The sun hung high in the sky, casting its golden glow over the Jeon mansion's garden. Jungkook knelt by the flowerbed, his hands buried in the soft soil as he meticulously tended to the plants. His usual spark was missing—no playful banter, no dramatic complaints. Today, he was quiet, brooding even, as he watered the roses. The maids who passed by exchanged glances, whispering about the sudden shift in his mood.
The vibrant boy who usually pouted or snapped at the smallest inconvenience seemed... preoccupied. His energy was subdued, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.
“Doing something?” came a familiar voice. Jungkook momentarily froze before continuing his task, not bothering to look up. Yugyeom stood by the glass door, arms crossed, smirking at the sight of his usually animated friend so oddly calm.
“Would you like to come?” Yugyeom teased, knowing full well that Jungkook’s sulky demeanor would invite no such gesture.
Jungkook waved him off without looking. “No. I’m busy.”
But Yugyeom, ever the mischievous one, leaned casually against the doorframe, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “I’m heading to Dr. Kim’s office,” he said casually, almost as if it were an afterthought.
Jungkook’s ears practically twitched like a bunny hearing the soft rustle of grass. His head snapped up so fast it was almost comical. “What?” he blurted, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
Yugyeom barely had time to react before Jungkook dropped the water pipe, water spraying wildly in every direction. “Noona! Shut off the water! I’m leaving!” Jungkook called out to one of the maids as he ran inside, leaving muddy footprints in his wake.
Yugyeom raised a brow, amused by the sudden burst of energy. “Oh, now you’re interested?”
Jungkook reappeared in a flash, hastily wiping his face with a towel, then tossing it aside as he shoved his phone into his pocket. “Let’s go! How’s Ruka doing? Are we visiting her for therapy today?” he asked, his words tumbling out in rapid succession as he practically bounced on his heels.
Yugyeom’s smirk widened. “You like that man, don’t you?” he asked, his tone teasing but sharp, like a well-placed jab.
Jungkook’s enthusiasm faltered for a moment. He paused, his lips parting as if to deny it, but no words came out. Instead, he straightened up, brushing imaginary dirt off his shirt. Without answering, he strode toward the car, his steps light, his usual swagger restored.
“I’ll take your silence as a yes,” Yugyeom called out, laughing as he followed Jungkook out of the garden.
Jungkook said nothing. His heart, however, seemed to thrum louder than it had all day, the prospect of seeing Taehyung lifting his spirits in ways he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—admit.
Jungkook lounged in the back seat of the car, his head resting against the window as Yugyeom drove them through the bustling streets of the city. The atmosphere inside the vehicle was a mix of quiet and tension, Ruka sitting in the passenger seat with her arms crossed tightly, staring out the window. She was silent, her nerves palpable as she toyed with the edges of her sleeve. The grief of her recent breakup still clung to her like a shadow, and today marked her third therapy session with Dr. Kim—a step forward, though she was still hesitant.
Yugyeom glanced at his sister briefly, concern flickering in his eyes before he refocused on the road. He didn’t say much; he knew she needed her space. Jungkook, on the other hand, was a stark contrast. He sat sprawled out in the back, holding his phone to his ear while arguing with his father. His voice carried through the car, breaking the heavy silence.
