Spring Day // Kim Taehyung ( V )

Chapter 19

It's been exactly one week since Jackson and I confessed to each other. Our interactions have been nothing but gentle—yet there's an undeniable strength beneath that softness.

We're not officially a couple, but in many ways, we've already become something more. He's the one who often drives me home after long walks, and we frequently revisit that first spot where he first took me. It's become our quiet sanctuary—a place to talk about life, about ourselves.

This time, I opened up about my feelings. I needed him to know. I was nervous, but he listened patiently, without judgment. His presence was calming, his attention unwavering. It felt exactly as I had always hoped love would be.

Sometimes, Jackson leaves notes tucked into my locker—little reminders of how beautiful he thinks I am, how much I matter. It's a simple gesture, but it makes me feel seen, cherished.

I consider myself lucky—fortunate to have Jackson in my life. His kindness, his patience, his ability to make me feel special—they all make me fall deeper. I've fallen hard, irrevocably, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

He's perfect in my eyes.

Yet, the world around us isn't so kind. People have voiced their disapproval of us dating, claiming they wish they could be the one with Jackson's attention. Of course, who wouldn't want that? Jackson is genuinely remarkable.

But the truth is, their insecurities don't concern me. It's hard to ignore the whispers, the sideways glances. Still, I try to focus on what's real—what we share.

Tomorrow is Saturday, and Jackson has plans with his family. We won't see each other, which feels like a small loss after such a perfect date last week. That evening—dinner at a fancy restaurant followed by a quiet movie—remains etched in my memory as one of the best moments I've ever had. Simple, genuine, and filled with unspoken affection.

During dinner, my mom asked, "So, how was your day?"

We were all seated in the dining room—the boys included, finally free from their busy schedules. They'd only been around briefly in the mornings all week, so tonight was a rare moment of togetherness.

"It was good, as usual," I replied, smiling at the memory of Jackson's smile. Being with him feels right—no matter what we do, whether talking or just clinging to each other in silence. It's the feeling of connection that matters most.

My mom's eyes narrowed slightly. "This Jackson... Is he your boyfriend?"

I nearly choked on my bite of steak. The question caught me off guard, and I felt a flush of heat rising to my cheeks. The six pairs of eyes at the table seemed to wait for my answer, and I squirmed under their gaze.

"I—not yet," I managed, forcing the words out. I caught myself before saying 'yet,' realizing I was already slipping into that mental space where I wanted to believe it was inevitable.

They didn't press further, but I knew they weren't convinced. They sensed there was more beneath my words. And honestly, I felt it too—something unspoken hanging in the air.

But I couldn't tell them everything. Not yet. Besides, I hadn't lied—Jackson isn't my boyfriend. Not yet.

"Boys, tomorrow's the fansign, right?"

The reminder hit me like a shock. I'd completely forgotten about it. How could I be so careless? I shifted my gaze to Taehyung, who, again, seemed distant, almost avoiding my eyes. Over the past few days, I'd noticed him withdrawing, as if he was deliberately not paying attention to me. I didn't understand why, and honestly, I didn't want to ask.

Maybe he'd forgotten the deal we made. Does that mean I don't have to go to the fansign after all?

Later that evening, I was left alone in the kitchen to do the dishes—a routine I'd grown accustomed to. It's not a glamorous life, but it's familiar: eat, sleep, clean—an almost monotonous rhythm.

"Hey," a voice broke through my thoughts, startling me. I nearly spilled water all over the counter. Gosh, I really need to stop being so jumpy.

Turning around, I saw Taehyung standing behind me. He finally acknowledged my presence.

"You still going tomorrow, right?"

I turned off the tap, drying my hands before facing him. His expression was tense, unlike his usual cocky demeanor. Something about his posture felt different—more reserved, almost guarded.

"Yeah, of course," I replied, forcing a smile. "You know I have to."

He looked away briefly, fidgeting. The tension in his shoulders was unusual. It was as if he was grappling with something he couldn't quite voice.

"Taehyung, are you okay? You've been—"

"That's all I needed to know. See you tomorrow," he said quickly, then turned and left before I could say more.

I watched him go, confusion swirling within me. I knew he was avoiding me, but I couldn't figure out why. It's been that way since Jackson and I confessed, but that didn't make sense—he doesn't even know about us. Only Sarah, Jackson, and I are aware of what happened.

We'd even made a tentative deal—if he saw Jackson and I kiss, he'd stay neutral. So why the sudden cold shoulder?

I felt a pang of disappointment. I valued our friendship, or at least I thought I did. Now, I wasn't so sure.

Who wouldn't feel upset, after all? Especially when someone who once seemed so easygoing suddenly acts distant without explanation.

The kitchen fell into a quiet hum, interrupted only by the faint clatter of dishes I had just washed. My mind kept replaying Taehyung's abrupt departure. His words echoed—"That's all I needed to know"—but I wasn't sure what that meant. Was it just about the fansign? Or was there something else beneath his words? Something he wasn't telling me?

I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms, trying to piece together what I'd observed. Since Jackson and I confessed, Taehyung's attitude had shifted. He'd become distant, almost colder. And I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd done something wrong—though I wasn't sure what.

A part of me wanted to confront him, to ask why he was avoiding me. But another part hesitated, afraid of what I might discover. Maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe it was just my imagination.

As I stared out the window into the darkening sky, I felt a wave of loneliness settle over me. Jackson was with his family now, and I was left in this house that once felt full of life. Even the boys' presence, which once felt comforting, now seemed like a distant memory.

I wondered if I was truly ready for whatever was coming next. The feelings I had for Jackson were real, but so was the uncertainty that clung to me—about friendship, about trust, about whether I was reading too much into things.

A soft knock at the door broke my thoughts. I hesitated before opening it to find Taehyung standing there again, this time with a slightly softer expression.

"Hey," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to upset you earlier. I guess I've been... distracted."

I looked at him, searching his eyes. There was a vulnerability there I hadn't seen before. It caught me off guard.

"Is everything okay?" I asked softly.

He hesitated, then shrugged. "It's complicated. I guess I'm just trying to figure some things out."

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. I felt a strange pang of empathy. Despite everything, I didn't want to push him away—yet part of me was still hurt, confused, and unsure of where I stood with him.

"Whatever it is," I whispered, "if you need someone to talk to, I'm here."

He looked at me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Thanks," he said quietly. "I appreciate it."

As he stepped back into the hallway, I realized something—friendship, like love, is rarely straightforward. It's messy, complicated, and often requires patience. Maybe that's what I needed to remember—sometimes, the hardest part isn't what's happening outside, but what's happening inside us.

I took a deep breath, feeling a little lighter. Tomorrow was another day, another chance to understand, to connect, to bridge the gaps that seemed to grow between us. And no matter what, I knew one thing for certain: I wouldn't give up on what I felt, on the hope that things could still be right.

Because love—whether in friendship or something more—was worth fighting for.