Chapter 41

The clinic smelled like antiseptic and regret.

Lisa sat stiffly on the cushioned chair, her hands gripping the edges like she was about to be launched into space instead of getting a simple vaccine shot. Her leg bounced uncontrollably, eyes locked onto the syringe the nurse was casually preparing like it wasn’t the most terrifying object in existence.

Across from her, Jennie sat comfortably, legs crossed, chin resting on her palm—watching.

Amused.

Very amused.

“Lili,” Jennie cooed, her lips twitching, “it’s just a tiny needle.”

Lisa slowly turned her head, eyes wide with betrayal. “Tiny? That is not tiny. That is a weapon.”

The nurse chuckled softly. “Ma’am, I promise it’ll be over in seconds.”

“That’s what they all say before something traumatic happens,” Lisa muttered, swallowing hard.

Jennie bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. She leaned forward slightly, voice soft but teasing, “Do you want me to hold your hand?”

Lisa immediately nodded. “Yes. Both hands. Actually—hug me.”

Jennie snorted. “You’re getting a vaccine, not giving birth.”

Still, she scooted closer and held one of Lisa’s hands. Lisa squeezed it like her life depended on it.

Meanwhile…

Jennie’s phone was subtly angled.

Recording.

Because earlier that morning—

Blackoink Group Chat

Rosé: 10 bucks Lisa faints.

Jisoo: 20 says she screams first then faints.

Jennie: You both underestimate her. She’ll survive.

(…she did not believe that at all.)

Back to the clinic.

“Okay,” the nurse said gently. “Just relax your arm.”

Lisa did the exact opposite.

Her entire body stiffened like a statue.

Jennie whispered, “Breathe, baby.”

“I am breathing!” Lisa whisper-yelled, which was very much not breathing normally.

The needle got closer.

Lisa’s grip tightened.

Closer.

Closer—

“WAIT—”

Too late.

Poke.

Silence.

For exactly two seconds.

“…Lili?”

Lisa blinked.

Her face went pale.

“…I think…” she whispered weakly, “…I saw my ancestors…”

And then—

THUD.

Jennie’s eyes widened for a split second—

And then she BURST out laughing.

“OH MY GOD— LISA—”

The nurse rushed over, slightly alarmed but clearly used to this kind of reaction. “She just fainted, don’t worry.”

Jennie, however, was absolutely useless.

Because she was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes—while still recording.

“Baby, you didn’t even last three seconds!” she wheezed.

A few moments later, Lisa slowly regained consciousness, blinking up at the ceiling.

“…Am I alive?”

Jennie leaned over her, grinning way too brightly. “Barely.”

Lisa frowned, still dazed. “Did I faint?”

Jennie didn’t answer.

Instead, she turned her phone around.

Lisa saw herself.

Fainting.

In full HD.

“…You filmed it?”

Jennie nodded, still smiling.

“…Jennie Kim.”

“Yes, Lalisa Manoban?”

“You’re sleeping on the couch tonight.”

Jennie laughed again. “Worth it.”

—

Five minutes later.

Blackoink Group Chat

Jennie:

Rosé: OH MY GOD SHE ACTUALLY FAINTED—

Jisoo: I KNEW IT 😭

Rosé: I WON THE BET— WAIT DID SHE EVEN SCREAM??

Jennie: No scream. Straight to unconsciousness.

Jisoo: That’s lowkey impressive.

Rosé: Pay up Jisoo 😌

Jisoo: This is the best day of my life.

—

Back in the clinic.

Lisa’s phone buzzed.

She checked it.

Silence.

Then—

“…You sent it to the group chat.”

Jennie didn’t even try to deny it. “Maybe.”

Lisa stared at her.

Jennie smiled sweetly.

“…I hate you.”

Jennie leaned in and kissed her forehead. “No you don’t.”

Lisa huffed, still weak, but she didn’t pull away.

“…Next time,” Lisa muttered, “you’re getting the shot first.”

Jennie smirked. “Sure.”

But judging by the way she was still giggling…

She’d absolutely film it again.