Chapter 5- The Star and the "Stalker" Author

Author pov :

The practice room was a mess of empty water bottles and the heavy scent of sweat. Jungkook stood in front of the wall-to-wall mirrors, his chest heaving under his soaked black shirt. To the millions of fans outside, he was the "Golden Idol," a perfect human who never got tired. But in this room, he was just a boy whose legs felt like they were made of lead. Jungkook didn't have parents to go home to. His uncle, Jihun, was his only family. He had spent his whole life training to be a star, trading his childhood for a chance to stand under the bright lights. Sometimes, he felt more like a machine than a person.

Later that night, he dropped by his Uncle Jihun’s small apartment. It was the only place where he could sit on the floor and eat with his hands without anyone judging him."You look like you've been run over by a truck," Jihun joked, placing a bowl of steaming soup in front of him."I feel like it, too," Jungkook laughed, slurping the broth. "But I'm okay. I just need a little bit of 'real life' before I go back to being a celebrity tomorrow.""You’re always just Jungkookie to me," Jihun said, ruffling his messy hair. "Now eat, before you disappear."

By 1:30 AM, Jungkook was back in his own kitchen. The house was huge and quiet. He felt that familiar itch of loneliness, so he grabbed his phone. "Let's talk to my friends," he whispered, hitting the Live button. "Hi everyone!" Jungkook beamed as the viewer count exploded into the millions instantly. He was wearing an oversized hoodie that made him look small and cozy. "I'm starving. It's ramen time. Stay with me while I cook?"

He propped the phone against a cereal box. He started a "Happy Ramen Dance," wiggling his hips as he waited for the water to boil. He even started a high-pitched conversation with his pot. "Come on, Mr. Water, boil faster! My stomach is crying!"The fans went wild.

“Wait, he really calls his kitchen tools 'Mr.'? THE AUTHOR KNEW!”

“Chapter 12! The Author wrote this exact scene last week!” Jungkook stopped mid-dance, a wooden spoon in his hand. He leaned in so close to the camera that his nose looked huge. "Wait, wait. What are you guys talking about? What author? Did someone write a manual on how to be me?" The comments were flying so fast he had to squint to read them. Suddenly, he noticed something strange. The fans weren't just saying I love you. They were screaming.

Jungkook leaned back against the kitchen counter, his eyes darting frantically across the screen. The comments were moving so fast they looked like a waterfall of white text."Whoa, whoa! Stop! Everyone, slow down!" Jungkook laughed, holding up his hands. He leaned his face so close to the phone that his bangs brushed the lens, his eyes squinting. "I can’t read a single thing. It’s like you guys are typing in fast-forward! Is there a marathon happening in the chat?"He waited a second, but the same two words kept flashing over and over: AUTHOR and THE BOOK."What is this?" he asked, his nose scrunching up in confusion. "You guys keep saying 'The Author' and 'The story we never finished.' Is that a new movie? Did I miss a meeting?"He watched as the fans finally started explaining, the comments a bit more readable now.“Jungkook-ah, it’s a famous web-novel about you!”“The author is a genius! They know your secret habits!”“They wrote that you hum when you’re nervous and that you drink water in three small gulps. You just did it!”Jungkook blinked, a half-eaten noodle hanging from his lip. He slowly swallowed. "A book? About me?" He let out a loud, bubbly laugh, shaking his head. "Guys, come on. There are thousands of stories about me online. People have big imaginations!"He picked up his bowl, stirring the ramen with his chopsticks. "So, this author... they think they know me? What else did they say? That I’m a secret superhero?"The chat exploded again. “oh ! They say you’re a ‘Soft Puppy’ who hates being alone!” No “They wrote about how you feel on rainy nights... how you wish someone would just sit with you in the quiet.”

Actually, the Author also wrote that you sleep with the light on when it rains because you don't like the thunder,” a fan commented.

Jungkook’s hand paused for a tiny, invisible second. He felt a weird prickle on the back of his neck. How did they know about the rainy nights? Jungkook froze for a split second. The smile stayed on his face, but his eyes blinked fast. He did do that. But how could anyone know? He had never mentioned that to anyone, not even his staff. But he quickly covered it with a wide, teasing grin. "A soft puppy? Me?" He flexed his bicep, making the fabric of his hoodie go tight. "Look at these muscles! I am a tough guy! Tell your author they need to go to the gym with me. Their imagination is too soft. And with that “LOL” and “Awww” flooded the chat. He leaned closer, chasing the reaction, letting their laughter fill the space around him. "He took a huge bite of ramen, talking with his mouth full. "It’s just a coincidence, guys. It’s like a horoscope. If you write enough things, eventually you’ll get something right. I’m a very simple guy! I like food, I like music, and I’m clumsy. Anyone can guess that."He spent the next ten minutes playfully arguing with the comments. Every time a fan pointed out a "book habit," he would do something different just to prove them wrong."See? I used my left hand to pick up the spoon! The book is wrong! I am a mystery!" he cheered, laughing so hard his eyes turned into little crescents. He kept the Live going until his bowl was empty, making funny faces and teasing the "Mystery Author" the whole time. "Okay, okay," he said, finally calming down. He leaned into the camera, his expression warm and sweet. "It’s funny, really. I’m glad you guys are enjoying the story. But remember, I’m the real Jungkook, right here. Don’t get too lost in the book!"“Okay, my lovelies,” he said after a while, blowing a dramatic kiss. “I’m going to eat more snacks and dream about this psychic author. He ended the Live with a wink and a heart.

The screen went dark.

And just like that… the laughter didn’t follow him.

The kitchen was quiet now.

The “tough guy” act faded with the silence.

He stood there, an empty bowl in his hands, staring at the black screen of his phone.

“They say you wish someone would just sit with you in the quiet.”

The line wouldn’t leave his head.

It pressed against his chest—small, but sharp. Like a thorn that refused to come out.

He should just go to bed.

It was all a joke… right?

Just a fan with a very, very lucky imagination.

But the quiet stayed.