Chapter Text
Jimin was anchored to the bar’s dark wooden counter, not entirely sure how her legs had carried her there. Perhaps it was the heavy silence of her apartment. Or the conversation earlier with Liam, which ended with a lukewarm — talk to you later — and a tasteless kiss. The kind of kiss that serves only to maintain a routine, not a feeling—at least not on Jimin's part.
The bar was hidden between two old buildings in the neighborhood, a sanctuary of warm lights and hushed voices. Jimin had discovered the place by accident while wandering aimlessly to clear her head. The cozy look of the place had invited her in.
Jimin was wearing loose jeans and a faded The Smiths t-shirt—one of the few pieces of clothing she actually enjoyed wearing. The fabric was worn around the edges, but it was comfortable, it was familiar, and Jimin liked that feeling. On her face were her inseparable prescription glasses. She had tried switching to contact lenses once, but found out the hard way that she was allergic. In the end, she made peace with them, even though she thought they made her look a bit too nerd. On her feet was the same pair of sneakers that had been with her since her first semester of law school.
The bar was small and welcoming in a strange way. The walls were covered with colorful paintings, vintage band posters, and empty bottles repurposed as vases for dried flowers. A record player in the corner spun a vinyl record that crackled softly between tracks, filling the air with a cozy, comforting melancholy.
In the back, there was a small dartboard with white and red lights, darts sticking into it like relics of past games. Every now and then, a mechanical click would cut through the ambient sound—the sharp thud of a dart hitting the target, followed by soft laughter from the players.
It was the kind of place where time seemed to slow down.
She ordered a random drink—she wasn't much of a drinker, but tonight she needed it. Jimin watched the bartender carefully mix the ingredients, topping it off with a light foam and a touch of ginger. She noticed every movement, hypnotized by his precision.
When the glass reached her, the strong, sweet aroma of ginger rose, warming the air. She lifted it to her lips and took a small sip. The taste was warm, slightly spicy—the kind of drink that melts on the tongue and heats up the body. The ice clinked inside the glass, the sound seeming to rhythmically match her own breathing.
The bartender stared at her, waiting for a reaction.
— I love it, thank you — she murmured.
He smiled, satisfied, and she offered a shy nod in return. He seemed proud of his creation.
The voices, the ambient lights, the crackle of the vinyl... Everything blended into a feeling of being present, yet not entirely belonging.
And for some reason, Jimin felt that the night wasn't over yet.
Jimin stayed there for about twenty minutes before ordering a second drink. She liked the bar's atmosphere and enjoyed watching people play and laugh. For a brief second, she remembered how fun it used to be to play games with Liam. The memory felt emptier than it should have.
She heard the stool next to her shift and looked up—it was a girl.
She was just inches away, carrying a presence that seemed to fill the entire room. Long brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a subtle shimmer of lip gloss highlighted her full lips. Her makeup was minimal, almost natural, but done in a way that made Jimin want to look twice.
She wore a thin black top with a subtle neckline and a skirt of the same color that accentuated her thighs. Everything about her seemed calculated yet effortlessly natural.
Her perfume reached Jimin before her voice did. A warm, slightly woody scent with a sweet undertone—so distinct from Liam's synthetic, masculine cologne that Jimin felt her entire body shiver without understanding why.
— Is this seat taken? — the girl asked.
Her voice was soft, calm, and low, making Jimin’s stomach tie itself in knots. Holy shit, she thought. She just wanted to drink alone.
Jimin shook her head, trying to hide the nervousness consuming her body.
The girl sat down beside her in a simple yet mesmerizing motion—the sound of the stool dragging across the floor, the gentle touch of her fingers resting on the counter. She ordered the same drink as Jimin, her calm tone catching the bartender's attention.
The amber liquid was served in a short glass with ice and a thin slice of orange on the rim. The nameless woman held the glass with effortless elegance, her delicate rings catching the bar's warm glow. She brought the drink to her lips slowly, savoring the moment before tasting it. Jimin felt her hands turn clammy, though she couldn't comprehend why.
— I like it when a bar has an atmosphere like this — she remarked, without looking directly at Jimin. — It feels like time slows down, doesn't it?
— Yeah... a bit lonely, but peaceful — Jimin replied with a faint smile.
— Lonely isn't always bad. Sometimes, it's all we need. — She slowly swirled her glass, watching the ice move.
The bar felt quieter than before—or perhaps Jimin's entire world was simply shrinking down to the woman beside her.
— I've never seen you around here — the woman said, her voice low and confident, as if she knew the exact effect she was having.
Jimin took a moment to reply.
— I've never been here — Jimin answered, stirring her straw just to give her hands something to do. — I don't drink much... only when I want to... get away from everything.
The woman tilted her head slightly, weighing every word.
— Get away from everything... — she repeated in a whisper. — Sounds like a good reason.
She swirled the glass between her fingers, watching the ice melt, before turning her gaze back to Jimin. The look was far too intense to be casual, far too lingering to be merely polite. Jimin felt her stomach turn, as if she had swallowed something far too spicy.
— Is it your first time here? — Jimin asked, trying to disguise her trembling voice.
— No, I usually come with friends sometimes — the woman answered, a subtle smirk forming slowly.
Jimin was at a loss for words. Everything inside her screamed to run away from that look, but at the same time... she didn't want to. There was a grace in how the light reflected off the woman's lips and in her composed movements that kept Jimin anchored right there, unsure of where to look.
— Can I get your name? — the nameless girl asked.
— Jimin. Yu Jimin.
— And what do you like? — the other asked, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes locked on Jimin as if nothing else around them existed.
Jimin tried to hold her gaze, but it was useless. There was a quiet intensity that left her breathless. Her heart was beating too loud, too fast, radiating down to her throat. The skin on her hands felt hot and clammy. Her entire body seemed to betray the composure she was desperately trying to maintain.
— What do you mean? What do I like? — she asked, her voice dropping lower than usual, almost raspy.
The woman smiled slowly.
— Hm. What do you like to do, Yu Jimin? — She said her name with dangerous softness, every syllable feeling like a touch.
Jimin swallowed hard. The sound of her own name in that voice sent an unfamiliar sensation through her—warm, insistent, impossible to ignore. The words got stuck in her throat, and for a second, she forgot how to answer. Everything inside her reacted—her stomach flipped, her heart stumbled, and her skin tingled as if awakening to something she didn't know existed. She couldn't tell if it was the alcohol kicking in or if the woman in front of her was just so attractive it made her feel dizzy.
— Ah... I like watching movies, playing video games, and drawing. Why do you ask?
— You make me want to know more about you — she replied.
The silence that followed stretched on for what felt like minutes. A heavy silence laden with an invisible thread of tension, curiosity, and restrained desire. Soft pop music played in the background, muffled by chatter and laughter from the rest of the bar. The scent of alcohol and wood blended with the sweet perfume the woman wore, leaving Jimin feeling even more intoxicated.
Not knowing where to put her hands, Jimin kept them in her lap, lacing her fingers tightly. Her face burned, and her heart beat to the rhythm of the music. The woman watched every reaction: the way Jimin averted her gaze, the flush on her cheeks, the timid smile she tried to hide.
Leaning her chin on her hand with a smirk that felt almost like a challenge, the woman reached her fingers toward Jimin’s glasses. She didn't touch them, but the proximity felt like a promise.
— You're blushing — she pointed out softly, her low, teasing voice practically a whisper. — And I love how those lenses try to hide your panic. You're so much more interesting when you try to look serious, Jimin.
Her gaze lingered, steady and curious, as if memorizing every detail. She let out a soft laugh, making Jimin feel ridiculously silly for not being able to respond. Jimin tried looking away again, biting her lip, taking a deep breath to calm down. But it was no use. The woman's presence was too overwhelming, too intense.
— I-It's hot in here — Jimin replied too quickly, trying to laugh it off, though her voice cracked halfway through. I need to get out of here or I'm going to die, she thought.
Time seemed suspended for a few seconds. Only the distant music filled the space between them—a soft, melancholy chorus that rendered the moment even thicker. The woman kept staring at Jimin, taking in how beautiful she was, how attractive her glasses made her look, and how pretty her hair was tied back with bangs framing her small face. Enjoying the study of Jimin's reactions, she finally decided to stop teasing her and broke the silence gently.
— Want to play darts with me? — she asked, tilting her head with a small smile.
Jimin nodded quickly, almost relieved by the change of subject.
— Sure — she answered, standing up abruptly, trying to mask her nerves behind enthusiasm.
They walked to the corner of the bar where the light was dimmer and warmer. The target on the wall was worn around the edges, next to a small shelf holding colorful, slightly battered darts.
The girl picked one up, turned, and threw it. The dart landed far from the center.
— See? — she laughed. — It's pure luck when I hit it. I'm terrible at this.
Her second throw, however, hit dead center. Jimin's eyes widened, and she clapped in surprise, only realizing afterward how overly excited she was around this mysterious girl. Clearing her throat lightly, she quickly adjusted her glasses—a nervous habit whenever she felt flustered.
— Liar! You're pretending to be bad just to fool me! — she replied, smiling as she tried to hide her blushing cheeks.
— Maybe I just like to impress — the woman answered with a slow wink.
Jimin laughed, though it sounded a bit shaky. When it was her turn, she held the dart carefully, adjusted her arm, and threw. The dart dropped to the floor before even reaching the board.
— Okay, that was terrible — she said, resting a hand on her forehead and laughing awkwardly.
Jimin tried three times in a row, failing every single time.
— Here, let me help you — The girl stepped closer, picking up another dart.
Jimin froze. The girl stepped up behind her, her body almost pressed against hers, gently guiding her hand. The warmth of her skin radiated through Jimin's clothes, catching her breath. She could feel the girl's breathing near her ear—slow, warm, and steady.
— Like this... — she whispered, adjusting the angle of Jimin's arm. — You don't need strength... it's all about technique, Yu Jimin.
The sound of her voice dropped lower, almost husky, sending a shiver down Jimin's neck. Jimin tried to focus on the board, but all she could process was the firm touch of the girl's hands on hers.
She threw, and the dart hit the inner ring.
For a second, Jimin stood paralyzed before her eyes lit up.
— Wow! I did it! — she exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. She raised her hand, giving an enthusiastic thumbs-up, her face brightened by a wide, genuine smile.
Instinctively turning her head while still laughing, Jimin only then realized how close the stranger was. The world seemed to shrink into the narrow space between them. The brunette's smile was right there—too close, too warm.
— See? — she said with a satisfied grin. — I told you you could do it!
Jimin laughed nervously, feeling her face burn. She tried to throw again on her own, but the dart veered so off course it nearly hit the wrong wall.
— Okay, I was definitely not born for this! — she said, laughing aloud with bright red cheeks. — I guess my aim only works in video games — she adjusted her glasses once more.
The girl burst into laughter, resting a hand lightly on her stomach. The light sound of her laughter blended with the ambient music, making the moment feel almost absurdly pleasant.
— You're forgiven — she said between giggles, leaning her forehead against Jimin's shoulder. — At least you're fun.
Jimin froze. Her laughter died in her throat. The touch was quick, fleeting—yet her heart pounded so hard she feared the girl might hear it. She tried to laugh it off, but her voice faltered.
For a moment, the rest of the bar vanished. No voices, no lights, no sound—just the two of them, laughing together, far too close. And Jimin felt a strange certainty that something in that moment had just shifted.
The laughter gradually faded into a soft silence—the kind of silence born when two people are too close to pretend nothing is happening. Jimin could still feel the woman's breath against her neck, the warmth of her body so close the air felt thick. The sweet, woody perfume mixed with the scent of liquor and old wood, creating an almost hypnotic atmosphere.
She didn't know what to do with her hands or where to look. If she moved her head just a fraction, she could touch the girl. She could. But she didn't dare.
The shorter girl pulled back slowly, the physical touch breaking gently, though her gaze remained fixed. Jimin looked away, searching for anything else to focus on—the floor, the dart in her hands, her glass on the counter. Anything other than those eyes.
— You're cute when you try to act calm — the girl murmured.
Jimin let out a nervous laugh.
— I'm not trying to act like anything — she replied softly.
— Hm — the girl tilted her head with a half-smile. — So you're just naturally like this.
Jimin's heart skipped a beat. She hated how much she liked that voice, how much that look seemed to trap the air in her chest. My God, this woman isn't real, she thought.
The music shifted to a slower, almost sensual track. The bar seemed to breathe along with them—yellow lights reflecting off glasses, distant chatter, and the clinking of darts in the background. Everything merged into a setting that felt custom-made for this exact moment.
Then, the mysterious woman's phone vibrated on the counter. She checked the screen, and the smile that appeared was different. Softer, smaller... intimate? She picked up the phone and stepped back slightly, her tone turning quiet, gentle, and sweet.
Jimin couldn't help but watch. She noticed how the girl toyed with her hair while talking, her shy chuckle, and the way her gaze dropped like someone listening to a loved one.
And just like that, Jimin felt something tighten in her chest.
What was that feeling? It wasn't anger, nor was it sadness. What was it, exactly? A strange, uncomfortable, suffocating feeling—too intense to be simple curiosity. Was it disappointment? Because she was laughing like that for someone else?
Or... no, it couldn't be that.
Jimin shook her head, trying to push away the thought, the heat, the irrational sting in her chest. What on earth was she doing there, feeling something so intense for someone whose name she didn't even know? She looked away, trying to swallow the feeling, and in the very next instant, the absurdity of it hit her.
What was she doing in a bar with a stranger—while her boyfriend, a guy who had always been so good to her, was at home waiting? The same guy who knew all her habits, played games with her, laughed at her bad jokes, and always treated her well. A knot formed in Jimin's stomach. She didn't deserve Liam.
Jimin needed to leave before the woman came back.
She didn't look back. She didn't think twice.
She stepped out of the bar, feeling the cold street air bite against her face. The sound of the door closing behind her rang loud, like a reality check.
Jimin walked aimlessly for a few meters, her heart still racing, her body still warm, and a growing emptiness inside her chest.
Why? Why had she felt that way? Why had that woman—her smile, her voice, her damn perfume—stuck to her like that?
Jimin was pathetic.
She covered her face with her hands, laughing quietly to herself in disbelief. She didn't even know her name, hadn't even dared to ask. And yet, it already felt like a mistake she wouldn't be able to forget.
Inside, the girl hung up her phone, a gentle smile still lingering on her face. When she turned around, the area near the dartboard was empty. The glass—what should have been her third that night—was still half-full.
She stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space, as if expecting Jimin to walk back in.
But Jimin was already gone.