Number Neighbor

15

A week later I begin my work for my finals for the semester.

I was accepted to work part time at Jin's brother's restaurant, but I really can only do early mornings.

So I'm up before sunrise to head over to the restaurant, and start making the four basic types of dough: pie, biscuit, bread, and cookie. The pastry chef has been happy with my work so far, and says that once I am on break I can come in more and learn some of  the further production.

They liked the ideas I had, but decided to tweak the mochi idea I came up with, leaving the other  two alone.

Instead of mochi filled with sakura they've gone with a slightly spicy red bean filling in tteokbokki. When I got to try it I was honestly amazed at the complexity.

My notebook for ideas has been filling up. The restaurant has so many great recipes that I imagine riffs on that I have to keep myself focused on my studying for the finals, setting the book in the kitchen out of reach so it's not in my hands being poured over.

****

The school's office let me know that my sponsorship was transferred. I thanked them as carefully as I could with my newfound language skills, and I think I didn't do too bad. I practice speaking Korean with two other classmates over coffee even after classes, and they offered to drill me in pronunciation and tempo.

I'm not really understanding yet when locals speak to me in Korean, but I am noticing the structure of the sentences, and even if I can't guess what they're saying, a lot of pantomime still goes a long way.

The guys seem to be busier than usual. I'll occasionally get texts from one or the other, but it'll be after midnight when I'm asleep, or at an odd hour during classes. They let me know they'd be touring, doing concerts for the next few months, so I am happy to hear from them whenever they have time, but I don't really expect it.

A couple of girls in my class are K-pop fans, and have introduced me to the different bands they love: Big Bang, TxT, Got7, Blackpink, and yes, BTS... among others. I try to appreciate all the bands equally, but if I'm being honest, I have to admit to being biased towards BTS, the guys are just so much themselves in their music.

The K-pop fan classmates invited me to a Christmas party and K-pop music video showing the week after finals is done, and I've already said yes, so I need to focus on my revisions to make a good buffer for my grades so that I can enjoy the party.

****

'Y/N! How are you?' Taehyung all but shouts though the phone.

'I am good, how is everyone there?' I ask, stumbling over my Korean. The grin on his face widens as he hears my attempt at his language.

Instead of responding he coos over my pronunciation. This, or course, gets the attention of a couple of the other guys, not currently sitting in makeup chairs getting ready for the stage.

'Y/N!! I wish I was eating your brownies!' JK says loudly, grinning behind V. 

'I'll have brownies warm and fresh the day you come back, hmmm?' I offer. The echo of groans from everyone else in V's room, it sounds like they're all huddled in there, makes me chuckle.

Of course someone had to throw a tantrum at the idea of not having them now.

But it wasn't anyone in the maknae line.

Yes, I finally understand what that means, thanks to my K-pop fanatic friends at school.

'I need a brownie now!' Hobi throws himself down on the couch behind V and JK, thrashing his appendages in a semi controlled form. I think he didn't want to mess up the work done on him.

The laughter rings loudly as I grin at the antics.

****

'So you're already preparing for finals?' Joon asks.

'Yeah. I like to keep ahead of the schedule so that I'm not feeling like i can't ask questions if I'm unsure of something.' I nod my head while replying.

Eventually that vid call with V finished and the guys all headed to their dressing rooms to be fitted. It wasn't even five minutes later that I got the call from Joon.

'How's the Hangul lessons?' He asks, his own voice slightly distracted.

'I think I'll pass both classes, and I thank each of the guys for their assistance in learning the language!' I reply.

'Hmm....' He agrees, losing track of the conversation.

'You're busy Joon. We can talk later.' I say softly. The smile in apology as he waves goodbye before hanging up has me smile.

I have hours of revision before I can call it a night. I have an early morning to look forward to!

****

Several weeks later and the schedule for the finals tests are handed out. I go to the cafe with my friends from language class, and over coffees we all translate the schedules and verify what we need to know.

By the end of the day the bus to my apartment has become less crowded, so I find a seat easy enough to rest in.

Looking through the selcas of the guys I smile warmly, reminiscing over the pool parties.

I hope they're having fun wherever their next concert is.