"Because if I admit that I feel weird around you too, then it'll be a game over for me!!!"

Frustration rushed through her veins as Minjeong bit the inside of her cheeks after unintentionally shouting. It was the heat of the moment and Jimin only peered at the latter with widened eyes, a glint of hope yet confusion present.

Minjeong's heart has been throbbing so hard that her breath paced faster. They stared at each other for a few seconds until the shorter broke away and turned to face the doorway.

"We're still in the middle of the competition and what's happening right now is being a distraction. I don't even know why you're telling me all of this... I don't know what your motive is but— it's making me want to hold back. And if I hold back, I don't think I can bring myself to beat you if the time where we face off one on one happens."

Minjeong gritted her teeth, a hand clenching onto her pants.

"I don't want to lose."

I knew it. I knew how creating such bonds like this would be a huge problem. At first, I thought it was alright. But this... just- I wasn't normal like everyone else to begin with.

She snickered at the thought before glancing at Jimin. The idea of having death chase her ever since she grabbed that mic in the karaoke place. That was the sole reason why she's even competing in the first place.

I don't want to die.

If only Jimin knew.

Minjeong wished she could tell her so none of this wouldn't be a problem. And maybe, just maybe, she would've taken a good distance and not feel like this around Minjeong. Or was it because of their first interaction?

What would've happened if Minjeong decided to ignore her? The shorter pondered before taking a deep breath and spoke in a quivering tone.

"Jimin, out of all the obstacles I faced within the competition. You are the biggest threat yet."

She let out a snort and didn't say any more. Minjeong didn't wait for Jimin to speak and quietly left the bedroom where she met Gre who appeared to be listening to the conversation the whole time.

Minjeong didn't spare a glance to look at the husky though heard him whimper as if trying to stop her from leaving the apartment.

Wouldn't it be just better to talk properly? She thought about it but chose not to. Solely because of how Minjeong couldn't face Jimin right now— and if she did, she was afraid of doing something that may truly hold herself back.

This weird feeling. Minjeong didn't need it and it was only becoming a huge hurdle to her original plans. Everything was going so well and she was progressing so fast. Well, not until this week began and she became much closer and fonder of Jimin.

Minjeong almost forgot her priorities. And this very occurrence might as well be her turning point to start and go back on track.

To get as much experience as possible, rank up, gain a good amount of fans, and finally, debut. Therefore, evading the outbreak which was the very reason all of this happened.

With these thoughts flooding her mind, Minjeong ended up standing in front of the one and only karaoke place where everything began.

Since it was 2 a.m, the streets were empty and Minjeong was glad that she could freely roam around without worrying about wearing a mask. Her eyes lingered on the structure in front of her with nostalgia.

It's been a while.

She never bothered coming ever since the outbreak and settled with locking herself in from the outside world and grinding for experience. Because her apartment was a no-go and recently decided to live with Jimin for a while, this was the next best option for ranking up.

The tiredness she had earlier disappeared after the situation with Jimin. Hence, Minjeong took advantage of it and planned on leveling up till she can't take it anymore.

To go back to where her fast progression was.

This karaoke place, in particular, was the best in the city too. It was open for twenty-four hours which was popular among office workers who work out late and decided to let loose.

It was a marvel how there were still people in the building as she could see the flashing colorful lights on the upper floors through the glass windows. A bunch of high schoolers partying and singing their hearts out.

Minjeong chuckled, recalling how she once went to a similar event in high school but ended up leaving early due to how she wasn't a people person. Curfew didn't exist in places like this.

Police inspections were rare anyway.

As she remember a few events in high school, Minjeong smiled the second she saw the person who stood behind the counter, reading a book that seemed to be a rom-com novel.

Minjeong spared no more time and approached him, "I'd like to rent a private room for five hours."

The guy seated behind the counter stopped reading and flinched upon hearing the familiar voice, "Five hours?!"

He exclaimed and instantly placed down his book, revealing his otherworldly features. The guy was incredibly handsome and his visuals were of an S-tier. Although he purposely wore thick glasses to hide it, Minjeong could still see how good-looking he was.

"Oh, hello... MJ, I haven't seen you in like. FOREVER! And you suddenly decide to come here and rent a room for five hours?! Ayayay, do you even love me anymore?"

Minjeong scrunched her face in disgust, "Ew."

The guy bursts into laughter as he casually placed a key on the counter, "How are you? You've been getting everyone's attention lately, Star Puppy-nim."

"I guess it's good... I don't have to work multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet anymore. The program and agent who scouted me covered for me." Minjeong smiled faintly, "How about you? You're already loaded, why are you still taking on this supposed job of mine?"

"It's boring back at home," He shrugged.

"Really? That's it?"

"You bet, hotshot." The guy winked as he earned an eye-roll from the latter, then noticed a group of teenagers approaching. "Now, shoo! Before you bring me into some tabloid rumor, I'll treat your time for today."

Minjeong laughs, "Okay, thanks." she gave him a small salute before grabbing the keys and going upstairs toward her acquired room.

When she was finally isolated in the room, Minjeong made sure to cover the glass walls with black curtains and set up everything with familiarity. This felt quite eerie as she can't help but look back at the instance when the very first UI appeared before her eyes.

Minjeong shuddered.

✩

After five hours of practicing for experience, Minjeong went from Lvl. 26 to Lvl. 30 and earned four points with one bonus thanks to the two points she invested in LUK.

[ LUK has taken effect! ]
+ You have received 5 points instead of 4

Minjeong ended up distributing them fairly in the Entertainment category, in the meantime, ignoring her idea of raising her LUK up to C-. Her current status is:

[ Kim Minjeong ]
Lvl. 30
Title: ?
Vocals: S-
Rap: C+
Dance: A-
Visuals: A+
Talent: B-

When finishing, Minjeong finally became tired as her voice felt hoarse and exhausted. She didn't hesitate to finally leave the room and buy a mask from the nearby convenience store to walk back toward the apartment.

Along the way, she passed the park and saw Jimin walking on the sidewalk across the road. She seemed like she was on her way back home too and Minjeong bit her lower lip.

She tried to ignore her presence until both of them met inside the elevator, not willing enough to look at each other as an awkward aura slowly hindered them. Though, remembering their agreement, Minjeong scratched her cheek.

"Have you eaten breakfast...?"

Jimin replied monotonously, "No."

"Alright."

"Where did you sleep?"

"I didn't."

"Okay."

Well, that certainly felt uncomfortable. The two girls didn't bother talking to each other the whole way and merely stepped into the apartment in pure silence.

They were welcomed by Gre who was seated in front of the entrance and the first to interact with him was Jimin. The taller completely ignored Minjeong's presence to pat the husky on the head and the latter could only continue walking and open the refrigerator.

She was going to prepare breakfast but there was nothing inside but a few drinks of water and soda. There were a few veggies but Minjeong couldn't seem to think of anything to prepare with the current ingredients.

Unsure of what to do, Minjeong pretended as if nothing happened and turned around to look at Jimin who was wiping the sweat on her forehead with a towel.

She immediately looked somewhere else, "The fridge is almost empty. Should I buy the groceries for you? I'm going out anyway... You should probably just call takeout."

"Let's go together." Jimin suggested while she hangs the towel on the couch, "I need to buy something too."

Feeling cornered all of the sudden, Minjeong didn't protest and solely nodded her head.

It didn't take them long to change into new clothes and arrive at the nearest supermarket. To avoid getting attention, Jimin kept the roof over the convertible closed and parked in the very corner of the parking lot.

There was still nothing but silence between the two of them as they walked around the supermarket with Minjeong being the one pushing the cart. Trailing behind the shorter, Jimin let her pick whatever since she was in charge of the food.

When they reached the fruit aisle, Jimin stared at the shorter who was busy checking everything in the cart, and stopped the cart with a hand. Minjeong was puzzled, so she watched the latter approach a section of fruits and grabbed two melons to put into the cart.

Then turning to face the latter, Jimin gazed at her from top to bottom with an indiscernible expression.

"Suddenly craving for melons..."

"???"

Minjeong raised her brows upon noticing the weird gesture. She was about to study the taller's visage when she suddenly turned around and continued walking— She could've sworn Jimin was smirking and the shorter wasn't sure what to think of it.

This was bugging her so much that Minjeong couldn't suppress herself anymore and approached the spice section to grab a few peppers.

"Biting into those juicy melons would taste good with a little spice..."

Seeing how Jimin stopped her tracks in her peripheral vision, turning around once again. Minjeong intentionally let herself get caught looking at the taller and focused on the peppers.

"Ah, never mind. There are two of galia melons back at home already."

Minjeong nonchalantly placed the peppers back before passing ahead Jimin who let out a sarcastic laugh. She didn't want to be outdone, so she placed a bunch of strawberries into the cart.

"For us."

At that, Minjeong froze for a second and her face burned up in an instant. Even so, she remained unfazed and refused to admit defeat. She reached for a grapefruit, tossing it into the cart.

"For you."

Jimin raised a brow though soon flushed when the latter added.

"To reduce body heat."

"...Sly vixen!"

The prickled girl which Minjeong reminded of a black cat stole the cart and pushed it away with a huff. Since they were already finished picking out the stuff they needed, Jimin strode toward the register.

Minjeong broke into a small peal of laughter which was instantly replaced with a dejected face. It wasn't evident thanks to the mask, but her eyes would give it out otherwise.

She lets out a long sigh.

"I'm crushing so hard..."

—
A/N: Y'all better google those fruits idk