Bonds of Friendship and Love

Episode 14: A New Mystery

Days passed, and the weekend came to an end. The boys bid farewell to their families and returned to their academy, slipping back into their routine. Classes resumed, part-time jobs were attended, and the couples in the group found time to hang out amidst their busy schedules.

However, one day, Namjoon fell ill. A fever and cold had him bedridden, forcing him to skip both his studies and work. His absence left a noticeable gap, especially at the café where he worked alongside Seokjin and Taehyung.

At the café, the usual flow of customers came and went, but one day, a young lady walked in and caught Seokjin’s attention. She was a regular, someone they had seen nearly every day, but this time, she seemed different—more anxious than usual.

Young Lady: "Excuse me, is Namjoon here today?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Seokjin, busy cleaning a table, looked up. "I’m sorry, he’s not here. He’s sick and resting at home."

The lady’s face fell, but she quickly recovered. "Oh, I see. Could you give me his number? I just want to check on him."

Seokjin hesitated. It wasn’t common for customers to ask for their personal contact details, and something about the request made him uneasy. "I’m sorry, but I can’t give out his number without his permission," he replied politely.

The lady nodded, trying to hide her disappointment, and left the café. As she walked out, Seokjin couldn’t shake the strange feeling in his chest. His heart felt heavy, and it wasn’t just because Namjoon was sick. He tried to focus on his work, but his mind kept drifting back to the young lady.

She was a daily customer, someone who always seemed to show up when Namjoon was working. Seokjin began to wonder if she had feelings for Namjoon. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that she wasn’t just a random customer. Maybe she came to the café every day just to see Namjoon.

These thoughts started to drive him crazy. He couldn’t concentrate, fumbling through orders and making mistakes he rarely made. Taehyung noticed his friend’s distracted state and asked if he was okay, but Seokjin just shrugged it off, not wanting to reveal what was bothering him.

As the day wore on, Seokjin’s mind continued to race. Who was this girl? Why was she so interested in Namjoon? And why was it bothering him so much? He knew he needed to talk to Namjoon about it, but he didn’t want to worry him while he was sick.

By the time the café closed, Seokjin was exhausted, not just physically but mentally. He headed home, his thoughts still consumed by the mysterious young lady and her connection to Namjoon.

To be continued---