who am i?

Chapitre 3

I woke to a soft knocking, not quite ready to let go of the last wisps of sleep. I shuffled over to the door, opening it to see Taehyung, Jimin, and Jungkook standing there, arms full of breakfast bags. The smell of food quickly filled my senses, snapping me awake.

"Morning, sleepyhead!" Taehyung grinned, nudging me lightly. "We figured you could use a good meal to start the day right."

I blinked at them, taken aback. Jungkook's face broke into a bunny-like smile as he held out a bag. "We brought enough for everyone. Thought we'd keep you company."

As they settled in around my small table, I couldn't help but smile. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed this—a simple meal shared with people who felt like family.

As we ate, a question I'd been holding back came out without me meaning to. "So... why do people call you guys the Kims?"The three of them exchanged a quick look before Taehyung spoke, his voice more serious than I expected. "It's... kind of complicated. People started calling us that after some things happened at school."

"What kind of things?" I asked, now more curious.

Taehyung looked down, his tone a bit distant. "Jimin was bullied a lot. Jungkook and I stepped in to help him once, and things got pretty messy. Namjoon was involved too... and his reputation, well, let's just say people ran with it. Now they think we're some sort of mafia group."

Jimin gave me an embarrassed smile, and I noticed Jungkook's jaw clenching slightly.

"Does it bother you?" Jungkook asked, his voice cautious, as if he feared my answer.

I didn't even have to think. "Not at all. Honestly, I'm just surprised at how different you all are from the rumors."

Relief washed over their faces, and we finished breakfast with lighter hearts. A new understanding formed between us, though I couldn't help but notice the whispers growing louder at school.

The next few weeks passed in a strange but welcome rhythm. Taehyung picked me up for school every morning, then drove me to work. Jungkook and Jimin often tagged along, filling the car rides with jokes and laughter, making each day a little brighter.But with our growing friendship came reactions from others that were hard to ignore. People stared. Some looked curious, others judgmental, but most seemed... wary.

One weekend, they invited me to a café by the river. I was hesitant at first, but the sight of sunlight glinting off the water and the smell of fresh coffee soothed my nerves."Let's play twenty questions," Taehyung suggested, nudging Jungkook, who rolled his eyes but smiled.

One by one, they opened up in ways that surprised me. Taehyung shared his love for art and photography. Jimin spoke about his passion for dance, and Jungkook told me about his goals to grow stronger, in more ways than one.

When it was my turn, I hesitated, unsure of what to share. Finally, I took a breath. "I don't remember much before I woke up in the hospital," I admitted quietly. "I feel like... I lost something important, but I don't know what it is."

They listened, eyes filled with sympathy I didn't expect. For the first time in a long while, I felt understood.

A few days later, as Taehyung was driving me to work, his car suddenly sputtered and died, smoke rising from the hood. We pulled over, both of us staring in disbelief.

"Just great," Taehyung muttered, kicking the tire. He pulled out his phone, calling Namjoon to come get us.

Namjoon arrived not long after, leaning out of his car window. "Need a ride?"

When we pulled up to my workplace, I noticed my boss standing outside, his eyes narrowing as he watched me climb out of Namjoon's car. I ignored the uneasy feeling in my stomach, brushing it off as paranoia.

The next morning, my boss called me aside. His face was serious, his arms crossed. "Yoongi... I think it's best if you don't work here anymore."

My heart sank. "Did I do something wrong?"He glanced away, his expression uncomfortable. "I've heard things about the people you're hanging around with... I don't want any trouble here."

I stared, too stunned to argue. I left without another word, my thoughts swirling. I'd just lost my job over rumors. My friends didn't deserve this blame. I'd keep it from them—they didn't need to feel guilty over something that wasn't their fault.

Over the next two days, I spent every free moment searching for a new job. Unfortunately, it seemed like the rumors had spread; even some local shops turned me away.

One afternoon, I was on the phone, hoping to secure an interview, when I noticed Jimin standing nearby. He must have overheard because he approached me later, his face etched with worry.

"Yoongi... did you lose your job because of us?"

I forced a smile, trying to reassure him. "It's fine, Jimin. I'll find something else. It's not your fault."

But Jimin looked unconvinced. That evening, I had a feeling he shared what he'd heard with the others because Jin came by my place, his face serious."Yoongi, we know what's going on," he said, looking straight at me. "People are giving you trouble because of us, aren't they?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. Jin's expression hardened, a rare intensity in his eyes. "You deserve better. Meet us tonight; we need to talk."

When I arrived, I found Jin, Namjoon, and the others waiting. Jin was the first to speak, his tone both gentle and firm. "Yoongi, we've been talking, and we think you should move in with us. You wouldn't have to worry about rent, and you wouldn't be alone in dealing with this."

I blinked, stunned. "Move in with you guys?"

Namjoon nodded. "You've been through enough. After what you did for Jimin, we want to help you too."

I glanced at Jungkook, who looked like he was holding back anger. "It's not fair you got fired because of us. We don't want you to go through this alone."

I hesitated, torn between pride and gratitude. Money was tight, and finding another job was proving impossible. Finally, I nodded. "Alright. I'll move in. Thank you... really."

Their relief was almost tangible, and for the first time in a while, I felt like I'd found a home.

As the days passed, life at the Kims' mansion became almost second nature. Laughter filled the halls, and even though the rumors followed me at school, I didn't care as much. The taunts, the judging glances—it all felt easier to handle with friends by my side.

One afternoon, Taehyung announced they were planning a day out to unwind. "You're coming too, Yoongi. We all need a break."

I couldn't say no to the infectious energy in his voice, and soon enough, we were on our way to a small, cozy café. Jungkook declared coffee and sweets mandatory, and I couldn't help but laugh.

We spent the day sharing stories and laughing until our sides hurt. At the arcade later, I found myself getting lost in the thrill of the games, the sound of our laughter echoing louder than the rumors that used to haunt me.

As we left the arcade, the only thing in my head was that living with the Kims wasn't what I'd expected. It was better.