Community Manhwa

To Be Continued Manhwa

Made by the community on Manhwa AI

Chapter 20 – The Worst Kept Secret

The next morning…

Jennie had one mission.

Act normal.

That was it.

No smiling.

No looking at Felix.

No acting different.

Simple.

Except…

It was impossible.

⸻

Jennie walked into the dorm kitchen.

Her blonde hair was styled perfectly, and she wore a black oversized hoodie, baggy cargo pants, and black sneakers.

She grabbed a drink.

Everyone stared.

⸻

She stopped.

“What?”

Nobody answered.

Jennie looked around.

“Why is everyone looking at me?”

⸻

Han slowly put down his spoon.

His messy brown hair was sticking up, and he wore an oversized green hoodie, black jeans, and white sneakers.

“Interesting.”

Jennie narrowed her eyes.

“What does that mean?”

“Nothing.”

“Han.”

“Absolutely nothing.”

⸻

Lisa walked in.

Her ash-blonde hair with bangs was perfectly styled. She wore a black bomber jacket, graphic shirt, cargo pants, and colorful sneakers.

She looked between Jennie and Felix.

Then smiled.

“Oh.”

Jennie immediately pointed.

“No.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your face did.”

⸻

Felix entered.

His soft black hair was slightly messy, and he wore a black varsity jacket, white shirt, athletic pants, and basketball sneakers.

The second Jennie saw him…

She looked away.

The second Felix saw her…

He smiled.

⸻

Everyone noticed.

Immediately.

⸻

Rosé walked in laughing.

Her lavender hair fell over her oversized cardigan. She wore ripped jeans and white boots.

“Oh no.”

“What?”

“They’re doing the thing.”

Han nodded.

“The thing.”

Jennie looked confused.

“What thing?”

Jisoo smiled.

Her dark red hair rested neatly over one shoulder. She wore a cream sweater, black pants, and ankle boots.

“The thing where you pretend you don’t like each other.”

⸻

Jennie froze.

“We don’t.”

Felix answered at the same time.

“We don’t.”

Everyone stared.

⸻

Hyunjin entered dramatically.

His blond hair was perfectly styled, and he wore an oversized sweater, black pants, layered necklaces, and clean sneakers.

“Perfect synchronization.”

Han sighed.

“Please stop making everything sound like a drama.”

⸻

At school…

It was even worse.

Because apparently…

The whole friend group had eyes.

⸻

In class, Jennie was trying to focus.

The teacher was talking.

The board was full of notes.

Everything was normal.

Until Felix passed her a note.

She opened it.

“You okay?”

Jennie looked over.

Felix smiled.

She wrote back.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

A few seconds later, another note came back.

“Because you’re avoiding looking at me.”

Jennie stared.

Then wrote:

“Because you’re distracting.”

Felix smiled.

“Good distracting?”

Jennie paused.

Then wrote:

“Don’t push it.”

⸻

Han, sitting behind them, saw the notes.

He leaned toward Lisa.

“They’re literally flirting through homework.”

Lisa smiled.

“Should we tell them?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“This is too funny.”

⸻

After class, Felix caught up with Jennie.

“You know everyone knows something is different.”

Jennie sighed.

“They know everything.”

“Probably.”

“I hate that.”

Felix smiled.

“No you don’t.”

Jennie looked at him.

“You’re annoying.”

“But?”

She tried not to smile.

“But…”

She looked away.

“You’re less annoying now.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

“That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

“Too late.”

⸻

From across the hallway…

Han watched them.

“Do you think they’ll ever admit it?”

Lisa shook her head.

“No.”

Rosé smiled.

“But they don’t need to.”

Jisoo nodded.

“They already know.”

⸻

And that was the funniest part.

Jennie and Felix spent months fighting.

Roasting each other.

Trying to prove they were nothing alike.

But somehow…

The person who annoyed them the most…

Became the person they looked for first.
Got it 💗 I’ll keep it as a sweet high school romance — more about friendship, crushes, and emotions, age-appropriate.

Chapter 9: Mixed Feelings

A few days had passed at Seoul Arts High School.

Things were changing.

⸻

Jennie and I.N were now officially together as a couple.

Jennie, with her long black hair and confident personality, seemed happier than ever. She was still the popular student everyone knew, but now people got to see her softer side too.

I.N, with his black hair and gentle smile, was slowly becoming more comfortable at the school.

He wasn’t the new kid anymore.

He had friends.

He had a place there.

⸻

Lisa tried to focus on what mattered.

Dance.

Practice.

The performance.

Her long brown hair was tied back as she practiced in the studio after school.

She kept repeating the same moves.

Not because she needed to.

Because dancing helped her clear her mind.

⸻

Rosé walked in with her blonde hair falling over her shoulders.

“You’re still practicing?”

Lisa smiled.

“Just a little longer.”

Rosé sat down.

“You know you don’t have to be okay every second.”

Lisa looked at her.

“I know.”

A small pause.

“I’m happy for them.”

Rosé smiled softly.

“I know you are.”

⸻

The next day, I.N noticed Lisa was quieter.

Not sad.

Just different.

During practice, he walked over.

“Hey, Lisa.”

She turned.

“Yeah?”

“You’ve been working really hard.”

Lisa smiled.

“Thanks.”

“I just wanted to say… I hope you’re taking care of yourself too.”

Lisa looked surprised.

Then she laughed.

“You sound like Chan.”

I.N laughed too.

“Maybe that’s a good thing.”

⸻

Across the room, Jennie saw them talking.

She didn’t get upset.

She just smiled.

She knew Lisa and I.N were friends.

And she trusted them.

⸻

Later, the group practiced together.

Lisa danced.

Rosé sang.

Jennie helped with ideas.

I.N played music.

Chan organized everything.

For a moment, everything felt normal again.

⸻

Lisa realized something.

Even if feelings were complicated…

their friendship mattered too.

And sometimes…

the strongest relationships start with simply caring about someone.
Just... just tell me the truth. Please. Did you do this?  I did not I promise I’d never do anything like that to someone I call a friend *Macy lets out a small, broken sound, pulling the pillow tighter against her chest. Her face is buried, so her voice is muffled.*  Then who did?  *Alba scoffs, a sharp, dismissive sound. She takes a half-step forward, closing the distance between you, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest. Her eyes are like chips of flint.*  Oh, spare us the 'friend' routine. That's a little hard to believe right now, don't you think? You were the only other person in this room. The only one. Macy trusted you, and you were sitting right there at her desk while she went to the bathroom. Are you saying the photos just magically uploaded themselves? No I’m not saying that but the reality is someone had to do it I know with all my heart I would never no I could never do a friend like like trust me *Alba's laugh is short and entirely without humor. She pushes off the wall she was leaning against, taking another deliberate step into your personal space. The air crackles with her anger.*  Trust you? Are you kidding me? Trust is what got her into this mess. Macy trusted you, and now her life is being torn apart online by a bunch of scumbags.  *She gestures sharply towards the bed where Macy is still curled up, trembling slightly.*  Look at her. Go on, look. That's what your 'friendship' did.  *Macy slowly lifts her head from the pillow. Her eyes, puffy and red, meet yours for a fleeting second before darting away. Her voice is barely a whisper, fragile and cracking.*  But Alba... they're right. Someone had to do it. If... if it wasn't you, then who else could it have been?  *Alba's gaze remains fixed on you, hard and unwavering.*  Don't bother answering her. You're just going to spin more lies. I've heard enough. You have one minute to get out of our room, or I'm calling Campus Security and telling them everything. Let's see how much they 'trust' you. Macy please give me a chance to get to the bottom of this blindly blaming me will now solve this but in the meantime i can place a block on all leaked photos and videos anything that has your name or face involved I can have blocked
Series Premise
In the decaying digital-physical purgatory of Solgrave, reality is a "Script" controlled by a cruel System. Omari, a professional songwriter haunted by the loss of his brother Kairo on April 20, 2023, possesses the illegal power of the Void. Alongside Rivena, a lethal swordswoman with a lone katana, and Sera, an Archive specialist who manipulates golden code, Omari must "unzip" the fabric of the Wards to survive.

Visual Aesthetic & Style
Art Style: Dark Fantasy Manhwa (e.g., Solo Leveling, The World After the End).

Color Palette: Deep indigo, neon-glitch purples, and oil-slick blacks, contrasted with the Archive-gold of Sera’s powers and the black static of Omari’s Void.

Environment: Lantern Row and the Industrial Slums—a landscape of rusted cranes, leaking steam pipes, and "neon-glitch" signage.

Character Designs
Omari: Stoic male lead with sharp features, wearing a signature "Noonie" jacket. His eyes reflect a cold, "Void" hazel.

Rivena: Elegant but dangerous warrior; black hair, focused expression, wielding a single, glowing katana.

Sera: Ethereal support specialist; surrounded by floating golden data fragments and digital "Tethers".

Zevran Coil (Villain): An elongated, contorting Ringmaster of the Carnival of Ash; wears tattered, violet circus regalia.

Key Action Scene for AI Generation
Scene: Omari standing in a Void Tear—a jagged rift in reality behind a neon-lit jazz club. Black static emanates from his hand, "compressing" the industrial landscape around him, while the golden Archive Tethers connect him to Rivena and Sera in the background.

AI Prompt Keywords (For Image Generation):
Keywords: Webtoon Style, Cinematic Lighting, Industrial Cyberpunk, Dark Fantasy, Neon Glitch, Particles, Void Magic, Katana, Emotional Grit, High Contrast, 8k resolution.
Chapter 13 – The Class Where Everyone Noticed

Monday morning.

School.

The place where everyone pretended they were focused…

But really?

Everyone was watching everyone else.

Especially Jennie and Felix.

⸻

Jennie walked into class.

Her long black hair with soft curtain bangs framed her face. She wore an oversized black hoodie, baggy cargo pants with silver chains, black-and-white sneakers, and her silver headphones hanging around her neck.

She sat down at her desk.

Then immediately noticed something.

Felix was sitting two seats away.

⸻

Felix looked up.

His soft black hair was slightly messy, and he wore a black varsity jacket over a white T-shirt, black athletic pants, and white basketball sneakers.

They stared at each other.

One second.

Two seconds.

Then both looked away.

⸻

Han noticed immediately.

His soft brown hair was messy, and he wore an oversized green hoodie, black jeans, and white sneakers.

He leaned toward Lisa.

“Something is wrong.”

Lisa smiled.

Her long ash-blonde hair with bangs framed her face, and she wore a black jacket, graphic shirt, cargo pants, and colorful sneakers.

“Something is definitely wrong.”

⸻

Rosé sat behind them.

Her long lavender hair fell over her shoulders. She wore an oversized lavender cardigan, ripped jeans, and white boots.

“They’re acting normal.”

Jisoo looked up.

Her long dark red hair was neatly styled, and she wore a cream sweater, black pants, and ankle boots.

“Which means they’re not normal.”

⸻

The teacher walked in.

“Good morning, class.”

Everyone sat down.

“Today we will be doing partner work.”

The entire class immediately became interested.

Because everyone knew…

Partner work meant chaos.

⸻

The teacher looked at the list.

“Jennie and Felix.”

Silence.

The entire room turned.

Jennie slowly looked at Felix.

Felix slowly looked at Jennie.

“No.”

“Agreed.”

The teacher looked confused.

“You haven’t even started.”

⸻

Han whispered.

“This is going to be amazing.”

Lisa smiled.

“Or a disaster.”

“Both.”

⸻

They moved their desks together.

Felix looked at the assignment.

“Okay. Let’s just finish this.”

Jennie nodded.

“Finally, something we agree on.”

Felix smiled.

“Don’t get emotional.”

Jennie looked at him.

“You’re still annoying.”

“There she is.”

⸻

They started working.

For five minutes…

Everything was peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Then Felix wrote an answer.

Jennie looked at it.

“That is wrong.”

Felix looked offended.

“No, it’s not.”

“It is.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I read.”

The whole group gasped.

Han covered his mouth.

“She attacked his intelligence.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

“Okay, DJ girl.”

Jennie looked up.

“What?”

“You think because you can mix songs, you can solve everything?”

Jennie leaned closer.

“Better than you solving anything with a basketball.”

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Even Felix laughed.

Which surprised Jennie.

Usually he would fight back immediately.

Instead…

He just smiled.

⸻

The teacher walked by.

“Are you two arguing or working?”

Jennie and Felix answered together.

“Working.”

The teacher looked at their paper.

Then looked at them.

“Interesting way of working.”

⸻

During break, everyone surrounded them.

Han pointed.

“You two are different.”

Jennie frowned.

“How?”

“You actually enjoy arguing.”

Felix shrugged.

“We always argued.”

“Yes,” Lisa said.

“But now you smile while doing it.”

Jennie immediately looked away.

“No, I don’t.”

Felix smiled.

“Yes, you do.”

She turned.

“You are not helping.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

“I think the funniest part is that you both still think nobody notices.”

Jisoo nodded.

“Everyone notices.”

Hyunjin dramatically placed a hand over his heart.

“The enemies-to-friends transformation…”

Han sighed.

“It’s literally just homework.”

⸻

The bell rang.

Everyone returned to their seats.

Jennie packed her bag.

Felix looked over.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“Good job today.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“Was that another compliment?”

“Maybe.”

She smiled slightly.

“You’re getting weird.”

Felix laughed.

“And you’re getting nicer.”

Jennie pointed at him.

“Don’t ruin it.”

⸻

And as they walked out of class…

Everyone knew one thing.

Jennie and Felix were still the same.

Still competitive.

Still annoying.

Still roasting each other.

But now…

There was something else there.

Something neither of them wanted to admit yet.
CHAPTER: “ANNOUNCEMENT DAY / THE TOUR RETURNS”
⸻

The morning started like any other—

until it didn’t.

⸻

BLACKPINK were gathered in the living room.

Not for rehearsal.

Not for casual planning.

But for something bigger.

⸻

Jisoo stood first, holding a printed schedule in both hands. Her long dark hair was softly styled, and she wore a calm ivory blouse with tailored trousers.

Her expression was steady—but there was excitement underneath it.

⸻

Jennie leaned forward immediately.

“Don’t tell me…”

⸻

Jisoo nodded.

“It’s official.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Rosé covered her mouth slightly, blonde hair falling over her shoulders as she smiled.

“…We’re going on tour?”

⸻

Jisoo smiled back.

“Yes.”

⸻

The room shifted instantly.

⸻

Jennie stood up.

“International?”

⸻

“International,” Jisoo confirmed.

⸻

Lisa hadn’t spoken yet.

⸻

Lisa sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at the schedule in Jisoo’s hand.

Her brown hair was tied loosely, casual home clothes replacing stage outfits for now.

Her expression slowly changed—

from surprise…

to recognition…

to something softer.

⸻

“…It’s been a while,” she said quietly.

⸻

Jennie pointed at her.

“That tone means you’re already thinking about choreography.”

⸻

Lisa blinked.

“…No.”

Pause.

“…Maybe.”

⸻

Rosé laughed softly.

“That’s a yes.”

⸻

⸻

Jisoo sat down beside them.

“This tour isn’t just performances,” she said gently. “It’s a full journey again.”

⸻

Jennie smiled.

“So basically… chaos with a schedule.”

⸻

“Exactly,” Jisoo replied.

⸻

⸻

Lisa finally looked up fully.

Her eyes had changed slightly.

Not tired.

Not overwhelmed.

Focused again.

⸻

“…We’ll need to prepare everything,” she said.

⸻

Jennie grinned.

“There she is.”

⸻

Rosé nodded.

“I’ve missed that energy.”

⸻

⸻

From the hallway, small footsteps paused.

Noah and Ari stood there, listening.

⸻

Ari tilted her head slightly.

“…Tour means you’ll be gone a lot.”

⸻

Lisa turned toward them.

“…Yeah.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Noah crossed his arms.

“So it’s going to be just us at home more.”

⸻

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“That sounded suspiciously like a complaint.”

⸻

Noah shrugged.

“I’m observing.”

⸻

⸻

Lisa stood up and walked toward them.

Kneeling slightly to their level.

“…We’ll still be here,” she said. “Just busy.”

⸻

Ari nodded slowly.

“I get it.”

⸻

But her voice was thoughtful.

Like she understood both sides of “busy” now.

⸻

⸻

Jennie clapped once.

“Okay. Tour mindset starts today.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

“I’m excited.”

⸻

Jisoo nodded calmly.

“Then let’s prepare properly.”

⸻

Lisa stood again.

Her focus fully back now.

“…Let’s do it right.”

⸻

⸻

And just like that—

the house shifted again.

From everyday life…

to something larger.

⸻

Because tours didn’t just move cities.

They changed time.

And everyone inside that house was about to feel it again.
I really loved you, so much.

Suddenly, Quay felt a prick in his nose, gasped softly, and his voice trembled. The moment he lowered his head and then raised it again, he saw Ashley rushing across the ice rink toward them.

He's going to confess his love to Ariel.

That's what Quay thought, just like everyone else. And when he saw the bright smile on Ashley's face, a slight pang of bitterness crossed his heart. He tried to prepare himself mentally; soon, Ashley would confess his love to Ariel and ask her to come back to him. And maybe they'd even share a kiss.

Well, then, I'll congratulate him.

Quay said this to himself and waited.

Ashley glided on with incredible speed. But instead of stopping where his friends had gathered, he placed one hand on the barrier and jumped over it.

Huh?

Ashley's direction was a little odd. Ariel was on the other side, wasn't she? While Quee was still wondering, Ashley suddenly rushed over and was right beside him.

Suddenly, Ashley pulled Quee into a tight embrace.

What? Huh? What…?

Quee’s eyes widened in shock. But before he could process what was happening, Ashley released his arms and gently cupped Quee’s face in his hands.

Without giving Quee a moment to think, Ashley pressed his lips to Quee’s.

Quee wasn’t the only one frozen in shock; the entire crowd was stunned. Before everyone’s astonished eyes, Ashley deepened the kiss, then slowly pulled away.

Ashley’s face was flushed crimson. He looked directly into Quee’s eyes and said,

“I love you, Quee. Will you go out with me?”

Quee was so stunned he couldn’t move.

No one said a word.

But for Ashley, it didn’t matter.

The only thing he wanted to hear at that moment was Koi's answer.

The noise of the stands and the music still echoed around them, but it couldn't affect them in the slightest.

I want fan art of this scene from the novel Lick Me Up If You Can.
I really loved you, so much.

Suddenly, Quay felt a prick in his nose, gasped softly, and his voice trembled. The moment he lowered his head and then raised it again, he saw Ashley rushing across the ice rink toward them.

He's going to confess his love to Ariel.

That's what Quay thought, just like everyone else. And when he saw the bright smile on Ashley's face, a slight pang of bitterness crossed his heart. He tried to prepare himself mentally; soon, Ashley would confess his love to Ariel and ask her to come back to him. And maybe they'd even share a kiss.

Well, then, I'll congratulate him.

Quay said this to himself and waited.

Ashley glided on with incredible speed. But instead of stopping where his friends had gathered, he placed one hand on the barrier and jumped over it.

Huh?

Ashley's direction was a little odd. Ariel was on the other side, wasn't she? While Quee was still wondering, Ashley suddenly rushed over and was right beside him.

Suddenly, Ashley pulled Quee into a tight embrace.

What? Huh? What…?

Quee’s eyes widened in shock. But before he could process what was happening, Ashley released his arms and gently cupped Quee’s face in his hands.

Without giving Quee a moment to think, Ashley pressed his lips to Quee’s.

Quee wasn’t the only one frozen in shock; the entire crowd was stunned. Before everyone’s astonished eyes, Ashley deepened the kiss, then slowly pulled away.

Ashley’s face was flushed crimson. He looked directly into Quee’s eyes and said,

“I love you, Quee. Will you go out with me?”

Quee was so stunned he couldn’t move.

No one said a word.

But for Ashley, it didn’t matter.

The only thing he wanted to hear at that moment was Koi's answer.

The noise of the stands and the music still echoed around them, but it couldn't affect them in the slightest.

I want fan art of this scene from the novel Lick Me Up If You Can.
Book 2 – Chapter 31: The Boys Have a Problem

The college dance was only three days away.

Which meant…

Panic.

⸻

Not from Jennie.

From the boys.

⸻

Felix sat in the dorm lounge, scrolling through his phone.

His blonde hair was neatly styled, and he wore a black hoodie, dark jeans, and white sneakers.

He sighed.

⸻

Han walked in carrying three different jackets.

His black hair faded into bright blue at the ends. He wore a blue hoodie, black cargo pants, and sneakers.

⸻

“Which one says, ‘I’m cool but not trying too hard?’”

⸻

Felix looked up.

⸻

“None of them.”

⸻

Han gasped dramatically.

“You’re supposed to support me!”

⸻

Before Felix could answer, Hyunjin walked in.

His black hair with bright red tips was styled perfectly. He wore a black jacket, fitted jeans, and boots.

⸻

“You’ve been standing in front of the mirror for twenty minutes.”

⸻

Han crossed his arms.

“I’m creating a masterpiece.”

⸻

“You’re creating traffic.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

⸻

Just then…

The girls walked past the open lounge.

⸻

Jennie wore an oversized black leather jacket, a band T-shirt, baggy jeans, and chunky boots. Her short dark bob gave her the same fearless DJ queen look as always.

Lisa wore a black-and-white hoodie with jeans, her Oreo-inspired haircut standing out.

Rosé wore a denim jacket and relaxed pants, her short blonde Apatapate-inspired hair tucked behind one ear.

Jisoo wore a cream cardigan and jeans, her long blonde hair with lavender-pink tips flowing over her shoulders.

⸻

Felix smiled at Jennie.

⸻

She looked at him for exactly one second.

⸻

“…Your shoelace is untied.”

⸻

Felix looked down.

“Oh.”

⸻

He bent over to tie it.

⸻

Han whispered,

“That was nice.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

⸻

Until…

Jennie added—

⸻

“I’d hate for you to trip before embarrassing yourself at the dance.”

⸻

Felix looked back up.

⸻

“…There she is.”

⸻

Jennie smirked.

“Never doubted it.”

⸻

The girls kept walking.

⸻

Han blinked.

⸻

“Are… are you two flirting?”

⸻

Jennie turned around.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

Han looked confused.

⸻

“That sounded exactly like flirting.”

⸻

Jennie folded her arms.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

Lisa quickly stepped in.

“Han… don’t overthink it.”

⸻

Han looked between Felix and Jennie.

⸻

“I am absolutely going to overthink it.”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

⸻

“They’re acting weird.”

⸻

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

⸻

“You’re one sentence away from becoming my next roast target.”

⸻

Han immediately raised both hands.

⸻

“I value my happiness.”

⸻

“Smart choice.”

⸻

As the girls walked away, Felix couldn’t stop smiling.

⸻

Han noticed.

⸻

“There it is again.”

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“The Jennie smile.”

⸻

Felix blinked.

⸻

“I don’t have one.”

⸻

Hyunjin laughed.

⸻

“You definitely do.”

⸻

Across the hallway…

Jennie heard them.

She quietly smiled to herself…

Then immediately hid it before anyone could see.

⸻

The secret was still safe.

At least…

For now.
Chapter 13 – The Class Where Everyone Noticed

Monday morning.

School.

The place where everyone pretended they were focused…

But really?

Everyone was watching everyone else.

Especially Jennie and Felix.

⸻

Jennie walked into class.

Her long black hair with soft curtain bangs framed her face. She wore an oversized black hoodie, baggy cargo pants with silver chains, black-and-white sneakers, and her silver headphones hanging around her neck.

She sat down at her desk.

Then immediately noticed something.

Felix was sitting two seats away.

⸻

Felix looked up.

His soft black hair was slightly messy, and he wore a black varsity jacket over a white T-shirt, black athletic pants, and white basketball sneakers.

They stared at each other.

One second.

Two seconds.

Then both looked away.

⸻

Han noticed immediately.

His soft brown hair was messy, and he wore an oversized green hoodie, black jeans, and white sneakers.

He leaned toward Lisa.

“Something is wrong.”

Lisa smiled.

Her long ash-blonde hair with bangs framed her face, and she wore a black jacket, graphic shirt, cargo pants, and colorful sneakers.

“Something is definitely wrong.”

⸻

Rosé sat behind them.

Her long lavender hair fell over her shoulders. She wore an oversized lavender cardigan, ripped jeans, and white boots.

“They’re acting normal.”

Jisoo looked up.

Her long dark red hair was neatly styled, and she wore a cream sweater, black pants, and ankle boots.

“Which means they’re not normal.”

⸻

The teacher walked in.

“Good morning, class.”

Everyone sat down.

“Today we will be doing partner work.”

The entire class immediately became interested.

Because everyone knew…

Partner work meant chaos.

⸻

The teacher looked at the list.

“Jennie and Felix.”

Silence.

The entire room turned.

Jennie slowly looked at Felix.

Felix slowly looked at Jennie.

“No.”

“Agreed.”

The teacher looked confused.

“You haven’t even started.”

⸻

Han whispered.

“This is going to be amazing.”

Lisa smiled.

“Or a disaster.”

“Both.”

⸻

They moved their desks together.

Felix looked at the assignment.

“Okay. Let’s just finish this.”

Jennie nodded.

“Finally, something we agree on.”

Felix smiled.

“Don’t get emotional.”

Jennie looked at him.

“You’re still annoying.”

“There she is.”

⸻

They started working.

For five minutes…

Everything was peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Then Felix wrote an answer.

Jennie looked at it.

“That is wrong.”

Felix looked offended.

“No, it’s not.”

“It is.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I read.”

The whole group gasped.

Han covered his mouth.

“She attacked his intelligence.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

“Okay, DJ girl.”

Jennie looked up.

“What?”

“You think because you can mix songs, you can solve everything?”

Jennie leaned closer.

“Better than you solving anything with a basketball.”

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Even Felix laughed.

Which surprised Jennie.

Usually he would fight back immediately.

Instead…

He just smiled.

⸻

The teacher walked by.

“Are you two arguing or working?”

Jennie and Felix answered together.

“Working.”

The teacher looked at their paper.

Then looked at them.

“Interesting way of working.”

⸻

During break, everyone surrounded them.

Han pointed.

“You two are different.”

Jennie frowned.

“How?”

“You actually enjoy arguing.”

Felix shrugged.

“We always argued.”

“Yes,” Lisa said.

“But now you smile while doing it.”

Jennie immediately looked away.

“No, I don’t.”

Felix smiled.

“Yes, you do.”

She turned.

“You are not helping.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

“I think the funniest part is that you both still think nobody notices.”

Jisoo nodded.

“Everyone notices.”

Hyunjin dramatically placed a hand over his heart.

“The enemies-to-friends transformation…”

Han sighed.

“It’s literally just homework.”

⸻

The bell rang.

Everyone returned to their seats.

Jennie packed her bag.

Felix looked over.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“Good job today.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“Was that another compliment?”

“Maybe.”

She smiled slightly.

“You’re getting weird.”

Felix laughed.

“And you’re getting nicer.”

Jennie pointed at him.

“Don’t ruin it.”

⸻

And as they walked out of class…

Everyone knew one thing.

Jennie and Felix were still the same.

Still competitive.

Still annoying.

Still roasting each other.

But now…

There was something else there.

Something neither of them wanted to admit yet.
CHAPTER: “STRAY KIDS / END OF REHEARSAL DAY”

⸻

The studio lights dimmed slowly as the rehearsal finally wrapped up.

Music faded out. The echo of beats still lingered in the wooden floor, like it didn’t want to leave yet.

Water bottles were scattered. Towels draped over shoulders. Sneakers squeaked lightly as everyone shifted out of performance mode.

⸻

Bang Chan stood near the control panel, checking the final notes on the session. His expression was calm but focused, already thinking ahead to the next schedule.

“Good work today,” he said simply.

⸻

Lee Know stretched lightly near the mirror, adjusting his jacket.

“Could’ve been cleaner on the second run,” he added, half-joking.

⸻

Changbin wiped sweat from his forehead, grinning.

“Still better than yesterday.”

⸻

Hyunjin leaned against the wall, hair slightly damp, catching his breath.

“It’s getting there.”

⸻

Han was scrolling through his notes, already humming a melody.

“I think we should adjust the bridge again.”

⸻

Felix sat on the floor, smiling softly as he tied his shoes.

“Energy felt good though.”

⸻

Seungmin picked up his water bottle, glancing at everyone.

“We’re getting too chaotic in the chorus.”

⸻

I.N stood slightly apart, hoodie loose, dark hair falling over his forehead. He nodded quietly as he listened to the group talk.

“It’s improving,” he said softly. “We just need one more clean run.”

⸻

Stray Kids naturally drifted together as they always did—voices overlapping, ideas bouncing, teasing mixed with focus.

Bang Chan clapped once.

“Alright. Wrap it up. Rest tonight. We go again tomorrow.”

⸻

Groans, laughs, agreement.

⸻

Felix stood up.

“I’m starving.”

⸻

Changbin immediately pointed.

“You’re always starving.”

⸻

Hyunjin smiled.

“That’s his talent.”

⸻

Han laughed.

“It’s consistent at least.”

⸻

Seungmin shook his head.

“Let’s just go.”

⸻

Lee Know adjusted his bag.

“Finally.”

⸻

I.N checked his phone as they started heading out.

A message from Lisa still sat at the top.

“Done for today?”

He smiled slightly and replied:

“Just finished. Heading home.”

⸻

Bang Chan glanced over.

“Someone waiting?”

⸻

I.N didn’t look up.

“Yeah.”

⸻

Chan nodded knowingly.

“Good.”

⸻

⸻

The group stepped out into the night together.

Cool air. City lights. Another day completed.

Stray Kids moved like one unit even off stage—laughter returning as they walked, tired but satisfied.

⸻

And behind them—

the studio doors closed.

Not an ending.

Just a pause before the next beginning.

⸻

End of Chapter.
At Seoul Arts High School, there were always people everyone talked about.

And one of them was Jennie.

Jennie was one of the most popular girls in school.

She had long black hair, a stylish look, and a confident personality that made people notice her wherever she went. She was talented, smart, and had a natural charm that made people want to be around her.

But even though everyone knew her…

Not everyone knew the real Jennie.

The Jennie who laughed loudly with her friends.

The Jennie who cared more than she admitted.

⸻

When Jennie walked into the hallway, students immediately noticed.

“Jennie’s here.”

“She looks so cool.”

“She’s always so confident.”

Jennie smiled politely and kept walking.

She was used to it.

⸻

Meanwhile, Lisa and Rosé were showing I.N around the school.

Lisa’s brown hair moved as she pointed toward different classrooms.

“That’s the dance studio.”

Rosé, with her blonde hair and soft smile, pointed ahead.

“And that’s the music room. You’ll probably spend a lot of time there.”

I.N laughed.

“Probably.”

He was starting to feel comfortable.

⸻

Then Jennie walked over.

“Hey.”

Lisa smiled.

“Jennie!”

Rosé waved.

“This is I.N.”

Jennie looked at him.

The new student everyone had been talking about.

“I heard you’re good at music.”

I.N looked surprised.

“You heard?”

Jennie smiled.

“People talk.”

He laughed.

“Is that a good thing?”

“Usually.”

⸻

Over the next few days, Jennie and I.N started spending more time together.

At first, it was small things.

Studying together.

Talking after class.

Sharing music ideas.

I.N noticed something about Jennie.

She wasn’t just the popular girl everyone saw.

She was actually funny.

She was kind.

And she understood what it felt like to have people watching you all the time.

⸻

One afternoon, I.N was sitting in the music room, struggling with a song.

Jennie walked in.

“Still working on it?”

He looked up.

“Yeah. I can’t get the melody right.”

Jennie sat beside him.

“Play it again.”

He did.

She smiled.

“I like it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It sounds like you.”

I.N smiled.

“Thanks.”

For some reason, hearing that from Jennie meant a lot.

⸻

From outside the room, Lisa and Rosé watched.

Lisa whispered,

“They’re getting close.”

Rosé smiled.

“Yeah.”

And neither of them noticed…

That something new was slowly starting.
A breathtaking Korean manhwa panel of a young male protagonist floating alone in the infinite depths of outer space, directly facing the birth of the universe. Before him, the Big Bang erupts across the cosmic void — an incomprehensibly massive explosion of primordial light, galaxies, stars, nebulae and cosmic energy being born simultaneously. The shockwave expands across the universe like an enormous wall of divine fire.

The protagonist is completely unharmed, floating calmly in front of the cosmic phenomenon. His long hair and dark robe drift violently in the cosmic energy. His eyes are wide with absolute exhilaration, his face twisted into a wild, almost insane grin. He isn't afraid — he is thrilled beyond reason, as though witnessing the greatest spectacle imaginable.

His arms are slightly spread, his body leaning forward toward the expanding universe, as if he wants to embrace the Big Bang itself. Countless newborn stars illuminate his face. Cosmic lightning and fragments of primordial energy spiral around him.

Epic Korean fantasy manhwa aesthetic, highly detailed character, dramatic facial expression, cinematic composition, immense sense of scale, vibrant cosmic colors, sharp linework, detailed cel shading, powerful lighting, vertical webtoon panel, masterpiece quality, overwhelming cosmic atmosphere.

His expression is not fear or surprise but pure, uncontrollable exhilaration. His pupils are intensely focused on the Big Bang, his grin is enormous and almost feral, as though he has finally found something capable of challenging his imagination. A single tear of sheer excitement runs down his cheek while he laughs into the cosmic void.
Book 2 – Chapter 36: Operation Jisoo — Hyunjin’s Dramatic Disaster

After Han and Felix completed their missions…

Everyone thought Hyunjin would be the easiest.

⸻

They were completely wrong.

⸻

The Final Emergency Meeting

⸻

The dorm room was quiet.

Too quiet.

⸻

Felix sat on the couch.

Han was eating snacks.

⸻

Then…

The door opened dramatically.

⸻

Hyunjin walked in.

⸻

Slowly.

⸻

Very slowly.

⸻

Wearing sunglasses.

⸻

Everyone stared.

⸻

Han lowered his snack.

“What are you doing?”

⸻

Hyunjin removed the sunglasses.

⸻

“Preparing.”

⸻

“For what?”

⸻

“My greatest moment.”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Felix blinked.

⸻

“You are asking Jisoo to the dance.”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“Not proposing.”

⸻

Hyunjin looked offended.

⸻

“I know.”

⸻

“Because you are acting like you’re proposing.”

⸻

Hyunjin ignored him.

⸻

“I need the perfect words.”

⸻

Han laughed.

⸻

“You mean a dramatic speech.”

⸻

“Exactly.”

⸻

Felix sighed.

⸻

“Oh no.”

⸻

⸻

The Speech Practice

⸻

Hyunjin stood in front of the mirror.

⸻

“Jisoo…”

⸻

He paused.

⸻

“When I first saw you—”

⸻

Han immediately stopped him.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

Hyunjin turned.

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“Too much.”

⸻

“But it’s meaningful.”

⸻

“It’s a dance invitation, not a movie ending.”

⸻

Hyunjin frowned.

⸻

“You’re ruining my art.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

⸻

“Your art is terrifying.”

⸻

Hyunjin tried again.

⸻

“Jisoo, you are the light that—”

⸻

“Stop.”

⸻

Felix covered his face.

⸻

“You can’t say ‘the light’ before asking someone to dance.”

⸻

“Why?”

⸻

“Because she might think you joined a poetry club.”

⸻

Han nodded.

⸻

“Or a drama competition.”

⸻

Hyunjin sighed.

⸻

“You two have no romance.”

⸻

⸻

Operation Begins

⸻

The next day…

Hyunjin found Jisoo in the garden.

⸻

Jisoo was sitting peacefully.

Her long blonde hair with lavender-pink tips moved softly in the breeze.

She wore a cream cardigan, a simple dress, and sneakers.

⸻

Hyunjin walked toward her.

⸻

Slowly.

⸻

Jisoo looked up.

⸻

“Why are you walking like you’re entering a stage?”

⸻

Hyunjin stopped.

⸻

“Do I do that?”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“Okay.”

⸻

He sat down.

⸻

Jisoo smiled.

⸻

“Are you okay?”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“You look nervous.”

⸻

“I am not.”

⸻

“You are.”

⸻

Hyunjin sighed.

⸻

“Why is everyone so good at noticing things?”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

⸻

⸻

The Actual Question

⸻

Hyunjin took a breath.

⸻

“Jisoo.”

⸻

She looked at him.

⸻

“I wanted to ask…”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Han’s voice appeared in his head:

“Don’t make it a movie.”

⸻

Felix’s voice:

“Don’t say ‘light.’”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

⸻

“Would you go to the dance with me?”

⸻

Simple.

⸻

Normal.

⸻

Jisoo blinked.

⸻

Then smiled.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

Hyunjin froze.

⸻

“Wait.”

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“That’s it?”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

⸻

“What did you expect?”

⸻

“I don’t know.”

⸻

“You looked like you were about to give a speech.”

⸻

Hyunjin looked away.

⸻

“I prepared one.”

⸻

Jisoo smiled.

⸻

“Of course you did.”

⸻

⸻

Back at the Dorm

⸻

Hyunjin walked in.

⸻

Felix and Han looked up.

⸻

“Well?”

⸻

Hyunjin stood silently.

⸻

Then…

⸻

He dramatically fell onto the couch.

⸻

“I succeeded.”

⸻

Han laughed.

⸻

“Did you survive?”

⸻

“Barely.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

⸻

“Did you say the speech?”

⸻

Hyunjin looked offended.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

“Good.”

⸻

“Why?”

⸻

“Because it would have taken an hour.”

⸻

Hyunjin crossed his arms.

⸻

“It was beautiful.”

⸻

Han nodded.

⸻

“I’m sure it was.”

⸻

“You’re mocking me.”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Three missions.

⸻

Three successes.

⸻

Han and Rosé.

Felix and Jennie.

Hyunjin and Jisoo.

⸻

Now only one thing remained…

⸻

The college dance.

⸻

And everyone knew…

With Jennie as the DJ…

It was going to be unforgettable.
Book 2 – Chapter 34: Operation Rose — Han’s Impossible Mission

The college dance was only hours away.

The outfits were ready.

The decorations were done.

The music was prepared.

⸻

But three boys had one huge problem.

⸻

They needed to ask three girls.

⸻

Operation One:

Han → Rosé

⸻

And Han was completely failing.

⸻

The Boys’ Emergency Meeting

⸻

The dorm room looked like a war room.

⸻

Han sat on the bed staring at his phone.

His black hair fading into blue at the ends was slightly messy from stress.

He wore a blue jacket, black jeans, and sneakers.

⸻

Felix looked at him.

His blonde hair was styled neatly, and he wore a black shirt with dark pants.

⸻

“You’ve been staring at the same message for twenty minutes.”

⸻

Han looked up.

“I’m creating the perfect message.”

⸻

Hyunjin walked in.

His red-tipped hair was perfectly styled, and he wore a black jacket.

⸻

“What have you written?”

⸻

Han showed them.

⸻

“Hey Rosé, would you like to attend the dance with me?”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Felix blinked.

⸻

“That’s it?”

⸻

Han looked offended.

“Yes.”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

⸻

“Honestly…”

⸻

Han smiled.

⸻

“See? Good.”

⸻

“…It’s so normal that it’s suspicious.”

⸻

Han’s smile disappeared.

⸻

“What does that mean?”

⸻

“It means you.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

⸻

“You wrote a normal sentence and somehow made it weird.”

⸻

Han sighed.

⸻

“Helpful. Both of you are incredibly helpful.”

⸻

Operation Begins

⸻

Han walked into the practice room.

⸻

Rosé was there.

⸻

Her short blonde Apatapate-inspired hair was styled beautifully, and she wore a casual outfit with a denim jacket, a simple top, and jeans.

She was organizing music.

⸻

Han froze.

⸻

Immediately forgot his plan.

⸻

Rosé looked up.

⸻

“Han?”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“Why are you standing there like you forgot how doors work?”

⸻

Han blinked.

⸻

“I was…”

⸻

Thinking.

⸻

Rosé smiled.

⸻

“That’s dangerous.”

⸻

Han laughed nervously.

⸻

“Very funny.”

⸻

He took a breath.

⸻

“Rosé, I wanted to ask—”

⸻

Suddenly…

A speaker behind him made a loud noise.

⸻

Han jumped.

⸻

Rosé stared.

⸻

“Are you okay?”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“You looked scared.”

⸻

“I was attacked by technology.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

“Technology attacked you?”

⸻

“It was unexpected.”

⸻

The Actual Question

⸻

Han tried again.

⸻

“Rosé.”

⸻

She looked at him.

⸻

“Would you…”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Han’s brain stopped.

⸻

“…help me choose a jacket?”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Rosé blinked.

⸻

“A jacket?”

⸻

Han immediately regretted everything.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“That was your big question?”

⸻

“No.”

⸻

“Good.”

⸻

Han covered his face.

⸻

“That was terrible.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

“Very.”

⸻

He smiled.

⸻

Then finally…

⸻

“Would you go to the dance with me?”

⸻

Quiet.

⸻

Rosé looked surprised.

⸻

Then smiled.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

Han froze.

⸻

“Wait.”

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“You said yes?”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“I didn’t expect that.”

⸻

“Why?”

⸻

“Because I spent three hours preparing and still almost asked about jackets.”

⸻

Rosé laughed harder.

⸻

“You almost invited me to a fashion consultation.”

⸻

“Exactly.”

⸻

⸻

The Celebration

⸻

Han ran back to the dorm.

⸻

Felix looked up.

⸻

“Well?”

⸻

Han dramatically fell onto the couch.

⸻

“Mission complete.”

⸻

Hyunjin clapped slowly.

⸻

“Congratulations.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

⸻

“She said yes?”

⸻

Han nodded proudly.

⸻

Then immediately added:

⸻

“After I almost ruined everything.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

⸻

“That’s very Han.”

⸻

Han pointed.

⸻

“Now it’s your turn.”

⸻

Felix froze.

⸻

Because tomorrow…

⸻

Operation Two:

Felix → Jennie

⸻

And everyone knew…

⸻

That was going to be much harder.
Book 2 – Chapter 38: Dance Night — The Grand Entrance

The wait was over.

⸻

The college dance had arrived.

⸻

The campus that usually felt ordinary had completely transformed.

Golden lights covered the courtyard.

Music echoed through the hall.

Everyone was dressed up.

Everyone was excited.

⸻

And somewhere inside the dorm…

Four girls were getting ready.

⸻

The Girls’ Final Preparations

⸻

Jennie stood in front of the mirror.

Her short dark bob haircut was styled perfectly, framing her face with a confident, sharp look.

She wore the black satin dress she chose with her friends, paired with elegant boots and silver accessories.

⸻

Lisa looked at her.

⸻

“Okay.”

⸻

Jennie looked over.

“What?”

⸻

“You look like you own the entire dance.”

⸻

Jennie smirked.

⸻

“I don’t own it.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“Yet.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Lisa wore a stylish black-and-white outfit that matched her Oreo-inspired haircut. Her mostly black hair with white strands was styled beautifully.

⸻

Rosé adjusted her dress.

Her short blonde Apatapate-inspired hair looked elegant, and she wore a simple but classy outfit that matched her soft personality.

⸻

Jisoo fixed the lavender-pink tips of her long blonde hair.

She wore a graceful dress with simple jewelry.

⸻

The four looked at each other.

⸻

For a second…

Nobody spoke.

⸻

Then Lisa smiled.

⸻

“We actually made it.”

⸻

Jisoo nodded.

⸻

“Together.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

⸻

“Like always.”

⸻

Jennie looked away.

⸻

“Okay, don’t make this emotional.”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

⸻

“You’re the emotional one.”

⸻

“No.”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“No.”

⸻

“Jennie.”

⸻

“Lisa.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

The Boys Arrive

⸻

Outside the dorm…

Three boys waited.

⸻

Felix stood there in a black suit jacket, white shirt, and dark pants.

His blonde hair was styled perfectly.

⸻

Han wore a dark blue suit that matched his black-to-blue hair.

⸻

Hyunjin wore a stylish black suit, his red-tipped hair standing out.

⸻

Han looked around.

⸻

“I’m nervous.”

⸻

Felix nodded.

⸻

“Same.”

⸻

Hyunjin crossed his arms.

⸻

“I am calm.”

⸻

Felix and Han looked at him.

⸻

“You practiced your breathing for thirty minutes.”

⸻

Hyunjin paused.

⸻

“That was preparation.”

⸻

“That was panic.”

⸻

⸻

The Meeting

⸻

The girls walked out.

⸻

The boys immediately stopped talking.

⸻

Felix saw Jennie.

⸻

For once…

He had no comeback.

⸻

Jennie noticed.

⸻

“What?”

⸻

Felix blinked.

⸻

“Nothing.”

⸻

“You froze.”

⸻

“I did not.”

⸻

“You did.”

⸻

Han whispered:

“He’s gone.”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

⸻

“Completely.”

⸻

Jennie looked at Felix.

⸻

“You okay?”

⸻

He smiled.

⸻

“Yeah.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“You look amazing.”

⸻

Jennie looked away.

⸻

“Careful.”

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“That was almost too sweet.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

⸻

“Almost?”

⸻

“Almost.”

⸻

⸻

Entering the Dance

⸻

The group walked into the ballroom together.

⸻

Students immediately noticed.

⸻

Not because they were trying to get attention.

⸻

Because they had always been impossible to ignore.

⸻

The music started.

⸻

The lights moved.

⸻

And then…

The DJ booth turned on.

⸻

Everyone looked toward Jennie.

⸻

She put on her headphones.

⸻

The crowd cheered.

⸻

Felix smiled.

⸻

Han whispered:

“She’s in her element.”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

⸻

“Definitely.”

⸻

Jennie looked over the crowd.

⸻

For a moment…

She wasn’t the cold, untouchable person everyone thought she was.

⸻

She was just Jennie.

⸻

Happy.

⸻

Confident.

⸻

With her friends beside her.

⸻

The first beat dropped.

⸻

And the dance officially began.

⸻

But everyone knew…

The night had only started.

⸻

Because there were still:

* Felix and Jennie’s first public dance
* Han and Rosé’s date
* Hyunjin and Jisoo’s moment
* Lisa’s mysterious surprise

⸻

And the biggest question:

⸻

Who was Lisa bringing to the dance?
Book 2 – Chapter 38: Dance Night — The Grand Entrance

The wait was over.

⸻

The college dance had arrived.

⸻

The campus that usually felt ordinary had completely transformed.

Golden lights covered the courtyard.

Music echoed through the hall.

Everyone was dressed up.

Everyone was excited.

⸻

And somewhere inside the dorm…

Four girls were getting ready.

⸻

The Girls’ Final Preparations

⸻

Jennie stood in front of the mirror.

Her short dark bob haircut was styled perfectly, framing her face with a confident, sharp look.

She wore the black satin dress she chose with her friends, paired with elegant boots and silver accessories.

⸻

Lisa looked at her.

⸻

“Okay.”

⸻

Jennie looked over.

“What?”

⸻

“You look like you own the entire dance.”

⸻

Jennie smirked.

⸻

“I don’t own it.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“Yet.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Lisa wore a stylish black-and-white outfit that matched her Oreo-inspired haircut. Her mostly black hair with white strands was styled beautifully.

⸻

Rosé adjusted her dress.

Her short blonde Apatapate-inspired hair looked elegant, and she wore a simple but classy outfit that matched her soft personality.

⸻

Jisoo fixed the lavender-pink tips of her long blonde hair.

She wore a graceful dress with simple jewelry.

⸻

The four looked at each other.

⸻

For a second…

Nobody spoke.

⸻

Then Lisa smiled.

⸻

“We actually made it.”

⸻

Jisoo nodded.

⸻

“Together.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

⸻

“Like always.”

⸻

Jennie looked away.

⸻

“Okay, don’t make this emotional.”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

⸻

“You’re the emotional one.”

⸻

“No.”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“No.”

⸻

“Jennie.”

⸻

“Lisa.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

The Boys Arrive

⸻

Outside the dorm…

Three boys waited.

⸻

Felix stood there in a black suit jacket, white shirt, and dark pants.

His blonde hair was styled perfectly.

⸻

Han wore a dark blue suit that matched his black-to-blue hair.

⸻

Hyunjin wore a stylish black suit, his red-tipped hair standing out.

⸻

Han looked around.

⸻

“I’m nervous.”

⸻

Felix nodded.

⸻

“Same.”

⸻

Hyunjin crossed his arms.

⸻

“I am calm.”

⸻

Felix and Han looked at him.

⸻

“You practiced your breathing for thirty minutes.”

⸻

Hyunjin paused.

⸻

“That was preparation.”

⸻

“That was panic.”

⸻

⸻

The Meeting

⸻

The girls walked out.

⸻

The boys immediately stopped talking.

⸻

Felix saw Jennie.

⸻

For once…

He had no comeback.

⸻

Jennie noticed.

⸻

“What?”

⸻

Felix blinked.

⸻

“Nothing.”

⸻

“You froze.”

⸻

“I did not.”

⸻

“You did.”

⸻

Han whispered:

“He’s gone.”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

⸻

“Completely.”

⸻

Jennie looked at Felix.

⸻

“You okay?”

⸻

He smiled.

⸻

“Yeah.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“You look amazing.”

⸻

Jennie looked away.

⸻

“Careful.”

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“That was almost too sweet.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

⸻

“Almost?”

⸻

“Almost.”

⸻

⸻

Entering the Dance

⸻

The group walked into the ballroom together.

⸻

Students immediately noticed.

⸻

Not because they were trying to get attention.

⸻

Because they had always been impossible to ignore.

⸻

The music started.

⸻

The lights moved.

⸻

And then…

The DJ booth turned on.

⸻

Everyone looked toward Jennie.

⸻

She put on her headphones.

⸻

The crowd cheered.

⸻

Felix smiled.

⸻

Han whispered:

“She’s in her element.”

⸻

Hyunjin nodded.

⸻

“Definitely.”

⸻

Jennie looked over the crowd.

⸻

For a moment…

She wasn’t the cold, untouchable person everyone thought she was.

⸻

She was just Jennie.

⸻

Happy.

⸻

Confident.

⸻

With her friends beside her.

⸻

The first beat dropped.

⸻

And the dance officially began.

⸻

But everyone knew…

The night had only started.

⸻

Because there were still:

* Felix and Jennie’s first public dance
* Han and Rosé’s date
* Hyunjin and Jisoo’s moment
* Lisa’s mysterious surprise

⸻

And the biggest question:

⸻

Who was Lisa bringing to the dance?
Chapter 37 – The Countdown to Graduation

The announcement appeared on every hallway screen.

“Graduation Ceremony: Two Weeks Away.”

⸻

The entire school changed overnight.

Suddenly…

Everyone was talking about memories.

Photos.

Last performances.

Future plans.

⸻

Jennie stood in the hallway staring at the announcement.

Her blonde hair was styled in loose waves, and she wore a black oversized jacket, a white top, baggy jeans, and her favorite boots.

For once…

She wasn’t making a joke.

⸻

Felix noticed.

His black hair was slightly messy, and he wore his varsity jacket, black shirt, athletic pants, and sneakers.

“You okay?”

Jennie looked at him.

“Yeah.”

A pause.

“Just weird.”

“What?”

“Everything.”

⸻

Felix looked at the graduation poster.

“I know.”

“It feels like yesterday we couldn’t stand each other.”

Jennie smirked.

“You couldn’t stand me.”

Felix laughed.

“You roasted me every five seconds.”

“You deserved it.”

⸻

Han suddenly appeared.

His messy brown hair was covered by a graduation cap he wasn’t supposed to be wearing yet.

“I heard emotional conversations.”

Everyone groaned.

⸻

Lisa walked over laughing.

Her ash-blonde hair with bangs was tied back, and she wore a casual black jacket with cargo pants.

“Why are you wearing that?”

Han looked proud.

“I’m preparing.”

“For what?”

“My future as the best graduate.”

“We haven’t graduated yet.”

“Details.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

Her lavender hair fell over her shoulders, and she wore a soft sweater and jeans.

“He’s been practicing his graduation speech.”

Jisoo looked concerned.

Her red hair was tied neatly, and she wore a cream sweater with black pants.

“How long is it?”

Han looked away.

“…Forty minutes.”

Everyone:

“No.”

⸻

Hyunjin arrived dramatically.

His blond hair was perfectly styled, and he wore a black sweater with layered necklaces.

“Graduation is the end of one era…”

Everyone stared.

“And the beginning of another.”

Han nodded.

“Exactly.”

Jennie whispered to Felix:

“They are both dramatic.”

Felix whispered back:

“Extremely.”

⸻

Later that day…

The group practiced for the ceremony.

⸻

Jennie was helping organize the music.

Felix was helping with the sports awards.

Han was somehow distracting everyone.

⸻

“Han.”

“What?”

“Why are you spinning in the graduation chair?”

“Testing durability.”

“Why?”

“In case I become too successful.”

⸻

Jennie shook her head.

“You are impossible.”

Han smiled.

“Thank you.”

⸻

After practice…

Jennie and Felix stayed behind.

The empty auditorium was quiet.

Rows of chairs filled the room.

The stage lights were on.

⸻

Felix looked around.

“Can’t believe we’re almost done.”

Jennie nodded.

“Yeah.”

⸻

He smiled.

“You know…”

“What?”

“If we met on the first day again…”

“I would still roast you.”

“I know.”

“And you would still annoy me.”

“I know.”

⸻

A small smile appeared on Jennie’s face.

“But…”

Felix looked at her.

“But?”

She looked away.

“…I’m glad we met.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

“Me too.”

⸻

A moment passed.

Then…

Jennie pointed at his outfit.

“Your graduation suit better not look weird.”

Felix blinked.

“That was the moment you chose to roast me?”

“Of course.”

He laughed.

“Never change.”

⸻

The auditorium lights turned off.

They walked out together.

Graduation was coming.

A new chapter was beginning.

But one thing was guaranteed…

Even with diplomas…

New futures…

And everything changing…

Jennie and Felix would still find a way to annoy each other.
Got it — I’ll keep your chapter exactly in tone, but adjust Ari and Noah to sound like teenagers and add clearer visual descriptions for them.

⸻

CHAPTER: “ANNOUNCEMENT DAY / THE TOUR RETURNS” (UPDATED)
⸻

The morning started like any other—

until it didn’t.

⸻

BLACKPINK were gathered in the living room.

Not for rehearsal.

Not for casual planning.

But for something bigger.

⸻

Jisoo stood first, holding a printed schedule in both hands. Her long dark hair was softly styled, and she wore a calm ivory blouse with tailored trousers.

Her expression was steady—but there was excitement underneath it.

⸻

Jennie leaned forward immediately.

“Don’t tell me…”

⸻

Jisoo nodded.

“It’s official.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Rosé covered her mouth slightly, blonde hair falling over her shoulders as she smiled.

“…We’re going on tour?”

⸻

Jisoo smiled back.

“Yes.”

⸻

The room shifted instantly.

⸻

Jennie stood up.

“International?”

⸻

“International,” Jisoo confirmed.

⸻

Lisa hadn’t spoken yet.

⸻

Lisa sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at the schedule in Jisoo’s hand.

Her brown hair was tied loosely, casual home clothes replacing stage outfits for now.

Her expression slowly changed—from surprise… to recognition… to something softer.

⸻

“…It’s been a while,” she said quietly.

⸻

Jennie pointed at her.

“That tone means you’re already thinking about choreography.”

⸻

Lisa blinked.

“…No.”

Pause.

“…Maybe.”

⸻

Rosé laughed softly.

“That’s a yes.”

⸻

⸻

Jisoo sat down beside them.

“This tour isn’t just performances,” she said gently. “It’s a full journey again.”

⸻

Jennie smiled.

“So basically… chaos with a schedule.”

⸻

“Exactly,” Jisoo replied.

⸻

⸻

Lisa finally looked up fully.

Her eyes sharpened slightly—not tired, not overwhelmed.

Focused.

⸻

“…We’ll need to prepare everything,” she said.

⸻

Jennie grinned.

“There she is.”

⸻

Rosé nodded.

“I’ve missed that energy.”

⸻

⸻

From the hallway, two figures paused.

⸻

Ari stood slightly ahead of Noah.

She looked like a modern teenager now—about 13–14, with long dark hair tied into a loose half-braid, wearing an oversized hoodie over a school uniform skirt, phone in hand. Her expression was calm but observant, the kind of quiet maturity that came from watching more than speaking.

⸻

Beside her, Noah leaned against the doorframe with a relaxed teenage posture. Around 14–15, he wore a slightly unbuttoned school blazer over a hoodie, messy hair falling into his eyes, backpack still hanging off one shoulder like he hadn’t fully decided if he was coming or going. His expression carried that classic teen mix of boredom and curiosity.

⸻

Ari tilted her head slightly.

“…Tour means you’ll be gone a lot.”

⸻

Lisa turned toward them.

“…Yeah.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Noah exhaled.

“So basically the house becomes quieter and more monitored.”

⸻

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“That sounded like a complaint disguised as analysis.”

⸻

Noah shrugged.

“I’m just stating outcomes.”

⸻

⸻

Lisa stood and walked toward them, kneeling slightly to their level.

“…We’ll still be here,” she said gently. “Just busy.”

⸻

Ari nodded once.

“I get it.”

Her tone was more grounded now—teenage understanding replacing childhood confusion.

⸻

Noah looked at her.

“…We’re fine.”

A pause.

“…Probably.”

⸻

Rosé laughed softly from behind them.

“That ‘probably’ is doing a lot of work.”

⸻

⸻

Jennie clapped once.

“Okay. Tour mindset starts today.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

“I’m excited.”

⸻

Jisoo nodded calmly.

“Then let’s prepare properly.”

⸻

Lisa stood again.

Her focus fully locked in.

“…Let’s do it right.”

⸻

⸻

And just like that—

the house shifted again.

From everyday rhythm…

to movement, schedules, stages.

⸻

And in the hallway, two teenagers watched it all unfold—

old enough now to understand what “busy” really meant…

but still young enough to feel it when things started changing again.
Chapter 3 – Detention… Together?

The next morning, the school was already loud.

Everyone was talking about the same thing.

Jennie and Felix.

The school’s coolest DJ and its basketball star had officially become the school’s funniest rivalry.

⸻

Jennie walked through the hallway with her long black hair falling smoothly over her shoulders, styled with soft curtain bangs like her famous “Ice Cream” and “How You Like That” looks. She wore an oversized charcoal hoodie, loose black cargo pants with silver chains, and black-and-white high-top sneakers. Her silver headphones rested around her neck, ready for whenever inspiration hit.

She was the school’s legendary DJ.

And also the person most likely to destroy someone’s confidence with one sentence.

⸻

Felix entered from the gym hallway, carrying his basketball.

His soft black hair was slightly messy from practice, falling naturally over his forehead. He wore a black-and-red varsity jacket over a white T-shirt, relaxed black athletic pants, and clean white basketball sneakers.

He was the captain of the basketball team.

Popular.

Talented.

And still confused why Jennie didn’t think he was impressive.

⸻

Walking beside Felix was Han.

Han’s soft brown hair was slightly messy, with a few strands sticking up like he had rushed out of bed. His expressive eyes always gave away when he was about to make a joke. He wore an oversized dark green hoodie layered under a denim jacket, relaxed black jeans, and comfortable white sneakers. His backpack hung from one shoulder, usually filled with random snacks, notebooks, and things nobody understood why he carried.

Han was the school’s unofficial comedian.

He loved drama.

Especially when the drama involved Jennie and Felix arguing.

⸻

Near the music room, Rosé adjusted her headphones.

Her long lavender hair fell in soft waves down her back. She wore an oversized lavender cardigan over a white T-shirt, ripped light-blue jeans, and chunky white boots. Her style was relaxed but artistic, matching her love for music.

She smiled when she saw Jennie.

“This is going to be interesting.”

⸻

Lisa appeared beside her with a mischievous grin.

Her long ash-blonde hair with bangs framed her face perfectly. She wore an oversized black bomber jacket, a graphic T-shirt, baggy cargo pants, and colorful sneakers.

Lisa loved chaos.

And Jennie and Felix provided plenty.

“I give them five minutes before they fight.”

Rosé looked at her.

“Five?”

Lisa nodded.

“Okay. Three.”

⸻

Jisoo walked toward class carrying her books.

Her long dark red hair was neatly styled, shining under the hallway lights. She wore a cream knit sweater, black pleated skirt with black tights, and polished ankle boots. A small necklace and simple earrings completed her elegant look.

She sighed.

“I already know today will be exhausting.”

⸻

Leaning against a locker was Hyunjin.

His long blond hair was perfectly styled, making him look like he belonged in a fashion magazine. He wore an oversized cream sweater, black wide-leg trousers, layered silver necklaces, and clean designer sneakers.

He watched the hallway dramatically.

“The energy today…”

Everyone stared at him.

“What?”

Hyunjin shrugged.

“It feels like the beginning of a legendary rivalry.”

Han nodded.

“He’s not wrong.”

⸻

Then the bell rang.

History class.

Everyone sat down.

Mr. Kim walked in carrying a stack of papers.

“Today, you will begin your group projects.”

The entire class groaned.

“Partners have already been chosen.”

Jennie immediately looked suspicious.

Felix looked nervous.

Mr. Kim smiled.

“Jennie and Felix.”

Silence.

“No.”

They both said it at the same time.

The class exploded.

Han slammed his notebook down.

“THEY AGREED ON SOMETHING!”

Lisa clapped.

“Historic moment.”

⸻

After class, Felix walked over.

“So we have to work together.”

Jennie looked up.

“Unfortunately.”

“You make it sound painful.”

“It is.”

Felix crossed his arms.

“You’re impossible.”

Jennie smiled.

“And you’re predictable.”

“How?”

“Basketball. Practice. Basketball. More basketball.”

Felix pointed at her.

“You literally carry headphones everywhere.”

“Because I make music.”

“And I play basketball.”

“Exactly.”

Felix frowned.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I create something people remember.”

Han gasped.

“OH.”

Rosé covered her mouth trying not to laugh.

Felix shook his head.

“You’re lucky you’re funny.”

Jennie smiled.

“I know.”

⸻

After school, they met in the library.

Felix opened the project instructions.

“We should actually work.”

Jennie nodded.

“Finally. A smart idea.”

Felix smiled.

“Was that a compliment?”

“No.”

“I knew it.”

⸻

Ten minutes later…

Felix dropped his pencil.

Jennie looked at him.

“Already struggling?”

“I dropped a pencil.”

“Exactly.”

Han whispered from another table,

“She turned dropping a pencil into an insult.”

Lisa nodded.

“That’s talent.”

⸻

Then Felix accidentally knocked over his water bottle.

It rolled into Jennie’s backpack.

She opened it.

Everyone waited.

She pulled out…

A rubber chicken.

Felix stared.

“Why?”

Jennie looked serious.

“Emergency purposes.”

“What emergency requires a rubber chicken?”

“Any emergency.”

Han laughed so hard he almost fell out of his chair.

Jisoo shook her head.

“I don’t even want to know.”

Hyunjin smiled.

“Perfect. The rivalry has a mascot.”

Felix laughed.

And Jennie tried not to.

But for a second…

She smiled.

Only a second.

Nobody noticed.

Except Felix.
## The Prologue: The Vision of Vyāsa (Page 1 Layout - Left-to-Right)## Panel 1: The Sacred Hermitage (Wide, Top Tier - Spans Left to Right)

* The Scene: Establishing shot of Badarīkāśrama.
* The Text Prompt: An ancient, mystical Vedic hermitage tucked deep inside a majestic Himalayan valley. Tall, ancient pine trees, towering snow-capped mountain peaks in the background. Fog and soft ambient light rolling through the grass. High contrast shadows, detailed ink linework, peaceful yet grand atmosphere.
* Narration Box (Top Left): Five thousand years ago, at the convergence of eras...

## Panel 2: The Meditation of the Sage (Medium Box, Mid Tier - Left Side)

* The Scene: Introduction to Vyāsadeva. The reader's eye naturally lands here first on the middle row.
* The Text Prompt: Sage Vyāsadeva, a wise and powerful elderly Indian sage with a long flowing grey beard and matted hair, sitting in absolute lotus meditation posture on a deer skin mat. His eyes are closed, a look of profound serenity on his weathered face. Traditional clay pots and ancient manuscripts surround him.
* Narration Box (Top Left of panel): ...the great sage Kṛṣṇa-Dvaipāyana Vyāsa sat in deep meditation, viewing the past, present, and future of humanity.

## Panel 3: The Call to Action (Medium Box, Mid Tier - Right Side)

* The Scene: Close up on Vyāsa's face as his eyes snap open in realization. The urgency of the project hits him.
* The Text Prompt: Extreme close-up on the eyes of Sage Vyāsadeva snapping wide open, glowing with deep spiritual realization and cosmic intelligence. High dynamic contrast, sharp ink lines, dramatic focus.
* Dialogue Bubble: "The age of darkness approaches. The eternal history must be preserved."

## Panel 4: The Cosmic Vision (Dominant Splash Panel, Bottom Tier)

* The Scene: The grand, complex visualization of the epic floating around him.
* The Text Prompt: Epic fantasy visualization. The meditating silhouette of an ancient sage glowing with divine light. Swirling around him in a massive cosmic vortex are spectral visions: ancient warriors clashing on a battlefield, blazing arrows, glowing sanskrit verses floating in mid-air, and the majestic form of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Highly detailed manga screen-tones, explosive energy lines, majestic scale.
* Narration Box (Bottom Right): But the work ahead was grander than any mortal hand could carry alone...
Book 2 – Chapter 12: The Girls’ Day

For once…

No drama.

No Felix.

No Han chaos.

No college competition.

⸻

Just the girls.

⸻

Jennie woke up late.

Which was rare.

Very rare.

⸻

Lisa immediately noticed.

She walked into the room holding snacks.

“Are you okay?”

Jennie looked up.

“Why?”

“You slept past your alarm.”

Jennie shrugged.

“Maybe my alarm was annoying.”

Lisa stared.

“It was your alarm.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

“You’re impossible.”

Jennie grabbed a pillow and threw it at her.

“You’re loud.”

⸻

But Lisa smiled.

Because that was Jennie.

Cold to the world.

But with them?

Different.

⸻

A few minutes later, Jisoo and Rosé arrived.

⸻

Jisoo’s long blonde hair with lavender-pink ends was tied back casually.

Rosé’s black hair was styled softly, and she carried drinks for everyone.

⸻

Rosé smiled.

“Girls’ day.”

⸻

Jennie looked at the drinks.

“Finally. Something useful.”

⸻

Lisa gasped.

“You mean my company isn’t useful?”

Jennie looked at her.

“Your company is questionable.”

⸻

Lisa put her hand on her heart.

“That hurt.”

Jennie looked away.

“Good.”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

“You say that, but you saved her a seat.”

⸻

Jennie froze.

“I did not.”

⸻

Lisa pointed.

“You literally moved your bag so I could sit there.”

⸻

Jennie looked away.

“Accident.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

“You’re terrible at pretending you don’t care.”

⸻

Jennie narrowed her eyes.

“Careful.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

“There she is.”

⸻

The girls spent the afternoon walking around campus.

⸻

They went shopping.

They got snacks.

They explored the little stores near the college.

⸻

Lisa held up a jacket.

“Jennie, this would look amazing on you.”

⸻

Jennie looked.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you picked it.”

⸻

Lisa looked offended.

“Wow.”

⸻

Jennie smiled slightly.

“But…”

She took the jacket.

“It is actually good.”

⸻

Lisa gasped.

“Was that a compliment?”

Jennie immediately looked away.

“Don’t get excited.”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

“That was basically a love letter from Jennie.”

⸻

Jennie rolled her eyes.

“You’re all dramatic.”

⸻

Later, they sat outside with snacks.

⸻

For a while, nobody talked.

It was peaceful.

⸻

Rosé looked at Jennie.

“Are you okay?”

⸻

Jennie looked at her.

“I’m fine.”

⸻

Jisoo raised an eyebrow.

“Real fine or Jennie fine?”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Lisa immediately understood.

“Jennie fine.”

⸻

Jennie sighed.

“You three are annoying.”

⸻

“But?”

⸻

She looked at them.

⸻

Then quietly said:

“But you’re my annoying people.”

⸻

The three girls smiled.

⸻

Because that was Jennie’s version of saying:

I love you.

⸻

Lisa leaned closer.

“So…”

“What?”

“Are we allowed to mention Felix?”

⸻

Jennie’s eyes narrowed.

“No.”

⸻

Lisa nodded.

“Okay.”

⸻

Two seconds later.

⸻

“Anyway—”

⸻

“Lisa.”

⸻

“Okay, okay!”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

“You lasted three seconds.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

“New record.”

⸻

Jennie shook her head.

“You all need help.”

⸻

But she was smiling.

⸻

And for the first time in days…

Jennie wasn’t the savage queen fighting everyone.

She wasn’t the DJ ready to destroy anyone who challenged her.

⸻

She was just Jennie.

With her three favorite people.

⸻

And maybe…

Just maybe…

That was the only place where she didn’t need armor.write in English
CHAPTER: “ANNOUNCEMENT DAY / THE TOUR RETURNS”
⸻

The morning started like any other—

until it didn’t.

⸻

BLACKPINK were gathered in the living room.

Not for rehearsal.

Not for casual planning.

But for something bigger.

⸻

Jisoo stood first, holding a printed schedule in both hands. Her long dark hair was softly styled, and she wore a calm ivory blouse with tailored trousers.

Her expression was steady—but there was excitement underneath it.

⸻

Jennie leaned forward immediately.

“Don’t tell me…”

⸻

Jisoo nodded.

“It’s official.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Rosé covered her mouth slightly, blonde hair falling over her shoulders as she smiled.

“…We’re going on tour?”

⸻

Jisoo smiled back.

“Yes.”

⸻

The room shifted instantly.

⸻

Jennie stood up.

“International?”

⸻

“International,” Jisoo confirmed.

⸻

Lisa hadn’t spoken yet.

⸻

Lisa sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at the schedule in Jisoo’s hand.

Her brown hair was tied loosely, casual home clothes replacing stage outfits for now.

Her expression slowly changed—

from surprise…

to recognition…

to something softer.

⸻

“…It’s been a while,” she said quietly.

⸻

Jennie pointed at her.

“That tone means you’re already thinking about choreography.”

⸻

Lisa blinked.

“…No.”

Pause.

“…Maybe.”

⸻

Rosé laughed softly.

“That’s a yes.”

⸻

⸻

Jisoo sat down beside them.

“This tour isn’t just performances,” she said gently. “It’s a full journey again.”

⸻

Jennie smiled.

“So basically… chaos with a schedule.”

⸻

“Exactly,” Jisoo replied.

⸻

⸻

Lisa finally looked up fully.

Her eyes had changed slightly.

Not tired.

Not overwhelmed.

Focused again.

⸻

“…We’ll need to prepare everything,” she said.

⸻

Jennie grinned.

“There she is.”

⸻

Rosé nodded.

“I’ve missed that energy.”

⸻

⸻

From the hallway, small footsteps paused.

Noah and Ari stood there, listening.

⸻

Ari tilted her head slightly.

“…Tour means you’ll be gone a lot.”

⸻

Lisa turned toward them.

“…Yeah.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

Noah crossed his arms.

“So it’s going to be just us at home more.”

⸻

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“That sounded suspiciously like a complaint.”

⸻

Noah shrugged.

“I’m observing.”

⸻

⸻

Lisa stood up and walked toward them.

Kneeling slightly to their level.

“…We’ll still be here,” she said. “Just busy.”

⸻

Ari nodded slowly.

“I get it.”

⸻

But her voice was thoughtful.

Like she understood both sides of “busy” now.

⸻

⸻

Jennie clapped once.

“Okay. Tour mindset starts today.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

“I’m excited.”

⸻

Jisoo nodded calmly.

“Then let’s prepare properly.”

⸻

Lisa stood again.

Her focus fully back now.

“…Let’s do it right.”

⸻

⸻

And just like that—

the house shifted again.

From everyday life…

to something larger.

⸻

Because tours didn’t just move cities.

They changed time.

And everyone inside that house was about to feel it again.
Book 2 – Chapter 9: The First College Morning Disaster

The first morning in the dorms.

Everyone expected a fresh start.

A peaceful beginning.

A normal college day.

⸻

That was their first mistake.

⸻

Dorm Building A

Jennie’s alarm went off.

She opened her eyes.

Five seconds later…

She was already ready.

⸻

Her dark bob haircut was perfectly styled.

Her outfit was completely put together.

Black jacket.

Baggy jeans.

Silver accessories.

Boots.

Headphones around her neck.

⸻

Lisa slowly opened her eyes.

She stared.

“How are you already dressed?”

Jennie looked at her.

“Because some of us respect time.”

Lisa sat up.

“It’s 7:02.”

“Exactly.”

“Class is at 9.”

Jennie grabbed her bag.

“Exactly.”

⸻

Lisa looked at her.

“You are the only person who treats getting ready like a concert entrance.”

Jennie smiled.

“Because every entrance is important.”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

“Your confidence is dangerous.”

Jennie shrugged.

“Your fashion choices are dangerous. We all have problems.”

⸻

Dorm Building B

⸻

Felix woke up to chaos.

⸻

Han was standing in front of the mirror.

His black hair with blue tips was styled perfectly.

Felix stared.

“Why are you dressed like you’re going to a photoshoot?”

Han looked serious.

“Because first impressions matter.”

“It’s a lecture.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Felix shook his head.

His blonde hair was messy, but somehow still looked perfect.

⸻

Han looked at him.

“You need help.”

Felix looked down at his outfit.

“What?”

“You look too normal.”

“That’s the point.”

“Wrong.”

⸻

Outside the dorms

Everyone met before class.

⸻

Jisoo arrived with her long blonde hair and lavender-pink ends shining in the sunlight.

Rosé walked beside her with her black hair flowing naturally.

Hyunjin arrived with his red-tipped hair styled perfectly.

⸻

Jennie looked around.

“Okay.”

Everyone looked at her.

“What?”

She pointed.

“Hyunjin looks like he’s going to a fashion interview.”

Hyunjin smiled.

“Thank you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“I accepted it anyway.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Then Felix walked over.

⸻

Jennie looked at him.

Felix looked at her.

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Han whispered:

“Round two of awkward.”

⸻

Felix cleared his throat.

“Morning.”

Jennie nodded.

“Morning.”

⸻

Everyone waited.

⸻

Lisa whispered:

“That was the most normal conversation they’ve had.”

⸻

Jennie heard her.

“Don’t ruin it.”

⸻

They walked toward class.

⸻

Then suddenly…

A student dropped a stack of papers.

⸻

Everyone stopped to help.

Except Han.

⸻

Han looked at the papers.

Then at Jennie.

“Should I help?”

Jennie stared.

“Yes.”

Han nodded.

“Okay.”

A pause.

“But first…”

“What?”

“I need to emotionally prepare.”

⸻

Jennie looked at him.

“You need emotional preparation to pick up paper?”

Han nodded.

“These are important papers.”

“They’re on the floor.”

“Exactly. Dangerous territory.”

⸻

Jennie stared.

“Han.”

“What?”

“You are the reason warning labels exist.”

⸻

Everyone burst out laughing.

⸻

Finally they reached class.

⸻

The professor announced:

“Today, you will begin your first major college project.”

⸻

Everyone sat up.

⸻

“You will create something that represents your identity.”

⸻

Everyone started thinking.

⸻

Lisa immediately wrote fashion.

Rosé wrote music.

Jisoo wrote design.

Hyunjin wrote performance.

Han wrote something nobody could read.

⸻

Felix looked over.

“What did you write?”

Han covered it.

“Private.”

“It’s upside down.”

Han quickly flipped it.

“Now it’s private.”

⸻

Jennie shook her head.

⸻

Then the professor looked at her.

“And you?”

⸻

Jennie looked at her notebook.

Then at her DJ headphones.

⸻

She smiled.

⸻

“Music.”

⸻

Felix looked at her.

“You already knew.”

Jennie nodded.

“Yeah.”

“Then why think?”

She shrugged.

“Because this time…”

She looked at the group.

“I’m not doing it alone.”

⸻

Everyone smiled.

⸻

Then Han ruined the moment.

“So we’re basically a legendary team.”

Jennie looked at him.

“Don’t say legendary.”

“Why?”

“Because now you’ll start acting like you have a documentary.”

⸻

Han gasped.

“I would have a great documentary.”

Jennie nodded.

“Title: A Guy Who Talks Too Much.”

⸻

The class laughed.

⸻

And as they started their first college project…

Everyone realized something.

⸻

College wasn’t going to be normal.

Not with:

A savage DJ queen.

A dramatic fashion king.

A chaotic music genius.

A talented performer.

And a group that somehow always found trouble.

⸻

The semester had officially begun.
That's actually a good call. If you don't want him to feel like a copy of Sung Jin-Woo, avoid the black-and-purple shadow aesthetic. Since your MC uses **slime**, make the slime the focus instead of shadows.

Here's a redesigned prompt that gives him his own identity.

---

## Boss Slime King Prompt

> **A powerful young man with short, slightly messy black hair and piercing crimson-red eyes stands with perfect composure. His face is calm and unreadable, carrying the confidence of someone who has never lost a battle. He wears an elegant dark fantasy outfit with subtle emerald accents, avoiding the appearance of an assassin or shadow monarch.**
>
> **Surrounding him is an immense living slime unlike any ordinary slime. The slime is a deep obsidian black with glowing emerald veins flowing throughout its body like liquid energy. Instead of simply floating around him, it moves with intelligence, constantly changing shape into gigantic jaws, dragon heads, claws, shields, serpents, wings, and towering tendrils before melting back into a fluid form.**
>
> **The slime emits an overwhelming aura of predation. Every object that touches it—rocks, weapons, magical attacks, even light itself—is slowly dissolved and absorbed into its endless body. Small glowing particles drift upward as if reality is being consumed.**
>
> **Behind him towers an enormous slime titan formed entirely of living liquid, dozens of glowing emerald eyes opening across its body while countless mouths silently emerge and disappear. The creature appears ancient and unstoppable, existing only to protect its master.**
>
> **The ground beneath him is covered by spreading black slime that slowly consumes the battlefield. Crystals, broken weapons, and debris are partially submerged within the slime, hinting at countless previous victims. The atmosphere is silent and oppressive, making it feel impossible for anyone to approach him.**
>
> **His crimson eyes glow softly while the slime responds to his thoughts without commands, moving like a living extension of his own body. Instead of looking evil, he looks like an unstoppable king whose power has surpassed human understanding.**
>
> **Dark fantasy anime style, cinematic lighting, masterpiece, ultra detailed, dynamic composition, volumetric fog, glowing emerald energy, highly detailed liquid physics, terrifying monster design, powerful aura, fantasy battlefield, 8K, best quality.**

### Negative Prompt

> Sung Jin-Woo, shadow soldiers, purple shadows, blue aura, Solo Leveling, daggers, assassin outfit, black smoke, necromancer, low quality, blurry, cartoon, chibi, extra limbs, watermark, text, logo, bad anatomy

This makes him feel more like **the King of Living Slime** rather than a shadow monarch. His intimidation comes from an intelligent, ever-evolving slime that acts like an apex predator, giving him a distinct identity.
The house woke up slowly.

No alarms. No staff. No schedule reminders buzzing in the background.

Just sunlight spilling across wooden floors like it had nowhere else to be.

⸻

BLACKPINK had agreed on something rare the night before:

A weekend with nothing planned.

Not rehearsals. Not meetings. Not appearances.

Just… time.

⸻

Jisoo was already awake, naturally.

Her dark wavy hair was loosely tied back, a soft cream sweater resting over relaxed lounge pants. She stood in the kitchen quietly, making tea with the calm precision of someone who didn’t need noise to feel awake.

The house always felt “started” when Jisoo was up first.

⸻

Jennie came in later, hair slightly messy, oversized shirt hanging off one shoulder, still half in sleep mode.

She looked at the kettle.

“…Is it too early to be alive?”

⸻

Jisoo didn’t turn.

“Yes.”

⸻

Jennie nodded.

“Good. We agree.”

⸻

⸻

Rosé arrived quietly after, blonde hair tied loosely, soft cardigan wrapped around her like comfort itself.

She paused in the doorway.

“It smells like peace,” she said.

⸻

Jennie pointed at the kettle.

“That’s just tea.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

“It’s still peace.”

⸻

⸻

Then—

fast footsteps.

⸻

Lisa entered the kitchen from the hallway, brown hair tied in a loose bun, hoodie slightly oversized, sweatpants soft and unstyled.

No stage version of her.

No work version.

Just morning Lisa.

⸻

Behind her—

Noah (now a 5-year-old boy) ran in first, socks sliding slightly on the floor.

“I DECLARE THIS WEEKEND OFFICIAL FUN TIME,” he announced loudly.

⸻

Ari followed more carefully, pastel hoodie slightly oversized, hair neatly tied but already loosening.

“That’s not how weekends work,” she said calmly.

⸻

Noah pointed at her.

“It is if I say it loudly enough.”

⸻

Lisa sighed as she reached for a cup.

“That’s also not how reality works.”

⸻

Noah considered this.

“…Reality is negotiable.”

⸻

Jennie looked at Lisa.

“He’s becoming a problem.”

⸻

Lisa nodded.

“He’s been one.”

⸻

Noah smiled proudly.

“I am consistent.”

⸻

⸻

The living room filled slowly.

Blankets appeared.

Coffee cups moved around.

People migrated like the house was pulling them into comfort.

⸻

Jisoo sat first, cross-legged on the couch, posture relaxed, watching everything like she was already enjoying the quiet unfolding.

Jennie lay back fully on the sofa, arms spread.

“I refuse to move for at least six hours.”

⸻

Rosé curled into the armchair near the window, blonde hair glowing in morning light.

“I might read something,” she said softly.

⸻

Lisa sat on the floor, leaning against the couch, brown hair falling slightly over her face as she sipped her drink.

Ari sat beside her immediately.

Noah flopped down dramatically between Jennie and Lisa.

⸻

Silence settled.

Not awkward.

Not empty.

Just shared.

⸻

Noah broke it first.

“Do famous people also do nothing?”

⸻

Jennie lifted one hand.

“We are doing it right now.”

⸻

Noah looked around.

“…We are very good at it.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

“It takes practice.”

⸻

Jisoo added gently.

“It takes permission.”

⸻

Lisa leaned her head back slightly.

“…It takes exhaustion.”

⸻

That made Jennie laugh.

⸻

Ari leaned into Lisa.

“This is my favorite kind of day.”

⸻

Lisa looked down at her.

“Why?”

⸻

Ari shrugged.

“Nothing is trying to win.”

⸻

Silence again.

But softer this time.

⸻

Noah rolled onto his side.

“I think the house likes us today.”

⸻

Rosé nodded gently.

“It always does.”

⸻

Jisoo looked around.

“It just waits for us to stop rushing.”

⸻

Jennie closed her eyes.

“…Then we should stop more often.”

⸻

Lisa exhaled quietly.

For once—

there was nothing pulling her away from the moment.

⸻

Just the four of them.

A child’s voice. A quiet laugh. A blonde head by the window. A steady presence in the kitchen. And a house that didn’t ask for anything in return.

⸻

Just a weekend.

Not scheduled.

Not earned.

⸻

Just lived.
It didn’t happen all at once.

It happened the way most big decisions do—

quietly, between schedules, late-night talks, and the kind of conversations that start as jokes and slowly stop being jokes.

⸻

Jisoo was the first to say it seriously.

“We should have a place that isn’t borrowed.”

⸻

Jennie laughed at first.

“We already have apartments.”

Then she paused.

“…But I know what you mean.”

⸻

Rosé said it softer.

“A place that feels like us, not schedules.”

⸻

And Lisa just looked at them for a moment.

Her brown hair tied loosely, casual clothes, no stage energy—just real life.

“…Then let’s do it.”

⸻

That was the beginning.

⸻

They found the house together.

Not huge. Not flashy.

Just warm.

Glass and wood. Light-filled rooms. A kitchen that felt like it was already waiting for laughter.

⸻

When they walked inside for the first time—

it didn’t feel like buying property.

It felt like recognition.

⸻

Jisoo stood in the living room first, dark wavy hair falling softly over her cream-toned outfit.

“It’s calm,” she said.

⸻

Jennie leaned against the counter, straight dark hair loose over a black blazer and top.

“It has potential.”

⸻

Rosé stood by the window, blonde hair glowing in soft waves.

“It feels like mornings.”

⸻

Lisa walked through the space slowly, brown hair loose, hoodie and relaxed pants, fingers brushing the edge of the table.

“It feels like us already.”

⸻

⸻

They bought it.

Together.

Four names.

Four signatures.

One shared key.

⸻

And over time—

it became their place.

⸻

Not a permanent residence for all of them.

Not a replacement for their own lives.

But a shared home between worlds.

⸻

Where they came when they were tired.

Where they came when they were loud.

Where they came when they didn’t want to be anything except themselves.

⸻

Years later—

Noah, now a 5-year-old boy, ran through the living room the moment Lisa opened the door.

“I still remember this place!” he announced.

⸻

Ari followed more calmly, adjusting her sweater.

“We were here last week,” she corrected.

⸻

Noah nodded.

“So I have strong memory.”

⸻

Lisa sighed.

“That’s not how memory works.”

⸻

⸻

Jennie dropped her bag by the couch.

“This house is still too quiet before we arrive.”

⸻

Jisoo removed her shoes neatly.

“That’s because chaos hasn’t entered yet.”

⸻

Rosé smiled softly.

“It waits for us.”

⸻

Lisa looked around the room—

the house they chose together.

The house that didn’t belong to one of them.

But belonged to all four.

⸻

“…We really did this,” she said quietly.

⸻

Jennie smirked.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

⸻

Jisoo nodded.

“Fortunately.”

⸻

Rosé added gently.

“Completely.”

⸻

Noah raised his hand.

“I vote we never sell it.”

⸻

Ari raised hers too.

“I agree.”

⸻

Lisa looked at them all—

at BLACKPINK.

at the house.

at the life they built between everything else.

⸻

Then smiled faintly.

“…Motion passed.”

⸻

And the house—

as always—

felt like it agreed too.
Book 2 – Chapter 37: The Girls Before the Dance

Seven hours.

⸻

That was all that was left until the college dance.

⸻

The dorm was unusually calm.

No rushing.

No panic.

Just four friends sitting together before the biggest night of the year.

⸻

The Girls’ Room

⸻

Jennie sat on the floor checking her DJ playlist one last time.

Her short dark bob was slightly messy, and she wore a comfortable black hoodie, loose jeans, and sneakers.

Even when relaxing…

She still looked like the campus DJ queen.

⸻

Lisa sat on the bed beside her.

Her Oreo-inspired haircut — mostly black with white strands throughout — was tied back casually.

She wore a cozy sweatshirt and jeans.

⸻

Jisoo was fixing her hair in the mirror.

Her long blonde hair with lavender-pink tips was styled beautifully.

She wore a soft sweater and a skirt, already looking elegant.

⸻

Rosé sat beside her, smiling.

Her short blonde Apatapate-inspired hair was styled naturally, and she wore a relaxed outfit while preparing her accessories.

⸻

For a moment…

Everything felt peaceful.

⸻

Then Rosé spoke.

⸻

“So…”

⸻

Everyone looked at her.

⸻

“I have something to tell you.”

⸻

Jennie immediately narrowed her eyes.

⸻

“Why does that sound suspicious?”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

“I’m going to the dance with Han.”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Then—

⸻

Lisa smiled.

“Finally!”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

“You two were so obvious.”

⸻

Rosé covered her face.

⸻

“Were we?”

⸻

Jennie looked at her.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“How?”

⸻

“You both looked at each other like you forgot other people existed.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

“That’s… accurate.”

⸻

Jennie’s Turn

⸻

Lisa looked at Jennie.

⸻

“Your turn.”

⸻

Jennie blinked.

⸻

“My turn for what?”

⸻

“Who are you going with?”

⸻

Jennie immediately looked away.

⸻

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

⸻

Everyone stared.

⸻

Jennie sighed.

⸻

“Fine.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“Felix.”

⸻

Lisa smiled.

⸻

“I knew it.”

⸻

Jennie pointed.

⸻

“Don’t.”

⸻

“I’m not saying anything.”

⸻

“Your face is saying enough.”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

⸻

“You’re happy.”

⸻

Jennie looked offended.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

⸻

“Your denial is getting weaker.”

⸻

“Impossible.”

⸻

⸻

Jisoo’s Secret

⸻

Jennie looked at Jisoo.

⸻

“What about you?”

⸻

Jisoo smiled.

⸻

“Hyunjin.”

⸻

Lisa gasped.

⸻

“Wait, really?”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

Jennie smirked.

⸻

“That explains why he was acting like he was in a movie.”

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

“He practiced, didn’t he?”

⸻

Jisoo nodded.

⸻

“For a very long time.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Lisa’s Silence

⸻

The room became quieter.

⸻

Lisa smiled.

⸻

“I’m happy for you guys.”

⸻

But the others noticed.

⸻

Jennie looked at her.

⸻

“Lisa.”

⸻

“I’m fine.”

⸻

Jisoo tilted her head.

⸻

“Are you sure?”

⸻

Lisa looked down.

⸻

For a second…

She didn’t answer.

⸻

“I guess I just didn’t expect everyone to have plans.”

⸻

The room softened.

⸻

Rosé immediately moved closer.

⸻

“Hey.”

⸻

Lisa looked up.

⸻

“You’re not left out.”

⸻

Jisoo nodded.

⸻

“Never.”

⸻

Jennie put down her headphones.

⸻

“You’re literally the person who keeps us all together.”

⸻

Lisa smiled slightly.

⸻

“That sounded almost nice coming from you.”

⸻

Jennie rolled her eyes.

⸻

“Don’t ruin it.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Lisa hugged them.

⸻

⸻

Lisa’s Secret

⸻

After a moment…

Lisa smiled.

⸻

“Actually…”

⸻

Everyone looked at her.

⸻

“I do have someone to go with.”

⸻

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

⸻

“Excuse me?”

⸻

Lisa grinned.

⸻

“He’s a friend.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

⸻

“Who?”

⸻

Lisa shook her head.

⸻

“Not telling.”

⸻

Jisoo laughed.

⸻

“Why?”

⸻

“Because I want to surprise you.”

⸻

Jennie smirked.

⸻

“Suspicious.”

⸻

“Very.”

⸻

“But…”

Lisa smiled.

⸻

“I’m excited.”

⸻

Jennie nodded.

⸻

“Good.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“And if he disappoints you…”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

⸻

“You’re going to roast him?”

⸻

Jennie shrugged.

⸻

“Obviously.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Seven hours later…

⸻

Four girls would walk into the dance.

⸻

Four different stories.

⸻

Four different secrets.

⸻

And one unforgettable night waiting for them.
Book 2 – Chapter 23: The Worst Timing Ever

The morning after…

Everything was normal.

⸻

Well…

Almost normal.

⸻

Jennie walked into the dorm kitchen wearing her usual black oversized hoodie, cargo pants, and boots.

Her short dark bob was perfectly styled, giving her the same intimidating DJ queen energy.

⸻

Lisa was already there.

Her Oreo-inspired haircut — mostly black with white strands — was tied back slightly. She wore a comfortable hoodie and leggings while making breakfast.

⸻

Lisa looked at Jennie.

“You’re smiling.”

⸻

Jennie immediately stopped.

“No, I’m not.”

⸻

“You were.”

⸻

“I was thinking.”

⸻

“About Felix?”

⸻

Jennie froze.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

Lisa smiled.

“That pause was a whole confession.”

⸻

Jennie grabbed a drink.

“You talk too much.”

⸻

“That’s your way of saying yes.”

⸻

“That’s my way of saying you’re annoying.”

⸻

“Same thing.”

⸻

Jennie rolled her eyes.

⸻

Then…

The door opened.

⸻

Jisoo walked in wearing a soft sweater and jeans. Her long blonde hair with lavender-pink tips was styled beautifully.

Rosé followed behind her wearing a denim jacket and comfortable pants. Her short blonde Apatapate-inspired hair was slightly messy in a cute way.

⸻

Rosé looked between Lisa and Jennie.

“What did we miss?”

⸻

Lisa pointed at Jennie.

“She smiled.”

⸻

Everyone gasped dramatically.

⸻

Jennie stared.

“Are you all done?”

⸻

“No,” Jisoo said immediately.

⸻

Jennie sighed.

⸻

“Traitors.”

⸻

Later – Practice Room

⸻

Everyone gathered for rehearsal.

⸻

Felix arrived.

His blonde hair was slightly styled, and he wore a black hoodie, jeans, and sneakers.

⸻

Jennie looked at him.

Just for a second.

⸻

A tiny smile.

⸻

Han saw it.

Immediately.

⸻

“Oh.”

⸻

Everyone looked.

⸻

Han pointed.

“Something is happening.”

⸻

Jennie turned.

“Finish that sentence and regret it.”

⸻

Han stopped.

⸻

“Never mind.”

⸻

Hyunjin laughed.

His red-tipped hair stood out as he adjusted his jacket.

⸻

“Han finally learned survival instincts.”

⸻

Han looked at him.

“Don’t act like you’re safe.”

⸻

Felix tried not to smile.

⸻

Jennie noticed.

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“Nothing.”

⸻

“Your face is suspicious.”

⸻

“My face?”

⸻

“Yes.”

⸻

“How can my face be suspicious?”

⸻

“You’re Felix.”

⸻

Everyone laughed.

⸻

The Weird Part

⸻

During practice…

The music suddenly stopped.

⸻

Everyone looked at Jennie.

⸻

“What happened?”

⸻

Jennie checked the equipment.

⸻

“The cable is missing.”

⸻

Han raised his hand.

“I might know why.”

⸻

Everyone looked at him.

⸻

“…Why?”

⸻

“I may have borrowed it.”

⸻

Jennie’s eyes narrowed.

⸻

“Why?”

⸻

“I thought it was a charger.”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Hyunjin covered his face.

⸻

Jisoo blinked.

⸻

Rosé laughed.

⸻

Felix looked at Han.

“How?”

⸻

Han shrugged.

“It looked like one.”

⸻

Jennie slowly walked toward him.

⸻

“Han.”

⸻

“Yes?”

⸻

“Congratulations.”

⸻

“On what?”

⸻

“You are officially the reason instructions exist.”

⸻

Everyone burst out laughing.

⸻

The Even Worse Timing

⸻

After practice…

Jennie and Felix were alone putting equipment away.

⸻

Felix smiled.

“You know…”

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“I like this version of you.”

⸻

Jennie looked at him.

“What version?”

⸻

“The one that doesn’t pretend she doesn’t care.”

⸻

She stared.

⸻

Then immediately recovered.

⸻

“Don’t get emotional.”

⸻

“I’m just saying.”

⸻

“You’re always just saying.”

⸻

He laughed.

⸻

Then suddenly…

The door opened.

⸻

Lisa.

Jisoo.

Rosé.

Han.

Hyunjin.

⸻

All standing there.

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Everyone looked at Jennie and Felix.

⸻

Felix froze.

⸻

Jennie froze.

⸻

Han slowly smiled.

⸻

“Oh.”

⸻

Jennie immediately pointed.

“No.”

⸻

“I didn’t even say anything.”

⸻

“You were about to.”

⸻

Han closed his mouth.

⸻

Lisa looked between them.

⸻

“So…”

⸻

Jennie stared.

⸻

“So what?”

⸻

Lisa smiled.

⸻

“Nothing.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“Absolutely nothing.”

⸻

Jennie narrowed her eyes.

⸻

“Everyone leave.”

⸻

They laughed.

⸻

Because everyone knew.

⸻

The savage DJ queen was still savage.

⸻

Still terrifying.

⸻

Still impossible.

⸻

But something was definitely different.

⸻

And the funniest part?

⸻

Jennie was the last person who wanted anyone to notice.write in English
Chapter 34 – The Morning After The Chaos

The next morning…

The dorm was silent.

Too silent.

Which was always suspicious.

⸻

Jennie woke up slowly.

Her blonde hair was completely messy, with strands sticking in every direction. She stared at the ceiling for a few seconds.

Then…

She remembered.

⸻

The celebration.

The dancing.

Han’s terrible speeches.

Jisoo roasting everyone.

Felix helping her back.

⸻

She sat up.

“Oh no.”

⸻

A knock came at her door.

“Jennie?”

Felix.

She immediately froze.

“Why is Felix outside my room?”

She opened the door slightly.

⸻

Felix stood there holding a drink and a bag of breakfast.

His black hair was messy from sleeping, and he wore a black hoodie, gray sweatpants, and sneakers.

“Morning.”

Jennie stared.

“Why are you being nice?”

Felix looked confused.

“Because it’s morning?”

“Suspicious.”

He laughed.

“You think everything is suspicious.”

“Because people are suspicious.”

⸻

Felix handed her the breakfast.

“You didn’t eat much last night.”

Jennie blinked.

“You remembered that?”

“Yeah.”

She looked away.

“You’re annoying.”

“But?”

She sighed.

“…Thanks.”

⸻

Suddenly…

A loud noise came from the living room.

“NO ONE MOVE!”

Han.

Obviously.

⸻

Jennie and Felix walked out.

And stopped.

⸻

The living room was a disaster.

⸻

Han sat on the couch wearing sunglasses indoors.

His messy brown hair was somehow even messier.

“I have made an important decision.”

Lisa looked tired.

Her ash-blonde hair was tied into a ponytail, and she wore an oversized hoodie.

“What now?”

“I am never dancing again.”

Everyone stared.

Then Han stood up.

“Actually, I am dancing tonight.”

Everyone groaned.

⸻

Rosé laughed.

Her lavender hair was tied loosely, and she wore a cozy sweater.

“He’s already changed his mind.”

⸻

Jisoo walked in.

Her red hair was messy for once, and she wore a comfortable sweatshirt and jeans.

“I have one question.”

Everyone looked at her.

“Why did Han try to teach a chair how to dance?”

Silence.

⸻

Han pointed.

“The chair had potential.”

⸻

The room exploded.

Jennie laughed.

Actually laughed.

⸻

Felix looked at her.

“What?”

She looked confused.

“What?”

“You laughed.”

“So?”

“You don’t usually laugh this much.”

Jennie shrugged.

“Maybe you guys are slightly less annoying than I thought.”

⸻

Everyone gasped.

⸻

Hyunjin entered dramatically.

His blond hair was perfectly styled despite everything, and he wore a black sweatshirt and loose pants.

“She has grown emotionally.”

Han whispered:

“Someone write this down.”

⸻

Jennie grabbed a pillow.

“Don’t make this weird.”

⸻

Later…

Everyone sat around eating breakfast.

The conversation somehow returned to last night.

⸻

Han looked at Felix.

“So.”

Felix immediately knew.

“No.”

“I haven’t even asked.”

“No.”

⸻

Han smiled.

“Did you and Jennie have a moment?”

Jennie and Felix both froze.

⸻

“No.”

“Absolutely not.”

They answered at the same time.

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Lisa smiled.

“You two are so obvious.”

Jennie crossed her arms.

“We are not.”

Felix nodded.

“Definitely not.”

⸻

Rosé looked at them.

“You literally agreed at the same time.”

Silence.

⸻

Han pointed.

“Evidence.”

⸻

Jennie looked at Felix.

“This is your fault.”

“My fault?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“You exist.”

Felix laughed.

“That is still not a reason.”

“It is a reason for you.”

⸻

Everyone laughed again.

⸻

But underneath all the teasing…

Something had changed.

Before, Jennie would have hated everyone noticing.

Before, Felix would have avoided admitting anything.

Now?

They just laughed.

Because maybe…

They didn’t need to explain it.

Maybe everyone already knew.

⸻

And the worst part?

Han definitely knew.

Which meant…

They were never going to hear the end of it.
Chapter 38 – The Dream College Letters

The day everyone had been waiting for finally arrived.

College acceptance day.

⸻

The dorm was more chaotic than usual.

Which was impressive.

⸻

Jennie sat on the couch staring at her laptop.

Her blonde hair was tied in a loose ponytail, and she wore an oversized black hoodie, baggy jeans, and sneakers.

She looked calm.

Too calm.

Felix noticed.

“You’ve been staring at that screen for ten minutes.”

“I’m thinking.”

“About?”

“Whether I should open it.”

Felix blinked.

“It’s an email.”

“It’s an important email.”

“You’re scared of an email?”

Jennie looked at him.

“I’m scared of disappointment.”

For once…

Felix didn’t tease her.

⸻

“You worked hard.”

She looked at him.

“You know that, right?”

Jennie smiled slightly.

“You’re being nice again.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

She smirked.

“Too late.”

⸻

Then…

Han ran into the room.

His brown hair was completely messy, and he wore his green hoodie and jeans.

“I GOT IN!”

Everyone jumped.

⸻

Lisa looked up.

Her ash-blonde hair with bangs was tied back, and she wore a black jacket and cargo pants.

“Han, you scared me.”

“I couldn’t contain my greatness.”

Jisoo walked in behind him.

Her red hair was neatly styled, and she wore a cream sweater with black pants.

“You mean you couldn’t contain your screaming.”

“Same thing.”

⸻

Rosé opened her email next.

Her lavender hair fell over her shoulders as she smiled.

“I got in too.”

Everyone cheered.

⸻

Hyunjin dramatically held his phone.

His blond hair was perfectly styled, and he wore a black sweater with layered accessories.

“I have received my destiny.”

Han looked over.

“Just say you got accepted.”

“I was being dramatic.”

“We know.”

⸻

One by one…

The letters came in.

⸻

Lisa got accepted into her dream program.

Rosé got accepted into her dream music college.

Jisoo got accepted into her dream university.

Han got accepted into the college he wanted, even after everyone doubted his ability to stay focused.

Hyunjin got accepted into his dream arts program.

⸻

Finally…

Everyone looked at Jennie and Felix.

⸻

Felix opened his first.

He stared.

Then smiled.

“I got in.”

Everyone cheered.

⸻

Jennie smiled.

“Of course you did, basketball boy.”

Felix looked at her.

“That’s your congratulations?”

“Yes.”

“Wow.”

“You expected something else?”

“Maybe.”

“Too bad.”

⸻

Then Jennie opened hers.

Silence.

⸻

She read the email.

Her eyes widened.

Felix noticed.

“Jennie?”

She looked up.

“I got in.”

⸻

The room exploded.

⸻

Han screamed.

Lisa hugged her.

Rosé started cheering.

Jisoo smiled proudly.

Hyunjin declared:

“This is the beginning of a new era.”

⸻

Felix smiled the biggest.

“You did it.”

Jennie looked at everyone.

She wasn’t usually emotional.

But this time…

She was.

⸻

“I actually did it.”

Felix nodded.

“You did.”

⸻

Later that evening…

Everyone celebrated.

There was food everywhere.

Music playing.

Pictures being taken.

⸻

Han held up his phone.

“Group picture!”

Everyone gathered.

⸻

Jennie stood beside Felix.

Han looked at them.

“Move closer.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“We’re already standing next to each other.”

“Not enough.”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

“Han, stop forcing moments.”

“I am creating memories.”

⸻

The photo was taken.

Everyone laughing.

Everyone smiling.

⸻

Afterward…

Jennie looked at the picture.

A year ago…

She didn’t know any of them.

She thought Felix was just a popular athlete.

He thought she was just a cold DJ who insulted everyone.

Now…

They were family.

⸻

Felix looked at the photo.

“Ready for college?”

Jennie shrugged.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“I’m ready.”

She smiled.

“But don’t think college means you escape my roasts.”

Felix laughed.

“I knew there was a catch.”

⸻

The future was changing.

New schools.

New challenges.

New chapters.

But one thing was certain…

Wherever they went…

The chaos would follow.
Book 2 – Chapter 2: A New Jennie

Summer was almost over.

College was almost here.

And for the first time in a long time…

Jennie wanted a change.

Not because she wanted to become someone else.

But because she wanted to start a new chapter as herself.

⸻

She stood in front of her mirror.

Her blonde hair from the past year was still there.

The same hair everyone knew.

The same hair from the DJ competition.

The same hair Felix always complimented.

⸻

Jennie stared at her reflection.

“College is a fresh start.”

She touched her hair.

“Maybe it’s time for something different.”

⸻

She picked up her phone.

The first person she called was Lisa.

⸻

Lisa answered immediately.

“What’s happening?”

Jennie paused.

“I’m changing my hair.”

Silence.

Then—

“WAIT.”

“LIKE ACTUALLY CHANGING IT?”

“Yes.”

“I’M COMING OVER.”

⸻

An hour later…

Lisa arrived at Jennie’s house.

Her ash-blonde hair with bangs was styled perfectly, and she wore a black jacket, cargo pants, and sneakers.

She walked into Jennie’s room and looked around.

“So…”

She pointed at Jennie.

“You are seriously doing this?”

Jennie nodded.

“Yes.”

Lisa smiled.

“I knew this day would come.”

⸻

First decision:

The color.

⸻

Jennie sat in the salon chair.

The stylist looked at her blonde hair.

“Are you sure you want to go back?”

Jennie nodded.

“Yeah.”

⸻

The blonde slowly disappeared.

Back to her original dark hair color.

The color that felt familiar.

The color that felt like home.

⸻

When she looked in the mirror…

She smiled.

She looked like the old Jennie.

But different.

Older.

More confident.

⸻

Lisa smiled.

“I forgot how much this suits you.”

Jennie touched her hair.

“I missed it.”

⸻

Then came the second decision.

The haircut.

⸻

Jennie looked at the stylist.

“Cut it.”

Lisa looked shocked.

“How short?”

Jennie thought.

Then smiled.

“Short.”

⸻

The scissors started moving.

⸻

Piece by piece…

Her long hair changed.

Until finally…

She had a sleek bob haircut.

It framed her face perfectly.

It was stylish.

Cool.

A little bold.

Exactly like her personality.

⸻

Lisa stared.

“No way.”

“What?”

“You look like someone who would walk into college and immediately become the most intimidating person there.”

Jennie smirked.

“So basically me.”

Lisa laughed.

“Exactly.”

⸻

Jennie looked in the mirror again.

For the first time in weeks…

She felt excited.

⸻

Next mission:

Shopping.

⸻

Lisa refused to let Jennie keep the exact same wardrobe.

“No.”

Jennie held up a black jacket.

“What?”

“You have seventeen versions of that.”

“They are different.”

“They are all black.”

“They have different vibes.”

Lisa sighed.

“You are impossible.”

⸻

They spent the entire day shopping.

Jennie picked out:

* stylish jackets
* new tops
* different jeans
* sneakers and boots
* accessories
* outfits that felt more mature

⸻

Lisa held up a colorful outfit.

“Try it.”

Jennie looked suspicious.

“Why?”

“Because college Jennie needs to surprise people.”

⸻

After trying new styles…

Jennie actually liked them.

They were still cool.

Still her.

Just a new version.

⸻

By the end of the day…

Her room looked completely different.

Clothes everywhere.

Shopping bags on the floor.

Suitcases open.

⸻

Jennie packed everything carefully.

Her new clothes.

Her DJ equipment.

Her headphones.

Her graduation photo.

Her trophy.

⸻

Then she found one picture.

The whole group.

Lisa.

Rosé.

Jisoo.

Han.

Hyunjin.

Felix.

⸻

She smiled.

Then quickly put it into her suitcase.

⸻

“New college.”

“New style.”

“New chapter.”

⸻

Lisa leaned against the doorway.

“You know…”

“What?”

“You’re not becoming a different person.”

Jennie looked at her.

“You’re just letting people see another side of you.”

⸻

Jennie smiled.

“That’s actually a good line.”

Lisa gasped.

“Did Jennie just compliment me?”

“Don’t get used to it.”

“There she is.”

⸻

That night…

Jennie closed her suitcase.

Her new haircut.

Her new style.

Her new beginning.

⸻

She looked at herself one last time.

The old Jennie wasn’t gone.

The DJ.

The roast queen.

The girl who never backed down.

She was still there.

Just with a new look.

⸻

College was waiting.

And Jennie was ready.

But she didn’t know…

Her new chapter was about to bring back the one person she thought was already gone.
Chapter 17 – The Festival Countdown

The school festival was only three days away.

And somehow…

Everything was becoming more chaotic.

⸻

The biggest problem?

Everyone had discovered Jennie’s new blonde hair.

And they were not letting it go.

⸻

Jennie walked through the school hallway.

Her blonde hair fell in soft waves around her face, looking completely different from her old black hair. She wore a black leather jacket over a graphic shirt, baggy cargo pants, black boots, and her silver headphones around her neck.

She was still Jennie.

Still confident.

Still impossible to embarrass.

At least…

That was what she thought.

⸻

“BLONDE JENNIE!”

Han shouted from across the hallway.

Everyone turned.

Jennie stopped walking.

Slowly…

She looked at him.

“Do you want to survive today?”

Han froze.

His messy brown hair stuck up, and he wore his oversized green hoodie, black jeans, and white sneakers.

“I was just appreciating the new look.”

“You were yelling.”

“Appreciating loudly.”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

Her ash-blonde hair with bangs framed her face, and she wore her black bomber jacket, cargo pants, and colorful sneakers.

“I think Han likes the new hair more than you do.”

Han nodded.

“It’s iconic.”

Jennie rolled her eyes.

“You all are dramatic.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

Her lavender hair fell over her oversized cardigan. She wore ripped jeans and white boots.

“You’re secretly happy everyone likes it.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Your face says yes.”

Jennie immediately covered her expression.

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Then Felix walked in.

His soft black hair was slightly messy, and he wore his black varsity jacket, white T-shirt, athletic pants, and basketball sneakers.

He stopped when he saw Jennie.

Not because he hadn’t seen the blonde hair before.

But because every time he saw it…

It surprised him.

⸻

Jennie noticed.

“What?”

Felix blinked.

“Nothing.”

“You stared.”

“I did not.”

“You did.”

Han whispered:

“He definitely did.”

⸻

Felix ignored him.

“It just looks different.”

Jennie crossed her arms.

“Is that good or bad?”

Felix thought.

“Good.”

A small smile appeared.

“Really good.”

⸻

The hallway immediately exploded.

Lisa covered her mouth.

Rosé laughed.

Han looked shocked.

“He said it again.”

⸻

Jennie looked at Felix.

“You know…”

“What?”

“You’re getting suspiciously nice.”

Felix smiled.

“Maybe you’re getting used to it.”

She opened her mouth.

Then closed it.

Because she had no comeback.

⸻

Later that day…

The festival team met in the gym.

The stage lights were being tested.

The music equipment was being set up.

And Jennie and Felix were in charge.

⸻

Felix practiced his basketball performance.

Jennie worked on the music.

The two of them somehow worked perfectly together.

Which annoyed them both.

⸻

Felix looked over.

“You’re good at this.”

Jennie glanced up.

“At what?”

“Making everything come together.”

She shrugged.

“It’s what I do.”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“It’s more than that.”

Jennie paused.

Because Felix wasn’t joking.

⸻

Before she could respond…

The speakers suddenly blasted music.

Everyone jumped.

Han covered his ears.

“JENNIE!”

“What?”

“You almost destroyed my hearing.”

“You’re welcome.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

And Jennie smiled.

⸻

From across the gym…

Lisa watched them.

“They’re getting worse.”

Rosé nodded.

“Definitely.”

Jisoo smiled.

“But in a good way.”

Hyunjin placed a hand over his heart.

“The festival will reveal everything.”

Han sighed.

“It’s literally just a school event.”

⸻

But none of them knew…

The festival wasn’t just going to be about music.

Or basketball.

Or performances.

Because something was about to happen…

That would change the way everyone saw Jennie and Felix.
Chapter 31 – The Night Everyone Lost Their Minds

The dorm was chaos.

Absolute chaos.

And the reason?

Jennie still couldn’t decide what to wear.

⸻

She stood in front of her closet.

Her blonde hair was curled perfectly, but her outfit choices were covering half her bed.

“Why is this harder than performing in front of hundreds of people?”

⸻

The door suddenly opened.

Lisa walked in.

Her ash-blonde hair with bangs was styled perfectly, and she wore a black jacket with a sparkly top, cargo pants, and boots.

She looked around.

“Wow.”

“What?”

“You have created a clothing disaster.”

Jennie crossed her arms.

“I need help.”

Lisa smiled.

“I knew this day would come.”

⸻

Jennie held up two outfits.

“Which one?”

Lisa stared seriously.

“Hmm.”

A pause.

“Felix would like the first one.”

Jennie froze.

“How do you know?”

Lisa shrugged.

“Because Felix is a boy.”

“That explains nothing.”

⸻

Lisa picked up another outfit.

“Actually, wear this one.”

“Why?”

“Because it says mysterious DJ.”

Jennie nodded.

“Okay.”

“Wait.”

Lisa grabbed another dress.

“Actually this one says powerful.”

Jennie blinked.

“So which one?”

Lisa thought.

“Both.”

“Lisa.”

“Okay, okay. The dress.”

⸻

After another twenty minutes…

Jennie finally decided.

She wore a sleek black dress with silver details, a cropped jacket, and black boots. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves around her face, and her DJ-style accessories completed the look.

She looked confident.

Different.

⸻

When she walked downstairs…

Everyone stopped.

⸻

Han’s mouth dropped open.

His messy brown hair was sticking up, and he wore a denim jacket over a hoodie with black jeans.

“Okay.”

“What?”

“I forgot how to speak.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“That might be the first peaceful moment you’ve ever created.”

⸻

Rosé smiled.

Her lavender hair was styled softly, and she wore a pastel jacket with a black outfit.

“You look amazing.”

Jisoo nodded.

Her red hair was tied back elegantly, and she wore a stylish black outfit with boots.

“Definitely.”

⸻

Hyunjin dramatically looked up.

His blond hair was perfectly styled, and he wore a black jacket with layered accessories.

“The main character has arrived.”

Han sighed.

“Please stop.”

⸻

Then Felix walked downstairs.

His black hair was styled neatly, and he wore a black button-up shirt with a jacket, dark jeans, and sneakers.

He stopped.

Completely stopped.

⸻

Jennie noticed.

“What?”

Felix blinked.

“Nothing.”

“Felix.”

He looked away.

“You just…”

A pause.

“You look really good.”

⸻

Everyone immediately reacted.

⸻

Han pointed.

“HE FAILED.”

Felix looked confused.

“What?”

“You tried to hide the blush.”

“I wasn’t blushing.”

Lisa laughed.

“You absolutely were.”

⸻

Jennie smiled.

“Are you okay, basketball boy?”

Felix recovered.

“Yeah.”

“Because your face says otherwise.”

Everyone laughed.

⸻

Later…

The group arrived at the dance event.

Music filled the room.

Lights flashed.

Everyone was having the best time.

⸻

Jennie stepped onto the dance floor.

And Felix forgot everything else.

⸻

He had seen Jennie confident before.

On stage.

During roast battles.

During competitions.

But this was different.

She was just happy.

Laughing.

Dancing.

Not caring what anyone thought.

⸻

Felix smiled.

Han noticed.

“You are staring.”

Felix looked away.

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“I was just watching.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Felix looked back.

And somehow…

He knew.

He was completely falling for her.

⸻

Meanwhile…

The rest of the group became a disaster.

⸻

Jisoo was trying to teach everyone a dance move.

“I am the instructor.”

Han looked confused.

“You don’t know the dance.”

“I know the spirit of the dance.”

⸻

Hyunjin joined.

“The movement represents freedom.”

Han stared.

“It’s literally just jumping.”

⸻

Rosé laughed so hard she had to sit down.

Lisa recorded everything.

“This is going to be used against all of you forever.”

⸻

Jennie walked over.

“What is happening?”

Han pointed.

“Art.”

Jennie looked at everyone.

“This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Felix smiled.

“And you love it.”

She paused.

“…Maybe.”

⸻

At the end of the night…

Everyone was exhausted.

They arrived back at the dorm laughing.

⸻

Felix helped Jennie walk to her room because she was tired from dancing all night.

“Careful.”

“I’m fine.”

“You almost walked into the wall.”

“The wall moved.”

Felix laughed.

“The wall moved?”

“Yes.”

⸻

He opened her bedroom door.

“There.”

Jennie looked at him.

Then suddenly pointed.

“You.”

“What?”

“You are officially my assistant.”

Felix blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“Carry my trophy tomorrow.”

“No.”

“Wow.”

She shook her head dramatically.

“After all our friendship?”

Felix laughed.

“You are impossible.”

⸻

Before leaving, Felix placed her trophy safely on her desk.

Then he smiled.

“Goodnight, Jennie.”

She looked at him.

For once…

No roast.

No comeback.

Just a smile.

“Goodnight, Felix.”

⸻

He turned to leave.

Then Jennie called:

“Felix.”

He looked back.

“Yeah?”

She smirked.

“Your dancing was terrible.”

He laughed.

“There she is.”

⸻

And as he walked away smiling…

Felix realized something.

The girl who used to drive him crazy…

Was now the person he never wanted to stop being around.
Chapter 33 – The Night of Maximum Chaos

The night was supposed to be relaxing.

That was the first mistake.

Because whenever Jennie, Jisoo, and Han were together…

Nothing was relaxing.

⸻

The group had gone to a late-night celebration lounge after the DJ competition.

The music was loud.

The lights were everywhere.

Everyone was laughing.

And somehow…

Han had become the unofficial leader of chaos.

⸻

Jennie sat at the table with a giant colorful mocktail in her hand.

Her blonde hair was slightly messy from dancing, and she wore her black jacket, silver accessories, and her favorite boots.

Jisoo’s red hair was still styled perfectly, but after hours of dancing, a few strands had fallen loose.

Han’s brown hair looked like he had fought a wind machine and lost.

⸻

Han stood on his chair.

“I have an announcement!”

Everyone immediately groaned.

“No.”

“Han, sit down.”

“Please don’t.”

⸻

Han ignored them.

“Tonight…”

He pointed dramatically.

“Is the greatest night of our lives.”

Felix looked at Lisa.

“How long has he been like this?”

Lisa laughed.

“Since five minutes after we arrived.”

⸻

Rosé shook her head.

Her lavender hair fell over her shoulders as she laughed.

“Han thinks every moment is a movie scene.”

Hyunjin nodded seriously.

“To be fair…”

Everyone looked at him.

“He does make life more dramatic.”

⸻

Meanwhile…

Jennie was having way too much fun.

Which was unusual.

Because Jennie normally acted like she was above everything.

But tonight?

She was laughing.

Actually laughing.

⸻

Felix noticed.

And smiled.

Lisa immediately caught it.

“You are staring.”

Felix looked away.

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“I was just looking.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Later…

The chaos reached a new level.

⸻

Jisoo grabbed Han’s arm.

“We need to have a serious conversation.”

Han looked worried.

“About what?”

“About why you think you can dance.”

Everyone went silent.

Han looked offended.

“I can dance.”

“You dance like your Wi-Fi is disconnecting.”

The entire table exploded.

⸻

Jennie laughed so hard she nearly dropped her drink.

Felix looked shocked.

“Did Jisoo just roast Han?”

Lisa nodded.

“She’s been saving that one.”

⸻

When it was finally time to leave…

Everyone agreed.

Jisoo, Han, and Jennie were officially too chaotic to be trusted alone.

⸻

The walk back to the dorm was hilarious.

⸻

Han walked beside Hyunjin.

“Do you think ducks know they’re funny?”

Hyunjin paused.

“What?”

“Ducks.”

“Why?”

“Because they walk like they’re late to a meeting.”

Hyunjin stared.

“…I hate that you’re making sense.”

⸻

Jisoo was walking with Rosé.

“Rosé.”

“Yes?”

“I have discovered something.”

“What?”

“I am always right.”

Rosé smiled.

“You say that every day.”

“Because I am consistent.”

⸻

Jennie walked between Felix and Lisa.

She pointed at Felix.

“You.”

Felix looked at her.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“You are suspicious.”

“Why?”

“Because you are nice.”

Felix laughed.

“That’s suspicious?”

“For you? Yes.”

⸻

Felix shook his head.

“You are unbelievable.”

Jennie nodded proudly.

“I know.”

⸻

When they finally reached the dorm…

Everyone collapsed onto the couches.

⸻

Lisa looked around.

“Never again.”

Han raised his hand.

“Question.”

“No.”

“Can we do it again next week?”

Everyone shouted:

“NO!”

⸻

Felix helped Jennie get to her room.

She walked carefully.

“I can walk.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you helping?”

“Because you almost walked into the wall.”

Jennie looked at the wall.

“It was in my way.”

“The wall?”

“Yes.”

⸻

Felix opened her door.

“There.”

Jennie stepped inside.

Then turned around.

“Felix.”

“Yeah?”

“I have something important to tell you.”

He smiled.

“What?”

She pointed at him.

“Your basketball skills are overrated.”

Felix blinked.

“That is what you needed to say?”

“Yes.”

He laughed.

“Of course it is.”

⸻

She sat down on her bed.

Then looked at him more seriously.

“You know…”

“What?”

“You’re actually a good person.”

Felix smiled.

“That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said.”

“Don’t get emotional.”

“I’m not.”

“You look emotional.”

“I don’t.”

“Your face is doing the thing.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

Then he noticed her DJ trophy sitting on the desk.

He picked it up carefully and placed it somewhere safe.

“You worked really hard for this.”

Jennie looked at the trophy.

“You remembered.”

“Of course I remembered.”

⸻

For once…

Jennie didn’t roast him.

She just smiled.

“Thanks.”

Felix smiled back.

“Anytime.”

⸻

He turned to leave.

Then Jennie called:

“Felix.”

He looked back.

“Yeah?”

A pause.

“Your hair still looks okay.”

He laughed.

“Okay?”

“Don’t push it.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

“Goodnight, Jennie.”

“Goodnight, basketball boy.”

⸻

When he closed the door…

Han appeared in the hallway.

“Did you have a romantic moment?”

Felix jumped.

“How are you always there?”

Han smiled.

“Talent.”

Felix sighed.

“You are impossible.”

Han nodded.

“Thank you.”

⸻

And that was the thing about their group.

They were chaotic.

Loud.

Embarrassing.

Completely impossible.

But somehow…

They had become family.

And Jennie and Felix?

They were still roasting each other every chance they got.

Just now…

There was a little more smiling between the insults.
Chapter 33 – The Night of Maximum Chaos

The night was supposed to be relaxing.

That was the first mistake.

Because whenever Jennie, Jisoo, and Han were together…

Nothing was relaxing.

⸻

The group had gone to a late-night celebration lounge after the DJ competition.

The music was loud.

The lights were everywhere.

Everyone was laughing.

And somehow…

Han had become the unofficial leader of chaos.

⸻

Jennie sat at the table with a giant colorful mocktail in her hand.

Her blonde hair was slightly messy from dancing, and she wore her black jacket, silver accessories, and her favorite boots.

Jisoo’s red hair was still styled perfectly, but after hours of dancing, a few strands had fallen loose.

Han’s brown hair looked like he had fought a wind machine and lost.

⸻

Han stood on his chair.

“I have an announcement!”

Everyone immediately groaned.

“No.”

“Han, sit down.”

“Please don’t.”

⸻

Han ignored them.

“Tonight…”

He pointed dramatically.

“Is the greatest night of our lives.”

Felix looked at Lisa.

“How long has he been like this?”

Lisa laughed.

“Since five minutes after we arrived.”

⸻

Rosé shook her head.

Her lavender hair fell over her shoulders as she laughed.

“Han thinks every moment is a movie scene.”

Hyunjin nodded seriously.

“To be fair…”

Everyone looked at him.

“He does make life more dramatic.”

⸻

Meanwhile…

Jennie was having way too much fun.

Which was unusual.

Because Jennie normally acted like she was above everything.

But tonight?

She was laughing.

Actually laughing.

⸻

Felix noticed.

And smiled.

Lisa immediately caught it.

“You are staring.”

Felix looked away.

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“I was just looking.”

“Exactly.”

⸻

Later…

The chaos reached a new level.

⸻

Jisoo grabbed Han’s arm.

“We need to have a serious conversation.”

Han looked worried.

“About what?”

“About why you think you can dance.”

Everyone went silent.

Han looked offended.

“I can dance.”

“You dance like your Wi-Fi is disconnecting.”

The entire table exploded.

⸻

Jennie laughed so hard she nearly dropped her drink.

Felix looked shocked.

“Did Jisoo just roast Han?”

Lisa nodded.

“She’s been saving that one.”

⸻

When it was finally time to leave…

Everyone agreed.

Jisoo, Han, and Jennie were officially too chaotic to be trusted alone.

⸻

The walk back to the dorm was hilarious.

⸻

Han walked beside Hyunjin.

“Do you think ducks know they’re funny?”

Hyunjin paused.

“What?”

“Ducks.”

“Why?”

“Because they walk like they’re late to a meeting.”

Hyunjin stared.

“…I hate that you’re making sense.”

⸻

Jisoo was walking with Rosé.

“Rosé.”

“Yes?”

“I have discovered something.”

“What?”

“I am always right.”

Rosé smiled.

“You say that every day.”

“Because I am consistent.”

⸻

Jennie walked between Felix and Lisa.

She pointed at Felix.

“You.”

Felix looked at her.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“You are suspicious.”

“Why?”

“Because you are nice.”

Felix laughed.

“That’s suspicious?”

“For you? Yes.”

⸻

Felix shook his head.

“You are unbelievable.”

Jennie nodded proudly.

“I know.”

⸻

When they finally reached the dorm…

Everyone collapsed onto the couches.

⸻

Lisa looked around.

“Never again.”

Han raised his hand.

“Question.”

“No.”

“Can we do it again next week?”

Everyone shouted:

“NO!”

⸻

Felix helped Jennie get to her room.

She walked carefully.

“I can walk.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you helping?”

“Because you almost walked into the wall.”

Jennie looked at the wall.

“It was in my way.”

“The wall?”

“Yes.”

⸻

Felix opened her door.

“There.”

Jennie stepped inside.

Then turned around.

“Felix.”

“Yeah?”

“I have something important to tell you.”

He smiled.

“What?”

She pointed at him.

“Your basketball skills are overrated.”

Felix blinked.

“That is what you needed to say?”

“Yes.”

He laughed.

“Of course it is.”

⸻

She sat down on her bed.

Then looked at him more seriously.

“You know…”

“What?”

“You’re actually a good person.”

Felix smiled.

“That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said.”

“Don’t get emotional.”

“I’m not.”

“You look emotional.”

“I don’t.”

“Your face is doing the thing.”

⸻

Felix laughed.

Then he noticed her DJ trophy sitting on the desk.

He picked it up carefully and placed it somewhere safe.

“You worked really hard for this.”

Jennie looked at the trophy.

“You remembered.”

“Of course I remembered.”

⸻

For once…

Jennie didn’t roast him.

She just smiled.

“Thanks.”

Felix smiled back.

“Anytime.”

⸻

He turned to leave.

Then Jennie called:

“Felix.”

He looked back.

“Yeah?”

A pause.

“Your hair still looks okay.”

He laughed.

“Okay?”

“Don’t push it.”

⸻

Felix smiled.

“Goodnight, Jennie.”

“Goodnight, basketball boy.”

⸻

When he closed the door…

Han appeared in the hallway.

“Did you have a romantic moment?”

Felix jumped.

“How are you always there?”

Han smiled.

“Talent.”

Felix sighed.

“You are impossible.”

Han nodded.

“Thank you.”

⸻

And that was the thing about their group.

They were chaotic.

Loud.

Embarrassing.

Completely impossible.

But somehow…

They had become family.

And Jennie and Felix?

They were still roasting each other every chance they got.

Just now…

There was a little more smiling between the insults.
PANEL 1
Sahne: Şiddetli bir yağmur yağıyor. Lunair kafasında büyük kulaklığıyla, ıslak ve gri sokakta tek başına yürüyor. Saçları hafifçe yüzünün önüne düşmüş; çekingen, yorgun ve dünyadan soyutlanmış bir şekilde bakıyor.
Diyalog (İç Ses - Lunair): "Yine aynı kasvetli, gri günlerden biri..."
PANEL 2
Sahne: Lunair kendi odasının kapısını açıyor. Aşırı yorgun ve bıkkın bir ifadeyle okul çantasını umursamazca odanın bir köşesine fırlatıyor.
PANEL 3
Sahne: Lunair kendini doğrudan yatağa bırakmış, gözleri kapanıyor. Kulaklığı hala boynunda asılı. Hızlıca derin bir uykuya dalıyor.
PANEL 4
Sahne (Büyük Kare): Lunair morumsu, yumuşak çimenlerin üzerinde gözlerini açıyor. Gökyüzü uçuk mor bir alacakaranlık renginde ve havada parıltılı mana zerreleri süzülüyor. Lunair doğruluyor; yüzünde bir huzursuzluk var ama içten içe buranın havasıyla gelen tuhaf bir ferahlık ve rahatlama hissediyor.
Diyalog (Lunair): "Neredeyim ben?... Yağmur nereye gitti? Gökyüzü neden mor?"
PANEL 5
Sahne: Lunair'in tam önünde, havada süzülen gri bir ışık huzmesi aniden parıldayarak büyüyor. Işığın etrafında zarif, parıldayan hilal (ay 🌙) sembolleri ve kadim büyü rünleri dönmeye başlıyor.
Diyalog (Ay Ruhu): "Sonunda uyandın, yabancı... Kulaklarında ölü bir nesne taşıyan çocuk."
PANEL 6
Sahne: Ruh, Lunair'e bu dünyanın kurallarından kısaca bahseder ve onun içindeki gizli potansiyeli test etmek için elini uzatmasını söyler. Lunair çekingen bir şekilde elini ışığa uzatır. Eli ile ruh arasında parıldayan gri-mor enerji bağları oluşur; "Ruh Sözleşmesi" tamamlanır.
Diyalog (Lunair): "Bir... ruh sözleşmesi mi? Benimle mi?"
PANEL 7
Sahne: Tam o sırada, koruyucu bariyerin dışında oldukları için çalılıkların arasından bir hırıltı yükselir. Gölgelerin içinden estetik, parıldayan mor kristallerden ve karanlıktan oluşmuş, iğrenç veya kanlı görünmeyen mistik bir kurt/yaratık fırlar.
PANEL 8
Sahne: Lunair korkuyla geriler ama Ay Ruhu ona sakin olmasını fısıldar ve söylemesi gereken ilk amatör büyü sözlerini öğretir. Lunair'in elinin etrafında gri bir ay ışığı büyü çemberi dönmeye başlar.
Diyalog (Ay Ruhu): "Korkma. Sözleşmenin gücüne güven ve kelimeleri serbest bırak!"
PANEL 9
Sahne: Lunair büyüyü canavara doğru fırlatır! Büyük ve parıltılı bir patlama olur. Büyü yaratığa çarptığı anda, yaratık etrafa yayılan büyüleyici mor kristal tozlarına dönüşerek yok olur.
PANEL 10
Sahne: Lunair kazandığını görünce önce şok olur. Ardından yüzünde kocaman, çocuksu ve heyecanlı bir gülümseme belirir. Gerçek dünyadaki o sıkıcı, monoton hayatından sonra ilk defa bu kadar eğlendiğini ve yaşadığını hissetmektedir. Yumruğunu havaya kaldırır.
Diyalog (Lunair): "Başardım... Gerçekten büyü yaptım! Bu... bu inanılmaz eğlenceli!"
PANEL 11
Sahne (Geniş Açı): Lunair sakinleşip uzağa baktığında, ufukta gökyüzüne doğru yükselen, etrafı devasa kristal bariyerlerle çevrili, kuleleri ve büyüleyici mimarisi olan kaleye benzer dev bir şehir (krallık) görür.
PANEL 12
Sahne (Kapanış): Lunair, kulaklığı hala boynunda asılı bir şekilde, arkasında süzülen Ay Ruhu ile birlikte yüzünde meraklı ve kararlı bir gülümsemeyle o büyük kaleye doğru patika yoldan yürümeye başlar.
Chapter 1 – The Worst First Impression

The first bell hadn’t even rung, but the school was already buzzing with students.

Everyone had heard of the school’s two biggest stars.

Not because they were friends.

Because they couldn’t stand each other.

⸻

Jennie

Jennie walked through the hallway with effortless confidence. Her long, silky black hair, styled with soft curtain bangs like her iconic “Ice Cream” and “How You Like That” looks, flowed neatly over her shoulders. Her expression was calm and unreadable, making her seem intimidating without even trying.

She wore an oversized charcoal-gray hoodie over loose black cargo jeans with silver chains hanging from the pockets. Black-and-white high-top sneakers completed her outfit, while large silver headphones rested around her neck. A small silver ring decorated one finger, and her black backpack was covered with tiny music pins.

Everyone knew Jennie.

She was the school’s legendary DJ.

She made incredible remixes for pep rallies, dances, and school events.

She was also famous for roasting people with perfectly timed one-liners.

Most students were too scared to argue with her.

⸻

Felix

Outside the gym, Felix dribbled a basketball across the court.

His soft black hair was slightly messy after early morning practice, falling naturally over his forehead. He had warm brown eyes and an easy smile that made almost everyone like him instantly.

He wore a white athletic T-shirt underneath a black-and-red varsity jacket, relaxed black athletic pants, white crew socks, and spotless white basketball sneakers.

He was captain of the basketball team and one of the most popular students in school.

Girls constantly tried to talk to him.

He still didn’t understand why.

⸻

Jisoo

Walking toward class with a stack of neatly organized books was Jisoo.

Her long dark red hair shimmered under the hallway lights, perfectly brushed and tucked behind one ear. She carried herself with quiet confidence and always looked elegant.

She wore a cream-colored knit sweater, a black pleated skirt over black tights, and polished ankle boots. Small pearl earrings and a delicate silver necklace completed her look.

She was kind, responsible, and somehow always ended up cleaning up everyone else’s chaos.

⸻

Rosé

Music drifted from the auditorium where Rosé was helping set up sound equipment.

Her long lavender hair was loose with gentle waves flowing down her back. She had a relaxed smile that instantly made people feel comfortable.

She wore an oversized lavender cardigan over a simple white T-shirt, ripped light-blue jeans, and chunky white boots. Around one wrist were colorful friendship bracelets she had made herself.

She loved music almost as much as Jennie did.

⸻

Lisa

Standing beside Rosé was Lisa.

Her long ash-blonde hair with straight bangs framed her bright smile perfectly. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, usually because she was about to cause some harmless trouble.

She wore an oversized black bomber jacket, a bright graphic T-shirt, loose cargo pants, and colorful sneakers covered with tiny paint splatter designs.

Lisa loved dancing, laughing, and making every situation ten times more chaotic.

⸻

Han

Han hurried through the hallway carrying way too many notebooks.

His soft brown hair looked like he had forgotten to brush it after waking up, giving him a permanently messy look.

He wore a green hoodie under a denim jacket, dark jeans, and comfortable sneakers.

He talked nonstop, laughed at nearly everything, and somehow always knew the latest school gossip before anyone else.

⸻

Hyunjin

Leaning against a classroom doorway was Hyunjin.

His long blond hair was perfectly styled, making him look like he had stepped straight out of a fashion magazine.

He wore an oversized cream sweater, black wide-leg trousers, layered silver necklaces, and clean designer sneakers.

He was artistic, dramatic, and believed every ordinary moment deserved movie-level slow motion.

⸻

The first bell echoed through the school.

Jennie adjusted the headphones around her neck.

Felix bounced his basketball one last time.

Neither of them knew it yet…

But before the day was over, they would already be arguing.
Book 2 – Chapter 16: No Second Chances Yet

The next morning…

The dorm was quieter than usual.

Not peaceful.

Just quiet.

⸻

Jennie sat at her desk, working on her DJ setup.

Her short, cool dark bob haircut framed her face perfectly, giving her that sharp, confident look everyone on campus had started recognizing.

She wore a black oversized hoodie, ripped dark jeans, silver jewelry, and black boots.

Her headphones rested around her neck as she adjusted the beat.

⸻

No crying.

No breaking down.

No showing weakness.

⸻

Jennie was back.

The savage DJ queen.

⸻

Lisa walked into the room carrying snacks.

Her Oreo-inspired haircut — mostly black with white strands mixed throughout — stood out as she placed the bags down. She wore a white hoodie, black cargo pants, and sneakers.

She looked at Jennie.

“You’re practicing again?”

Jennie didn’t look up.

“No.”

Lisa blinked.

“You’re literally holding headphones.”

Jennie adjusted the music.

“I’m emotionally practicing.”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

Jennie shrugged.

“Neither do most people.”

⸻

Lisa smiled.

There she was.

⸻

A few minutes later, Jisoo and Rosé arrived.

⸻

Jisoo walked in wearing a soft lavender sweater and jeans. Her long blonde hair with lavender-pink tips fell beautifully over her shoulders.

Rosé followed behind her wearing a denim jacket over a black top with relaxed jeans. Her short blonde hair inspired by her Apatapate look was styled effortlessly.

⸻

Rosé looked at Jennie.

“Are you feeling better?”

Jennie paused.

A tiny bit.

⸻

“Yeah.”

⸻

Jisoo smiled.

“Actually answering honestly?”

Jennie looked at her.

“Don’t make this emotional.”

⸻

Lisa laughed.

“That was basically a hug from Jennie.”

⸻

Jennie rolled her eyes.

“Everyone here is dramatic.”

⸻

Practice Room

⸻

Later, everyone met for practice.

⸻

Felix arrived with his blonde hair slightly messy, wearing a black jacket, gray shirt, jeans, and white sneakers.

Han walked beside him wearing a blue-and-black jacket and dark jeans. His black hair faded into blue at the bottom.

Hyunjin followed wearing a stylish black outfit, his hair styled with bold red tips.

⸻

Jennie was already there.

⸻

She didn’t look up.

⸻

Felix walked closer.

“Jennie.”

⸻

Nothing.

⸻

He tried again.

“Can I talk to you?”

⸻

Jennie slowly removed one headphone.

Looked at him.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

The room went silent.

⸻

Felix blinked.

“Jennie…”

⸻

She tilted her head.

“Did you suddenly forget what ‘no’ means?”

⸻

Han looked away.

“Okay. Starting strong.”

⸻

Felix sighed.

“I just want to explain.”

⸻

Jennie laughed.

“Again?”

⸻

“I’m not trying to bother you.”

⸻

She looked him up and down.

“That’s funny.”

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“Because bothering people seems to be your hidden talent.”

⸻

Han covered his laugh.

Hyunjin looked impressed.

⸻

Felix frowned.

“I’m serious.”

⸻

Jennie stepped closer.

“So am I.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“You already explained.”

⸻

“I know.”

⸻

“And I already listened.”

⸻

Felix looked hopeful.

⸻

Jennie immediately ruined it.

“Don’t look so excited. Listening doesn’t mean forgiving.”

⸻

Silence.

⸻

Felix looked hurt.

⸻

“I never wanted to hurt you.”

⸻

Jennie smiled coldly.

“Congratulations.”

⸻

Felix frowned.

“For what?”

⸻

“You managed to do it anyway.”

⸻

That one hit.

⸻

Han whispered:

“That was brutal.”

⸻

Jennie turned.

“Did you say something?”

⸻

Han immediately shook his head.

“No.”

⸻

“Good choice.”

⸻

Hyunjin crossed his arms.

“You really don’t hold back.”

⸻

Jennie looked at him.

“And you really talk like you’re in a movie.”

⸻

Hyunjin froze.

⸻

Han laughed.

“She got you too.”

⸻

Jennie put her headphones back on.

⸻

Felix tried one more time.

“Jennie…”

⸻

She stopped.

⸻

“What?”

⸻

“I miss how we used to be.”

⸻

For one second…

A tiny crack appeared.

⸻

Then Jennie closed it.

⸻

“That’s unfortunate.”

⸻

Felix looked down.

⸻

“Because I don’t miss being hurt.”

⸻

The room became quiet.

⸻

She picked up her DJ controller.

⸻

“Practice starts in five minutes.”

⸻

Felix stood there.

⸻

“Are we okay?”

⸻

Jennie looked at him.

⸻

“No.”

⸻

A pause.

⸻

“Not even close.”

⸻

Then she walked away.

⸻

Lisa watched her.

She knew Jennie was still angry.

But she also knew something else.

⸻

Jennie wasn’t cold because she didn’t care.

She was cold because she cared too much.

⸻

And Felix?

He was going to have to earn his way back.

Because the savage DJ queen wasn’t opening that door again so easily.
Chapter 27 – The Movie Night Trap

By Sunday evening…

Everyone in the dorm had exactly one goal.

Tease Jennie and Felix.

Forever.

⸻

Han was the mastermind.

“I have an amazing idea.”

Jennie immediately looked up from her laptop.

“No.”

“I didn’t even say it.”

“I don’t need to hear it.”

⸻

Han grinned.

“We’re having movie night!”

Lisa clapped.

“I love movie nights!”

Rosé smiled.

“I’m in.”

Jisoo nodded.

“Me too.”

Hyunjin dramatically placed a hand on his chest.

“I shall provide emotional commentary.”

Felix laughed.

“This should be interesting.”

Jennie sighed.

“I already regret this.”

⸻

An hour later…

The living room was covered with blankets, popcorn, chips, candy, and soda.

Lisa sat on the floor.

Her ash-blonde hair with bangs was tied into a loose ponytail. She wore an oversized pink hoodie and gray sweatpants.

Rosé curled up beside her.

Her lavender hair was braided over one shoulder, and she wore a cream sweater with ripped jeans.

Jisoo wore a navy hoodie and black joggers, her red hair tucked behind one ear.

Han wore his green hoodie and black sweatpants, already eating half the popcorn before the movie even started.

Hyunjin arrived with his blond hair perfectly styled—even for movie night—and wore a loose black sweatshirt and wide-leg pants.

Felix wore a black hoodie and gray sweatpants.

Jennie wore an oversized black sweatshirt, matching sweatpants, and fuzzy socks. Her blonde hair was tied into a messy bun.

⸻

Han looked around.

“Perfect.”

Jennie narrowed her eyes.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“No reason.”

“Han.”

“No reason.”

⸻

Everyone picked a seat.

Jennie sat on one end of the couch.

Felix sat on the other.

Han looked disappointed.

“Oh.”

“What?”

“You two are too far apart.”

Jennie sighed.

“That’s the point.”

⸻

Han suddenly stood up.

“I forgot the drinks!”

“I’ll help,” Lisa said.

“So will I,” Rosé added.

“Me too,” Jisoo smiled.

“I suddenly remembered something in my room,” Hyunjin announced dramatically.

Everyone left.

Except…

Jennie and Felix.

⸻

Jennie blinked.

“…We just got tricked.”

Felix looked toward the kitchen.

“They planned this.”

“They absolutely planned this.”

⸻

The movie started anyway.

For a few minutes…

Neither of them spoke.

Until…

A loud thunderstorm appeared in the movie.

Jennie jumped.

Just a tiny bit.

Felix noticed.

“You got scared.”

“I did not.”

“You literally jumped.”

“I was… surprised.”

He laughed.

“You hate horror movies.”

“I hate loud noises.”

“Sure.”

⸻

Jennie grabbed a handful of popcorn.

Felix reached for the bowl at the exact same time.

Their hands bumped.

Jennie looked at him.

“You stole my popcorn.”

“Our popcorn.”

“My popcorn.”

Felix smiled.

“I’ll buy you another bag.”

“You’d better.”

⸻

Just then…

The movie reached a really emotional scene.

Han slowly peeked around the corner.

Lisa peeked over his shoulder.

Rosé, Jisoo, and Hyunjin were stacked behind them like dominoes.

Lisa whispered,

“Are they holding hands?”

Han squinted.

“No…”

“They’re fighting over popcorn.”

Rosé laughed quietly.

“That sounds more like them.”

⸻

Suddenly…

Jennie noticed five heads sticking out from the hallway.

She slowly turned.

“…Seriously?”

Everyone froze.

Han smiled awkwardly.

“We can explain.”

Jennie stood up.

“Oh, I’d love to hear this.”

Hyunjin stepped forward.

“This was an observational experiment.”

Lisa nodded.

“Very scientific.”

Felix laughed so hard he almost dropped the popcorn.

Jennie pointed at all of them.

“You trapped us.”

Han shrugged.

“Did it work?”

Felix looked at Jennie.

“I mean…”

“We watched half the movie without arguing.”

Jennie blinked.

“…Wait.”

Everyone gasped dramatically.

Han threw his hands into the air.

“THEY ADMITTED IT!”

“I admitted nothing!” Jennie protested.

“You admitted peace!”

“That’s not a thing!”

“It is now,” Han declared.

The entire room burst into laughter.

Jennie looked at Felix.

“You know…”

“What?”

“I think our friends are completely insane.”

Felix smiled.

“Definitely.”

A small smile spread across Jennie’s face.

“…Good.”

Felix nodded.

“Yeah.”

“…Good.”

And for the rest of the night…

The movie barely mattered.

Because the real entertainment…

Was everyone trying—and failing—to stop teasing Jennie and Felix.
⸻
CHAPTER: “SMALL TABLE, BIG SILENCE (JUST THEM)”
⸻

The rest of the restaurant faded into background noise.

Soft clinking dishes. Distant conversations. Warm lighting that made everything feel slower than it actually was.

But at this corner table—

the world had narrowed.

⸻

Lisa sat with Noah and Ari on either side of her.

And across from them—

I.N.

⸻

Lisa’s brown hair was slightly messy now, loose strands falling near her cheeks as she leaned forward over the table. She had taken off her hoodie earlier, leaving a simple black fitted top with cargo pants—comfortable, relaxed, fully out of “airport mode” and into something quieter.

Her expression had softened completely.

Not performer.

Not public figure.

Just mom who finally stopped moving.

⸻

Noah sat on her right, swinging his legs under the chair, hoodie slightly oversized, eyes locked on the food like it was a mission.

Ari sat on her left, pastel jacket unzipped now, hair slightly loosened, leaning into Lisa’s side every few minutes like she needed contact to stay anchored.

⸻

Lisa gently nudged Ari’s plate closer.

“Eat that first.”

⸻

Ari frowned.

“But I want that one.”

⸻

Lisa shook her head.

“That one is sugar pretending to be happiness.”

⸻

Noah immediately looked up.

“I like sugar happiness.”

⸻

Lisa pointed at him without looking.

“You already had sugar happiness this morning.”

⸻

Noah paused.

“…True.”

⸻

Across the table, I.N watched quietly.

His hair was softly styled, slightly parted from travel, and he wore a simple neutral jacket over a plain shirt with relaxed pants—calm, understated, not trying to stand out, just present.

He didn’t interrupt.

He just observed the rhythm of them.

⸻

Ari suddenly turned toward him.

“Are you quiet because you’re shy?”

⸻

I.N blinked.

“…A little.”

⸻

Noah leaned forward.

“Or are you quiet because Mom talks a lot?”

⸻

Lisa immediately looked at Noah.

“That was unnecessary.”

⸻

I.N smiled faintly.

“It’s… not inaccurate.”

⸻

Lisa sighed deeply.

“Traitor table.”

⸻

Ari giggled into her drink.

⸻

The food arrived in small plates, warm steam rising.

Lisa immediately took a small bite from each kid’s plate without warning.

⸻

Noah stared.

“That’s unfair.”

⸻

Lisa nodded.

“Yes.”

⸻

Ari copied her.

“You’re just checking.”

⸻

Lisa nodded again.

“Yes.”

⸻

Noah leaned back.

“This system is corrupt.”

⸻

Lisa pointed at him again.

“You’re still eating.”

⸻

That shut him up instantly.

⸻

I.N finally spoke softly.

“You do this often?”

⸻

Lisa didn’t look up.

“Daily survival protocol.”

⸻

Ari tugged her sleeve.

“Mom, you’re funny today.”

⸻

Lisa paused for a fraction of a second.

Then softened.

“I always am.”

⸻

Noah raised an eyebrow.

“No you’re not.”

⸻

Lisa leaned toward him slightly.

“I am when I’m not tired.”

⸻

I.N’s gaze softened a little.

“So… today is a good day.”

⸻

Lisa nodded once.

“Today is a finished day.”

⸻

Ari leaned against her again.

“I like finished days.”

⸻

Lisa gently rested her hand on Ari’s head.

“Me too.”

⸻

A quiet moment followed.

Not empty.

Just full in a different way.

⸻

Noah finally asked:

“Are you happy now?”

⸻

Lisa didn’t answer immediately.

She looked at both kids.

Then at the table.

Then across at I.N.

⸻

Her voice came softer than before.

“…Yes.”

⸻

Noah nodded like that was the only acceptable answer.

⸻

Ari smiled.

“Good.”

⸻

I.N exhaled quietly, almost smiling.

“That’s important.”

⸻

Lisa leaned back slightly in her chair, brown hair falling naturally around her face, no longer styled, no longer controlled.

Just her.

⸻

“I don’t need loud days,” she said softly.

“Just days that end like this.”

⸻

Noah tilted his head.

“With food?”

⸻

Lisa nodded.

“With food.”

⸻

Ari added:

“And us?”

⸻

Lisa didn’t hesitate.

“Always you.”

⸻

A small silence settled.

Warm. Stable. Real.

⸻

And for the first time all day—

there was nothing to fix, nothing to plan, nothing to perform.

⸻

Just a mother, two children, and someone quietly sitting across from them…

sharing a moment that didn’t need an audience to matter.
Just... just tell me the truth. Please. Did you do this?  I did not I promise I’d never do anything like that to someone I call a friend *Macy lets out a small, broken sound, pulling the pillow tighter against her chest. Her face is buried, so her voice is muffled.*  Then who did?  *Alba scoffs, a sharp, dismissive sound. She takes a half-step forward, closing the distance between you, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest. Her eyes are like chips of flint.*  Oh, spare us the 'friend' routine. That's a little hard to believe right now, don't you think? You were the only other person in this room. The only one. Macy trusted you, and you were sitting right there at her desk while she went to the bathroom. Are you saying the photos just magically uploaded themselves? No I’m not saying that but the reality is someone had to do it I know with all my heart I would never no I could never do a friend like like trust me *Alba's laugh is short and entirely without humor. She pushes off the wall she was leaning against, taking another deliberate step into your personal space. The air crackles with her anger.*  Trust you? Are you kidding me? Trust is what got her into this mess. Macy trusted you, and now her life is being torn apart online by a bunch of scumbags.  *She gestures sharply towards the bed where Macy is still curled up, trembling slightly.*  Look at her. Go on, look. That's what your 'friendship' did.  *Macy slowly lifts her head from the pillow. Her eyes, puffy and red, meet yours for a fleeting second before darting away. Her voice is barely a whisper, fragile and cracking.*  But Alba... they're right. Someone had to do it. If... if it wasn't you, then who else could it have been?  *Alba's gaze remains fixed on you, hard and unwavering.*  Don't bother answering her. You're just going to spin more lies. I've heard enough. You have one minute to get out of our room, or I'm calling Campus Security and telling them everything. Let's see how much they 'trust' you. Macy please give me a chance to get to the bottom of this blindly blaming me will now solve this but in the meantime i can place a block on all leaked photos and videos anything that has your name or face involved I can have blocked *Macy’s head lifts a little more. The idea of stopping the spread seems to momentarily cut through her haze of misery. Her eyes flicker between you and Alba, a sliver of desperate hope warring with her confusion.*  You... you can do that? Make them stop?  *Before you can answer, Alba steps directly in front of you, physically blocking your view of Macy. Her voice is low and dangerous.*  Don't you dare make promises you can't keep. And don't you dare try to manipulate her. You think fixing the mess you made is going to change anything?  *She leans in closer, her jaw tight.*  This isn't about blocking photos. This is about you violating her trust in the worst possible way. You're not helping. You're trying to cover your tracks.  *From behind Alba, Macy's small voice cuts in, a little stronger this time.*  Alba, wait. How? How can you block them?  *Alba doesn't turn, her glare fixed on you.*  She's lying, Macy. It's a trick to make you think she's on your side. There's no way to just 'block' them once they're out there. Macy yes I have a way (looking down I reflect on the past where my father showed me how to make computer codes where I then got old and used coding skills to hack ATM machines for money I then look up and answer Macy) yes I can make a code that could act as a virus on any one’s computer or phone blocking your photos and videos even your name I don’t like to use this because on my past but to prove my innocence and to help a friend I’ll do what I can *Alba stares at you, her expression shifting from pure rage to sharp, cynical disbelief. A humorless smirk touches her lips.*  Oh, I see. So now you're not just a backstabbing friend, you're a hacker too? That's your story? That you have some magic 'code' to fix everything?  *She shakes her head slowly, her eyes narrowing.*  This just makes you look more guilty. How convenient that you suddenly have the exact skills needed to do something like this. Maybe that's how you got the photos in the first place. Hacked her laptop.  *Macy pushes herself up to a sitting position on the bed, her brows furrowed. The talk of viruses and codes seems to confuse and frighten her more than reassure her. She wraps her arms around her knees.*  You can... hack things? Like, illegally?  *The question is soft, laced with a new kind of uncertainty. The trust she once had in you is being replaced by the image of a stranger with a hidden, criminal past.*  *Alba doesn't take her eyes off you. Her voice drops, losing its sarcastic edge and becoming colder, more calculating.*  You say you have a past. What kind of past? Hacking ATMs, you said? Prove it. Show us. If you can really do what you say you can, do it right now. Block one photo. One comment. Let's see this 'code' of yours in action.  *She gestures with her head towards the laptop still sitting on Macy's desk.*  There's the computer. Go on. Show us what you can do.