Sunset Morpho

Morpho Hecuba

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“Appa! Eomma!”

The loud crash echoed throughout the quiet streets of—

"Get up now, Jungkook!" Namjoon yelled as he pulled his brother's blanket away, waking him up.

"Aish!"

Jungkook grumbled, covering his face with a large pillow, not minding the irritating noises coming from his older brothers though he thought it was only 6 am and his day is already ruined.

‘The same dream. The same dream every night. . .'

"Yah! You're going to be late!" Hoseok added while trying to remove the large pillow that's covering Jungkook's face.

After adjusting himself from the nightmare and into the disappointing reality, he finally got up, rubbed his eyes and messed his hair up, trying to shake off the irritating voices of his brothers that seemed to be booming all over his half-unconscious brain.

"Aish! What even is the point of waking up every day!?" In a husky, yet groggy, irritated voice he snarled, pushing his brothers out of his way as he stormed out of the room.

Even so, Yoongi retorted with an angry tone in his voice, clearly disgusted by the youngest's disrespectful behavior towards them, "You won't graduate if you keep slacking off!"

. . .

"Oh no~" You gasped, feeling the cold rain droplets on your hands from an unexpected downpour.

You quickly scanned around in hopes of finding a temporary shade, and fortunately getting a cover before the heavy rain could completely drench all over your last uniform.

"Butterfly on a rainy day?"

You asked to yourself as you felt getting more and more captivated by what it may seem an illuminating white butterfly, freely fluttering around and through the raindrops which got you thinking your eyes might be playing tricks on you.

"Why do you keep on staring at me?"

Surprised by the unfamiliar voice, you sprang off from your position and landed on your butt, making you look ridiculous in front of the stranger.

"W-what?" you asked, confused but keeping a cool and intimidating voice as you try to regain your poise from the embarrassment.

"Are you fantasizing?" He asked in a cold and cocky tone, contrasting his innocent overall facet.

"What!? No!"

"Pshh. Girls.”

Apparently, your answer doesn’t help into making him any less conceited.

"Excuse me but I was looking at a butterfly and not you,” you retorted back as you looked away from him to keep your calm.

"A Butterfly? It’s raining, you delusional weirdo.”

"First of all, you don’t even know my name and you’re calling me a ‘delusional weirdo’? And second, you’re the one who’s delusional because it was right in front of you!”

"I must've been so blind to see something in front of me yet I still chose to be ignorant.”

You scoffed, rolling your eyes in disbelief, convincing yourself that your whole day is absolutely ruined, to even start off without Min Ah in it.

"When will this rain stop?" You mumbled, obviously to no one in particular, but at the same time having your hopes up that this complete stranger would magically turn nice and start a good conversation.

"When will you stop talking?”

"I’m not talking to you.” You stuck your tongue out and gave him an insulting face to at least piss him off.

"Oh I see, there's no one around here, I suppose you're either talking to the rain, or maybe yourself, but I highly assume that you're talking to that imaginary butterfly," in a monotonous tone, he spoke and paused to give you a mocking smirk before putting on his headphones, “weirdo.”

“Ugh,” you groaned, refusing to accept the fact that this guy right here is the most unbelievable jerk you’ve ever met today— maybe even for all the years you’ve existed in this planet.

‘It’s getting seriously cold.’ You silently thought to yourself as you embraced your legs tighter, trying to keep yourself warm.

‘Should I ask a hug from him?’

You turned to look at him slowly, making sure he’s not looking at you or he might tease you again. You sighed as you slowly scanned his face that seemed so innocent and pure the more you look at it but winced in disgust as you remember his cocky attitude.

"Do you need a hug?"

"W-what!?”

This caught you off-guard, and making you look more dumbfounded than before as you covered your mouth the moment he started to slowly crawl closer to you.

"Seriously?"

The familiar voice snapped you back into reality when you finally realized that you’re actually staring at him, mouth dropped open.

"Do you really like me that much? Huh?"

"What the actual— no!" You denied, followed by a flustered blush and quickly covering it with your cold hands.

"Come with me."

Before you could even protest, he grabbed your other arm and dragged you all the way into a nearby small café, not even caring if you’re against it but somehow you felt his grip slightly gentle rather than you’ve expected to be full of force.

As soon as you stepped inside, the melodramatic ambiance and delicious aroma swirling throughout the room embraced you with warmth; the cafe's pretty empty. You closed your eyes for a second, feeling the cozy atmosphere as this random stranger continuously drags you with him.

"Caramel Macchiato."

"What about you, Miss?"

"M-Me?"

Going back to reality, you first glared at this tall guy beside you and harshly removed your hand from his grip.

"I'm sorry to say but actually, we only have Caramel Macchiato left in here. Is it okay? Umm. . . Our stocks got this—"

"Uh honestly, I don't really mind." You responded immediately as you don't really care about the barista's explanation, because as of right now, you just need a damn coffee to keep you warm.

‘Wow, he's not that bad after all— suddenly treating me free coffee.’ You thought to yourself as you hide your blush just by looking at the guy's innocent face. . . maybe even drawn closer to his prominent nose.

"She'll be the one to pay."

Pink blush quickly turned red in annoyance and smile into a scowl; surely you're now fully convinced that he's really unbelievable.

"Heck, don't you have your own money!?"

Even your eyebrows meet just by looking at how arrogant he walks away, looking for a spot to sit down.

‘What a jerk, I thought he'll pay for them. I guess those adorable stories I've read truly are fictional.'

The two of you settled down on one of the vacant seats, just by the window, raindrops rushing down the hard glass but the gray view from the outside still can be seen, almost reflecting on this guy's soul.

"What the actual heck is that for?"

Slamming down your arms on this varnished table, you looked straight at him with eyes fit for a serious interrogation.

"You like me right? Well, to be really honest, I want to apologize if I'm just taking you for granted," he answered but eyes on his coffee, calmly mesmerized by the warmth it gives off, "but don't worry, I might learn to like you as time passes by," he finished off by looking back straight into your irritated gaze with a blunt stare as he sipped from his cup, arrogant smirk subtly curling in the corners of his lips.

"Wow, you're just unbelievable!" You scoffed, clapping your hands in disbelief as you turned your head outside the window, sarcastically trying to find an audience for this hilarious act.

"Pshh. I know you girls already."

You definitely would want to punch the living hell out of this guy right now just to smack off the remaining conceit in his human body. . . or even the depths of his soul if it weren't for his distracting looks which looked beyond ethereal as innocent as it looks from an actual seraphim.

'I'm betting half my life he's never had a girlfriend. I mean, who can stand this jerk?'

(Now Playing: Coffee - BTS)

"What's your name?" He asked, voice a bit lighter and friendlier than before.

"Why'd you ask? Do you like me?" You returned the question with a sly grin, grabbing the chance to turn tables now.

"Sorry weirdo, but I have a girlfriend."

You almost spit out your warm drink in front of face the moment you heard the same cold voice answering your question.

"Really? Well, I don't believe it." You calmly uttered, trying to keep your destroyed ego from missing the chance to mock him.

"I'm not asking you to believe it or not; I'm asking for your name."

"Kim Nabi. Happy?" You responded, almost even hesitating to tell him as you raised an eyebrow and sipped from your cup.

"My girlfriend's name is Kim Nabi."

Not even lying but this literally made you almost choke on your Caramel Macchiato, creating involuntary funny reaction from your own face.

"Don't die right now, I still need you."

The soft voice and cheesy tone in it is building up the cringe which soared into heights as he touched your hand, reason for you to remove yours from his with a wince.

"What the heck!? Who even are you!?"

"Jungkook. Shame, how come you do not know your boyfriend's name?" He pouted, blowing up into puffy cheeks that made your heart skip a beat.

"May I ask how much drugs have you taken today, mister?"

"Hahaha."

It was an unexpected, low manly chuckle— it was arguably one of the cutest yet manly laughs you've heard in your entire laugh, not surprised by his innocent look but because of his arrogant attitude he's shown so far.

"What? What's so funny?"

His laughter was absurdly contagious that made you even raise an eyebrow but somehow smiled just by looking at his wrinkled eyes and genuine reaction.

"You know, I was just messing with you."

Of course, he literally messed your hair up and as much as you want to want to protest, he's already said something that you've never heard from a guy before—

"You're cute."

"Hold up. So you were acting all along?"

He was taken aback, eyes wider than they are to start with, contemplating for a short while before speaking again, now in a serene yet unsure tone.

"I don't know," he then looks at you with soft stare, "did I laugh?"

"Uhh. . . Yes?"

"Oh," he looked down, fiddled his thumbs together and nodded slowly, "I thought I'll never be able to laugh again."

He tilted his head and beamed up before you, "Thanks to you."

"Really? Well—uh. . . you're welcome?"

Not knowing what else to say, you scratched your head and gave a lopsided smile on your coffee as if you're trying to communicate with it or perhaps reflecting on this odd human right before your very presence.

‘Who doesn't laugh in their whole life?’

"Nabi, do you have friends?"

"Uhh. . . yes I do?"

"Cool, can I be one of them?" He asks, smiling wider but at the same time somehow looking like he's actually expecting you to accept.

"Uh- I. . . Sure?"

"Really? You mean it?"

You were even clueless that you've actually just mirrored his large eyes as your words trailed off with the reluctant 'I guess'.

"Yaaay!"

You were completely shocked and more dumbfounded when he got up and did a mini dance which you swear he appeared as a literal child in your perspective— just the way he does these silly and childlike moves makes you fully question the epitome of his randomness.

"Yah!"

He laughed it off when you unintentionally decided to throw a crumpled tissue at him, and in revenge, he dipped his pale index finger into his warm cup, ran up to you and daubed a pinch of foam on your nose.

"Yah!"

Not long after, it was just the two of you running around the peaceful cafe, youthful giggles echoing throughout, even forgetting fact that just a minute ago, you were completely but a mere strangers. . . that rather may be abhorring each other's existence.

"Well, that was fun!" He exclaimed, bouncing from either directions like an excited kid.

"I know right. I never knew you could be that fun; I actually thought you're such a killjoy."

"Me neither."

He finally stopped with one last spring and walks by an inch closer beside you with a slow and steady pace you can even hear his heavy breathing. Now you have to bear with the awkward atmosphere between you as no one's speaking plus his heavy breathing is not much of a help at all.

"Oh, Jungkook," you blurted out and stopped between your uncomfortable steps, knowing you can't take the breathing anymore as it makes you blush for no particular reason.

"Hm?" He asks, eyes looking even friendlier towards yours, and hands in his pockets, still keeping the manly aura in him.

"Umm. . . this is where I live."

You gestured towards the small house, about a block away from where the two of you were standing.

"Oh, your parents might not be happy when they see me with their daughter."

"Haha, I'm pretty sure they're cool with it."

"You think so?" He asked, grinning almost ear to ear.

You nodded with a chuckle, drifting it off into a sigh as you looked up the sky before turning back at him once again.

"By the way, you're in the same academy, right?"

He just nodded in response but eyes still locked onto yours.

"How come I haven't seen you before?"

"Honestly, I skip classes or sometimes just ditch the entire day," he shared with a light laugh, slightly even hesitating to tell, but finishing it off with a scratch on his nape.

"I see," you laughed back.

"Well then, uh. . . Jungkook?"

"Yes?"

"It's nice to meet you," you gave him a warm smile and hopefully turned out not awkward.

"Nice to meet you too, Nabi."

In return, he smiled back which unknowingly made your heart flutter.

"So uh. . . Catch you tomorrow, I guess?"

You nodded lightly in response as you both laugh and bid each other your goodbyes which turned out into an almost nonstop silly waving as if you're never seeing each other again.

As soon as you stepped inside your house and closing the door, you burst out giggling to yourself, almost turning the once pink blush into a deep shade of red.

"He's so cute!" You thought out loud, but realizing the words the escaped from your lips you tried to take them back as you gently slapped your face with your two hands, feeling the heat in them from all the blushing you made.

'Oh heck, am I catching feelings?'

'No way, you can't be falling for someone whom you've just met— worse is that he's just be fooling around and can humiliate you in front of many people because. . . why not? He's absolutely stunning!'

'But he's too innocent! You can tell just by his genuine childlike movements and the cheerful vibe he's giving!'

'Ha! You can't be so sure— who knows he might be a bipolar jerk?'

"Aish!"

You messed your hair up and rolled side by side on your soft bed, trying to brush off all the nonsense thoughts inside your brain.

"Should I tell this to Min Ah?" You asked yourself as you stretched your arm, reaching for your mobile phone across the bed.

To: 베프
yo get well soon! i have something to tell you tomorrow about this guy I met today but for now, you need more rest. love ya! <3

You pressed 'send' and waited for her reply.

From: 베프
GUY? WTH IM RECOVERING REAL FAST AND IM GOING TO KILL HIM

You laughed out loud after reading her message that seemed more like a threat and before you could even reply back, she was already trying to call you.

"Hello?"

"KIM NABI, I'M DEAD SERIOUS SO ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW— WHO THE HECK IS THIS GUY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!?"

"Hey, chill. There's nothing to worry ab—"

"I WILL HUNT THAT GUY DOWN AND—"

"HEY, CALM YOUR SOUL DOWN, ALRIGHT!?"

It was a long pause before speaking up again with a calm yet aggressive voice still lingering from all the tensed words she's released a moment ago.

"So this guy. . . his name's Jungkook. . ."

"Yah Jungkookie-ah!"

It was Seokjin who first scowled as soon as he saw Jungkook entering the house.

"What took you so long?" Jimin complained, dropping the feather duster off from his hand as he wiped a small ball of sweat forming on his head.

"Blame the rain."

His sarcastic answer accompanied with a bright smile and jolly hops up the stairs and into his room made his brothers drop their jaws wide. For a straight minute, no one made a noise, until they all shared a common confused look.

"Who is that?" Taehyung asked with a funny shocked face.

"Jungkook from the outer space, perhaps?"

"Only Taehyung is from the outer space." Yoongi bluntly commented, but still attention focused on the topic.

"Yah!" Taehyung pouted but it seems like everyone's too fixated with Jungkook's recent sudden change of mood.

"I can hardly even remember the last he smiled. . ." Hoseok shared his thoughts as he crossed his arms together, waiting for the others to share theirs.

"It's been too long since—"

"Since Appa and Eomma died. . ." Jimin finished, completing the melodramatic nostalgia the other brothers were trying to feel.

Meanwhile, there's Jungkook, smiling by himself like crazy inside his room. . .

‘But why did I laugh? Why did I smile?’

‘Do I finally get to experience happiness again after so many years?'

Notes