Chapter 67

Later that night

“Kook, dinner is ready,” Tae said as he entered Jungkook’s room. Seeing Jungkook studying, Jungkook nodded and went with him. They sat down for the dinner, “Umm, Jin-ssi?” Jungkook asked.

“I’m here,” Jin said while coming to thme with a warm smile, placing the food he prepared in front of them. Jungkook just sat down silently. He stared at the food.

“Eat, Kook,” Jin said. Jungkook nodded and took a bite.

“Hyung, tomorrow I’m going to Jeju with Jimin and that Jaein, so I’ll leave early in the morning,” Tae said, chewing his food.

“Hmm, go safely and come back safely,” Jin said.

Tae nodded. “By the way, I saw the interview. Are you going to the States for the launch?” he asked. “Ani, I’m not. Dad and Samchoon will go. They’ll probably live there for months, I guess,” Jin said, chewing.

“Hmm,” Tae hummed. Meanwhile, Jungkook sighed in relief that Kim wouldn’t be around him for months.

“Umm, Kook, do you wanna come with me to Jeju tomorrow? It’s the weekend, though. I’ll be going to art museums and exploring there. What do you say?” Tae asked, smiling, hoping for a yes.

Jungkook looked at Tae, then at Jin. Jin gave him an assuring nod. Jungkook bit his lip, thinking about what to do. “Go with him. It will be fun,” Jin said.

Jungkook gave  a tiny nodd. Tae and Jin smiled at him.

“Okay then, let’s enjoy tomorrow,” Tae said, already excited.

Jungkook was watching TV, he saw the news. “Jeon Seon-ah, Chairwoman of Minbo Groups, arrived in Korea this evening. Korean citizens are excited to hear her upcoming plans for the country.”

Jungkook stared at the footage. He couldn’t pinpoint it, but something about her looked strangely familiar.

“Hey Kook, come on, let’s go to the backyard,” Tae said with a smile. Jungkook nodded and followed him.

The backyard was beautifully decorated with lights. It gave off a warm, comforting atmosphere. Jungkook looked around and saw Jin pacing back and forth while talking to someone on the phone.

“Let’s go,” Tae said again. Jungkook nodded. They both sat on the couch. Jin smiled at them and ended his call. He walked over.

“What are you two doing out here?” Jin asked.

“Just came to chill,” Tae said with a sheepish smile. Jin chuckled and sat next to Jungkook.

“Why do you look like you’re lost in thought, Kook? Something bothering you?” Jin asked, noticing how distracted he seemed.

Jungkook looked at Jin, slightly startled, and quickly shook his head.

“I’m normal,” he said quietly, though he knew it wasn’t the truth. Jin and tae glanced at each but stayed silent.

They sat in silence, gazing at the moon and the stars. Jungkook kept staring at them with longing in his eyes.

“Hyung, why is there only one moon? Doesn’t it look lonely surrounded by all those stars?” Tae asked, his voice soft, almost childlike in wonder.

Jin chuckled. “You should ask that to God, Tae.”

Tae smiled faintly. “Maybe the moon once thought it could survive on its own, so it fought with the other moons… and ended up alone.”

He said it so casually, but it hit Jungkook like a quiet thunder. It felt like Tae was unknowingly speaking about him.

Jin looked at the sky thoughtfully before replying. “Hmm… maybe. But look closely. See all those stars around it? Even if the moon broke away from others, the stars followed it. Maybe the other moons couldn’t stay, but they sent stars to keep it company. So it may look alone, but it’s surrounded by the ones who will always stay with it. And always Loved.”

Jungkook stared at Jin, eyes unmoving, heart heavy. The weight of unsaid things pressed against his chest. Tae nodded and with a chuckle “You litrally gave a quote hyung, you are indeed  the CEO and the boomer” Tae said chcukling, Jin hearing the word ‘boomer’ raised his hands to smack tae, tae quickely dodged, tae laughed, jin seeing his laugh just fake glared him.

Meanwhile jungkook, he was trying to stay calm, he felt suffocatiing, he let out a shaking breath, which was unnoticed by the duo, he looked at his hands which was trembing, He let out a soft sigh. “I… I’ll go to my room. I feel sleepy.”

“Ah, nae, Kook. Good night,” Jin said gently.

“Good night, Kookie. Let’s meet at 7 in the morning, okay?” Tae added.

Jungkook nodded silently and walked back inside, his figure slowly swallowed by the warm lights behind him.

“He seems distracted,” Tae said, his eyes on Jungkook’s disappearing figure. Jin hummed in agreement.

Tae looked up at the moon, his voice suddenly soft. “I miss Eomma.”

Jin turned to him with gentle, worried eyes. Tae’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but he held them back.

“But… I know she’s with me all the time,” Tae said quietly.

Jin gave him a sad smile. Tae always tried to be strong, but he cried every time he was reminded of his mother.

“You’ve grown up a lot, Tae,” Jin said, still smiling.

Tae gave a small smile in return. “Why did you look so tense today? Did something happen? You called me so suddenly… asked if I was safe.”

“Ah, that,” Jin sighed. “I got a threat. From Mr. Lee Minjoon. He’s been repeating the same nonsense, trying to scare me.”

Tae nodded, understanding the weight behind Jin’s words.

“Be careful tomorrow. Go safely and come back safely. I’ll send an extra guard for security,” Jin added.

Tae nodded again. “Don’t worry, hyung. Nothing will happen to Kook. We’re here for him.”

Jin looked at him and smiled, a flicker of comfort in his tired expression.

“Let’s go inside. It’s so cold,” Jin said, rubbing his arms.

Tae yawned. “Yeah, I’m sleepy too.”

And with that, the two quietly made their way back inside, each disappearing into their rooms, the night wrapping them in a fragile, shared peace. But… its for them only, meanwhile someone was sooooo far away from the word peace.

Meanwhile, with Jungkook.

He closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment, his breath already coming in short, uneven gasps. The room was quiet, but inside him, a storm was brewing. Sweats were all over his face.

His hands were trembling violently. He walked unsteadily to the side table, grabbed the water bottle, and took desperate gulps. Trying to calm but hiis condition only became worse.

He turned off the lights, trying to create calm, but the darkness only made things worse.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he let out a shaky breath. He closed his eyes, but instead of peace, chaos greeted him.

Flashes of blood.

Distant screams.

“You are a fucking selfish”

“why did I even came into your life”

“you don’t even know how much I am suffering beacause of you”

“I regret for being your bestfriend. I hate you to the core” eunwoo’s voice echoed.

“Monster. Selfish. Betrayer. Killer” The words kepts echoing in his ears. His breath caught.

He started breathing faster, too fast. “No…. pl-please” he whispered. His chest heaved as panic clawed its way up his throat. Whispers, voices that weren’t there, echoed in his ears, twisting his thoughts.

He clutched his chest as the pain came, sharp and unbearable.He felt like the world was caving in on him, like he was being crushed under the weight of something unseen.

He tried to breathe deeper, but it wasn’t working. To make him more miserable the chest pain, he was whimpering in pain. His whole body was trembling now, cold sweat on his skin.

Desperate, he opened the drawer and pulled out a small bottle. His fingers fumbled with the cap before he finally got a sleeping pill and a painkiller out and swallowed it with another gulp of water, and another gulp, and another, until he felt some part of him slow down.

He laid back down on the bed, heart still pounding, but the edges of sleep began to blur his panic. His body was still shaking, but weaker now. The fight was fading.

A single tear slipped from the corner of his eye, tracing down his cheek into the pillow.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, barely audible, before everything finally went still.

The next day

It was 8 in the morning. Tae was driving, while Jungkook sat in the front passenger seat, quietly scrolling through his phone.

“Let me show you my most favorite place in Jeju. You’ll love it, Kook,” Tae said with a smile. Jungkook just nodded, eyes still on his screen.

“Who all are coming?” he asked, glancing at Tae.

“Jimin and Jaein,” Tae replied.

Jungkook nodded again, then suddenly asked, “You’re committed, right?”

The question caught Tae off guard. He looked at Jungkook in surprise before quickly turning his eyes back to the road.

“Hell no. I’m single. Guess what? I’ve never even dated in my life,” Tae said with a sigh.

Jungkook kept looking at his phone and said casually, “No one can believe that you are single, being the most handsome man and being single” Jungkook said and shook his head.

Tae chuckled. “All the hyungs are single. Even Jimin. But don’t be fooled, he’s anything but innocent.” He shook hs head and continued, “He literally flirts with grandmas for fun.”

Jungkook just nodded, the tension in the air easing just a little.

Soon, Tae pulled up in front of a building and parked the car. He picked up his phone and called Jimin.

“Yah, what are you guys still doing, huh? I’m here,” Tae said.

“Five minutes,” Jimin replied before abruptly ending the call.

Tae sighed and glanced over at Jungkook, who was quietly staring out the window, lost in thought.

“Wait here. I’ll go get us some shakes,” Tae said, unbuckling his seatbelt.

Jungkook gave a small nod without looking at him. Tae smiled gently and stepped out of the car.

He was dressed in a casual but stylish shirt and fitted jeans, giving off a slightly formal vibe despite the relaxed look. Meanwhile, Jungkook wore his white hoodie, the sleeves pulled slightly over his hands as he leaned against the car window, the morning sunlight brushing against his face like a soft whisper.

Soon, Tae returned with a bag in his hands. He got into the car, placing the bag down, just as Jimin and Jaein appeared, each carrying their own bags. Jimin also had a camera bag slung over his shoulder.

Tae buckled his seatbelt as Jimin knocked on his window. Tae rolled it down.

Jimin peeked in and, noticing Jungkook sitting in the passenger seat, grinned. “Oh, you’re coming too? Woah, that’s amazing!” he said cheerfully.

Jungkook simply nodded in response.

Jimin and Jaein, placed their things in the boot. Then they both got into the back seat.

Jaein glanced at Jungkook, a bit confused, and looked at Jimin questioningly.

“He’s Jungkook, Tae’s younger brother,” Jimin said with a warm smile.

Jaein nodded, fastening her seatbelt. She noticed Jungkook staring at her quietly. She smiled and introduced herself.

“Hi, I’m Yoon Jaein,. I’m working with them on a project. I’m 23 years old, so you can call me noona,” she said sweetly.

Jungkook just stared for a moment, then gave a small nod and turned his eyes back to the front. his face unreadable, expression flat.

Jimin, noticing Jaein’s slight discomfort, leaned in and whispered, “He’s like that. Don’t worry—he talks once he feels comfortable.”

Jaein nodded in understanding. She whispered to Jimin, “When he came from Italy?’ Jimin whispered back “Over 3 months”, “Your friend must have been happy” Jaein said chuckling, she knew about Jungkook a lot as she heard it from tae.

“Can we go?” Tae asked, looking at them through the rearview mirror. “Nae,” Jimin and Jaein said., already excited.

Tae started the car and drove off.

The ride was calm and peaceful. Tae played music as the car moved along the scenic roads. In the backseat, Jimin and Jaein were fully immersed in the moment, laughing, vibing with the songs, and pointing out random things outside the window. Tae was also enjoying.

Meanwhile, Jungkook sat quietly, watching them with wide, innocent eyes. He didn’t speak, didn’t smile, but he listened.

“Ahhh you idiot, play that song, you pabo!” Jaein yelled from the back seat, smacking the headrest playfully.

Tae smirked. “No, no, no. Never ever,” he teased.

A second later, a light knock landed on his head from behind.

“Ahhh, wae??” Tae whined dramatically, rubbing the spot.

Jungkook chuckled softly at Tae’s exaggerated reaction, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Their bickerings reminded him of his and eunwoo’s, remembering those, his smile fainted.

Meanwhile, Jimin was fully immersed in the music, dancing along like no one was watching. The whole car was filled with chaotic energy.

“Ahhh Jimin-ahhh!” Tae called out like a child complaining to his mom.

“Ahhh Taehyung-ahhh,” Jimin mocked him with the same tone, laughing.

It was already noon, and yet still they were enjoying, and of course Tae and Jain was bickering from time to time, “Mr. Kim Taehyung, can you please stop at a restaurant? I’m starving,” Jaein complained loudly.

“Me toooo,” Jimin added quickly. Tae sighed dramatically. “These kids…” he muttered, shaking his head.

“Yah! We’re not your kids, mister!” Jaein snapped. “Nae nae, ahjumma,” Tae replied, smirking.

“Yah! Who are you calling ahjumma, huh? You’re the grandpa here!” Jaein shot back.

Soon enough, Tae pulled into a roadside restaurant.

They all stepped out of the car. Tae stretched with a groan, glancing toward Jungkook, only to find Jimin already dragging him toward the entrance. Tae chuckled and followed them inside. Jaein walked ahead beside Jimin.

Once seated, they ordered their food and waited. The meal came soon after, and for a while, everything was peaceful as they dug in.

That peace, however, didn’t last long. Tae reached for the last piece of a side dish with his chopsticks, only to find Jaein’s chopsticks landing on it at the exact same time.

He blinked in disbelief, then scoffed. “Yah. I’m counting to three. You better leave it,” he said, trying to sound like some mafia boss.

Jaein raised an eyebrow and glared. “Try me.”

“1… 2… I’m really gonna say 3, Jaein… and 3!” Tae warned.

Jaein didn’t budge. “45678910. What now? What will you even do, huh?” she shot back, smirking.

“Yahhh, you’re really pissing me off!” Tae huffed.

“Oh me? I’m pissing you off? You’re the sadist here!” Jaein argued.

And just like that, boom, their bickering started into another playful battle.

Jungkook, who was sitting beside Tae, quietly munched on his food, eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding in front of him. Jimin being Jimin, shook his head at Tae and Jaein’s argument, then sneakily reached over and grabbed the very piece they were fighting over.

Jungkook let out a soft chuckle as Jimin popped it into his mouth with a mischievous grin.

Jimin winked at Jungkook, who just shook his head in quiet amusement.

“I took it first, so it’s mine——-” Jaein’s voice cut off mid-sentence as she looked down at the now-empty plate.

Tae blinked at the empty dish, then looked at her. Slowly, they both turned their heads in unison… toward Jimin.

He was chewing the stolen bite with a smirk, his cheeks puffed like a squirrel.

“Yah! Jimin-ah!” they both yelled together.

Jimin laughed, continuing to eat.

Jaein smacked his arm. “You idiot!” she huffed and finally gave up, turning back to her own plate.

Tae huffed too, but didn’t press it further. He glanced over at Jungkook now and then, quietly checking on him.

Jungkook had eaten about half of his food, but eventually just pushed the rest around with his chopsticks, his appetite clearly fading. He started playing with it.

“What happened, Kook? Feeling full?” Tae asked gently, his voice soft and careful.

Jungkook nodded without looking up.

“Just eat a little more, then that’s it,” Tae said kindly.

Jungkook gave another small nod in response.

Meanwhile, Jaein had gone quiet, her eyes slightly wide, surprised by Tae’s tone. The soft-spoken, patient version of him was completely new to her.

She leaned closer to Jimin and whispered, “Yah… did someone else enter his body?”

Jimin chuckled under his breath. “He’s like that. His hyung mode just kicked in.”

Jaein nodded slowly, still processing the contrast from Tae’s usual chaotic energy.

Then, without a word, she picked up a meatball with her chopsticks and placed it gently onto Jungkook’s plate.

Jungkook looked at her, confused.

She smiled warmly and said, “Try that too, it’s really good.”

Jungkook hesitated, then nodded once and quietly ate the meatball.

It was a small moment, but the way the table softened around him, how they didn’t force him, but gently reached out.

Ahh, Jiminah, isn’t he so cute? Just the opposite of Tae,” Jaein said, not even missing a chance to roast Tae. Tae scoffed at her words. Jungkook looked at her munching his food.

Jimin chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Yahhh!” Tae yelled in disbelief. Jimin chuckled again.

Soon they were done eating, though Jungkook ate only half and felt full. They all went to the car. Tae threw the key to Jimin. Jimin whined “ahhhh why me” Tae chuckled at him.

“Umm Tae-ssi, I’ll sit in the back.” Jungkook said. Tae nodded and said with a smile . Tae went to the boot and took Jungkook’s medicine box. He gave it to Jungkook. “Take your medicines, Jungkook,” Tae said. Jungkook sighed and took it eventually.

Jaein was looking at him in confusion. Tae looked at Jaein and said, “Don’t try to kill him with your talk, okay?” Tae asked. Jaein scoffed and said, “Why should I, huh? At least get some manners from your younger brother, Mr. Sadist.” Jaein said. “Thanks for the advice, Miss Psycho,” Tae said. Jungkook handed the box to Tae. Tae smiled at him and took it.

Hey guys how was the chapter?? Was it good?

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Are you guys excited for upcoming chapters??? Tell your thoughts guys!!

If you want me to add anything in the story i will, so tell me.

And and and… in next chapter there wiil be a SECRET REVEALATION to Jin, any guesses?? (not about jungkook’s past)

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