Something new - Yang Jungwon
pairing : Jungwon x black!fem!reader — genre : fluff, the boys meeting a new friend while on tour , — requested: no - warnings: none
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Absolutely—this version gives Jungwon and Y/N a little more one-on-one conversation, especially about him being the leader.
The final encore had ended almost two hours ago.
By then, the energy backstage had shifted completely.
The six members had changed out of their stage clothes and into hoodies, sweatpants, and baseball caps. Most of their makeup had been removed, and the excitement from the concert was slowly being replaced by exhaustion.
Their dancers and staff were scattered around the dressing room.
A few people sat on the floor eating snacks. One stylist was showing Sunoo pictures she had taken during the concert, while Jake and Ni-ki watched one of the dancers replay a funny moment from the show.
Jay leaned back against the couch and sighed.
“I don’t think I can eat another chicken Caesar wrap.”
Jake immediately looked over.
“I thought I was the only one tired of them.”
“We’ve eaten the same five things for almost three weeks.”
Ni-ki stretched his legs out in front of him.
“I want something actually good tomorrow.”
One of the American staff members looked up from her phone.
“You guys should try soul food.”
“Soul food?” Jungwon asked.
“Definitely. Especially while you’re here.”
Another staff member joined in.
“I know a place. It’s family-owned, and everyone around here loves it.”
Within minutes, several phones were out.
Pictures of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, candied yams, and peach cobbler were being passed around the room.
Ni-ki leaned closer to the screen.
Their manager checked the time.
“I’ll call tomorrow morning and see whether they can fit everyone in.”
“Can you ask for somewhere private?” Jake asked. “Just in case it gets crowded.”
“I’ll see what they have.”
The next morning, the restaurant confirmed that a private dining room was available for six people.
They never mentioned who the reservation was for.
Only that the guests were visiting from out of town and would appreciate a quieter space.
The restaurant was already busy when their van pulled into the parking lot the following afternoon.
People moved in and out of the front doors carrying takeout bags, and several families were waiting near the entrance.
The smell reached them before they even stepped inside.
“I already know this is going to be good.”
The manager greeted them at the front.
“You must be the reservation for six.”
“Perfect. We have your room ready.”
He led them away from the main dining area and through a short hallway.
The private room was simple but comfortable, with a long wooden table, large windows, and framed family photographs covering the walls.
“Your server will be right with you,” the manager said.
A minute later, there was a soft knock.
And forgot whatever Sunghoon had just been saying.
She stepped into the room carrying six menus against her chest.
Not overly dressed up or trying too hard.
She wore a fitted black restaurant T-shirt, dark jeans, and small gold hoops. Long braids fell neatly over one shoulder, and her makeup was soft enough that it only highlighted how naturally pretty she already was.
Her skin seemed to glow beneath the warm lights.
Her smile was small, but confident.
“Hi,” she said. “I’m Y/N. I’ll be taking care of y’all today.”
She handed each of them a menu.
“I heard this is everybody’s first time here.”
“Then I’ll help where I can.”
Her voice was calm and friendly. She wasn’t overly talkative, but she seemed completely comfortable in the room.
After taking their drink orders, she left.
The second the door closed, Jake looked at Jungwon.
Jungwon picked up his menu.
“He was staring before she even finished introducing herself.”
Y/N returned with sweet tea and water.
As she placed the glasses down, Jay looked at the menu.
“What would you recommend for someone who’s never had any of this before?”
She glanced around the table.
“The fried chicken is the safest choice.”
“In a good way,” she assured him. “Everyone likes it.”
She pointed to a few items on the menu.
“The mac and cheese is popular. The cornbread comes with most meals, and if you like sweet sides, try the yams.”
Jungwon looked between two entrées.
She stepped closer to look over his shoulder.
The faint scent of her perfume reached him.
“This one,” she said, tapping the menu.
“You didn’t even think about it.”
“You seem like you’d like it.”
Jake hid a smile behind his glass.
“That’s your professional opinion?”
“My very professional opinion.”
When the food arrived, the room went almost completely silent.
For several minutes, there was nothing but the sound of forks against plates.
Ni-ki took a bite of fried chicken and leaned back in his chair.
Jake stared down at the macaroni and cheese.
“No one asked you to,” Sunghoon said.
Y/N returned a few minutes later with a pitcher.
She moved around the table refilling their drinks.
When she reached Jungwon, she glanced at his nearly empty plate.
“You liked my recommendation.”
“You were very confident.”
“I usually know what I’m talking about.”
The dimples in his cheeks appeared.
Her eyes dropped to them briefly.
He touched one side of his face.
The compliment came so easily that it took him a moment to respond.
She continued around the table like she hadn’t said anything unusual.
Jake waited until she left before leaning toward him.
Jungwon stared at his plate.
“They definitely are,” Sunoo added.
Y/N returned later to collect a few empty plates.
As she stacked them, she looked around the table.
“You guys aren’t from here, are you?”
“Where did you think we were from?” Jungwon asked.
Her eyebrows lifted slightly.
“What brings y’all to Dallas?”
“We’re on tour,” Jay said.
Then her expression changed as if something had clicked.
She looked at them more closely.
“Are you the group with the concert downtown?”
“My cousin has been talking about that concert all week.”
She shook her head with a quiet smile.
“I didn’t realize that was y’all.”
“That’s probably better.”
“You treated us normally.”
“You were normal customers when you walked in.”
She stayed for a few minutes while the room was quiet.
“Do you like touring?” she asked.
She rested one hand on the empty chair beside him.
“There are a lot of people depending on you.”
“Especially him,” Jake said, pointing toward Jungwon.
Y/N glanced between them.
“He’s our leader,” Jay explained.
She looked back at Jungwon.
“You seem young to be in charge of everybody.”
“I hear that a lot,” Jungwon said.
He glanced around at the others.
“I have to pay attention to how everyone’s feeling. If somebody’s tired or worried, I usually notice.”
“That sounds like a lot of pressure.”
She asked it so seriously that Jungwon laughed.
“Rarely,” Jake corrected.
“They listen when it matters.”
“So you’re the responsible one.”
“You don’t look very intimidating.”
“I’m not supposed to intimidate them.”
“You might need to work on that.”
“There are the dimples,” she said.
“You really like pointing them out.”
Her eyes held his for a second longer.
The room suddenly felt quieter.
Jungwon glanced down at the table, still smiling.
“What about you?” he asked. “Do you run this place?”
“But you seem like you do.”
“My grandparents started it. I’ve been helping here since I was little.”
“That explains why you know everything.”
“Do you like working here?”
“I do. It gets busy, but I like meeting people.”
“Even customers who ask too many questions?”
She looked directly at him.
“Depends on the customer.”
Jake covered his mouth to hide his laugh.
“You’re doing okay so far.”
The conversation continued naturally after that.
They talked about which cities they had enjoyed most, how difficult it was adjusting to different time zones, and what foods they missed from home.
Y/N mostly listened, adding a comment here and there.
Jungwon found himself talking more than usual.
He explained that being the leader didn’t mean telling everyone what to do.
“It’s more like making sure everyone stays connected,” he said. “Even when we’re tired.”
“That sounds better than being bossy.”
Several members looked at him.
“That reaction says otherwise.”
“Of course they are, Dimples.”
“You’re calling me that now?”
⸻ Eventually, the table was cleared and the bill was brought in.
The members stood and thanked her before leaving.
“The food was great,” Jay said.
“We’ll definitely remember this place.”
“I’m glad y’all liked it.”
Y/N stepped aside to let them pass.
Jungwon lingered near the door.
“Thanks for talking with us.”
“Thanks for asking so many questions.”
“I thought I was doing okay.”
He nodded, then followed the others out.
A few minutes later, Y/N returned to the private room.
She picked up the check holder and opened it.
There was a generous tip.
Beneath the signature was a short handwritten message.
Thanks for making our first soul food experience one we’ll remember.
Next time I’m in Dallas, maybe you can recommend somewhere we can eat together.
Y/N stared at it for several seconds.
She folded the receipt and slipped it into her apron.
Outside, Jungwon climbed into the van.
Jungwon fastened his seat belt.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“And you signed it Dimples.”
A smile slowly spread across Jungwon’s face.
The members immediately noticed.
“There they are,” Sunoo teased.
Jungwon covered his face as the van filled with laughter.
Back inside the restaurant, Y/N glanced at the number one more time before pulling out her phone.
Jungwon’s phone buzzed before the van had even left the parking lot.
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