But Ji-won wasn't paying attention to him anymore. She was watching YN, whose steps faltered. YN's eyes widened, her expression a mix of shock and pain. Her chest tightened, her breath hitching as the scene played out in front of her.
Without a word, YN turned sharply on her heel, her heart racing as she began walking away, her pace quickening.
"YN!" Bora called after her, but YN didn't stop.
He turned to glare at Ji-won, his voice cold and furious. "Don't you ever fucking touch me again. I mean it, Ji-won."
Ji-won tilted her head, her smirk never fading. "Oh, relax, Jimin. If I don't touch you, who will? The one who's walking away?" She nodded in YN's direction, her tone mocking.
Jimin's head whipped around, and his heart clenched painfully when he saw YN's retreating figure. "YN!" he called out, but she didn't stop.
Without a second thought, Jimin ran after her.
"Muffin, wait! Please!" Jimin's voice echoed in the courtyard as he caught up to her just around the corner. He reached out, his hand closing around her wrist.
"Let go of me, Jimin," YN said, her voice cold and trembling with suppressed emotion. She didn't turn to face him.
"Please, just hear me out," Jimin begged, his grip firm but not forceful. "It's not what you think. Ji-won-she's doing this on purpose! She's trying to make you misunderstand."
"I don't care!" YN burst out, yanking her hand free. Her voice cracked, and she finally looked up at him, her eyes burning with anger and hurt. "I've been avoiding you, staying out of your way.You're happy with her now, aren't you? So why can't you just leave me alone?"
Jimin shook his head desperately. "I'm not happy with her! I don't even like her! YN, you have to believe me-"
"Believe you?" YN interrupted, her voice rising with fury. She stepped closer, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "You want me to believe you? After everything? After I heard you call me a distraction?
Jimin flinched at her words, guilt etched deeply into his face. "I didn't mean it like that," he said, his voice breaking. "When I said that...
"Stop it, I don't care why you said that!" YN shouted, cutting him off. Tears spilled down her cheeks, her voice shaking with the weight of her emotions. "You hurt me, Jimin. You let me believe that what we had was real, that I mattered to you. And then you destroyed it! You lied to me, you used me.
Jimin reached for her again, his own eyes glistening. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice raw. "I'm so, so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.
But YN took a step back, shaking her head. "I don't want your apologies and I dont want to see your face again, Jimin. I'm done."
With that, she turned and walked away, her heart breaking all over again. Jimin didn't follow her this time. He stood there, watching her go, feeling utterly helpless.
As Bora caught up to YN, shooting Jimin a sad look, Ji-won rounded the corner, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.
"You've really screwed things up now, haven't you?" Ji-won taunted.
But Jimin didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on YN's fading figure, determination slowly replacing the despair in his eyes.
For the next two days, Jimin withdrew completely. He skipped college, ignored Jungkook's calls, and only exchanged short, vague texts with his parents. Even his nightly chats with YN as Scribbler came to a halt.
Scribbler: Hey, Doll. I'm visiting family for a few days. I'll text you when I'm back.
YN:Oh... okay. Safe travels.
The short exchange left YN unsettled. Scribbler had always been her constant, the one who could make her laugh even on her worst days. His sudden distance felt strange, leaving a void she didn't know how to fill.
At home, Jimin's father, Mr. Park, grew increasingly worried. He noticed the shadow that had fallen over his usually cheerful son.
"Jimin," Mr. Park said one evening, sitting beside him on the couch. "What's going on? You've been so quiet lately."
"I'm fine, Dad," Jimin replied, his voice flat, his eyes glued to the floor.
But Mr. Park wasn't convinced. "You don't seem fine. You know you can talk to me, right?"
Jimin nodded absently, but his silence persisted, leaving his father feeling helpless.
The day of Jimin's birthday arrived.
Mr. Lee said cheerfully. "Muffin, We're going to a party tonight."
YN looked up from her phone, confused. "Wait, what? I thought we weren't going anywhere tonight!"
"It's our chairman's son's birthday," her mother chimed in, holding up a stunning dress. "And I designed something beautiful for you to wear."
"I don't even know this person!" YN protested, frowning.
"It's not about knowing him," Mr. Lee replied firmly. "We're attending as a family. No arguments."
Meanwhile, at Jimin's home, Jungkook had arrived to check on him. He found Jimin sitting on his bed, staring at his phone, lost in thought.
Jungkook sat beside him, casually scrolling through his phone. "You think she'll come?" he asked, breaking the silence.
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