A Pure Soul

35.

Jimin looked at Namjoon with big eyes, he eagerly nodded. "Thank you so much, hyungs! I swear I'll work hard to get a good degree, so that your kindness wasn't for nothing!"

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One month later...

POV. Namjoon

Upon entering the kitchen, I was delighted to see Jimin laughing carefreely. Over the past weeks, Jimin had begun to smile and laugh, which brought warmth to my usually ice-cold heart. We were able to earn his trust.

In recent weeks, Jimin has begun playing video games with Taehyung and Jungkook and has enjoyed assisting Jin when he occasionally prepares dinner. He now feels comfortable interacting with us and even laughs at Jin's dad jokes, although I am unsure whether genuinely finds them amusing or does so out of politeness.

"Hyung please, I've already ironed my uniform you're creasing it!" Jimin's sweet whines reached my ears, while being in my thoughts I haven't noticed that Hoseok had sneaked up to the younger and pulled him in a bone crushing back hug. 

"I can't help it Jiminie! You're just to adorable in your little uniform." Hoseok chirped in an high pitched voice, while showing no intention of letting him go. Jimin tried to free himself but he didn't succeed in doing so. 

"Hoseok, let go of him! Jiminie needs to eat to get good through the day." I said. "It's not my fault! Why does he have to look so cute in his uniform!" Hoseok huffed but still let go and sat down beside Jimin, to which the younger gave me a thankful smile. 

Today is Jimin's first day of college. He thought we were lucky that he was able to start so soon, because the SCA is a well-known and respected college, with long waiting time. What he didn't knew was that it wasn't luck at all. The principle was thrilled to put Jimin's name at the front of the list for new students after we send a 'small donation' to the school, it would have probably also worked, if we just threatened the school but we decided against it for Jimin's sake, knowing him he would have figured it out and started to panic or get a guilty conscious.  

"He looks cute in his school uniform because he is cute from his head to his toe, no matter what he is wearing."Taehyung casually joined the conversation, and his statement caused Jimin's face to turn beet red. 

"Hyung, I told you to not call me cute..." Jimin pouted before concentrating on eating the food in front of him. "I am only stating facts."

I was about to sit down at the table when the bell rang, 'That must be him.' I thought before making my way towards the door. Opening the door it revealed a young man, with brown hair wearing the same uniform as Jimin. 

"You are Chan Yeongsoo." It was more a statement than an actual question, but he nodded his head in conformation anyway.I allowed him to enter and guided him to the others. 

"Jimin-ah, this is Yeongsoo he'll go with you to school and protect you." "What?" Jimin's head spun around and he was now looking at me with big question marks in of his head, he seemed like he was about to protest, so I quickly begun talking again. "We told you already, you can go to school but there will be a few arrangements to secure your well-being, and this is one of them! So you can either accept it or you won't leave this building at all." My voice was strict, he had to understand that I was serious about what I said. 

His eyes wandered from my face to the others, seeing our serious expression he seems to understand that there was no way of talking us out of it so he only muttered a quiet "Okay, I understand hyung." 

"That's our sweet boy!" Jin exclaimed before continuing. "There are, of course, a few other arrangements for your safety. First of all, you forgot your smartphone. You should always have your phone with you, so you can call us or we can contact you."

"But hyung, I am afraid I'll break it, so I wanted to leave it here and even if I would take it with me I couldn't possibly take a call in the middle of the class." The younger calmly explained. 

"What use is a smartphone, if you don't use it? And I swear, if you don't answer a call once I'll come to you and personally drag your ass back here. We talked to the headmaster, you have a special permission as well as your own room for you to use during breaks." Jimin didn't like hearing about his special treatment but he knew at the same time that it was the only way for him to study at a normal school, so he had no other option than to obidiently nod. 

"I swear I will always take your calls hyung. But you guys must promise me to not call me during school time, other than in emergencies." 

"Of course, we'll only call you when it's necessary," I reassured him.

POV. Jimin

'Aish, this hyungs!' I fumed in my head. The reason for my discomfort is easy to explain, I begged them to let me walk to the school building but they declined... It's too dangerous for me, they said. 

I wanted to argue with them, that I am capable to survive a quick walk through Seoul, but they once again weren't willing to listen to me... 

I decided to just drop this subject; at least they allowed me to attend college even paid for my tuition. I don't want to be ungreatful, but their protectiveness is often a bit suffocating. 

"Jimin-ah, is everything alright back there?" Jin hyung's voice brought me back to reality, I looked up towards the driver's seat of the black expensive SUV. "Yes hyung, everything is alright!" I quickly answered, not wanting to make him worry. 

"You sure? You are rather quiet today, even for your standards." "I was just wondering, if you could let me out of the car on the next corner, instead of directly in front of the school..." He frowned and I could feel his gaze upon me, as he was looking at me through the mirror from time to time. 

"We talked already about that, didn't we?" He replied calmly. 

"I know, but I don't want everyone to believe that I am a rich brat and I also don't want people to befriend me because they think of me in this way." I sincerely explained and to my surprise he actually, after a small period of silence, agreed to let me out of the car around the corner from the entrance. I was so surprised and at the same time happy that I thanked Jin multiple times. 

The only thing that confused me was Yeongsoo, who seemed less thrilled about my request and I could have sworn he rolled his eyes, but maybe I mistook his reaction, so I decided to not ask him about it.

As Jin hyung promised, he allowed Yeongsoo and me to exit the car a bit further away from entrance. He told me to have fun and that someone would pick me up after the last lecture. I once again thanked him, before he drove off. 

"Come on, let's move!" A deep voice said, when I turned in the direction the voice came from, I saw how Yeongsoo already began moving.

I quickly run after him, the walk towards the school was mostly quiet, it was a uncomfortable silence and I thought hard about how I could start a conversation with him. It was harder than it may sound because I had to fight an inner battle against my anxiety. 

"My name is Park Jimin, I am sorry that I've forgotten to introduce myself." I introduced myself shyly. I felt very proud of myself, that I have overcome my fear.

But sadly I could feel my fears creep up once again after a harsh reply reached my ears. "And I don't care. I am only here to protect you and get my paycheck. I am not your friend, now come or we'll be late because of your stupid request, to be dropped off further away!"

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1378 words

Just for your information, I will now work with a few more timeskips.