The Kim Mansion was unusually loud.

Trophies were lined up neatly on the coffee table-four shining awards, each reflecting the warm golden lights of the living room. Kookie sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at them like they might disappear if she blinked.

Four wins.Four competitions.

Four moments where the entire Space Academy had cheered her name.

She still couldn't believe it.

Tae sat beside her on the couch, arm resting protectively behind her back, eyes fixed on her trophies with unmistakable pride.

"That debate one," he said softly, "was insane."

Kookie smiled shyly. "Sach mein?"

He turned to her, completely serious. "Tum bol rahi thi aur mujhe laga pura vqt, log,moment sb ruk gaya."

She blushed instantly. "Tete..."

Across the room, Jin watched them with a knowing smile while Nam discussed logistics with Suga.

"She deserves celebration," Jin said warmly.

Suga smirked. "Deserves? She demolished the competition."

Hobi jumped onto the couch dramatically. "Meri bhi trophy dekho!"

Everyone laughed.

Jimin ruffled his hair. "Tu hamesha dramatic hi rahega."

Kookie hugged her knees, happiness quietly settling in her chest.

That's when-

Her phone buzzed.

Then buzzed again.

And again.

She frowned and checked the screen.

IU: BABY BUNNY WE ARE COMING OVER.
LISA: MISSION GIRLS NIGHT ACTIVATED.

Kookie's eyes widened.

The front door opened loudly.

"WHERE IS OUR CHAMPION?" Lisa shouted dramatically.

IU rushed in behind her, holding balloons and a small gift bag.

Kookie barely had time to stand before both of them hugged her tightly.

"You did it!" IU squealed.

Lisa grinned. "Four awards. FOUR. Queen behavior."

Kookie laughed, overwhelmed. "Tum log bhi na..."

Tae watched silently from the couch, eyes narrowing slightly.

Suga leaned toward him. "Incoming trouble."

Tae muttered, "I can feel it."

Lisa plopped down next to Kookie. "Okay. Important baat."

IU nodded seriously. "Very important."

Kookie blinked. "Kya?"

Lisa clapped once. "Girls. Night. Out."

Silence.Absolute silence.Kookie froze.

"...What?"

IU beamed. "Just us three. Celebration night."

Kookie's first instinct was to look-

Straight at Tae.

He stiffened.

"No," he said immediately.

IU frowned. "Humne poocha bhi nahi."

Tae crossed his arms. "Answer pehle hi bta diya."

Kookie panicked. "Lisa, IU-"

Lisa grabbed her hands. "Sunn. Ye tumhari FIRST victory celebration hai. Tum kabhi aise bahar nahi gayi ho."

IU added softly, "Tum hamesha family ke saath hoti ho. Aaj sirf dost."

Kookie bit her lip, torn.

"I want to..." she whispered. "But..."

Her gaze flickered to Jin.

Then Nam.

Then Tae again.

"Chl na bhut mza aayega....." Both said in unison

IU knelt in front of her. "Kookie, hum koi dangerous jagah nahi ja rahe."

Lisa nodded. "Cafe hopping, thoda shopping, ice cream."

IU grinned. "Aur 100 photos."

Kookie laughed nervously. "Par Tete..."

Lisa smirked. "Husband problem."

Tae shot her a glare. "Lisa."

IU turned to Kookie. "Tumhara sapna nahi tha kabhi aise nikalna?"

Kookie swallowed.

"...Tha."

Her voice was barely audible.

That one word changed everything.

IU immediately turned to Jin.

"Aunty," she said sweetly. "Aaj Kookie ka din hai."

Jin tilted her head. "Hmm."

Lisa added dramatically, "Hum promise karte hain, ek scratch bhi nahi aayega."

Jin smiled softly. "Scratch?"

IU panicked. "I mean-emotionally!"

Jin laughed. "Tum log bhut cute ho."

She looked at Kookie. "Jaana chahti ho?"

Kookie nodded hesitantly. "Thoda."

Jin sighed, affectionate. "Meri beti badi ho rahi hai."

Tae groaned softly. "Mom-"

Jin raised a finger. "Abhi chup."

Nam folded his arms. "Timing?"

Lisa answered quickly. "We'll be back before midnight."

IU explained everything-locations, timings, transport, safety. Lisa added dramatic gestures. Kookie nodded along like a kid defending homework.

IU added, "Location live share."
Nam listened silently.
Nam looked at Kookie. "Safe feel karegi?"

Kookie nodded. "Yes, Papa."

Finally- "Tae."

"Yes, Dad?"

"Do you trust them?"

Tae looked at Kookie... then at Lisa and IU.
"...Yes."
Nam nodded.
"Then I trust you."

Nam exhaled. "Ek condition."

Everyone leaned in.

"Driver hamara."

Lisa saluted. "Done."
Jin smiled gently.
"But calls every hour."

Suga sighed.
"If anything happens, I'm sending bodyguards."

Hobi pouted.
"Main bhi aata-"

"NO," everyone yelled.

Everyone turned slowly toward Tae.

He hadn't said anything.

Which was scarier.

Kookie walked up to him slowly.

"Tete..."

He looked at her, conflicted.

"Agar kuch ho gaya-"

She grabbed his hand. "Kuch nahi hoga. I promise."

IU whispered, "Protective husband mode."

Lisa added, "Very intense."

Tae sighed deeply.

"Phone on."
"Text every hour."
"No strangers."
"No-"

Kookie interrupted, smiling. "Okay."

He looked at her.Really looked.
And then-"Go."

Her face lit up instantly.

"Sach mein?"

He nodded. "Enjoy karo. But-"

He leaned closer, whispering, "Miss me."

She giggled. "Always."

The car pulled away from the mansion.

Kookie sat between IU and Lisa, excitement bubbling inside her chest.

"This is my first time," she whispered.

Lisa gasped dramatically. "We will make it legendary."

IU smiled softly. "Bas enjoy."

They laughed.Talked.
Sang loudly to random songs.

At the café, Kookie tried mocktails for the first time.

"This tastes funny," she giggled.

Lisa clicked pictures nonstop.

IU held her hand while walking through crowded streets.

"Tum safe ho," she reassured.

Kookie felt-Free.Happy.Alive.
The city lights swallowed them whole.
music. Laughter. Neon signs.
Kookie walked between Lisa and IU, eyes wide with wonder.

"This feels... unreal."

Lisa threw an arm around her.
"Welcome to freedom, bunny."

They danced badly.They ate too much.
They laughed until stomachs hurt.

Kookie danced without fear.
Laughed without restraint.
For the first time, she wasn't the youngest.
She was just herself.

At midnight, she checked her phone.

Five missed calls.Ten messages.

Tete: Reached?
Tete: Text me.
Tete: Baby?

She smiled and sent a selfie.

Having fun. I love you.

Instant reply.

Enjoy. Proud of you.....love you the most

Kookie's eyes shimmered.

She looked at her friends.

"Thank you... for this."
IU squeezed her hand.
"You deserved it."

Lisa grinned.
"And this is only the beginning."

Tae checked his phone every five minutes.

Suga smirked. "Relax."

Tae frowned. "Easy for you."

Hobi leaned over. "Bhai, aapka BP high hai."

Jin patted his arm. "Trust her."

Tae nodded slowly."I do."

They got tired as they danced crazily..... So all 3 sat together.....and were just giggling together....
Kookie stood up," mai 5min mei washroom se aati hoo...."
"Theek hai.... Jldi aana...." IU said

Then kookie went to washroom while they continued gossiping..... 1hour later.... IU checked her phone and asked," yaar 1 ghnta hogya.... Kookie kidhar hai....??"
Then lisa realized," arey haa.... Voh toh 5min ka bolkr gyi thi.... Ab toh 1 ghnta hogya...." Then they went to search her.... They firstly checked the washroom then to entire place.... But they failed.... Kookie was not their.... She was missing.....This made them scared....,IU started panicking....," yaar kookie kahi nhi mil rhi hai.... Ab kya krein...."
"Yaar bhai maar denge...." Lisa added while getting scared
At that time IU's phone buzzed.... When she saw her phone she got scared after seeing tae's phone flashed her screen....
"Shit.... Ab mai kya kru.... Bhai ka phone...."
But some how they picked up the phone....
"Hello... Kaha ho tum 3no....?? Kookie kaha hai...?? Uska phone kyu switch off aarha hai....?? Kbtk ghr aaoge....?? Mai aau lene....??" He shot his ques.... All in 1 breathe
But they were silent....
"Kya hua chup kyu ho....?? Meri baat krao kookie se.... " he again said
"V-voh.... Bhai.... Voh k-kookie.... Voh...." IU said with stammering voice
"Kya hua.... Kaha hai kookie....?? Meri baat krao...." His voice stiffened
"Bhai.... Kookie.... Abhi 1 ghnte hmare sath thi...." Lisa said while getting scared

"Saath thi....?? Mtlb....?? Ab kaha hai....??" He interrupted tension filled in her voice.....
Then lisa explained everything in detail.... While listening everything..... His expression changed.....
"W-what....?? Aise kaise tum dono casually bol skti ho ki voh washroom gyi.... Aur fir gayab hogyi...."
They both were silent.....
"Maine bunny ko tumdono ke bharose hi bheja tha.... Vaise toh dono usse chipki rhti ho.... Aur aaj usko akele washroom bhej di" He growled with anger
They were silent.....
"Mujhe usko tum dono ke sath chhodna Hi nhi chahiye tha....." His voice shattered.... Filled with regret.... He was scared to loose his bunny....
"Mujhe location bhejo..... I'm coming...."
Then they send him the location.....