The Gion Matsuri, one of the largest and most famous festivals in Japan, had transformed the streets of Kyoto into an extraordinary spectacle. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes adorned the stalls and restaurants, their warm glow lending a magical touch to the lively atmosphere. The streets thrummed with excitement, thronged with locals and tourists alike, all there to experience the festive sights, sounds, and tastes.

Their first stop was at a small stall serving freshly made takoyaki. The sizzling sound of the octopus-filled balls cooking in the hot iron mold was like music to their ears. The vendor's deft hands flipping each piece to a perfect golden brown was a sight to behold.

Jungkook bought a plate and turned towards Sana. "Careful, it's hot," he warned, blowing gently on a piece before offering it to her with chopsticks. Sana took on his thoughtful gesture with a smile.

Next, they made their way to a dango stall, the inviting aroma of grilled mochi wafting in the air. Jungkook picked up a skewer with three large dango. "These might be too big for you to bite," he said, looking at Sana with a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Here, let me help." He then bit off half of the first mochi ball and offered the other half to Sana, who accepted it with a playful eye roll.

Sana wasn't sure if Jungkook was just being considerate or if he was just using it as an excuse to eat his share. However, she couldn't deny the warm fluttering in her heart at his cheeky and intimate gesture.

Their laughter and banter added to the festive spirit. As they moved from one stall to another, Jungkook kept surprising her with his charming ways. The way he was trying to make the day special for her was not lost on Sana.

When they stopped at a dessert stall, Jungkook pointed at a bowl of matcha parfait. "This looks so good," he said. "But I warn you, the ice cream part is quite cold."

"Oh, really?" Sana shot him a look. "And here I thought ice cream was usually served hot."

Their shared laughter echoed in the vibrant festival atmosphere. The Gion Matsuri was indeed a feast for the senses, but for Sana, the experience was all the more enchanting thanks to Jungkook. 

After enjoying a variety of festival delicacies, Sana and Jungkook soon found themselves drawn towards a traditional festival game stall - Kingyo-sukui or Goldfish scooping. The game was simple in its concept - scoop up a goldfish with a paper scoop without breaking it - yet it was notoriously difficult in execution. As they approached the stall, the sight of goldfish swimming in water-filled tubs sparked Jungkook's competitive nature.

"I'm going to win you some goldfish, Sana," he declared confidently, rolling up his yukata sleeves and stepping up to the challenge.

Sana watched as Jungkook tried to scoop up the fish, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. However, the fragile paper scoop seemed to have other plans, disintegrating before he could catch a fish. Sana couldn't help but giggle, her heart warming at Jungkook's determined yet futile attempts.

Catching her laughter, Jungkook shot her a playful glare. "Are you laughing at me, Sana?" he asked, feigning offense.

"I would never," she answered, still giggling. "I'm just enjoying your... determination."

His eyes glinted with unwavering resolve. "Just you watch, Sana. I'm not giving up that easily."

As the game progressed, however, the elusive goldfish proved to be quite the adversary. Despite his numerous attempts, each ended in the same frustrating way: a disintegrated scoop and no goldfish. He let out an exasperated grunt. "Oh fucking hell."

Jungkook's unexpected exclamation sent Sana into a fit of stifled laughter. The sight before her - the audacious Jungkook, a grown man boasting a stylish lip piercing, facing a challenging standoff against a children's game - was undeniably amusing. His struggles amid the delighted squeals of the children around him only added to the comic relief of the situation.

"You're lucky you're Korean, Jungkook," she managed to say through her laughter.  "At least no one here understands that you're cursing." 

After numerous tries, he finally managed to scoop up a small goldfish. His eyes widened in disbelief for a moment before being replaced by a triumphant grin. "I did it," he exclaimed, holding up the bag with the goldfish swimming inside. He turned to Sana, his grin unwavering. "For you, the prize of my hard work," he offered the bag, a teasing note in his voice.

Sana accepted the bag, her eyes shining with delight. The little goldfish swimming in the bag was cute, but it was the sight of Jungkook's triumphant grin and sparkling eyes that truly warmed her heart. "Thank you, Jungkook," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Every moment they were spending together was making Sana see Jungkook in a new light. His efforts to win her over were subtle, yet heartfelt. Sana could feel her heart fluttering at the realisation, her feelings for Jungkook growing with each passing moment. As she watched him excitedly move on to the next stall, she knew these feelings were worth considering, worth cherishing. 

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Having spent the day meandering through the vibrant streets of Gion Matsuri, Sana's feet fell weary, not accustomed to the traditional geta sandals. As they aimed for a hill known for its unobstructed view of the fireworks, Sana faltered, her laughter fading into a wince.

"My feet hurt," she admitted, pausing to catch her breath. "How far are we from the viewpoint?"

Jungkook checked his phone for the route. "About a twenty-minute walk," he replied, looking worried at Sana. "I'd call us a taxi, but with this crowd, it's practically impossible."

"It's fine. I just need to sit for a bit." Spotting a bench nearby, Sana gingerly walked over and sank onto the seat, letting out a sigh of relief. Jungkook watched her in concern, then crouched down in front of her, his hands reaching for her sandals.

"What are you doing?" she asked, a hint of surprise colouring her tone.

"Massaging your feet," Jungkook announced with a cheeky grin.

A chuckle escaped from Sana, she shook her head at his unexpected declaration. With each passing moment, it seemed Jungkook's actions were becoming more like those of a boyfriend, and much to her surprise, she found herself not minding the thought at all.

He gently worked his fingers on her tired feet, the warmth from his hands soothing her aches. "How does that feel?" he asked, his gaze flicking up to meet hers.

"Very nice, actually," Sana admitted with a soft smile. 

Jungkook returned her smile, his hands stilling on her feet. He noted the redness on her heels and frowned. "Your heels are still very red. How about I give you a piggyback ride?"

Sana burst into laughter. "What? Jungkook, please, we're not teenagers anymore," 

Jungkook raised a brow at her. "Since when are you scared of doing childish stuff, Sana? Let me remind you, it was just last month when you were still pulling pranks on the members. Writing dummy words on their faces while they were drunk and asleep. You let Mingyu walk home with 'I love soju' scribbled on his cheek--"

Before he could finish the anecdote, Sana couldn't help but let out an earnest laugh at the recent memory. "Oh, the texts we got from Mingyu in the group chat afterwards were hilarious."

"You know we're definitely doing that again next time," Jungkook chuckled, sharing in the memory. 

"I'm already missing those silly guys," Sana remarked, a note of nostalgia in her voice. In response, Jungkook pivoted towards her, his back now facing her. It was a silent but clear invitation.

"So, are you hopping on?" he asked, his voice teasing. "We don't have much time until the fireworks start."

Sana rolled her eyes, though her smile returned. "Okay, fine."

As she secured her arms around his neck, Jungkook hoisted her legs up, easily lifting her onto his back. Sana could feel his sturdy body beneath her, his muscles moving subtly as he balanced her weight. For Jungkook, this close contact with her was something he secretly enjoyed - he loved it when she relied on him.

"You're light as a feather, Sana. You need to eat more," he commented, beginning their uphill journey.

Sana huffed at his remark. "How am I supposed to do that when you keep sharing my food?"

Jungkook laughed, his chest rumbling against her. "Hmm, fair point. From now on, I'm ordering double portions for everything."

"Geez, Jungkook, I was kidding," she protested with a chuckle before switching the subject.

"I wonder when was the last time you carried me on your back like this?"

Jungkook didn't miss a beat, his response was immediate. "When you drank too much after breaking up with one of your exes... whose name I now can't even remember."

He scoffed lightly, the casualness of his tone belied by the memories flashing in his mind. In reality, he remembered every detail about that night - how heartbroken she was, how helpless he had felt. Because when it came to Sana, he remembered everything about her.

Sana's laugh echoed in his ears, a nervous tinge to it. "Oh well. What can I say? I've had quite a chaotic love life."

Jungkook smirked at her understatement. "No shit."

Sana nudged him lightly, causing him to laugh. "Hey, but we did get some good music out of my breakups, didn't we?"

Jungkook sighed audibly, acknowledging her statement. "In a way, sure."

A brief silence filled the air between them, only to be broken by Sana's sincere voice. "Anyways, I'm really grateful that you've been there for me through it all, Jungkook."

He was taken aback by her earnest gratitude. After a moment's pause, he admitted, "I'm also glad that you've always been there for me, too, Sana."

In truth, Sana had been a guiding light for him. When he was torn between different paths, it was Sana who reminded him to follow his true passion - music. It was Sana who constantly pushed him to step out of his comfort zone, to experiment with his music direction, and to grow as an artist. She was also his pillar during his personal struggles, when he was being too hard on himself, always pushing to be better. It was Sana who reminded him that it was okay to fail, that he didn't have to be perfect all the time.

Whenever he doubted himself, it was Sana's voice that he heard in his head, cheering him on, and making him believe in himself again. Sana, more than anyone else, knew him. She understood his hopes, his fears, his dreams. She had been there through his highest highs and his lowest lows. She had seen him at his best, and his worst, and yet she had always stayed by his side. It was this enduring companionship, this unwavering support, that made Sana irreplaceable to Jungkook. And, as they journeyed towards the fireworks, Sana perched on his back, their sincere exchanges echoing in the night, Jungkook realised that he wouldn't have it any other way.

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a/n: thanks for reading! please upvote and comment if you enjoy unstrung hearts 🖤