CRIMSON LIES (TAEKOOK)

21.(BREAD JINIE)

Jin and Namjoon had finally made it to town, their farming truck packed to the brim with crates of strawberries, glass jars of jam, sacks of sugar, and boxes of freshly baked goods. The entire journey had been a test of their patience, thanks to Namjoon's reckless driving and Jin's non-stop commentary.

"Namjoon, I swear to God, if you hit one more pothole, I am driving us back to the farm myself!" Jin screeched, gripping the dashboard as the truck bounced violently.

Namjoon, eyes fixed on the road, sighed. "Jin, do you want to drive? Do you even know how to drive a truck this big?"

"I know how to drive a point across, and my point is you suck at this!" Jin huffed, adjusting the strawberry-shaped hat he was wearing like it was the most fashionable thing in the world.

Namjoon side-eyed him. "Do you really need to wear that ridiculous hat?"

Jin gasped. "Ridiculous?! This is branding! We are strawberry farmers, Namjoon. I am committed to the business."

"You look like a walking fruit salad."

"And you look like a man who will be sleeping in the truck tonight," Jin retorted.

Namjoon wisely chose silence.

Despite their bickering, they eventually arrived safely at their soon-to-be café. Months of hard work had led them here—choosing the perfect location, finalizing the menu, and meticulously budgeting every penny (mostly due to Jin's extreme frugality). Now, they had just two days before the grand opening.

As soon as Namjoon parked, Jin jumped out and immediately started inspecting everything like a military commander.

"Joon, don't put the crates there! The sun will ruin them!"

Namjoon groaned. "Jin, the sun doesn't ruin strawberries."

Jin smacked his arm. "Oh, so now you're a strawberry scientist? Are you Dr. Berry? Just move them!"

Muttering under his breath, Namjoon did as he was told.

As they unloaded supplies, Jin checked his notebook. "We're already five dollars over budget."

Namjoon nearly dropped a crate. "Jin, five dollars?! That's nothing!"

Jin gasped dramatically. "Five dollars is two bags of rice! Five instant ramen! Do you want our son to starve?!"

Namjoon pinched the bridge of his nose. "We literally grow food."

"That's not the point!"

After more intense budgeting (and one near-divorce moment when Namjoon suggested buying nicer chairs—"ARE YOU TRYING TO FINANCIALLY RUIN US?!"), they got back to setting up their dream café.

..

Meanwhile, Jungkook was lying on his bed, scrolling through his phone when Taehyung's call came through. He answered immediately, smiling before even speaking.

"My baby," Jungkook greeted in a deep, affectionate voice.

Taehyung scoffed playfully. "Ohooo, my baby, huh? Suddenly being all romantic, Jeon Jungkook?"

"Of course, always," Jungkook chuckled. "I have to call my darling something cute."

"Darling?" Taehyung snickered. "Who taught you this? Stop watching old romantic movies, Jungkook."

"Not my fault I'm naturally smooth," Jungkook teased.

Taehyung rolled his eyes but felt his heart flutter. "Mm-hmm. So tell me, why did my darling call?"