Should Be You | Jikook ✔️

Chapter 16

The next few weeks were a blur for Jungkook. He threw himself into his work, using it as an excuse to avoid both Yeri and Jimin. Whenever he was home, he locked himself in his study or retreated to his room, hoping to avoid confrontation. He couldn’t bring himself to face Yeri’s desperate eyes or Jimin’s kind yet concerned gaze. It was easier to distance himself, to keep his feelings buried under layers of distraction. He knew his avoidance was only a temporary solution, but for now, it was all he could manage.

Jungkook’s attempts at avoidance didn’t go unnoticed. Yeri, feeling the growing chasm between them, tried to reach out, tried to rekindle whatever had once been between them, but Jungkook’s responses were cold, distant. He could see the hurt and anger in her eyes whenever they crossed paths, but he felt numb to it. Their marriage was a fragile, crumbling thing, and he no longer had the energy or desire to salvage it. It was like a glass that had shattered beyond repair, the pieces too small and sharp to be put back together.

Jimin, on the other hand, was harder to avoid. Jungkook found himself making excuses to miss school events or meetings, but it was impossible to avoid him completely. Each time he caught a glimpse of Jimin in the hallway, his heart would ache with longing and guilt. Jungkook missed their easy conversations, the way Jimin’s eyes would light up when he talked about his students, and the way Jungwoo would laugh with him. But he couldn’t let himself get closer. He knew his feelings for Jimin were growing stronger, and he didn’t want to complicate things further. Not until he figured out what to do about Yeri.

Jungwoo, however, was not so easily swayed by his father’s avoidance tactics. The little boy watched the strained dynamics between his parents with a resigned acceptance, having grown used to their lack of affection and communication. But what troubled him most was his father’s sudden distance from his favorite teacher. Jungwoo adored Jimin. He loved the way Jimin listened to him, the way he laughed at his jokes, and the way he always made him feel special. Jimin was the bright spot in his day, and it hurt to see his father pulling away from someone so kind.

One morning, Jungwoo decided he’d had enough. He woke up determined, and his young mind made up about what he needed to do. After breakfast, as they were getting ready for school, Jungwoo tugged at his father’s sleeve.

“Daddy,” he said, looking up at Jungkook with wide, earnest eyes. “Can you take me to school today?”

Jungkook hesitated for a moment. He had been planning to send Namjoon to drive Jungwoo, as he had done several times in the past few weeks. But seeing the hopeful look in his son’s eyes, he found himself nodding. “Alright, buddy. I’ll take you.”

Jungwoo’s face lit up with a bright smile, and he grabbed his backpack, practically bouncing out the door. Jungkook followed him, feeling a pang of guilt for having been so distant. As they drove to school, Jungwoo chattered away about his day, his friends, and all the things he was excited to do. Jungkook listened, his responses absent-minded, his thoughts elsewhere.

When they pulled up to the school, Jungwoo unbuckled his seatbelt but didn’t get out immediately. Instead, he turned to face his father, his expression suddenly serious. Jungkook noticed the change and looked at his son questioningly.

“Is everything okay, Jungwoo?”

Jungwoo nodded slowly, then took a deep breath as if gathering his courage. “Daddy,” he said, his voice steady despite his young age. “I want you to divorce Mommy.”

Jungkook froze, stunned by the words coming from his five-year-old. He stared at Jungwoo, his mind reeling, unable to form a coherent response. Jungwoo’s eyes were wide and earnest, his little hands clutching the straps of his backpack. It was clear that this wasn’t something he had said lightly.