Chapter 31

"I'm EXCITED for the sports fest next week! I heard there will be pageants every freaking course, AAAHHH!" Jennie yelps in excitement as they walk in the hallway.

Yoongi just rolled his eyes and thought about chess again. "Speaking of sports fest, I'm going to register later for chess. I ran out of slots last year."

"Oh so that's why you didn't show up at all! I WAS ALONE AFTER THE BASKETBALL GAME, YOU PABO!" Jennie screams, recalling the small memory she had last year.

***

As Yoongi got in the room where registration is held, he spotted Jimin and Hoseok there. Hoseok was pulling Jimin's hand pleading something to him.

"Please, Jimin! You should joinnnn! WE LOST LAST YEAR, WE DIDN'T GO TO UNIGAMESSS." He heard Hoseok pleaded as the people surrounding them could only shake their head since they know Hoseok was always a loud guy.

"I haven't played basketball for years already, Hobi."

"YOU ALSO SAID THAT WHEN WE JOINED THE DANCE COMPETITION, YOU LIARRRR!" Hoseok, again screamed.

Yoongi shakes his head too and shushed Hoseok since he was creating a slight commotion. "Nope." Jimin says, crossing his shoulders.

"I heard Heeseung's gonna go-" Hoseok was cut off.

"Okay, I'm in."

Yoongi looked at Jimin in disbelief when he realized he's really going to join when Heeseung's name was mentioned. The boy just punched Jimin in the face for crying out loud. This was going to be messy again.

****

"Nope," Jimin said again, resolutely crossing his arms as he sat in the big, spacious room where engineering students usually gathered for their major subjects.

Jimin sat back down, arms still crossed, and stared at the line of professors in front of him. He wasn't about to give in so easily.

"Mr. Park, you must understand," Professor Lee began again, now on his knees with his hands clasped as if in prayer, "this pageant is crucial for our department's pride!"

Why are people pushing me to do something these days, aish.

"Absolutely not," Jimin repeated, shaking his head.

Professor Kim, now wiping imaginary tears with a tissue, wailed, "Jimin, think of your poor professors! We've worked so hard to get this chance!"

Jimin raised an eyebrow. "Worked hard? It's a pageant, not a research grant."

Professor Park, dramatically throwing his arm over his forehead, added, "Jimin, we're desperate! We need you! You're the only one who can do this!"

Jimin sighed. "Why me? Can't you ask someone else?"

Professor Choi, looking ready to faint, interjected, "We did! But no one has your... charisma!"

Jimin rolled his eyes. "My charisma? Seriously?"

Professor Kim, now dramatically leaning against the wall as if overcome by emotion, sobbed, "Yes, your charisma! Your charm! Your... your... everything!"

"Yeah, no," Jimin said, shaking his head. "I'm not doing it."

Professor Lee suddenly jumped up, startling Jimin. "What if we make it worth your while?"

Jimin gave him a skeptical look. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

Professor Choi leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "Unlimited ramen and coffee. For a whole month."

Jimin's eyes lit up momentarily but then he quickly regained his composure. "Tempting, but still no."

Professor Kim dramatically fell to her knees, clutching Jimin's leg. "Please, Jimin! Think of our dignity!"

"Your dignity? You're the one on the floor," Jimin pointed out, shaking his leg free.

Professor Park took a deep breath and said, "Alright, Jimin. What will it take? Name your price."

Jimin thought for a moment, then smirked. "Fine, I'll do it if Professor Lee agrees to do a dance number with me on stage."

The room went silent. Professor Lee's eyes widened in horror. "A dance number?"

"Yes, a dance number," Jimin said, crossing his arms with a satisfied grin.

The professors exchanged worried glances. Finally, Professor Lee sighed. "Fine. If that's what it takes, I'll do it."

Jimin burst out laughing. "Okay, okay. You've got yourself a deal. I'll do the pageant."

The professors cheered, high-fiving each other. Professor Kim wiped away her fake tears and said, "You won't regret this, Jimin!"

Jimin chuckled, shaking his head. "I already do."

****

The night was already deep, and it was time for Yoongi's shift to end. Apparently, he had been avoiding Heeseung the whole time since he punched Jimin in the face. He couldn't look at him the same anymore after that happened.

Yoongi grabbed his bag from the locker as he headed out of the café, munching on his cheese sticks.

"Hi, Yoongi," an unfamiliar man stepped up.

"O-Oh? Who are you?" Yoongi stuttered as the other man chuckled.

"You gotta keep an eye on Park," he commented as Yoongi gripped his bag, furrowing his eyebrows.

"What do you mea-"

"It looks like you should keep an eye on yourself, asshole," a deep, husky voice behind him spoke. He turned around to see Park Jimin wearing a furious face.

The unfamiliar man took a step back, nervousness conquering him. "I-I..."

"Who the fuck are you, and what are you doing here?" Jimin snarled at him as he walked towards him. Yoongi held him back, concerned Jimin might get hurt or something.

The unfamiliar man took another step back, clearly intimidated by Jimin's fury. "I-I didn't mean anything by it. I was just... I gotta go," he stammered before turning and bolting down the street.

Jimin watched him run off, his fists still clenched. "Why the hell are you walking alone late at night?" Jimin almost yelled at him. "How could you be this stupid, Yoongi?"

"I-I... work was only a 15-minute walk! I didn't know. But look at me, I'm fine-"

"This is the second time I caught you walking alone! This is not fine! What if something happened to you?" Jimin said, gripping his shoulders and shaking them slightly, anger slowly taking over.

"Nothing will happen to me, Jimin! Aish, I see you still worry about meeeee. Hihihi."

Jimin rolled his eyes at him. "Now is not the time for games, Yoongi. You seriously could-"

Yoongi didn't let Jimin finish. Instead, he leaned in for a hug.

Jimin stiffened at first, but then he felt Yoongi's warmth, his heartbeat against his chest. Slowly, he relaxed, his arms wrapping around Yoongi's waist.

Yoongi held him tightly, resting his chin on Jimin's shoulder. "I'm sorry for worrying you," he whispered softly.

Jimin's heart raced, the anger melting away. He hadn't felt this close to Yoongi in years. "Just... be more careful, okay?" he said, his voice softer now.

Yoongi nodded against him. "I will. I promise."

For a moment, they just stood there, holding each other. Jimin closed his eyes, feeling his heart beat faster. Despite everything, Yoongi still made him feel safe, made him feel loved.