84 My Treasure

"So how have you and everyone been since last year?" Iris casually asked Jungkook as they made their way up to the eighth floor.

Although, she didn't directly say it, he knew that she was referring to Jin's departure to the military. So Jungkook assured her that everyone was doing well.

However, that also included the other member that joined the military—Suga. As the second eldest after Jin, and a year older than RM and J-Hope who were next oldest and born in 1994, he decided to serve the military alongside Jin.

Since BTS were still climbing to greater heights, taking out too many members would hinder them. But if they served the military one by one, BTS wouldn't be a full seven member group until after their contract expired in 2026.

Thus, internally, BTS and Big Hit discussed with one another and agreed upon Jin and Suga going together first. And then a year later, RM and J-Hope would join. And then a year after, V, Jimin, and Jungkook would all go too.

In this way, some BTS members would still be around at any one point and then be able to reunite in four years. It also gave them 1-2 years to work as at least half of the group before the third year when it would drop to only two active group members.

Iris knew all about this from the BTS chat group as they kept in touch and informed her about any important happenings. Of course, sometimes it was random, silly stuff, to keep up the connection and friendship rather than just straight business.

She appreciated all of their efforts in sparing some time to text her despite their packed schedules. So she had prepared something special to give them later. But, she had no idea what she was about to walk into right now.

"Iris, your favorite is chocolate ganache, right?" queried Jungkook as the elevator hit floor seven.

"Yep!" Iris responded without thinking. But upon pausing after, she realized the strange randomness of his question.

"Why're you askin—"

Bazooo!! A paper pipe sprung at her with a cheerful, quirky sound and rainbow visual greeting. The owner of the party horn had brown eyes that glittered from the bright indoor lights bouncing off the slick stone floors. And next to that tall, tanned man were similarly party decked, familiar people.

"Happy Birthday and Welcome Back, Iris~!!" Everyone cheered, all crowded in the elevator lobby hallway.

Speechless, Iris could only squeeze her mouth, tightening her jaw until it quivered slightly from emotion. With everything happening so quickly at once, she had even neglected to remember her own birthday.

As she stared at all of their smiling faces, faces that she had longed to see in person for so long, little drops started forming at the corner of her eyes.

Hastening to chase them away so that she could view this moment with clear vision, she tipped her head back a little, widened her eyes, and blinked gingerly a few times.

Lowering her head back down, she grinned and addressed them all. "Thank you! I wasn't expecting this since it's really been so long, but truly, it feels like coming home! I can't believe I forgot my own birthday, haha! You all are something special, thank you again for wishing and welcoming me back so kindly!"

She bowed with her hands clasped downwards, almost making a ninety degree angle. Iris was grateful and moved that even the Big Hit staff had come to celebrate. But little did she realize how important of a company fixture she had become since her composition days way before participating in Produce 48.

Recognizing not only her talent but hard work ethic, friendliness, and sincerity, those who met her immediately took a liking to Iris. They all could envision her days of running around the old company or being cooped up for hours in the practice room or studio.

Namjoon, holding the party horn from earlier, stepped forward to usher Iris to stand up straight. "No need for formalities, our yeodongsaeng (little sister). It's good to have you back, Iris."

"Yes, welcome back!!" cheered J-Hope with a hop forward, waving a maraca. Even V and Jimin were holding maracas too. TXT also carried party props along with LUXIA.

At being called a sister, like family, as well as with closeness indicated by using just her first name, Iris felt warm inside.

She laughed and wiped her right eye, looking like she was winking as she replied, "Yes, I'm back."

"Come on out of the elevator already," chuckled J-Hope, waving his hand. "It's too crowded at these elevator doors."

"Pft." V couldn't stop a small snicker, making Jimin only grin wider, making his face light up even more.

"Out, out." Jungkook gestured to Iris and walked forward as the crowds parted ways.

"Do you like the decorations? We all put them up, haha! It looks nice since the building is still so new." Jimin pointed to the drapes of party streamers and other hanging decos. His comment about the building still being new also prompted another snicker to escape V's pursed, smiling lips.

These two best friends always managed to make one another laugh even without meaning to as if they shared some secret inside joke that only the language between the two of them shared could under.

And Jungkook himself couldn't stop his grin from widening at seeing the two while RM and J-Hope also wore big smiles with a sheepish glow. Even after seven plus years, these BTS brothers still subtly joked and played around with one another.

And now, TXT had grown to become more comfortable with BTS's antics and energy. It was a different scene now than when these two groups had first met. Previously, TXT were quiet, smiling, bashful hoobaes to their idols and company sunbaes. Here today, they could join in BTS's liveliness.

"Noona, look, I made this? Do you like it?" Huening Kai grinned and handed a paper cutout to Iris. It depicted people holding hands under party banners and around a cake.

Laughing at the well intentioned but still silly-cute card cutout, Iris quickly read the birthday wishes and then patted the side of Kai's shoulder since the younger boy was still quite a bit taller to her minor disgruntlement—these younguns were misleading tall only looking at a screen with their youthful faces and charm.

"Thank you, Kai, that's really sweet of you."

"Wait, wait, here's mine." Beomgyu squeezed between his members to hand his artsy crafty card to Iris too, not wanting to be outdone by his maknae. The TXT boys seemed to rather like making arts and crafts things.

"Okay, haha," chuckled Iris, taking his card.

"Hey! Why're all you boys stealing our Iris! Make way for us small people too!" Ahreum huffed as she wedged in-between and grabbed Iris's arm to tow her away.

"Pff!" Iris giggled and allowed herself to be dragged away to the room where the LUXIA members had dashed off to after not being able to find adequate room to stand and talk to Iris in the hallway.

They were about to bring the chocolate ganache cake out to Iris, but seeing the door swing open, they and Yeonjun and Taehyun of TXT backed away quickly.

"The cake!" Everyone reached out to rebalance it. And after the cake's safety was assured, they all laughed. This was Big Hit family style—a little clumsy, a little overexcited, but full of warmth and cheer.

Iris's heart couldn't feel anymore comforted and complete. She was a truly lucky girl to have all of these amazing people in her life. And she would cherish these moments forever, storing them away as her treasures.