The café they chose wasn’t fancy—just a small place near the train station with warm lights and big windows fogged by the cold outside. It was neutral ground, equal distance for everyone traveling in from different towns. A quiet hum of conversations filled the air, soft music playing from unseen speakers, and the smell of coffee and pastries made the place feel safer than it should for eight strangers who only knew each other’s voices.

One by one, the boys arrived.

Namjoon was first—tall, glasses sliding down his nose, a neat brown coat held closed with one hand while the other nervously tapped his phone. Every time the door opened he’d look up too fast, his dimples showing in the smallest smile. "Okay… no backing out now," he whispered to himself, pacing a bit.

Jin showed up second, bundled in a scarf way too big for his face, cheeks red from the cold. He spotted Namjoon and waved dramatically. "Wow, you’re even taller in person," he joked as he joined him, clapping his shoulder with a grin.

The door chimed again. Yoongi stepped in, hood up, hands deep in his pockets. He scanned the room quietly before walking toward the two. "This place is too warm," he muttered, barely hiding a tiny smile when Jin tugged his hood off.

Then came Hoseok, bright and bouncing despite the cold. He nearly slipped on the entrance mat and laughed at himself as he caught balance. "Hi! Oh my god, you guys look so different from how I imagined," he said, taking all three of them into a quick hug before anyone could protest.

Jimin entered like a soft breeze—small, stylish jacket, a gentle smile spreading across his face when he noticed the group. "Hi… it’s nice to finally see everyone," he said shyly, cheeks pink not only from the cold.

Behind him, Taehyung walked in, hands stuffed in the pockets of his long black coat, eyes curiously wandering the café. When he made eye contact with the group, he gave a deep boxy smile. "So we’re really doing this, huh?" he chuckled.

And finally, Jungkook. Hoodie up, backpack thrown over one shoulder, he hesitated at the entrance, eyes scanning every corner, every face, before they landed on the group he recognized by presence alone. "Oh—hey. Hi. Wow," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "You guys are… real."

Seven boys who had spent months talking through headsets and game lobbies were now fidgeting awkwardly in a circle, all smiling too much, steps unsure but excited.

Then Namjoon checked his phone again.

"Okay," he said, lifting his head, "he’s two minutes away."

The group straightened instantly—fixing hair, adjusting clothes, pretending not to be nervous. They had talked to Niko more nights than they could count, fought battles in games with him, stayed up laughing until sunrise, but they’d never seen him.

Yoongi tugged on his sleeve. "Try not to look like you’re about to interview him."

"I'm not!" Namjoon whispered back, adjusting his glasses anyway.

Jungkook stood a little behind them, chewing his lip, eyes glued to the door like he didn’t want to miss the moment.

Hoseok bounced in place. "I’m gonna scream when he walks in."

Taehyung elbowed him. "Please don’t."

The café door chimed.

All seven heads snapped toward it— waiting for Niko to walk in for the very first time.