Jungkook pov

Jungkook enjoyed the few hours on the beach with the beach girl. They played "Catch Me if You Can" and drew funny words on the sea sand. They also had a sandcastle-building competition. It got a little colder as time went on. They even dared each other to walk barefoot into the freezing water, squealing and screaming with delight.

As they sat on a smooth rock and munched on Jungkook snacks, the two quietly threw some pebbles into the ocean.

They turn to each other and smirk playfully.

"Stranger boy, would it be weird if I asked you your name? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, " she quickly informs him.

Jungkook looks slightly baffled; will she recognise him if she makes the necessary associations? He doesn't want to blow his cover. After a while, he softly stated:

"Jungkook" was waiting for her to recognise the name, but she had no recollection.

She smiles and says," Beautiful name. I'm Yoona."

"Thanks, you're a pretty Yoona..."Jungkook notices, grinning in relief.

The sun was setting, and Yoona became a little hurried as she jumped up. She looks frantically around, and her eyes look fearful in Jungkook's eyes.

He wondered why she behaved so oddly.

"What is it, Yoon?" He looked worried.

"Er... I'm going back home, Jungkook. I'm leaving." She jumped from the rocks and ran to the shore, with Jungkook running after her.

"Wait---beach girl! Yoona! Yoona!" He caught up with her, grabbing and holding onto her sleeve.

She turned with a pained expression and said, "II want to spend so much time with you, Stranger boy-Jungkook, but we can't."

"Why not? "Please don't leave so soon, Yoona." His eyes saddened.

She looked frantic and hurriedly said, "JJungkook, please promise you will remember me if we meet again."

He frowns deeply. " Of course, I'll remember you, Yoon. I want to know you more. Please don't leave so soon. It is still your birthday," he pleaded.

Yoon sighed deeply, and suddenly, a light shined in her eyes that puzzled him. " I'll give you something. If we meet again, you must return this pendant to me. This is my most precious gift to you. Amid his puzzled expression... She dug into the front of her hoodie and unclasped a beautiful gold pendant with an angel hanging from it.

When she put it around his neck, he looked in awe. Jungkook looked down at its beauty, touching it gently as he gazed into Yoona's eyes. She looked happy.

"Why?" He looked puzzled.

"You are the one worthy of it." She shrugged with a slight chuckle, but then her movements froze as she gazed into his nervous eyes.

"Jungkook, can I kiss you goodbye?" she sheepishly uttered.

"Huh! " Jungkook replied with shock.

"You heard me. Can you be my first kiss on my birthday?" She smirks, but her voice is serious.

"O-ok..." With a radiant smile, she softly snakes her arms around his shoulder. As he leans in to meet her lips, he feels a spark.

She softly pecks his bunny lips until Jungkook grabs her head, with his hands cupping her face, and starts to kiss her with enthusiasm, to which she responds. It felt like hours, but it was only less than a minute.

They were breathless as they released each other, staring deep into each other's eyes with awe.

"Wow! " Yoona licked her soft, swollen lips as she met his eyes. Jungkook looks still dazed by the intensity of the kiss.

"Oh my..." Jungkook softly whispers.

"Make a promise to me, stranger boy. You will return my pendant to me." She implored frantically.

"Promise," she says as she shakes his forearms urgently.

"OK, promise," he said as he noticed the light in her eyes. Peace had taken over her demeanour.

"Thank you, Jungkook," she thanked him with gratitude.

•. .•°

The following day, he wanted to see if she was on the beach; at the same hour, she always came, but Jungkook was disappointed that the girl who had made such an impression on him wasn't there.

The beach appeared deserted, with no life—only the sound of crashing waves playing on the seashore.

He wandered on the beach that day, wondering how he would ever meet her again. Where will they most likely meet? He likes her and wishes to know more about her.

She appears to be an ordinary runaway, while he is a global superstar, an idol—a world apart.

His aunt was confused when he appeared sad, but it was a different kind of sorrow. Because of his glum expression, she could tell he'd met a girl. On Saturday, he will return to his regular idol life.

He spent the rest of the day finishing the paintings for his aunt.

He felt compelled to paint "her," as he had the first time he saw her at the beach. He began with gentle pencil strokes. As the painting came to life, he smiled at the corners of his mouth.

The painting was completed in under two hours. Looking at it, he smiled brightly as he reminisced about their first meeting, her vanishing, and her philosophical quotes. He shook his head and smiled as he remembered the race on the beach, playing on the beach, hugging her, and kissing her soft lips.

Jungkook had never felt so liberated and at ease just in her company. She restored his sense of wholeness. Inspired to be better—a better son, best friend, Bangtan, or simply a better idol. He couldn't be more grateful for the excellent opportunities he's had—the love of the Army.

He wished he could say so much more to Yoon.

She opened his eyes and asked him to count his blessings.

He hopes he was able to assist her in reuniting with her parents.

His aunt discovered him smiling at the painting, with a lovely light in his eyes. And she knew right there that he had found himself again.

"Woah! The final painting is stunning. An aura of melancholy surrounded the girl; everything appeared to be realistic. The feeling of the cold, the waves, the pointy rocks is such a beautiful yet sad painting, Gukie. You are truly the golden maknae. What is the title of the painting?"

Jungkook chuckled, "Thank you, Gomo. I think I'll call it "Echo in the Wind" by J.K. Seagull."

Aunt Hari smirked at the slight flush on his cheeks. "O-ok. Wonderful name. It's perfect. So, who is the model in the painting, if I may ask?"

"Oh, just some random local girl I met the other day. She was odd but intriguing." He flashes a broad grin. He can't tell his aunt about his encounter with the beach girl. She is his fond memory. Maybe destiny will let them meet again and give her the angel pendant.

"Well, she is lovely. It's a pity...your father will pick you up on Saturday." She clicks her tongue.

"Do you want home cooking or takeout?" she asks. Jungkook excitedly claps his hands.

"Can I get us Panda Express?" He pleaded.

"Well, who am I? If a super idol wants to spoil his aunt, who am I to object?" She laughs.

Jungkook jumped up and tightly hugged his aunt, saying, "I love you, Gomo Hari; you are the best. Thank you for giving me the time and love I needed to heal. Your presence and encouragement have helped me overcome these depressing demons. I think I'll be fine."

She beams as she affectionately hugs her little nephew.

'Yes, Gukie, we'll be fine,' she murmurs, her slight smile gracing her lips as a faraway look enters her bright eyes.

°•. .•

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