September 5

Even though we crashed now

The boys were happy that their fans were excited to witness their beloved 7-member ensemble and overflowing with anticipation for their Los Angeles debut performance.

As the group's leader, Namjoon was in his element, and the other members couldn't wait to show off their skills to their American fan base, the ARMY.

These guys quickly rose from a small South Korean agency group to become one of the most prominent groups in the music industry, garnering lavish praise from music enthusiasts worldwide. They made history by being the first K-pop group to reach the top spot on the Billboard World Albums Chart.

Fans were already screaming at the top of their lungs an hour before the show commenced. Even though the concert hadn't begun yet, playing BTS's music videos on the stage's screens ignited enthusiasm among the fans, leading them to sing or even scream along with the songs.

Yunru and Ji-Ho were seated near the video editor near the stage, engrossed in the music videos displayed on the screen. Yunru had grown accustomed to the bustling crowds and no longer felt anxious. For Ji-Ho, the experience sparked immense excitement reminiscent of Blackpink's performances in the USA, evoking a sense of nostalgia for her time in LA a year ago. Despite the first three shows being sold out, Yoongi secured VIP tickets for the last-day LA show for her three former university friends.

Jhope's soulmate Akira and their nurse Do-yun observed the concert from backstage and prepared to assist the boys whenever necessary. Aware that the boys could sometimes push themselves too hard, especially Jimin and Jungkook, who were known perfectionists, they stood ready to offer support.

The lights in the arena finally went down an hour later to the jubilant applause of the crowd. Tangible magic enveloped the venue as BTS surfaced from under the stage and positioned themselves for their first single, "Idol." Cheering during the pre-concert music videos had left some fans hoarse, but the fans burst into excitement as they shouted the names of their favourite members.

The stadium was filled with bright, colourful lights that beat in time with the song's opening beats. The ARMY-Bombs' flashing rainbow-coloured light sticks added to the vibrant ambience of the arena and demonstrated BTS's evident excitement for their performance on this first stage in Los Angeles.

Their new album's songs "Save Me" and "I'm Fine" opened their setlist.

The members gathered in the middle of the stage and spoke to the audience. They all gave brief but endearing introductions, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to perform and comments on their creative journeys. Even though it was a straightforward conversation, the supporters couldn't hold back their yells and applause every time a member spoke into the microphone.

As the evening continued, the performers sang solo songs from their most recent album, "Love Yourself: Answer." J-Hope—known for being the group's main dancer and rapper—started the solo performances by captivating the audience with his song "Just Dance."

The audience became enthralled with J-hope's energetic choreography and lively rapping, enthusiastically chanting and singing along to the well-known songs. Jungkook's solo, "Euphoria," changed the atmosphere, subtly enthralled the crowd and changed the dynamic of the stadium.

After Jungkook's solo, the seven members returned to play a few group songs on stage.

The concert flowed rhythmically between group songs and intervals, including two solo performances. The highly captivating Jin's performance of "Epiphany" brought the event to a climax. While Yunru and Ji-Ho were too overly delighted, Samiya strolled away from them and instead sat silently next to a group of stylists next to the video production crew. Similarly enthused, their soulmates surged in when they saw their girls seated closer to the stage. Now and again, Samiya and the other senior staff members would wave their ARMY bombs, taking breaks and enjoying the incredible performances.

Seokjin gave her a subtle wink as he saw his soulmate waving her ARMY bomb. Fans in the vicinity let out exuberant screams after making eye contact with the endearing Hyung, who was ecstatic to see his beloved so fully involved as a true fan.

He did more than play an intricate ballad with lots of high notes; he also demonstrated his proficiency at the piano during the performance, which made Samiya admire him even more. She sat there looking downright dreamy, making Yunru and Ji-Ho giggle in amusement. They saw her from across the area, wiping away tears sparked by her soulmate's passionate singing. 

https://youtu.be/GyKQX1GGy6A

Yunru let out a soft giggle. "Looks like she'll shower her soulmate with some extra love tonight."

JiHo snickered. "You bet. The chemistry between them was palpable. Just a glance and the Army felt that genuine connection."

Yunru smiled, marvelling at the breathtaking sight of the arena shimmering with the purple ocean. It was indeed a spectacle. She couldn't wait to see her tiger on stage.

"Our boys are exceptional, selling out stadiums and captivating devoted ARMY fans. It's awe-inspiring," she remarked, her wide, doe-like eyes reflecting her excitement.

As the last solo concluded, fans wiped away tears, but Jin's emotional connection with ARMY and his soulmate moved him to tears, restarting the emotional cycle. Most of the fans in the stadium became even more emotional. Joined by Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung, Seokjin performed another heartfelt ballad, "Truth Untold," from their latest album.

https://youtu.be/wVUIs--t9ok

Yunru, brimming with excitement, flashed an enormous grin as she playfully pinched Ji-Ho, who winced, exclaiming, "Ouch, Yun! That  hurt." Yet, despite the brief pain, Ji-Ho couldn't help but chuckle as the youngest members began their performance.

Yunru chuckled, "I can't help it, Taelove is just so cool. His pink and blonde hair always gets me swooning. Don't judge!" She then joined in, screaming as loudly as the ARMY fans surrounding her.

 Taehyung scanned the arena, seeking out his petite soulmate, finding her and Ji-Ho nestled in the production booth. The producers observed their playful exchange and shook their heads at the pair's flirtatious looks. Amidst the vast crowd of ARMY, they could engage in subtle interactions without drawing much notice.

Following the emotionally stirring song, the atmosphere regained vigour when the three rappers of BTS took the stage with their track "Tear," the concluding song from their 2018 album, "Love Yourself: Tear." With English-language lyrics, the entire stadium joined in, chanting along to the intense track.

Yunru shot a smug glance at Ji-Ho, who pressed her lips together as her charismatic soulmate made his impactful stage debut. He mostly moved to her side of the stage when he saw her. His eyes were only on his soulmate. Jhope and Namjoon only smirked at Yoongis' flirty persona, which excited ARMY.

The two girls' attention was quickly diverted when Akira and Do-Yun joined them in the booth, settling behind Yunru and Ji-Ho to watch the rap performance.

"Hey, glad you two could join us!" Ji-Ho shouted over the loud cheers of the fans, struggling to communicate amidst the uproar.

Akira grinned. "Yeah, we had to. Hobi insisted I watch from the stage area. He wanted me to see him up close, not hidden backstage or on screens. Wow, this arena is massive," she exclaimed, her jaw-dropping in awe as she glanced around at the sea of purple—the most breathtaking sight she had ever seen.

As Namjoon began his part, his performance was nothing short of impressive.

Following their fantastic rap performance, the boys sang a couple more of its well-known songs before closing the evening with the song "Answer: Love Myself," which is about empowerment and self-love. Everyone knew the concert was closing, and the Army was devastated that BTS wouldn't visit the country until the following year. Thus, the performance was quite emotional.

Following the song, many tearful fans bid farewell to the band by chanting their names one final time before the lights went down and the event ended. In a musical atmosphere, the overwhelmingly positive energy and love were beautiful.

Many of the fans' favourite songs were played during the three-hour show. BTS was also excellent at engaging with the crowd, giving inspiring speeches to the fans, and even throwing out gifts at the end of their show. Engaging in fanservice increased the ARMY's love for the band by making jokes and having fun on stage.

BTS is a distinctive group renowned for using its platform to deliver powerful messages. Many people have found inspiration in their music, which has helped them through difficult times. After such a spectacular show, most fans are looking forward to the world tour that will take place early in 2019.

After the show, the boys returned to the hotel at 10:30 p.m. with their crew and security. The staff and management prepared an assortment of Korean food for the boys and their soulmates, already set up in Seokjin's room, as they needed to relax and enjoy a late-night snack. They intended to unwind, eat, talk about the evening's success, engage, reflect, etc. Seokjin was eagerly anticipating his time with Samiya; she had requested a private performance of "Epiphany" from him, a song that had deeply moved her.

Meanwhile, Jimin, Jungkook, and Namjoon had planned to engage with the ARMY through a Vlive session, especially for those who couldn't attend the concert. However, despite their online commitment, the soulmates desired to spend quality time together.

Jimin and Jungkook invited Namjoon to join them in their suite. The two youngest members were sharing a suite in LA.

"Will you come with us, Joonie-hyung?" Jungkook asked as they strolled back to their rooms, the hotel corridor softly illuminated.

Namjoon declined, "I'm feeling a bit tired. I plan to shower and get some rest. I need to work on my speech for the UN." Though nerves tried to creep in, he pushed them aside. He still had nearly three weeks to prepare thoroughly.

"No worries, Hyung. Kookie and I will stay up a bit. Just don't tell Sejin and Ms. Cheong," Jimin added with a cute pout, exchanging glances with Jungkook.

Namjoon chuckled. "Make sure you're refreshed for tomorrow's rehearsal at noon. Sungduek won't be pleased if you're not on your game."

"Got it. Have a great evening ahead. We'll wrap up the Vlive at midnight," Jungkook gestured, hinting that Jimin might not adhere to the bedtime. They planned to play online games on their phones in the dark hotel room.

The management arranged the boys' rooms close to each other, while some female managers occupied rooms nearby, creating the impression that the soulmates were in those two rooms. They had to be cautious, avoiding the attention of sneaky undercover American paparazzi keen on uncovering the elusive Bells.

The management had also arranged double rooms for the girls, despite their intention to spend time with their soulmates. Their luggage and extra clothing would be stored in these "bogus rooms," but they'd stay with their respective soulmates. Ji-Ho and Funsize shared a room, as did Samiya and Akira.

Near the band's accommodations, these deceptive rooms were conveniently tucked around the corner. Passing by Sejin and Hobeom's open door, they noticed an older waiter delivering alcoholic drinks to the two managers from the restaurant bar—the managers were still excited and wanted to watch a soccer match.

As the three band members made their way to their rooms, an older waiter beamed at them. Namjoon exchanged greetings with the two youngest members upon reaching his room.

 As soon as he entered his dimly illuminated hotel room, he exhaled with relief. He ran straight for the showers, throwing off his sneakers and hoodie onto the couch.

As the hot water sprayed over him, the sting of his soulmark reappeared. He felt his shoulder get redder and more inflamed as he gritted his teeth through the burning. Thank goodness, the invirso bound covered his dreaded soulmark on his shoulder.

It made him wonder what his soulmate's mark would include. The quirkiness of his mark made him ponder what kind of person she would be. She might be an American girl if she were living here in Los Angeles. He longed for a beautiful, intelligent, and intellectually comparable mate. It made his skin crawl to think of conversing with such a dimwitted person—how could he explain profound philosophical ideas to someone who couldn't understand them? Instead of depending on the cliche that "opposites attract," he believed the matching system prioritised natural compatibility. 

He got into his favourite book and curled up in his comfortable bed after changing into light-coloured pyjama pants and a t-shirt. After his soulmark pain subsided, he had no desire to practice his speech. He just wanted to unwind and find comfort in an enjoyable book.

Shaking his head, he considered BTS's incredible accomplishments. The media frequently cited him as a significant contributor to the group's unprecedented successes. They portrayed him as the group's intelligent and wise leader, frequently referred to as nothing less than a genius.

He was well aware of his intelligence; his IQ was 148, putting him in the top 1% of Koreans. Being considered a genius was both flattering and humble. Being multilingual, he created wordplay-rich, extraordinary lyrics in Korean and English. His coming speech was hoped for at international platforms like the UN General Assembly.

He smirked to himself, admitting that although he was regarded as a genius, he was not perfect—his beloved nickname among the ARMY was "God of Destruction" because of his knack for unintentionally breaking things.

His phone chimed as he reached for "The Stranger" by Albert Camus.

His eyebrows furrowed as he wondered if it was a message from his parents wishing him a restful night's sleep or management confirming the breakfast schedule. He thought his sister might give him a call to wish him well on tour.

He was shocked to see his now ex-girlfriend's number flashing on the screen. He was under a great deal of stress, still furious that Jia had concealed her pregnancy, even though he knew they had taken precautions to protect themselves during their intimate sessions.

He pressed his lips together, his gaze narrowing. Why was she calling him at this late hour? He had deliberately avoided her calls all day during rehearsals and sound checks. Feeling betrayed by her attempt to manipulate him, he was disheartened.

It was ironic—just days ago, he had contemplated turning away his soulmate to build a family with Jia and their unborn child, only to discover her deceit.

Softly answering the call, he said in Korean, "Good evening... Namjoon  speaking" 

"Hey Namjoon, my bad for bugging you." the voice sounded breathless in English.

Namjoon was taken aback. Why was Demi calling him? She'Jias' best American friend.

"Hi, Demi... Why are you calling from Jia's phone?" he asked, puzzled.

"Joon, Jia wanted me to hit you up. She's at the hospital, man. It's rather messy, and I can't spill all the deets. Her boss from work's hanging with her." she hurriedly explained.

Oh my, Jia is genuinely pregnant. But if it's not him, who's the father? She hadn't confided in her best friend. It was a relief that her personal life remained undisclosed.

"What happened to her?" he asked, sounding concerned. All his irritation and anger toward Jia vanished.

"She was complainin' about some belly pain. She passed out in the studio, and her boss brought her here. We were lookin' forward to catchin' your concert in three days, the last one here in LA. But this messed-up thing happened, and now we will not make it. She's bummed about lettin' you down. Nobody knows about "her condition"; we wanted to keep it low. Her boss, Mr Rhimes, spun it to the media, saying she fainted because she was stressed and exhausted from promoting her album. She wants you to know she'll be home after your concert, and she wants you to swing by. She says she's got something important to talk to you about. Probably her condition," Demi explained, sounding very worried. It seemed like Jia's condition was worse than he thought. Was something up with the baby?

"I'm really sorry to hear that. Tell Jia I'll stop by her penthouse in three days. We got a day off before we head out to Oakland, then we're in Texas for four days," he reassured Demi.

"Aw, thanks, Joon. She's passed out now, but she was freaked out and wanted you to be there for her. We didn't want to tip off the paparazzi about her being in the hospital and you leaving the middle of your gig to come to see her. I'll let her know you're comin' to visit. Hopefully, she'll be released tomorrow," Demi replied in relief.

"Don't stress. I'll swing by. Our schedule's packed here in LA with shows lined up one after another. Alright then, see you next week."Namjoon responded, showing concern.

Demi sounded relieved. "We're sorry to drop this on you. She'll tell you everything. I don't know why she kept this under wraps for so long, but don't be mad at her, okay?"

Namjoon shook his head, pondering if Jia would've revealed the truth about the baby's father, knowing it wasn't him. His soulmate wouldn't be so forgiving; he knew that much if the child was to be born.

He realized that despite their falling out, he couldn't just ditch his friendship with his best friend. Sure, he was hurt and let down by her trying to keep him from his soulmate, but she was still a significant part of his life. She was practically family, and he still cared for her until he met his destined soulmate. Once their bond was activated, all those feelings would vanish.

He understands that Jia might struggle to accept his soulmate, but nothing will hinder him from being with his destined soulmate now, not even another man's child. He feels liberated. Fate intervened, and he was grateful to his thoughtful older brother for saving him from a marriage that wouldn't have been with his true soulmate.

It's crazy that he was considering proposing to Jia and dreaming of being a father, aiming for a genuine family life with her.

A/n: Jia is in hospital.

Thank you so much for all the reads, votes, and comments. This is a big shout-out to all the Sparkles who have always read the Soulbound series and added the book to their public readers' lists. I'm highly motivated.

Shout  out to : liaaa202 Avril_Bitra   dreamingofus  aver135   ArmyLovesPurple CrystalQween01  peaches4747

1. Do you think Demi knows Namjoon might be the father?

2. What's your take on Jia's health condition?

3. Do you believe Jia will genuinely accept Namjoon's soulmate in his life?

4. Will she come clean or attempt to conceal the truth from Namjoon?