LOVE AT FIRST SERVE
04. mark his calendar
Chaeyoung sighed, resting her chin on her hand as she watched Mingyu tap away at his phone.
She had been so excited when he invited her to dinner. He had been so busy with group work, barely spending time with her, so she thought—finally, a night just for them.
But no. Here they were.
Mingyu, barely eating, glued to his stupid group chat. And Chaeyoung, staring at the untouched food in front of them, wondering why she even bothered.
She tried to be patient. She really did. She ate slowly, matching his nonexistent pace, hoping maybe—just maybe—he’d put his phone down and actually be present.
Then, he looked up. “Ah, Chae, I can’t send you home after this.”
Chaeyoung blinked. “Mhm? Why?”
“My groupmates need my help. I have to go.”
Again?
Her heart dropped. This wasn’t the first time. Mingyu was a nice guy—too nice. Always helping his friends. Always putting them first. And she had complained before, but it just led to a fight, and she was so tired of fighting.
“Right now?” she asked, trying to keep her voice even.
Mingyu reached across the table, brushing his fingers over hers. “I’m sorry, okay? It’s my final project. I can’t leave them to handle it alone.”
Chaeyoung inhaled slowly. “But why do they always need you? Can’t you tell them you have dinner plans? That we haven’t seen each other in a week?”
Mingyu sighed. “Chae, we see each other at faculty. And this is for my final credit.”
There it was again. That same excuse.
She exhaled sharply. “Okay. Just go. It’s not like you’ve never done this before.” She didn’t even look at him, just focused on her food, stuffing a bite into her mouth before she said something she’d regret.
Mingyu shook his head, pulled out his wallet, paid for their meal, and left.
Just like that.
Chaeyoung clenched her chopsticks, staring at the table. If she had known he would leave her like this, she would’ve just gotten takeout and eaten at home.
She forced another bite, determined to finish everything—but the moment the food hit her tongue, she lost her appetite.
She wasn’t sad. No, she was furious. At Mingyu. At his damn groupmates. At herself for even thinking tonight would be different.
° ° ° °
Jungkook froze mid-step, eyes widening as he spotted a very familiar blonde sitting alone at a table.
Park Chaeyoung?
Was this… fate?
But then, his gaze flickered to the other plate and glass across from her.
Oh.
Right. She had a boyfriend. Of course, she wasn’t alone. Maybe her tall, handsome, perfect boyfriend was in the restroom.
Jungkook hesitated. Should he go say hi? Act like he didn’t see her? He turned toward the counter, debating if he should just grab takeout and leave.
Yes. That was the smart move.
But his feet had other plans.
“Park Chaeyoung.”
Her head snapped up, eyes wide. “Jeon Jungkook?”
Jungkook almost forgot how to breathe.
She looked adorable, cheeks full, her hand covering her mouth as she quickly chewed. He knew she was embarrassed, but all he could think was how insanely cute she looked.
“Ah, are you here for dinner?” she asked after swallowing.
Jungkook scratched the back of his neck. “Uh, just planning to get takeout.” Suddenly, he felt very underdressed. She was in a pretty blouse and jeans, looking effortlessly stunning, while he was in his sweatshirt and training pants.
Chaeyoung glanced at the empty seat in front of her. Then, without thinking, she blurted, “If you don’t mind… help me finish this? I ordered too much, and my boyfriend ditched me for his group work.”
Jungkook’s internal gossip-radar immediately flared up.
“He what?”
He slid into the chair before she could change her mind, casually pushing away the plate that was probably Mingyu’s.
Chaeyoung sighed. “Yeah. His groupmates always need him, and I get left behind.” She grabbed an extra plate, placing food onto it for Jungkook. “You know, they treat him like—”
And just like that, she vented.
Jungkook listened, nodding along, adding the occasional “Seriously?” or “No way.”
Then, in between bites of shrimp tempura, he muttered, “Your boyfriend is a popular guy.”
Chaeyoung raised an eyebrow, noticing how Jungkook’s lips pouted as he said that. “Everybody must love him a lot,” he continued. “That’s why they always want him around.”
Chaeyoung chuckled. She caught on quickly. Jungkook wasn’t just commenting. He was jealous.
“You’re famous too, you know.”
Jungkook huffed. “Only when I score points. Before that, I was just the short wing spiker. Had to jump higher, run faster—basically prove myself every game. No one even noticed me before the big competitions.”
Chaeyoung frowned. She understood that feeling all too well. “I think you’re amazing. I’ve seen how much you love playing volleyball. Even from the sidelines, I can feel your energy. It’s inspiring.”
Jungkook nearly choked.
Did she just… compliment him?
He barely managed a chuckle, trying to tame the wild butterflies in his stomach.
Before he knew it, their conversation drifted from Mingyu’s groupmates to volleyball, to campus life, to completely random things.
Chaeyoung was shocked at how comfortable she felt with him. They weren’t even close, but somehow, talking to Jungkook felt… easy. Natural.
And Jungkook?
He was dying.
His angel wasn’t like those quiet, mysterious girls in dramas who bottled up their feelings. No. She complained. She gossiped. She ranted—but still had this adorable excitement about things she loved.
It was dangerously cute.
And then—
“Jeon Jungkook, thanks for helping me finish all this.”
He grinned. “You can just call me Jungkook.”
Chaeyoung smirked. “Then call me Chaeyoung.”
Jungkook nodded. “Thanks for the food.”
She laughed, feeling lighter. No sadness, no frustration. Just happiness.
“Mingyu paid before he left, but still… free food always tastes better. Thank God he paid first, or I swear, I would’ve slapped his face with the plate.”
Jungkook snorted. Then burst out laughing.
She was so cute.
Then, without thinking, he asked, “Hey, you stay at the student residence, right?”
She nodded.
“Wanna get ice cream for dessert? The convenience store—”
“Oh my God! You mean the one across the residence? The one no one goes to because the owner has tattoos and looks like a hitman?!”
Jungkook grinned. “Mhm.”
“That’s my favorite store! Let’s go, let’s go!”
She was already standing, grabbing her bag.
Jungkook chuckled, standing up to follow.
As they left the restaurant together, one thought filled his mind—
The moment he got home, he was marking this day on his calendar.
The first night he had dinner with his angel.
And soon—ice cream after that.