Celestial Encounters : A BTS One Shot Series

61 - RM & Maknae line

The Adorable Bibliophile

In the cozy living room of the BTS dorm, a sense of calm and contentment filled the air. The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the wooden floors and soft furnishings. The maknae line—Jimin, V, and Jungkook—were sprawled out on the comfortable couches, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation. Jimin was flipping through a magazine, V was doodling in his sketchbook, and Jungkook was tinkering with a new gadget, his focus intense.

The tranquility of the scene was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the front door opening with a click and then a bang as it was enthusiastically shut. The three youngest members looked up, their curiosity piqued. In walked RM, their leader, with a gleam in his eyes and a hardcover book clutched tightly in his hand. The energy radiating from him was almost palpable.

“Guys, you won’t believe what I just found!” RM exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.

Jimin, V, and Jungkook exchanged amused glances. It wasn’t uncommon for RM to get excited about books, but there was something different about his energy today—something even more animated than usual.

“What is it this time, hyung?” Jungkook asked, setting his gadget aside and sitting up straighter.

“It’s a first edition of one of my all-time favorite books!” RM’s eyes sparkled as he waved the book around, practically dancing on his feet. “I’ve been looking for this for years, and I finally found it at this little bookstore tucked away in a corner of Itaewon.”

V leaned forward, intrigued by RM’s enthusiasm. “What book is it?”

RM carefully placed the book on the coffee table in front of them, handling it as if it were a precious artifact. The cover was worn, but the title was still clearly visible: *“The Metamorphosis”* by Franz Kafka.

Jimin raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. “Kafka, huh? You’ve mentioned him before.”

RM nodded eagerly, his excitement undiminished. “Yes! Kafka’s work is incredible. This book, in particular, has had such a profound impact on me. The way he writes about the human condition, the alienation, the existential crisis—it’s all so raw and real.”

As RM began to ramble on, Jimin, V, and Jungkook settled back into their seats, fully prepared to listen. They had long since learned that when RM got like this, there was no stopping him—and honestly, they didn’t mind. Seeing their leader so passionate about something always filled them with a warm sense of pride and endearment.

“You know,” RM continued, his hands gesturing animatedly as he spoke, “*The Metamorphosis* is about this guy, Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one day to find himself transformed into a giant insect. The story follows his struggle to come to terms with his new reality and the way his family reacts to his transformation. It’s such a brilliant metaphor for how society treats those who are different or who don’t fit into the mold.”

V tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. “That sounds intense.”

“It is,” RM agreed, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “But that’s what makes it so powerful. Kafka captures this sense of isolation and despair, but at the same time, there’s this underlying commentary on the absurdity of life. It’s almost like he’s saying that life is strange and unpredictable, and sometimes the things that happen to us are beyond our control.”

Jungkook, who had been listening intently, couldn’t help but ask, “But why did it have such a big impact on you, hyung?”

RM paused, his expression thoughtful as he considered how to explain the connection he felt to the book. “I think it’s because I’ve always related to that feeling of being different, of not fitting in. When I was younger, I was always the odd one out—the kid who was more interested in books and philosophy than sports or the usual things kids my age were into. Reading *The Metamorphosis* made me feel like I wasn’t alone in that experience, like there was someone out there who understood what it was like to feel alienated.”