ARRANGED LOVE

Chapter 35

After spending too much time scrolling through #FoodForTaeMin posts on Twitter, Jimin had wanted to escape the topic for a while by chatting with Taehyung. He never imagined Taehyung would have been shamelessly browsing the supertopic as well, and now he had to wonder exactly how much Taehyung had learned.

Jimin hesitated for a moment, then decided it would be best to simply ask.

[LilMochi]: How much did you see?

[Husband]: They're the most precious boys!

[Husband]: Ah ah ahhhhhh the only question is when they're getting married!

[Husband]: I'll go file the marriage license for you guys, okay?!?!?!

Jimin stared at his cell phone screen.

If it wasn't for the still objectively untrue nickname attached to those messages, Jimin would have thought he was suddenly chatting with a bona fide shipper.

Just a few moments earlier, Jimin had been checking up on Taehyung's tournament results and watching highlight clips of Taehyung trash talking his opponents and fiercely barking orders during his match. He exuded a ruthless, handsome air in those clips, and his fans all swarmed online to rave about his epicness. But now—

Taehyung was on WhatsApp, teasing Jimin by acting like one of their shippers.

Jimin really couldn't tell what Taehyung was thinking or feeling based on the string of ridiculous messages he had just sent.

[LilMochi]: Hey.

[Husband]: So? Do I sound like one of them?

[LilMochi]: You do, but...

[LilMochi]: Don't forget you're an esports player. You don't need to learn so much about this entertainment industry stuff. Just ignore it.

[Husband]: No.

[LilMochi]: ......

[Husband]: After my tournament ends in a few days, I'll visit you.

Jimin's heart skipped a beat at that. He was elated by the thought of it, and he wanted to respond right away, but Taehyung started a video chat with him before he could start typing. Jimin accepted the call without even thinking about it.

Taehyung had just gotten out of a post-game interview. He was still wearing his team's uniform, all black and sleek with TMW's golden logo of a bow and arrow wrapped up in twisting, thorny vines on the front. Jimin didn't think much of the logo in the past, but now that he had started following TMW's competitions, he felt himself getting a little excited every time he saw that logo on Taehyung's uniform.

"Did you watch my game?" Taehyung asked from the other end of the line.

"I did." Jimin smiled. Just talking about the game lifted his spirits. "You were amazing out there. Everyone says you're a reliable player and a good commander."

"This little fake fan isn't making more reaction memes of me, is he?" Taehyung asked, only half-joking. Jimin had a long criminal record of such acts, after all.

"I'm not," Jimin said, straightening up. "You know, I swear I'm not just a fan of your reaction memes anymore. I'm a fan of you."

His voice climbed higher, growing louder, as he made his earnest declaration. On the other end of the call, Taehyung couldn't help but laugh.

"Minnie, let me ask you a question."

"What is it?" Jimin said.

"Do you still want to call off the engagement?"