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           || ＡＵＴＨＯＲ'Ｓ ＰＯＶ ||

Aeri paced back and forth in Jungkook’s living room, clutching her phone while waiting for Anna’s message. She could already imagine her mother’s reaction if she got caught—hell would break loose.

Jungkook sat on the couch, watching her with an amused smirk.

"You’re going to burn a hole in my floor at this rate," he commented, lazily stretching an arm across the back of the sofa.

Aeri shot him a glare. "This isn’t funny. If my mom finds out I’m not at the library and that I skipped dinner with San, I’m dead."

Jungkook’s expression darkened slightly at the mention of San, but he quickly masked it with a casual shrug.

"Then you better hope your little partner-in-crime doesn’t mess up."

Just as he said that, her phone vibrated.

Anna: I told your mom you’re at the library for a late-night study session. She bought it… for now. Just don’t do anything dumb.

Aeri sighed in relief. "It worked."

Jungkook chuckled. "Of course, it did. Your mom trusts Anna more than she trusts you."

Aeri shot him a look, but he wasn’t wrong.

Jungkook stood up and walked toward her, his presence suddenly overpowering. "So," he drawled, tilting his head, "what exactly are you planning to do now that you’ve successfully avoided that dinner?"

Aeri hesitated. "I-I don’t know. Just stay here for a bit, I guess."

His lips curled into a smirk. "Interesting. And here I thought you hated spending time with me."

Aeri crossed her arms. "I do. But right now, you’re my only hiding spot."

Jungkook hummed, stepping closer.

"That almost sounds like you need me."

Aeri rolled her eyes. "Don’t flatter yourself."

Jungkook leaned in slightly, voice low and teasing. "Too late."

She groaned, shoving him away, but he only chuckled, catching her wrist effortlessly.

"Relax, princess. You can stay as long as you want," he murmured, his grip lingering. "Just don’t regret it later."

Aeri swallowed, heart pounding. She had a feeling that hiding here with Jungkook might have been an even bigger mistake than going to that dinner with San.

The tension in the room had been building for what felt like hours. Aeri was sitting at the edge of the couch, attempting to act nonchalant while Jungkook worked on his laptop.