#AI for warehouse management

[dokkywokky]

adding to this: *this is a problem that will fucking haunt EEEEVERYTHING.* not just higher ed. it sucks. and it’s awful. but until the investment bubble commits sudoku and sam altman is (finally) drawn and quartered with silly string by Boston Spot robots as Goddess intended then you need to 👏 ask 👏 questions about things which Don’t Look Right and 👏 talk 👏 to 👏 your 👏 coworkers (or your GP! or your design lead! or your copy editor! or).

use nightshade, block “AI” freaks, and be. aware. it is a greasy little poison that will seep into everything around you and you must not let it breach your defenses. there will be some glassy-eyed soulless bean counting freak who shows up to your place of comfort or work with a mediocrity machine in a box and the world’s grimiest sales pitch and you will need to fight tooth and fucking nail to boot them out and never, ever let them back in until they have dropped the box and lit it on fire.

all LLMs are unethical. CharacterAI was built on unfathomable amounts of theft. Image recognition rests on the back of billions of unpaid man hours of gig work by people in countries where they can’t do anything else to put food on their table. Stable Diffusion is the world’s nastiest plagarist. all of it was made using inconceivable quantities of modern day slavery.

Do. Not. Let. It. In.

ur future nurse is using chapgpt to glide thru school u better take care of urself

[navitsap]

Unlocking Efficiency with SAP Supply Chain Management (SAP SCM)

SAP Supply Chain Management (SAP SCM) is a transformative tool that empowers businesses to manage their supply chains with precision and agility. As part of the SAP suite, it integrates seamlessly with other SAP modules, offering a holistic approach to planning, executing, and monitoring supply chain operations. This blog highlights the core aspects, advantages, and evolving role of SAP SCM in modern industries.

Core Components of SAP SCM

SAP SCM comprises several modules, such as Advanced Planning and Optimization (APO), Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM), and Extended Warehouse Management (EWM). APO enables strategic planning by forecasting demand and aligning production schedules. SCEM provides real-time tracking of supply chain events, helping businesses address disruptions promptly. EWM optimizes warehouse operations, ensuring efficient inventory handling and order fulfillment. These components create a cohesive system that enhances visibility and coordination across the supply chain.

Advantages of Implementing SAP SCM

The primary benefit of SAP SCM is its ability to boost operational efficiency. It uses real-time data to improve decision-making, reducing lead times and inventory costs. Businesses can better meet customer expectations with timely deliveries and accurate stock levels. Moreover, SAP SCM promotes collaboration with suppliers, fostering stronger partnerships and smoother workflows. Companies like Nestlé have leveraged SAP SCM to achieve greater supply chain transparency and cost reductions.

SAP SCM in the Digital Era

As industries embrace digital transformation, SAP SCM is adapting to include technologies like AI and IoT. These innovations enable predictive analytics for demand planning and real-time monitoring of goods in transit. The shift to cloud-based platforms, such as SAP S/4HANA, ensures scalability, making SAP SCM a vital tool for future-proofing supply chains.

In summary, SAP SCM equips organizations to navigate complex supply chain challenges with efficiency and foresight. Its robust features and forward-looking capabilities make it an essential asset for businesses aiming to thrive in a dynamic market.

[inventorymanagementsystem]

Warehouse management today is no longer just about storing and moving goods. With growing demand for speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency, many businesses are now turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to upgrade their warehouse operations.

[the-latest-research]

AI in Supply Chain Market to be Worth $58.55 Billion by 2031

Meticulous Research®—a leading global market research company, published a research report titled, ‘AI in Supply Chain Market by Offering (Hardware, Software, Other), Technology (ML, NLP, RPA, Other), Deployment Mode, Application (Demand Forecasting, Other), End-use Industry (Manufacturing, Retail, F&B, Other) & Geography - Global Forecast to 2031’

According to this latest publication from Meticulous Research®, the AI in supply chain market is projected to reach $58.55 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 40.4% from 2024 to 2031. The growth of the AI in supply chain market is driven by the increasing incorporation of artificial intelligence in supply chain operations and the rising need for greater visibility & transparency in supply chain processes. However, the high procurement & operating costs of AI-based supply chain solutions and the lack of supporting infrastructure restrain the growth of this market.

Furthermore, the growing demand for AI-based business automation solutions is expected to generate growth opportunities for the players operating in this market. However, performance issues in integrating data from multiple sources and data security & privacy concerns are major challenges impacting market growth. Additionally, the rising demand for cloud-based supply chain solutions is a prominent trend in the AI in supply chain market.

Based on offering, the AI in supply chain market is segmented into hardware, software, and services. In 2024, the hardware segment is expected to account for the largest share of 44.4% of the AI in supply chain market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to advancements in data center capabilities, the growing need for storage hardware due to increasing storage requirements for AI applications, the crucial need for constant connectivity in the supply chain operations, and the emphasis on product development and enhancement by manufacturers. For instance, in January 2023, Intel Corporation launched its 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors (code-named Sapphire Rapids), the Intel Xeon CPU Max Series (code-named Sapphire Rapids HBM), and the Intel Data Center GPU Max Series (code-named Ponte Vecchio). These new processors deliver significant improvements in data center performance, efficiency, security, and AI capabilities.

However, the software segment is expected to record the highest CAGR of 43.2% during the forecast period. This segment's growth is driven by the rising focus on product development and the enhancement of supply chain software and the benefits offered by supply chain software in facilitating supply chain visibility and centralized operations.

Download Sample Report Here @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5064

Based on technology, the AI in supply chain market is segmented into machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, context-aware computing, and robotic process automation. In 2024, the machine learning segment is expected to account for the largest share of 63.0% of the AI in supply chain market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the advancements in data center capabilities, increasing deployment of machine learning solutions and its ability to perform tasks without relying on human input, and the rapid adoption of cloud-based technology across several industries. For instance, in June 2022, FedEx Corporation (U.S.) invested in FourKites, Inc. (U.S.), a supply chain visibility startup. This strategic collaboration allows FedEx to leverage its machine learning and AI capabilities with data from FedEx, enhancing its operational efficiency and visibility.

However, the robotic process automation segment is expected to record the highest CAGR of 42.9% during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is driven by the increased adoption of RPA across various industries and the rising demand for automating business processes to meet heightened customer expectations.

Based on deployment mode, the AI in supply chain market is segmented into cloud-based deployments and on-premise deployments. In 2024, the cloud-based deployments segment is expected to account for the larger share of 75.6% of the AI in supply chain market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increasing avenues for cloud-based deployments, the superior flexibility and affordability offered by cloud-based deployments, and the increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions by small & medium-sized enterprises.

Moreover, the cloud-based deployments segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid development of new security measures for cloud-based deployments is expected to drive this segment's growth in the coming years.

Based on application, the AI in supply chain market is segmented into demand forecasting, supply chain planning, warehouse management, fleet management, risk management, inventory management, predictive maintenance, real-time supply chain visibility, and other applications. In 2024, the demand forecasting segment is expected to account for the largest share of 25.2% of the AI in supply chain market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the rising initiatives to integrate AI capabilities in supply chain solutions, dynamic changes in customer behaviors and expectations, and the rising need to achieve accuracy and resilience in the supply chain. For instance, in March 2023, Zionex, Inc. (South Korea), a prominent provider of advanced supply chain and integrated business planning platforms, launched PlanNEL Beta. This AI-powered SaaS platform is designed for demand forecasting and inventory optimization.

However, the real-time supply chain visibility segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This segment's growth is driven by the rising integration of AI capabilities into supply chains to obtain real-time data on them.

Based on end-use industry, the AI in supply chain market is segmented into manufacturing, food and beverage, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, automotive, retail, building & construction, medical devices & consumables, aerospace & defense, and other end-use industries. In 2024, the manufacturing segment is expected to account for the largest share of 23.1% of the AI in supply chain market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increasing number of manufacturing companies, favorable initiatives to integrate artificial capabilities in the supply chain, and the increasing focus on achieving accuracy and resilience in the supply chain among manufacturers.

However, the retail segment is expected to record the highest CAGR of 47.8% during the forecast period. This segment's growth is driven by the rising integration of AI capabilities in the retail supply chain to forecast inventory and demand and retailers' growing focus on meeting consumer expectations.

Based on geography, the AI in supply chain market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2024, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of 36.9% of the AI in supply chain market. The large market share of this region is attributed to the rapid pace of digitalization and modernization across industries, the advent of Industry 4.0, and the growing adoption of advanced technologies across various businesses.

Moreover, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to record the highest CAGR of 42.7% during the forecast period. This market's growth is driven by the proliferation of advanced supply chain solutions, the rising deployment of AI tools across the region, and efforts by major market players to implement AI technology across various sectors.

Key Players

Some of the key players operating in the AI in supply chain market are IBM Corporation (U.S.), SAP SE (Germany), Microsoft Corporation (U.S.), Google LLC (U.S.), Amazon Web Services, Inc. (U.S.), Intel Corporation (U.S.), NVIDIA Corporation (U.S.), Oracle Corporation (U.S.), C3.ai, Inc. (U.S.), Samsung SDS CO., Ltd. (South Korea), Coupa Software Inc. (U.S.), Micron Technology, Inc. (U.S.), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (U.S.), FedEx Corporation (U.S.), and Deutsche Post DHL Group (Germany).

Complete Report Here : https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/ai-in-supply-chain-market-5064

Key questions answered in the report:

Which are the high-growth market segments based on offering, technology, deployment mode, application, and end-use industry?

What was the historical market for AI in supply chain?

What are the market forecasts and estimates for the period 2024–2031?

What are the major drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the AI in supply chain market?

Who are the major players, and what shares do they hold in the AI in supply chain market?

What is the competitive landscape like in the AI in supply chain market?

What are the recent developments in AI in supply chain market?

What are the different strategies adopted by the major players in AI in supply chain market?

What are the key geographic trends, and which are the high-growth countries?

Who are the local emerging players in the AI in supply chain market, and how do they compete with the other players?

Contact Us: Meticulous Research® Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Contact Sales- +1-646-781-8004 Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research

[2ribu]

Peran AI dalam Mempercepat Manajemen Rantai Pasokan

Manajemen rantai pasokan adalah tulang punggung operasional bisnis, yang mencakup pengelolaan aliran barang, informasi, dan keuangan dari pemasok ke konsumen. Dalam era globalisasi dan digitalisasi, tantangan dalam rantai pasokan semakin kompleks. Di sinilah kecerdasan buatan (AI) memainkan peran penting. AI tidak hanya memberikan efisiensi tetapi juga mempercepat berbagai aspek manajemen rantai…

[jcmarchi]

UltiHash’s Sustainable Data Infrastructure Tackles AI Storage Challenges

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/ultihashs-sustainable-data-infrastructure-tackles-ai-storage-challenges/

UltiHash’s Sustainable Data Infrastructure Tackles AI Storage Challenges

UltiHash, a provider of high-performance and eco-friendly data storage solutions, has launched its object storage platform to address critical issues in AI data storage. This development aims to resolve mounting challenges in the AI industry related to infrastructure costs and environmental sustainability. The new platform enhances performance for data-heavy applications, including generative AI and advanced analytics, offering scalable and sustainable solutions for data management.

As the AI industry grows, projected to reach $407 billion by 2027 according to Forbes, the demand for data storage has surged. AI model training, which relies on massive datasets, often strains current storage infrastructure due to inefficiency, leading to high costs and a significant environmental footprint. UltiHash’s new platform is designed to solve these issues, providing high-performance storage while reducing both operational expenses and environmental impact.

Key Features of UltiHash’s Platform

UltiHash’s platform introduces several key innovations, including:

Advanced Deduplication: Reducing data volumes by up to 60% by eliminating redundant data at the byte level, minimizing storage needs and bandwidth usage.

Scalability: Built for organizations with rapidly growing data needs, the platform scales easily to petabytes and beyond, supporting continuous data expansion.

Enhanced Performance: With 250% faster read speeds compared to AWS S3, the platform improves data throughput for both read and write operations, essential for high-performance applications.

Interoperability: Fully compatible with S3 APIs and designed for seamless integration with both cloud and on-premises infrastructures, including Kubernetes-native environments.

Data Resiliency: Built-in erasure coding ensures data is protected even during hardware failures, safeguarding against system disruptions.

These features position UltiHash as a critical player in the AI data storage landscape, especially for organizations adopting data lakehouse architectures. By combining the scalability of data lakes with the query efficiency of data warehouses, the platform supports diverse data formats while optimizing performance and resource usage.

Building on Recent Success: $2.5M Pre-Seed Funding

UltiHash’s latest announcement follows its successful $2.5 million pre-seed funding round in December 2023, led by Inventure, alongside investors like PreSeedVentures, Tiny VC, and Sequoia Capital-affiliated angel investors. The funding supports UltiHash’s efforts to enhance its platform and accelerate market entry.

The company’s entry into the market comes as data growth reaches unprecedented levels. IDC projects that global digital data will hit 175 zettabytes by 2025, each zettabyte contributing the carbon footprint of approximately two million people annually. This rapid increase in data generation presents both operational and environmental challenges, with existing storage solutions often requiring significant cost outlays and energy consumption. UltiHash’s platform aims to break this cycle by reducing the overall storage demand while maintaining high performance.

A Future of Sustainable, High-Performance Storage

By reducing the data stored through advanced deduplication, UltiHash enables companies to scale their data operations sustainably. This technology addresses the core issue of balancing scalability with affordability, which has traditionally constrained data-driven industries, including AI, telecom, manufacturing, and automotive.

“The AI revolution is generating data at an unprecedented rate, and traditional storage solutions are struggling to keep pace,” says Tom Lüdersdorf, Co-Founder and CEO of UltiHash. “The future of storage will make it possible to avoid ballooning data costs without compromising on speed.”

As data continues to fuel innovation in AI and other industries, UltiHash‘s platform is poised to play a crucial role in enabling sustainable data growth. Its focus on reducing both the environmental toll and the financial burden of large-scale data storage could reshape how organizations approach data infrastructure.

[immensitylogistics]

Leveraging AI and Cloud Technology to Address Key Challenges in Logistics

At Immensity Logistics, we recognize that integrating advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computing is essential to overcoming these hurdles and optimizing our operations. This article explores how we utilize AI and cloud technology to tackle logistics challenges and improve service delivery.

Enhancing Demand Forecasting

One of the most significant challenges in logistics is accurately predicting customer demand. Fluctuations can lead to excess inventory, which increases costs or shortages, lost sales, and dissatisfied customers. By leveraging AI, Immensity Logistics utilizes predictive analytics to analyze historical data, market trends, and external factors (such as seasonal changes and economic indicators). This data-driven approach allows us to make more accurate forecasts, ensuring we have the inventory to meet customer needs without incurring unnecessary costs. 2. Optimizing Route Planning

Efficient route planning is critical for reducing transportation costs and ensuring timely deliveries. AI algorithms can analyze variables, including traffic patterns, weather conditions, and delivery time windows, to determine the most efficient routes for our fleet. At Immensity Logistics, we harness these capabilities to minimize fuel consumption and travel time, enhancing our service efficiency while reducing our environmental impact. As a result, our drivers can navigate urban environments more effectively, leading to improved customer satisfaction. 3. Improving Warehouse Operations

Managing warehouse operations can be complex management, order fulfillment, and space optimization. AI-powered systems can automate various tasks, such as sorting, picking, and packing, operational efficiency. Immensity Logistics employs AI-driven solutions to monitor inventory levels in real-time, allowing us to streamline our warehouse processes and ensure that products are always available for timely dispatch. Additionally, cloud technology facilitates seamless communication and collaboration among teams, enhancing overall productivity. 4. Enhancing Visibility and Transparency

In logistics, visibility is to be informed about shipment status and potential issues. By leveraging cloud technology, Immensity Logistics provides a centralized platform for tracking shipments throughout the supply chain. This cloud-based system allows our clients to access real-time information regarding their orders, enabling them to make informed decisions and respond quickly to disruptions. Enhanced visibility improves customer satisfaction and fosters trust and transparency in our operations.

5. Streamlining Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication among various stakeholders—vendors, carriers, and customers—is essential for successful logistics management. Cloud technology facilitates seamless communication by providing a shared platform where all parties can access critical information and collaborate efficiently. At Immensity Logistics, we utilize cloud-based tools to streamline communication, ensuring that those involved in the logistics process are on the same page. This improved collaboration minimizes delays and misunderstandings, leading to smoother operations. 6. Enhancing Customer Experience

AI can analyze customer behavior and preferences to personalize the delivery experience, enabling us to offer tailored solutions that meet individual needs. Whether providing estimated delivery times, offering flexible delivery options, or proactively notifying customers about shipment status, AI-driven insights allow Immensity Logistics to elevate the customer experience. By leveraging cloud technology, we can implement these personalized services at scale, ensuring consistency across all interactions. 7. Cost Reduction and Efficiency Gains

Implementing AI and cloud technology reduces operational costs and enhances overall efficiency. Immensity Logistics continuously monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) through cloud-based dashboards to identify areas for improvement and adapt our strategies accordingly. This proactive approach drives cost savings and positions us to remain competitive in an ever-changing industry. 8. Sustainability Initiatives

As the logistics industry faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, AI and cloud technology can drive environmental initiatives. AI can optimize routes to minimize fuel consumption, while cloud-based platforms enable us to track and analyze our carbon footprint. At Immensity Logistics, we are committed to sustainability, and by leveraging these technologies, we can implement green logistics practices that benefit both the planet and our bottom line.

Conclusion

From enhancing demand forecasting and optimizing route planning to improving visibility and customer experience, these technologies empower us to operate more efficiently and effectively. As we continue to innovate and adapt, we remain committed to leveraging these advancements to deliver exceptional logistics solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients. By embracing the future of logistics through AI and cloud technology, we are enhancing our operations and setting new standards in the industry. For more information about our services, please visit our website or contact our team today!

[sstechsystemofficial]

Real-Time Tracking Solutions for Smarter Logistics Management

In the hectic contemporary logistics, the need for efficiency and transparency has never been greater. Businesses are continually seeking ways to function more efficiently, save costs, and increase customer satisfaction by means of effectiveness. Now add real-time tracking solutions in corporate logistics management, this trend has transformed the area.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) provide formerly unheard-of access and control over the full supply chain. Therefore, in this article, you’ll learn everything about real-time tracking in modern logistics.

What are real-time tracking solutions in logistics?

Real-time tracking systems are technologies enabling businesses in the context of logistics to continuously monitor the movement and condition of products all along the supply chain. These systems provide consistent, current data on cargo location, condition, and projected arrival timings by combining GPS tracking, IoT sensors, artificial intelligence algorithms, and cloud-based platforms.

Whether they track a fleet of cars, monitor warehouse inventory, or assure cold chain integrity, real-time tracking solutions in logistics provide managers with the information they need to make quick decisions. This level of visibility is very essential in the internationally connected economy of today as errors or delays might have significant financial effects.

Benefits of real-time tracking systems

Applied in logistics, real-time tracking solutions offer several advantages allowing more intelligent logistics management:

1. Better visibility and openness

Real-time monitoring provides unrivaled visibility into the complete logistics supply chain. This transparency allows logistics managers to identify assets, track shipments, and precisely regulate inventories. Knowing exactly where items are at any one moment enables businesses to ensure timely delivery, reduce the risk of lost or stolen products, and alert customers.

2. Improved Efficiency and Productivity

Real-time tracking systems provide meaningful data and automate tedious tasks, therefore simplifying logistical procedures. Artificial intelligence (AI) based fleet management solutions, for instance, may maximize delivery routes, therefore reducing fuel consumption and trip times. By enabling real-time stock level monitoring made possible by warehouse tracking systems, one reduces the likelihood of stockouts or overstocking and aids to automatically restocking.

3. Financial Cutbacks

By simplifying processes, reducing idle time, and avoiding inventory losses, real-time tracking solutions may significantly minimize operational expenses. One can help to further lower costs by replacing expensive on-site infrastructure with cloud-based logistics solutions in Australia. Real-time data lets businesses also quickly identify inefficiencies and implement remedies, therefore lowering long-term expenses.

4. Enhanced Contentment of Customers

Online shoppers of today need fast, consistent delivery. Real-time order monitoring and correct shipment estimates enable businesses to meet these goals. Usually improving the customer experience, this degree of transparency helps to develop trust.

Key components of real-time monitoring

Analyzing the key components of real-time tracking solutions will enable one to fully understand their impacts:

1. GPS tracking

GPS tracking in logistics is the foundation for all sorts of real-time monitoring devices. It gives accurate current position of the assets, cargoes, and vehicles as desired by our client. Fleet management solutions with GPS tracking units installed are employed widely in order to control vehicle actions, circulation, and confirmation of delivery punctuality.

2. IoT in Chain Management

Real-time tracking mainly relies on the Internet of Things (IoT) app development that links digital environments to real objects. Sensors for IoT, which gather location, temperature, humidity, and any other related information, are mounted on goods, cars, and machines. After that, this data is transferred to cloud-based logistic systems for analysis and application direction of influence, directing direct decisions.

3. AI Solution for Lite Supervision

Using data and a highly significant number of prediction figures, AI solutions for real-time tracking can possibly augment tangible real-time monitoring systems. AI development in Australia can bring out patterns, estimate probable time lags, and suggest appropriate inventory or the path of action.

4. Cloud logistics platform

More central on cloud-based logistics platforms are real-time tracking systems. These systems collect data from various origins such as smart devices, geographic position systems, as well as artificial intelligence arrangements, then display in a clear manner. Real-time information from any place is invaluable to logistics managers when they make decisions.

5. Mobile App Development

Indeed, given the fact that real-time tracking solutions give urgent access to the necessary logistical information, the last ordinarily rely on mobile application development in Australia. Most logistic managers may track shipments, communicate with drivers, and manage stock through their tablets or smartphones using mobile apps.

Applications in contemporary logistics for real-time tracking

As used in a variety of subfields of the logistics sector, real-time monitoring presents different difficulties and expectations based on its application.

1. Fleet management

One of the most common applications of real-time tracking solutions is the use of fleet management solutions. Organizations monitor vehicle movements, optimize paths, and reduce fuel consumption through GPS logistics tracking systems. In addition, increasing asset durability and reducing the time the vehicle is out of use is the ability of real-time data to suggest preventive measures.

2. Warehouse Inventory Management

Real-time tracking systems undoubtedly depict what constitutes good warehouse inventory management. These systems are designed to replace replenishment, order status, and detect the motion of warehoused products. AI-based warehouse management solutions also prevent the likelihood of stock out or having excess inventory through demand forecasting and inventory levels.

3. Cold Chain Logistics monitoring

Real-time monitoring systems are effective in cold chain logistics, where products must be kept within specific temperatures. IoT sensors provide live updates on temperature, humidity, and other factors to ensure the best quality of food, drugs, and other fragile goods.

4. Supply Chain Management

These technologies start from the producer level and extend to the end-user, providing end-to-end information that helps businesses organize the monitoring of their goods. This awareness often enables businesses to identify gaps in the supply chain, allowing them to recognize issues like inventory positioning and bottlenecks.

Real-time tracking in logistics – the future

The development and future of logistics technology will be mainly governed by the perpetual advancement of real-time tracking technology. With the evolution of AI, IoT, and cloud computing technologies, and experiences, we expect to see more enhanced real-time tracking in logistics having higher accuracy, predictive ability, and automation in the forthcoming tracking system generations.

App integration services by SSTech Logistics Solutions manage the bulk product, type of vehicle used, online booking tracking system, and estimated time and cost of delivery to meet the increasing demand for efficient supply chain logistics.

IoT in supply chain management will continue to advance as more items and resources connected to the network generate more data and higher-quality information.

Conclusion

Today’s smart logistics management involves the use of real-time tracking systems as these offer the best supply chain management solutions. The logistics industry in Australia will be compelled to become customer-oriented, less costly, and adjust to accommodate new technologies embraced by companies that use them. Applying all of them at present means they can expand within the extremely competitive global environment.

[phoenixbizz]

Explore the impact of AI on warehousing and mobile apps, and how it's shaping the future of logistics.

[navitsap]

AI in Supply Chain Management: Transforming Modern Operations

In today’s globalized economy, supply chain management (SCM) is a critical function that determines a company’s ability to deliver products efficiently and meet customer expectations. The complexity of modern supply chains, coupled with rising demands for speed and sustainability, has pushed businesses to seek innovative solutions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in SCM, enabling organizations to optimize operations, enhance decision-making, and build resilient supply chains. This blog post explores how AI is reshaping supply chain management, its key applications, benefits, and challenges, offering a glimpse into its potential to redefine the industry.

The Role of AI in Supply Chain Management

AI refers to technologies that enable machines to mimic human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. In supply chain management, AI processes vast amounts of data to uncover patterns, predict outcomes, and automate tasks. By integrating AI with existing systems like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), businesses can achieve greater visibility, agility, and efficiency across their supply chains.

AI’s applications in SCM span the entire supply chain lifecycle, from procurement and production to logistics and customer service. Its ability to analyze real-time data and adapt to dynamic conditions makes it an invaluable tool for navigating the complexities of global trade, volatile markets, and evolving consumer preferences.

Key Applications of AI in Supply Chain Management

AI is being deployed in various ways to streamline supply chain processes. Here are some of the most impactful applications:

Demand Forecasting: AI algorithms analyze historical sales data, market trends, and external factors like weather or economic indicators to predict demand with high accuracy. This helps businesses optimize inventory levels, reduce overstock, and prevent stockouts.

Inventory Optimization: AI-powered tools monitor inventory in real time, recommending optimal stock levels and reorder points. Machine learning models identify slow-moving items, enabling businesses to minimize waste and improve cash flow.

Logistics and Route Optimization: AI enhances transportation efficiency by analyzing traffic patterns, fuel costs, and delivery schedules to determine the most cost-effective routes. This reduces delivery times and lowers carbon emissions.

Supplier Relationship Management: AI evaluates supplier performance based on metrics like delivery reliability and quality. It can also identify potential risks, such as geopolitical disruptions or financial instability, allowing businesses to diversify their supplier base proactively.

Automated Warehousing: AI-driven robotics and automation systems streamline warehouse operations, from picking and packing to sorting and loading. These technologies increase throughput and reduce labor costs.

Customer Service Enhancement: AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants handle customer inquiries, track orders, and provide real-time updates, improving customer satisfaction and reducing the workload on support teams.

Benefits of AI in Supply Chain Management

The adoption of AI in SCM offers significant advantages:

Enhanced Efficiency: AI automates repetitive tasks and optimizes processes, reducing operational costs and freeing up resources for strategic initiatives.

Improved Accuracy: AI’s predictive capabilities minimize errors in forecasting and inventory management, leading to better resource allocation.

Greater Resilience: AI helps businesses anticipate and mitigate disruptions, such as supply shortages or transportation delays, ensuring continuity.

Sustainability: By optimizing routes and reducing waste, AI supports eco-friendly practices, aligning with growing demands for sustainable operations.

Data-Driven Decisions: AI provides actionable insights from complex datasets, empowering leaders to make informed choices quickly.

Challenges of Implementing AI in SCM

Despite its potential, integrating AI into supply chain management comes with challenges:

Data Quality and Integration: AI relies on accurate, high-quality data. Disparate systems or incomplete datasets can hinder AI performance, requiring significant investment in data infrastructure.

High Initial Costs: Deploying AI solutions involves expenses for software, hardware, and skilled personnel, which may be prohibitive for smaller businesses.

Workforce Adaptation: Employees may need training to work alongside AI systems, and concerns about job displacement can create resistance.

Ethical Considerations: AI decisions must be transparent and fair, particularly in supplier selection or pricing, to avoid unintended biases.

The Future of AI in Supply Chain Management

The future of AI in SCM is bright, with advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics poised to further transform the industry. Emerging trends include AI-driven digital twins for real-time supply chain simulations and blockchain integration for enhanced transparency. As AI becomes more accessible, small and medium-sized enterprises will increasingly adopt these technologies, leveling the playing field.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing supply chain management by enabling smarter, faster, and more sustainable operations. From demand forecasting to automated warehousing, AI’s applications are helping businesses navigate complexity and deliver value to customers. While challenges like data integration and costs remain, the benefits of AI—efficiency, resilience, and actionable insights—make it a cornerstone of modern SCM. As technology evolves, organizations that embrace AI will be better positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive and dynamic global market.

[ahundredtimesover]

Something About You (01) | JJK

Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader

Genre/Tags: friends au, vacation au, slow burn, romcom-ish vibe; adulting; inspired by AYS; PE teacher!JK and researcher!OC; fluff, comfort, smut (?)

Chapter Warnings: foul/explicit language; alcohol consumption, mentions of cheating (JK’s ex) (18+)

Word count: 11.4k

Series Masterlist

Status: Ongoing

Series Summary: You and Jungkook have been friends for a decade. And while he’s the charming and dependable, often reserved boy-next-door, he’s also just been a friend - a constant in your life, a part of a whole, and someone who’s seen all the flawed and probably unattractive sides of you.

A resumption of your friend group’s out-of-town trips has caused you to spend more time with him. And somewhere in between the morning coffee in the forest, running around in the snow, and watching the sunset on a boat, he’s become something more. And you’re not quite sure how to deal with it.

🎶: Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney || Yes or No by Jungkook

A/N: Hi, it's here! This is a tribute to my group of friends. BTS is comfort and I love them so much 💜 Other female characters are inspired by some other fictional characters (tell me if you know who!) Also to Kim Namjoon, I'm sorry 🤣 (you'll get it). Please enjoy!

Your eyes dart to the time on your laptop screen.

4:17 PM.

This online meeting was supposed to end half an hour ago and you planned on clocking out right after so you could get to where you need to be but you should’ve known better. Your research team had taken so much time discussing operational aspects of the project that you are in charge of and you had to keep everyone on track. It worked for the most part. 

But while your work chat is still buzzing with questions that you state you’ll respond to next week, your phone’s group chat is being bombarded with messages from your best friend. 

[from: jiminie pabo] yooo ___ are you on your way?? 

[from: jiminie pabo] you better not flake on us or else tae will wrestle you 

[from: jiminie pabo] reply to me!!

You manage to keep your expression neutral as you sneakily reply and say that you’re still stuck in a meeting and it’ll probably take you another 30 minutes before you could leave. Your car’s in the warehouse after a little accident so you’re gonna have to book a ride. It’s rush hour on a Friday so it’ll be tough, but you’re managing this team and you can’t just end the meeting without your members having ironed their thoughts out.

[from: jiminie pabo] kook is just finishing up. i asked him to pick you up from your place 

[from: jiminie pabo] your carriage is on its way. you’re welcome

You sigh in relief internally at not having to worry about transportation. And it’s shortly after when the man in question sends you a text message to say that he’s just left the gymnasium and will get to you in 40 minutes max. 

That’s enough time for you to get ready and make sure you have all your things packed and your mind devoid of all things work-related because as you’ve promised yourself, you’ll try this whole work-life balance madness and shut off for the weekend.

But then again, you don’t really have a choice when you’ve got that trip planned with your friends in the mountains. Or was it the forest? You’re not sure; the outdoors are all the same to you. 

Taehyung had just arrived after a year and a half in London where he was making waves in a few theater productions. He wanted to immediately spend time with your group of 12, and a little vacation was planned right away, just like how it was in the old days. 

The camping-turned-glamping weekend was because you convinced everyone that setting up tents was just gonna waste your time, and the point of the trip is to spend it together. You pretty much pouted your way through it, but they also know you well enough that not sleeping on a bed and not having proper running water just isn’t your thing. Doing it once was enough, and the last time you camped, you were miserable.

Hoseok luckily found a property that operated cabins with all the comforts of home. You saw a bed and bathroom and you locked in, and you’ve been waiting for this weekend since your older friend laid out all the activities you’ll be doing. 

Adulting is stressful enough; trying to make a difference in the world is even more. The time you spend with the people who know you best and who accept all versions of you has become your key to survival. 

And yes, that includes your brat of a best friend.

[from: jiminie pabo] get ur flat asses here soon, ok? 

[from: jiminie pabo] i just want to eat and drink and pretend I don’t have responsibilities 

You decide against defending your not-so-flat ass because it really doesn’t stand a chance against his, and instead say you’ll update them once you’re near. 

You head out the door once Jungkook texts you that he’s just turned to your street, and you find him already opening the trunk and reaching out for your bag, just like the gentleman that he is. He’s donned in his usual sweats, a look you’re so used to that you forget sometimes he’s a proper adult with a proper job. 

“Did your students win?” You ask as you enter the car.

“They placed, so they’ve got another tournament to go,” he smiles. “They were so shocked but I knew they could do it. They worked so hard.”

“Having a good coach helps, I guess,” you wink. 

He chuckles then asks about your meeting, and you narrate how tiring this week - more like this whole month - has been. Between the weekly research conferences you’ve been organizing and the daily management of your teams, you haven’t really had time to rest.

“Is that why you insisted on going for a cabin trip?” He asks. “Honestly, I was looking forward to setting up camp and all that.”

“I know you do that for fun and stuff but why would we do all the work and set up our own tents? This isn’t a team building activity, you know?”

“Isn’t that the point of going on a friend trip? To bond and do stuff together like that?” 

“We do enough bonding when we make our food,” you point out.

“Yeah? And what exactly do you contribute?”

“Excuse me, I’m the taster,” you gasp. “Trying the food before you all do is like, a crucial role.”

“You can’t even tell if a dish needs more salt or not,” he chuckles, referring to your obvious lack of food knowledge and your very basic palette.

“Uh, I didn’t know Jimin was the one who picked me up,” you scowl. “Why are you calling me out, Kook? You’re supposed to be on my side!”

“What if I don’t want to be?” he teases.

“You must! Or be the neutral one, then!”

“That’s Tae’s job. I’m just here to enjoy the show. It’s never boring with you and Jimin around,” he smiles. 

Your face relaxes at this. At least you provide some form of entertainment to your friends, since you can’t really contribute in any other way. Your clumsy ass and inability to develop practical life skills won’t let you. It’s your shared helplessness that has you and Namjoon bonding every trip.

“Why are you so against camping anyway? You literally don’t even have to do anything.”

“Kook, there are four things in this world that make me angry - heat, bugs, Jimin, and uncomfortable sleeping arrangements.”

“You forgot cold food,” Jungkook adds.

“Because hot food is supposed to be eaten hot. Duh.”

“And Mo-eum’s chewing.”

“Because she eats like a child.”

“And Tae’s headlock.”

“Dude can choke me with those arms,” you exclaim.

“Text that’s not justified also drives you nuts. And indented paragraphs. And non-use of the Oxford comma. And Gill Sans. And—” 

“Yah!” You exclaim, smacking his chest with the back of your hand. 

He responds with the kind of laugh that Jungkook reserves for your group of friends - squinted eyes, scrunched nose, wide open mouth, and bouncing shoulders. With a 10-year friendship under your belts, you know this is him teasing. And genuinely enjoying it. 

“You’re having too much fun making fun of me, huh,” you frown. 

He settles into a smile - the cheeky yet comforting one that you’ve gotten used to over the years. 

“___, I coached the high school swim team all afternoon. You know how intense those matches get,” he groans. “Getting on your nerves and then telling all our friends about it is my chosen relief for tonight.”

“You make me sound like I whine a lot,” you pout.

His pursed lips tell you that you actually do, and you smack his arm this time and whine some more.

“I was just making the point that many things, in fact, make you angry. Not just four,” he corrects. 

“This is why I’m single,” you sigh, sinking into your seat. “And why I forever will be.”

Jungkook turns to you and your faraway eyes tell him you’ve fallen into that corner of your mind again that always drowns in thoughts. He doesn’t know how you went from thinking of what makes you angry to believing you’ll forever be single but that’s how conversations with you go all the time. 

Your mind goes from one realm to another.

And you ramble. A lot. A moment of being lost in your own mind is immediately followed by a period of vocal self-reflection and bouts of existential crisis, which is odd for a person who seems to be so sure of herself and what she stands for. 

But that’s how you are. You could go 30 minutes straight just talking about one of the research projects you’re working on without breathing. One time, Hoseok asked you about what was going on with the women’s protests and you ended up presenting a whole ass thesis about social movements, complete with some conceptual framework and other things Jungkook didn’t understand.

And while your friends looked at you in bewilderment - except for Namjoon, who probably had read that same piece of work and was giving side comments during your impromptu lecture - Jungkook applauded you internally. You were very passionate about it. And you clearly knew your shit.

When he met you during your first year of university after Jimin, his best friend from middle school, brought you and your best friend Mo-eum to dinner, Jungkook thought your rambling was typical of a political science major who just had too much to say. He later on realised that you were actually one of those rare types who had such a rich, active mind with the ability to eloquently express all her thoughts. Majority of the time at least, but even if he couldn’t always grasp what you were saying, he knew it was substantial. 

And much as he enjoys teasing you about all these quirks you have, it’s also his job as your friend to assure you that you’re doing alright.

You’ve already got your legs folded on the passenger seat and your face distorting with every new thought that crosses your mind, so he nudges you with his elbow.

“Yah, your being single has nothing to do with your grocery list of things that make you mad,” he says. “They’re harmless, okay? Plus, being angry isn’t always a bad thing, right? Like the great Kim Namjoon said - anger is necessary. It’s our history because anger has changed the world. And while you may be angry at all these little things, you and I know it’s that same fire in you that makes you good at what you do. And it’s what makes you a good person and a good friend.”

Your eyes turn to the man next to you, no doubt exhausted from a full day of teaching middle school kids and coaching the high school swim team but breezing through traffic while dealing with your whiny ass. 

You’re a words of affirmation type of girl. All your friends know that. But you also know that when they assure you about something, they genuinely mean it. 

“True, anger is good sometimes,” you nod and smile.

“I mean, who else would willingly fight their friends’ nasty exes and lay all the receipts to their faces?” Jungkook points out. “And you know already that even if I don’t understand half of the things you say about your research projects, I know enough that your work has changed lives. So good job, ___. Not everyone can do what you do.”

“Hmm, says the Teacher of the Year winner for three years in a row,” you say, wanting to be the supportive friend this time. “You’re helping the students a lot in healthily dealing with the world and you don’t even have to expend your energy on anger.”

“But we’re both still changing lives, aren’t we?” He asks you.

“We are. God, how did we even get to talking about this?” You laugh. 

“It was Namjoon and his great speech,” Jungkook chuckles. “Imagine if he was a poet or a songwriter or something.”

“Well, his grandparents decided that his pen game would be beneficial for a future political career and who knows? Speech writer one day, assemblyman the next? Maybe then he’d help us dismantle the patriarchy and make this place safer for women,” you start. “Because actually, men’s role in addressing gender inequality is so understated and—” 

Your eyes meet Jungkook’s and both of yours are saying the same thing - here you go again. You both laugh in understanding and you shake your head in submission, stating that you just want to chill and won’t go into one of your rants this time. 

It does give Jungkook an opening to tease you about another thing, though.

“Speaking of Namjoon, I still think you two would’ve made a good couple.”

“Yeah, but who’s gonna cook the food? Slice the fruits? Change the frikkin lightbulb? Repair whatever breaks in the house?”

The thought of how helpless you and Namjoon would be cracks Jungkook up. 

“True. Clumsy people can’t be together if we want world peace,” he hums. “He’s proof that God is fair. He saw the brain and dimples and thought, yeap let me mould him into a klutz.” 

“And you are not wrong,” you laugh. “Plus, we’ve known each other for a decade. How does one decide to just… date their friend?”

“That kind of normally happens, ___,” Jungkook rolls his eyes. “That’s literally how Seokjin and Hayoung got together. Met at college, became good friends, and then boom, went to a concert together then realised they like each other. And now they’re engaged.”

The thought brings a smile to your face. Thinking about your cousin’s love story with the most handsome and thoughtful man you’ve ever met gives you hope. You’re glad you entered the same university two years later than she did, in time for you to witness that friendship blossom into something more. And of course, to meet her other equally awesome friends.

You’re just not quite sure if that kind of thing is for everyone. Your two former relationships had been whirlwind romances, but the flame died as quickly as it sparked. You keep a small group of friends and none of the men, including the one next to you, had ever been a prospect. 

Your thoughts are interrupted when your phone rings.

“Gyu-rim and I are at the supermarket right now,” Yoongi says, straight to the point as always. “We’re buying all our food already. Can you pass by the one nearest Seokjin’s house so we can put some of the drinks in Jungkook’s cooler?” 

“Got that, uncle,” you reply, with the man no longer reacting to your term of endearment for him. “Can you get me a whole pack of sour gummy worms please? Thank you!”

You drop the call and instruct Jungkook to turn the corner. You meet Yoongi and Gyu-rim, who haul half of the groceries in the trunk. You place your pack of gummies in your bag, but you catch Jungkook eyeing it, so you ask him if he wants to nibble on something or if he’s hungry.

“I’ve got red bean bread with me,” you say. “Do you want some?”

“We’ve got a long drive so might as well,” he says. “I didn’t really get to eat during lunch because the kids were too nervous to eat and I didn’t want to show them that I still had an appetite.”

“I’m sure Seokjin and Tae’s parents prepared something for us like they always do,” you say.

There’s a reason why their house is your meeting point before every trip. Other than it being your hangout spot throughout your university years, their family also always serves a lot of food when you’re all around. 

You offer Jungkook your container of the bread and he picks up two, devouring them immediately before eating another one in two bites. You grab his water jug from the backseat and hand it over to him. Just as he finishes, you enter the village and arrive at the house.  

You pinch and pull his cheek as you often do to express your thanks, and you get out of the car before he pinches you in return.

You enter the living room and the scene before you is one you’ve seen hundreds of times over the past 10 years. 

There’s Jimin being dramatic over losing in Mario Kart, Mo-eum being happy just placing higher than him, Hoseok laughing hysterically even if he’s second, and Seokjin cheering for himself as the winner like always. Hayoung and Suhyeon are busy chatting, Yoongi and Namjoon are munching on something while trying to convince Gyu-rim that it’s still possible to find a decent man in their thirties, and Taehyung is at the center, singing opera just because.

But once they see you, they stop what they’re doing, accept the hug you always give them, and ask you how you are. Even the not-so-affectionate ones have learned to give in. It’s the perk of being everyone’s baby, you think. 

Being the youngest of five kids and with large age gaps with your siblings, it was natural for you to seek and receive affection from your friends, just as it was natural for them to take care of you. That’s mostly because you’re clumsy and clueless about many things, and you’re used to convenience and being looked after. 

It’s nothing they’ve ever complained about, and you’re just glad that you found people who genuinely love caring for you.

Taehyung gives you the tightest hug instead of the headlock he greeted you with the last time. You’re still not used to his large arms wrapping around you, but the warmth hasn’t changed. He bulked up for his role in that West End production, and somehow he got even bigger since the last time you saw him, which was four months ago when you went to London to watch his play.

The welcome of Jungkook is a lot less doting than yours. Even if he’s the youngest amongst everyone, they know he doesn’t require the same affection as you do. 

In fact, they depend on him more than anyone, and it always amuses you how, despite being the baby of his family as well, he developed life skills that allow him to naturally figure things out. Perhaps it’s his being a teacher but he’s always been like this since you met him - an all-rounder who seems to know what to do in every situation.

It’s not long after when Yoongi suggests you should all get going. It’s a two-hour drive to Chungbuk, after all, and it’s predicted to rain on your way there. 

You get in Jungkook’s SUV with Jimin and Mo-eum while the older ones get in two other cars. Taehyung delivers a bag of food to the others before he takes the seat behind you. He hands you a roll of gimbap that his mother had made, and you pop pieces in your mouth while holding the container out for Jungkook to eat while he drives. 

Despite the long day and each one of you having full time jobs, the ride is still filled with banter and karaoke sessions. Taehyung has to referee when you and Mo-eum butt heads with Jungkook and Jimin, as the boys always like to tease and push your buttons.

All that is temporary though, as at the end of the day, you stick to each other like glue. The five of you always opt to sleep together in one room or one suite and in this case, one cabin, even if you have to make adjustments with the sleeping arrangements.

“So…” Jungkook starts, his eyes darting from one end of the cabin to the other. “Us boys are definitely not gonna fit in that.”

The bed by the window is the larger of the two, but it’s still too small for the three of them, not with their build and ways of sleeping. It’s a situation you’ve had before, so you go with your backup combination.

“Jimin can sleep with me and Mo-eum,” you state. “Kook, you and Tae can take the loft bed.”

“Sure, that works,” Jungkook nods. 

He looks around and appreciates the coziness of your lodging for the weekend. It’s definitely fancier than a tent, but it also just houses the basic necessities. There’s a small table right by the door with three stools and a small kitchen counter and refrigerator across from it. The bathroom is surprisingly spacious though, and he can already guess that’s one reason why you chose this property. He forgot to point out earlier that small bathrooms also drive you nuts. 

Next to you, Jimin groans and warns that if you hit him in your sleep again like you’d done before, he’s gonna push you in the river. You can only smile innocently, as not hurting him is a promise you’re unsure you’ll be able to keep.

After that’s settled, you meet up with the rest of your friends outside. The seven of them have split up in two other cabins - Seokjin and Hayoung with the girls in one, and the rest of the boys in another. They’ve also just put away their things and it’s time to get dinner going. 

Everyone gets to their tasks like clockwork - some are organising all the groceries in the cupboards, some are chopping up ingredients, and some are building the fire. You, Namjoon, and Taehyung - the designated cleaners - decide you’ll at least try to be useful and start assembling the camping chairs. 

You surprisingly find it quite therapeutic. Between the scent of rain that just stopped and the sounds of nature, there’s something that feels so healing about doing all this with your friends. 

Sure, it’s smoky. The ground is a tad bit soft from the downpour earlier, too. And the bugs are having a party everywhere, causing you to shriek every time one of them gets near you. 

But there’s chatter and laughter and anticipation. There’s this calmness despite the chaos, and it’s all this that you’ve missed this past year.

Driving out of town to get away during school breaks was a thing you all did during your university days. When the five of you finally graduated and joined the rest of your friends in full-time adulting, the trips became less. Post-work drinks and weekend hangouts were frequent, but it was difficult to align everyone’s schedules for something that was more than a day. 

Taehyung was the one who made sure they still happened somehow, even if it was every couple of months. It’s the first time you’re all complete after a year and a half, and the last trip you had was before he flew out. 

Having this again after so long feels like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. It’s as if you don’t feel like you have to carry all your burdens on your own. And seeing your friends’ smiling faces despite their respective high-stress jobs, you know they feel the same way, too.

Your sentimental thoughts are disturbed by Jimin yelling for someone to get something before he disappears into your cabin. You still follow him inside to find out what he needs, learning then that he’s back in the bathroom for the second time since you arrived. 

“What does he want?” You ask Jungkook, who stands by the tiny kitchen.

“I asked Jimin to get me gochujang from the guys but he, well… he’s got some business to do,” he laughs. “Can you get it for me, please?”

You nod in response then tease your best friend about not clogging the toilet before you get the condiment from the resident cooks outside. You return to the cabin and watch Jungkook skillfully mix a bunch of things in a pot.

“What’s that for?” You ask next to him. 

“We’ll fry chicken later for dinner number two and this is the sauce,” he answers.

“Oh,” you nod. “It smells good. And spicy.”

He sees your slightly nervous face then reassures you that he’ll set aside some for you and Taehyung before adding more chili, knowing your low tolerance for heat. You smile in response, and wanting to know if it’s manageable for you, Jungkook scoops some for you to try.

You take the teaspoon he hands out and taste it. You let it linger before deciding it’s something you can definitely eat. 

“Does it need anything else?” He asks.

“Uh,” you trail, your eyes darting from him to the sauce, clearly clueless if there’s more he needs to add, but you act like you’re trying to figure it out.

He tastes it himself.

“Sugar,” he states, then looks at you with a slight smirk. “That’s what you were gonna say, right?”

“Totally,” you lie, but he sees right through you and laughs. 

It’s a Jungkook thing, you think - to tease and be a bit cheeky but never overdoing it. 

He sets aside a mound of sauce in a bowl before adding more chili powder in the pot that the rest of them will have. He chills them all then says he’ll help prep the rest of the chicken outside and you follow him out. It’s the same time that Jimin opens the door and you fake gag to his face before asking him if he’s okay.

“My tummy’s been a bit weird since this morning,” he groans. 

“Take something before it gets worse,” you advise. “Ask Mo-eum. Surely the paramedic would know what to give you, right?”

He nods, and you already feel bad for him with this rough start to the weekend. But you stay with Jimin the whole night. He hates having to skip on the pajeon and chicken because they’re too oily, but you give him half your share of the kimchi stew to make up for it. You also know it’s his favorite. 

You serve him water whenever he runs out, and even if he was told to pass up on alcohol tonight, you let him take sips of your beer just so he doesn’t completely miss out. You wrap a blanket around him so he doesn’t get too cold, and he sweetly smiles at you and comments how nice you are to him.

“It’s my apology in advance in case I unconsciously hurt you later,” you sweetly smile back. 

Everyone laughs, knowing that’s not far from happening. 

The night goes on with the bright stars in the sky and the crackling of the fire pit while you all take turns washing up. 

It’s close to midnight when you’ve finally settled in bed, with Jimin laying in between you and Mo-eum. You lost rock-paper-scissors so you’re on the outer side of the bed, even if you argue that you’re more likely to fall off it because you definitely cannot stay in one position when you sleep. 

But you’re required to honor the results of the game so you stay on your side, your left arm and leg wrapped around Jimin’s side. Despite the possibility of you pulling him along if you do fall, your best friend lets you; he knows you can’t sleep without hugging something.  

Mo-eum lays fetus-curled on Jimin’s right, and both of you have your eyes on his screen as he goes through TikToks that have you three in controlled giggles. You shush them when Jimin snorts, as he sends one of the videos to your group chat. Just then, you hear Jungkook control his laughter from the loft bed, too, prompting you all to laugh even harder. 

“Go to bed, you weirdos,” he groans, trying his best to just get to sleep. 

“You’re just jealous you’re missing out on the fun down here,” you tease, turning around to stick your tongue at him.

He shakes his head at you. 

“Yup, talk about fun when you can’t get your ass off the bed in a few hours,” he counters, making a face before lying back down. 

Jungkook starts to do breathing exercises, following the rhythm of Taehyung’s soft snores next to him. It works, as the next thing Jungkook remembers is waking up to his alarm at 5 in the morning. 

He nudges the man next to him then heads down the ladder to wash up before your morning activity. 

He’s caught in surprise when he finds Jimin sitting on the stool, holding a bottle of Soju on his nose.

“What the heck happened to you?” Jungkook asks.

Jimin groans and turns towards the bed with angry eyes. 

“She did.”

Jungkook chuckles because much as he expected this, it’s still funny when it happens.

“Was it her fist or her elbow?”

“Her elbow,” Jimin sighs. “That woman doesn’t even exercise. I don’t know where her strength comes from! Ugh, I should’ve made her sleep in the loft with you instead.”

“And be the one to get smacked on the face? No, thanks.”

“Your nose can handle it,” Jimin teases.

The younger man bends his arm to fake slap his friend who’s nursing a possibly bruised nose. But that’s one of the things Jungkook is thankful for - not being your go-to bed mate, which saves him from any possible injury to his face or any other part of his body. You’ve claimed many of your friends already, and he still doesn’t know how you’re able to do all that in your sleep.

Seokjin and Hoseok enter your cabin to yell that there’s 10 minutes left until you all have to leave for the hike to the nearby mountain in time for the sunrise. You’re the last one off the bed because you were in such deep sleep that it feels like you’re still dreaming. 

You’re oblivious to the damage you caused, as you half-mindedly do your morning routine and dress up appropriately for this chilly morning. It’s when you notice Jimin’s slightly red nose and his angry eyes that you realise you might’ve unknowingly done something last night, and his growl when you ask him if he’s okay is your confirmation of that fact. 

You try to make it up to him with hugs and a reminder that you’d taken care of him last night but he’s still sore and you’re still sorry. 

He dramatically narrates what happened on your way to the mountain, and while most of your friends are laughing because it’s just an insane yet predictable thing to happen, you actually feel bad for him. 

Jimin pretends to not care about you during the hike. He stays ahead of the pack instead of walking side-by-side with you because he knows that things like this bore you and you need him to feel entertained. 

But not today, as you see him laughing about with Gyu-rim and Suhyeon while you’re stuck at the back of the pack with Yoongi who’s still half asleep and Mo-eum who’s so lost in her surroundings that she barely notices you, even when you trip on stones or shriek because of the bugs. 

You groan to yourself. 

You love sunrises and pretty skies. You’re just not particularly fond of the early wake up call and long walks you have to make to see them at their best. 

Plus, you’re sweating. And because of the energy you’re exerting, you’re starting to feel hot, too. You take a deep breath and try to rein in all your negative aura so you could release them because being annoyed  is not how you want to spend this beautiful morning. 

You exhale all that and it comes out as another groan.

“I didn’t know you hated hiking that bad,” a teasing voice calls you out. “You could just stay here and wait for us to come back down. That’s an option.”

“Hey, that’s mean,” you pout and try to give your best puppy eyes to the man who’s now leveled himself with you.

“Of course I’m kidding,” Jungkook shakes his head. 

He pulls your wrist to continue on the walk, and that’s when you realise that everyone else has gone ahead. And just as your eyes widen in shock that they had indeed left you behind, Jungkook gets to it first and explains that the back group was waiting for you but he insisted that they go ahead so as not to miss the sunrise in case you opt to not continue. 

“No one leaves anyone behind, you know that,” he says. “And for the record, Jimin was the one asking if you were okay and then ordered me to check on you and make sure you get to the top on time. So yes, he’s worried even if he’s still upset that you elbowed his nose. Especially since Joon accidentally hit it with his backpack.”

You stop yourself from laughing because Jimin just really can’t catch a break, but you also truly feel bad for him that he has to suffer in more ways than he deserves. 

“Fine. Drag me up this mountain, then. My legs will give up soon,” you grunt.

“Stay upright for me, yeah? I don’t really plan on carrying your ass all the way up there,” he chuckles.

You make a face and he just laughs again, then proceeds to take the bag off your back and swings it over his shoulder. 

You make it to the top in time, just before the sun begins its slow ascent up the sky. It’s much cooler at the peak and the thick fog covers the quaint town below. It’s much more peaceful here, too, and you embrace the tranquility alongside your friends, as the view has left everyone speechless. You snap some photos - enough to remind you of the moment - and then settle on a rock to watch the sky change its colors. 

“So pretty, isn’t it?” Hayoung sighs in awe as she sits next to you. “Just like the ones our grandparents would drive us to see.”

“I’m sure they’re enjoying this from up there,” you smile in response, recalling your summers in their home with the rest of your cousins, when life was simpler and you didn’t have responsibilities that weighed you down.

Once the sun has found its place above the clouds, you all gather on a flat area of the mountain and get your portions of the rice cake soup that Seokjin and Yoongi prepared this morning. Coffee is passed around and Jimin is the one who hands you your cup. He sits next to you and shows you your work of art on his face, and you both decide that having Mo-eum’s curled body in between is the best option on your last night. She fortunately agrees. 

It’s close to 8AM when you get back to the cabins, as all of you took much longer on the hike down. It’s an hour of hanging outside and by the river before you’re all driving out into town for some lunch. The nearby market had you buying fruits and clams for tonight’s dinner while your ATV ride in the afternoon had you squealing in both excitement and fear.

It was your first time driving on your own, and after Jungkook had taught you which buttons to press, he drove away at maximum speed. Much as you nag him for his risky tendencies when it comes to things like this, you’ll admit it was refreshing hearing him scream in exhilaration. 

All your friends like to have fun and that includes you. It’s why you go on trips like this - to try new things and get your heart racing, maybe live on the edge a little and sustain that passion for life that you all promised each other you’d find and live out outside of your respective careers that you put your whole selves into. 

Adulting, you’ve learned, is about maintaining that part of yourself that still finds joy in changing seasons and pink-colored skies. It’s about carrying out your responsibilities while parking them on the side for a weekend over good food and bottles of beer. It’s about planning for the next 10 years while living in the moment. It’s not easy, but perhaps you’re able to do it because you all have each other.

And so watching Namjoon’s tense face relax in enjoyment, seeing a timid Suhyeon let go a little, and hearing Seokjin and Hayoung giggle in their shared ride are things that give you energy, because you know they’re enjoying this moment right here with you. 

You finish right before sunset and return to your accommodation exhausted yet still somehow refreshed. There’s less to do now, as much of your dinner is grilled meat and seafood, so Jungkook suggests watching Halloween on the outdoor projector. It’s one of the features of the property that you were excited about, but you didn’t really consider a slasher movie for your last night in the forest.

No one else seems to do so aside from Jungkook, who insists that it’s all part of the fun. While a part of you thinks this is a stupid idea, you also don’t know what else could be more perfect than a thriller film in this environment. So you support him and it’s not long after when you find yourselves in front of the screen, with plates of meat and clams, bowls of rice, and cups of ramyeon around you.

There were definitely jump scares and men and women alike shrieking, either because of the movie or some sound from the woods. Seokjin dropped his can of beer more than once, and Hoseok gave up midway and hid behind Namjoon for the rest of the movie. You were seated next to Jimin on the outdoor couch and yelled in his ear several times that he banned you from being close to him for the rest of the night. 

It’s how you found yourself next to Jungkook on the picnic bench where he was so unbothered while you cussed out every time you were surprised, either because of the movie or because of him. Which was many times. 

Your heart is pumping by the end of it but you admit it was still fun. It’s the kind of stress you don’t mind feeling every once in a while. 

It seems that everyone else felt the same, as the reactions and string of curses somehow made up for the unexpected horror of the night. Naturally, you all gather towards the fire pit. 

The air is chilly and despite the tension from earlier, everyone seems relaxed and at peace. Conversations go from Seokjin and Hayoung’s wedding plans, to Taehyung’s audition clip that he sent for a Broadway production in New York, to Jimin’s recent blind date. The latter topic leads to Gyu-rim stating how hard it is to date in her thirties, an exchange she was having just a day ago.

“You literally just turned 30,” Yoongi nudges her knee. “You have a decade to go before you can be sure it’s really that difficult.”

“Well, I don’t have that many options to start with,” she counters. “You’re my only friends. People at work are shit. And my mom’s friends’ sons are either too young or too old.”

“Don’t you have that cute neighbor?” Mo-eum asks. “Or what about the owner of your favorite cafe? Doesn’t he leave little smiley faces on your cup every morning? Or the guy from the gym!”

“Well, the cute neighbor orders so much beer and chicken, it might be an obsession. And the cafe owner might just be flirting with all his female customers with doodles, who knows? And gym dude with nice hair talks to his mom all the time. That’s not exactly a green flag.”

“Now you’re just projecting,” Namjoon states. “You’re calling out red or yellow flags that might not actually mean anything, and you’re only doing that because–”

“I dated someone with a weird food habit, liked someone who turned out to be a serial cheater, and got dumped because this guy’s mom told him to,” Gyu-rim finishes. “In short, you never really know something’s wrong until it goes wrong, and when it does, it sucks like hell.”

“That’s why you get to know someone,” Yoongi says. “You date and then learn things about them and then break up if you don’t like what you see. You know they’re the one when you like them despite it all.”

“It’s just too much effort,” your older friend sighs. “And yes, I know that’s what relationships are supposed to be about but like, I want to work on communication and learning how to understand someone… not accepting some ick or skeletons in the closet type of shit. Those are things I want to know before I decide I’d like to date them.”

“Well, I guess it’s hard when there’s no one to vouch for them,” Suhyeon chimes in. “I mean, we knew Seokjin’s a good guy because we’ve known him for years. It wasn’t hard for either him nor Hayoung to make that decision about dating. Maybe that’s what makes it hard at this age and our prospects are people we barely know anything about. You’re kinda going into it blindly.”

Her words feel like a slap on the face to you, something Suhyeon is totally unaware of because these are the questions you’ve been having about your own past relationships that just live in your mind. 

Your exes have been people you dated shortly after meeting them. The attraction was immediate and when two people gravitate towards each other that intensely so soon, it usually means something really special. Somehow you thought that feelings that strong and that certain meant you could overlook the flaws and imperfections of the other person. 

Both times you were wrong. And while you’re glad you got out before you got in too deep, both times you still wondered if it would’ve worked out if you just held on a little longer, or if it would’ve even started had you known fully what you were getting into. 

But the unknown excites you, at least when it comes to relationships. It’s kind of like research - you learn a bit about the person, make a hypothesis, then test it. You could be totally off mark or very close to it. Still, the process is always different. It keeps you on your toes because you don’t know what to expect even if, ironically, you already had an idea of what you wanted out of it in the beginning.

Perhaps that was your undoing - focusing on the high, anticipating the excitement of being right, then copping out when it wasn’t what you expected.

It’s not something you’ll say out loud though, at least not right now. 

So you stay comfortable in your seat with a jacket over your tired body. You listen to your elders with two years more experience hash out what went wrong in their past relationships, and if they think they’ll end up settling for someone they know or are comfortable with, just for the sake of having a companion in this life. 

It gives Jimin the opportunity to pitch to Yoongi and Gyu-rim this “40 and still single” pact, where they should just date if they don’t have anyone by that age, but both of them just look at him incredulously and shake their heads.

For some reason, your best friend is an advocate of friends-to-lovers type of stories even if he goes on blind dates all the time. He’s said he believes in it for other people but not really for himself. You share a mind like that - intense feelings from the onset are genuine and unmistakable. Sometimes you meet someone and immediately just know. You may have been wrong both times but it doesn’t mean you’ll always be wrong. 

Who knows? Your future husband might be on a camping trip in some lakeside area not far from here, and you meet him in a chance encounter and things pick up from there. Suddenly the thought excites you again, but it’s something you keep to yourself. 

You all make a toast to your existent and non-existing love lives. It’s enough to keep the energy hopeful until you all decide to retire for the night.

You lay in bed with thoughts suspended in your mind, just like the stars spread across the sky. Your eyes wander to their twinkling lights as you stare out the skylight.

That is, until you hear a voice whispering your name. You look upward, towards the left, and there’s Jungkook and his head peeking from the loft bed’s railing.

“Can’t sleep?” He asks.

You shake your head in response. 

“Got any tips?” You ask, the tiredness hitting you once again.

“Tense your muscles and then relax them slowly. Do your 4-7-8,” he instructs. “Works like magic.”

“You’re just tricking me into making weird faces,” you frown. 

“You do that even without me saying it, ___,” he chuckles. “Just try. You’re thinking too hard, I can almost see the thought bubbles appearing over your head.”

You roll your eyes this time but you follow his advice. You feel your muscles loosen and that does something to your brain, as if it, too, is relaxing on its own. And it works. 

The next thing you know, your eyes are opening to the sun’s bright light, and there’s those same doe-eyes from last night, somehow content because maybe even he can see it - you had a really good sleep.

You wait for your mind to fully wake up while you curl under the covers. Mo-eum’s in the same position as she was last night and Jimin seems to be peaceful and unhurt. That appeases you at least. Up in the loft, you can see Taehyung already taking up the empty space next to him.

The bathroom door opens and Jungkook exits with his hair sprout bouncing as he walks, prompting you to giggle.

“What’s funny?” He asks with furrowed brows.

“You look like a baby with your hair,” you say.

“It won’t go down,” he groans, attempting once more to flatten the top of his head. 

“Just tie the whole thing then. At least it’ll be intentional.”

“Yeah, so you can make fun of me some more?” 

“Maybe,” you playfully shrug.

He walks towards you and flicks your forehead, and you try to kick him without disturbing the two people still asleep next to you. But Jungkook, like the athlete that he is, manages to grab your foot wrapped in your blanket before it hits him, and now you’re his hostage.

You glare at him - half pleading and half threatening - but he just makes a face at you. His grip on your heel is a little hard but it seems like it’s what you need, as the hike from yesterday morning has your leg and feet feeling a little sore.

“Hmm, Kook. Massage it please,” you moan, pushing your limb towards him.

“Only if you massage mine.”

“But I don’t wanna touch your toe socks,” you whine.

“Hey. Don’t be mean to them,” he frowns, eventually giving in as he starts massaging your calf.

“It’s just funny. That’s what my nephew wears. And he’s four,” you giggle. 

“Toe socks know no age, you brat,” he says. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Your chuckle turns to another groan at the expert way he kneads your muscles. You could easily fall asleep with this, but just when you think you’re about to, Jungkook pinches your leg and you cover your mouth before you yell out your expletives. 

He giggles in that child-like way he does when he teases, and all you could do is glare at him. But he makes it up to you with another minute of massaging, and you softly smile at him in thanks. 

“So, no incidents last night?” He asks, gesturing towards your bedmates. 

“None, although I think Jimin went to the bathroom again in the middle of the night,” you respond, raising your arm for Jungkook to pull so you could get the energy to get out of bed. 

“Poor guy,” he shakes his head. “Goes on a trip only to get hit in the nose and get a stomach bug.”’

You shake your head at the absurdity of things but then again, if there’s anyone who’d roll with the punches and even laugh at his own misery, it’s Jimin. That’s always been the kind of optimism and easygoing energy you need in your life.

You and Jungkook head outside to make coffee. You’re one of the first ones awake even if you were both probably the last ones to fall asleep last night. It’s your last day here and you want to savor as much of the air and the tranquility as much as possible. 

You sit next to him on the picnic bench and watch him pour hot water over the filter for the drip coffee, alternating between your cup and his. The scent is relaxing, so is the cool breeze. You shift your body to be parallel to the seat, and with your head on his shoulder, you stretch your legs and arms out to try to get a bit of sun.

“Wow, you got yourself a coffee maker and a makeshift lounge chair,” he huffs. “Let’s not forget a driver.”

“I’m photosynthesizing. You always tell me to get my vitamin D,” you explain. “And also, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll treat you to a really nice meal, I promise.”

“Why, what else do you need?”

“A ride to this event I need to attend in Cheonan. On Saturday. Please?”

You turn to him with your best attempt at puppy eyes.

“My car won’t be ready for another two weeks and I don’t wanna stress over how to get there since, uh, since I’m a panelist for a session. And it’s my first time to speak to a large audience about my research and I’m starting to freak about it and–”

“What! ___, of course I’ll drive you! That’s huge!” Jungkook exclaims. 

You don’t miss his proud smile and the excitement in his eyes, and it somehow makes it all so real.

“Why aren’t we celebrating that this weekend, then?” He asks. “I wouldn’t have risked you getting attacked by bugs during the hike had I known.”

“Because I’m so nervous and talking about it makes me even more nervous,” you explained. “Mo-eum convinced me to not think about it this weekend because I’ve been stressing about it like crazy so I’ve just been trying to keep my mind off it to calm myself down.”

“And is it working?”

“Surprisingly, it has,” you nod. “I’ve had my talking points ready for a month now. I’ve been practicing for weeks. I had to be intentional in really switching off this weekend and it’s helped. It only entered my mind because the warehouse messaged me earlier about my car needing another few days in there so I’ve just been thinking about how to get to the venue after my field work in the morning.”

“Sure. I was just gonna stay at home and play games but a drive south isn’t bad,” he says. “I can stay around and drive you back home, too.”

“Are you sure?” You ask, relieved at not having to worry about your commute at night. 

“Yeah. I mean, you did mention a really nice meal, so…”

“I did,” you laugh. “My session’s in the afternoon and I won’t stay long after. We can grab dinner on the way back.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Thanks, Kook. I would’ve asked Jimin but he’s got an important shoot and Mo-eum’s on duty,” you reason. 

“Being a third option isn’t bad,” he chuckles. “So if you’ve been successful in keeping your mind off it, does it mean that’s not why you were so quiet last night? You barely spoke after the movie.”

“You mean when we were talking about failed relationships and possibly being single for the rest of our lives?” You laugh dryly.

“Well, it’s what twenty and thirty-somethings worry about. You were rambling about that in the car the other night,” he reminds you. 

“True. Let’s just say when I’m around more experienced and mature people, I prefer to just listen and reflect,” you say. 

“And what did you reflect on?”

“Just things I’ve already thought of before,” you shrug, somewhat ready to verbalize them now. “I get intense and excited when I have a new relationship and I overthink but at the same time, I don’t think at all. It’s nice and fun then I see something I don’t like then I just… get out of it. I think what got to me was what Suhyeon said about going into it blindly,” you continue. 

“Like, we enter a relationship with someone we’re interested in because we want to get to know them but we don’t know if we’ll actually like the person we’ll get to know. Kind of tricky, right? I mean, do we date to get to know them, or do we date them because we already know them?”

“Does it even matter?” Jungkook asks. “We have to make the decision to stay if we want it enough either way.”

“Even if we don’t like certain things about them?”

“Depends on what you can tolerate. Or what you think you deserve,” he replies, his tone a little weary at the memories rushing in. “We don’t really know anyone well enough. A friend or a colleague or whatever becomes a different version of themselves when they become your lover and you have to deal with that, and then stick around or walk away.”

Jungkook’s face falls and you apologize for bringing it up, knowing it’s quite a touchy subject. 

“We’ve talked about this before. It’s nothing new,” he assures you. “You don’t have to feel sorry. Joo-yun went from pursuing me one day to deciding she didn’t want me in her life the next, and then imposing some shitty deadline. And Si-an, well, you know how that went.”

You and Jungkook don’t have deep conversations that often. You tend to reserve your deepest thoughts and feelings for your best friends and he was never really the type to talk about his. He was with Joo-yun for the most part of university so you spent more time with the other guys. She was also the jealous type so you always found yourself being cautious around Jungkook when she was there. 

But you remember when he opened up about the breakup, on the night of your graduation. You all slept over at the Kims’ residence and you, Jungkook, and Jimin stayed up until dawn, just talking about your shared pain over soju and beer. 

Joo-yun wanted to go abroad and didn’t want to have a long distance relationship, so she told Jungkook they could only see each other until they graduated, which was three months away. He broke it off right then. It was in the same month when you broke it off with Jeong-su after your nth fight over your busy schedule. 

Three years after that, you were saying goodbye to your shared apartment with Mo-eum and starting a new role at the research firm. Everyone was at your place to celebrate. It was when you casually said that you’d broken up with Seungho - the guy who worked at your building and that you pined for two weeks before you asked him out. It was also when Jungkook had drunkenly shared that he broke up with Si-an the night before because he caught her cheating on him. You let him stay over then drove him to his place the next morning. He never really talked about her after that.

Your mind drifts to those years. They feel so far away even if some of the thoughts and feelings from that time still linger. Breakups are never easy but somehow you always manage to get over them quite easily. You suppose it’s the insecurity and self-doubt that follows that you couldn’t really move on from. 

“So on both times, did you break up with them because you knew what you deserved?” You ask Jungkook.

“Thinking back, I tolerated them longer than I should have,” he hums. “Joo-yun was a bit controlling at times and I always just justified her tendencies in my head. I think she wanted me to beg her not to leave or to take me with her but I didn’t. And that hurt her pride so she lashed out then I broke it off.”

“I always felt like she dimmed your shine,” you sigh. “You’d turn quiet and not be your bratty, fearless, dumb self. It was kinda sad.”

They’re terms of endearment you always use with the younger guys. Jungkook knows this, and he agrees. He also agrees with your observation because it was true. He couldn’t joke around or have fun around his friends when she was there. She dimmed his light like you said. No one ever really put it into words like that.

“And Si-an was just foolish,” you add. “I have so many other mean words for her so I’ll just shut up.”

So does he so he laughs in response.

“For the record, Jeong-su was too up in his ass and too lazy to make time for you, and Seungho rubbed me the wrong way,” Jungkook says now. “Not acknowledging waitstaff is a red flag to me.”

“I agree,” you smile, knowing that unlike Jimin and Taehyung who always had a field day shitting on your exes - and for good reason - Jungkook isn’t the type to say things like that unless he feels it intensely. 

There’s a brief moment of both of you drifting away while sipping your coffee until the cabin door opens. Your three roommates exit and start bringing out fruits and cold cuts for snacks before your morning trip to the lake. Soon enough, the others gather around your table, too, and the somber mood from earlier immediately switches to something more lively and positive.

And you’re glad it does. You’re not used to seeing Jungkook dispirited or looking dejected over a memory and you try to erase that from your mind by taking a good look at him this time. 

Donned in his black sweatpants, oversized shirt, and a bucket hat, sometimes you forget he’s a 28-year old man who does teaching for a living, only because anyone could easily mistake him for being one of the students. But that’s his charm, you learned over the years. 

There’s something so relatable and wholesome about him. It’s in how he pokes your puffed cheeks full of watermelons and in how he chases a frog that’s hopping towards the other side. 

Yet he’s also dependable and possesses this certain level of maturity. It’s in the way he prepared coffee then unfolded the camping chairs for the rest of your friends earlier. He’s pure-hearted even if he’s cheeky and playful, as he now asks you to collect stones with him so you could both make a tower and make a wish for your peace of mind and his students’ win and for the toxins to be removed from Jimin’s body so he could eat properly today. 

You let that image of Jungkook linger because seeing your friends happy makes you happy, too. It’s what this trip is about, anyway, regardless of the thoughts that plague your mind.

You take the mid-morning drive to a lake to kayak. It’s the perfect day for it, as the skies are in a stunning shade of blue and the clouds look overwhelmingly soft and pure. 

Hoseok and Yoongi, who aren’t fond of the water, sit out. The rest of you play rock-paper-scissors on who gets to ride solo and in pairs.

To Jungkook’s dismay, he ends up getting paired with you.

“We literally had a heartwarming conversation earlier and now you’re acting like your life is cursed because you’re riding a kayak with me,” you scowl at him. 

“___, I might as well be rowing alone because you suck at it. And now I have to do it with more weight,” he complains.

“Yah!” You smack his arm. “I’m not that bad.”

“You barely made it past the dock the last time we did this,” he deadpans.

“And that was five years ago. People can always improve, you know?”

He deep sighs and frowns at you to the entertainment of your friends, and while you’re a little nervous of what mishap you’ll cause again, you also can’t wait to get in the water and maybe prove to him that you’re not that clueless about things like this.

Except you might actually just be, because not long after you get on the kayak and start paddling, it slowly tips over until it capsizes. 

You panic for a moment but manage to get your head out of the water where you’re met with a frustrated Jungkook and a yell of your name. You’d say sorry if you could but you’re halfway through an apologetic smile and a restrained chuckle over how he looks but the latter wins. And you laugh.

“___, Kook!” Jimin, who was just about to get on his kayak, yells out from the dock. “What happened! Are you both okay?”

You turn around where the staff are telling you to swim back and the captain is requesting another boat.

You look back at Jungkook again with his damp hair and his baby boy pout and you try to hold your laughter in again but you just can’t. He looks so upset that it’s actually adorable. It helps keep your mind off the fact that you’re soaking wet and it feels incredibly uncomfortable. 

But he finally cracks a smile and he playfully shakes his head before splashing water on your face with his hand.

“Why are you like this, ___?” He groans, but you can tell he’s not upset anymore, even with the way he pulls you by your life vest as you both swim back to dry land.

“I don’t even know what happened,” you exclaim. “Everything was so fast!”

“Your center of gravity was off,” Yoongi explains, as he stands on the edge, helping you up. “And you paddled right away before being stable and then… yeah. Hoseok caught it on video.”

“What!” You shriek, walking to your older friend, with Jungkook following. 

Hoseok shows you the clip and even the man behind you can’t stop laughing. One second you were both there and the next, you just disappeared. 

Jungkook feels uncomfortable in places but there’s not much he can do now. He just really wants to get back in the water and paddle out there. 

You first insist that you’ll just stay behind. When Jimin encourages you to still go because you’ve been excited about this, you then say you’ll just do the individual one so Jungkook can, too, and he can catch up with the rest of your friends who, from a distance, are still laughing.

But like the good friend that he is, he says it’s fine, and that going together means you’ll both actually get somewhere. You just have to let him take control and do what he says. And sit properly. 

So you follow his and the instructor’s orders. You keep yourself seated at the center and align your arms, making sure you have a good grip on the paddle and are following Jungkook’s counts. You know you’re not doing as well as he is but he still tells you that you’re doing fine. He’s good at instructing so you find a good rhythm, and soon enough, you catch up with your friends who tease you endlessly. 

“It was still funny even from here,” Seokjin teases. “But are you okay? We know how much you hate being soaked in your clothes.”

“I’m dying inside,” you admit. “But yeah, I’m okay. I think Jungkook’s halfway there.”

“I’m good,” he assures you. “At least we get to see the view from here.”

He points towards his right where the scenery of the sun atop the mountains and against the clear skies is so beautiful. You’re definitely a long way from dry land but you feel so stable. It was definitely worth getting back on the kayak despite fearing another tragedy. Jungkook made sure you were okay and that you got to enjoy this, too. 

Jimin takes pictures and you all explore some more. Once you’ve seen enough, you paddle back and your friends watch the video and chuckle in amusement. It’s another one of those that’ll come up in your group chat’s memory and you’ve already accepted that it’ll be a story they’ll share and bring up. 

“You two get washed and dry up, okay?” Hayoung says. “They have a shower room here and I’ve got towels in the trunk. You can just buy some clothes at the shop right there.”

You follow your cousin’s advice and find the locker rooms. Mo-eum hands you a pair of shorts and a shirt she got from the store then heads out with you where Jimin offers you a cup of fresh juice. Standing by the car is Jungkook with a pair of shorts and the same crab shirt you’re wearing. 

“Why’d they have to get us matching clothes?” He laughs as he enters the driver’s seat. 

“They probably think it’s cute,” you shrug, taking your seat in the passenger side. “Or it could be a peace pact, I don’t know. I mean, you were getting angry at me earlier after all.”

“I wasn’t angry,” he rolls his eyes. “It’s like, I expected it but I was still surprised you made us fall over. Like, why does it always happen to you?”

“Well, God is fair. He gave me the brains but said, ‘let's also make her dumb.’”

This causes him to laugh. 

Jungkook isn’t the type to voice things out but he truly finds you endearing. Even when you’re being clumsy, or asking him to do stuff, or making fun of him, or complaining about a hundred things at once, there’s something so genuine about you. You can get a little intense about things you’re passionate about, which he admires, but you’re also able to roll with the punches and find joy in things once you’ve calmed down. 

He pats your head as his form of affection and you smile at him. He finds that endearing, too. 

You all make your way back to the cabin to make some lunch. The resident cooks prepare black bean noodles and marinated ribs while the rest of you start packing up. It’s a breezy afternoon despite the sun, and it’s a perfect last meal in the mountains before you do the last thing on your itinerary. 

It’s a short trip but you feel like you’ve done so much. It used to be like this during your university days when you’d just drive out to somewhere, do various things in town, soak up nature, and eat your hearts out. There have been changes, too, like preparing your own meals, no longer getting passed out drunk, and spending time just talking and reminiscing. Your respective jobs and other responsibilities don’t give you much time or space to enjoy being around people, and you’ve always found peace and comfort in each other. 

It’s not a long drive to the pier where you’ll go on a yacht cruise. It’s a size that comfortably fits all 12 of you, and it’s a perfect last hurrah, as you all lounge by the deck and enjoy the wind and the changing skies. It’s mostly quiet by now, as everyone’s energy has slightly drained, especially with Monday right around the corner.

But it’s still peaceful, as you take in the fresh air and scent of the lake and the seagulls flying about. You let these last few hours be your reprieve, before another week rolls ahead and that panel discussion becomes your reality in a few days. 

You watch until the last of the sun disappears, then it’s back to the car for a trip back home, and a dinner at a restaurant as your pitstop.

With your apartment being a 15-minute drive to Jungkook’s without traffic, he offers to take you home. He carries your bag and walks you to your door like the gentleman that he is and with your droopy eyes, he wishes you goodnight with a pat on your head.

“Get some rest, okay?” He smiles. “I’ll see you on Saturday.”

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[mostlysignssomeportents]

You can’t save an institution by betraying its mission

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me in SAN DIEGO at MYSTERIOUS GALAXY on Mar 24, and in CHICAGO with PETER SAGAL on Apr 2. More tour dates here.

Paula Le Dieu is one of the smartest, most committed archivists I know. Many years ago, she shared a neat analogy with me about the paywalling of public archives, a phenomenon that has become rampant as public institutions have been pushed to seek private funding to close the gaps left by swingeing cuts.

Closing up these archives in order to give these new "investors" a chance to make their money back is pitched as just "good business." But – as Paula pointed out – this isn't how business works at all! If you are an early-stage investor to a startup, providing patient capital in its early stages, then later investors don't get to zero out your shares. If a museum or public broadcaster is a business, then the public is the early investor, and their share is access. Taking away free access is tantamount to wiping out our investment.

But of course, public institutions aren't businesses, and they don't exist to make profits. They exist to serve the public interest. If your public health system, public education system, public archives, public museum or public parks are making a profit, then something is desperately wrong.

Managers of these public institutions forget this lesson at their peril. Every public institution eventually faces an existential funding crisis, and when that crisis strikes, the only thing that will save you is public support. Back in 2014, I got to speak to a group of curators about this when I keynoted the Museums and the Web conference in Florence:

https://mwf2014.museumsandtheweb.com/paper/glam-and-the-free-world/index.html

Since then, I've had many chances to talk with Paula about her views on archiving in these apocalyptic times. She's come up with a crisp formulation of the point I tried to make in that speech – when archives trade access off for preservation, they sign their own death warrants. As I said in my speech, if you don't maximize public access to your archive, then there will come a day when they take away your funding and the public won't care because you locked them out of their own collection. When that happens, all your careful preservation work will be used to prepare the auction catalog for the sale of your collection to the "philanthropic" billionaires who insisted that you lock up the collection in the first place. Your meticulous documentation will become the manifest for a shipping container full of formerly public treasures that will henceforth reside in a lightless, climate-controlled warehouse in the Geneva Freeport.

My conversations with Paula came back to me this weekend when I listened to Corey Rubin talking with Brooke Gladstone on NPR's On the Media, about the universities that are seeking to avert Trump's attacks by sacrificing students and faculty who spoke out against Israel's genocidal attacks on Palestine:

https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/articles/mahmoud-khalil-and-a-new-red-scare-plus-press-freedom-under-threat

From Columbia's complicity in the kidnapping of green card holder Mahmoud Khalil, a grad student now held in immigration detention in Louisiana; to Yale professor Helyeh Doutaghi, suspended because an AI-driven pro-Israel site hallucinated a connection between her and Hamas:

https://coreyrobin.com/2025/03/15/mccarthyism-at-yale-then-and-now/

These institutions – and others, like the LA Children's Hospital, which halted gender-affirming care for trans kids – aren't merely "complying in advance." They are betraying their mission in order to save their bacon:

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-02-04/childrens-hospital-to-stop-initiating-hormonal-therapy-for-trans-patients-under-19

This will come back to bite them in the ass. This is like firefighters doing a bit of arson on the side to make ends meet, and thinking that the townsfolk will continue to vote to maintain their budget.

I get it: it's damned easy to convince yourself that you need to destroy the village to save it. By "living to fight another day," you will get more chances to serve the public. Rationalization is a hell of a drug:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/28/microincentives-and-enshittification/

Trump and his fascist movement wont't let up on their assault against institutions that support free inquiry, care, justice and openness. Rolling over for them now will not keep you safe tomorrow. But with every betrayal, these institutions alienate more and more of the public, without whose support they are ultimately doomed. Supporters will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no supporters.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/03/19/selling-out/#destroy-the-village-to-save-it

Image: Ajay Suresh https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajay_suresh/52009406881/

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

[billythesimp]

Can you do romantic headcanons for a Billy Kid x Android!Reader that is doll-like, lives in Tin Master's cafe, works alongside Victoria's Housekeeping, and fights with a fencing sword please?

Billy, my starlight. My king of robotics and weaponry. Yes, I can do so for you.

Coffee Cup Love

⋘ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎…

I love Tin Master's shop. Imma always complain that you can't get another cup of coffee from either locations after having one. Like how do you know I had a cup on sixth street? let me talk to management if y'all are stalking me.

Billy x Android!reader

𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡…⋙

tw: none

✦ It’s a surprise to the proxies when they are introduced to Billy’s significant other who worked at their local coffee shop. The Victorian servant outfit they wear stands out as they greet them before offering them a cup of their newest brew. Billy is standing on the side, fawning over how gracefully they turn and bend, all their movements coordinated smoothly like that of a perfectly poured expresso.

✦He mentioned how they first met in a hollow, during on of his missions for the Cunning Hares, he ended up trapped and lost for what felt like hours. Then, like a beacon of hope the ethereals that were on his tail were sliced to bits, his heroin standing before him with a long-pointed blade aimed at his face. He only stared in awe before stumbling over his words to thank them properly.

✦ At first, they were standoffish, confused as to why this android male was guessing over them like so, proclaiming as glamorous as a starlight knight, rushing towards battle with nothing but their fences in hand, their uniform clean and prestige Lycaon would have their head should they return dirtied like last time. No long after then, he finally left the hollow and the mystery android-servant disappeared. 

✦ Shortly after, he spotted them in Tin Master’s shop and rushed in spouting how he recognized them. Staying for a cup and chatting with them. This became a regular thing before long, the maidroid looking forward to his visits until he popped the question and asked them out. They said yes, warmed at the thought of going out with this handsome droid and now to the present, they are one of the cutest couples to date.

✦ Since they are part-time at the coffee shop, the rest of their time is spent at the Victorian Housekeeping warehouse nearby, often texting Billy about their day or making plans for another movie date. Their own co-workers grow surprised by this revelation as in the past, they showed no interest in making connections or even taking a person as their parent. But they only shrug and state that their AI is simply more advanced and adapts to change faster. Really it’s that Billy had brought down a wall and revealed a side of them they hadn’t realized they loved. 

✦ At this point, they remember all his favorite scenes from his most watched films, his favorite brand of lubricant for his guns and joints, and all the places he frequents often whenever he mentions his days. While yes, they are a perfect machine made for scalping and slicing down their targets with grace and pose, when they are with Billy they are nothing more than his perfect doll, pretty and patient with his antics and laughing at all his jokes. Every moment spend with each other is once they hold dearly to their circuit boards, hoping to recover these memories in the future to look back on.

✦ They are unique and complement Billy well, while he’s sometimes seen as intimidating and mysterious to the outsiders eyes, they’re beautiful and polite that anyone can stare with no fear but rather admiration. When in reality, he is easygoing and a little careless while they are known as a monster with their thin-piercing blades, a threat to anyone who dares come between them and their Billy. Together they are fierce in battle, having each others back when the going gets rough. And even outside of battle, they are a power couple, a force to be reckoned with.

[westonspharmacyphotodept]

Disposable Camera series, no.3: The Birthday Gift

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Suppose that for her birthday, Ellie received a gift from somebody in Jackson. A new friend, or maybe Maria. A rare treasure from the old world - a little yellow plastic Kodak camera containing a full roll of unexposed film. As a curious and creative soul, it would be the perfect thing to take along on her birthday hike with Joel to a surprise location in the forest.

As before, we’re working with a cheap piece of hardware, designed to take functional pictures in bright sunlight, though thankfully on this occasion there’s plenty of sunshine to use. In the dark museum, we’re really gonna need the flash.

The film is degraded, and the developing facilities are not ideal. In Jackson there’s an old abandoned pharmacy (guess which one), and Eugene has managed to bring the processing machines back to life. In a warehouse not far out of town we found some leftover chemicals and other supplies (even a stack of faded red envelopes to store your prints).

We don’t know Ellie’s birth date, we only know it must be in the summer — nobody is hiking in Wyoming in a tank top outside of June, July or August. So I’ve given my best guess. Hopefully one day we find out the real date.

Once again please enjoy, and if you share please remember to credit.

(Original game photography from The Last Of Us Part II by @westonspharmacyphotodept, created with all manual post-production using no presets, templates, stock or AI).