Chapter 26

When it was time for Yoongi's vacant, he wasted no time to study his upcoming quiz again. This semester was really tough for him and it was only his first sem.

He found himself at a café near their University, flipping through pages and pages, indulging every information there is.

"Hey, Yoongi, right?" He jumped when a sudden voice spoke. He looked up to see it was, he was very familiar but couldn't put his finger on it.

"It's me, Heeseung. The boy from 2 days ago? In the convenience store?" He explains as Yoongi finally remembered. He gestured the boy to sit down.

"Oh! Come and sit here, I was just studying these materials, we're gonna have a quiz again later." Yoongi says, flipping another page again.

"Uhm, I hope I'm not disturbing you-"

"No! Not at all! So, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just here to say hi since I saw you from the window outside hehe." He quickly explains, giving an awkward glance to the other. "If you don't mind, how are you related to Jimin?"

"O-Oh, he's my friend." Yoongi answers. He was about to brush it off but how did he know about Jimin? Was he his close friend? "How do you know him?"

"Taehyung kinda brought him up the other day saying I shouldn't interfere with you two. He told me he'd go nuts if I hit on you, hahahah. But now that I got my answer, how about I take you out on some ice cream sometimes?" Yoongi blushed at the sudden statement.

He wasn't blushing because of the sudden "date" but he blushed because Taehyung mentioned Jimin being nuts if someone hits on him.

"I'll take that as a yes. Meet me after school? I know your building hehe." Heeseung says, standing up and jogged off the café.

"What the fuck just happened?" Yoongi told himself, shaking his head. "That escalated quickly..."

****

After school, Yoongi found Heeseung waiting outside his building, just as he had promised. They walked together to a small ice cream shop by the beach. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the sound of the waves added to the charm.

"This place is so cute!" Heeseung exclaimed as they entered the shop. "What flavor do you want, Yoongi?"

"Uh, maybe chocolate?" Yoongi said, feeling a bit awkward.

"Two chocolates, please," Heeseung ordered, flashing a smile at Yoongi.

As they sat down to enjoy their ice cream, Heeseung couldn't resist being cheesy. "You know, Yoongi, I heard ice cream tastes even better when you're with someone cute."

Yoongi nearly choked on his ice cream, blushing furiously. "Heeseung, that's... very cheesy."

Heeseung laughed. "Sorry, I couldn't help it. But seriously, I'm glad we got to hang out. You seem like a really cool guy."

"Thanks," Yoongi said, still feeling awkward but starting to relax a little. "So, how do you know Taehyung again?"

"We're in the same class for a couple of subjects," Heeseung explained. "He’s always talking about his friends. He mentioned you a lot, actually. Said you’re one of the smartest guys he knows."

Yoongi felt his face heat up again. "Really? That's... something."

Heeseung leaned in a bit, grinning. "So, tell me more about yourself. What do you do when you're not hitting the books?"

"Uh, well, I work part-time at a café," Yoongi said. "And I like making music, writing songs. It's kind of my passion."

"Wow, that's awesome! I'd love to hear some of your music sometime," Heeseung said enthusiastically. "Maybe you could serenade me?"

Yoongi laughed awkwardly. "I don't know about that. I usually just keep my music to myself."

"Aw, come on. I'm sure it's amazing," Heeseung said, giving him a playful nudge. "Hey, speaking of music, have you heard the new album by that indie band? I think it's called 'Starlit Dreams' or something."

"Uh, yeah, I've heard a few tracks. It's pretty good," Yoongi said, trying to steer the conversation away from himself.

"See, we already have similar tastes," Heeseung said with a wink. "This is going great."

Yoongi managed a small smile. "Yeah, it's been nice."

They continued talking, with Heeseung throwing in cheesy lines here and there, making Yoongi blush and laugh awkwardly. Despite his discomfort, Yoongi found himself enjoying the conversation more than he expected.

---

Meanwhile, Taehyung and Jungkook were just about to go out for some skewers by the beach when they spotted Yoongi and Heeseung eating ice cream together.

"Isn't that Yoongi hyung?" Jungkook asked, nudging Taehyung.

Taehyung squinted in their direction. "Yeah, it is. And that's Heeseung with him."

Jungkook's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh, I can't wait to spill this tea to the hyungs!"

Taehyung sighed. "Let's just leave them be, Jungkook. It's none of our business."

"But still, this is gonna be interesting," Jungkook said, already imagining the reactions of their friends. "Yoongi hyung and Heeseung? Who would have thought?"

"Jimin's gonna rip his balls.." Taehyung whispers to himself.

"What?" Jungkooks asks as the other just laughed awkwardly and told him that it was nothing.

"Don't ship them just yet, what if Jimin is gonna come back or something?" Taehyung says, hinting something to him as the other just looked at him and scoffed.

"Sure he will, he forgot us already." Taehyung smacked the boy's back.

"Hey! He did not. But seriously though, mind your own business, big gossiper."

Jungkook nodded. "Got it. But still, I can’t wait to tell the others."

As they watched from a distance, they saw Yoongi and Heeseung laughing together, clearly enjoying each other's company. Taehyung couldn't help but smile a little, glad to see Yoongi loosening up, even if it was just a bit awkwardly.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was already formulating how to spill the tea without causing too much of a stir. "This is gonna be good," he muttered to himself.

****

That night, Yoongi stepped into Namjoon's house, where the rest of the group was already gathered.

"Did you hear the one about the scarecrow?" Namjoon was saying. "He's outstanding in his field!"

The room erupted in laughter, and Yoongi couldn't help but smile at their silly humor; corny but eh.

"Hey, Yoongi!" Jungkook called out as soon as he noticed him. "Nice of you to join us. How was your date at the beach?"

Yoongi's eyes widened. "W-What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb," Jungkook teased. "We saw you with Heeseung, laughing and eating ice cream together. Looked pretty romantic to me!"

Yungmin, who was sitting nearby, scowled slightly. "Seriously, Yoongi? Another guy?"

Yoongi felt a bit uncomfortable, but Jungkook continued to tease him. "So, did you guys share a cone? Maybe a little kiss on the cheek?"

Namjoon joined in, grinning. "Finally moving on from Jimin, huh?"

Yoongi's face turned red. "It wasn't like that! We were just... hanging out."

Jennie, who knew more about Yoongi's past with Jimin, tried to lighten the mood. "Come on, guys. Give Yoongi a break. Maybe Heeseung's just a friend."

Hoseok, unable to resist, added, "Or maybe he's more than a friend. Yoongi's got game!"

Yoongi groaned. "Seriously, it wasn't a date. We just had ice cream. That's it."

Taehyung, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke up, trying to steer the conversation away from the sensitive topic. "Leave the poor guy alone, guys."

Jungkook, still grinning, nudged Yoongi. "Hey, no worries, hyung. We're just happy to see you smiling again. It's been a while."

Yoongi managed a small smile, appreciating their support despite the teasing. "Thanks, Jungkook. But really, there's nothing going on with Heeseung."

****

It was yet again another day of failure. Yoongi groaned at himself, staring at the huge red mark on his paper, indicating that he had yet again failed another quiz. "Ivan Pavlov is driving me nuts," he muttered to himself, mentioning the famous proponent of classical conditioning.

Jennie, the ever-bad-influence, noticed Yoongi groaning and staring at the sheet he was holding. She sighed and smiled as she put a hand on his shoulder. "Let's get you something to drink," she suggested.

"Yeah, that's not going to happen," he whined, kicking his legs slightly in frustration.

"Come on! A man to a woman! Let's drink up! Ahjussi! 10 bottles of soju, please!" Jennie called out, raising her hand as the old man behind the counter nodded and began serving the bottles and some food.

Yoongi could only sigh, finally giving in. "You're impossible."

"I know you love me," Jennie teased, handing Yoongi a shot glass as he took his first drink.

****

"I'm th-ahhh thinking about being a sugar baby to fulfill my wants and needs," Yoongi slurred to Jennie, who was equally as drunk.

"Go for it! I'mma support you!" she replied, laughing at him.

They continued drinking, each shot blurring the lines of their conversation more and more until they found themselves staggering out of the bar, laughing and leaning on each other for support.

"Jennie, I'm serious. No more work. Just... rich people taking care of me," Yoongi said, his words slurring together.

"Yesss! And you can wear cute outfits and dance for them!" Jennie giggled, swinging her arms around as they stumbled down the street.

"Yeah! No more quizzes, no more Ivan Pavlov," Yoongi mumbled, nearly tripping over his own feet.

As they wandered aimlessly, they suddenly found themselves in front of a very large house—a mansion, to be exact. The sight of it made them both stop in their tracks.

"Whoa... this place is huge," Jennie remarked, her eyes wide with drunken wonder.

Yoongi stared at the mansion, an idea slowly forming in his alcohol-addled brain. "You know what? This could be it. My future sugar daddy lives here."

Jennie, seizing the moment, pointed at a security camera by the gate. "Yoongi, look! There's a camera! Go dance for it and promote yourself as a sugar baby!"

"Are you serious?" Yoongi asked, half-laughing.

"Yes! Do it! Be explicit! Be sexy! Show them what they're missing out on!" Jennie urged, pushing him towards the gate.

Fueled by the alcohol and Jennie's encouragement, Yoongi stumbled toward the camera. He began swaying his hips awkwardly, trying to muster some semblance of sexiness.

"Hey there," he slurred at the camera, winking exaggeratedly. "I'm Yoongi, and I'm ready to be your sugar baby. I'll... I'll do anything you want. Cook, clean, dance... you name it." He tried to strike a seductive pose but ended up nearly losing his balance.

Jennie cheered him on, laughing hysterically. "Yes, Yoongi! Work it! Show them what you got!"

Yoongi continued, his movements growing more exaggerated and clumsy. "I'm a great catch, you know. You won't regret it. Just... take me in, and I'll make you the happiest sugar daddy ever."

He attempted a sultry dance move, but it ended in him nearly toppling over, catching himself just in time by grabbing the gate. Jennie doubled over in laughter, tears streaming down her face.

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Jennie finally said, wiping her eyes. "Let's go before we get arrested for public indecency."

Yoongi staggered back to her side, still laughing. "Do you think they'll call me?"

"Absolutely," Jennie replied, slinging an arm around his shoulders. "You're irresistible."

****

The night was starting to catch up with Jennie and Yoongi, the effects of their drinks making everything a little blurry and exaggerated. Jennie, feeling the need to sober up, decided to head to a convenience store for some ramen.

"Stay here, Yoongi. I'll get us something to eat," Jennie said, leaving Yoongi outside on a plastic chair near the store entrance.

Yoongi nodded lazily, watching Jennie disappear into the store. He sat for a moment, but the restless feeling from the alcohol made him fidgety. Before he knew it, he was up and wandering away, his feet taking him down a dark, unfamiliar alleyway.

The further he went, the darker and more isolated it became. After what felt like an eternity of wandering, he was confronted by three very muscular and tall men, all over six feet tall. They blocked his path, smirking down at him.

"Well, what do we have here?" one of the men sneered, eyeing Yoongi up and down.

"Looks like a little lost lamb," another laughed, stepping closer and running a hand over Yoongi's arm.

Yoongi, despite his drunken state, felt a surge of defiance. "Back off, you overgrown idiots," he slurred, swatting the hand away.

The men laughed harder. "Feisty, aren't we?" the third man said, grabbing Yoongi's chin roughly.

"Get your hands off me, you perverts!" Yoongi snapped, his voice rising.

"You're asking for it now," the first man said, his tone darkening. He slapped Yoongi hard across the face, making him stumble.

Yoongi's head snapped to the side, his cheek burning from the impact. "Help! Someone help me!" he shouted, but his cries seemed to vanish into the dark alley.

The men grabbed him, their hands rough and unforgiving. They lifted him effortlessly, ignoring his struggles and shouts for help. Just as Yoongi feared the worst, a shadow moved swiftly in the darkness.

A figure emerged, his silhouette strong and imposing. His face was partially obscured by a hood, but his eyes gleamed with fury. Without a word, he lunged at the men, his movements precise and deadly.

The first man didn't even see the punch coming. The figure's fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. The second man swung at the newcomer, but the figure ducked, delivering a swift kick to his midsection, knocking the wind out of him.

The third man, seeing his companions fall so quickly, tried to flee, but the figure was faster. He grabbed the man's arm, twisting it behind his back and slamming him into the wall. The man yelped in pain, unable to break free from the iron grip.

Yoongi watched in awe, his fear momentarily forgotten. The figure moved with a lethal grace, every motion calculated and efficient. Within moments, the three men were on the ground, groaning and nursing their injuries.

"Get out of here before I change my mind," the figure growled, his voice low and menacing.

The men scrambled to their feet and ran off, leaving Yoongi trembling on the ground. The figure turned to him, his expression softening slightly. As he stepped into the light, Yoongi could see him more clearly. He was big and muscular, with dark hair and intense eyes that seemed to pierce through the night. There was an air of familiarity about him, something Yoongi couldn't quite place in his drunken haze.

Then it hit him. The voice, the eyes, the veiny arms that he had watched. They were all belong to one person, and Yoongi was sure of that.

"J-Jimin? Is that you?"