INK AND SHADOWS [???]

The morning sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, piercing Hara's closed eyelids and pulling her from sleep. Her head throbbed, a dull ache pulsating with every heartbeat, and her body felt heavy against the unfamiliar sheets.

Slowly, the events of the night before began to filter into her consciousness.

The loud music, the drinks, the silver wig slipping slightly on her sweaty forehead.

And then... Jay.

Her eyes shot open, heart pounding in panic. She turned her head cautiously, afraid of what she might see. Jay lay beside her, his dark hair messy, his face relaxed in sleep. The blanket barely covered his bare chest, and she didn't need to check to know he wasn't wearing anything underneath.

"No, no, no," she muttered, sitting up too quickly and instantly regretting it as her head spun.

Quietly, she gathered her belongings—her dress, heels, the silver wig—and tiptoed out of the room. Her breaths came in shallow bursts as she slipped out of his apartment and into the fresh morning air.

_

The walk to the nearest pharmacy was a blur. Hara's thoughts swirled in a chaotic mess of confusion and self-reproach. She couldn't remember everything that had happened.

Bits and pieces flashed in her mind—Jay's smirk, the way his hand had felt on her waist, the heat of his lips against hers. But how had it escalated to this? She was usually so careful, so in control.

The ding of the pharmacy's automatic doors snapped her out of her thoughts.

She approached the counter, avoiding eye contact with the pharmacist as she mumbled her request for emergency contraceptive pills.

The small paper bag felt like it weighed a ton in her hand as she walked out.

_

When she arrived at her uncle's house, she was met with a glare that could have set the room on fire.

Jung Jungkook stood in the kitchen, his arms crossed and his brow furrowed.

"Where were you all night, Jung Hara?" he demanded, his voice low but stern.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

Hara avoided his gaze, slipping off her shoes and heading straight for the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Jungkook. I was out with some friends. I lost track of time."

"Lost track of time?" he repeated, his tone incredulous.

"You didn't answer your phone. You didn't come home. That's not like you, Hara."

"I know," she said, her voice small.

"It won't happen again."

Jungkook stared at her for a long moment before sighing deeply.

"I'm not your parent, but I'm responsible for you. Don't make me regret taking you in."

Hara nodded, the weight of guilt pressing down on her chest. She escaped to her room, closing the door softly behind her. She sat on her bed, staring at the tiny white pill in her hand, and swallowed it with a shaky sip of water.

_

Meanwhile, across town, Jay woke up with a start. The first thing he noticed was the pounding in his head. The second was the unfamiliar feel of his sheets against his bare skin. He pushed himself up, the blanket slipping off to reveal his naked torso. His eyes widened as he looked around, his memory failing to fill in the gaps.

"What the hell happened last night?" he muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair. His phone buzzed on the nightstand, and he grabbed it to find a message from Jake.

Jake: "Yo, you alive? We left early. You good?"

Jay groaned, tossing the phone back onto the bed. He quickly dressed, grabbed his keys, and headed out.

He needed answers, and Jake was the only person he trusted to help him piece things together.

_

At Jake's house, Jay sat on the couch, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie. Jake and Sunghoon listened intently as he recounted everything he could remember.

"I was at the club," Jay began.

"I went outside to smoke, and then there was this girl. She was... different. Silver hair, piercings, killer dress. We talked, had some drinks, and then... blank. Next thing I know, I'm waking up alone and naked."

Jake raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying you had a one-night stand?"

Jay nodded slowly. "I think so. But here's the thing... I've never—" He paused, his cheeks flushing slightly.

"I've never done anything like this before. I was..." He trailed off, and Sunghoon's eyes widened in realization.

"Wait, are you saying that was your first time?" Sunghoon asked, barely hiding his shock.

Jay nodded reluctantly. "Yeah."

"Damn," Jake muttered. "No wonder you're freaked out."

"The worst part is I don't even know who she was," Jay said, frustration evident in his voice.

"I can't remember her face. Just the silver hair and those piercings"

Sunghoon leaned back, crossing his arms. "Well, looks like you've got yourself a mystery to solve. Who was the girl who stole your virginity?"

Jay groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I don't even know where to start."

Jake clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, man. We'll figure it out. And hey, maybe this mystery girl was worth it."

Jay's mind raced as he replayed the fragmented memories of the night before. He had to find her.

Not just to fill in the blanks, but because something about her had ignited a spark in him.

Something he couldn't ignore.