Chapter 36

"Uhm, who are these big guys with you, Jimin?" Jin said, staring at them with a spatula in his hand, busy cooking food for his friends.

"Yeah, Jim, they're kinda scary—and hot," Jennie added, holding onto Jimin's arm. One of the guys winked at her, causing Jennie to jokingly faint.

"What big guys are you talking ab—aish, I told you to go outside, not here," Jimin said, scratching his head in frustration. The three men obliged, heading out of Namjoon's house.

"It's nothing, hyung. They're just my...uh...other friends?" Jimin said, trying to sound casual.

Namjoon and Hoseok raised their brows, leaning towards Jimin. "Really? They're wearing black all over?" Namjoon asked.

"You suddenly don't have fashion taste?"

They scoffed at him and shrugged it off. Taehyung and Jungkook were as usual playing video games. Yungmin was eating Jin's food in the kitchen, and Yoongi had just arrived.

"Yoonnnn! I've missed you, come sit beside meeee!" Jennie ordered, pushing Jimin off the couch.

"Hey! That hurt!" Jimin protested.

Yoongi snuggled into Jennie's arms as he complained about his day. "Ugh, Mrs. Lee assigned a project, again! Midterms are next week, for fuck's sake," Yoongi muttered under his breath.

"NO CURSING!" Jin yelled from the kitchen.

"Have you eaten, sweetie?" Jimin suddenly asked while browsing through his cellphone.

The whole group looked at him, even Jin, who was cooking, and Yungmin, who was eating, peeped through the kitchen. "Sweetie?! Whaaaa, that's NEW!" Hoseok screamed.

"I KNEW YOU TWO WERE FUCKING!" Jungkook yelled, as Jin hit him with a spatula. "NO CURSING!"

Jimin looked at them in disbelief while Yoongi buried his face in a pillow. "I can't believe you're all my friends, aish," Jimin said, shaking his head. "And no, we're not fucking! Stop overthinking things. Friends can't call each other sweetie?"

"Yeah, friends with benefits," Yungmin finally joined in.

"NOT YOU TOO!" Yoongi said, throwing a pillow at him.

***

The day of the midterms arrived, and everyone was stressed. Jimin and his friends sat in the library, cramming last-minute information. Yoongi was furiously flipping through his notes while Jungkook and Taehyung quizzed each other on formulas.

When the exams finally ended, the group let out a collective sigh of relief as they exited the classroom. "I thought that was never going to end," Yoongi groaned.

Jin stretched his arms above his head. "Let's celebrate surviving midterms. How about some skewers by the beach?"

Everyone eagerly agreed, and soon they were heading towards the beach, chatting excitedly. When they arrived, they set up a small grill and started cooking skewers, laughing and enjoying the fresh air.

As they relaxed, Jin noticed three men standing at a distance, keeping an eye on them. Hoseok also noticed and leaned towards Jimin.

"Uhm, Jimin, what are they doing here again?" Hoseok whispered, glancing at the men suspiciously.

Jimin quickly thought of an excuse. "Oh, them? They're just, uh, part of a new security program at the university. You know, making sure everyone is safe."

Hoseok raised an eyebrow. "Security program? At the beach?"

"Yeah, it's a new thing. They, uh, follow students around to make sure we're safe off-campus too," Jimin said, trying to sound convincing.

Jin looked at Hoseok, then back at Jimin. "That's... weird. But okay."

Meanwhile, Yoongi was busy grilling skewers, oblivious to the conversation. "Hey, Jimin, come help me with these. They're almost done!"

Jimin gladly joined Yoongi, trying to change the subject. "Sure thing, sweetie."

The group burst into laughter again. "Sweetie, huh? Can't get over that," Jungkook teased, earning another smack from Jin.

As they continued to enjoy their skewers, Jin leaned towards Jimin once more. "Seriously though, those guys are just standing there. It's creepy."

Jimin sighed, knowing he couldn't keep up the lie forever. "Okay, fine. They're... uh... they're here because I have a little fan club. They just want to make sure I'm safe."

Hoseok and Jin exchanged glances. "A fan club? Really, Jimin?" Hoseok said, smirking.

Jimin nodded vigorously. "Yeah, it's totally a thing. They just love me so much they want to keep an eye on me."

The group laughed again, shaking their heads at Jimin's explanation. They decided to let it go and just enjoy their time at the beach, teasing Jimin every chance they got about his "fan club."

Jimin rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Yoongi, who was carefully turning the skewers on the grill. "You need help with anything else, Yoongi?"

"Yeah, can you grab the extra plates from the bag?" Yoongi asked, pointing to the bag near Jennie.

Jimin reached for the bag, but Jennie swatted his hand away playfully. "Nuh-uh, Jimin. Not until you explain why you're suddenly so popular that you need bodyguards."

Jimin sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. It's because I won Mr. SKU, okay? People are just obsessed with me now."

"Oh, of course," Jennie said, rolling her eyes. "You're just too irresistible." She added, sarcastically.

Everyone burst into laughter, and Jimin shook his head, trying to hide his smile. "Whatever, guys. Let's just eat."

As they dug into the skewers, Yungmin joined the teasing. "So, Jimin, are you planning to introduce your fan club to us?"

"Yeah, maybe we could all join," Jungkook added. "I've always wanted a personal security detail."

Jimin threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, I admit it. They're not really my fan club. They're just... friends from my martial arts class."

"Martial arts class, huh?" Yoongi said, raising an eyebrow. "That explains the black outfits."

"Exactly," Jimin said, nodding. "They're just here to practice their stealth skills."

Jennie giggled. "Well, they definitely need more practice. They're not very stealthy."

"Hey, they're doing their best," Jimin defended them, chuckling. "Now, can we please stop talking about my 'fan club' and just enjoy the food?"

"Fine, but only if you admit you're whipped for Yoongi," Hoseok teased, grinning.

"Fuck off, Hobi."

While they were eating, Jimin felt his phone buzzed.

Unknown number Jimin, let's have a talk, shall we? A father to son talk. Come to my office tomorrow.

Jimin didn't realize himself smiling over the text as Yoongi leans in. "Who was that?" He asked.

"It's dad, he wanted to see me." He answered, tilting his head to Yoongi.

"What? That's great, Jimin! I told you he has a soft spot for youuu." Yoongi said, playfully punching the other.

Jimin just chuckled in response, turning his head to his friends who were busy bickering.

*****

The next day, Jimin entered his father's office building, feeling a mix of anxiety and excitement. As he walked in, he was greeted by Ms. Yang, his father's secretary for 15 years.

"Hello, Mr. Park! You've gotten so tall!" Ms. Yang said, approaching him with a bright smile. She gave him a quick hug and gestured for him to wait.

"Do you have a girlfriend already? Ahh, I remember you being so small before! Jumping onto Mr. Park's lap, wearing your little onesie!" she exclaimed.

Jimin laughed, shaking his head. "No, Ms. Yang, I don't have a girlfriend."

"Oh, come on! A handsome young man like you? You must have girls lining up for you!" she teased, patting his arm.

Jimin smiled awkwardly, his mind drifting to Yoongi. "No, I'm still single."

Ms. Yang raised an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Really? Well, I'm sure you'll find someone special soon." She said, and immediately, Yoongi was taking over his mind. A smile escaped on his lips.

Jimin found himself nodding, feeling more relaxed. "Thanks, Ms. Yang."

"Alright, enough teasing. I'm going back to work now!" she exclaimed as he bid his goodbye to Jimin. He laughs and said his goodbye too.

Jimin sat in his father’s office, staring at the clock as the hours ticked by. The room, filled with expensive furniture and a stunning view of the city, felt empty and cold. He kept checking his phone, hoping for a call or a message that never came. His excitement from earlier had turned into frustration and disappointment.

After a long wait, Ms. Yang walked in with a concerned look. “Jimin, I’m sorry, but office hours are over. Mr. Park can’t make it today.”

Jimin's frustration boiled over. “What do you mean he can’t make it? I’ve been waiting here for hours. Where is he?”

Ms. Yang’s face grew serious. “Mr. Park had other important events to attend. He asked me to tell you he won’t be able to meet you today.”

Jimin’s face flushed with anger. “Important events? So, he made me wait here for nothing? He’s done this before, making me feel like I’m not important.”

“I’m really sorry, Jimin,” Ms. Yang said, trying to calm him. “I know it’s disappointing. Mr. Park’s schedule is very busy.”

Jimin’s frustration didn’t ease. “Disappointing? This is ridiculous. Why does he even bother with these meetings if he’s just going to blow me off? I’m here, and he’s not even showing up!”

Ms. Yang looked uncomfortable. “I understand you’re upset. I’ll let Mr. Park know how you feel. Maybe we can try to reschedule.”

Jimin took a deep breath, his anger still evident. “Yeah, maybe. But honestly, I’m tired of being pushed aside like this. I don’t know if I want to come back.”

Without another word, Jimin grabbed his keys and left the office. The city lights outside seemed dim as he walked away, feeling more let down than ever.

****

"What do you mean Jimin is not picking up his calls?!" Jin says, pacing back and forth.

"I called him multiple times, hyung. He didn't show up in class also." Hoseok explained as he dialed Jimin's number again.

Yoongi, who was hearing the whole conversation, was also pacing back and forth. Taehyung was also worried since he just got a reply from Ethan that Jimin was nowhere to be found in his house.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Jungkook said to Yungmin.

Yungmin sat up. "What if he went back to the states?"