A Rose Between Thorns

Chapter 63: Heartfelt Messages from Loved Ones

Our final stop of the day is the sauna. The weather had cleared up by the time we had finished dinner, much to our surprise. To my dismay the place is also right beside a lake, but the staff tells me it's actually really shallow so even if I were to get in, I would be at no risk of drowning.

This does ease my mind a little, and so I go to change into my attire for the sauna.

Normally since I'm a woman I wouldn't share a room with the boys, but since it's for Bon Voyage I'll be joining them. I made a mental note to look up local saunas in Korea, maybe I could convince Gisselle and Choi to come along with me.

I tie my robe around my body, wearing a black sports bra underneath for obvious reasons. Apparently you're not supposed to but I'm not taking any risks here.

The boys are all waiting for me in the room, cheering once I take a seat beside Jimin. "Yah, finally our rose has joined us!" Hoseok says, the boys clapping happily at my arrival. I roll my eyes as the boys start figuring out how the sauna itself works.

"Have you ever been in a sauna, Jangmi?" Jungkook asks, leaning forward so he can see me since he's on the other side of Jimin.

I shake my head with a smile. "Nope, this is my first time. I've heard a lot about them though, I just never had the desire to experience it myself." I reply, and the boys wow as someone pours water on the hot stones. This causes steam to erupt from the stones, making the room hotter in the process.

"You know, the traditional sauna experience here in Finland, is that after being in this steaming room you go into the icy lake water." Yoongi says, where he got this information I have no idea. "Let's play a game and have that as a punishment."

"Run into the lake?" Jimin questions, and I can't help but laugh as the rest of the group looks at him with dumbfounded expressions.

"That's what that hot tub outside is for, I did my research beforehand," Yoongi replies, and the rest of the group has mixed opinions.

"This trip is for young men in their twenties, as well as a young lady," Hoseok adds as he looks over at me. "And it is a meaningful time with friends. So we should go in together, holding hands!"

"Two people per punishment, holding hands," Yoongi adds with his patented gummy smile plastered on his face.

"Yah, but what if Taylor loses?" Jin asks, a worried expression on his face.

"Then I'll go in, it's not fair to you guys if I lose and don't," I say in a soft tone, surprising all of the boys. "It's just like we did on my birthday, right? Plus it's two people so I won't be alone."

I know I'm going to regret saying it, because the lake itself is a fucking death trap. But I meant what I said, I don't think it would be fair to the boys if I was exempt from the punishment.

After a bit of discussion it is decided that we'll play the game after enjoying the sauna for a little longer. Jimin goes to lay down closer to the stones, then complains about Taehyung's feet being in his face.

The boys all tease him on this and Jimin hurriedly sits up to avoid being attacked. I stifle a laugh as he edges closer to me, grabbing onto my bare legs with a horrified expression.

"Jangmi, protect me!" Jimin cries, before being immediately distracted. "Ah, you painted your nails?"

I shrug, since Choi and Gisselle came over to do my hair and nails when we were in Sweden at one point. The former woman has a really skilled hand, designing beautiful white hibiscus flowers on a yellow background for all of them.

"You can thank Choi for that, though I can say I'm not a fan of having my nails done. I hate nail files with a burning passion."

"Next time I want to watch her paint them. It looks really cool," Jimin says, lifting my legs and putting them in Jungkook's lap for the boys to see. I roll my eyes as I lean back on my hands to keep myself upright, the boys marveling at the craftsmanship.