Different colors of flag || jikook

Chapter 39

The grand convention hall buzzed with excitement, a perfect blend of rhythmic beats, flashing lights, and murmurs of anticipation.

Today was Jimin’s first official day at Bangtan World, and yet, instead of feeling the thrill of a fresh start, his heart was drumming with an entirely different kind of tension.

he hadn't expected to see him today.

Not like this.

As he stepped in the hall, his gaze instinctively flickered towards the center of attention. And there he was Jeon Jungkook.

Dressed in a tailored black suit that sculpted his frame like it was designed just for him, exuding authority, confidence, and a dangerously effortless allure. His presence alone could steal the breath from anyone in the room. But what made Jimin’s fingers curl into fists wasn’t just his devastatingly perfect look it was the woman standing beside him.

Ms.Naaya.

She was laughing, her red lips curved into a teasing smile, her long manicured nails tracing the sleeve of Jungkook's suit possessively. And then Jimin’s stomach twisted Jungkook's hand rested lightly on Naaya’s waist, fingers splayed as if he belonged there.

A sharp pang of something raw and uncontainable ignited inside Jimin.

He could ignore it. he could turn around, pretend he hadn’t seen him, pretend it didn’t matter.

Stepping forward, he took the mic from the assistant standing nearby and cleared his throat. The hall grew silent.

Jungkook’s head turned lazily, as if he already knew who it was. The moment their eyes met, time stilled.

A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face.

Shock. Recognition. And then… nothing. He schooled his expression into cool indifference.

But Jimin had seen it. That fraction of a second where the past had crept up behind him like an unshakable shadow.

Still, he played his role to perfection. "A question?" His voice was smooth, unfazed. "Go ahead."

Jimin lifted his chin, voice steady. "Mr. Jeon, how do you define loyalty? Is it a temporary convenience, or does it hold a deeper meaning for you?"

The air crackled with tension. A murmur spread through the crowd, sensing the hidden weight in his words.

Jungkook exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening just slightly
Loyalty..." He repeated, his gaze never leaving his eyes. "It depends on who you’re asking about. Some people understand it. Others throw it away the moment it becomes inconvenient."

The unspoken words sliced through Jimin’s chest like a blade. The eye contact between them burned too intense, too suffocating, too full of memories neither of them wanted to relive here.

And then Naaya noticed.

She stiffened, eyes darting between them. Her fingers dug into Jungkook’s arm before she lightly shook him, forcing him to break away from the silent battle of wills.

Jungkook let out a slow breath and turned away as if dismissing the moment entirely.

Jimin set the mic down and walked out from the hall.

---

He barely made it inside the empty studio room before the door slammed open behind him.

"What the hell was that?" Jungkook’s voice was sharp, laced with irritation.

Jimin turned, meeting his stormy gaze with his own fire. "That’s exactly what I should be asking you! What the hell was that out there?"

Jungkook ran a frustrated hand through his hair, taking a deep breath before stepping closer. "You were the one who left. You disappeared without saying a word just left that one damn letter behind. Do you have any idea what I went through because you left like that? And now you’re back like nothing ever happened? Like you actually have the right to question me?"

His chest rose and fell rapidly. "I didn’t have a choice, Jk. You think I wanted to leave? That I wanted to"

"Then why did you?" His voice dropped, raw and unguarded. "Why did you leave me alone, Jiminnie? Why did you walk away when I needed you the most?"

Silence hung heavy between them.

Jimin swallowed hard, pain clogging his throat. "I’m here now… Isn’t that enough? Can’t we......"

"No." Jungkook stepped back, his face twisting with something dark. "It’s too late. The love… it's still there. But the hatred… the hatred is stronger. And that’s what wins, Jimin."

The air in the room turned suffocating.

Jimin’s vision blurred, but he refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of him. he forced a breath and nodded.

"I see," he whispered. "Then I guess this is where we truly end."

Jungkook didn’t respond. He didn’t stop him when he walked past him, when he opened the door, when he stepped out into the hallway.

He just stood there, unmoving.

Watching him leave.

Again.