Jungkook pov.

Something compelled him to return to the beach, hoping to find this strange girl. He wanted to give her a piece of his mind. What was that idiotic prank she played on him? Does he look like an idiot?

His Gomo was puzzled as to why he was suddenly bubbling with energy. His expression is strange. It was as if something unusual had ignited within him.

"Goodbye, Gomo! See you later this afternoon. I'm heading back to the beach." He gulped his coffee, kissed his aunt on the cheek, and dashed to the beach trail from the backdoor.

Today's sky appears more transparent, but the air remains cool. He enjoyed watching the ships from a distance and found solace on a smooth rock.

He took out a snack and began chewing on a dried sausage. He took out his journal and scribbled some random words and thoughts flooding his mind. Maybe someday he'll compose a lovely melody and an ode to himself.

The sudden breeze tugged at his hoodie, and he felt a sudden chill on his body. Looking up, he noticed that the sky had become overcast. Jungkook continued to be engulfed in his writing, unconcerned about the changing weather.

"Hi, " A soft voice from behind him startled him. He inhaled deeply as he swung his body around to face the girl who had performed the Houdini trick the day before.

He scoffs, "Oh, it's magic girl,'" he says sarcastically. "Now you see, now you don't. You can go about your business. Leave me alone." He shook his head after dismissively waving her off.

But it appears she is unconcerned.

"What are you writing, stranger boy?" she inquired as she peered over his shoulder. Jungkook gave her an irritated look. He quickly closed his notebook.

"Can you just leave, like you did yesterday?" He tilted his head sideways as he gazed into her strange, sad eyes. For a girl whose voice was so light, her expression was strangely sad.

She grins as she sits next to the cute boy without being invited. Jungkook wrinkled his brow at this imposing girl.

She smiled into his raised eyes and said, "You sound delighted. You were emotionless when I first saw you, but I'm pleasantly surprised today. You sound light, with a strange energy in your tone. Don't worry. True happiness and inner joy are anti-depressants." Her cold hands grab his hand and lightly press it. Jungkook's eyes widen at her feather-light touch; how did she know he was having mental issues? Did she conceal that she knows BTS but does not wish to impose it?

"How? ..where?—-" He was perplexed. She only smiles, but her eyes glow strangely in his. It's as if there's a strange magnetism between them. He sat quietly besides her.

"It's so beautiful. Life is so short, stranger boy. You can't let it pass you by," she says as she looks out over the raging waves. Remember, Stranger Boy, 'Yesterday was the past; tomorrow is a mystery; but today is the present, a gift. ' Don't live your life with regrets."

Jungkook looked at her, puzzled. "How old are you? You sound like my aunt?"

She smirks, "I'm 18...as of today?"

"Is it your birthday? Why are you spending it alone here on the beach? Don't you have friends? Family?" He creased his brows. She's so odd. His Hyungs always made a big deal out of his birthday before he even woke up. On each member's birthday, the Army usually organises elaborate projects.

He suddenly missed his Hyungs and their beloved fandom. He hadn't been there for them in the last three months. He felt ungrateful and promised to be more attentive, kind, and happy for his family, his Hyungs, and the Army.

She shrugged and said, "I left my parents a year ago... I left them heartbroken and shattered." When Jungkook saw her beautiful eyes watering, he felt a strange emotion tug at his heartstrings. "I didn't say goodbye. I was conceited. I wanted to give up, and I did... I left them two days after my birthday." Jungkook observed her painful gulp. Her eyes were filled with pain.

He returns his gaze to her, saying, "It's never too late to make amends. Return to them. I'm sure they miss you terribly. You are their daughter, and your birthday may be a very lonely time for them."

She smiles at him and says, "It's too late. It's been months." She shook her head, perplexed by his soft expression.

Jungkook felt a sudden chill around them. It was as if the atmosphere had charged up as he stared far into the horizon, where the blue-grey ocean met the grey hues of the stormy sky.

She turns to face him, her eyes mysterious. "Perhaps the echoes of people we once loved still linger in the places we regularly visited with them, which is why we return... Not so much to remember them as to feel them." Her melancholy aura sent chills up his spine.

"Yeah, their voices echo in the wind, never finding peace within. Return home, beach girl. Tell them you love them and are sorry for causing them pain, heartbreak, and sorrow." He says it softly.

"It was like never finding peace. Every year, I returned to this beach to find solace...until I met you, Stranger Boy." Thank you for giving me the courage to go back and wipe their tears." She pressed his hand again, smiling through her tears.

"Not to mention, we all have demons we have to face and conquer," Jungkook said as he jumped up from the rock. "Come on, beach girl, let's race. Let me warn you that it's your birthday. I'm a 100-meter genius."

"Oh? Well, stranger boy, let's race," she said, sprinting ahead.

"Hey!" he exclaimed in disbelief as he saw her sprinting ahead. He worked hard to catch up to her. He tackled her flat on the sea sand when he caught up with her. With her back to the ground, pouting. He chuckled as he hovered above her.

"Ugh...stranger boy. You're such a sore loser." She fixed her gaze on his laughing eyes. Stranger Boy is so adorable. She wondered if tracing her finger over his perfectly formed lips would offend him.

"I know...come!" He abruptly stood up and extended his hand to assist her. She put her soft hand in his.

"Thank you, so who won this race?" She teased him as they walked silently back to the beach.

"It's your birthday, so you are." He shoved her shoulder. She is a head shorter than he is. She smiled brightly at him.

"Stranger boy, may I have one gift from you as my race award?"

She looks at him.

Jungkook appears nervous. He hopes she doesn't want a picture of him. He enjoyed being anonymous, and they are not permitted to take random photos with fans. But she has no idea who he is, and now he's not Jungkook from Busan or the world-famous BTS-Jungkook.

"What do you want me to do?" He nervously bit his lip.

"Can I seal our friendship with a nice hug?" she asked, her face beaming.

"Of course, come here and have a happy birthday!" he exclaims.

He snaked his arms around her petite frame and pulled her closer to him. She felt so good in his arms as she snaked tightly around his waist. Her sudden proximity evoked a range of emotions in him. Why is he suddenly attracted to this strange yet profound girl? He had just broken up with Rose, and now he has this weird feeling for an ordinary girl. He can't make his life any more complicated. But he knows that spending time with her puts her in danger. If netizens find out about her, her life will never be the same again. But he feels so comfortable in her presence.

With his chin on her beanie head, he softly said, "Thank you, Beach Girl."

"What for?" she mumbled against his chest.

"For giving me a reason to live again, for giving the echo in the wind a voice to be heard again," he replied softly.

"Promise me something?" She lifts her face and brushes her thump across his cheek.

"Is there anything else?" He looked down at her solemn expression.

His fingers were teasing the strands of her hair.

"Be happy and count your blessings. All right. Go forth and live fully; enjoy what you love; and don't be afraid to fall in love again." She smiled as she eased out of his embrace.

He nods softly and takes her cold hand in his, pulling her in front of him in a back hug, his arms around her shoulders and her head resting on his chest, as they both watch the crashing white waves against the sharp rocks.

They don't need to speak or reveal their true identities to each other.

Just finding a kindred spirit in each other is enough.