mkt808

[mkt808]

Knockout Romance Chapter 7

Jungkook parked in front of Sora’s apartment. Sakura unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car, saying, "Thanks for the ride, buddy. Appreciate it." She was about to close the door when she noticed Jungkook also taking off his seatbelt.

Sakura turned to him, narrowing her eyes. "The hell are you getting out for?"

Jungkook shrugged casually. "Just want to make sure you get up safe. Don’t want Sora kicking my ass, you know."

Sakura gave him a look, like, Dude, cut the bullshit. "You know his building has a doorman and security, right? I think I can walk three feet to the door and take the elevator up."

Jungkook, being as stubborn as ever, grinned and said, "Yeah, that's true... but do they have a boxing title? Don’t think so." He got out of the car anyway.

The two of them walked side by side, passing the doorman and security, all the way to Sora’s apartment. Sakura pulled out the spare keys Sora had given her and unlocked the door.

Inside, Sora’s voice boomed from the kitchen. "Sakura, you hungry? I ordered Thai food!"

Before Sakura could respond, Jungkook called out, "Ah, lover, you shouldn’t have!" as he made his way toward the kitchen.

Sakura and Jungkook entered the kitchen together, standing side by side.

"I didn’t know you guys hung out today," Sora said around a big bite of pad thai.

"Yup, totally hung out. Not like he harassed me all night or anything," Sakura joked.

Jungkook shot her a look and said, "Yup, Sora. I stalked your sister and begged and cried until she agreed to hang out with me."

Sora laughed. "Sounds about right."

Sakura wrinkled her nose at the sight of half-chewed food in Sora’s mouth. "Dude, can you please chew before talking?"

Sora, being Sora, opened his mouth wider to show off the mess. "Don’t you like this, Kura?" he teased.

Sakura shoved him lightly, laughing. "I swear, I'll take a picture and send it to Mom."

"Go ahead. I’m not afraid of her," Sora said confidently.

Sakura and Jungkook exchanged a look, raising their eyebrows. Really? You sure?

Sakura added, "Even though you're almost thirty, the power of Mom will send you back twenty years."

Sora grumbled, "Fine. Mom still scares me. Even though I’m taller than her now." He sulked back into his pad thai.

"So what did you two end up doing today?" Sora asked.

Sakura leaned against the counter. "Went to a cafe to work on my book for work. Then I got kidnapped by your husband here, who fed me and forced me to walk around the park."

Jungkook shook his head at her exaggeration. "I worked out and then took your sister out for lunch because she always forgets to eat when she's typing away on her laptop."

Sora grinned. "Good man, good man." He gave Jungkook a knuckle bump.

Then Sora pointed at Jungkook. "Dude, we need to plan for tomorrow."

"Oh shit, you’re right," Jungkook said.

"Tomorrow?" Sakura asked.

"Daniel and Florentine are coming over for dinner since they're both in town," Sora explained.

Sakura smirked. "Ah, the old high school crew getting back together, huh?"

"You’re more than welcome to stay for dinner," Sora offered.

Sakura pretended to be deep in thought. "Hmm, sounds like a grand time, but I have plans with Hana tomorrow."

"Ughhhhh," Sora groaned dramatically.

"Hey, don’t have that attitude. It's not her fault she works for your rival publishing company," Sakura said, defending her best friend.

"No, she's five feet of pure evil," Sora grumbled. "Always trying to one-up me and beat my company’s publication sales."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Don’t be a big baby. She’s harmless."

"No, she's the devil. Her horns are just invisible," Sora insisted.

Ignoring him, Jungkook turned to Sakura. "What are you doing tomorrow anyway?"

Sakura perked up. "Hana’s dragging me to Pilates with the girls, and then we're hitting a few happy hours around the city. I’m excited. It's been a while since I had a proper girls' night."

Jungkook grinned. "You sure you don’t want to ditch them to hang out with four grown men eating takeout and watching dumb movies?"

Sakura laughed. "Wow, so tempting. Ditch my three besties to marinate in a room full of testosterone? How could I ever say no?" she said sarcastically.

Sora, still eating, chimed in, "Hey, we’ve calmed down a bit!"

Sakura gave them a pointed look. "Didn’t you two idiots wrestle Daniel and Florentine two months ago? Put a giant hole in Florentine’s wall?"

"Who told you that?" Jungkook asked quickly.

Sakura smirked. "Flor sent me a video saying, Come collect your brother and the rest of the gremlins, please." She laughed at the memory.

Sora scowled. "That traitor."

Stretching a little, Sakura said, "Well, this has been fun, but I’m going to get ready for bed. Thanks for the ride and dinner, Jungkook. And thanks for the invite, brother. Night!" She disappeared down the hallway toward the guest room.

She started down the hallway but turned briefly. “Thanks for today, Jungkook. It was... nice.”

Sora made sure Sakura had shut the door before turning back to Jungkook. "You know," he said, stuffing more food into his mouth, "if you’re gonna keep staring at my sister like that, you might as well make a frickin' move."

Jungkook blinked. "What are you talking about, dude?"

Sora swallowed and leaned forward. "You’ve been pining after my sister since we were like, sophomores or juniors. You’re not slick, dummy.“You gonna tell her you’re in love with her anytime soon, or should I get popcorn and wait for another five years?”

Jungkook shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Don't know what you're talking about." But deep down, he knew Sora was right. He had liked Sakura for years, but he never dared to cross that line. Not until she had grown into herself, figured out who she was.

Sora clapped him on the shoulder. "She’s single now. Go for it. Or Florentine might just flirt his way into her heart."

Jungkook laughed quietly. He knew Florentine was harmless... but the thought of losing his chance made something stir in his chest.

[mkt808]

Knockout Romance Chapter 6

“I am stuffed,” Sakura said, wiping her mouth and hands free of crumbs.

“Same here,” Jungkook said, holding his stomach. “What are your plans after this?”

“Umm... I don’t know. Let me check the time.” Sakura glanced at the clock—it was about 5 o’clock, which meant hell hour in the subway. After checking her phone, she slipped it back into her bag.

“Sora should be finishing work soon, so I might just brave the subway crowd,” she said.

“You’re seriously going to face hell hour right now?” Jungkook asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I guess. I should get back to Sora’s apartment and continue my work.”

“How about we do something and wait for the rush to die down?” Jungkook suggested.

Sakura considered her options. Spending a couple more hours with Jungkook or squeezing into the sweltering subway packed with people. She let out a small groan before making her decision.

“Alright, let’s head out then, Captain,” she said with a smirk.

“Alright, let’s go.” Jungkook slid out of the booth, leaving a $40 tip for Maria before they exited the restaurant, bidding her goodbye.

The two walked in silence for a bit before arriving at Central Park. The area was calm for a Tuesday night—nothing like the packed weekends.

“What’s on your agenda this week?” Sakura asked.

“I have training for the rest of the week and one brand meeting in between,” Jungkook replied.

“How many hours are you training?”

“I’ll train at least four hours on Wednesday and Thursday, then just an hour on Friday so I don’t burn out.”

“You’ve got a pretty packed schedule. How are you ever supposed to get a girlfriend?” Sakura teased.

“When I find the right girl, I’ll make time for her,” Jungkook said casually.

“Aww, Jungkook, aren’t you a big softie? You should make time for love,” Sakura joked, nudging his shoulder.

“I know who the right person is for me. I just want them to realize their feelings on their own,” Jungkook admitted.

“Ohhh, so you’ve already found ‘the one’? Interesting. Is it one-sided? Lust? Or maybe... forbidden love?” she teased dramatically.

Jungkook chuckled. “What’s with all the love tropes?”

“Can’t help it. I just assigned my students to read Romeo and Juliet, so love tropes are all I’ve been thinking about,” Sakura laughed.

“Romeo and Juliet, huh? Forbidden romance. What made you pick that for them?” Jungkook asked.

“I want my students to analyze the story from different perspectives. Like, isn’t it weird that Romeo was in love with Rosaline first, but then instantly fell for Juliet at the ball? What if they had actually met as children and were unknowingly reunited that night?”

“That’s an interesting theory,” Jungkook said.

“Well, that’s just one. I have so many ideas—about the themes, conspiracies, and hidden meanings in the play.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“So why choose Romeo and Juliet for college students?”

“Most of them probably haven’t read it since high school. Now that they’re young adults, I think it’s important to see if their perspectives have changed. Some of them may even relate to it more now after experiencing first love,” Sakura explained.

“You’re really into the theme of love,” Jungkook observed.

“I am. I think love is an important emotion���everyone should feel it at least once in their life.”

“Speaking of love... wanna talk about your recent breakup?” Jungkook asked.

Sakura tensed. She didn’t want to relive the pain of calling off her engagement. Only Sora knew the full truth, and she wasn’t about to tell Jungkook. So, she lied.

“I just felt like I wasn’t ready for such a big commitment with Namjoon,” she said.

“Bullshit,” Jungkook stated bluntly.

Sakura stopped walking, startled. No one had ever called her out so directly. “Excuse me?”

“I call bullshit. The way you talk about love, the way you obsess over love tropes—it’s obvious you were ready for marriage.”

“Maybe I just love the idea of love,” Sakura countered.

“You could. But I also know when you’re lying,” Jungkook said.

“Oh really? How?”

“You always pause and look away slightly before you lie.”

“How would you even know that?”

Jungkook smirked. “Sakura, I’ve known you since I was a freshman and you were in seventh grade. Remember that time after soccer practice, when Sora and I went back to your house? Your brother asked if you popped his new soccer ball. You hesitated and scrunched up your nose before saying no.”

Sakura was stunned. She never realized how observant Jungkook had been growing up. Lost for words, she could only muster, “You know what? Stop being so damn attentive.” She gave him a playful shove.

“If you’re not comfortable talking about it, that’s okay. I’ll respect your boundaries,” Jungkook said sincerely.

“Thanks,” Sakura murmured.

The two walked in silence for a while before sitting on a bench.

“Do you ever miss being in the city?” Jungkook asked.

“Sometimes.”

“What do you miss the most?”

“The fast-paced energy, late-night pizza runs with my friends, hanging out with Sora and you, eating Chinese takeout and watching movies all night… But what I miss most is my favorite coffee shop—putting on my headphones and escaping into my own world for hours.”

“You don’t want to visit your coffee shop while you’re back?” Jungkook asked.

“I emotionally can’t. Too many memories,” she admitted, thinking about all the times she and Namjoon had spent there together.

“I get it. But you know what?” Jungkook said.

“What?”

“It warms my heart that you miss our hangouts.”

“You’re so stupid,” Sakura laughed, playfully slapping his arm.

“You know, I think you should date someone,” she said suddenly.

“Oh? Do tell me more.”

“Well, you have a good job, you’re slightly funny, and you’re a nice-ish guy,” she teased.

“Wow, that was the most ‘meh’ review ever,” Jungkook said.

“Sorry, I don’t know how to give a top-tier review of my brother’s best friend.”

“What about you? Are you going to start dating again?”

“I don’t know… But if I did, it would get my parents off my back.” She groaned.

“Mr. and Mrs. Yamato are pressuring you to date? I thought they’d focus on Sora first.” Jungkook chuckled.

“They did. And now they’re back on me.”

“Hey, someone might surprise you,” Jungkook said.

“Maybe. But I highly doubt it,” Sakura said.

“You never know.”

“I guess.”

They sat in comfortable silence, watching the city lights until Sakura checked her phone. It was 7 PM—rush hour had died down.

“I think I’ll head to the subway now,” she said, standing up.

“I can take you back,” Jungkook offered, getting up as well.

“No, you live in Manhattan. I’m perfectly fine getting back to Brooklyn on my own.”

“My car’s nearby. I’ll drive you—it’ll save you an hour,” Jungkook insisted.

Sakura was tired, and the thought of a quick, comfortable ride was tempting.

“Alright, I’ll take the ride.”

“Terrific! To the car we go.” Jungkook grinned.

“You are such a dork sometimes,” Sakura laughed.

[mkt808]

Knockout Romance Chapter 5

The two walked in silence for about fifteen minutes before stopping at a sandwich shop called Sammie’s Deli. The inside felt cozy, with an old-school charm to it. There weren’t many people inside—maybe because it was almost 4 p.m.—but for some reason, the place felt nostalgic. Maybe it was the chalkboard menu, or the worn checkerboard tiles, but it felt comfortable to Sakura.

“Do you come here often?” Sakura asked Jungkook.

“Yeah, I like this spot. It has good sandwiches,” Jungkook replied.

“Any recommendations?” Sakura asked.

“My top three would be the pastrami, the chicken cutlet sandwich, or the classic bacon and cheese,” Jungkook said.

“Alright, I’m ready to order if you are,” Sakura said, stepping toward the register.

“Lead the way, lady,” Jungkook said, ushering Sakura ahead.

Sakura walked up to the register and was met with an elderly woman whose eyes widened in delight upon seeing Jungkook.

“Jungkook! What a nice surprise! And you brought a friend—how fun,” the elderly woman said.

“I know, Maria. I was just craving one of your sandwiches so bad, plus my friend is in town, so I had to bring her,” Jungkook said.

“Well, isn’t that sweet? What can I get you, dears?” Maria asked.

“I’ll do the pastrami sandwich, and could I get a cup of pickles on the side, please?” Sakura said.

“Of course, dear. What about you, Jungkook?” Maria asked.

“Can I please get the chicken cutlet sandwich, two Snapples, two waters, and a cup of pickles on the side?” Jungkook ordered.

“You got it,” Maria said, typing the order into the register.

Sakura reached for her wallet, but Jungkook shook his head.

“I got it. I took you out for a break; I should be paying for it,” Jungkook insisted.

“You paid for dinner. I should at least pay for lunch,” Sakura argued.

“No, just get me coffee this week, and we’ll call it even,” Jungkook said, handing Maria his card.

“Alright, I guess,” Sakura said, realizing this meant she would have to see Jungkook again.

“Here you go, dear. I’ll bring your food out once it’s ready,” Maria said, handing Jungkook his card back.

“Thanks, Maria,” Jungkook said.

“Let’s go sit,” Jungkook said, leading Sakura to a table near the front. The two sat across from each other, settling into the booth. They both took off their jackets, taking in the warmth of the restaurant. They sat in silence for a few moments before Jungkook spoke up.

“So, what are you working on, anyway?” Jungkook asked.

“It’s a book about the importance of what I’m teaching,” Sakura replied.

“Very cool. What’s the rush, though?” Jungkook asked.

“I have a presentation in April on my progress so far. If I do well, I should receive praise from my peers,” Sakura explained.

“Who cares about that? Shouldn’t you do it for yourself and not for them?” Jungkook questioned.

“It’s important for me to gain recognition for what I’ve worked hard on. I’m often looked down upon because of my age and lack of experience. If I do well, my work will seem more valuable to my peers,” Sakura urged.

“I guess you’re right. So, how much work do you have left before then?” Jungkook asked.

“Here’s my schedule leading up to it,” Sakura said, pulling out her planner.

Jungkook took a look and saw an overwhelming number of tasks—due dates for students, daily writing goals, the number of slides needed for her presentation, meetings she had to attend, and more. He noticed a giant star marked on April 25—presentation day. Jungkook slid Sakura’s planner back to her.

“I’m impressed. You’ve got your life all planned out,” Jungkook said.

“These are just the things I need to accomplish to reach my goal. I know that if I work hard and put everything I have into this, I will succeed. I have to, after all the pushback I’ve faced,” Sakura said.

“I believe you can do it,” Jungkook said sincerely.

“Thanks,” Sakura said.

“What about you? What’s your schedule like these days?” Sakura asked.

“Umm… let’s think. Training for at least three hours a day if possible, attending brand ambassador meetings, and trying not to get in trouble with my manager,” Jungkook laughed.

“Seems like a full plate,” Sakura said.

“Yeah. But sometimes, on my days off, I like to explore the city, find small mom-and-pop shops like this one, and just relax,” Jungkook said.

“Yeah, this shop is really homey,” Sakura agreed.

“Well, that’s very nice of you to say, dear,” Maria chimed in as she set their food down, startling Sakura.

“We’ve been in business for 50 years. My husband would have been here today, but he’s taking our grandson to soccer. I want you kids to enjoy the food and let me know if you need anything else, okay?” Maria said, before walking away.

“Thanks, Maria,” Jungkook said.

Sakura picked up her sandwich and took a big bite, realizing she hadn’t eaten all day. After the first bite, she practically melted at the flavors—the hot pastrami, the mustard, the melted Swiss cheese. Jungkook watched her reaction, happy that she liked Maria’s food since this was his favorite spot.

“I take it it’s good?” Jungkook asked, taking a bite of his own sandwich.

“Very,” Sakura said, taking another bite before adding pickles to her sandwich.

Jungkook passed his cup of pickles to Sakura, causing her to look at him in confusion.

“They don’t go with the chicken cutlet sandwich,” Jungkook explained.

Sakura happily took the pickles, which made Jungkook smile. In truth, he only ordered them because he knew how much Sakura loved pickles, even though he didn’t like them himself.

The two continued eating, enjoying the comfortable silence between them.

[mkt808]

Knockout Romance Chapter 4

A buzzing noise came from underneath Sakura’s pillow. Annoyed by the sound, she dug beneath it to retrieve her phone. Sitting up in bed, she turned off the dreadful alarm with a sigh. She took a moment to stretch, loosening the stiffness in her muscles, before glancing at the time. 10:30 AM—not too bad, considering she had only gone to bed a few hours ago.

Reluctantly leaving the warmth of her bed, Sakura trudged to the bathroom to get ready for the day. The cool water against her skin jolted her fully awake as she stood under the shower, letting it wash away the remnants of sleep. After a few moments, she stepped out and examined her reflection in the mirror. Dark circles lingered under her eyes—an unfortunate consequence of her late-night habits. She shrugged it off and applied just enough makeup to conceal them before continuing her routine.

Choosing an outfit took longer than she expected. It was mid-February in New York, that strange transition period between winter and spring. After some deliberation, she settled on a white sweater, dark denim jeans, white sneakers, and a gray trench coat to tie the look together. As a finishing touch, she clasped a delicate sakura-shaped necklace around her neck—a gift from her mother on her 13th birthday.

Satisfied with her appearance, Sakura filled her black purse with essentials: her Kindle, laptop, headphones, charger, and planner. With everything in place, she headed to the subway.

After a short ride, she emerged in Manhattan, heading toward a café she had stumbled upon on Instagram. A fifteen-minute walk later, she arrived at Bean There, Brewed That. The rich aroma of coffee beans greeted her the moment she stepped inside. She made her way to the counter, ordering a Mocha Madness—a punny name for a mocha latte—before settling near the window.

She unpacked her laptop and prepared for what would be a long day of work. Just as she was getting into the zone, a waitress arrived with her coffee. Sakura brought the mug to her lips, blowing gently before taking a sip. The warmth and rich flavor spread through her, a small comfort in the midst of her workload. She took a deep breath, soaking in the café’s cozy atmosphere before diving into her writing.

From an outsider’s perspective, Sakura looked like a woman on a mission, furiously typing away like a student cramming for a last-minute essay. But to her, this book was more than just a project—it was her way of proving herself in the academic world. Being young in her field meant constantly battling the perception that she lacked experience. Some of her peers didn’t see her as an equal, but she knew that success with this book and her upcoming presentation could change that.

For hours, she typed relentlessly, completely unaware of the passing time—until a notification popped up on her phone.

Jungkook: Where you at?

Sakura glanced at the message, debating whether to reply. Before she could decide, another text came through.

Jungkook: Are you ignoring me? Come on, I paid for dinner. And aren’t we friends?

She hesitated at that last message. Friends? She had never really thought about it before. Jungkook had always just been Sora’s best friend. Sure, they had spent time together, and he had a habit of teasing her, paying for her food, and cracking jokes—but did that really make them friends?

Shaking off the thought, she finally replied:

Sakura: Bean There, Brewed That in Manhattan.

She sent the message without a second thought, returning her focus to work. Time slipped away again, and it wasn’t until she felt her brain nearly melting from exhaustion that she pulled off her headphones, taking a deep breath.

Looking around, she let her mind wander. A mother and daughter shared a croissant at a nearby table, a man sat engrossed in a book, and in the back corner, a couple giggled softly to one another. The sight made her stomach twist—not in longing, but in memory. She used to have moments like that with Namjoon, café hopping, trying new drinks, and talking for hours about their work.

She tore her gaze away, reminding herself that she had other things to focus on. Just as she was about to put her headphones back on, the chime of the café door rang.

Her eyes flickered up—and widened in surprise.

Jungkook had actually come.

Dressed in gray sweatpants, a black hoodie, a puffer jacket, and sneakers, he carried a black Nike gym bag slung over his shoulder. His hair was slightly damp, strands falling messily over his forehead. From the looks of it, he had either just finished at the gym—or come from a one-night stand’s place.

Jungkook spotted her immediately and made his way to her table, sliding into the seat across from her.

Sakura gave him a puzzled look. “What are you doing here?”

“My training session ended at two, so I figured, why not? I had nothing else planned,” Jungkook said with a shrug.

“Well, I have a lot of writing left to do, so…” she trailed off, hoping he’d take the hint.

Jungkook ignored it. “How long have you been here?”

Sakura glanced at her phone. “Since around eleven, maybe.”

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “It’s almost three. Have you eaten yet?”

“Nope. I’ll just wait till dinner.” She turned her attention back to her laptop.

“You know your brain works better with food, right?”

“I’ll survive, doctor,” she said dryly.

Jungkook leaned back in his seat, eyeing her. “You sure? Because judging by your shaking hands and twitching eye, I’d say you’ve had at least two coffees back to back—with no water or food.”

Sakura frowned and pulled out her phone, opening the camera to check. Sure enough, her eye was twitching. With a sigh, she put her phone down and shot him an unimpressed look.

“It’s too late for lunch,” she argued. “I think I’ll live if I don’t eat for three more hours.”

Jungkook smirked. “Alright, but what if you pass out from dehydration? Wouldn’t it take even longer to finish your book if you end up in the hospital?”

She stared at him, knowing he had her cornered. After a moment of silent defeat, she sighed.

“Fine. You win. Let’s go eat something.” She began packing up her things.

Jungkook grinned. “Good, because I’m starving after training.”

As she finished gathering her belongings, she reached for her trench coat, but before she could put it on, Jungkook stepped behind her, holding it up for her to slip into.

Sakura hesitated, then slid her arms through the sleeves.

With that, Jungkook led her out of the café, off to find something to eat.

A/N what do you guys think so far? Let me Know!!! Also let's try for 20 likes before next post if possible

[mkt808]

Knockout Romance

Chapter 3:

Once dinner was done, the waiter brought over the check, saying, “Thanks for dining with us, folks. Here’s your check—just let me know when you’re all ready,” before leaving the table.

Sora reached for the check but was beaten to it by Jungkook. Sorn glanced over at Jungkook.

“I got it. Thanks for clearing my name tonight,” Jungkook said, looking over the bill. His expression briefly showed surprise, but he shrugged it off and placed his Amex card in the holder.

“Something wrong?” Sakura asked.

“Now that you mention it, the waiter didn’t charge you for your drinks. I’d say you’ve got some secret moves, huh, Cherry Blossom?” Jungkook teased.

“That doesn’t sound right.” Sakura frowned, grabbing the bill from Jungkook, only to confirm that the drinks were indeed missing. When the waiter returned to the table, she spoke up before he could take the check.

“I’m sorry, but you forgot to charge for the drinks.”

“No charge. It’s been a while since a beautiful girl has stepped into the restaurant,” the waiter said with a smile before walking away with the tab.

Sakura was taken aback by the waiter’s comment. It had been a while since a man had complimented her.

“If I were a girl, I feel like I’d get free drinks too,” Sorn joked.

“I think you’d get rejected,” Jungkook laughed.

“Welp, this was fun, but I think I could use some fresh air. I’ll meet you gentlemen outside when you’re ready,” Sakura said, grabbing her bag and heading out.

“What’s with her?” Jungkook asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe it feels weird to get hit on after Namjoon,” Sorn said.

“Ah,” Jungkook murmured.

“Yeah… I’ll go check on her. You okay meeting us outside?” Sorn asked.

“Yeah, go ahead,” Jungkook replied.

As Sorn and Sakura waited outside, Jungkook glanced through the restaurant window, spotting Sakura resting her head on Sorn’s shoulder. He didn’t know the details of what had happened between Sakura and Namjoon, but it must have been bad for her to move cities. He was lost in thought when the waiter returned with the check.

As Jungkook wrote down the tip amount, he noticed the waiter lingering nearby. Confused, he looked up. “Do you need something?” he asked.

“Uh, actually… do you mind giving your friend my number?” The waiter held out a slip of paper.

Jungkook smirked but shook his head. “Actually, she’s not interested. Have a nice night, pal,” he said, patting the waiter on the chest before heading outside to meet the siblings.

“Everything good?” Sorn asked.

“Just peachy,” Jungkook replied.

Jungkook turned to the siblings. “What’s the plan for the rest of the week?”

“I have work all week, maybe some sibling bonding time, and I’ll be at your match on Friday,” Sorn said.

“What about you, Cherry Blossom?” Jungkook asked, turning to Sakura.

“I have some work to get done, so maybe I’ll check out a few coffee shops and explore the city,” Sakura said.

“Do you have time in your busy schedule to see my match?” Jungkook asked with a grin.

“Maybe,” Sakura replied with a sly smile.

“What about meeting for coffee or lunch this week?” Jungkook pressed.

“I don’t recall mentioning that I needed company,” Sakura said.

“You didn’t, but maybe I want some company,” Jungkook countered.

“I’ll let you know,” Sakura said.

“Alright, shoot me a text. I’m usually at the gym during the day, but let me know—I can always swing by,” Jungkook said.

“It’s getting late, and I have work in the morning. Hate to break up this happy reunion, but I need sleep. Goodnight, man,” Sorn said, giving Jungkook a bro hug.

“Goodnight, Cherry Blossom,” Jungkook added, giving Sakura a quick hug before they parted ways.

Jungkook headed back to his apartment while the siblings returned to Sorn’s place.

Once they arrived, both exhausted from the day, they parted ways. Sakura headed to the guest bathroom to take a shower and do her skincare routine. Afterward, she settled into the bedroom to do a bit more writing before bed.

She and her coworker were working on a book titled The Art of Language: Reading Between the Lines, which explored the various dynamics of what language could convey. Sakura was preparing to present her portion of the book at an upcoming professors' meeting in April.

Engrossed in her work, she kept writing until the clock hit 3:30 a.m. Sighing, she knew she needed rest. Deciding to continue later in the day, she finally went to sleep.

[mkt808]

Chapter 2

Knock Out Romance

Tuesday morning, the Yamamoto siblings left Sakura’s apartment early to beat the traffic toward Brooklyn. By the time they arrived in the city, it was around 1:00 p.m. They headed to Sora’s apartment to freshen up and drop off Sakura’s belongings in the guest bedroom, as she would be staying for a few days to take a small break from her new home.

Concerned about her students, Sakura checked her email to see if any of them had reached out with questions. To her surprise, none had—but she expected that most of them would likely panic-email her on Saturday and Sunday night before class on Monday. With no urgent tasks to handle, she continued working on her book, which she had been co-writing with her peers about how language doesn’t have to be spoken—it can be expressed in different ways. For the next few hours, Sakura wrote while Sora took a nap. When the clock struck seven, the Yamamoto siblings headed out to meet Jungkook.

The duo entered Holy Maki!, greeted by the warm ambiance of the sushi restaurant. As they scanned the menu, waiting for Jungkook, the boxer entered right on cue, drawing the attention of the restaurant’s patrons. People whispered about him—some in admiration, others in gossip, and a few with snide remarks.

Sakura took in Jungkook’s appearance, noticing the additional tattoos on his arm and how his physique had grown even more muscular.

Jungkook approached the table, his face lighting up with a big smile upon seeing Sora—and he was pleasantly surprised to see Sakura there as well.

“My man!” Jungkook greeted, pulling Sora into a hug.

“Well, if it isn’t Dr. Yamamoto herself,” he teased, laughing before pulling Sakura into a hug.

“Been a while, Phantom,” Sakura joked.

Jungkook sat next to Sakura and across from Sora, feeling like time had rewound to their high school days. As he glanced at Sakura, he couldn’t help but notice how much she had grown into a strong, beautiful woman. His thoughts were interrupted when the waiter arrived to take their drink orders.

Sora and Jungkook both ordered Coronas, while Sakura debated between two options.

“Would you recommend the espresso or the lychee martini?” Sakura asked the waiter.

“Depends. Are you looking to stay up a couple more hours tonight, or do you want something sweeter?” the waiter responded.

“I could go either way,” Sakura said.

“How about this—I’ll bring you small versions of both, and once you decide, I’ll get you a full martini,” the waiter suggested with a smile.

“That would be great, thank you,” Sakura replied.

“I’ll get your drinks and be back to take your orders,” the waiter said, walking away.

Jungkook smirked. “Well, little cherry blossom’s got some game.”

Sakura arched an eyebrow. “I don’t know. I’ve heard you have a lot more game than I do.”

Jungkook leaned in. “Oh? Pray tell—where have you been hearing these rumors? Are you stalking me?”

Sakura grinned. “Yup. Got a telescope set up just for you.”

Jungkook chuckled. “I should keep my curtains open to give you a better view.”

Sora groaned, pretending to gag. “I think I just threw up in my mouth. And that’s strange, considering I haven’t even eaten yet.”

Jungkook turned back to Sakura. “So, cherry blossom, where did you hear these rumors?”

Sakura gestured toward Sora. “You’re sitting right across from the source.”

Jungkook looked at Sora with confusion.

Sora sighed. “Jungkook, I love you. You’re my brother. But my company is publishing an article about you—and it’s not good.”

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “What’s the article about?”

Sora handed Jungkook his phone, showing him the article set to be released at the end of the week. Jungkook’s jaw clenched as he saw a picture of himself with two women hanging off his arms. He was pissed—these women had waited outside his hotel to take a picture with him, but now the media was spinning it into something else. Jungkook slid the phone back to Sora, frustration evident in his expression.

Before he could react, the waiter returned with their drinks. Jungkook grabbed his beer, taking a big swig, while Sakura took small sips of both her drinks. The waiter stood patiently, awaiting her decision—something that seemed to annoy Jungkook further.

“Are you all ready to order?” the waiter asked.

To break the tension, Sora quickly responded. “We need a few more minutes.”

The waiter turned his attention back to Sakura. “So, which one’s your favorite?”

“I think I’ll go with the lychee martini,” Sakura said.

“Good choice. It’s a little stronger,” the waiter said with a wink before leaving to get her full drink.

Once the waiter was gone, Jungkook turned back to Sora. “You know this is bullshit, right?”

“I know, but what can I do about it?” Sora replied.

“These girls waited outside my hotel to take a picture with me. I didn’t invite them in, and I sure as hell didn’t do anything with them,” Jungkook argued.

Sakura, sensing the tension, downed her espresso martini. “Well, this is nice. Really brings out the ambiance of the restaurant.”

Jungkook glanced at her, impressed by the way she downed the drink, before refocusing on Sora.

“Does my publicist know about this?” Jungkook asked.

“No. We emailed them last week, but no reply yet.”

Jungkook pulled out his phone and quickly texted his manager. “When my manager texts back, I want you to tell him exactly what’s going on.”

Sakura, ignoring the tension, sighed. “And when the waiter comes back, I want to order because I’m starving.”

Jungkook and Sora looked at her, then at each other, realizing she probably hadn’t eaten all day. Right on cue, the waiter returned with her lychee martini.

The trio placed their orders, then turned their attention back to the drama. Just in time, Jungkook’s manager called. Jungkook handed the phone to Sora, who excused himself to step outside for the conversation.

Left alone, Sakura downed her mini martini while Jungkook took another sip of his beer.

“Haven’t seen you drink this much before,” Jungkook remarked.

“We don’t drink together often,” Sakura replied, pulling the lychee fruit from her glass and taking a bite.

Jungkook smirked. “You know those lychees are soaked in vodka, right?”

Sakura raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. That’s why I’m eating them.”

Before she could grab the second lychee, Jungkook plucked it from her glass with a toothpick and popped it into his mouth.

“That’s rude.”Sakura said

“I think it’s called being courteous.”Sora said

The trio laughed, and soon their sushi arrived. The night ended with full bellies and lingering smiles.

A/n

Hello all welcome to chapter 2 of my book. This is my first book back after a long hiatus so I hope you are all enjoying it. As of right now I think my writing schedule will be every Wednesday.

[mkt808]

Knockout Romance Prologue

Jungkook is a famous boxer, constantly in the spotlight, with his every move scrutinized by the press. Recently, his career and personal life have been under intense media pressure, and in an effort to manage his public image and avoid scandal, Jungkook's management suggests he enter a fake relationship with someone to divert attention away from his complicated romantic past. Enter Sakura, his best friend's little sister, an intelligent and composed English professor who's just ended her engagement. Sakura is eager to distance herself from the gossip surrounding her broken engagement, and she agrees to the fake dating arrangement, though reluctantly, as it gives her a chance to regain control over her life.

[mkt808]

Knockout Romance Chapter 1

"Since you are all adults now, I think now is the perfect time to reintroduce everyone to a classic," Sakura said to her class.

"Here in my hands, I have a copy of Romeo and Juliet. Before all the moaning and groaning, tell me, Ms. Yamamoto, have we read this book before? I want you to read it again, and we will have a discussion on it," Sakura said.

"Professor Yamamoto, do we really have to read it?" one of her students asked.

"Yes, indeed. As adults now, you may have different perspectives on this book, such as different themes of love, betrayal, desire, lust, and adventure. You don't just have to focus on the main characters but the side characters as well," Sakura explained.

Sakura glanced at the clock on the back wall; it was 1:25 PM, meaning class would be over in five minutes. She debated whether to continue with the lesson, but based on her students' anxious faces, she decided otherwise.

"Since there are only five minutes left, you may all leave early. One more announcement: there will be no class on Friday. I want you all to read up to Act 2 and write at least two paragraphs about a theme, a scene, or your thoughts on the book. Have a great rest of the week," Sakura said as her students eagerly scurried out.

Sakura began packing her belongings to head out for the day. As she was gathering her things, she heard a small knock. Looking up, she saw her older brother waiting at the door. She grabbed her bag and walked over to give him a hug.

"Sora, what a nice surprise," Sakura said while hugging her brother. After pulling away, she looked at him with curiosity.

"What are you doing here? Did you drive all the way from the city?" she asked.

"Yeah, I needed a break from the city, so I decided to drive up to Stony Brook," Sora said.

"Well, what a nice surprise. Any plans today?" Sakura asked curiously.

"Actually, do you want to grab a coffee and just hang out for a while?" Sora asked.

"Yeah, I'm free for the rest of the day," Sakura replied.

"Great, let's go," Sora said.

The duo sat across from one another at Bean and Blossom. Sora was drinking an iced black coffee, while Sakura had an iced vanilla latte. They shared a chocolate croissant and a vanilla scone at Sakura's request.

"So, how's it going at the publishing house?" Sakura asked, sipping her coffee.

"It's really busy but good. I'm now the manager of editing," Sora said.

"Wow, Sora, that's really great. I'm really happy for you," Sakura said.

"Yeah, but sometimes when I'm reviewing stories, I don't always agree with what the writers are producing," Sora admitted.

"Don't you have a say in what gets published?" Sakura asked.

"I do, but there's only so much I can do," Sora replied.

"Well, all jobs have pros and cons. Sometimes you just have to roll with the hand you're dealt," Sakura said, taking a long sip of her coffee.

"I know, but this issue is the worst thing I've had to deal with," Sora sighed.

"What article is stressing you out? Is everyone fighting over the newest pair of designer shoes?" Sakura joked, laughing.

"No. I wish. Here's the article coming out this week," Sora said, sliding his phone over to her.

Sakura picked up his phone and almost choked on her croissant. The screen displayed a picture of Jungkook walking with two girls beside him. The headline read: Popular boxer Jungkook, also known as "The Phantom Strike," spotted with two groupies after his loss to The Raging Bull. Sakura stared at the article in shock, confused as to why Jungkook would jeopardize his image. Shaking off her thoughts, she handed the phone back to Sora.

"Jungkook is your best friend. Did you at least give him a heads-up?" she asked.

"Not yet. I'm scared he's going to go nuts over the article," Sora admitted.

"If he wants to hook up with people, that's his right. It's not like he's in a relationship, so who cares?" Sakura said.

"His agents will care! He's one of the most popular boxers in the U.S. and has a brand deal with Nike. What happens if he loses his sponsorships?" Sora countered.

"That's on him, then. Sometimes you need to hit rock bottom to climb back up," Sakura shrugged.

"I swear, you're an English professor—you need to stop using so many damn quotes and metaphors," Sora groaned.

"Can't help it. It's part of my education," Sakura said with a grin.

Sora sighed, composing himself before revealing the real reason he had come to see her.

"Sakura, I need a favor," Sora said.

"Which is?" Sakura asked skeptically.

"Would you come with me to see Jungkook tomorrow?" he asked, pleading with his eyes.

Sakura took a long sip of her coffee. "I have office hours, homework, and other things to attend to."

"Please, Sakura. I know the last few months have been tough. I think it would be good for you to come back to the city for a couple of days and reconnect with old friends," Sora pleaded.

"Yes, the last few months have sucked. But I don't think going back to see someone I barely talk to will make me feel better," Sakura said.

"Please, I need you. When you needed me, I was always there for you," Sora reminded her.

Sakura thought about how much her brother had helped her—moving her into her new apartment, being a shoulder to cry on, always dropping everything for her. She pondered for a moment before sighing.

"Why do you need me there anyway?" she asked.

"Jungkook has always had a soft spot for you," Sora smirked.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Alright, I'll go. But you're buying most of the meals and all my coffee in the city."

"It's a deal," Sora said with a grin.

Welcome to my first book on tumblr.