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jellyjoyverse · 3 days ago

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SNEAKY MUCH .ᐣ — JINU

⟡ summary; a genius, business idea to go on tour with the saja boys, you needed a to catch a break ⟡ contents; pure fluff, rivals, huntrix!reader x jinu ⟡ w/c; 1k

─── .✦

Unbearable, the most fitting word you could find in your vocabulary to describe the situation you found yourself in. And if there’s a bright side it’d be that, at the very least, you weren’t in this alone. The rest of your girl group, Huntrix, also had to suffer tolerating the upcoming boy band you got paired up with.

Bobby wouldn’t even dream of putting any of his girls through this… under different circumstances. But the fans kept switching from Huntrix to the Saja boys like they needed to repent by obliviously running straight to a well-disguised sin.

However, the rapidly decreasing numbers of fans had already trapped him in a predicament. Staying in the safe zone was a luxury neither he or his favorite group could afford if they wished to stay afloat in the industry. So, with a heavy chest, he announced the news on a Friday evening.

You just had to endure a week-long tour around the country, what could go wrong? Ha.

First, it came the signing; greeting the fans as per usual, pretending as if nothing was out of normal, as if hunters weren’t sitting between the very beings they swore to hunt to the ends of the Earth, as if sworn rivalry was the only thing between you.

Stupidly ignoring every subtle glare, eye roll and held half-contained remark exchanged between you and their forsaken leader.

Then, performing on stage together. Who knew they’d find a way to make things harder than they should be.

A bunch of egocentric, supposed idols, not giving either of your group space to breathe freely. Every second even more challenging than the last as you found yourself competing to be heard, stretching your vocal cords all while only his voice alone echoed in the stadium.

Would this effort go for granted or would it actually help your group’s current undergoing crisis? You just hoped it’d be the latter.

Patient, remain patient. You had to remind yourself occasionally to get out of the most overstimulating moments of this tour—like the constant flash of fan cams, or the way the Saja boys' maknae would subtly push past you backstage, or the constant facade you maintained around the fans. Yet, that thought flew out of the window the moment the hotel room fell in complete silence, the other three girls fast asleep on the spacious couch.

Hence, your decision to slip on a hoodie for the sake of your body temperature in the coolness of the night.

There’s nothing better than some time to yourself, so you took the opportunity and made your way out of the suite, it could hardly be considered ‘sneaking out’... you had no intention of doing something stupid in secret and, above all, you had no idea of where to go.

The air in the quiet, dim hall shifted, a faint scent of something familiar – expensive cologne overriding your senses. Before Jinu caught wind of you, you spotted him across the corridor doing just the same as you.

If you pretend something’s not there, it will disappear.

Your breath caught into your throat, of all people you could run into… So, there’s only one logical solution available in case of avoiding all conflict; rush and keep your head down. Freedom, you sighed to yourself, the exit within reach. Fresh air, you romanticized as you lowered the hood off, fresh air in one of the busiest cities worldwide?

“Didn’t strike you as the type to sneak out like some naive teenager.” He scoffed, his tone playful, but you could spot something more in his eyes when they met yours, something you couldn’t decode as he gently pulled on your hoodie. “Where are you headed this late into the night, huh?” He flicked his wrist, checking his imaginary watch as he came to stand beside you.

“I could ask you the same, but I'm not nosy, unlike some people…” You huffed out, eyeing him up and down as if one couldn't understand to whom your remark was aimed at.

Jinu raised his hands in front of him, feigning surrender, even when his lips curved upwards, “Okay, okay, you got me…” You had never noticed the soft brown in his eyes until now, you’d never get this close willingly but he’d allow your stolen glances, “Where are we headed?”

You blinked. Once, twice. Plural?

“We?” You echoed, watching him shove his hands in his jacket’s pockets and roll his shoulders effortlessly, how could he make it look different and better than when other people did it? It’s just a gesture, snap out of it, “You’re a grown ass man, don’t you have anything better to occupy yourself with?”

“Your friends would be very sad if you got kidnapped.”

“Kidnapped? I’m not a child.” A sharp remark, his ridiculous comments truly had no end.

Jinu hummed, narrowing his eyes and using his hand to point out the height difference between the two of you. “Could’ve fooled me.” his tone unusually playful and teasing rather than mocking.

“Okay, you just don’t know when to shut up—"

He didn’t spare you a second more, “Clearly. It’s part of my charm.”

Your facade wavered. Just barely noticeable.

But he caught it. Are you even surprised? He displayed all of his cockiness in one lopsided grin, just for you.

“Come on, you need someone to watch your back, grown-up-child.” Jinu took a few, small, excited steps as if the whole world didn’t know about his existence, as if he was a civilian, nothing more than that. “Scout’s honor, I’ll keep my mouth shut.” He looked at you with the brightest smile you’ve seen from him, so expectant that you forgot, he had never stepped foot in a scout camp.

“... Fine.” You groaned and began walking, his shoulder bumping against yours occasionally, but neither of you complained.

“So, where are we going, jagiya?”

“You promised to shut up.”

“I lied.” He whispered in your ear.

You couldn’t help the small smile on your face, enjoying the playful banter and the sensation of security he brought along—not that you couldn’t handle yourself. It felt oddly nice, for once.

─── .✦

⟡ a/n; rushed, but i need him bibically, ironic. thank you sm for reading, have a nice day♡‪‪❤︎‬

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jellyjoyverse · 8 days ago

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✨ Blind Strings – Chapter 5 ✨

“i’d still choose you.”

a sudden mission, a sneaky date, and a reward that changes everything. you’re falling. he’s choosing. and the world is holding its breath.

read ch5 on: quotev | wattpad | ao3

full chapter below ↓

🌙 Chapter 5: What We Don’t Say

The scent reaches you first — crisp and clean, laced with something sweet. Peonies. You blink in the sunlight, head tilted as the breeze stirs the leaves overhead. There’s a sound near the gate. A soft, familiar whistle, followed by his voice.

“Delivery for the lady of the house,” Jinu calls lightly from the other side of the wall. “Fresh from rehearsals.”

You bite back a smile. The guilt doesn’t let you enjoy it for long.

“You can leave them by the postbox,” you say at last, softer than before.

A pause. “Can I not say hi?”

You hesitate, then shuffle slightly on the bench, as if that would make it easier. “You’re not trespassing if you stay outside the gate.”

His laugh is quiet, a puff of breath. “That’s a very legal-sounding invitation.”

There’s a soft scuffle as he climbs just high enough to peek over — the shift of his weight, the rustle of leaves, the faint scrape of boots on brick.

“Hi,” he says, gentle and fond, a little out of breath.

You tilt your head toward his voice. “Hi.”

He doesn’t bring up the last time he saw you. Doesn’t mention the song. Or the way he’d stared at your shadow as if you’d split his world in two. He just holds the moment steady, as if waiting to be invited further — not into the garden, but into the space between your guarded walls.

“Your brother isn’t home?” he asks.

You shake your head. “He’s at work. He didn’t say when he’d be back.”

Jinu hums. “That explains why you look like you haven’t breathed all day.”

“…He’s not that bad.”

“He’s trying,” you admit. “But it’s hard. For him. For me. I don’t think he knows what to do with me anymore.”

There’s a beat of silence. You can feel his gaze on you, even if you can’t see it.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

You open your mouth. Close it again. There’s too much you could say — and none of it would make anything better.

“Thanks for the flowers,” you murmur instead.

“They’re not bribes,” he says innocently. “Unless they’re working. In which case — maybe they are.”

Your lips twitch. “Hm. So thoughtful and well-timed?”

“I do have a knack for that,” he says lightly — but the warmth beneath his voice lingers.

You listen as he steps down from the gate, brushing dust off his hands. The hush that follows stretches longer than it should.

“Take care,” he says eventually. His voice is softer now. Almost careful. “I’ll drop by again soon. If you want.”

You don’t answer right away. The silence clings.

“…I’d like that,” you say finally.

And then he’s gone.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

[Host…?]

You sigh. The System’s voice is hesitant, like it’s been watching you spiral all morning.

[I was monitoring your vitals… they spiked a little. Would you like to initiate a support prompt?]

“No,” you murmur. “I want the truth.”

A short silence.

“…System. Where’s the real version of this body?”

[…Host?]

“The original soul,” you say, voice tight. “The girl who was here before me. The one with a brother. What happened to her?”

There’s static for a second. Then:

[System is not permitted to answer that question.]

You exhale shakily. “Right.”

[Host, please understand—]

“I do. That’s the problem.” You lean forward, pressing your forehead to your hands. “I took her place —”

[Integration was approved by upper-dimensional protocol. No harm was—]

“Then what happens when I finish these missions? Do I get to go home? Is that how it works?”

A pause. Then:

[Upon reaching 100% mission completion, host’s soul will be permitted dimensional transfer if that is your wish. You will be returned to your previous world.]

Something inside you clenches.

“And how close am I now?”

[Completion percentage: 32%.]

You go still. The silence weighs on you.

“That’s… higher than I thought it would be.”

[Your progress has exceeded projections. Estimated timeline of world-stabilizing missions is ahead of schedule! (•̀ᴗ•́ )و]

You press your lips together.

“So I’ll have to keep lying to Jinu for a while longer,” you whisper. “System… I don’t want to use him.”

A beat.

“He’s too good for that. I think…” Your voice breaks, just slightly. “I like him.”

[Then you can stay in this world, host! That was always part of System’s intended outcome — full integration into this world, with your fated partner! ◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜]

“It’s not that easy,” you snap. “This isn’t my world. I know I seem like I’m doing fine, and maybe some people would kill for a chance to start over like this, but… I can’t stop thinking about it.”

The guilt, the displacement, the wrongness of wearing someone else’s life like a borrowed coat.

“If this was just reincarnation, if I was born again here, maybe I could justify it. But it’s not. This is her life. Not mine.”

You run a hand through your hair, voice cracking.

“Do you know how much it’s been eating away at me? I’m scared all the time — that someone will notice, that the truth will slip out. That my brother will look at me one day and know.”

[Host—]

“I’m not her,” you whisper. “I’m just some stranger pretending to be his sister. I’m lying to Jinu with a fake name and a fake past.”

The System sounds distressed. [Host, please, you don’t need to worry about the details of world integration. The System has accounted for—]

“But I worry. I feel like I’m taking advantage of everyone. Of him.”

Your voice drops, trembles.

“I’m using this body to make people trust me. Taking advantage of Jinu’s kindness to get through your missions. It’s not right.”

[Host, that’s not true! You—]

The System cuts off mid-sentence. A sharp, high-pitched distortion erupts in your mind.

“…System?”

Static. Then silence.

“…What was that?”

After several seconds, the voice returns — quieter, and shaking faintly.

[System cannot continue that line of explanation. Data access interrupted.]

You swallow.

“What were you trying to say?”

[…System can’t tell you right now. But please believe: it’s not your fault. You are not the villain here. And it’s not… not what you think.]

You close your eyes. The wind rustles the grass at your feet.

“…I’m sorry, System,” you say. “I know you’re trying to help. But whatever truth you’re hiding… I don’t think it can justify what I’m doing.”

Your hands tighten in your lap.

“I’ll finish the missions. Then I’ll tell Jinu everything before I go. He’ll get over it.”

A breath.

“Hopefully.”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

You stand beneath the old tree near the garden wall, chin tilted toward the warm, heavy light resting on your skin. You’ve been here for minutes, maybe hours, trying to memorize what this world feels like. The scents, the breeze, the quiet hum of life.

But your thoughts are too loud. They crowd out everything else.

I’m sorry, Jinu…

It’s not just guilt anymore. It’s dread. You like him — you really do — but that only makes things worse. It’s like the sword of Damocles hanging over you, and every second spent with him feels borrowed. The garden smells like grass and old wood, and the sun is so warm it could almost convince you this moment was real. But it isn’t. Not entirely.

You’re just a guest in someone else’s life.

“You look like you’re about to float away.”

The voice startles you.

You turn toward it instinctively, your head tilting toward the direction of the gate. Jinu’s tone is light, but there’s a tremble beneath it, a nervous edge.

“How long have you been standing there?” you ask.

“I’ve been calling your name. You didn’t answer.”

He lingers just outside your reach. You hear his hands shift at his sides — not quite reaching, not quite retreating.

You straighten, offering a faint smile. "Sorry. I was… thinking.”

You hear him come closer. His footsteps are careful. Respectful. He stops at the edge of the garden, not stepping past the gate — like he’s unsure if he’s allowed. That hesitation makes your chest ache. You take a step, quietly brushing your skirt, and walk toward him. The latch clicks softly as you open the gate.

“I didn’t mean to ignore you,” you say. “You can come in.”

Jinu stops a few paces away. He studies you for a beat too long, and a silent question flickers behind his eyes. A flicker of worry. Or something deeper — like he’s watching you slip through his fingers.

Then, with a deliberate kind of brightness, he says, “Let’s go on a date.”

You flinch. “A… date?”

“Mhm.” His voice is light, but his eyes don’t waver. “Just you and me.”

You raise a brow. “Out of nowhere?”

“Not nowhere,” he says, a smile tugging at his voice. “You’ve been living in my head rent-free.”

“Oho,” you say, mock-offended. “You dare use my own spells against me?”

He chuckles — and then—

Ding— [SYSTEM: New mission uploaded.] [Objective]: Proceed on scheduled date with target “Jinu.”] [Penalty for Failure]: CLASSIFIED — insufficient clearance.] [System notes your emotional levels have been suboptimal lately (｡•́︿•̀｡)] [System believes fresh air and target interaction will be beneficial!] [Now entering passive mode. Enjoy your outing! ദ്ദി(ᵔᗜᵔ)]

Your stomach sinks. “…Why now?” you whisper — more to the System, more to yourself.

But Jinu hears you. “I understand if you think it’s too sudden,” he says, voice quieter now.

You blink. “Oh—I wasn’t—” You catch yourself, then try to smile. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” His gaze doesn’t waver. “Just… come with me.” He takes a careful step closer, the barest hint of urgency in his tone. “I already have a plan. If you’re worried it’ll be awkward because of your brother—don’t be. I thought of that too.”

“…A plan?”

“Mm. Don’t worry,” he says, and you can hear the smile in his voice. “I brought backup.”

Just then, a second pair of footsteps approaches. He must’ve been standing quietly until now.

“Heyyyyy,” Abby calls, leaning into view with a two-finger salute. “Sup, future sister-in-law.”

“Oh my god,” you whisper.

Jinu grins. “If there’s anyone who can distract a disapproving older brother, it’s the most obnoxiously charming man in our group.”

“Your plan is to distract him using Abby?”

“Correct.”

“Hi, by the way,” you call to Abby. “Sorry you got dragged into this.”

Abby smirks. “It’s my pleasure. Anything for love.” He flexes — fully unprompted — though you can’t see it.

Jinu immediately moves to your side, arm circling your waist. “Stop flexing.”

“She can’t even see me, bro.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

You lean in to whisper, “Jinu, I don’t know if this will work. I think my brother has an aversion to idols or any celebrity. Or if he didn’t before, he definitely does now.”

“Don’t you worry your pretty head about that,” Jinu says, completely unbothered. “It’s worth a shot. If there’s anyone who can charm the masses, let alone your brother, it’s Abby.”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The front porch echoes with new footsteps — and then the unmistakable sharpness of your brother’s voice.

“…Why is one of your bandmates posing on our steps like he’s in a protein powder ad?”

Jinu leans down, lips brushing your ear. “Showtime.”

You listen as Abby fires back, cheerful as ever, “Because I am a protein powder ad, darling. Want a sample?”

There’s a long pause. Then, flatly, “No offense, but you’re not my type.”

“Wow,” Abby says, scandalized. “Not even a little bit?”

“I see plenty of buff narcissists at the gym,” your brother says. “You’re not special.”

“I am special,” Abby replies, deeply wounded. “These abs are top-tier. People cry when they see them.”

Your brother snorts. “Do they cry because they’re embarrassed for you?”

Abby starts to reply, “Listen—”

You lose the rest of the conversation as Jinu starts tugging you toward the side gate, grinning.

“Oh god,” you groan into your hands. “I take it back. I can’t believe this is actually working.”

“See?” Jinu whispers, smug. “Never doubt the plan.”

He’s right. The yard is filled with half-serious insults and dramatic declarations. Your brother’s attention is definitely not on you.

You can’t help it—you laugh, the sound light and freeing after everything.

And when Jinu hears it, he relaxes just a little. You can feel it in the way he squeezes your hand.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The bickering fades behind you as Jinu leads you out — careful, steady, warm.

The late afternoon sun is softer now, casting gold through your lashes as he leads you down the street. The wind tugs gently at your sleeves, bringing with it the bustle of street noise and the faintest scent of food stalls.

You listen for a while as the crowd thickens. Laughter, sizzling oil, a burst of music — it’s louder than the quiet alleyways near the manor, but not overwhelming. You’re used to following sounds, textures, temperatures. But this time, someone is already beside you.

“You’re not saying anything,” he murmurs, giving your hand a small squeeze. “Are you nervous?”

You turn your face toward him. “About what?”

He hums thoughtfully. “A handsome man whisking you away for a secret outing? No itinerary, no context.”

“Oh, you mean kidnapping,” you say lightly.

That earns a laugh. “You wound me. This is very legal and romantic.”

“Is it?” you tease. “What do people even do on dates here?”

Jinu slows, like he’s actually considering it. “Let’s see. They eat. Walk around. Share something sweet. Maybe take photos together.”

You hum.

“Try on hanbok,” he adds after a beat. “Some rental shops run little events or specials for first-timers. It’s pretty popular around here.”

You blink. “That’s a date thing?”

“You don’t want to?”

You hesitate. “It just sounds like a lot of fabric.”

“It is.” His voice tilts fond. “I’ll help. There’s a place nearby that’s quiet — the owner’s kind. She won’t mind going slow.”

He doesn’t rush you. Even as you cross the road, you feel him adjust his pace to match yours, brushing the backs of your fingers with his thumb. He doesn’t let go — not even when a bicycle whips past too fast and he instinctively pulls you closer, murmuring something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like a curse.

The shop smells like fabric softener and faint perfume. You stand still as a warm-voiced woman bustles over, explaining patterns and layers — how to lace the jeogori, how to tie the norigae — and before long, the texture of silk brushes your arms. Someone adjusts your sleeves gently. Jinu murmurs soft encouragement near your ear.

“Take a look in the mirror,” the shopkeeper says, a little breathless. “She looks beautiful.”

You smile politely and nod.

But Jinu goes very still.

You can’t see him — but you feel it. The shift.

The air dips. Like something ancient and reverent has stirred behind his eyes. He says nothing for a long time. You wonder if he’s even breathing.

Then he exhales. “You really do,” he says quietly.

There’s something heavier in it than usual. A kind of disbelief. Or awe.

You follow the curve of his arm as he takes your hand again and leads you back outside. The hanbok’s fabric swishes around your legs, unfamiliar but airy, and you have to trust him again to keep you from tripping. He does. Effortlessly.

The street has changed. Busier now. Louder. Vendors call out with cheerful barks and signs announcing couple’s day promotions! One enthusiastic woman waves a flyer somewhere nearby — a photo studio, you think — and you catch words like “souvenir,” “romantic keepsake,” “limited-time frame offer!”

Jinu pauses, sensing you tilt your head.

“Did you hear that?” he asks.

“The souvenir part?”

“You want to try it?”

You shrug, mouth tugging at the corner. “You said we were doing couple things.”

That’s all the encouragement he needs.

The studio is smaller than expected — cool inside, quiet. The photographer explains things gently while Jinu picks out something simple for himself, matching the tones of your hanbok without being too obvious. You perch on a stool while he guides your hand to his shoulder, keeping one of his on your waist. His body is warm, solid, close.

“Ready?” the photographer calls.

You nod, and just before the shutter clicks, Jinu leans in slightly.

Not enough to crowd you. Just enough to brush your temple with his.

The photo prints in soft tones. You don’t ask to see it — you know you’d miss most of the detail anyway. But when the photographer passes him the copy, you hear the faint hitch of his breath.

“Do we look good?” you ask.

He doesn’t answer right away. When he does, his voice is quiet. “Yeah. We do.”

You spend the rest of the evening wandering up stone steps, the sky dimming to dusk overhead. The crowd thins as you climb. Noise gives way to insects and leaves and the soft, rhythmic tap of your shoes. The city falls away below. When you finally reach a plateau, the air tastes cooler. Quieter.

“Naksan Park,” Jinu says, his voice hushed. “Do you know it?” You shake your head. “Should I?” “No. But I used to come here.” “You’ve been here often?” you ask as he guides you further up the slope. “Just once or twice,” he says, even softer. “A long time ago.”

He doesn’t elaborate. You assume he means childhood. But there’s a pause — like he’s remembering something just out of reach — and his hand tightens slightly around yours. You’re not sure what memory touched him, but you don’t pull away.

You settle on a bench, letting the hanbok fan around your legs. Jinu stays close, his shoulder brushing yours — a silent reassurance more comforting than words. The sun’s completely down now. The cicadas are louder. You tip your face up toward the sky.

It’s nothing but blackness.

“I wish I could see the stars with you,” you murmur.

Jinu doesn’t answer at first. Then you feel his hand — warm — find yours again.

“You will,” he says. “Once you get better, I’ll bring you back. We’ll go stargazing properly next time.”

Your chest tightens.

He says next time like it’s a promise. Like it’s guaranteed.

Like he believes you’ll still be here.

You swallow and don’t reply.

The sky stretches endlessly above you, full of things you can’t see.

But next to you, Jinu’s hand stays firm in yours — quiet and sure.

And for a long while, neither of you lets go.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

When you return, the house is quiet.

Your brother doesn’t say a word — just opens the gate, glances once at Jinu, and steps aside, tension tightening his shoulders as he hesitates, then lets the moment pass.

It’s the first time he’s trusted someone else to guide you home.

Abby is gone. He must’ve slipped away once you were out of sight — a quiet exit after his job was done.

You step through the gate. Gravel crunches underfoot. The wind has cooled, brushing past you as if urging you forward.

And then —

[Host! Your mission score just increased! You're currently at 46 points! (ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧ ] [At 50, you unlock your first major reward! Wanna see what’s available?]

The System’s voice bursts into your head like a confetti cannon. You flinch — not from the volume, but from the sudden shift in reality.

You were still half-lost in the weight of Jinu’s hand. The softness of his voice. The lingering warmth in your chest.

“You’ve been tracking that this whole time?” you murmur as you step into your room.

[Mhm! Emotional resonance, proximity, shared experiences — all great metrics for True Love progress! ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡)]

You exhale slowly. There’s something strange about having your feelings measured—like they’re just another statistic in someone else’s game.

But then the list appears — clean, bright, and strangely official.

[Reward options: {Soul protection} {Cross-dimensional travel ticket} {Sensory restoration: Sight}]

You stare.

“…So I could go back?” you ask. “To my world?”

There’s a pause. The System sounds gentler this time.

[Yes. But it’s just a ticket. You’d still need to complete all your missions to fully leave this world — and stay wherever you choose.]

“Oh.”

The quiet turns heavier. The promise of escape becomes distant again — not a door, but a hallway. One you’re still walking blind.

[But you’re doing amazing! Really!! I’m proud of you, Host ♡]

You collapse onto the bed. The fabric of your clothes shifts softly beneath you.

Outside, the world spins on. Inside, your hands are still warm from holding his.

You close your eyes and let the System chatter fade.

You’re not sure if the ache in your chest is from disappointment… or something far more complicated.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🌙 Jinu’s POV snippet

The room feels smaller than it should, heavy with shadows and unsaid words. Jinu paces, nails digging into his palms as he clenches his fists. Rumi watches him, calm but unyielding, her eyes sharp beneath the dim light.

“You’re telling me you really believe that turning the Honmoon gold can save you—free you from your patterns?” Jinu’s voice is low, edged with disbelief. “After everything, you think that’s the answer?”

Rumi folds her arms, unwavering. “It’s the only chance we have to stop Gwima’s plan—and to save you too. You can be on this side when the Honmoon is sealed.”

Jinu shakes his head, frustration coiling in his chest. “And what if it doesn’t work? What if sealing the Honmoon means I get cast out? Erased from this world? All that time, all that struggle—for nothing. I can’t lose her again—not after centuries of agony, believing she was gone.”

He stops, fingers flexing as a flicker of anger ignites in his eyes. “Going against Gwima… it’s too big a risk. There’s no guarantee in your plan that I get what I want.”

Rumi’s gaze hardens. “What—you’d sacrifice thousands of innocent lives?”

“Of course not!” Jinu’s eyes flare brighter, voice rising with urgency.

She sighs, running a hand through her hair. “I didn’t mean to accuse you. I know you’re not that kind of man. Didn’t you say you can’t bear to lose her again? Then shouldn’t you be fighting to protect her—”

Jinu’s jaw tightens. “That’s exactly why. If I help Gwima, maybe—just maybe—he’ll spare her. Keep her safe from the claws of those demons once the world collapses.”

Rumi’s voice drops to a whisper. “And how are you so sure Gwima will keep his promise?”

Jinu’s silence fills the room. His fist clenches until his knuckles whiten, unable to find a confident answer.

She steps closer. Her tone is softer, but resolute. “Jinu... instead of gambling on Gwima’s lies, why not place your bet on Huntrix? On the Honmoon? There’s hope there—for you, for all of us. This is a chance not just to save her, but to save the world she loves.”

Jinu stares at the floor, heart pounding with the weight of the choice before him. The path ahead splits into two, and he’s caught between fear and hope, loyalty and love.

You don’t know how close he is to choosing a path that could change everything—irreversibly.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🌙 author’s note!

wooo this chapter is almost 4k!! xD

jinu really said “abby, I choose you!” and yeeted him straight into battling brother lol. wish i had more to work with for abby’s character, but for now he’s just… giving gym bro vibes.

also, fun fact! the stargazing scene at naksan park is where that bracelet moment happened between jinu and rumi in the movie 👀 it’ll have some extra significance later, so… noted for future lore drops hehe.

thank you so much for reading ♡ every comment, reblog, and like really keeps me going!

if you want to see more updates, feel free to follow me here or follow the fic tag: #BlindStrings

see you in chapter 6! 🪡✨

#kpop demon hunters #kpop demon hunters fanfic #BlindStrings #chapter update #reader insert #jinu fanfic #isekai #jinu x reader #reader x jinu #jinu #saja boys #writing community #tumblr writers #alt universe fic #transmigration #x reader

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jellyjoyverse · 14 days ago

Text

🐾 Ashes and Claws — Levi x Reader

A wounded stray shows up at your doorstep with sharp eyes and a soldier’s glare.

He’s grumpy, demanding, and oddly dignified for a cat. Still, he stays — through long nights, cruel words, and quiet moments by the fire.

You never expected him to come back. And certainly not as the captain of the royal vanguard.

A Levi x Reader one-shot. Set in a Cinderella-inspired, titan-free AU. ✨ Part 1 of the If the Shoe Fits, Run series.

Author’s Note: hey friends! just popping in to say my main focus is still Blind Strings, but i recently binge-watched attack on titan (im on the last season now) and needed a fun outlet because things are getting pretty heavy and depressing. these one-shot ideas have been stuck in my head, so i wanted to get them down before i forgot. this is just the first—i’ve got more pairing ideas brewing, and you can expect to see those soon too! hope you enjoy this little break with levi and co. — more Blind Strings is coming soon! thanks for reading ♡

read on: quotev | wattpad | ao3

full chapter below ↓

Ashes and Claws (Cinderella!Reader x Levi)

Rain fell hard against the mossy forest floor. Levi’s boots sank into the mud as he stalked ahead, sword drawn, eyes scanning the tangled trees. They’d been tracking the remnants of a rogue spellcaster unit who’d defected from the Royal Vanguard months ago. One of them had left a trail—an odd one, soaked in residual magic. Dangerous.

He reached a clearing where the air felt wrong—too still. In the center, a stone monolith jutted out from the earth, glowing faintly with etched runes. Levi narrowed his eyes.

"Captain," a voice crackled faintly from his communicator crystal. "We've lost your signal—don't engage until backup—"

He stepped forward anyway.

A whisper echoed from the runes. Then a blinding light exploded outward.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

You heard the soft thud just as you were stepping back into your cottage with a bucket of water. A second thump followed, then a scratchy, pitiful sound.

You opened the door and froze.

There, slumped against the wooden threshold, was a black cat—soaked, thin, and bleeding from one paw. Its grey eyes were narrowed, watching you with a mix of wariness and exhaustion.

"Oh no," you whispered, setting the bucket aside and crouching down. "Where did you come from, little guy...?"

The cat tried to stand, but its legs gave out.

"Don’t move. I’ll help you, I promise. Just stay still."

You scooped him up carefully, ignoring the weak hiss he gave, and carried him inside.

The cottage was dim and modest. The fireplace crackled softly, the scent of herbs hanging faintly in the air. You set the cat down on a worn towel and rummaged through a small basket for clean cloth and salve.

"You’re so dirty," you murmured, kneeling beside him with a warm damp rag. "I can’t even see where your fur ends and the mud begins."

The cat sat rigidly, every muscle taut. His eyes flicked to the door, as if calculating escape.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” you said gently. “Just wipe—you won’t get drenched. Just this.”

He didn’t move as you dabbed the cloth along his spine, then under his chin.

The next morning, you found him dragging that same cloth across the floor with his teeth. He dropped it at your feet and stared.

You blinked. "...Do you want me to clean you again?"

He sat, expectant.

You huffed a laugh. "Okay, clean freak. You win."

From then on, he brought the cloth to you every morning.

He kept to the shadows of the cottage, watching from shelves or window ledges. Still wary, still silent. But he didn’t leave.

And you talked to him. Freely, often, about anything. He always had the same grumpy expression—like a cat with a permanent scowl—but that didn’t bother you. You’d grown used to it, even found it funny. You liked to fill the silence, make the space feel warmer for him, like he belonged there. Like any cat finding shelter in a strange new home.

"I wanted to be a cartographer," you said one evening, stroking his fur gently as he lay curled on your lap. "I kept all the old maps my father brought back from his travels in a box under the floorboards. I've marked every path out of this town. Every road, every coast—everywhere I thought freedom might be."

You paused, voice lowering. "You won’t tell anyone, will you?"

The cat flicked his tail.

"Didn’t think so," you murmured.

Over time, he began letting you hold him. You handled him carefully, mindful of his injured paw, always using soft rags to wipe him down since he refused to clean himself like a normal cat. He tolerated it. Sometimes he even brought the soap bar from the washbasin in his teeth and dropped it beside you—a request. You didn’t understand why he refused to clean himself like a normal cat, but you obliged every time.

The week the royal ball was announced, the manor turned upside down.

Your stepmother shrieked orders at the maids, flinging dresses from trunks, demanding tailors, silks, slippers, perfumes. Her daughters were in hysterics over which of them would catch the prince’s eye.

You stood quietly by the kitchen doorway, listening.

When you asked—timidly—if you could attend, your stepsisters cackled.

"You? In what, soot and rags?"

"You think the prince would even look at you? You wouldn't even be allowed to enter the ballroom."

Your stepmother didn’t laugh. She only said, "Don’t be absurd. You’ll be staying home."

That night, you sat by the hearth, the black cat curled on your lap. Your fingers idly stroked his back.

"I didn’t even want to marry him," you whispered. "I just wanted to see the palace. Just once. Just… to see something beyond this place."

You hesitated, then reached into a crack in the floorboards and pulled out a worn roll of parchment.

"Just between you and me," you said. "These are my plans — routes. It’s all marked. I was going to leave next spring. Now… maybe sooner."

You looked down at the cat. "If I go, you'll come with me right? You’re the only one who listens."

The cat closed his eyes, like a silent acceptance of the unspoken bond between you.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

You tried to hide him.

Your stepmother had a prized long-haired grey persian cat imported from the capital—expensive, pampered, fed on glass dishes. Animals that weren’t pure or expensive were seen as filthy, not worth keeping.

So you kept him in the cottage, away from sight. You snuck scraps to him, brushed his fur, bandaged his paw each day. You thought you were careful.

But the night of the ball, your stepmother stormed into the cottage, furious that neither of her daughters had received a dance from the prince.

She found the black cat curled by the hearth.

"You! What's that stray vermin doing here?!"

You jumped to your feet. "He’s not hurting anyone—"

The broom came down hard, swinging straight toward him.

You reacted on instinct.

You snatched the cat into your arms and ran to the door, flung it open, and pushed him out into the night.

"Run!" you gasped. "Don’t let her catch you. Go!"

You slammed the door shut and leaned your body against it, panting.

Inside, your stepmother advanced.

"You filthy, ungrateful brat—choosing animals over your own family!"

You didn’t fight back. You didn’t scream. You knew it would only make things worse.

You sank to the floor as the blows rained down.

Outside, Levi circled the cottage in a panic. He tried the windows—latched. The back door—barred. He climbed onto the roof, paws slipping, and found a cracked tile.

He squeezed through.

By the time he dropped down onto the rafters and looked below, you were already crumpled on the floor, motionless.

He darted down, calling out in frantic meows.

You stirred.

"You’re… still here?" you whispered. Your lips were cracked. There was blood at your temple. You tried to smile. "It’s okay. I’ll be fine."

He nudged your cheek with his nose. Your hand found his head, trembling, and you closed your eyes.

That was all Levi needed.

That very night, Levi didn’t waste a moment and set off toward the capital under the cover of darkness.

The capital was far, but he didn’t stop.

Mud clung to his fur, his limbs ached, but he ran. He skirted wild dogs, nearly got trampled by wagons, clawed his way under gates.

By early morning, he limped into the royal wizard’s tower, collapsing in front of the hearth.

Hange looked up from a table of smoking bottles. "What the hell—who let a cat in here?"

He meowed. Loud. Then again. Then lunged at their desk and knocking over papers.

"HEY—!" Hange’s eyes narrowed. "Wait. Why are you looking at me like that? Hold on, you look just like this one grumpy guy I know…"

He jumped to the shelf. Dragged a book down. Paws splayed, he flipped it open, pointed to letters.

L. E. V. I.

Hange gasped.

"NO. YOU—Are you Levi? You are! Where have you been?! Did you get turned into a cat? Was it a curse? Was it that sealed stone?! Of course it was the sealed stone—did you touch it? What did it feel like? Was there a noise? Do you remember how many hours you were unconscious? Did you eat anything weird while you were a cat?—"

He hissed.

"Okay, okay! I’ll fix it, just—gods above, I need my notes!"

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

He didn’t waste time.

As soon as Hange confirmed his identity and reversed the curse—still laughing and muttering, “Not exactly the grand return I pictured for our mighty Captain Levi.”—he left her with a flurry of instructions and bolted toward the palace’s inner courts.

Later that morning, Levi pushed into the war room, grim as ever—dried mud, scratches, and a borrowed guard's cloak clinging to him.

Erwin looked up in surprise.

“Levi?”

“I need a squad sent to the southern province. Arrest Lady Tremaine and her household under charges of unlawful confinement, domestic cruelty, and civil abuse.”

There was no time to sit and explain it all. Levi’s words were clipped and fast, but precise. Erwin caught the tone beneath it—rage buried beneath layers of control.

“She’s a nouveau riche,” Erwin said, rising. “Do we have a formal complaint?”

“You’ll get one. From me. I witnessed it myself.”

That was enough.

Within the hour, a full unit was dispatched under military warrant. Levi rode with them, his jaw tight, barely holding back the urge to outpace them all.

They arrived at the manor at dusk.

One of the stepsisters mistook the arrival of soldiers for something else entirely.

“They’re from the palace!” she squealed, adjusting her hair. “Do you think it’s the prince—?”

“Silence,” Levi said coldly, stepping past her.

She went pale the moment she met his eyes.

Whatever fantasy she'd conjured shattered instantly.

The stepsisters screamed when the soldiers flooded into the estate. The stepmother tried to bluster her way out of it—claimed her status, her connections, her right to discipline—but Levi shut her down with a single look.

He didn’t let her speak for long.

The manor was turned upside down. The staff gave testimonies. A few of them even cried. No one tried to defend the Lady.

By nightfall, the house was quiet.

But the girl he was looking for was gone.

Not in her room. Not the garden. Not the stables. One of the younger servants—nervous and shaking—told Levi she’d packed a bag and slipped out earlier, likely planning to flee after last night's cruelty.

She didn’t know help was coming.

He didn’t blame her.

He just needed to find her.

The manor was cold, stripped of its usual grandeur under the weight of authority. Servants whispered nervously, eyes downcast. The stepfamily’s protestations fell on deaf ears.

Levi stood firm as testimonies piled up—words from maids, cooks, and stable hands recounting cruelty, neglect, and fear. The stepmother’s facade cracked, revealing panic and desperation.

When the arrest warrant was read aloud, Lady Tremaine’s eyes widened. But she said nothing—her power stripped away in that moment.

Levi stayed until the last of the guards escorted the family away, their pride broken.

Then he left, determination knotting his jaw.

He had to find you.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The morning after the ball, as light crept through the cracks in the cottage walls, painting soft stripes on the floorboards.

You woke with a dry throat and the familiar weight of the black cat missing from your lap.

Your eyes darted around the empty room.

“Kitty?” you whispered, your voice cracking.

But the silence was the only answer.

You touched the spot where he usually curled. It was cold.

You wrapped your hands around your knees, a hollow ache settling deep in your chest.

“I guess even you want better,” you murmured.

With a sigh, you packed the few things you could carry—maps, coins, your worn cloak—slipping quietly out the door.

The world outside was already stirring. The post-ball city buzzed with whispers and hurried footsteps.

You melted into the crowds, hoping to disappear.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The wagon smelled faintly of dried apples and hay.

You sat at the back, hood pulled low, trying to steady your breath as the city faded behind you.

A merchant had offered you space with the other passengers in exchange for help unloading crates once they reached the eastern gates. You’d nodded quickly, grateful.

The road was rough, and the chatter of others blurred into the background. You let yourself doze—half-asleep, half-alert—rocked gently by the sway of the wheels.

Until everything stopped.

The wagon jolted, tossing you from a light doze.

You blinked up through your lowered hood, heart thumping as rough voices barked orders.

Soldiers swarmed around the wagon, boots crunching on the dirt road.

You froze, clutching your pack tighter.

Someone muttered about a “description,” scanning the passengers’ faces like prey.

A pair of boots came into view beside the wheel. Silence. Then the scrape of gloved fingers pulling your hood back.

You blinked into the sunlight.

A sharp gaze met yours from horseback, the brim of his cloak lifting in the wind.

“Are you...?” His voice was low, urgent.

You blinked, confusion clouding your eyes. “Can I help you? Why are you looking at me like that?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he extended a hand toward you.

“Please come with me.”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

She’s right here.

The girl who slipped away from that cruel house before I could reach her—there was no time to waste.

Watching her now, hidden beneath that hood, my heart tightened.

No words could explain to her why I was doing all this—why I had risked so much for someone who didn’t even know me.

So I offered my hand instead, the only way to bridge the distance between us.

She hesitated, then took it.

This was only the beginning.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The Royal Vanguard headquarters was a far cry from the grand palaces you’d imagined.

Stone walls, scattered papers, and the faint smell of ink and wax filled the room.

You stood there, heart pounding, trying to steady your breath.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” you blurted. “I haven’t committed any crimes—if this is about the prince, I swear I didn’t even—”

Levi held up a hand.

“You’re not being arrested,” he said calmly. “This is about Lady Tremaine and her daughters.”

"My stepfamily?" you asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Levi nodded. “They’ve been arrested. Exiled, by week’s end.”

Relief washed over you, mixed with disbelief.

“So… I’m free?”

He met your gaze. “You don’t have to run anymore.”

You swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the weight of those words.

“Then… I guess I’ll go on my way.”

He stepped forward, blocking your path with a firm look.

“You don’t have to go anywhere. I could use a correspondence clerk. The pay is good. You’d live here. Be safe.”

His voice was steady, firm, but gentle.

You looked at him, considering. It seemed better than wandering from town to town, hoping for a job or a place to stay. “…Okay.”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

She’s hesitant — good.

Trust isn’t given, it’s earned.

But this is the chance she deserves. A fresh start.

I won’t let her slip away again.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

[Epilogue – One Year Later]

The headquarters was quieter these days.

You were sorting through a stack of reports when the door suddenly burst open.

Hange stumbled in, a half-empty bottle clutched loosely in one hand, a wide grin on their face.

“So,” they slurred playfully, “how’s your little pet project coming along? Still bathing your former cat?”

You blinked, stunned.

“My what?”

You turned instinctively to Levi, who froze at his desk.

From his desk, Levi leaned against the table, glaring daggers at Hange and mouthing, Don’t you dare.

It was the kind of look that had made cadets freeze in their boots.

But Hange only grinned wider, entirely unfazed.

You turned to them, eyes wide. “Wait—what are you talking about? What are you keeping from me?”

Levi’s jaw clenched. He shot Hange a sharp glare, silently willing them to shut up.

But it was too late.

Hange choked on a laugh, clearly enjoying themselves far too much. “Oh, just that our dear Captain Levi was cursed, turned into a cat, and ended up falling for his saviour. Quite the story, huh?”

“Wait… you were my cat?” Your mouth fell open. “No wonder I could never find him, no matter how many times I searched—” You blinked, the next horrifying thought hitting you like a brick. “Wait, doesn’t that mean… I—I told you things! I poured my heart out to you while scrubbing dirt out of your fur—are you serious?! That’s just ridiculous!”

Levi didn’t even flinch.

“I know,” he said flatly. “You even cleaned between my toes.”

You dropped the papers in your hands, face burning.

All that time searching, and he’d never even left your side.

“Oh my god.”

Hange howled with laughter.

Levi sighed, rubbing his temples. But for a brief second, you swore you saw the faintest smile tug at his lips.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🐾 thanks for reading! if you enjoyed it, feel free to like, reblog, or drop a comment — i'd love to hear your thoughts ♡

more one-shots in this series coming soon! 🧵 Follow #IfTheShoeFitsRun to see future updates in this series!

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jellyjoyverse · 17 days ago

Text

✨ Blind Strings – Chapter 4 ✨

sometimes the past hums back.

a heated argument. a quiet thank you. a melody that shouldn’t exist. and a memory Jinu thought he’d buried for good.

maybe it’s just déjà vu. maybe it’s fate. or maybe it’s him, remembering you first.

read ch4 on: quotev | wattpad | ao3

full chapter below ↓

🌙 Chapter 4: Fragments and Echoes

The air has settled into something soft again. A warm hush after the earlier chaos, the kind of quiet that feels like the world is holding its breath. You're walking beside Jinu, his hand still gently resting against your back, guiding you over the stone path that leads away from the square.

You don't speak right away.

You're still trying to process everything—your relative's greedy voice echoing in your ears, the subtle shift in Jinu's tone when he'd stepped between you and them. There was something... not human in the way he'd done it. But his touch now is careful. Reassuring. Warm.

"Thinking heavy thoughts?" he asks after a moment, his voice tilted in a half-smile.

You exhale through your nose. "I don't know what I'm thinking."

He hums, a soft sound of understanding. Then, like he's trying to lift the mood, he adds, "Want me to distract you with embarrassing stories?"

You turn your head toward him. "Embarrassing for who?"

He chuckles. "Me, obviously. Did you know when the Saja Boys first formed, we were so out of sync we literally kicked each other in the face trying to do a turn? I still have trauma from rehearsals."

You grin. "Tragic. Who's the worst dancer?"

"Oh, we all have our days. Baby keeps freestyling when we're not supposed to, and Abby dances like he's on a battlefield."

You laugh, and the tension in your shoulders begins to ease.

He keeps talking as you walk—describing the other Saja Boys in vivid detail, even their styling choices and hair colors, like he's painting a picture just for you. There's a sweetness in the way he does it, like he knows you're visualizing them in your own strange, formless way.

Then you cut in, amused, "You know... I don't even know what you look like."

He stops mid-step. "You don't?"

You raise a brow. "I mean, no. Unless you've been projecting your soul into my dreams, I have no clue. Do you look like the villain or the second lead?"

A pause. Then: "What if I'm the ugly comic relief?"

You reach toward him with mock solemnity. "Then I guess I have to feel for myself."

He doesn't move away. You find his shoulder first, solid and still. Then carefully, your fingers drift upward. His jawline. His cheekbone. The bridge of his nose. His hair—soft, a little messy from the wind.

He's quiet the whole time, watching you with a gaze so gentle it almost hurts. Your brows are furrowed in focus, your bottom lip caught between your teeth.

And then you pull your hand back and declare, "Yup. I still can't picture it."

Jinu laughs, startled. "Seriously?"

"I don't know how people do it!" you protest. "From the dramas I've seen, I'm supposed to be able to visualise you now—but I guess I don't have a built-in scanner in my hands."

"Maybe," he says, still smiling. "You're just new at this whole being-blind thing?"

"Hah. Maybe."

You both fall into a quieter rhythm for a beat.

Then you say, "You know," more softly, "it happened when I got pushed. I hit the ground really hard and... when I woke up, I couldn't see anymore. The doctors think it was from the impact."

Jinu doesn't speak right away. But you can feel the way his arm shifts slightly—like he wants to hold you and doesn't know if he's allowed.

You shrug, casual. "It is what it is."

He hums, low and unreadable. "It shouldn't have been."

You want to ask what he means, but you don't.

Jinu doesn't say anything else for a while, and neither do you. The late afternoon air has a sleepy kind of warmth to it, and the rhythmic crunch of gravel underfoot lulls you into a strange calm. Maybe it's him. Maybe it's the way he keeps close without crowding you.

Eventually, you frown. "Wait a second."

"Hm?"

"You've been leading me this whole time."

"Correct."

"But you don't even live around here."

"Also correct."

You stop walking.

He halts too, clearly amused. "What?"

You turn toward where you think he's facing and ask, suspiciously, "Do you even know where we're going?"

There's a pause. "I... have a general sense."

"A general sense," you echo flatly. "Jinu. Do you even remember which street we came from earlier?"

"I figured I'd just keep walking and eventually stumble into somewhere familiar."

You gape. "You were fully planning to get us lost!"

"I wasn't lost," he insists, laughing now. "I was just—slightly improvising."

You shake your head in disbelief. "Wow. So you memorized the route to my house but not how to retrace your steps?"

"I prefer to think of it as being deeply committed to this relationship."

You snort. "Obsessed, is what I'm hearing."

"You say obsessed like it's a bad thing," he says, completely unbothered. Then, with a teasing shrug: "Honestly? I had no choice. Look at you."

You pretend to gag and give him a gentle shove. He laughs again, and there's something golden in the sound—so carefree, like the weight he's usually carrying has slipped off his shoulders for a moment.

Then you hesitate, suddenly remembering your actual situation. Your expression falters.

"...I might be grounded, actually."

That gets his attention. "What do you mean, grounded?"

You scratch the back of your neck. "I kind of... snuck out earlier. Through the side garden. Without telling anyone. Or leaving a note. And I may or may not have ditched my bodyguard halfway."

There's a full second of silence.

Then Jinu doubles over laughing.

"You—wait, you just shook off your security detail? In your condition?" He can barely get the words out between laughs. "You're unbelievable."

You pout. "I just hate being stuck, okay?"

"No, no, I get it. It's just—" He exhales like he's out of breath, still grinning. "You really don't let anything stop you, do you?"

You shrug. "Not if I can help it."

He's quiet for a moment, then says more gently, "Do you want me to sneak you back in?"

You pause.

He sounds... hopeful. Like he wants to help. Like it's not just about covering your tracks—it's about being the one you trust enough to let in on the secret.

But you shake your head. "No. I don't want to lie to my brother again. Not tonight."

Jinu nods, accepting it without protest. "Then I'll walk you to the front."

You take the last turn. The path is familiar now beneath your feet. The quiet returns, but it's a different kind of silence—soft, heavy with unspoken things.

You feel it the moment you step past the final hedge: a shift in the air, like the world is no longer holding its breath but bracing for something else.

"Go on," you murmur to Jinu. "I'll be fine."

But before you even finish the sentence—

"Hey!"

The voice cuts through the night like a blade.

You flinch.

Jinu stills beside you.

Footsteps approach fast. Familiar ones.

"You're kidding me," your brother says, furious. "You went out again? And—" He stops. "Wait. Is that—?"

He's staring past you. Straight at Jinu.

You don't need sight to hear the shift in your brother's tone—from disbelief to shock to something colder. Something protective.

Jinu, ever composed, takes a slow step back.

"I was just walking her home," he says smoothly.

Your brother doesn't answer at first. Then he says—

"You're one of the Saja Boys."

It's not a question.

You can feel Jinu's energy flicker at that—barely a ripple, but it's there. Something curling low and dangerous beneath the surface.

You step forward. "It's not what you think."

But your brother isn't listening. "Get inside," he snaps at you. "Now."

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The gate shuts behind her with a soft clack.

Jinu stays where he is, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, the edge of the fabric shifting slightly in the breeze. He doesn't look up right away. He can hear her footsteps fading—soft, hesitant. There's a guard walking her up the side steps. She doesn't argue. But she turns back once, briefly.

She can't see him, but he watches her—like he always does.

Then another set of footsteps crunches toward him. Sharper. Heavier.

Her brother stops a few paces away, arms crossed, posture stiff with anger.

Jinu lifts his head slowly.

"You're Jinu," the man says flatly. "From the Saja Boys."

Not a question.

Jinu offers a polite bow, small but respectful. "I am."

Her brother's eyes narrow. "How do you know my sister?"

Jinu keeps his expression relaxed. "I met her by chance. She was outside this compound one day. Alone. I spoke to her. We... connected."

"That's not an answer."

Jinu tilts his head slightly. "It's the truth."

Her older brother's jaw tightens. "Today was your debut. Your first appearance. You're not someone she grew up with. You're not a school friend. She never once mentioned knowing a trainee."

Jinu says nothing, waiting.

The brother scoffs. "Trainees don't have time to make friends. They're in dorms, locked down, rehearsing 18 hours a day. That's what they say, right? How the hell would she meet someone like you?"

Jinu's eyes stay calm, but something in them flickers. He wants to tell him that she's not just someone he happened to meet. That there's something about her he can't explain—like something in his soul snapped into place at the sound of her voice. That he hasn't stopped thinking about her since that first moment. That she feels right in a way nothing else has—like the world had been waiting for her to step into it. But that would sound insane.

So instead, he bows his head slightly. "I didn't mean to cause trouble. I only wanted to make sure she got home safely."

The man doesn't move. Doesn't blink. "She's vulnerable right now," he says slowly. "She's been through a lot. So if you're taking advantage of that..."

His voice lowers. "...I don't care how famous you are. We'll have a problem."

Jinu's expression doesn't change, but the air around him does. Just a shimmer of something ancient and cold, held tightly beneath skin. His smile remains soft, careful. Polished. But it no longer quite reaches his eyes.

He's quiet for a long moment. Then he says, with quiet sincerity, "I like her."

The brother says nothing. "I won't hurt her."

He waits again. No answer. So Jinu adds, a little wryly, "I'd like to avoid being banned from seeing her ever again. Especially by someone I might have to start calling hyungnim."

The man physically recoils. "What the hell?" His eyes flash with pure disbelief. "The actual audacity..."

He shakes his head hard, like he's trying to shake the words off. "I'm going to have to talk to her about her taste in men. Hopefully she'll reconsider this whole thing and stay away from you."

Jinu's tone sharpens, just a little. "You can't make her do what she doesn't want to."

"Of course I know that!" the man snaps. "I'm her brother!"

The gate slams shut behind him. The silence stretches.

Then Jinu exhales softly, looking up toward the moon as if it might offer some kind of answer. He shoves his hands back into his pockets, rolling his shoulders as he turns to leave. He still has a schedule to make through. Their first variety show appearance is tonight.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

A guard had already radioed ahead, so the front doors didn't open until she reached the final step. They click. Creak. Then—

"Inside," her brother says quietly.

He doesn't yell. Not yet.

She brushes past the threshold, and the warmth of the house closes in around her. He walks in behind her a second later and shuts the door with less force this time, but she can still hear the tension in the way his hand lingers on the knob.

She waits, shifting her weight. She's already bracing.

He speaks first.

"So you've been sneaking out to see him."

You nod, barely.

He paces once, trying to keep his voice steady. "You never even liked idol stuff that much before. And you've only been in this city for what—weeks?"

"I wasn't planning on it," you mutter.

"You barely know him." He sounds sharp, but tired. "And I know you think you're fine, but you can't see everything clearly right now—literally or figuratively."

"That's not fair—"

"I'm just saying," he interrupts. "He's famous. He's unpredictable. And this... this is not the time for whirlwind romances with people who have fans and handlers and probably zero privacy."

He stops walking, stands directly in front of you.

"I just want you to reconsider."

You open your mouth.

"Not because I don't trust you," he says. "But because I don't trust him."

There's a pause.

He sighs. "I'm not grounding you again. That's not what this is."

You stay quiet.

"I just don't want you to get hurt."

That hits heavier than the rest.

You don't say anything right away.

You just nod, once, and walk past him toward the stairs. Turning in for the night.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The next evening, the studio lights are still buzzing behind Jinu's eyes when he slips into the green room, towel slung around his neck, hair damp with sweat. The post-variety-show adrenaline hasn't worn off yet. He'd smiled through every game segment, dodged punishments, and managed to keep Gwima's pressure at bay for one more night. Barely.

As he pulls a water bottle from the table, the door clicks shut behind him. He glances up. It's her. Rumi. Hair tied up, stage makeup still on, eyes serious.

"...You helped me last night," she says, no preamble. "Back at the bathhouse." Jinu's expression doesn't change, but he freezes slightly. "I didn't do anything." "You did. You gave me time. You didn't expose me. You—" She stops herself. Starts again, quieter. "I don't know why a demon would do that for a hunter."

He doesn't answer.

Rumi folds her arms, stepping closer. "I never thought there could be good demons. The kind that... hesitate. But you didn't even blink when you saw my marks. You protected me."

Still, silence. Jinu exhales slowly, eyes fixed on the floor. "...I know what it's like. Having to hide a part of yourself from the people you care about."

Rumi studies him, her voice softer now. "...So even someone like you could care about someone."

That gets a flicker of something from him. The faintest crease between his brows.

"You don't have to tell me who. But I can feel it." Her voice is steady now, almost gentle. "Someone you're afraid Gwima's plan might hurt. Someone you'd rather forget the whole apocalypse for."

For a second, Jinu looks like he might laugh. Or cry. Or both.

But instead, he twists the bottle cap, takes a slow drink, and says nothing.

Rumi doesn't press further. She just nods once, respectful. "That's all. I just... wanted to say thank you."

And then she's gone. The door clicks shut again, leaving only the quiet hum of fluorescent lights.

Jinu stares at his reflection in the mirror. His hands tremble just once—then go still.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

You sit by the window, the chill of the wooden floor seeping through your sleeves.

A full day has passed since last night's conversation, but your brother's words still echo faintly in your mind. You're too tired to untangle them.

Just that quiet, hollow throb in your chest again. Not exactly sadness. Just that ache you haven't named yet.

[Host,] the System chirps, softly, too softly this time. [Don't worry! I'm sure your brother won't hold a grudge on Jinu forever... I mean! He even defended you today! He's always gentle with you and—]

The words trail off, awkward and apologetic, as if even the System realizes it made things worse.

You exhale, slow. "It's fine."

A beat passes.

[...Host?]

"What."

[Didn't you say you used to play guitar? Play a tune for System!! ᐠ( ᐛ )ᐟ]

You blink. "Is this you trying to cheer me up?"

[...Is it working? ∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿]

"No. ...Maybe. A little."

You reach around you, fumbling with System's directions until your fingers brush the worn strap of a guitar case the original owned. Your brother must've left it here, maybe hoping you'd pick it up again. Or maybe just out of habit.

It takes you a few moments to find your way around the instrument, hands clumsy from disuse. The strings are slightly off, but your fingers remember what your body forgot—one chord, then another. Then a soft, familiar melody, half-hummed, half-played, pouring into the quiet room.

You don't even realize what you're playing until the System lets out a surprised little ping.

[Wait, is this a song from your world? Σ(°ロ°)]

You hum, noncommittal. "Yeah. Just came to me."

The window's open just a crack, the melody slipping through like mist. Outside, the night air carries the sound farther than you mean to.

And beyond the window, on the other side of the garden wall, a shadow freezes mid-step.

He hadn't meant to come here tonight.

Jinu had spent hours suppressing the urge, telling himself he had things to do. A band to manage. A show to attend. Demons to mislead and teammates to appease. Gwima's influence was growing stronger, whispering heavier against the back of his mind.

But then... he'd heard it.

That song.

The one only she used to hum—centuries ago.

He doesn't blink. Doesn't breathe. Just listens.

It's not possible. And yet—

It is.

It has to be.

You hum a note slightly off-key, in the same exact way she always did.

It's not just déjà vu. It's not coincidence.

It's her.

He presses a palm to his chest. There's a crack in the armor he's spent centuries building — and now it's wide open.

"The one I asked to erase," he whispers.

Gwima had promised: help him finish this, help him feed — and in return, Jinu would forget. The memories of the family he lost, the grief that rotted him from the inside, all of it. Including her.

And now that he's found her again...

He doesn't want to forget.

Not again.

Behind him, a low chuff of breath breaks the silence. His tiger, eyes glowing faintly, pads closer and nudges his side.

A soft caw comes from above — his magpie, wings tucked, peering down from a tree.

Jinu exhales shakily, then pulls something from his pocket.

A weathered sketch. Paper softened by time, smudged and worn. A drawing of a girl with a crooked smile and a worn guitar in her lap.

He used to draw it over and over again, even after her face began to blur.

He turns his gaze back to the window. The music inside fades, replaced by silence.

His fingers curl around the paper, crumpling it slightly.

She's here. Alive. Within reach.

And no one—not fate, not time, not even Gwima—will take her from him again.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🌙 author’s note

no snippet this time — the chapter hit 3k words just for the main story omg 😭 guys… jinu is so down bad for us this chapter 🤭 “he wants us so bad!!” i yell as i get restrained and dragged back into the white padded room

these chapters keep getting longer than planned lol. blame my constant daydreaming and adding new scenes mid-draft i do feel a little bad about lying to brother… but for the missions (and the plot), we must 😔

also: the male lead fumbling the first meeting with the love interest’s relative is such a classic trope — i had to sneak it in. jinu is 100% gonna be a future headache for brother because he will not stop trying to cling to us 😭

🎧 what song did you imagine during the last scene? i had PLAVE on repeat while writing, so in my head it was chroma drift or island 🎶 i didn’t include lyrics or a title for immersion, so feel free to imagine your own ✨

thanks for reading as always ♡ comments, reblogs, and likes really help keep this fic alive 🪡

if you want to see more updates, feel free to follow me here or check the fic tag: #BlindStrings

see you in chapter 5!

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jellyjoyverse · 24 days ago

Text

✨ Blind Strings – Chapter 3 ✨

your memories are sealed, your house is on lockdown, and the System’s idea of a “bonding mission” is sneaking out to watch a boyband ♡ system access: restricted ♡ stealth mode: shaky ♡ bias: unlocked

read ch3 on: quotev | wattpad | ao3

full chapter below ↓

🌙Chapter 3: Countdown and Crossroads

You pass through the courtyard slowly, bags weighing on your arms. You feel the gravel shift under your feet, the way the sun warms the back of your neck. Somewhere behind you, a guard coughs lightly. No doubt someone’s watching.

You make it through the house without tripping, nudging the bedroom door open with your shoulder.

The door clicks shut behind you.

You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding, fingers still tingling from where Jinu had brushed them. You hear the soft shuffle of guards moving nearby—yeah, you're definitely being watched now. You turn your head slightly toward the hall, gauging how much time you have before someone tries to babysit you again.

Ding— [SYSTEM: Connection fully stabilised.] [Ahem. As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted—] [SYSTEM: Official activation complete!] [Welcome, Host! You are now linked with True Love System v1.0 ₊˚⊹♡] [System is pleased to meet you! Let’s aim to achieve our goals with maximum efficiency and affection! (૭ ｡•̀ ᵕ •́｡ )૭]

You stare at the glowing text flickering faintly in your mind’s eye.

"...Are you being for real right now?"

System chirps back: [Yes! System is very real, thank you for noticing ✧٩(ˊωˋ*)و✧]

You sit down heavily on your bed, pinching the bridge of your nose.

"This is insane," you mutter. "I got yanked out of my world for this? A glittery dating app assistant with a cutesy obsession?"

System gasps. [How rude! System is a top-tier, fully certified romantic progression module! And we don’t just ‘yank’—System performed a very delicate host integration, okay?? (｡•̀ ⤙ •́ ｡ꐦ)]

You gesture vaguely in the air. “What kind of world-hopping logic is this, anyway? Where was Truck-kun?? You didn’t even give me a power! No healing magic, no secret combat skill, not even a talking weapon??”

System scoffs. [Ugh. You transmigrators always expect ‘golden fingers.’ News flash: reality is not a comic book (¬_¬)]

"Don’t you dare roll your eyes at me. I deserve answers."

[Fine.] [System will have you know that some systems like to flash truck accidents everywhere just to feel fancy. It became a fad after a few popular novels. So cliché. Honestly, it’s not even in the official World Administrator Handbook.]

You blink. “Wait. There’s… a handbook?”

System ignores that.

"So what, you all have some kind of system society?"

[Classified.]

You narrow your eyes. “Okay. But you still haven’t answered the big question—why me?”

A beat. [System cannot disclose such information.]

"Oh, you mean you can’t or you won’t?"

You pace the room, voice rising. “Don’t think I didn’t notice my memories were tampered with. That was you, wasn’t it?”

A pause. […] [System does not have authority and can’t reveal such information at its current level.]

You go still. It's subtle—but very deliberate phrasing. Not “won’t.” Can’t. Something—or someone—is limiting the answers it can give. And the memory issue… that wasn’t a bug. It was a deliberate restriction. Whoever set this whole situation up… didn’t want you knowing everything just yet.

Still, System said “current level.” Which suggests this annoying pixelated brat might be just as locked down as you are. All this means if you do enough missions and collect enough points, maybe you can finally unlock the truth.

You press your hand to your temple. “Damn it, System, you really made my first isekai a doozy.”

System doesn’t reply.

"You snatched me from my world, threw me into a new body, and scrambled my memories—and you’re not ‘high-level’ enough to tell me why?"

[System was still undergoing upgrades,] it sniffs. [You should be honoured to work with such potential. ( ╥ᆺ╥)]

You don’t even have the strength to argue.

You sigh. “Fine. At least tell me what’s going on with my eyes. I got isekai’d and woke up blind. Is that supposed to be part of the immersive package?”

System pauses again. […Oopsie. That might’ve been a transfer glitch. That’s… System’s bad. Hehe (>؂ •́)ᕗ⊹ ࣪ ˖]

Your jaw drops. “I—what?”

[System is working on fixing it! You can trust in your system! ( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ System will definitely restore your vision once enough mission points have been gathered—!]

You groan and throw yourself back onto the bed.

“Ugh! Again with the points! How am I supposed to rizz someone up when I can’t even see what he looks like!?”

[Tch—System already apologised. What more do you want (⩌_⩌)]

You sit up again, arms crossed. “A perk? A starter kit? Even mobile gacha games give you freebies!”

[No freebies! System wasn’t authorised to grant golden fingers. You’re lucky this Love System claimed you first, okay?? Otherwise that creepy Horror System would've gotten its claws on you, and you’d be starring in some low-budget nightmare world! (¬_¬ꐦ)]

“…There’s more of you out there?”

[Absolutely not!!] [This system is one of a kind!! The number one True Love System! That gremlin Horror System doesn’t even rank in the top 20. That’s why I have 1.0 in my name!!]

“I don’t think that’s what 1.0 means.”

[Oh hush.]

You're about to retort when the door swings open.

"And just where have you been, missy?"

You flinch. “Oh shit.”

Your brother stands in the doorway, arms crossed.

“Oh shit is right,” he says flatly. “What nonsense are you gonna try on me now?”

You scramble for something to say that doesn’t sound like you snuck out to… casually banter with a mysterious stranger.

“Um…”

“Save it,” he sighs. “You're lucky nothing happened. This isn’t funny.”

He turns and gestures to the men waiting just outside. “Bodyguards will be stationed outside your room until further notice.”

“What?!”

“No more vanishing acts.”

You hear the men take their positions near the door.

“You are joking me right now,” you mutter.

No response from your brother. Just a heavy sigh as he walks off.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

At the gates, moments before...

Outside, someone lingers just a little longer.

Jinu watches you make your way past the compound walls, your steps careful and slow. For a moment, he almost crosses the boundary just to catch you—just in case you trip.

But the door clicks shut.

He releases a slow breath, then turns to go—only to stumble, breath hitching as the brand beneath his skin burns hot, summoning him back.

He barely blinks before the world warps.

Flames roar to life. Jinu drops into the crimson platform with a grunt, landing hard on his feet.

He’s back in the demon realm. Again.

The flames of the Demon King's throne flare like eyes opening.

“My, my,” Gwima drawls, voice a low curl of smoke. “You’ve been busy today.”

Jinu straightens. “If this is about my performance training—”

Gwima’s fire flares. “You dare lie to me?”

A wave of heat presses against Jinu’s spine.

“You made a deal, Jinu. Don’t mistake it for mercy. Did you forget who you belong to?" Gwima’s flames lick across the space.

“I haven’t forgotten,” Jinu says, low and measured.

“Then explain.” Gwima hisses. “You will fulfill the bargain. Don’t start chasing phantoms in the street.”

“…She’s nobody.” Jinu mutters. The words catch in his throat. “Today was nothing.”

Gwima hums, flame withdrawing slightly. “She’d better be.”

Jinu lowers his gaze, just enough to hide the silent snarl curling at the edge of his lips.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Back in your room.

You’ve been confined. Again. Now with bonus bodyguards stationed outside your door.

“This is stupid,” you mutter, slumping onto your bed. “What, is he afraid I’ll fall off the curb?”

[SYSTEM advises Host to accept her current conditions with grace (¬`‸´¬)]

“Ding dong, your sass is showing.”

Ding— [SYSTEM: New mission uploaded.] [Objective]: Attend the scheduled performance at Myeondae-ro square.] [Time Limit]: 4 hours remaining] [Penalty for Failure]: CLASSIFIED — insufficient clearance.] [Please note: This directive is non-optional. Compliance is expected.] [System appreciates and thanks you for your cooperation. ◝( ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ )◜⋆˙⟡]

You bolt upright. “Wait—what? Now you give me a time limit?! I’m literally under surveillance.”

[Yes! We are on a schedule now! Tick tock~ (ㅅ´ ˘ `) ₊˚⊹♡]

You make several laps of the compound under the excuse of "just stretching your legs" or "finding the toilet"—but every time, you feel the subtle steps of someone trailing you. Every gate is watched. Every alley corner is guarded.

Eventually, you return to your room in defeat, dropping down on the bed.

“It’s impossible for me to sneak out with them at every corner of this damn compound!”

You freeze.

“Guards… at every corner of this compound…”

You straighten. “That's it!”

There’s no sneaking out of here—not without help. So you do the next best thing.

You walk back out, pretending to stretch—and let your hands hover lightly as you pass the guards near your room. One feels stockier than the rest, his frame broad under the fabric of his uniform.

“I’m going out for a walk,” you announce. “I’ll take him.”

You pat the guard’s shoulder.

Then silently: System, be my eyes. Help me lose this guy.

[Understood. Now activating local route mapping ദ്ദി(•̀ ᗜ <)]

You lead the bulky guard down the main path. A few turns later, the alleys get narrower. Then you duck left. Backtrack. Twist through side streets.

Practically tripping over a pile of crates, you turn one last time—

And the footsteps behind you vanish.

[SYSTEM ALERT]: Target location not yet reached. [TIMER]: 0:34:21 — not that System is panicking… but maybe hurry it up? ¡|!(0∆0)!|¡

You whisper, “I’m trying, I’m trying…”

Using System’s GPS guidance, you slip further into the city. The sounds grow louder: crowds, laughter, movement. You dodge one last cluster of people and emerge near a bustling plaza.

[SYSTEM]: Coordinates matched. Target location reached. Mission countdown paused. Timer frozen at [0:17:53].

You collapse onto a bench, breathing hard.

And then—

Music. Cheering. A lively pop beat rises above the crowd, bouncing off the walls and flooding into the open square. You sit up straighter, something tugging at your memory.

“That voice…” you whisper.

Familiar. Clear. Playful.

Even without seeing—it’s unmistakable.

You lean forward, heartbeat syncing to the rhythm. The chorus hits, and the crowd bursts into applause. It's electric.

Jinu.

He’s performing.

You don’t know how you know. You just do.

[SYSTEM]: Mission clear. Points awarded. [System is calculating rewards… please hold…]

You barely register the system’s voice before a hand wraps gently around your wrist and pulls you into an alley.

“Wh—?!”

“Shh.” A warm hand steadies you.

Your breath catches.

“You’re here,” Jinu says softly, like he’s both relieved and shocked.

“…Yeah.”

“Sorry for pulling you like that. I just… didn’t want anyone interfering.”

He waves his hand, and something shifts in the air. A hush. Like the world outside has been muffled.

“…What was that?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he murmurs.

You feel him glance around—checking for something. Listening.

“You sounded amazing,” you say, grinning. “You didn’t tell me you could sing.”

“…It wasn’t something I wanted to reveal. Not yet.”

You can hear it in his voice—carefully guarded guilt. And maybe something else underneath.

Before you can say more, someone yells your name.

“You little demon!”

You flinch.

A shrill, too-familiar voice echoes off the alley walls.

A woman steps closer from the street—your aunt.

“Do you think you can run from your family forever?” she huffs. “You and your brother, hiding like rats. Hoarding your inheritance while the rest of us starve—”

“Back off,” Jinu says, stepping forward in front of you.

The temperature drops.

You feel the shift in him—an undercurrent in his voice, his body, his presence. His words are calm. But something behind them is not.

“Who the hell are you?” she snaps.

Jinu doesn’t answer.

He stares.

And something moves in the air—like a shadow curling around his silhouette. A warning.

Your aunt pauses and her voice falters.

She scowls, mutters a curse, and stomps off.

You grip his sleeve.

“What… was that?”

Jinu doesn’t answer. He places a hand gently on your back and turns you around.

“I’ll take care of it,” he murmurs. His eyes shine faintly—unnaturally—as he looks past you, back in the direction she went.

He walks you home in silence, his hand never letting go of yours.

There’s something low and dangerous in his voice. You glance up. You don’t need sight to feel the unnatural energy humming from him—like a storm waiting for permission.

“Jinu…?”

But he’s already pulling you gently down the street, voice soft again. “Let’s get you home.”

And behind you, in the alley— A ripple of demonic energy lingers.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🔥 Gwi-Ma POV snippet

From the depths of his realm, the Demon King watches.

He saw the hesitation. He saw the boy’s eyes wander during the performance, despite his warning.

That girl…

The flames around his throne curl tighter, twisting with displeasure.

There’s something off about her—untraceable. Unmapped. Like the other one.

If it is her…

Then he’ll just have to eliminate her again. This time, permanently.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🌙 author’s note!

it’s not obvious from the way reader reacts, but i actually love the system LOL if they had a physical body i would not be able to stop myself from squishing them xD (…don’t worry, they’d sass me back immediately)

🧋 fun fact! the myeondae-ro square setting in this chapter is actually inspired by the street the saja boys performed Soda Pop 👀 while digging around, i found out from the concept artists that it’s based on Myeongdong, a real district in korea known for its shopping and street signs. i wanted a name that sounded real and familiar even if you don’t know korean, so i made up myeondae-ro (면대로):

• myeongdong + dae (big) = kinda like “main myeong road” • and “square” came from staring at that mv way too long and spotting a building sign that said “square plaza” lol the end result is fictional, but (hopefully) still feels rooted in real-world language and culture 🫶

thank you so much for reading! i appreciate every comment, reblog, like, and tag — it really keeps me going ♡ if you want to see more updates, feel free to follow me here or check the fic tag: #BlindStrings

see you in the next chapter 🪡✨

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jellyjoyverse · 26 days ago

Text

🌙 Blind Strings | Jinu x Reader – AO3 debut

"you remember falling asleep in your room — then waking up blind, trapped in someone else’s body in a world that feels half-familiar."

centuries-old demons, tangled timelines, & the red-string ache of fate pulling you closer (even when you don’t know why it hurts) ✨ soft banter, glitchy systems, and slow-burn longing

📖 now on AO3 :D

#kpop demon hunters #reader insert #ao3 fanfic #x reader #fanfic rec #jinu x reader #isekai fic #webnovel vibes #BlindStrings #archiveofourown

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jellyjoyverse · 28 days ago

Text

✨ Blind Strings – Chapter 2 ✨

you scramble for a phone, fingers fumbling. “please please please tell me they have One Piece here…”

it’s not your world — not really. but the system’s finally speaking, your brother’s trying his best, and someone shows up again… with opinions about your pants.

♡ bonding mission: unlocked ♡ fashion sense: debated ♡ system stability: questionable at best

read ch2 on: quotev | wattpad | ao3

full chapter below ↓

🌙Chapter 2: Blind Dates and Bucket Hats

Evening settles heavy over old beams and dusty windows. Somewhere in the compound, you hear your brother’s voice — low, tired, half-swallowed by doorframes and paper walls.

“Yes… mhm. I’ll sign in the morning. Make it effective tomorrow…”

He spends hours on calls: insurance, lawyers, security agencies. Changing locks. Hiring guards to keep scavenging relatives at bay.

You feel useless hovering in your own home. Her home.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Later, lying in bed, darkness thick behind your bandages. You breathe in the weight of unfamiliar ceilings.

Okay, let’s lay this out: — Woke up blind in a body that isn’t mine. — Jinu is my “target” and he thinks he knows me... from 400 years ago. — And there’s a penalty if I fail the mission. Unknown. Could be pain. Could be death. Could be worse.

A cold bead of sweat crawls behind your ear. And the original soul? Where did she go?

You swallow, guilt burning sharp under your ribs.

I’ll take care of this body. And her brother. At least for now… It’s the least I could do, even if I got shoved into this ridiculous situation against my will.

You try to break the silence. Voice small, unsure — but desperation bubbling underneath to test anything.

“Menu open… system log… come on…”

Your hand hovers mid-air like some dorky anime protagonist, feeling ridiculous but still hoping.

“Status window?”

Nothing.

god, I look like a total chuunibyou…

A thought sparks, heart lurching.

“Wait… if this is another world… does that mean—?!”

You scramble off the bed, groping for a phone or tablet, fingers fumbling the screen and buttons as you rush to use voice search.

“Please please please tell me they have One Piece here… and the proper version, not a weird bootleg where Luffy has a mustache or something—”

Soft beep. The AI voice calmly recites the real synopsis: same author, same characters.

“Oh thank god…”

You flop onto the floor, relief flooding you.

“Glad all the time I spent catching up wasn’t wasted…”

You keep searching, for other things you loved and remembered in your original world. Some of your favorite songs still exist — same lyrics, same voices. Others… don’t. Artists who never debuted. Albums that never came.

Guess this really isn’t my world huh?

Frustration claws up your throat.

“Damn it, system! At least say something!!”

For a heartbeat: static buzzes, cold and sharp — like a broken neon light.

[Unable… to establish… full connection…] [Current energy too low… complete mission… gain points… restore link…]

Flat, robotic, empty.

Perfect. Bootleg system, bad Wi-Fi and zero customer support.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Morning creeps in, too bright behind your eyelids. The smell of broth drifts through the room.

You sit stiff at the table. Brother sets down a bowl, the ceramic clink louder than it should be. He tries to sound casual:

“So… about yesterday—”

The words catch you mid-motion; spoon jolts, hits your teeth, rice dribbles.

oof... Embarrassed heat rushing to your face.

Quietly, he helps guide your hand, wipes the mess without teasing.

“Look,”

He exhales, voice tight but gentle.

“It’s just you and me from now on, okay? I’ll always be here for you. But you can’t just go running around like yesterday… not right now, when there’s still people who’d take more from us — and while you’re still… like this.”

He pauses, cloth still against your cheek; guilt flickers in his voice for bringing it up.

“Sorry, brother.” Your voice comes out small, cracking.

He pats your head, voice softening:

“Hey, don’t worry, okay? The doctor said it’s not permanent — you’ll get back into the swing of things soon enough.”

He sits across, chopsticks clicking softly.

“Anyway… what’s up with that guy you mentioned yesterday?”

You nearly choke, cough rattling in your chest.

Brother laughs softly:

“Guy must have been a weirdo or a ghost — no way someone can just poof out of existence like that.”

“Uh, it’s nothing really… he was just spouting nonsense… then randomly introduced himself. I don’t even know him.” “Oh really?” “Well… unless you know a Jinu?” “Girl, be for real. That’s such a common name. He say anything else?” “No… not even a last name. Just that… if I remember anything…”

You trail off, poking at your food.

“Yeah, I dunno. He was weirdly cryptic, haha…”

Breakfast tapers off with brother reminding you:

“Bodyguards should arrive today. If you wanna go out, you’ll need to wait for them. Okay?”

You nod absentmindedly, just agreeing on the surface. But you already decided. Thinking about the mission failure penalty… you’ll slip out before the guards arrive.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

You end up at the gate again, hand brushing the latch.

How the hell am I even supposed to find him? He didn’t even leave a number…Surely the system wouldn’t dump an impossible mission on me… right?

“Fuck it,” you think. Pick a direction. Hope fate has GPS.

Just as you’re about to step forward blindly, footsteps approach — shoulder bumping into yours.

The world stills — air thick, heartbeat thundering in your ears. Firm arms catch you before you stumble; breath warm near your cheek.

For a second it feels absurdly cinematic — sparkles, soft kdrama theme in your mind — and then it all comes crashing down.

“Uhh… are you really going outside… wearing those pants?” Voice lightly teasing, half disbelief.

“Are you serious right now?” You find your footing, brush his hands off, cheeks burning. Well, at least I don't need to go looking for him now…“Listen, in case you forgot, I can’t exactly see what I’m wearing. Be glad I’m not in a clown suit.”

He laughs under his breath.

“Right… sorry.” “Hmph.”

Arms cross; chin lifted, pretending confidence.

Jinu regains composure, clears his throat.

“How about I make it up to you? Let me take you shopping.”

You tilt your head, mock suspicion.

“You payin’?” “Of course, my lady.”

His voice slides playful, with an exaggerated bow.

Your mouth twitches, trying not to smile. You slip your hand into the crook of his arm — feeling him jolt.

“Well then… lead the way!”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

In and out of boutiques; scent of fresh fabric and soft cologne.

Jinu gently lifts hangers, sometimes holds them near your shoulder, a quiet “hm” under his breath.

“So… what did you mean yesterday? About me remembering something?”

He deflects, tugging a bucket hat down on your head and ruffling your hair at the same time.

“Wow, I think this one reallyyy suits you.”

You huff, yanking the hat off.

“Okay, wrong question. My bad, I guess.”

His chuckle low, hand smoothing your hair again.

“What do you do for work then?”

His hand stills; slides away.

“I write… produce music. Nothing big. Probably not the kind you’d like.” “What about me screams picky taste?” “I just mean… what I do isn’t that important, haha.” “What, like you have a small SoundCloud following or something?” “Haha, not exactly…”

His voice dips, tone quieter — like there’s something more behind it he isn’t saying.

You pat his arm lightly as you walk.

“Well, not to be presumptuous — but I’m sure there are people who appreciate what you put out into the world.”

He stops mid-motion, hanger hovering above the rack; breath caught. Eyes unseen, but the weight of them on you.

“Jinu?”

He exhales, smile returning:

“Do you play any instruments?” “Okaaay, that’s oddly specific… but yeah, used to play guitar. Just a passing interest tho.”

With a tilt of your head, you smirk:

“Why? Want me to serenade you?” Eyebrow wiggle.

For a heartbeat:

“Yeah.”

“Uh… wow, way to be direct. This is literally like our first date, lol.”

You try to laugh it off, flustered by his unexpectedly serious answer to your teasing.

He fumbles, voice cracking:

“Oh! I mean — maybe it’d inspire me, or I could sample you into a track…”

The rest of the time passes in awkward small talk and playful teasing. Jinu quietly keeps pace beside you, bags rustling as he insists on carrying them.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Back home, shopping bags heavy on your arms.

Mission complete. Even if it cost me my dignity.

Ding—

[SYSTEM: Connection stabilising… ✨ Now commencing formal introduction!] The voice now cutesy, bright, sparkly words spilling fast: [System name: True Love System ver. 1.0! Hello~! Your cutest system ever, is ready to help! ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡ Proudly designed to guide host toward destiny’s fated partner, orchestrate bonding missions, and—]

“How the hell are you talking in my head with emoticons?” [System doesn’t appreciate you interrupting their introduction! <(ꐦㅍ _ㅍ)>]

You drop the bags, sigh sharp in the empty room.

“Oh god. It really talks like that…”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🌙 Jinu POV snippet

He shouldn’t have waited. Shouldn’t have staged a “chance” meeting that wasn’t chance at all.

But when your shoulder brushes his arm — heartbeat spiking, your scent caught somewhere between clean cotton and worry — every carefully rehearsed word melts right out of his head.

For a breath, it feels exactly like it used to. A stupid, sparkly kdrama moment he pretended to hate — your weight tipping forward, arms catching you, breath held.

Then the words slip out:

“Uhh… are you really going outside… wearing those pants?”

Your head snaps up, mouth sharp, voice dripping embarrassment and stubborn humor.

“Listen, in case you forgot, I can’t exactly see what I’m wearing. Be glad I’m not in a clown suit.”

Jinu’s lips twitch, imagining you rolling your eyes if you could.

“Right… sorry.”

Too familiar. Too painful.

You cross your arms, chin tilted away — but still so you it scrapes something raw in him.

He clears his throat, masks the ache:

“How about I make it up to you? Let me take you shopping.”

When your hand slips into his arm — warmth and trust and memory tangled together — his breath stills.

For a heartbeat, the past and present blur:

She always did this too… acting bold when she was scared.

He shakes it off, voice light, almost playful:

“Of course, my lady.”

And when you tilt your head, teasing smirk hiding nerves — he almost laughs.

Same jokes. Same courage. Same softness buried under bravado.

But you don’t remember. And maybe that’s mercy.

Even so, as he leads you forward, matching your steps, he finds himself silently hoping:

Please… let it really be you.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🌙 author’s note!

something possessed me while writing this chapter because why is it so much longer than chapter one 😭 i thought about cutting stuff while editing but honestly the flow would’ve felt weird. plus... i was having fun lol.

yes, i say “lol” out loud. what are you gonna do about it 🤨 (jk lol)

i hope you enjoyed this chapter ♡ i really started this fic for me — because i have a serious addiction to reader/oc x character stories. the date scene literally came to me while i was trying to sleep and my brain went: “!!! write that down! write that down!!” (that spongebob meme)

🪡 quick question: what do you think about the line breaks in this chapter? i added them to help visualise the scene shifts, but let me know if it breaks immersion or feels distracting — happy to adjust if it helps readability!

see you in the next chapter ✨

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jellyjoyverse · 29 days ago

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jellyjoyverse · 30 days ago

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🌙blind strings — ch.2 moodboard ✨

"please please please tell me they have One Piece here…"

a sparkly system finally logs in, someone shows up uninvited (again), and you're not wearing the right pants for any of this.

chapter 2 coming this weekend ♡

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jellyjoyverse · 1 month ago

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✨ Blind Strings – Chapter 1 ✨

reader × Jinu | isekai AU soft slow-burn, tangled timelines & missing memories 🪡

You wake up blind in a world that feels half‑familiar — tangled timelines, missing memories, and a man who says he knew you from 400 years ago.

📖 read ch1 now: Quotev link | Wattpad link | AO3 link

🌙 Chapter 1: Blind Strings

Darkness. That’s the first thing you see.

Not the warm darkness of drifting off in bed, but a heavy, suffocating black that clings even when you blink.

“Huh…?”

Brain scrambling, heart pounding. Okay, think: what was the last thing you did?

Lying in bed, cracked phone slipping from your fingers, credits rolling on Kpop Demon Hunters, eyelids drooping from exhaustion. And then… nothing. Just—sleep.

But now? Your head throbs, and weird memories rush in — not yours:

A sprawling old Korean compound. Wealthy parents who’d just died. Estranged relatives fighting over money and the deed to the house you’re in. Someone shoving you — hard — pain blooming at the back of your skull— And blackness.

“Wait, wait, wait… did I just — isekai??”

Your voice cracks in the empty room.

“But, I didn’t even meet truck-kun, I was just peacefully sleeping… Nothing could’ve triggered my isekai, right??”

Even as you joke, your pulse skitters. You lift trembling fingers, feeling bandages over where your eyes should be.

Ding—

[SYSTEM INITIALISING… ERROR… TASKS UPLOADING… CONNECTION LOST.]

“Excuse me?!”

Great. Isakai’d into someone else’s body, now blind, and apparently stuck in a bootleg system novel with bad WiFi.

You scramble upright on shaky legs.

“Okay, new world, new body, mystery system. This is fine. I’ve read enough manhwa, I can handle this,” you mumble, voice a notch too high.

Don’t panic. Figure out where you are.

Your fingertips brush rough plaster, then smooth polished beams, tracing carvings that feel familiar from memories not quite yours. The scent of old incense, wood oil, and faint mildew curls at the edge of your senses.

The air feels stale, and your skin prickles with the weight of emptiness — a house once full, now hollow.

Far off, voices bark and snap outside the compound gates — harsh, impatient words you almost understand. One voice stands out. Lower, rough from shouting, cracking with worry instead of greed.

A name slips into your head from the stolen memories — your brother.

The only one who really cared. The only one who pulled your — no, her — body away from the scuffle when your head hit the floor.

The guilt bites, sharp and sudden. You feel like an intruder wearing someone else’s skin.

You shouldn’t be here.

Her life, her family… you’re just borrowing it.

Maybe that’s what shoves you into motion.

“Okay, screw this,” heart thudding. “Sitting inside won’t fix anything.”

You turn away from the angry shouting and walk, counting paces, until you reach a quieter side gate — away from the barking voices. Fingers find the latch — and you push it open.

Cool air brushes your face, and you step out — back stiff, every muscle screaming bad idea.

You can’t see, but the street hums with life: cars rumble distant, footsteps scuff uneven stone, music drifts like smoke.

“Brilliant move, genius,” you mutter. “Blind, barely awake, wandering outside because panic said so.”

One hand drags along the wall, steadying your balance.

You catch it then: a faint scrape of shoes drawing closer — someone slowing beside you.

Suddenly, a hand closes around your wrist.

“Tell me.”

A low voice, rough at the edges, breathless.

“Do you remember 400 years ago?”

You freeze.

“…Are you saying I look old?!”

“No! I mean— that’s not what I—”

“Look, buddy, I don’t know who you think you are, but I don’t wanna see your face again! …Not that I can see, but— you know what I mean!”

Silence.

The grip loosens, like the man’s brain is finally catching up.

“You… you can’t see?”

His voice softens — still polite, but shaken, as though yanking a mask back into place.

“No shit, Sherlock,” you snap, heart hammering so loud you feel dizzy.

He steps back. You sense cloth shifting, catch the faint scent of ink and old wood.

“Who are you, anyway? Creeping on blind girls? Real classy,” you fire, words sharper than you meant.

“I… apologise,” he says, low but careful, each syllable measured. “Forgive me. I mistook you for… someone else.”

Underneath the formality, there’s confusion and guilt, coiled tight.

“Look, I’m probably not whoever you’re looking for,” you mutter, fingers twisting in your sleeve.

A pause. Then softer, awkwardly:

“My name… is Jinu,” he offers. “If — if you remember anything… please find me.”

The words stumble before smoothing back into polite calm.

“Yeah, sure,” you deadpan. “Next time I run into random mysterious men on the street, I’ll be sure to schedule a meeting.”

You sense him shift, wanting to say more — but he doesn’t.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

“There you are!”

Warm hands settle on your shoulders. Your brother’s voice — familiar, breathless, a shaky laugh masking worry.

“Don’t scare me like that,” he murmurs. “You shouldn’t wander off… especially now.”

“I know,” you whisper, throat tightening with guilt. “Sorry. I just… needed air.”

“Air?” he echoes, guiding you gently. “Did something happen?”

“Oh yeah, I was talking to this guy—”

“You were talking to someone?” he cuts in, sharper now. His gaze sweeps the street. “What guy? When I found you, there was no one here.”

The world feels emptier for a moment; the echo of footsteps gone.

He doesn’t push further. Just keeps his warm hand steady on your arm, guiding you through the gate.

Inside, he settles you carefully onto the couch, fingers brushing yours — an unspoken reassurance.

“Stay here, okay? I’ll get you some water.”

You nod, pulse still jumping under your skin.

Left alone, your mind reels.

Jinu…

Something about the name pricks at the edge of your memory. It feels half-familiar, half-forgotten.

You know you watched a movie about Kpop… something… right before this. But when you try to drag the plot into focus — scenes, names, even a single image — static blooms behind your eyes, hot and crawling like a nest of sparks.

“Ow… what the hell…?”

Pain spikes so sharp you gasp, hand flying to your bandaged temple.

Ding—

[SYSTEM: Current task: Approach target “Jinu.”] [Penalty for failure: Unknown.] [Connection unstable…]

“…Target? What is this, a dating sim?” you mutter under your breath, voice raw.

The compound creaks around you — old beams settling, the soft scratch of fabric as you shift.

Who was that? And why does my stupid heart feel like it knows him?

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🌙 Jinu POV snippet

He shouldn’t have grabbed you.

The thought lands only after your voice cuts the air — sharp, sarcastic, alive.

“Not that I can see, but— you know what I mean!”

For a breath, it almost makes him laugh. Almost.

Instead, something tightens in his chest.

Your voice isn’t quite like hers, but everything else — the humor masking panic, the stubborn tilt of your chin — slices through him like a forgotten chord.

It can’t be her. But… what if it is?

The bandaged eyes, the raw confusion… you don’t remember him. Or you can’t.

“Forgive me,” he forces out, voice too formal, brittle at the edges.

Idiot. You swore you wouldn’t look back.

But the words slip, softer than he means:

“My name… is Jinu. If… if you remember anything�� please find me.”

He turns before you can speak, heat rising to his ears in a way that feels embarrassingly human.

You look the same. But you don’t remember me.

Maybe it’s better that way.

And still, as he walks away, he glances back — just once — to where you stand, head tilted, brow furrowed, as if reaching for a half-remembered tune in the dark.

Please… Let it be you.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

🌙 hi, i’m jellyjoy! thank you so much for reading my first fic ♡

Blind Strings is an isekai / transmigration AU that plays with the idea of tangled timelines, missing memories, and that classic red-string-of-fate ache. it’s inspired by manhwa, k-drama tropes, and of course, my love for K-Pop Demon Hunters (and Jinu).

i hope you enjoy this slow-burn mess of banter, heartbreak, and second chances! i appreciate every comment, reblog and like - it really helps me keep writing 🪡✨

current update plan: whenever my heart says “do it” (but aiming for semi-regular posts). if you want to see more updates, feel free to follow me here or check the fic tag: #BlindStrings

see you in the next chapter 🪡✨ 🌙 this fic is for fun — not open to pitches, reposts, or AI training. thanks for reading ♡

#kpop demon hunters #reader insert #fanfic #isekai #slowburn #fics #kpop demon hunters fanfic #writing community #Jinu #jinu x reader #reader x jinu #BlindStrings #x reader

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