INK AND SHADOWS [???]

The buzzing of the tattoo machine filled the shop as Hara worked diligently on her customer. The weekend had rolled around again, and the shop was as lively as ever.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Rara burst in, practically glowing with excitement.

"Hara!" Rara exclaimed, bouncing over to her.

"I saw you last night at the bus stop with Jay! And—oh my God—you kissed his neck! Are you guys dating now?"

Hara's cheeks burned bright red. "Shhh!" she hissed, glancing around nervously.

"Don't tell my uncle!"

Rara smirked, leaning closer. "So? Are you guys, you know... a thing now?"

Hara groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "No, we're not. It's nothing. Just—don't make it a big deal."

Rara, ever the tease, grinned mischievously.

"Nothing? Girl, that kiss didn't look like nothing. Also, is this Jay the same guy you, um, had that one-night stand with?"

Hara sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Yes, it's the same Jay."

Rara squealed, clapping her hands. "Oh my God! He's so hot! And that superbike—ugh, it's like a dream. You're living the fantasy!"

Hara rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

"Can you stop being so dramatic and keep your voice down?"

Later in the afternoon, after finishing the last tattoo session for the day, the shop finally quieted down.

Hara flopped onto the couch, sighing in relief. She closed her eyes for a moment until a shadow passed by the glass door, catching her attention.

Sitting up, she peeked out and froze.

Jay and his friends were walking down the street, laughing and chatting.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She scrambled off the couch, frantically looking for a place to hide.

"What's with you?" Uncle Jungkook asked, raising an eyebrow.

"My classmates are outside!" Hara whisper-shouted, ducking behind the counter.

Her uncle frowned. "So? They're just your classmates. Why are you hiding like you owe them money?"

Hara peeked over the counter and hissed, "Isn't it weird for the biggest nerd in school to be caught hanging out at a tattoo shop?"

Her uncle chuckled, shaking his head. "Whatever, you are getting weird and weirder each day, kid."

Meanwhile, outside, Jay glanced at the tattoo shop as they passed.

The bold lettering on the glass door caught his eye:

Tattoos and Piercings – Walk-ins Welcome.

An idea struck him. He stopped abruptly, causing his friends to bump into him.

"What's up?" Jake asked, rubbing his shoulder.

Jay pointed at the shop. "I want to get a piercing."

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

Jay smirked. "Yeah. Why not?"

Without waiting for a response, he confidently pushed open the door and walked in.

The bell above the door jingled, and Hara's heart sank.

She ducked lower, praying he wouldn't spot her.

"Uncle, please handle this one," she begged, tugging at his sleeve.

"I can't—just, please."

Jungkook sighed but obliged, stepping forward to greet Jay.

"Welcome. What can I do for you today?"

Jay leaned casually against the counter. "I want a piercing. A conch piercing."

"Got it," Jungkook said.

"Take a seat, and I'll get everything ready."

As Jungkook prepared for the piercing, Rara slid over to Hara, her eyes sparkling with gossip-fueled excitement.

"He's so much hotter up close," she whispered.

"And his friends—oh my God, total heartthrobs."

Hara barely heard her, too focused on peeking through the crack of the door.

Her eyes were glued to Jay as he sat in the chair, exuding confidence even as her uncle prepped the tools.

She watched how he clenched his jaw, barely flinching as the needle went through his ear.

Her heart fluttered despite herself.

A soft smile spread across her face, and she didn't even realize it until Rara nudged her.

"You're smiling like an idiot," Rara teased.

"You've fallen hard for him, haven't you?"

Hara quickly wiped the smile off her face, but the warmth in her chest remained.

"Shut up, Rara unnie," she mumbled, earning a knowing laugh from her.

Back in the shop, Jay admired his new piercing in the mirror, a satisfied smirk on his face.

He handed over the payment and gave a nod of thanks before leaving with his friends.

As the bell jingled again, signaling their departure, Hara let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Rara leaned against the counter, grinning from ear to ear.

"You're so doomed," she teased, making Hara groan.

But deep down, she couldn't deny it—she was falling for Jay, and there was no turning back.