Chapter 39

The first time Jennie Kim “bullied” Lisa Manoban, it involved a pink sticky note.

“Move. You’re sitting in my spot.”

That was it. No yelling, no intimidation—just Jennie standing there with her arms crossed, cheeks slightly puffed, eyes narrowed in what was supposed to be threatening.

Lisa blinked up at her from the library chair. Then she glanced at the note stuck to the desk.

Reserved for Jennie.

“…You wrote that just now, didn’t you?” Lisa asked, lips twitching.

Jennie huffed. “That’s not the point. Move.”

From two tables away, Kim Jisoo leaned toward Rosé Park and whispered, “Day 42 of Jennie attempting to bully her girlfriend.”

Rosé snorted softly. “And failing miserably.”

Back at the table, Lisa slowly stood up—dramatically, like she was being forced out of her rightful throne.

“Yes, ma’am,” she said, bowing slightly.

Jennie froze.

That was not the reaction she wanted.

She wanted fear. Maybe a little panic. Not… that.

Lisa walked around the table, then casually slid into the chair right next to Jennie instead.

Jennie frowned. “What are you doing?”

“You said that was your spot,” Lisa replied innocently. “You didn’t say I couldn’t sit next to you.”

Jennie opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

Nothing came out.

Lisa leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough. “Also, you’re really cute when you try to act scary.”

“I am not cute,” Jennie snapped, cheeks instantly flushing.

“Mhm,” Lisa hummed, resting her chin on her hand. “Very terrifying. I’m shaking.”

Jennie grabbed her book and smacked it lightly against Lisa’s arm. “Shut up.”

From across the room, Jisoo covered her mouth, barely containing her laughter.

“Wow,” Rosé whispered, “she hit her. So scary.”

—

Jennie’s “bullying” escalated over the weeks.

It included:

• Stealing Lisa’s hoodie… then returning it washed, folded, and smelling like her perfume.
• Taking Lisa’s lunch… only to replace it with something she knew Lisa liked more.
• Flicking Lisa’s forehead… and then immediately apologizing under her breath.
• Telling Lisa to “stop smiling like that”… while clearly trying not to smile herself.

The entire campus knew.

“Isn’t Jennie supposed to be scary?” one freshman whispered.

“That’s what I heard.”

Across the quad, Jennie was currently dragging Lisa by the wrist.

“Walk faster.”

“I am walking,” Lisa laughed.

“No, you’re not. You’re strolling. I hate strolling.”

“You don’t hate strolling,” Lisa said gently. “You just wanted to hold my hand.”

Jennie immediately dropped her hand like it burned.

“I did not.”

Lisa just smiled wider.

—

Later that afternoon, Jisoo and Rosé sat on the bleachers, watching the daily show.

Jennie stood in front of Lisa again, arms crossed, trying so hard.

“You’re annoying.”

Lisa tilted her head. “Mm. Go on.”

“You smile too much.”

“Okay.”

“You laugh at everything.”

Lisa nodded seriously. “That’s fair.”

Jennie faltered. “…And—and you don’t take me seriously!”

There it was.

Lisa softened.

She stepped closer, just enough to make Jennie stiffen.

“I do take you seriously,” she said quietly.

Jennie blinked.

“Then why do you—” she gestured vaguely, “—always look at me like that?”

“Like what?”

“…Like I’m…” Jennie trailed off, unable to finish.

Lisa smiled softly.

“Like you’re cute?”

Jennie’s face turned bright red. “I’m not—!”

Lisa gently poked her cheek.

“You’re a grumpy kitten.”

“I’m not a kitten!”

“Mhm,” Lisa hummed, poking her again. “A very scary one.”

Jennie tried to swat her hand away, but Lisa caught it easily.

And then, without warning, Lisa leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Jennie’s cheek.

Jennie froze.

Completely.

System error.

From the bleachers, Rosé choked. “Oh my god, she broke her.”

Jisoo nodded. “Critical hit.”

—

Jennie stood there, stunned, eyes wide, cheeks burning.

“…What was that for?” she mumbled.

Lisa shrugged casually. “You looked like you needed it.”

“I did not need—”

“You always ‘bully’ me more when you’re like this,” Lisa said softly. “So I figured… you just need kisses.”

Jennie’s brain short-circuited again.

“…That’s not how bullying works,” she muttered weakly.

Lisa leaned closer, voice teasing but warm. “Then why do you only pick on me?”

Jennie looked away.

“…Because you’re annoying.”

“Sure.”

“…And you smile too much.”

“Right.”

“…And…” Jennie hesitated, then whispered, “…you’re mine.”

Lisa’s smile softened into something quieter, something real.

“Yeah,” she said. “I am.”

Jennie finally looked at her again, eyes softer now.

“…Still annoying though.”

Lisa laughed, leaning in to press another quick kiss to her cheek.

Jennie groaned, hiding her face in her hands.

“I hate you.”

“Love you too, bully.”

—

From a distance, Jisoo stretched her arms behind her head.

“Well,” she said, satisfied, “another successful episode.”

Rosé nodded. “Same time tomorrow?”

They both watched as Jennie lightly shoved Lisa again—only for Lisa to grab her hand and lace their fingers together this time.

Jennie didn’t pull away.

“…Yeah,” Jisoo smiled. “Same time tomorrow.”