

Thank you noona! Jungkook said, taking the card from Yoongi to inspect it as well.

Please dont call me noona, she said before she could stop herself.

Oh, Im older than you? he said, confused.

Uh, no, but Id rather you just call me Gia-ssi or Kook Joo-ssi, she said, going red in the face but then
she saw Jungkooks hurt expression. Dammit, this is why people think youre rude Gia. Oh no its not like
that, I just feel weird about it because Im not Korean and theres a term for it in my language thats the
same as noona or unnie, she stopped when she realized she was rambling.

Oh, but its fine! After today, we shouldnt be so formal right? Yoongi said, taking back the card from him
and putting it in his pocket.

Ah all right, she said with a small smile. But after realizing that she may never even get to see them
again after this, it would be best to let them think what they want.
It dampened her mood greatly and she proceeded to look out her window until the end of her flight. The
remaining time with them uneventful, a few exchanged words here and there.

---

Yoongi rubbed his neck and yawned as they waited around to board their flight that would take them to
Korea finally where they could get some proper sleep. He was craning his head around so much hoping
that Kook Joo was taking the same flight. This time they were all sitting together as planned as they were
one of the first to check in. But still, he hoped even if he could not find anyone with their hair up or
anything that resembled her anywhere near the gate.

Kook-ah, you want to get coffee with me? he asked and the other nodded, looking at his watch. Hyung,
were just going to get drinks! he called over to their manager.

Be quick, guys! he waved, not looking up from his phone.

Were coming with you! some of the others said. They were all properly covered and inconspicuous
enough that only two of their managers went along with them, walking by twos or threes.

Jungkook and Yoongi waited for the others to get their drinks at the long metal benches arranged back to
back in front of the coffee shop, a bit at the centre of the large terminal cum mall. They were sitting at one
side while there were other people eating next to them, someone in a beanie was drinking a hot beverage
behind them on their phone, plugged in one of the free use sockets. They both did the same.

I know why were here hyung, Jungkook said.

Yeah? Yoongi said, looking around.

Youre looking for Kookie-noona arent you? Yoongi glared at him as he chuckled but both boys eyes
widened when they realized that Spring Day was playing throughout the terminal.

Hyung! Jimin was half running over to them, gesturing at the ceiling where the speakers were blasting
out their song.

We know Jiminie, Yoongi smiled as Jimin sat on the floor between Jungkook and Jimins legs, whipping
out his phone to record it, Taehyung not far behind.

The four of them were mouthing the lyrics to Jimins phone when they all heard unmistakable singing. It
was coming from the person behind them, who had taken their beanie off as well as one of the two
sparkling wireless Snugs in their hand.

Jimin continued the recording until Jungkook suddenly harmonised in a soft voice and even then it took a
few seconds for the person to take out their other wireless Snugs and said a surprised, Oh my! as
Jungkook laughed at her.
Noona!

Why do I keep embarrassing myself! Gia thought. She thought she was hearing things when the Jungkook
inside her head started singing along to her but in a different way that she could never have come up with
in her head. She whipped her head toward the sound, and was surprised to find four boys grinning at her
and then to the camera in Jimins hand.

Im going to post this on twitter! Jimin announced.

Please dont, she said, standing up. No wonder Yoongi couldnt find her. She changed clothes again.
She wore a large knit cardigan that reached her knees over another cropped tank top, this time bearing
the ARMY logo they just released recently, black skin-tight jeans and a pair of black boots. She was
considerably shorter than he remembereda head smaller. Some of the boys took notice of her fan girl
attire and hummed their appreciation, pointing to her shirt.

Come on, your face wasnt seen anyway! Taehyung said.

You sound really great noona! You should audition for something, Yoongi said. Gia laughed at that. Im
serious, Ill let you sing in my next mixtape if I could help it, he added.

Gia turned red at that, seriously flattered that Yoongi Min Yoongi complimented her and wanted her to
sing. She could already feel a sort of dread bubbling in her chest but she found the other thing was so
funny that it got swallowed by her laughter. No its not that, Im not your noona! I was born between Jimin-
ah and Taehyung-ah! she said between laughs, holding her middle.

But arent you a professor? Namjoon who had just walked over to them asked.

Yeah, but I started school really early, she said shyly.

You look like you have an IQ bigger than Rapmonnie, Yoongi said.

Oh no, that's probably not true, anyway I thought of something, she said towards Jimin, eyes sparkling.

Oh? Jimin said.

You can post it, but youll have to reply when I reply, she said.

Really? Taehyung said, looking like he liked the way the gears were turning in Gias head.

Youll know its me, she smiled. She looked at her watch and realized that she had to board the plane, I
have to go, the boarding gates are about to open for my flight. She saw the boys look at their own phones
and then at their boarding passes. She saw that they didnt have the same flight and all of them looked a
little less cheery than they did a minute ago Ah, just as I thought. I guess this is goodbye.

Ill be going now! It was really nice to meet you. She took her things and rolled her valise away.

The rest of the 9-hour flight was met without incident and she reminded herself that she was going to drop
kick her sister when she met her at the airport as she dozed off for much needed sleep.
Come on guys, well be boarding soon, too, Namjoon led the others away.

Hyung, Jungkook tugged at Yoongis arm, other arm around Jimins which held his coffee, I really think
she was a sasaeng fan, Jungkook said, looking ahead, shoulders slumped between them almost half
dragged by his shorter brothers.

What are you talking about? Jimin said.

She didnt even ask for a picture in the eight hours she was with us, he said.

Yoongi nodded, feeling like she really was crazy but felt crazy himself.

When they got back to the dorms in Korea, most of the fan sites have already posted pictures of their
arrival and so Jimin posted their pictures and that one cut video of Kook Joo singing, right before
Jungkook called her noona. Within minutes of Jimin posting, they saw a reply that attracted a lot of
attention and soon they knew why.

Hyung! She replied! Jimin said as he burst through the door, with Jungkook and Taehyung behind him.

He refreshed his feed and found the reply. It was a selca Kook Joo took while they slept. She had her face
hidden, while the two boys beside her had face masks on as well but they were all recognizable. It had the
caption, Nice flying with you!

The others were acting like complete fan boys as Hoseok came in squealing asking what was all of this
about. Jimin was searching for her name online while the rest were watching her videos. Yoongi himself
opened her twitter profile to see that it was from a two-person dance cover group that wasnt active
recently. Kook Joo was clearly one of the girls but he can faintly remember seeing the other one with her
but he wasnt sure.

Suddenly, Jungkook shoved his phone into his face as he pointed to a video of who was clearly Kook Joo
dancing to Cypher pt. 4.

Yoongi dreaded the feeling that settled in his stomach, feeling like the tables have turned all of a sudden.
He was smitten.

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