Chapter 1

The rain in Seoul came softly that evening, tapping against the windows like a quiet secret. Inside the dorm, everything felt warmer—dim lights, the faint smell of instant ramen, and the gentle hum of music playing from a forgotten speaker.

Jennie Kim sat curled up on the couch, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders like a cocoon. She wasn’t really watching the TV—just staring at the shifting colors, lost in her own thoughts.

From the kitchen came the sound of a spoon clinking against a pot.

“Ya, you’re spacing out again,” a familiar voice teased.

Lalisa Manoban peeked around the corner, her hair slightly messy, sleeves pushed up as if she had been battling something much more intense than ramen. She held up a bowl proudly. “Chef Lisa has prepared a masterpiece.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow. “Last time your ‘masterpiece’ almost killed Jisoo.”

Lisa gasped dramatically. “That was experimental cuisine.”

Despite herself, Jennie smiled. It was small at first—but Lisa noticed. She always noticed.

Lisa walked over and plopped down beside her, handing her the bowl. Their shoulders bumped lightly. “You’ve been quiet today,” she said more softly this time.

Jennie hesitated, then sighed. “Just… tired, I guess. Everything feels a bit too much lately.”

Lisa didn’t answer right away. Instead, she gently pulled the blanket tighter around Jennie and leaned her head on her shoulder. “Then don’t think about everything,” she murmured. “Just think about right now.”

Jennie glanced at her. “And what’s ‘right now’?”

Lisa grinned, eyes sparkling. “Right now is you eating my amazing ramen and admitting I’m the best cook in the group.”

Jennie let out a quiet laugh—real this time. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Say it,” Lisa insisted, nudging her.

Jennie rolled her eyes but took a bite. “…It’s actually not bad.”

Lisa froze. “Wait—really?”

Jennie nodded slowly. “Don’t let it get to your head.”

Too late. Lisa jumped up, nearly spilling the soup. “I knew it! I’m a genius!”

Jennie laughed again, louder now, the heaviness in her chest lifting just a little. She watched Lisa celebrate like she had just won an award, and something about it—something simple and genuine—made everything feel lighter.

When Lisa sat back down, still grinning, she glanced at Jennie and softened. “You know,” she said, quieter now, “you don’t have to carry everything alone.”

Jennie didn’t reply immediately. Instead, she rested her head lightly against Lisa’s.

“…I know,” she said.

Outside, the rain kept falling—but inside, the world felt softer, warmer, and a little less heavy.

And for tonight, that was enough.