Chapter 68

At Jeju

They reached their destination. Jungkook was awe-struck at the exterior itself-it was grand and well-textured, and he could already tell it was designed by professional architects.

They walked inside. Tae was holding Jungkook’s hand the entire time. Jimin and Jaein were looking around, taking pictures.

“Woahhh, this is so amazing,” Tae said, looking at a statue.

Jungkook was in awe too. “It’s so beautiful, right?” Tae asked, glancing at Jungkook.

Jungkook nodded. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Me too,” Tae replied with a soft smile.

“Ahh, Jiminahhh, look at this! Woahhh, it’s just amazing! How can they even design a masterpiece like this?” Jaein said, wonderstruck.

“It’s just so beautiful,” Jimin exclaimed, taking photos from every angle.

The four of them explored the museum with awestruck expressions. Jungkook especially was completely amazed cuz…. he had never been to a place like this before, since Kim had never allowed him.

Tae was admiring the waterfall-inspired design, with Jaein standing beside him.

“I swear, Kim Taehyung, I’ve never even seen sculptures like these,” Jaein said.

“Me too,” Tae responded, still in awe.

Meanwhile, Jimin and Jungkook were wandering nearby, taking in the sights.

Jaein sighed and started to walk away, but to her bad luck, she tripped and was about to fall, the camera slipping from her hands. Tae noticed immediately and lunged forward, catching Jaein just in time.

Their eyes met. Jaein blinked up at him, and Tae stared back, a bit shocked. That’s when Tae realized, hee was holding her by the waist, just like a scene from a K-drama.

Snapping out of it, Tae awkwardly pulled his hands away, unintentionally letting Jaein fall with a soft thud to the ground.

It all happened in a split second.

Jimin and Jungkook turned toward the noise, eyes wide. Jaein was on the floor, Tae frozen in shock, and a few visitors nearby had also stopped to look.

Tae snapped back to his senses and the first thing he did was grab the camera from the floor, checking if it was okay.

Jaein, on the other hand, groaned and stood up straight, rubbing her back. She bowed slightly to the surrounding visitors in embarrassment before turning to glare at Tae, who was still focused entirely on checking the camera. “Ahhhh my camera”

She scoffed, walked up to him, and gave him a sharp kick on the knee.

“Owww—!” Tae whimpered and let go of the camera, sending it flying. But Jaein was quick, she caught it mid-air before the camera touched the floor..

Tae clenched his teeth in pain, glaring at her. He was in that awkward position where he couldn’t scream at her or cry out properly, after all, they were still in an art museum.

Jaein shot him a death glare before turning around and walking away like nothing happened. Tae sighed, gritting his teeth in frustration.

Meanwhile, Jimin and Jungkook, who had been watching the whole thing from nearby, just stared at the scene.

“They’re both really chaotic and funny,” Jungkook said, chuckling.

“Nae, nae,” Jimin replied with a sigh. “I’m the one always dying in their chaotic arguments.”

Jungkook chuckled again, shaking his head.

Time skips

They were now sitting in front of a stunning seaside view. It was evening, and the golden sunlight painted everything in warm hues. The waves at the shore, the breeze was light, and the atmosphere felt like a perfect pause in time.

“You like it, Jungkook?” Tae asked, glancing at him.

Jungkook nodded. “It’s really fantastic… and amazing,” he said, his eyes fixed on the beach, a rare peaceful look resting on his face.

It had been a long time since he felt this calm.

Tae and Jimin smiled quietly at his response, and Jaein, who had been observing from nearby, found herself smiling too at the sight of their quiet bond.

“I’m going to get ice cream,” Jimin suddenly said, standing up.

Tae nodded, and Jaein followed him. “I’ll come too.”

Left alone, Tae leaned back on his elbows, looking out at the scenery. “It’s peaceful, right?”

“Nae, it is… so peaceful,” Jungkook agreed, his voice soft.

Tae turned to look at him and gently ran a hand through Jungkook’s hair. “Always keep this smile, Kook. That sad, cold face doesn’t suit you. You look like such a serious person, but smiling suits you more.”

Jungkook looked at him in disbelief. “I’m like this only,” he muttered, his eyes returning to the view.

“You were alone in Italy, right?” Tae asked suddenly, making Jungkook look at him with confused eyes.

“Eh?” he blinked, clearly startled.

“I mean… seeing you always locking yourself up in your room, not talking freely, barely opening up… it feels like you were really lonely there. I guess maybe because of appa? He must’ve left you alone in the house with just the maid, while he ran off to meetings and trips.”

Jungkook just stared at him for a moment.

Hell yes. I was so damn alone there.
I didn’t feel lonely when I was with Eomma, Noona, Eun, and Hyung… but with that monster…. Yes. After Hyung’s death… I was lonelier than you could imagine. There wasn’t even a maid. No one cooked for me. No one cared. No one was there for me. I was raised alone and still alone.

He swallowed his thoughts, holding them back. Instead, he just turned to the sea again, saying nothing.

Tae chuckled softly at his silence. “I get it. But you won’t ever be alone here. You’ll always have me and the others around. I’ll stick with you, whether it’s to entertain you… or annoy you.”

Jungkook looked at tae with eyes which had only innocence and the longingness. “Really?” He asked, tae smiled and said “Nae really, you can rely on us, you have us, and we have you, we want our maknae’s smiles too often so that it will make us smile too” tae said casually his eyes showing only pure love and care.

Jungkook stared at him, he don’t know why but he was feeling too much right now, back then he was convincing himself to not trust them but now he felt like he could give a chance to them to prove their real pure love and care for him.

And he wasn’t sure to whether give them a chance or not….

Maybe his heart is still not ready to trust someone again or maybe his Brain might be afraid to get a trauma again.

Jungkook just nodded to Tae smiled at him.

Before tae could speak, they heard footsteps behind them, Jaein and Jimin had returned. Jimin handed Tae his strawberry ice cream, while Jaein passed a chocolate one to Jungkook.

“Thanks,” Jungkook mumbled softly.

Jaein chuckled and sat beside him.

“Ahh, this is really amazing,” Jimin said, enjoying his ice cream. “We should build a house here. Who even needs AC in a place like this?”

“Ahh, you build it, Jiminah,” Tae said. “And I’ll name it… The Duck’s Work.”

Jimin smacked Tae on the arm, making everyone laugh. Jaein chuckled, and even Jungkook let out a soft laugh.

They sat there, talking about their day, the breeze brushing past them. As usual, Tae and Jaein were back at bickering over nothing-and somehow, that made everything feel perfectly normal.

Just for now maybe?

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They were now in the car, driving through the calm evening roads. Jimin was driving, Jungkook sat beside him in the front seat, while Tae and Jaein were in the back.

“Yah, Tae, I sent you an image, look at it,” Jaein said, her tone expectant.

Tae hummed in response and checked his phone. It was a photo of a sculpture Jaein had designed. He raised a brow.

“Not bad… but not good,” he commented, knowing very well that it was actually pretty impressive.

Jaein looked at him in disbelief. “Yah, are you a freaking idiot? Do you even have a taste?” she snapped.

Tae rolled his eyes dramatically and retorted, “You’re telling me I have no taste in design? Do you know who you’re talking to? You’re talking to the legendary Kim Taehyung, so just shut your-“

He was cut off abruptly by Jimin, who spoke in a low but firm voice. “Can you both stop your freaking fight?”

“Ahh, wae?” Tae whined loudly like a sulking kid.

Jimin shot him a death glare through the rearview mirror. “Jungkook is sleeping. Can you just shut your mouth, Tae?” he said sternly.

Tae glanced to the side and saw Jungkook sleeping peacefully, his head resting against the window. He sighed. “He must be tired.”

Jaein followed his gaze, her expression softening. “Aww, look at him. How cute… such a baby,” she cooed quietly.

Tae leaned closer to her and whispered, “He really doesn’t like being called a baby. And stop adoring my brother, Miss Psycho.”

Jaein rolled her eyes. “It’s not my fault that I was born as an only child, ahhhh,” she muttered.

“Can you both stop talking?” Jimin said sharply, clearly at his limit.

“Nae,” Tae and Jaein muttered in unison, glaring at each other silently like two schoolkids caught by a teacher.

With Jin

He was in his cabin, working on the files, while Haein was also there, discussing the details.

“So, what do you think?” Haein asked. “It’s really good. Let’s launch this,” Jin said.

Haein nodded. “We should leave for the event in an hour, so get ready.”. “Alright, let’s go,” Jin replied.

Haein nodded again and asked, “What about Yoongi, Hobi, and Joonie?”

“They’ll go to the event directly,” Jin said. “Okay, then let’s go,” Haein said, grabbing her things.

Time skips

Jin was driving the car while Haein sat in the backseat, working on her laptop.

“Haein, what about the main branch? Are operations running smoothly?” Jin asked. “Hmm, all good. Let’s schedule a meeting at the main branch next Monday and begin preparations,” Haein replied.

“Alright. Then let’s also bring Project 234 into—-” Jin stopped mid-sentence.

He had noticed three black cars following closely behind them. Jin sighed and gritted his teeth.

“What happened?” Haein asked, finally looking up at him.

“Ah, n-nothing,” Jin replied, trying to stay calm. He bit his lower lip and subtly rolled up his sleeve, revealing a smart watch. He sighed and pressed the red emergency button, it would notify all his team members immediately.

He pressed on the accelerator, speeding up.

“Why are you driving so fast?” Haein asked, concern in her voice.

“Huh? Oh… just… simply,” Jin said nervously, glancing at the rearview mirror and seeing even more black cars tailing them.

He clenched his jaw, unable to even call for help directly as Haein was with him.

Haein narrowed her eyes and looked behind, finally noticing the suspicious cars. “Shit,” she muttered under her breath.

She quickly switched her laptop screen and began typing rapidly. “Maniac?” she muttered. “Huh?” Jin asked. “Ah… ani, ani. Nothing,” she said quickly, brushing it off.

She saw Jin receiving a call, it was Hobi. Jin connected it to his earpiece.” Nae, Hobi. Are you at the event?” he asked, trying to sound casual.

Hobi understood the hidden message and replied, “Hyung, it’s the Maniacs. Namjoon and Yoongi hyung are on their way. I’m in the car right behind them. Don’t worry, just keep going. Move faster, okay? And since Haein noona is with you, be extra careful.”

“Nae, nae, Hobah. I’ll be there soon. Take care, alright?” Jin said and ended the call.

He looked at Haein and said, “Umm… we’re running a little late to the event. I’m going to speed up, okay?”

Haein looked at him, confused. “He’s not in the mafia… right?” she thought, but nodded.

Jin sped up the car, but to his bad luck, another vehicle suddenly blocked their path. Jin sighed in frustration. Then it happened BOOM! One of their tires burst after hitting something on the road. A trap.

“Ahh, shibal,” he cursed under his breath.

“Umm… Haein, wait a few minutes. Don’t get out. I’ll check the tire,” Jin said. Haein, still confused, nodded.

Once Jin stepped out of the car, he stomped his foot in frustration. He looked around and saw the black cars circling them. “Ahh, shibal!” he yelled again.

He turned to Haein and knocked on her window. “Stay inside. Don’t step out, no matter what,” Jin said firmly. With that he left, leaving Haein alone stunned and shocked.

Haein….. still confused and now panicked. “Why the fuck is he in the mafia?! They told me he wasn’t part of this… Ahh, shiballlll, that damn Kim Yeonseong“ she muttered, pulling out her phone.

She quickly dialed. “I need backup in 5 minutes. There is an attack,” she said coldly and ended the call. Her eyes went wide as she saw Jin take on multiple men alone outside the car.

“Ahhh shibal! Why the fuck are you guys even here, huh?! Where’s your damn boss, that fucking maniac?!” Jin yelled as he landed a clean roundhouse kick to a man’s face, sending him crashing into the side of one of the black cars.

Three more charged at him from different sides. Jin dodged one’s punch, grabbed his arm mid-air, twisted it behind his back, and threw him over his shoulder with a powerful slam. The second rival swung a baton, but Jin ducked and delivered a brutal uppercut followed by a back kick to the third one’s chest, knocking him down hard. “If you are aiming then aim properly dude” Jin said to the knocked out man.

Suddenly….. SCREECH!

A matte, black Ferrari car drifted to a halt behind the circle of enemy vehicles. Namjoon and Yoongi jumped out.

“HYUNG!” Namjoon shouted, tossing Jin a combat knife mid-run.

Jin caught it smoothly, spun it in his hand, and stabbed it into the tire of one of the enemy cars to block escape.

Yoongi moved with skilled moves. He grabbed a metal pipe off the ground and spun it like a staff, using it to deflect a metal rod swung at him. He then jabbed it on one man and used the time to swing around and knock two more man. His face was ice-cold, no mercy, no hesitation.

Namjoon went full beast mode. Hie tackled two men at once and elbowwed one across the jaw hard enough to make him drop like a sack. He ducked under a punch, countered with a knee to the ribs, then delivered a straight punch that sent a man flying on a car, wrecking it.

Haein watched from inside, frozen in disbelief. “What the hell are they… Who are they really?”

Then…. Another car rolled up, Hobi came out before the car even stopped.

“YAHHH!” he roared, flipping mid-air and landing between Jin and two attackers. With sharp precision, he swept one’s leg, used the fall to jump onto the other’s back, spun mid-air, and landed a spinning kick across the last guy’s head.

Jin grinned. “You’re late.”

“Blame the traffic,” Hobi said with a smirk, cracking his knuckles.

And just like that, they started fighting with the rivals like pros. Meanwhile, Haein, seeing all the chaos, sat inside the car in shock.

She flinched when someone suddenly opened her car door. It happened too quickly. Before she could react, she was dragged out, but before the man could do anything, she swiftly dodged him and kicked him hard, making him collapse on the road like he was dead.

Her eyes widened when she saw someone pointing a gun at Jin.

She gasped, quickly pulled out her own gun, aimed without hesitation, and fired. The loud gunshot echoed through the air.

Jin and the others turned their heads instantly. Seeing Haein holding a gun made them to look at her disbelief.

Before they could react further, four more black cars appeared in the distance. Jin, ever sharp-minded, immediately went on high alert. But then, his eyes caught a familiar symbol on one of the cars, “Black Swan.”

His breath hitched. He instantly understood, his father’s mafia group. Kim Yeonseong’s

And just when he thought things couldn’t get any stranger, he saw Haein calmly speaking to a guard, voice cold and dominative “Clear the area with no evidence. Track them down and retrieve the information. I want results immediately, send it directly to me.”

She spoke with the air of a leader. Soon, the backup team began working swiftly, erasing all traces of the fight.

Meanwhile, Jin, Hobi, Namjoon, and Yoongi stood rooted to the ground, shocked and speechless.

Jin stared at Haein from across the road, nearly 200 meters away. His heart was racing. Once the cleanup was complete, one of the guards, clearly the lead. walked over to Haein and spoke to her briefly.

Jin couldn’t take his eyes off them. He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just watched.

After the guards left, leaving only Jin, Hobi, Namjoon, Yoongi, and Haein standing there, the tension hung in the air like a heavy curtain.

Finally, Jin took a step forward.

Then another.

And another.

He walked straight to Haein, his eyes locked onto hers. Stopping just a few feet away, he asked the only question that came to his mind:

“Who are you?”

At that very moment, a raindrop fell between them. Then another. And just like that, it began to rain. They stood there, in the rain, the tension was too much.

Hey guys!!!!! How was it???

Any guesses for next chapter??? And sorry for not updating soon, I thought to update tdy morning but got little busy, anyway how was it?

Most of you asked whether the secret is about Suho’s death… no its not, by reading this chapter itself you would’ve found it. Anyway leave comments and your thoughts, what you wanna see in upcoming chapters??

Is it intresting? And was the fight sceans good?? I poured all of my english knowings into it, please comment alot guys!!

And guess what? My schools are starting day after tmr, and here me crying!! why the holidays went soo fast??? And a new chapter is going be written, i am entering 10th grade!! ahhhh shiballl!! Its like i am going to say bye is laziness and hi to hardwork 😑. Fine, its all fate.

Did you all see the BTS news??????? AHHHH why the anchor and the reporter is soooo handsome??? the festa began and i am soo excited, cant believe BTS is returning ahhhhhh!!!! (by chance how you all are feeling? excited? overwhelmed?)

Anyway 30+comment for next chapter