/My Secret Crush / Jikook~

59

When Jimin gets back home, he changes his shoes and settles back on the sofa. His parents are in the living room, quietly watching TV. His mother glances at him and asks, "Why are you back so soon?"

Jimin casually munches on a cherry tomato, taking off his coat, and replies, "Oh, just walked him to the gate. Jungkook Hyung wants to come back again."

His mother nods in understanding, not saying much. Jimin bites into the tomato, pondering Jungkook's response. He cautiously asks his parents, "What do you think of him?"

His mother, focused on the television, questions, "What do you mean?"

Jimin, speaking softly, explains, "You've met him again today. Now that you've had a chance to talk to him, has your opinion of him changed?"

His father smiles, "He's a good guy."

Jimin agrees, "Yeah, he's a good guy."

"He's truly outstanding. Even back in university, though I didn't interact much, I always had a feeling he'd succeed," his father warmly remarks. "Living alone these years must have been tough for him."

Jimin pauses, his expression serious. The reassurance he sought wasn't quite what he expected.

Jimin's father abruptly changes the subject, a sly smile spreading across his face. "I heard from your mom that the first time you met Jungkook, you cried in front of him. You didn't even feel embarrassed." Jimin's mother chuckles, "I was confused about it at first, but then I found out you had fought with Taehyung."

Jimin's face flushes with embarrassment as his parents reminisce about his past. "That was a long time ago, okay?" he protests, trying to downplay the memory.

But his father continues. "Lately, I've been thinking about the past a lot. Remember when you were young and your health was fragile?" He sets his book aside, lost in thought. "You were sick almost every day - allergies, fevers... Your mom and I were constantly rushing you to the hospital, watching you cry until you were too exhausted to cry anymore."

Jimin's mother turns off the TV, her expression somber. "We were heartbroken, feeling helpless. And your hyung, Taehyung, was still young too. He didn't welcome you at first, feeling like we didn't love him as much after you arrived."

Jimin's father chuckles, a hint of sadness in his voice. "He even wrote in his diary that he'd rather have a dog than a little brother." Jimin's eyes drop, his lips pursed in discomfort.

His father presses on, not waiting for Jimin to respond. "But when you were hospitalized, and we visited you every day... we told Taehyung we'd lost you. He cried so hard that time."

Jimin's silence is palpable, his lips barely moving as he asks, "Why are you bringing this up now?"

"I find the past fascinating," his father says. "It feels like just yesterday. Now, you and Taehyung are almost ready to settle down."

Jimin looks embarrassed. "I still have a long way to go, dad."

His father sighs. "Jimin, I'm not a controlling person. I don't have high standards because of our family's status or because I think anyone is unworthy of you. I just...tend to find fault in anyone who wants to be with you."

Jimin stares at him, feeling his heart beating in his ears.

His father continues, "It's not that we think you can't handle hardships. We just don't want to see you suffer. Since the day you were born, we've worried about you constantly, fearing you'll face a difficult life. We've done our best to protect you."

A lump formed in Jimin's throat, his voice straining to break free from the shackles of his emotions.

His father's expression softens. "I'm just like any other parent, Jimin. I want my children to live without trouble or worry. I want you to live peacefully and happily."