7| 100 Days (Seungmin)

Seungmin paces back and forth in his small, cozy room, biting his nails and running his hands through his disheveled hair. Posters of his favorite bands adorn the walls, but they do little to distract him from the chaos in his mind.

His bed is unmade, clothes are scattered everywhere, which is very unlike him. The door to his room is slightly ajar, allowing the muffled voices of the other members to filter in as they arrive home.

"Felix," he calls, his voice cracking slightly as he steps into the hallway

"Yeah?" Felix responds, turning to face him with a curious look

"Is Jiah still with you?"

"No, she left in the morning. Why?"

"I need to speak to her. Can I get her number?" Seungmin's eyes are wide with desperation, his anxiety palpable

Felix raises an eyebrow, sensing his friend's distress "Why do you need to speak to my girlfriend?"

"I want to ask her something about Nari"

"Oh, I guess that would be fine then"

Felix pulls his phone from his back pocket and scrolls through his contacts. He reads Jiah's number aloud, and Seungmin quickly jots it down on his own phone, his hands trembling.

"Did you guys have a fight or something? Why do you look so stressed?" Felix asks, concern evident in his warm, kind eyes

Seungmin sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping "The truth is that our 100-day anniversary is coming up and I don't know what to do. What did you do for Jiah?"

"I baked her cookies, took her for a picnic, and then we walked through the flower festival," Felix says with a gentle smile, recalling the memory fondly

"That's kind of sappy. I'm not sure Nari would be into that," Seungmin frowns, rubbing his forehead so much there's a red mark already forming

"She likes romance books, doesn't she?"

"Yeah, but she's told me before that those things in real life would be kind of awkward. But I'm also afraid that if I don't do something special, she'll be upset"

"I see. Is that why you want to ask Jiah about it?"

"Yeah, they're best friends, so she would know what Nari likes, right? She can at least give me some pointers"

"I think so" Felix nods encouragingly

"Can you let her know I'll text her? I think it would be awkward if I just messaged her out of the blue"

"On it" Felix grabs his phone right away, sending a quick message to Jiah

⊹˚₊‧─────A few days later─────‧₊˚⊹

Nari sits on her bed, staring at her phone with a mix of hope and disappointment. The soft, diffused light of the cloudy afternoon filters through her window, casting a pale glow over her room filled with cozy cushions and a small bookshelf lined with romance novels.

She sighs, her heart heavy with loneliness. Today is supposed to be her 100-day anniversary with Seungmin, but he hasn't even mentioned it. She had bought a cap from his favorite baseball team, planning to surprise him, but he texted her saying he couldn't see her this weekend because of his busy schedule.

Did he forget? She knows they aren't a lovey-dovey couple, but a 100-day anniversary is a big deal for any Korean couple. How can he just forget? Her phone rings, breaking her from her thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Hey Nari," Jiah's excited voice chirps through the phone, full of energy and warmth "Are you busy?"

"Hmm, not really. Why?"

"Wanna go shopping together?"

Nari hesitates, glancing at the cap she bought for Seungmin.

"Please? I really need a new dress" Jiah whines

"You have like a million dresses" Nari rolls her eyes

"But they're old, and I'm tired of them"

"Can't Eunha go with you?"

"She is at her parent's house. Come on, you said you weren't doing anything" her voice gets higher as she starts to nag

"Fine" Nari sighs, feeling defeated but trying to muster some enthusiasm

"Yay! I'll meet you in front of the coffee shop" Jiah beams

Nari hangs up the phone and stretches her arms above her head. She doesn't really feel like going out, but maybe hanging out with Jiah and doing something will get her to stop thinking about Seungmin.

If he doesn't care about their anniversary, she won't care as well. She will go out with her friend and help her choose a new dress, maybe even buy one herself. No one is going to hold her back.

"Hold back, little lady. Where are you going?" her mom calls out as she's about to leave

"Mom, I'm in my twenties. I think I can leave the house without making an official appeal to the council," she rolls her eyes

"I just asked you a question!" her mom replies defensively

"I'm going shopping with Kim Jiah," Nari sighs

"Okay, well, don't be back too late. I'll be expecting you for dinner"

"Sure" Nari heads out, the chilly autumn air nipping at her cheeks

She pulls her coat tighter around herself as she walks to the nearest subway station, boarding the train to her destination. The city buzzes with life, and she can't help but feel a little better as she takes in the sights and sounds around her.

When she arrives at the coffee shop, she spots Jiah waiting with a bright smile. Jiah hands her a small iced americano as she approaches.

"I got this for you."

"Thanks!" Nari gives her a hug and takes the cup, feeling a bit of her sadness melt away

"Are you alright?" Jiah asks, concern in her sparkling eyes "You look a little down"

"Just a little tired. The coffee should help" Nari replies, avoiding Jiah's gaze

"How have things been?"

"Good. And with you?"

"Great! How's Seungmin?"

"Hmm, busy. But I imagine so is Felix"

"I guess. I saw him a couple of days ago" she sips from her own drink distractedly

"Oh," Nari can't help but feel a pang of hurt. She hasn't seen Seungmin in weeks

"Anyway, there's this store I really like just down the street, should we go?" Jiah's voice is bright and cheery, her eyes sparkling with excitement

"Yeah," Nari replies, trying to match her friend's enthusiasm as she forces a smile

They walk down a quaint street lined with cozy boutiques and small cafes, the chilly autumn air making their noses rosey. Nari tugs her scarf a little tighter around her neck as they approach a charming little shop she has never noticed before.

The warm scent of vanilla beans wafts out as they open the door, accompanied by the soft strains of piano music playing in the background. The interior is small and inviting, filled with racks of clothes in neutral brown shades and cozy textures.

"Jiah, the clothes at this store aren't your style at all," Nari remarks, eyeing Jiah's bright pink dress

"Nope," Jiah grins, her eyes twinkling with mischief "But they are yours"

"What?" Nari looks at her in surprise

"I'm getting you something. Come on."

Jiah's bubbly energy is infectious as she drags Nari by the arm to a corner of the store filled with skirts and dresses. She starts picking multiple garments off the racks, shoving them into Nari's arms before she can protest.

"Jiah, how many coffees have you had? You're acting crazy" Nari laughs despite herself

"Only two or three" Jiah replies with a cheeky smile, stealing Nari's cup and sipping from it since her own had ended

"Only?"

"Shush, try the plaid skirt on first, with the cream top"

"Why do you want to get me clothes? I thought you needed a new dress," Nari says, stepping into the changing room

"I do, but I'm just being a good friend and getting you something first. You know I take forever when shopping"

"Ugh, will we be walking around all day again?"

"Yep, so let me butter you up. Pick whatever you like"

Nari tries on various outfits, mixing and matching different styles and colors. Jiah gives enthusiastic feedback on each one, her bubbly personality shining through. Nari finds herself enjoying the process, feeling a bit more adventurous with her choices.

Eventually, she settles on a pleated brown skirt that reaches her mid-thigh, a white dress shirt with slightly puffy sleeves, and a cute vest that matches the skirt. The outfit feels both stylish and comfortable, and Jiah adds a pair of thin cream tights to complete the look. Nari admires herself in the mirror, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

"Ready to go? I already paid for everything," Jiah says, appearing behind her with a grin

"I gotta change back into my clothes"

"Just go out wearing this, you look so cute! I have your other clothes right here" she insists, holding up a bag with the store's logo

"I don't want to get them dirty" Nari hesitates

"We're just going to a different store, not rolling around in the mud. Come on," Jiah links their arms and drags her out of the store

As they walk, the bustling shopping street starts to empty out, leaving them in a quieter area. Nari shivers slightly in the chilly air, the streets unusually deserted.

"Where are we going?" she asks, glancing around

"I know the best hidden-gem stores, like the one we just went to. Trust me" Jiah replies with a confident smile

"I mean, sure, but how much further away is it?"

"A little bit. Are your things heavy? Do you want to put them in a locker?" Jiah suggests

"No, it's fi-"

"Let's do it" Jiah cuts her off, taking the bag with her clothes and her purse "You wait here, I'll run to the locker and come back"

"No, I'll come with you"

"No, I'm super caffeinated right now. I'll run super fast and come right back. Wait here," Jiah says, pushing Nari down onto a bench before taking off at a brisk pace

"Wait! My pho-" Nari starts to call out, but Jiah is already out of sight

Nari sighs and sits back on the bench, feeling vulnerable without her phone. She has no choice but to wait for Jiah to come back since she doesn't want to get lost in this unfamiliar place.

The quiet street amplifies her loneliness, and thoughts of Seungmin creep back into her mind. She wonders what he is doing right now and if he is thinking about her.

How could he? He didn't even remember their anniversary. She buries her face in her hands, trying to stave off the growing sense of despair when a soft voice suddenly reaches her ears.

"Mind if I sit here?"

"Oh, no, go ahead," she responds, lifting her face and scooting to the side

She looks up, needing to blink a few times to make sure she isn't seeing things.

"S-Seungmin?"

"Hi," he says with a shy smile, sitting next to her on the bench

"W-what are you doing here?" her voice sounds higher than usual, a mix of surprise and excitement

"I wanted to surprise you" he blushes "It's our 100-day anniversary today"

"You remembered?"

"Of course! How could I forget?" his eyes are full of softness

"B-but what about your schedule?"

"I'm sorry I lied about that. It was part of the surprise"

"This was all planned?" she asks in disbelief "So Jiah..."

"Yes, she helped me," he says, giving her a bright smile

She stares at him, trying to process what he is saying. Her eyes roam over his happy face and linger on his lips. She has always found his smile beautiful, and today it seems even more radiant.

"Your braces!" she points at his mouth

"I got them out" he smiles even wider

"When?"

"Last week. I didn't tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise too"

She is about to throw her arms around his neck in an excited hug when she remembers they're in public. She lowers her arms and looks around to see if anyone noticed Seungmin.

"Don't worry, no one will recognize me here. We all come here all the time and never had a problem before" he reassures her

He leans in closer, and she looks up at him shyly. He closes the distance with a small peck on her lips. Nari's face burns with a blush and she pulls away, hiding her face.

"Let's go. I want to show you what I have planned," he says, getting up and offering her his hand

"What you have planned?"

"You didn't think the surprise was only this, right?" he smiles "This is only the beginning"

Nari takes Seungmin's hand, and he leads her into a nearby building. They enter a small, cozy coffee shop, its warm interior a stark contrast to the chilly air outside.

The shop is empty except for them, adding to the intimate atmosphere. Seungmin walks to the back and calls someone over. An elderly woman with a kind smile emerges, holding a gift bag. Behind her, Nari catches a glimpse of movement and gasps.

"Capybaras!" she almost yells, her eyes widening in delight

"Welcome to the Capybara Café!" the woman greets them warmly "I take it you're the young couple for the 4 o'clock appointment?"

"That's right, ma'am" Seungmin replies politely

"Here you go," she says, handing him the gift bag

Seungmin turns to Nari, his eyes sparkling with affection. "This is for you," he says, offering her the bag with a sweet smile "I wanted to get you another gift besides the clothes I asked Jiah to get you. You look very beautiful, by the way"

Nari blushes, taking the bag. Inside, she finds several exquisite notebooks, each more beautiful than the last, along with a fountain pen and a little pot of ink. Tears prick her eyes as she looks up at him.

"I know you like calligraphy, so I got you a few things. I hope they are what you need. If not, I can get you more, just let me know" he tucks her hair behind her ear delicately

"They're perfect, Seung" she whispers, hugging him tightly "Thank you so much"

He smiles, a mixture of relief and happiness, and gestures for her to follow him through the door the old lady came from. Inside, Nari nearly cries with joy. There, lounging around, are two adult capybaras and a baby capybara.

They are her favorite animals in the whole world. She had worried Seungmin might find her obsession odd, but he always listened to her excited ramblings with genuine interest. Seeing the joy on her face now makes his heart swell.

They spend the next couple of hours in the café, sipping on coffee, feeding lettuce leaves to the capybaras, and talking about everything and anything. The capybaras are gentle and friendly, their presence calming. Nari feels a deep sense of contentment, her earlier sadness completely forgotten.

Later, they move on to a nearby restaurant. They share the biggest plate of pasta Nari has ever seen, and Seungmin orders her favorite dessert. They laugh and talk, the atmosphere light and filled with happiness. As they walk back out onto the empty street, the night sky dotted with stars, Seungmin suddenly stops.

"Did you have fun today?" he asks, his thumb gently rubbing over her fingers

"I did, a lot of fun," she replies with a smile

"I'm glad. I wasn't sure if you were into celebrating anniversaries, but I still wanted to do something special"

"You made the right choice" she laughs, leaning in to give him a peck

His hand holds onto her waist, keeping her close. He presses his lips to hers, and then slowly parts them, taking her bottom lip into his mouth and sucking on it lightly. A shiver runs down her spine, and she rests her hand on his shoulder, kissing him back.

He tilts his head to the side, deepening the kiss. His arm pulls her closer, pressing her against his body. This is the first real kiss they have shared, and Nari's heart races with excitement. She had assumed Seungmin was uncomfortable with kissing, but now she is glad he took the initiative.

The kiss continues, sweet and slow, their tongues dancing together. Her heart beats wildly in her chest. When he finally pulls away, a sly smile plays on his lips.

"I was waiting to get my braces off to do that," he whispers "I didn't want to hurt you"

"There was no need for that. I'm sure it would have been fine" she reassures him

"Well, we can kiss as much as you want now" he leans back in for another kiss

This time, the kiss is a bit faster, making her breath quicken. She wraps her arms around his neck, her hands playing with the back of his hair. He leans her into a dip, surprising her.

She hears him place the gift bag he was holding onto the ground behind her. Then he pulls her back up in a swift move, never breaking the kiss.

Both his arms wrap around her tightly, his hands caressing her back and waist, moving up to her hair. He holds her so close that her feet lift slightly off the ground. When he finally pulls away, she is left light-headed.

"Damn" she chuckles "And here I thought you were all shy and innocent"

"I was holding back until now, but I don't think I can do that anymore," he says, looking deeply into her eyes

"You don't have to" she replies with a sly smile

They are about to kiss once more when they hear footsteps running toward them. Nari pushes Seungmin away, afraid someone has recognized him. But she turns around to see Felix and Jiah running toward them, holding hands and carrying several bags.

"We finally found you," Jiah yells, breathless

"Dude, we've been calling you non-stop," Felix says

"My phone was on silent. What's wrong?" Seungmin asks

"Nari, your phone has been blowing up for hours now. You have like a million missed calls from your mom," Jiah says nervously

Nari's face pales. She forgot she said she would be back before dinner. It is way past dinner time now.

She closes her eyes, envisioning the trouble she is going to be in when she gets home. But when she opens her eyes and sees Seungmin's worried expression, all she can think is: "Worth it"

⊹˚₊‧─────≽ ^ • ⩊ • ^ ≼─────‧₊˚⊹

This was a bit of a fluffier one, I hope you still liked it!

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See you next time with I.N🖤