Chapter 10

Jin is sitting all alone in the dorm. He didn't go back to the studio anymore and told Yoongi and Namjoon that he is not feeling well. The incident that afternoon kept replaying in his head. He stormed off the restaurant the moment he heard YeongCheol confess his feelings to you. He doesn't want to be there to hear your answer. He might not be able to take it if you give YeongCheol the chance. He is more upset that he doesn't have that much advantage right now. He's going to go crazy thinking how things turned up this way. He's already regretting everything and now the feeling is much more worse. He fears that sooner or later he will eventually lose you. He wished so badly that he could turn back the time when he had the opportunity to profess his love for you. Then he remembered the New Year's party that was held in your place.

It was New Year's Eve, Jin was anxiously fixing himself for the party that you were hosting in your place after the boys all outvoted you. They insisted that since this year, all of you will not be attending any street party countdown celebration, they suggested that they would rather stay in your apartment since it has a nice view of the Han River and the Gangnam district. It would be the perfect place to witness the turn of the new year and get a spectacular view of the fireworks display. He heard the boys call out his name from the living room. He took one last look at his reflection and breathe in a large amount of air before heading out.

The moment you opened the door, all the boys merrily greeted you, and you invited them inside your home. The boys immediately started doing their assignned tasks for you to be able to start the party in time. You and Jin were in charge in cooking, while Hoseok, Namjoon and Yoongi were in charge of the decorations, Jimin was in charge of cleaning the apartment, and Taehyung and Jungkook, well, they kept themselves busy by hogging the game console.

The sound of you and Jin's playful bickering and laughter echoed the kitchen while you both slaved yourselves in preparing a scrumptious meal for everyone. He kept "bossing" you around the kitchen as he make you run and do some stuff for him while he took over cooking and everything. While you were busy chopping some vegetables that he shoved in front of you, Jin can't help but stare at your face and unintentionally brushed off the strands of hair that got loose fromm the tie and is now bothering your eyes. You just smiled at him, fixed your hair in a high messy bun and continued chopping. For a moment, he felt his heart stopped beating and his breathing hitched when you smiled at him. His gaze never left you.

"Are you ok?" You asked him with a puzzled expression. He broke away from the hypnotic state that he was in and noticed you were already done chopping and was looking at him weirdly.

"W-what? Why are you looking at me like that?" He sputtered in a defensive tone.

"I should be asking you that. You have been staring at me for a whole minute. Did I do something wrong?" You asked worriedly. Jin has no excuse to refute you so he just pretended to be irritated and mumbled 'nothing' befor snatching the plate of vegetables from your hands. He walked away and you were left snickering behind him before walking the other way to finish the other dishes.

You were all gathered in the living room waiting for the countdown to begin. You just finished dinner and you are just relaxing now and sharing funny stories with each other as you and the elder boys are enjoying a glass of wine while the three maknaes were stuck drinking orange juice. Jin took a seat beside you on the couch and the moment you felt him flop beside you, you unconciously held his hand that was sitting on his lap which made him jump a little. The warmth of your touch sent shivers to his body making him gulp. Then he felt you lean backwards towards his direction making his heart flutter. You excitedly whispered something in his ear, but since he was too anxious and was mesmerized with your closeness that he never even git the chance to even listen to what you have said. He just let out a fake laugh and took a sip of the wine to hide his restlessness.

You were still laughing at Taehyung's funny impersonations when Jungkook looked out your window and saw some beautiful fireworks already coloring the night sky. It's still a few minutes before midnight, but there were already some early birds who wanted to start the fireworks early and show off the what they have prepared. Still at awe, Junngkook immediately stood up and ran towards your balcony to watch the lights dancing in the night sky. The rest of the boys followed him to the balcony and they watched the beautiful display of colors paint the skyline in front of them.

Jin and you were the only ones left in the living room looking at the others. Jin was watching you smile at the boys who were having funn on the balcony, excitedly admiring the display of colors and pointing different fireworks that awed them. He saw you took a sip of wine and started to stand up. He also stood up from his seat and immediately grabbed your wrist making you jerk back a little towards him. It was just a few minutes before midnight and he knows you already wanted to join the others in the balcony to celebrate. But this is also an opportunity he doesn't want to miss. He waited for this moment for a long time. The countdown is already starting. Without any hesitation, Jin pulled you inside you room and made you face him. He is now staring at you and you're staring back at him with a puzzled expression painted on your face, but didn't say anything. Jin smiled as his eyes met yours. He couldn't help but wonder if you could hear how fast his heart is beating right now. You were both so caught up with the moment that you both can't hear anything but breathing. You heard him counting down softly. "It's now or never," he confidently said in his head. Jin took one deep breath before slowly moving his face close to yours as the countdown nears.

"Happy New Year!" Everyone shouted in unison in the other room the moment the clock hit twelve midnight.

"One." He said in a whisper. He gently supped your face, slowly pulling you closer to his. His soft, plump lips brushed yours. It was the sweetest thing he have tasted. He never imagined that this time would ever come. He is kissing you! He closed his eyes the moment that he felt that you will not fight back. And the unexpected thing happened, you kissed him back. The whole world is already welcoming the turn of the year and yet you and Jin are in your own world. Fireworks started to light behind the two of you but never noticed. He slowly broke away from you and his heart fluttered when he saw your eyes still closed as you savor the moment. "So beautiful," he admiringly said to himself as a smile escaped his lips and he continued to gaze lovingly at you. Jin watched you as you slowly open your eyes and was surprised to see him staring at you. He was waiting for you to react on what just happened, but you didn't. You didn't even remove his hands that are still cupping your face. You just continued to stare at him. He smiled. He slowly leaned forward and was about to kiss you again when both of you heard Taehyung and Jimin shouting from the living room looking for the two of you. He immediately let go of your face and both of you pretended to be admiring the fireworks from your bedroom window just in time before the two boys entered your room. They both engulfed you and Jin in a hug as they wished you a happy new year. Taehyung grabbed hold of your hand and slowly dragged you away from your room, Jimin in tail. Jin saw you look back at him helplessly, but he can't do anything but give you a sad smile as you were dragged away from him. He sighed. He will just confess his feelings for you in another time.

Jungkook sluggishly walked towards the dorm after his tutoring session with you. Since the examinations is just a few weeks away, you both worked hard on making Jungkook maintain his grade and stay in the top 5. Jungkook arrived at the dorm, his energy close to being drained. He lazily removed his shoes but got startled the moment he switched on the light to find Jin sitting quietly in the dark, buzzed and is finishing his 4th bottle of Soju. Alone.

"Hyung, you scared me." Jungkook said softly as he calmed himself and tried to walk quietly towards his room. Eyes hooded, Jin tried his very best to look at Jungkook who is walking past by him.

"Do you know that your teacher, that Mr. Yo, already admitted his feelings towards (Y/N) today?" Jin said bitterly as he took another shot of Soju to wash away his sorrows. Jungkook stopped on his tracks and slowly turned towards his hyung. He is a bit surprised on this news as he just came from your place, but never did he remember you mentioning anything about his teacher nor any confession.

"And what does that have to do with me?" He asked.

"Nothing." Jin shrugged his shoulders and poured himself another drink.

"I just thought you should know." Then a heavy sigh escaped him as he stared into space before engulfing the contents of the glass. He thought that the alcohol could help him forget his regret and heartaches, but it didn't. His heart's still in pain. He furiously dishelveled his hair in frustration as the image of you and YeongCheol in the restaurant flashed in his mind and let out a loud groan and slammed his hand on the table making some of the Soju bottles tumble in the process.

"Stop it, hyung!" Jungkook hissed. "Just forget about Noona! I guess that will be the best for the both of you." He said before he turned his back and is about to go to his room.

"Psh! Easy for you to say, huh?" Jin sneered as he took another shot of Soju. Jungkook just ignored the comment and continued to walk away.

"Why do you hate me so much?" Jungkook was cought off guard on the question that Jin suddenly asked. He once again stopped in his track. A big sigh escaped him before facing his hyung.

"No, I don't hate you, hyung." Jungkook said as he looked at the elder.

"Psh, don't deny it anymore. I know you do. You changed ever since I started a relationship with Soyeon." Jin's words were covered with bitterness as he waited for his answer.

"No, hyung. I don't." Jungkook sighed, still rooted on where he is standing.

"Then tell me why you are so cold and distant towards me?" He sneered.

Jungkook let out another sigh. He's not sure whether he should talk with Jin in his state or just let him be. But he decided on the first option and started walking towards where his hyung is sitting and fished his phone from his pocket. He took a sit infront of Jin and started scrolling on his phone.

Jin looked at him curiously. When Jungkook found what he was looking for, he immediately showed it to Jin making the elder gasp. It was a picture of him kissing you on New Year's day. It was almost like a silhouette of you and Jin with beautiful fireworks on the background. It was the most beautiful picture Jin has ever seen. Pain once again jabbed his heart.

That night, when all the boys were greeting each other a happy new year, Jungkook noticed that you and Jin were missing from the balcony so he started looking for you. But because you and Jin were so caught up in the moment, you were both unaware that Jungkook had already wandered near the room and saw you two sharing a sweet kiss with the beautiful fireworks in the background. Jungkook found it beautiful. He smiled and immediately took a shot of you two with his phone.

"When I saw the two of you together, I thought I saw and understood what love really is when I witnessed you and Noona kissed that night." He smirked while he looked at his hands and Jin still staring at the photograph in front of him.

"I knew that whenever you look at Noona, you not only see a friend but someone special. I thought to myself that when the time comes that it will be my turn to find someone that I will fall madly in love with, I wish I could fall in love like how you did with Noona. But then..." He let out a heavy sigh and looked at Jin.

"It all shattered when things went south between the two of you. When you brought that Soyeon here and didn't even fight for her when she needed you the most, you shoved her away and started treating her like she was nothing. And the tender look you usually give her was replaced by coldness and you ended up making her cry and breaking her. It was just the total opposite of what I have on New Year's Day. I was so mad at you that I swear that I don't want to be like you anymore. I don't want to be someone who hurts the person who loves them the most." Jungkook said. Jin was speechless and still looking at the photo. He was surprised on what Jungkook said. He never knew that he had this much impact on the boy sitting in front of him. Now he doesn't know whether he should be proud or be ashamed.

"Noona loves you so much that she endured so much pain. Everytime you hurt her, she still tried to mask the pain she is feeling. But being someone close to her, I felt her pain and I was the one getting hurt for her." Jungkook said sadly as he remembered the days he would see you try to breakdown on your own. Jin was too speechless to say anything. He just looked at Jungkook with a sorrowful expression as he listened to the maknae pour out what is in his heart.

"I still keep that picture because I still believe and hope for love to heal the two of you. But I guess, with what is happening right now, everything will just be wishful thinking." Jungkook said sadly as he took his phone and shoved it back into his pockets.

"I know I have not exprerienced love the way you did, but I guess you just have to talk with (Y/N) noona. We both know that she is stubborn, but if you let her hear your side, maybe she will forgive you." Jungkook said as he stood up from his seat.

"And if you're really serious on pursuing her, you don't have to worry about any other person who's trying to swoon her. That won't matter. Just build her trust back on you and..." Jin looked up at the maknae who is looking at him sternly.

"If you ever hurt her again, you will definitely answer to me and the others." Jin nodded slowly, lips pursed as he took his gaze away from the boy.

"Thanks... I guess." He said taking another shot of Soju. Jungkook just nodded back at his hyung and walked towards his room.

//

It was already the weekend and you decided to go to the mall to unwind from the stressful week you just had. After you finished shopping, you decided to spend some quiet time before going straight home. You visited the cafe you frequently go to when you want to be alone since it's very cozy and not so crowded. You ordered your usual latte and took your favorite booth near the window. You pulled the book that you purchased earlier and started to immerse yourself with it immediately. You're still emerged in your book when suddenly, a familiar voice greeted you making you peel your gaze from your book.

"What a coincidence to see you here." It was Yo YeongCheol and he is flashing his handsome smile towards you, his coffee in his hand.

"Oh, hey YeongCheol. What brinngs you here?" You greeted as you close your book.

"Oh, I was in the neighborhood and I saw you from the window so I decided to join you." He said. You pursed your lips and didn't say anything but just stared at him.

"Is this seat taken?" He said as he pointed politely at the seat in front of you. You smiled and shook your head.

"May I?" He asked.

"Sure." You nodded and watch him take a seat in front of you.

"Went shopping, huh?" He said as he saw the packages sitting nearly beside you. You let a small laugh escape you and nodded.

" I went a bit over board, didn't I? I only wanted to buy a couple of things and this book, but I ended up buying all these." You stated makinng YeongCheol shake his head in disbelief.

"To be honest, I wouldn't know what is too much since I myself sometimes spend too much." He said making both of you laugh.

Both of you are so engrossed in each other's stories that YeongCheol got carried away with one of the story he is telling you and accidentally knocked off his coffee cup and spilled some of its contents on your jeans and shoes which startled you making you stand up. He immediately grabbed some napkins on the table and helped you clean your shoes while you wipe the coffee stains off your jeans. Suddenly, you felt someone hold your wrist and pull you away from YeongCheol. You looked at the man who is pulling you away. It was Jin. You tried so hard to free yourself from his grasp. The moment both of you are outside of the cafe, Jin let you go.

"What the heck do you think you're doing?" You shouted at him the moment your wrist was free from his grasp.

"I was saving you from him." Jin said nonchalantly. You just shook your head in disbelief.

"Listen to me, Jin. I'm not yours to rescue. I can handle things on my own, thank you." You said sharply, folding your arms on your chest as you glared at him.

"But you are. You are mine to protect. From what I saw, he's just taking advantage of you." He said.

"But I am what? YeongCheol is what? Are you drunk right now or something? Or is there something that I'm missing?" You sneered at him.

"No I'm not drunk, (Y/N). I just want to talk. I want to talk about us." Jin said almost in a whisper as he gazed at you sorrowfully.

"Jin, there is no us. There will never be an US. You have made that perfectly clear to me... THRICE." You seethe at him. Jin was bewildered with your response, but that didn't dishearten him.

"I-uh, but I made a mistake. I didn't mean what I said back then. I want to make things right for us just like before, or even more. Please give me this chance." He tried to reach for your hands, but you were to quick to dodge off from his grasp.

"No, listen to me, Kim Seokjin. I fell for you and idiotically proofessed my love for you, but I got shut down and you somehow confessed that you have feelings for me, but then I still got shut down. And to make matters worse, you accused me of something I didn't even do. I'm tired of this roller coaster of emotions in me, you know. It's just not worth it. Let's just leave it as it is." You said. Jin looked crushed. Reality is indeed vicious.

"But-" Jin wanted to argue to defend himself, but you cut him off.

"No, Jin. Just stop it. Accept the fact that we are never gonna happen because I already have. So you should too." And with that, you turned around and walked away from Jin who is left rooted in his place watching your figure disappear from his sight as you return back to the cafe.