Who are you?

51. Separation

'In his eyes, I am always the same. From the beginning until  now... I am always the same in his eyes...'

Taehyung, who was standing at the entrance to the stage, felt suffocated when the old man on the podium extended his hand toward him and asked him to come stand next to him. Before going on stage, he looked back at Jungkook once again.

Tae, don't worry. I'll come to you!

"Kookie..."

The moment he met Jungkook's eyes, who had been looking at him the entire time, Taehyung seemed to know what Jungkook wanted to say. What was he worried about? Taehyung felt like such a fool for being so sensitive for no particular reason. What did he really suspect and anxious about? 

Taehyung thought he was being overly swayed by what Hoseok said. Maybe he was just being deceived by some lie, just like he heard. But, isn't he in an exceptional situation where he lost his memory of the past 7 years due to an accident? The doctor also advised him not to force himself to regain his memory. He even thought that the situation he was in might have caused them to lie. Taehyung thought it was quite possible. Didn't Hoseok also say that the reason they did it was just for him?! Taehyung blamed himself for doubting Jungkook, who was looking at him with those crystal-clear eyes, even for a moment.

Taehyung proudly raised his head and walked onto the stage. He felt intimidated for a moment when he heard Jeon Hyeop's voice calling him, but he walked up with a very confident gait and stood next to the old man, who was showing off his dignity.  Because he had people who loved and cared about him, Taehyung was not scared or intimidated by anything anymore.

"It was due to a misunderstanding, but there is someone who has cared for and loved this child, while he's in a difficult situation for 7 years."

Taehyung involuntarily took a breath at Jeon Hyeop's words. Before coming here, Jungkook had given him a hint as to why they were gathered here today. But he still couldn't believe that it could actually happen that Jungkook's grandfather would announce their relationship in front of so many people. Taehyung was so startled by what happened in front of his eyes that he missed something the old man said that was suspicious.

Then.....

"This child is like a brother to my grandson and like a son to my son. And today, I am very happy to meet the person who has cared for and loved this child for such a long time."

'Hum...?'

It was only then that Taehyung felt something was strange. Taehyung's eyes wavered with anxiety. And without realizing it, he turned his gaze to where Jungkook was. But, what happened? Taehyung felt even more anxious when he saw Jungkook standing up and glaring at someone as if he were going to kill him. Even, when Yoongi made a gesture that seemed to stop Jungkook, Taehyung swallowed his saliva out of impatience. 

The person that Jungkook was ready to beat up right now was none other than Bogum and Taehyung couldn't understand why Jungkook was so wary of him.  As far as he could remember, Bogeum was barely a part of their childhood memories. If so, were they somehow related in the past that he couldn't remember?

Taehyung's eyebrows furrowed slightly and he shook his head inadvertently. No matter how much he thought about it, there was no way something could have happened between Bogeum and them. He had seen him briefly during JK's parties and big events, but Bogum had never even shown interest in him or Jungkook. He thought Jungkook was just overreacting like he often did when he was younger.