Chapter 85

Time Skips

It was night. Everyone was in the backyard.

Jin and Yoongi were grilling the meat, while Hobi and Jimin helped them. Taehyung and Namjoon sat on the couch, silently looking through something on the tablet not to disturb Jungkook who was sleeping on the couch, wrapped up like a cocoon in a big duvet, his silky hair tousled and gently shifting with the cool breeze.

“Woahhh, hyung, this is amazing! I’m sure you guys are gonna win again… You’re definitely taking the top spot in sales this time too” Taehyung said as he scrolled through their designs.

Namjoon chuckled. “Haein noona chose all that. Then hyung and she designed everything together,” he said nonchalantly.

“Woahhh, bravo!” Taehyung clapped softly. Then he leaned closer and warned, “Anyway, I’m gonna ask you something but don’t you dare mention this to hyung, okay?”

Namjoon nodded. “I won’t,” he said with a grin. Not satisfied, Taehyung held out his pinky. Namjoon sighed but linked his with a little eye roll.

Tae pulled him closer and whispered, “Is hyungie… dating someone?”

Namjoon blinked in surprise. He raised one eyebrow and smirked. “And who exactly is that someone in your mind, huh?”

Taehyung blinked and whined, “Ahhh, hyung, just tell me!” “I asked who?” Namjoon teased again.

“Umm…” Taehyung scratched his head and muttered, “H…Haein noona?”

Namjoon didn’t reply immediately. He just motioned for Taehyung to lean in even closer. Curious, Taehyung did. “I don’t know,” Namjoon whispered back.

“Ahhhh, hyung!” Taehyung smacked Namjoon lightly on the shoulder, earning a loud laugh from him. “I really don’t,” Namjoon said through his chuckles. “But… hyung literally falls for her every time he sees her. We can all see it. He just never admits anything. I mean, he clearly has feelings for her… but who knows if he even realizes it himself.”

Taehyung nodded, narrowing his eyes at Jin, who was laughing and flipping meat on the grill like he didn’t just star in a drama.

“Do you want me to ask him?” Namjoon nudged him playfully. Taehyung gave him a look. “Do you want me to get killed, huh?” he asked dramatically.

Namjoon burst out laughing again, clutching his stomach.

Soon, everyone settled down to eat. Jin walked over to Jungkook, who was still asleep on the couch. He crouched beside him, eyes softening at the sight of his little brother’s peaceful face, no frowns, no sweat, just calm.

Gently brushing the hair away from Jungkook’s forehead, Jin spoke in the softest, honey-like tone, “Koo koo-ya… wake up, baby, eat a little and then you can sleep again, bun.”

Jungkook stirred slightly but didn’t open his eyes. Instead, he mumbled sleepily,
“Hyungie… five minutes…” His voice was muffled and drowsy.

Jin let out a fond chuckle. “kook-ah, wake up, bun,” he repeated softly.

Jungkook frowned a little, eyes slowly fluttering open. The first thing he saw was Jin’s gentle face looking down at him. He blinked groggily and rubbed his eyes like a baby.

“Come on, eat and sleep again,” Jin coaxed, taking the duvet. Jungkook groaned and tried to pull the duvet back around himself, but Jin had already helped him sit up.

“Ahhh, our baby finally woke up!” Hobi called out cheerfully from the table.

Jungkook whined at the attention, still rubbing his eyes like a sleepy kitten.

Jin ruffled his hair lovingly. “Look at you, how cute you are,” he said with a grin.

“Ahhh, hyung I’m not cute,” Jungkook whined again, making everyone chuckle.

Jin carefully pulled him up to his feet, keeping a steady hand on his shoulder. But the moment Jungkook stood, he stumbled slightly, his legs wobbling and eyes blinking like they couldn’t focus. He suddenly heard a boy’s voice screaming he couldn’t get what it was but it was something. He winced at it.

Jin immediately caught him. “Hey, hey, what happened, Kook?” he asked, voice instantly laced with concern.

Jungkook swallowed hard and blinked rapidly, the haze in his vision slowly clearing. He gripped Jin’s arm, steadying himself.

“Just sleepy,” he said quickly, brushing it off, trying to act normal despite the faint dizziness.

Jin narrowed his eyes a little, clearly unconvinced, but he didn’t push further. He kept an arm wrapped securely around Jungkook’s waist, quietly watching him with a protective gaze as they walked over to join the others.

They all sat down and began eating together, teasing, laughing, and being their usual chaotic selves. The air was light, filled with warmth and playful noise. But amid the laughter, Jungkook sat quietly, lost in his own world. His chopsticks moved slowly, but his eyes were unfocused, thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Yoongi, who was sitting beside him, noticed. He nudged Jungkook lightly with his elbow. “Kook?” he called softly.

Jungkook blinked, snapping out of his daze. “Huh?” he responded, confused. “What are you thinking about? Eat properly,” Yoongi said, his tone gentle but concerned.

Jungkook nodded quickly and picked up a bite, forcing a small smile. “Yeah…” he murmured, and started eating again.

What no one noticed, though, were Jungkook’s trembling hands. Not even Jungkook himself wanted to acknowledge it, he simply shrugged it off, telling himself he was just tired.

Suddenly, Taehyung perked up, his eyes sparking. “Umm… can we go somewhere in the coming weeks? Maybe next week?” he asked excitedly.

“Okay! Let’s gooo!” Jimin chimed in, already bouncing in his seat. The excitement spread fast. “Hmm, okay,” the elders agreed almost in unison.

“So, where do you wanna go, Kookie?” Namjoon asked, looking at the youngest with a smile. Jungkook blinked, startled by the question. “Huh? I… you can choose,” he said, lowering his gaze.

“Aniya, you choose! We’ll go anywhere you like,” Taehyung encouraged him, his voice full of enthusiasm. Jungkook hesitated for a second, thinking. Then, softly, almost as if afraid to say it out loud, he mumbled, “Hmm… somewhere with no crowds… just peace?”

The table went quiet for a moment. All eyes turned to Jungkook, surprised by his choice. The little Jungkook who used to beg for beach trips, theme parks, and city lights… now asking for quiet.

Something in his voice, something in the way his hands subtly clenched under the table, made their hearts ache just a little. But no one pushed.

Jungkook looked around at everyone who was suddenly staring at him. “W…Wae? If you don’t want to, it’s okay. You can choose any oth—-” he began, his voice faltering slightly.

But Jin cut him off gently. “Ani, it’s final. Let’s go somewhere peaceful, like you said.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, backing Jin up without hesitation. “I like peace anyway. If this were your Jiminie or Tae-Tae, they’d have dragged us to the most crowded place again,” Namjoon added nonchalantly.

The moment he finished speaking, he noticed the sudden silence. Everyone was staring at him. Namjoon blinked, confused. It was like he had just said something forbidden. And then it hit him… Jiminie… Tae-Tae… Those were the names Jungkook used to say as a little boy. The same ones he hadn’t used in years.

Jungkook’s brows furrowed slightly. The names sounded… familiar. He had heard them before, in hazy dreams, in passing whispers when he wasn’t fully awake. Jin had once explained that it was his way to call them in his childhood , but hearing them now, from Namjoon’s mouth, made something stir inside him. Something unexplainable. A feeling that couldn’t be named.

He was still lost in thought when Yoongi suddenly spoke up, his voice intentionally loud and cheerful, “Okay, guys! So, who wants the last piece of pork?”

The shift worked instantly. The tense air lifted as the group scrambled to claim the final bite. Jimin tried to snatch it but got smacked on the wrist by Taehyung. Jin scolded them both while Hobi silently stole it with a grin.

Laughter returned like nothing had happened. And Jungkook… he smiled softly and shrugged it off, deciding not to dwell on it anymore.

But a small part of him…… buried deep inside, lingered on those names.

Time Skips

The next morning, the three brothers sat around the dining table, quietly eating their breakfast.

Jin was already dressed in his sleek work suit, his tie perfectly knotted, briefcase by his side. Jungkook wore his school uniform, neat and freshly pressed, while Taehyung sat comfortably in a casual outfit, ready for a work with Jimin and Jaein for the project.

Jin looked up from his bowl, noticing Jungkook zoning out, his spoon paused mid-air. “Where are you lost, Kook?” Jin asked gently.

Jungkook blinked and looked at him, then quickly shook his head. “Nothing, hyung,” he murmured. Jin watched him for a second longer. “Kook… tell us. Is something bothering you? Any pain?” he asked carefully, his voice calm and measured.

Jungkook shook his head again, avoiding eye contact, and looked down as he took another quiet bite of his food.

Taehyung and Jin exchanged a glance across the table, one filled with silent concern. Taehyung, who sat beside Jungkook, gently placed a hand over his.
“What happened, Kook?” he asked softly, his thumb brushing Jungkook’s knuckles.

Jungkook hesitated. His voice, when he finally spoke, was barely audible. “A… are you guys not going to ask about that day?” The room fell into a silence.

Taehyung looked at Jin, who sighed quietly, his features softening.

Jin reached out, placing his hand over Jungkook’s other. “Let’s talk about it later, hmm?” he said gently. “Right now, just focus on your health. Don’t stress over anything, bun. Just remember, we’re with you. Always. We’re not going to leave you alone.”

Jungkook’s eyes flickered with a brief emotion, but he nodded silently.

They had decided not to ask him, not yet. They feared that talking about that day would break him further. That he would cry. That his already fragile heart would carry more weight than it could bear. So they chose to protect him with silence. At least for now.

Jungkook nodded again and continued eating quietly. His fingers still trembled slightly as they gripped the spoon, but he kept his head down.

Deep inside, he felt a small relief, that they wouldn’t ask.  But beneath that relief… there was fear too. A fear of what would happen if they ever found out.

Because Jungkook didn’t want them to know. He didn’t want them to see the truth he was hiding.

Time Skips

Jungkook was in the school canteen, heating his food alone. His earphones were in, music playing softly as he quietly ate by himself.

He looked up when someone sat down in front of him, it was Chaeyoung.

“Yahhh, Chaeyoungie! Let’s go sit somewhere else, na!” Eunwoo whined from behind, holding his tray of food.

Jungkook’s eyes met Eunwoo’s for a brief moment. Eunwoo quickly looked away.

Jungkook turned his attention back to Chaeyoung as she asked, “Why were you leave on Saturday?” “Just felt like it,” Jungkook replied nonchalantly, still munching on his food.

Before Chaeyoung could say anything else, Eunwoo spoke again, “Yahhh, Chaeyoung-ahhh…” he whined.

“Yahhh, what? Don’t you have eyes? Look around, there’s no place left to sit,” she shot back without even turning to him.

Eunwoo sighed and sat down with a thud. Jungkook didn’t even glance at him.

Eunwoo stared at Jungkook for a moment. He felt a sharp pang of guilt, but he still couldn’t bring himself to apologize. Not yet. He wanted to ask if he is fine or not but he couldn’t…

Then Chaeyoung smiled and said cheerfully, “Can we go to the arcade this week Thursday, Jungkook? I have three tickets! Eunwoo and I are going, you can come too!”

Both boys looked at her. Jungkook’s eyes shifted to Eunwoo, who was frowning at Chaeyoung, clearly annoyed.

“Why the hell are you calling him, Chaeyoung? Let’s just invite someone else or cancel that ticket altogether! I’m not going if he is coming!” Eunwoo whined, dramatically plopping down on the bench like it was the end of the world.

Chaeyoung let out a tired sigh. “Why are you shouting, Eun? He can join us too. He has no friends here… we should accompany him,” she said softly in a whisper , glancing at Jungkook.

Jungkook had his earphones in but wasn’t actually playing anything. His eyes flicked up just in time to hear that line, and for a second, something warm flickered in his chest. Someone wanted to accompany him?

He looked at Eunwoo, who looked like he was about to set the canteen on fire with sheer rage.

“It’s okay, you both go. I have some work,” Jungkook said calmly, pushing his food around with his spoon, trying to sound casual, not pitiful.

“What work?” Chaeyoung asked, squinting suspiciously. “He said he has work, means he has work. Don’t force him, pabo,” Eunwoo cut in quickly, mouth full of rice. His words were half-muffled and entirely defensive.

“Yah! Just shut your mouth, pabo!” Chaeyoung snapped back. “I think he’s refusing because of you. You can’t just go around hurting people like that!”

Eunwoo sighed loudly, now chewing even more aggressively, with his cheeks puffed like a grumpy hamster.

“You are coming, that’s final,” Chaeyoung said, pointing her chopsticks at Jungkook like they were weapons.

“I said I’m not coming! You two go,” Jungkook insisted again, focusing on his lunch like it had just become the most interesting meal in the universe.

“Yah! You stubborn little ass!” Chaeyoung raised her voice. “Do you even know how to fucking respond when someone politely invites you? You don’t just reject a person’s kindness like that you idiot!”

Jungkook blinked at her in disbelief “Wait… d.. did you just curse at me?”

“She can. And she will,” Eunwoo mumbled nonchalantly, his tone as flat as his tray of rice. Jungkook shot him a glared but eunwoo quickly turned eating his food.

“I swear, you’re just like this pabo!” Chaeyoung huffed, pointing between the two boys. Eunwoo looked at her “what I did now?” He whined. But chaeyoung ignored him and spoke “He was exactly like you when he came back from Italy. All alone and mysterious. Seriously, do people in Italy just learn to be alone or is it part of the culture?”

Both Jungkook and Eunwoo immediately looked away at the same time, Neither spoke a word.

Chaeyoung sighed, finally taking a bite of her food. “Anyway… why do you two hate each other so much?”

Eunwoo clenched his jaw. Jungkook chewed silently.

And the tension between them could’ve been cut with a plastic spoon.

Chaeyoung looked between the two and mumbled with a sigh, “Great. I’m sitting with two emotionally constipated rivals.”

With Jin

He entered the BTS base silently, his presence enough to command attention. Everyone was already gathered in the meeting room. As Jin stepped in, the tension in the air thickened. He took his seat on the couch, crossing one leg over the other, his expression unreadable.

“Any information about the Shadows?” he asked, his voice low and icy.

“Nae…” Yoongi nodded, then gestured toward the documents on the table. “Look at this. The Shadows are forming a partnership with the Maniacs. Most of the men who attacked Jungkook… they weren’t Maniacs. They were Shadows. We reached jungkook within 17 minutes, that’s why the Maniacs didn’t get to him. The Shadows struck first.”

Jin’s jaw tightened. His eyes darkened with restrained fury. “So you’re telling me two groups were after Jungkook?” His tone was sharp as glass, cold enough to freeze the room.

“Nae,” Yoongi replied, voice low and
Dangerous.

“Arrange a meeting with Jungkook’s personal guards. And gather our team in the meeting hall.” Jin ordered without a hint of hesitation. Yoongi immediately nodded, turning to his assistant to say the command.

“Hyung… what are you going to do about your uncle?” Hobi asked cautiously. “And… Jungkook being involved in the mafia?”

Jin didn’t look at him. His eyes were fixed on the chessboard placed in front of him, untouched until now.

“I’m not speaking to him about that, yet,” Jin said quietly, but the weight in his voice silenced the entire room. “He must have sensed our movements already. One wrong step, and it will cost Jungkook. We can’t act fast, we can’t take that risk. So we move slowly…” he picked up the king piece from the chessbord infront of him and slid it forward, he spoke moving it“…step by step.”

He took a soldier piece with the king and let it fall with a dull thud on the board.

“First, we identify his supporters. Struck them out.” He struck two more pawns with calculated precision. “Then… his assistants.” He pushed forward the elephant and the horse, knocking over the opposing pieces.

His fingers hovered over the remaining coins. His expression was unreadable, sharp, and cold.

“Next, we expose his partners. His most trusted man. The right hand.” He knocked over every coin except the king and queen.

“And lastly…” Jin’s gaze was murderous now, his hand gripping the queen.
“The queen, his mafia empire. We either bring it crashing down or burn it to ash. Only then…”

He picked up the black king coin and slammed it down on the table, letting the entire board tremble. He continued “…we end the king.” Silence.

No one dared breathe. Not when Jin was like this, ruthless, composed, and already three steps ahead.

Namjoon exchanged a glance with Hobi and said in a hushed tone, “He’s not just playing chess anymore… he’s playing war.”

All three were stunned, quietly shocked by the raw cruelty in Jin’s voice and the sheer precision of his plan.

“First…” Jin leaned forward, a cold smirk playing on his lips, “Let’s strike at his supporters. I suggest we steal the important files from his base, specifically, the ones related to his upcoming event. It’ll be… entertaining to watch him squirm under pressure.”

Yoongi, Namjoon, and Hobi exchanged glances before nodding silently. None of them dared argue when Jin was in this mode, calculated and ruthless.

Namjoon finally broke the silence. “What about Jungkook? Is he… still going to be part of the mafia?”

Jin’s expression shifted slightly, his jaw clenched. “Aniyo,” he said firmly. “He’s not going to be involved. And if my guess is right, Kim Yoonseong has already been alerted. He would’ve pulled Jungkook out by now. I’ll talk to Jungkook about it myself… but not now. He’s already stressed enough, and I won’t add more weight to his shoulders.”

The room nodded in silent agreement. Jungkook was family. His safety came before war.

“What about Eunwoo?” Hobi asked, glancing up from his tablet. Jin’s eyes darkened again.

“I’ll handle it too,” he said through gritted teeth. “They both, Jungkook and Eunwoo, have already suffered enough because of the Kims. I’ll make sure Kim Yoonseong regrets ever dragging them into this mess. I’m not going to let this go.”

The room fell into quiet tension again.

They continued the meeting for hours, mapping out the next strategic moves, files to be taken, guards to be switched, alliances to be tested. But in the back of all their minds, one thing was clear: Jin wasn’t playing defense anymore. He was preparing to destroy.

With Taehyung

Taehyung entered their shared workplace, slumped into his seat, and sipped lazily on his shake. With one leg crossed over the other, he scrolled through his phone, lost in his own world.

The door swung open suddenly, and in walked Jaein.

She wore a soft, pale yellow short gown, her hair falling gracefully over her chest in loose curls. The light from the hallway caught on her skin, making her glow. She looked… breathtaking. “Yahhh, Taehyung-ah!” Jaein called out cheerfully.

Taehyung finally looked up. His eyes landed on her, and stayed there. He blinked once… and then again… but didn’t move. He sat like a statue, staring at her like he had never seen a human being before.

“Yahhh, what happened to Jungkook? Is he okay now?” Jaein asked, sitting down beside him. “Jimin told me he fainted and had an episode… and he was being chased by those rivals? What’s going on? Is he alright?”

No response. “Yah!” she waved a hand in front of his face before giving him a firm shake.

Taehyung blinked quickly, snapping out of his trance and looking away in embarrassment. “Where were you lost, huh?” Jaein asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Ah… n… nothing,” he stammered, pretending to focus on the straw in his drink.

Jaein tilted her head. “Why are you avoiding eye contact now?” she teased, then added playfully, “Why are you staring at me like that? Do I look that weird?”

Without glancing at her, Taehyung muttered, “Why are you wearing that?”

Jaein smiled cheekily and cupped her cheeks. “Just felt like it. Am I pretty?” she asked, blinking at him like a cartoon character.

Taehyung turned to look at her, eyes softening for a split second. Her wide eyes, her cherry-colored lips, the faint blush on her cheeks, and her bouncy hair all made her look, sooo pretty.

He quickly shook his head and looked away again. “Ani,” he said flatly. “You’re not. You look like garbage. Again.” “Yahhh!” Jaein exclaimed, smacking his arm.

Taehyung groaned. “Oww! See? You look like a girl but act like a boy! You psycho!”

Jaein raised her hand again to smack him, but this time Taehyung caught her wrist mid-air. She stumbled a little, falling slightly forward, and their faces ended up just inches apart. Their eyes met.

And for a moment, neither of them moved. Neither of them blinked. Just the sound of their breathing in that soft, suspended silence.

The teasing, the insults, the laughterit all paused.

Taehyung continued staring at Jaein with soft eyes, completely lost in the moment. Jaein, on the other hand, was left shocked by his unexpected gaze.

After a beat, Jaein quickly stood up, pulling her hand away from his grasp. The next moment, she delivered a few well-aimed smacks to his back.

“You idiot! Why the hell were you gripping me like that, huh?” she snapped, rubbing her wrist where his grip had left an impression. “Ahh, shiballll! Look at my hand, it’s all red! You sadist!”

Taehyung winced at each hit, groaning. “Aahhh, you mental case! You’re the one who kept beating me like hell! I’m damn sure my back is covered in marks right now. You psycho!”

Jaein scoffed, rolling her eyes. “I’ll go get the prints, and you better call your friend to be here in five minutes. Or else, I’m not going to leave either you or him alone.”

Taehyung blinked in confusion. “Ahh, what did I do? I’ve been here for, like, 20 minutes freaking already, idiot!”

Jaein shot him a death look. “You should’ve called your soulmate, Mr. Sadist.” She patted him playfully on the shoulder before walking out.

Taehyung groaned dramatically, slouching in his seat as she left the room. “This is so messed up…”

Taehyung sighed and lightly slapped himself, mumbling, “What the fuck was that?” He held his chest, feeling his heart pounding wildly. Groaning, he sat there, frustrated.

“Ahh, shibal, why the fuck did I stare at her like that? Ahhh, shiballll” Tae mumbled, kicking his leg in the air, only to fall off the chair.

“Ugh,” he groaned, sitting up and holding his hip in pain.

That’s when Jimin entered like a total slay, wearing his oversized hoodie with his bag on one shoulder, sunglasses on, and sipping his iced americano like he owned the place.

Jimin immediately choked on his drink when he saw Taehyung glaring at him from the floor.

“Why the fuck are you late, huh?!” Tae yelled, still sitting awkwardly.

But Jimin burst out laughing at the sight. “Ahhh, what happened to you, huh? Why the hell do you look like a grandpa? Did she break your bones or what?” Jimin teased, laughing hysterically. Tae scoffed and sat up. Jimin just laughed at him more.

Hey guys! I finally updated!!

I literally started to write this last Sunday and now only completed!

Anyway comment a lot! I put my efforts to update for you guys as you all must be waiting…

Was it good?

What was you fav part or which made you smile?

Anyway comment a lottttt. 40+ comments guys…