𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄

CHAPTER 10

The atmosphere was draped in a cloak of silence as Jin carefully slid open his bedroom door, taking extra precautions not to make even the slightest creak. The faint sunlight spilled through the window, casting a dim glow across the room. His heart pounded like a distant drum, each beat echoing his nervous anticipation. Clad in a hoodie and sneakers, he tip-toed down the hallway, past his aunt's room, hoping all the alcohol from the last night would do its job and make his escape unnoticed.

Jin couldn't believe that just a few hours ago, he had received a call from Hoseok. The memory of that late-night conversation lingered in his mind like a dream.

<The previous night at 22:00>

Jin's phone buzzed on the nightstand, and he fumbled to answer it, glancing at the clock that read 22:00. The voice on the other end was hushed but filled with excitement. 

"Jin, you did it! You got in!"

Hoseok's words were like a lifeline, injecting energy into Jin's exhausted body. He had spent hours preparing for the entrance exam, but the sheer weight of secrecy had worn him down. "Hobi, are you serious?" Jin whispered.

"The results came out half an hour earlier and I checked yours. You aced it, man! You're going to that university!" Hoseok's jubilant tone was contagious, and Jin couldn't help but smile, gratitude swelling within him.

"Thank you, Hobi. I owe you big time."

<Present>

Now, as Jin stepped outside into the crisp morning air, he felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. His aunt's disapproval had always been a looming barrier, and this act of defiance weighed heavily on him. His parents, specially his father, long gone but never forgotten, were his silent pillars of strength. He paused under the dim glow of a streetlamp, taking a deep breath.

"Dad, I hope you're watching over me. I made it. I got into the university," Jin whispered into the pinkish blue sky. "I wish you were here to share this moment, to guide me through this journey. Please bless me from wherever you are."

With newfound determination, Jin walked through the quiet streets, the partial darkness concealing his movements. As he approached the bus stop, he clutched the acceptance letter and other required documents in his hands. He forced himself to forget the guilt of lying to his aunt and not preventing her from overdrinking the previous night as the bus that would take him to his destination approached, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun like the means to the sanctuary of dreams.

•·.·''·.·••

Jungkook's fingers tapped anxiously on the edge of the cafeteria table. The chatter of students around him faded into a distant hum as he impatiently awaited the moment when destiny would unveil its cards. The aroma of coffee and the buzz of anticipation filled the air, but Jungkook's mind was fixated on one thought—the impending arrival of new students submitting their documents.

The news had come to him like a spark in the dark, igniting a flame of hope he thought had long been extinguished. It was Taehyung, his ever-vibrant friend, who had unearthed the secret that Jin, the boy who held Jungkook's heart, was about to step into the same university halls as him.

<3 days ago>

Jungkook was flipping through his notes in the library, a usual haunt for him between classes. Taehyung slid into the seat opposite him, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Guess what I found out?"

Jungkook arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What's up, Tae?"

"Remember Jin, your childhood best friend? The one you had bumped into at the mall?"

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Jin's name. "Yeah, what about him?"

Taehyung leaned in, his excitement barely contained. "I've got insider information. Jin's taking admission here. He's going to be a freshman this year!"

The world seemed to pause for Jungkook. Jin, the boy who had been his confidant and the center of his early affections, was about to walk back into his life. A surge of emotions, a blend of nostalgia and anticipation, overwhelmed him. "Are you serious, Tae?"

Taehyung nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "I've got connections, my friend. Get ready for a reunion!"

<Present>

Now, as Jungkook sat in the bustling cafeteria, his eyes scanned the crowd of incoming students. Each face held the potential to be the one he had longed to see. His pulse quickened as the entrance door swung open, and a group of freshmen trickled in, their expressions ranging from excitement to nervousness.

And there, amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces, he saw him—Jin. Kim SeokJin. His Jin. Time seemed to slow as he watched the same doe eyes look around skittishly with the same plump lips being bitten by the pearly teeth. A spark of joy ignited in Jungkook's chest, and he couldn't help but smile. The reunion, long overdue, was finally happening.