Gentle Giant (방탄소년단)

chapter 9

"You just bump into her, every day?"

The surprise in Kayee's voice matched Namjoon's as he answered, "Yes! Can you believe that? Sure I planned on waiting for her but she would still be there! Like I don't even have to wait!"

"He was ready to ditch today's meeting to be with her. I've been hearing him talk about this clumsy girl since he moved back here." Jinyoung pitches in as they got on the bus. "Even Yoongi hyung told him to step up a notch and get to know her better but being the guy he is, our Joon becomes a nervous wreck."

Kayee bursts out laughing knowing very well what Jinyoung was trying to say while Namjoon sulked between the two.

"At least he got over his unrequited crush." Kayee mumbles.

The way Namjoon almost threw himself out of his seat but instead wailed in agony attracted the attention of everyone on the bus. He literally moaned out in torture, "It's in the past!"

Every person on the bus whipped their heads to see who was causing the ruckus to see three guys goofing around.

As he realised that he was the centre of attention while both Jinyoung and Kayee were stifling their laughs, Namjoon mumbles a quick apology for causing a disturbance and smacks both of his friends.

"We're never talking about this."

The rest of the ride was spent with both Jinyoung and Kayee talking about Namjoon's embarrassing endeavours and laughing like he wasn't seated right between them.

They kept cooing him and Namjoon gave up his grumpiness and smiled while adding on to the stories. It felt like time really flew away by the time they reached the stop.

They almost forgot about the rally and when Namjoon checks the time he dreadfully realised that they missed half of the event. So he drags them and rushes to reach the venue.

Breathless from all the running he did to reach here, he felt heartbroken to see the crowd dispersing. It seems like the event ended early.

"This is the event?" Jinyoung asked sceptically.

"Yes. It was." Namjoon mumbles weakly as he eyes the group of students folding the banner.

"I got a cousin that goes here! Wait I'll ring my mum to make sure." Saying that Jinyoung excuses himself.

"You met her today, right? I think you've exceeded today's quota. So tomorrow maybe?" Kayee tried to sound optimistic but looking at the sullen look on Namjoon's face made him sad too.

"I just wanted to attend the event, you know," Namjoon mumbled again as he remembered how enthusiastically Miss Klutz handed him the pamphlet. He remembered when he saw the poster put up in the cafe he started frequenting after his move here. Shaking his head, "It's alright. Let's go sit down until Jinyoung comes back." He says to get his head out of the clouds.

As they walked around to find a place to sit, they reached the bleachers and Namjoon noticed some very familiar faces sitting there.

"Uncle Jung? Aunty Kim? And is that Aunty Mina?! What are you guys doing here?" Namjoon rushes to them and bows to greet them. "It's me, remember? Kim Namjoon." He says and gauges their blank expression. Then he sighs heavily before pointing at his cheek, "The dimple?"

They gasp in unison as if realisation dawned on them but Namjoon knows better. He knows that they'd remember him dimple or not.

He literally spent most of his childhood growing before their eyes and playing with the other kids. He can still remember how painful it was for everyone when he had moved.

"Oh my, you've grown so much! I remember seeing that plum kid reciting tables and helping out with gardening." Aunt Mina says in surprise.

He smiles warmly, "I know. It's been so long but I moved back here recently! I've been meaning to visit everyone but I was kinda busy with work."

"Oh yes! I can't believe a kid from our neighbourhood is the best selling author! You know if I tell the school kids that I know you they'd laugh at me."

"You're just flattering me. Enough about me. You guys attended the event?"

"Yes! Do you remember Y/N? She's been pretty invested in this stuff. In fact, it's her club's event."

"Where is she? And what about Shane hyung? Is he still around or did Jason and Y/N allow him to leave them? I still remember how attached they were to him. Do you think I can meet up with Shane hyung too?"

Namjoon rapidly keeps talking and doesn't notice the crestfallen looks on the elders' faces.

"Shane?"

They hear a soft voice. Turning to see who it was, the colour drains away from the elders while Namjoon beams widely.

"If it isn't Miss Klutz!" He said with a wide smile on his face as he saw her. He didn't notice her face contorted in confusion and struggle. Namjoon was just ecstatic to see her.

"Uh... Hey, Mr Mess. Who's this Shane you were -"

"Alright! We have to get going!" Aunt Mina interrupts and loops her arm into Miss Klutz, "Namjoon, honey, it was nice meeting you! Visit us sometime. We'll get going now!"

"Yes, son! We've got to get going!" Uncle Jung said as he gestured to two of the boys standing behind to get everyone moving.

Namjoon stood stupefied as he saw everyone scatter and leave hurriedly. That was the last of Miss Klutz he saw that week.

When Jinyoung came back to join them he was beaming with an accomplished look, "My mom gave me my cousin's contact, he'll meet us soon. Joon-ah, you can ask him about the event."

Kayee, having witnessed the strange interaction notices the frozen look on Namjoon's face, "He met his old neighbours and his Miss Klutz... I think something terribly went wrong."

Jinyoung looked puzzled by Kayee's words but he didn't get to ponder much as his cousin arrived.

"Jinyoung hyung!" A young boy ran over to their side and pulled Jinyoung in a hug. "I can't believe you're back here, hyung! Are you coming home? Mom said not to return without you!"

"Slow down boy and breath! I talked to aunty and I apologized that I can't join you guys today. I'll be there tomorrow morning, hyung is sorry Hyunjin-ah."

Kayee still looking worried at Joon's frozen stature, grabs his hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze, bringing him back to reality.

"Park Jinyoung-ssi, I want you to find out what happened in my neighborhood while I was away."

Hearing Joon say his complete name, Jinyoung understood how serious he was being, so he replied with a curt nod and excused himself from the group with a bow while taking his cousin with him.

"Your Miss Klutz is your childhood friend, isn't she?" Kayee asked remembering Joon's tales during their time together in the dorm where they exchanged their childhood stories. "Your Aunt Mina dragged her away along with Uncle Jung, she's the one isn't she? Your Y/N?"

Joon felt dread settling in his bones when he realised, "She didn't remember Shane... Miss Klutz is Y/N then- how could she not know him? Kayee something bad happened while I was away. Something terrible happened to them..."