/My Secret Crush / Jikook~

53

Jimin tiptoed through the darkened hallway of his house, his bare feet making barely a sound on the cool floor. He had removed his shoes outside, not wanting to disturb his parents, and now he moved with the stealth of a cat, his phone's screen casting an eerie glow on the walls. He didn't dare turn on the light, fearing it would wake his parents, and instead relied on the faint illumination to guide him to his room.

But despite his caution, his mother, stirred, her door creaking open as she emerged from her room, bleary-eyed and disheveled. "Oh my, you surprise me," she exclaimed, her voice husky with sleep. "Didn't you say you'd come back tomorrow?"

Jimin scratched his head, feeling a mix of guilt and exhaustion. "The flight was too late, I was afraid you guys would wait up for me," he explained, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mrs. Park's gaze softened, her eyes welling up with tears as she took in her son's tired face. "Have you eaten? Did your hyung pick you up?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

Jimin nodded, his stomach growling at the memory of the meager dinner he'd had on the plane. "I've eaten, but hyung didn't pick me up. He had something to do, so he asked Seo Joon hyung to drop me off instead."

Mrs. Park's expression turned worried, her hands fluttering to her mouth. "I always worry that you'll live a difficult life there, that you won't tell Mom if things get tough." Her voice cracked as she added, "Now you're here, I feel a bit relieved. In the future, if you want to find an internship, just find one nearby, okay?"

Jimin's heart swelled with emotion as he gazed at his mother's tear-stained face. He pulled her into a tight embrace, inhaling the familiar scent of her perfume and the comforting smell of home. His own eyes welled up with tears as they hugged, the months of separation melting away in that moment.

As they parted, Mrs. Park's smile lingered, her eyes still shining with tears. Jimin's heart swelled with love for this woman, who had always been his rock, his confidante. He leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper, and consoled her, "Don't worry, Mom. I'm fine. I promise. Just get some rest, okay?"

Mrs. Park nodded, her eyes fluttering closed as she savored the warmth of her son's words. She turned to leave, but not before planting a soft kiss on Jimin's forehead, her lips leaving a gentle imprint of love.

Jimin watched her go, his chest still heavy with emotion. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his exhaustion settle in. A quick shower was just what he needed to wash away the fatigue and the lingering stress of his journey.

As he stepped under the warm spray, he let out a sigh of relief, feeling the tension melt away with the water. He scrubbed his skin clean, the scent of soap and shampoo filling his senses, and rinsed off, feeling reborn.

Dressed in his pajamas, he padded back to his bedroom, the soft carpet beneath his feet a welcome respite from the long day. He slipped into bed, the familiar comfort of his mattress enveloping him like a hug. As he settled in, he felt his eyelids drooping, his breathing slowing, and let the soft darkness carry him away.

~

The next day, after breakfast, Jimin returned to his bedroom and suddenly remembered something. He jumped off his bed and retrieved a cardboard box from under it, sealed with adhesive tape. With a box cutter, he carefully opened it, revealing the treasures inside.

First, he pulled out a few dolls, placing them on his table with the intention of washing them. Next, he took out the milk bottle he used to stuff with notes and dreams, positioning it near his window to catch the sunlight.

Then, he gently removed the photograph of Jungkook, taken secretly years ago. Although the image had yellowed and the pixels had faded, Jungkook's youthful appearance remained clear. He wore a white sweater, his eyes fixed on his game console, his skin pale and his smile - that captivating bunny smile - unchanged.