Chapter 25

Why was it so hard to get Jimin off Yoongi's mind? The boy had been gone for four years already! It was time for him to forget him. But no, Yoongi still thought it was his fault that Jimin had left. He knew he was one of the reasons why Jimin had flown off to America.

"Mr. Min Yoongi?" Dr. Park called out when she saw Yoongi spacing out in her class, again. "Can I meet you after class?" she added.

Yoongi could feel his heart beating out of his chest. "U-Uh, sure, ma'am."

As soon as the class finished, Yoongi found himself in front of Dr. Park's desk as she fixed the papers around her. She shot Yoongi a stare before speaking. "You've failed a quiz twice, Yoongi. What's going on?" Her voice was stern but held a hint of concern for her student.

"A-Ah. It's just work, ma'am. I couldn't study well since work was always hectic."

"Hmm, I suggest you prioritize your studies, young man. If you go on like this without change, I'm afraid you won't be qualified for honors." In college, there are certain ranks when you graduate. Summa cum laude is the highest. Magna cum laude, the second. Cum laude, the third. They are all Latin honors, and Yoongi had dreamt of graduating with one of these ranks.

Sighing, Yoongi nodded his head. "I will try my best next time, ma'am."

---

Yoongi stormed into Namjoon's place, looking visibly grumpy. The rest of the group was gathered around, chatting and laughing.

Taehyung noticed Yoongi's expression and smirked. "Yoongi, did you get into a fight with a vending machine or something? You look like it ate your money."

Jungkook chimed in, "Or did you run out of coffee again?"

Yoongi glared at them, plopping down on the couch with a huff. "Dr. Park called me out. Apparently, I'm failing her quizzes."

Jennie raised an eyebrow. "Wow, that doesn't sound like you. What happened?"

"Just been distracted," Yoongi muttered.

Yungmin, who had been quietly listening, couldn't help but interject. "Oh, here we go. Distracted by what? Latin honors? Come on, Yoongi. They're just bullshit titles that don't mean anything in the real world."

Yoongi's face darkened. "They mean something to me, Yungmin. Not everyone wants to coast through life without any goals."

Yungmin scoffed. "Goals? You think those fancy titles will get you anywhere? It's all just academic fluff. You're wasting your time chasing after meaningless accolades."

Yoongi stood up, his anger boiling over. "You don't get it! Just because you don't care about your future doesn't mean the rest of us have to follow your pathetic example!"

Yungmin's eyes flashed with anger. "My example? At least I know how to live without constantly stressing over things that don't matter. Maybe if you let go of your obsession with Jimin and your stupid honors, you'd actually enjoy life."

Yoongi's fists clenched. "You have no idea what you're talking about. You think you're so smart, but you're just a coward who runs from anything that requires effort or commitment."

Yungmin stepped closer, his voice low and venomous. "And you're just a fool who thinks a piece of paper and a few Latin words will fill the void Jimin left. Grow up, Yoongi. The world doesn't revolve around your guilt or your dreams."

Tears of frustration welled up in Yoongi's eyes. "Screw you, Yungmin. I don't need your advice. Or your judgment." With that, Yoongi stormed out of Namjoon's place, slamming the door behind him.

The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air. Jennie sighed, looking around at the others. "Well, that escalated quickly."

****

"I'm telling you, Yuna! That boy was staring at me like I was a goddamn piece of meat," the blonde girl said while Yoongi was busy cleaning the tables.

Yoongi was the type of person who enjoyed eavesdropping on people's conversations in the café. It was fun to him.

"Pft, you're daydreaming again, Jisoo."

"You should've seen the boy beside him, though! He was fine as hell, too. He's definitely your type," the girl responded as she sipped her coffee.

"Who? The Taehyung guy? I know him from the college I attend." Yoongi's breath hitched when he heard Taehyung's name.

"You know him? Ah, you should tell him his friend should call me. He's a cutie and a hottie," the girl named Jisoo said.

Yoongi felt suspicious. Who was Taehyung hanging out with? If the other girl knew Taehyung, then she would've guessed the other guy's name too since their whole group was pretty famous as either the best in sports or academic achievers.

He couldn't help but butt in. "Excuse me, I'm sorry, but I kind of heard you both talking about my friend, Taehyung," Yoongi said with a friendly smile. "Uhm, could you explain how and when did you guys meet them?"

"Oh? Uhm, well, I met them when we were on our way here, probably not too long ago?" Jisoo explained, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Really?! Uhm, could you maybe, just maybe, tell me where you met them?"

"Oh! At the convenience store near here—"

With that, Yoongi headed out of the café. He quickened his pace, expecting someone in mind.

As soon as he spotted the convenience store, he quickly jogged in and saw Taehyung with his back to him, clearly talking to someone wearing a black hoodie.

He always wore a hoodie even if it was hot outside...

Trembling, Yoongi approached them.

"J-Jimin?"

Taehyung widened his eyes. "Y-Yoongi? What are you doing here?"

The person wearing a hoodie looked back. That was when Yoongi's world crashed again.

It's not him.

"Uh? Hello?"

Taehyung stood up, slightly annoyed by Yoongi's actions but still tried to introduce Yoongi to the person. "Aish, this is Heesung. Heesung, meet Yoongi. He's a great friend of mine."

Yoongi stormed out of the convenience store while Taehyung followed him. His blood was slightly boiling at Yoongi's actions. He couldn't believe he was acting so crazy.

"What was all that about?" Taehyung said, slightly angry at Yoongi's behavior.

"I thought it was Jimin..."

"For crying out loud, Yoongi. Stop thinking about him for once. If he wanted to come back, he would."

"Taehyung, you don't understand. I miss him, I still love him..."

"If you really loved him, why did you push him away like he was some beggar asking for food?" Taehyung snarled, now annoyed thinking back to when Yoongi had rejected Jimin.

"F-Fuck off," Yoongi said before leaving the other.

Taehyung just sighed and headed back into the store, his friend giving him a confused look.

"What's happening?" Heesung said, taking a sip of his coke.

"Nothing, really. It was just my friend thinking it was someone," Taehyung quickly explained, sitting beside the boy.

"He's kinda cute, Tae. You should let him hang out with me sometime."

Shaking his head, Taehyung scoffed at his statement. "Trust me, you don't want Jimin to lose his shit. That guy is Satan."