Chef

The moment the van door opened, the sleepy village of Gwacheon suddenly felt like it had tripled in volume.

“HYUNG!!”

“Where’s the food?!”

“Who’s the girl?!”

“Is this the legendary hometown Jin-hyung always talks about?!”

Before YN could even blink, she was surrounded by BTS energy: Taehyung dramatically bowing in front of her, Jungkook asking if she liked banana milk, and Jimin giving her a once-over with a charming smile before whispering, “So you’re the YN.”

She blinked. “What do you mean, the YN?”

Namjoon patted her shoulder with a knowing grin. “Let’s just say your name came up a few times on our group chat recently.”

Jin groaned from behind them, pushing Yoongi aside with his elbow. “Okay, okay, that’s enough. You guys act like I brought my girlfriend home.”

Yoongi raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you?”

“Hyung!” Jin hissed.

YN turned red as J-Hope wrapped her in a spontaneous side-hug. “You’re already one of us, YN. Welcome to the chaos!”

---

Later That Afternoon

After some wildly uncoordinated dancing in the town square and more than one accidental fall during a traditional game that left Jungkook covered in flower petals, the group made their way toward the event grounds at the edge of the village.

A large wooden arch had been decorated with twinkling fairy lights and hand-painted signs from the townspeople.

And in bold brushstroke letters on a large white canvas near the gazebo:

"Welcome BTS! We’re so happy you’re here!"

Below it, in slightly smaller handwriting (courtesy of both moms, who had borrowed a ladder and too much glitter):

“Jin & YN — Perfect Together?”
“Wedding bells someday?”

Jin stopped dead.

“Are you serious right now,” he muttered, staring at the sign.

YN clutched her sides laughing. “They went full K-drama.”

“They even added sparkles.”

Behind them, their moms stood proudly with folded arms.

“We just want what’s best for our kids,” Jin’s mom said sweetly.

“We’re not rushing. Just... gently encouraging,” YN’s mom added with a wink.

Jin gave YN a look, but she only smiled and shrugged. “We do make a cute couple on glitter posters.”

He couldn't help laughing. “Don’t encourage them.”

But he didn’t deny it either.

---

Evening: Riga Boozoo

As the sun set and the lanterns lit up across the village, someone yelled, “Let’s run to the Riga Boozoo!”

Jin’s eyes lit up. “Let’s go!”

“What even is a Riga Boozoo?” Jungkook asked, already jogging behind him.

“It’s the name of the oldest part of the village — the marketplace by the river!” YN called out, running after Jin with the others trailing behind her.

They arrived to see it had been transformed — music playing, food stalls glowing, and villagers dancing around a small stage. Fireflies blinked between tree branches and kids chased after them barefoot.

A few younger fans spotted the group and waved shyly, whispering among themselves — but no one mobbed them. Everyone was just happy. Respectful. Magical.

As they stood in a circle sharing steamed buns and stories under the lanterns, Jin looked over at YN — hair catching the light, her smile effortless, her laughter soft and real.

And something in him settled.

This — here — was beginning to feel like more than just a visit.