BEHIND THE SCENES

chapter 38: regret-inciting rules

<OST: Start - Gaho>

"So this is where I'll be staying." Jieun looked around the apartment in awe. The apartment was already three times the size of her current house. "Wow, it's rather b-"

"It's rather small, ain't it?" Jungkook sighed as he took a seat on the couch in the living room, while Seokjin dragged his luggage into the house after him. "But to hide from everyone, this will have to do."

"I was actually gonna say it's rather big-"

"Lee Jieun-ssi-" Jungkook got up from the couch and gestured towards the room nearest to the kitchen. "This will be your room. I know you're doing me a favour to come live here with me, but I'm still the owner after all - it'd make sense for me to take the master bedroom, am I right?"

"Oh, right-" Jieun nodded earnestly. "Of course, of course. I'll take this room, Jungkook-ssi. It's already twice the size of my room, I'm very grateful."

"That's good," Jungkook said with a smile. "Feel free to unpack all you want, but come out when you're done - I have a few things I need to tell you."

Jieun frowned as she wheeled her luggage into her room. "What is it?"

"You'll know later."

Jungkook took his seat on the couch a while later, as Seokjin dragged the last box of his belongings into the house, panting heavily. "Done!"

"Thanks, hyung-" Jungkook patted the couch, gesturing for Seokjin to take a seat next to him. "Come sit down and rest for a bit."

Still huffing and puffing, Seokjin nodded as he lay down on the sofa next to Jungkook.

"You worked hard, hyung-" Jungkook patted him on the shoulder. "Thanks for finding this house for me."

"What are you gonna do about that house, JK?" Seokjin frowned. "Should I sell it for you?"

"Mm..." Jungkook thought for a while. "Just keep it empty for the time being, hyung."

"Why?"

"Just-" Jungkook shrugged. "I might have a buyer in mind."

"Sure, alright then."

"Jungkook-ssi, Seokjin-oppa-" Jieun came out of her room a while later, taking a seat across them. "You said you wanted to tell me something..."

"Mm-" Jungkook nodded as he turned to Seokjin, shoving him to his feet. "Alright, hyung - you can go now. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Huh?" Seokjin let out a confused frown. "I helped you move your things here, but no welcome drink, no welcome party, no nothing...?"

"Another day, another day-" Jungkook pointed towards the door. "There's so much I need to unpack, so I can't welcome you well yet, hyung. Also, I'm tired today so I won't send you off. See you tomorrow, hyung.

"You-" Seokjin sighed as he headed towards the door. "Fine. See you tomorrow then, JK. Jieun-ah, I'll see you tomorrow too!"

"See you!"

Jieun smiled as she waved goodbye to Seokjin. The door closed shut, and finally, Jungkook and her were alone.

"So... what did you want to talk to me about?"

"House rules," Jungkook said matter-of-factly. "Rules you need to follow from now on, now that you're living under my roof."

Jieun's jaw dropped. "Excuse me... what?"

"Rule number 1!" Jungkook began, without any warning. "Never ever enter my room without any permission. The only time you can enter my room is only when I allow you to - usually to help me fall asleep."