CHAPTER - 30

Flashback ~

Jungkook went to the club with the gift bag clutched tightly in his trembling hands. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching desperately for his Tae. But the second his gaze landed on Taehyung—Taehyung kissing Jennie—his entire world shattered. His breath hitched, and he stumbled back as if the floor had given way beneath him.

Jungkook’s p.o.v - This is not my Tae… this can never be my Tae. He said he loves me. This… this is someone el—

But before his mind could finish the thought, his eyes fell on Jack and Kai standing nearby, smirking knowingly. His chest tightened, air escaping his lungs in shallow gasps.

Jungkook’s p.o.v. – T-t-tae…

Tears welled up, spilling down his cheeks uncontrollably. His heart ached so violently it felt like someone was twisting a knife inside him. Yet through the unbearable pain, a broken smile appeared on his lips—mocking his own foolishness.

Jungkook mumbled under his breath, voice cracking—

Jungkook - Not mine…

And with those words, he turned and walked away, his feet heavy, like every step was dragging him deeper into the abyss.

On the other side, Jimin had arrived at Jungkook’s house.

Jimin - Hello, Aunty… I came to see Jungkook.

Mrs. Jeon - You’re here to see Kookie? This is the first time one of his friends has come over. Come inside, dear. Jungkook is out right now, but you may wait here. I’ll bring you some snacks.

Jimin offered her a polite smile, hiding his nervousness.

Jimin - Thank you, Aunty.

He sat waiting, tapping his foot restlessly, when Jungkook finally returned. But Jungkook didn’t even look up—his face hidden, his shoulders slumped—as he dragged himself straight to his room.

Alarmed, Jimin quickly followed. He grabbed Jungkook’s hand, pulling him to face him.

Jimin - Wait, Kookie… are you oka—

His words froze. His eyes widened in shock at the sight before him—Jungkook’s tear-streaked face, red and swollen, his lips trembling. Without hesitation, Jimin pulled him into a tight hug

Jimin - Kookie, what happened?

He guided him gently to his room, locking the door behind them to shield him from his mother’s eyes. He made Jungkook sit on the bed, crouching in front of him, searching his face with pure concern.

Jimin - What happened, Kookie?

Jungkook’s sobs broke through, his chest heaving.

Jungkook - Jimin… he’s not mine. And it hurts… it hurts so much. He told me he loves me, but he—ahh, it hurts…

His words dissolved into painful cries. Jimin quickly wiped his tears with his thumbs, his own eyes stinging.

Jimin - What happened, Koo? Won’t you tell your best friend?

Jungkook lifted his gaze slowly, his eyes drowning in pain, and whispered:

Jungkook - I saw him… kissing Jennie.

The admission shattered him. His sobs grew louder, breaking Jimin’s heart.

Without a second thought, Jimin hugged him tightly, rocking him gently like he could shield him from the pain.

Jimin - Everything will be fine, Koo. I’m here.

One hour later, Jimin had somehow managed to calm Jungkook, though his pain lingered like an open wound. Watching his fragile state, Jimin knew he couldn’t leave him alone.

He pulled out his phone and called his mother.

Jimin (on call) - Hello, Mom… actually, Jungkook and I decided to study together for our exams, so… can I stay at his house for some days?

Mrs. Park - Only if his family doesn’t mind.

Jimin - They won’t.

Mrs. Park - Alright then. You may stay.

Relieved, Jimin hung up and went to the kitchen, where Mrs. Jeon was washing dishes.

Jimin - Aunty…

Mrs. Jeon - Yes, Jimin? Do you need something?

Jimin - No… actually, Jungkook and I want to study together for our exams. If you don’t mind, can I stay here for some days?

Mrs. Jeon turned, her tired eyes softening as she smiled warmly.

Mrs. Jeon - Of course, dear. You may stay.

Jimin - Thank you, Aunty.

In that one month, Jimin witnessed Jungkook crying every single night, muffling his sobs into his pillow. He discovered something even more terrifying—Jungkook was a heart patient. The doctor hadn’t postponed his surgery. Jungkook had lied to his mother… because he wanted to save money to buy Taehyung’s favorite bag.

Jimin’s heart clenched with anger and sorrow. He wanted to scold Jungkook, scream at him for risking his life. But he couldn’t—not when his friend was already crumbling apart.

Day by day, Jungkook’s condition worsened. Mrs. Jeon panicked endlessly, helplessly. And Jimin, desperate, did the only thing he could think of—he went to Taehyung.

Jimin - Okay, whatever you’re saying is right, but right now… just come with me. Jungkook needs you.

Taehyung - I’m busy.

Jimin - Don’t be this stone-hearted, Taehyung. You’ll regret it later.

Taehyung - Are you done?

Jimin - No… I want to give you something.

Taehyung - No, you can keep it to yourself. Thanks.

But Jimin shoved a diary into his hands anyway.

Jimin - This diary has all the answers to your questions. Read it. And go back to him before it’s too late. He really needs you.

With those words, Jimin left, praying Taehyung would read it and come back.

But Taehyung never came.

And Jungkook’s condition kept deteriorating, day after day…

Jimin was dozing lightly beside Jungkook when strange, broken noises pulled him awake. His eyes shot open, and panic instantly gripped him as he saw Jungkook clutching his chest, his body trembling, lips parting desperately for air.

Jimin - Kookie—!

Jimin scrambled upright, his hands hovering helplessly before seizing Jungkook’s shoulders. His heart lurched at the sight of Jungkook’s face twisted in unbearable pain, his breaths ragged, shallow.

He fumbled for his phone, his fingers trembling as he unlocked it, but Jungkook’s weak, trembling hand shot up and pressed over his. His grip was faint, but the message was clear.

Jungkook - D-Don’t… call

Jungkook rasped, his voice fractured, almost inaudible.

Jimin’s eyes blurred with tears.

Jimin - Don’t say that, Kookie! Please, hold on—I’ll call an ambulance, you’ll be fine!

His voice cracked, desperate, already dialing.

Jungkook shook his head slowly, his chest heaving. His lips quivered as he forced words out.

Jungkook - I… I w-won’t… s-survive… th-this t-time.

The world tilted for Jimin. His throat closed as sobs tore out of him.

Jimin - No, no! Don’t say that!

He shook his head violently, tears streaming.

With what little strength he had left, Jungkook raised his trembling pinky finger, hand shaking uncontrollably. His eyes pleaded as he whispered, broken and faint

Jungkook - P-ppromise… me… y-you won’t… d-do… anything… to him…

Jimin’s chest burned with anguish. His tears fell hot and fast. His voice cracked, bitter.

Jimin - You’re… still thinking about him? Even now?

Jungkook’s lips trembled into the faintest, heartbreaking smile. His shaking pinky still hovered between them, stubborn. His eyes begged.

Jimin’s hands trembled as he hooked his pinky around Jungkook’s, pressing their fingers together, his sobs breaking him apart.

Jimin - I promise

He whispered, his voice shattered.

Relief flickered faintly across Jungkook’s face. His lips curved in the smallest smile.

Jungkook - Th-thank you, J-Jimin… y-you’re… m-my b-best… friend…

And with that, his eyes fluttered shut, his body going limp in Jimin’s arms.

Jimin - No—NO! KOOKIE!

Jimin screamed, clutching Jungkook to his chest, sobbing uncontrollably, shaking him as if he could wake him back to life.

Mrs. Jeon rushed in, her face draining of all color before she collapsed with a bloodcurdling cry.

Mrs. Jeon - KOOKIE!

Her voice ripped through the air, raw and broken.

Flashback ends ~

Jimin’s eyes burned as he glared across at Taehyung, his body shaking with hatred and grief.

Jimin - I hate you, Taehyung

He spat, his voice dripping with venom.

Taehyung didn’t answer. He sat frozen, his hands clasped tightly in his lap, gaze cast downward like a man awaiting judgment.

The silence only fueled Jimin’s rage. He stormed up to him, grabbing Taehyung’s jaw and yanking his face upward.

Jimin - Why are you quiet, huh?! Say something—

But his words died in his throat.

Taehyung’s eyes were bloodshot, shimmering with unshed tears, his face streaked with the ones that had already fallen. He looked utterly broken, like the shell of a man.

Jimin’s grip loosened immediately, his anger faltering into shock. His voice softened, trembling.

Jimin - Why… why did you kiss her?

Taehyung’s throat worked, but his gaze dropped again. His words came out hoarse, almost inaudible.

Taehyung - I didn’t… I was drunk. She kissed me… forcefully.

The silence after his confession was deafening.

Jimin’s jaw clenched, his eyes still wet with fury and sorrow. His voice cracked as he asked

Jimin - Did you… really love him?

Taehyung didn’t answer. He only rose quietly, his shoulders heavy, and walked away, his silence saying more than words ever could.