Who are you?

33. Return to Reality

"Taehyung, you don't have to forcefully help. It's still before the semester starts and there aren't many customers."

Jimin followed and tried to stop Taehyung, who was clearing the table after the customers left. He felt a bit fretted.

It's already been a week since they returned from the place that was like a dream. Jungkook told them to stay there for as long as they wanted, but no one intended to do that. On the return flight, Taehyung just slept, and the rest of them just thought about various things and soothed their complicated minds.

And waking up from a dream wasn't very pleasant. As if he had returned to reality after enjoying a fantasy, Jimin had to go through aftereffects. For him, who has lived intensely since childhood, that time was truly like a dream. And, Taehyung's remarkably silent appearance after returning from the trip kept him uneasy. He fretted as he didn't know what Taehyung was thinking.

"Taehyung, go and play with Yeontan~ He's probably bored~"

Jimin snatched the dishcloth from Taehyung's hand and desperately tried to stop him. However, Taehyung just smiled and took the dishcloth from Jimin's hand again.

"Taetae~"

"Jimin, Yeontan is taking a nap. So let me help you for a while."

"But-"

"Do you know that you've been weird lately?"

"........"

Jimin pursed his lips. Taehyung wiped the table again with a dishcloth and said in a low voice.

"Jimin, just let me do this. Actually, I don't know what to do other then this... I really don't know yet..."

"Taehyung..."

Jimin's eyes widened and just followed his movements. He unknowingly stepped aside as Taehyung placed an empty mug on a tray and held it up with both hands.

"It's too cold to move out. Don't worry, I won't be leaving anywhere right now."

"You mean you might leave someday?"

Jimin bit his lips again as if he was surprised at himself for asking such a question.

"Taehyung, if you want to leave, I will prepare everything you need this time too. This is Jungkook's order, but everything is up to you. The name Kim Taehyung is also... can change it, if you want. Just... if you want."

On the day they returned from the trip, what Namjoon said while dropping them off in front of Hoseok's cafe made everyone's hearts heavy. 

All of them were really surprised that Jungkook kept his promise, but disappeared. None of them knew everything that had happened between Taehyung and Jungkook. But it made them bitter that the two boys, who had seemed like real old friends-lovers for days, were no longer there. Jin made Taehyung promise to meet him often, but Taehyung stopped even visiting Jin regularly.

Taehyung was always quiet, and other than helping with the work at the cafe, all he did was stay with Yeontan in his room. All of these situations actually made Jimin very anxious. To Jimin, Taehyung and Hoseok were more than just friends.  Always alone, he secretly feared that they would eventually decide to leave. However, Taehyung was aware of his fear. And Jimin, who noticed that, felt guilty that he had been too selfish.

"Taehyung, you don't have to keep me in mind. Like Namjoon hyung said... what you want is the most important thing."

"Jiminie-"