Change | YoonMin | English

(XVIII) 'I better not keep it low.'

Quite soon, Yoongi and Jimin are sitting on the couch next to each other.

Yoongi clears his throat and reads, 'One... It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen...'

Jimin listens to Yoongi with great interest and the latter reads on for a while.

A couple of hours pass.

'Under the spreading chestnut tree...
I sold you and you sold me...
There lie they, and here lie we...
Under the spreading chestnut tree...'—Yoongi stops as a few knocks are heard.

Mrs Park says, 'Dinner is ready.'
Jimin says, 'Just a minute, Mum.'
Mrs Park says, 'All right.'

Yoongi closes the book and says, 'Page 77... I'll read to you the rest over the phone.'

Jimin hums in response and reaches for the glasses on the table next to the bed. He takes them in each of his hands and stands up.

Yoongi stands up with the book and asks, 'Can I get a kiss?'

Jimin answers, 'No.'
Yoongi asks, 'Why? I'm being a good boy, aren't I?'
Jimin answers, 'You are, but I don't wanna be caught kissing.'

Yoongi pouts in response.

Jimin says, 'Go home. Aunt Min must be waiting for you.'

Yoongi says, 'Fine.' and is about to walk away.

Jimin says, 'Yoongi...'
Yoongi asks, 'What?'

Jimin holds the glasses with one hand and reaches for Yoongi's face with the other hand. He traces Yoongi's lips with his fingertips and plants a kiss on them.

With a shy smile on his lips, Jimin says, 'Go home. Okay?'

Yoongi says, 'Okay, baby.' and sniffs Jimin's cheek. He walks off in a hurry.

Jimin chuckles softly as he blushes.

Shortly, Yoongi is having dinner with his parents. Mrs Min steals several brief glances at Yoongi and he notices it.

Yoongi asks, 'What is it, Mum?'
Mrs Min asks, 'What?'
Mr Min asks, 'What?'
Yoongi answers, 'Nothing, Dad.'

Mr Min resumes having his food.

Yoongi gulps nervously and sips water.

Mrs Min flashes a stare at Yoongi and resumes having her food.

Later at night, Yoongi is in bed with his phone. He makes a call to Jimin and grabs the book from the bedside table.

Over the phone.

Yoongi: Hello...

Jimin: Yoongi...

Yoongi: Baby...

Jimin: Is something wrong?

Yoongi: Well...

Jimin: What's wrong?

Yoongi: How do you know something is wrong?

Jimin: I can easily say it from your tone.

Yoongi: Mmm...

Jimin: Tell me what's wrong.

Yoongi: I think Mum knows something.

Jimin: Something? Like what?

Yoongi: Like... About us, maybe?

Jimin: What? Did you tell her?

Yoongi: No, baby. I didn't tell anyone.

Jimin: Okay... How come she knew it then?

Yoongi: I don't know. I'm not sure if that's the thing but... She does know something.

Jimin: What do you mean?

Yoongi: She was constantly passing weird looks at me during dinner. It was like she wanted me to say something.

Jimin: It could be something else, too.

Yoongi: I don't think so.

Jimin: You should keep it low.

Yoongi: Like what?

Jimin: Like... You're not supposed to take me out, visit me almost every day or change yourself for me like you did when you bought that noisy bracelet.

Yoongi: Well...

Jimin: What?

Yoongi: I better not keep it low.

Jimin: What? Why?

Yoongi: I don't wanna stay away from you no matter what.

Jimin: Then... Maybe we should tell our parents.

Yoongi: I just don't feel ready.

Jimin: You were ready to come out to your parents.

Yoongi: Well... I did say that... I just didn't wanna lose you.

Jimin: I'm not gonna force you. Tell them when you're ready.

Yoongi: Okay.

Jimin: I'm ready to tell my parents.

Yoongi: Oh... You can tell them first then.

Jimin: We'll tell them on the same day. You can choose a day.

Yoongi: Why?

Jimin: Come on, Yoongi. If I tell my parents, they'll tell your parents.

Yoongi: Ah... That's right, too.

Jimin: Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Mmm...?

Yoongi: Mmm...

Jimin: All right. How about you read the book right now?

Yoongi: Sure.

Jimin: You stopped at page 77. The phrase about being under the spreading chestnut tree.

Yoongi: Aye. I remember.

Jimin: Not bad...

Yoongi: Thank you, baby.

Jimin: You're welcome.

Yoongi: Let me start then.

Jimin: All right.

Yoongi opens the book and turns the pages. He stops at page 77 and begins to read.