One Month

Confrontations and Revelations

The following day, Jimin’s friends decided it was time for an intervention. They had seen the tension between Jimin and Minjeong, and it was clear that things had taken a turn for the worse. The group decided to go out for a meal together, hoping the casual atmosphere would ease the conversation that needed to happen.

As they sat down at their favorite café, Wonyoung was the first to speak up. “Jimin, what you did to Minjeong wasn’t fair,” she said, her tone gentle but firm.

Jimin sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I was just so mad,” she admitted, her voice laced with frustration.

“But you couldn’t think of a better way to fix things than to threaten her?” Yeji asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jimin frowned. “Don’t say it like that,” she replied defensively.

“But it’s true, Jimin,” Aeri said, her voice tinged with disappointment. “It’s what you did. You put Minjeong in a tough place. You made her choose between you and Minju, knowing full well that she would choose you, every single time.”

Jimin looked down at her hands, guilt gnawing at her. She knew her friends were right, but admitting it to herself was difficult.

“And I have to say, as your best friend, I’m disappointed,” Yunjin said quietly.

Jimin looked up, her eyes meeting Yunjin’s. “Yunjin…”

“I just don’t understand why you don’t tell her how you really feel,” Yunjin continued, her voice full of concern. “Instead of giving her ultimatums and pushing her away, why don’t you just let her in? Give her the chance you promised her.”

“It’s not that easy,” Jimin snapped, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

“And you think it was easy for me?” Yunjin shot back.

“Was?” Yeji asked, catching the past tense.

Yunjin hesitated, realizing she had let something slip. She sighed, knowing she couldn’t backtrack now. “Me and Kazuha are dating.”

“What? Since when?” Jimin asked, her surprise evident.

“Two months ago,” Yunjin admitted.

“And you didn’t think to tell us?” Wonyoung asked, her tone a mix of hurt and curiosity.

“We would’ve liked to know that our best friend was dating someone and if she was happy,” Yeji added.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Yunjin said, looking down briefly. “But we wanted to keep it to ourselves before sharing it with everyone. But this isn’t about me right now.” She turned her gaze back to Jimin, her expression serious. “We’re talking about you.”

Jimin felt a wave of irritation. “You need to get your act together, Jimin,” Yunjin continued. “You can’t keep taking advantage of Minjeong’s feelings for you.”

Jimin’s temper flared at that. “You should learn to know your place, Yunjin. Just because you’re my friend doesn’t mean I’m going to let you talk to me like that.”

Yunjin’s eyes narrowed. “Know my place? I’m your best friend, Jimin. I’m trying to help you.”

“Maybe I don’t need your help, and maybe I don’t need you,” Jimin snapped back, her anger getting the better of her.

The table fell into a stunned silence. Aeri glanced between the two of them, sensing the tension rising. “Jimin…” she began, trying to diffuse the situation.

But Yunjin had already made up her mind. She stood up from the table, her expression hurt but resolute. “Seeing as you don’t need me, maybe I’ll leave.”

“Yeah, you should,” Jimin replied coldly, not even looking up.

Without another word, Yunjin turned and walked away, leaving the remaining four friends to process what had just happened. The atmosphere was thick with tension and disbelief.

“You messed up,” Yeji finally said, breaking the silence. “Once again.”

“Thanks, Yeji,” Jimin replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

“You need to apologize to Yunjin, Jimin,” Wonyoung said, her voice soft but firm. “And you need to stop hurting people who care about you.”

Jimin let out a shaky breath, the weight of her actions starting to sink in. “It seems like I’m hurting everyone these days,” she said quietly, her voice tinged with regret.

“We know you don’t mean to,” Yeji said, reaching out to place a hand on Jimin’s arm. “But you should really fix things with Minjeong and Yunjin. Before it’s too late.”

Jimin nodded slowly, her mind racing with thoughts of everything that had happened. She knew her friends were right. She had let her anger and insecurities get the better of her, and now she was paying the price. If she didn’t make things right soon, she might lose not just Minjeong, but Yunjin too. And that was something she couldn’t bear.

“I know,” Jimin whispered, more to herself than to anyone else. “I’ll fix it. I have to.”