Spring Day // Kim Taehyung ( V )

Chapter 24

Last night stands out as one of those evenings I won't forget easily—not because it was perfect, but because it was meaningful. I managed to open up a bit to Namjoon, mentioning Jackson and our relationship. Surprisingly, he was supportive—something that truly eased my mind. We ended up at an amusement park alone, just the two of us. It was simple, but honestly, it was one of the most fun nights I've had in a while.

Namjoon has a fear of most rides, yet he pushed himself to go on anyway. His reactions—squeals, howls, and genuine terror—were so hilariously authentic that I found myself enjoying his screams more than the rides themselves. He kept insisting, "It's scarier because I'm older," which I found amusing, considering he's only two years my senior.

Today is Sunday. I didn't have any plans, so I spent most of the day sleeping, eating, and watching TV. The guys were at the house, working on their music, so I was alone in the living room, flipping through channels until I landed on Animal Planet. Honestly, animals are adorable—nature's little miracles, right?

Then my phone rang. Seeing Jackson's name pop up made my heart skip a beat.

*Conversation*

Me: Jackson?

J: Hi, beautiful.

Me: Hello, handsome. *chuckles* Why are you calling?

J: Just miss you.

Me: Aww, I miss you too.

J: I wanted to check in—how are you doing?

Me: I'm good, but honestly, I felt better when I heard your voice.

J: Glad I called then. Seriously, I miss you.

Me: I miss you too, Jackson.

J: Neither can I. Well, I should go now. Take care, okay? Make sure you eat properly and rest—you deserve it.

Me: You're the sweetest. I will. You take care too. See you tomorrow.

J: Bye, I uh- can't wait to see you.

*End of call*

That five-minute call was honestly one of the best moments of my day. Jackson's kindness always manages to lift my spirits. Hearing him call me "beautiful" makes me feel so special—I've never felt more confident about myself. His words have a way of dissolving my insecurities, and I love how caring he is. I found myself smiling while clutching my phone, probably looking ridiculous, but I didn't care. Jackson has this effect—he turned my mood around instantly.

Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me. I nearly dropped my phone in surprise.

"Hey there," Jungkook said with his signature cute, mischievous smile.

I turned to see him standing there, his expression innocent but playful. "Hey, Jungkook. What's up?" I beckoned him to sit beside me.

Don't get me wrong—my heart belongs to Jackson. Jungkook is more like a younger brother to me, and I care about him deeply, but I'm not interested in anything romantic.

He hopped onto the couch and settled comfortably, legs draped over my lap. I instinctively tried to kick them off, but he quickly moved them back. I sighed, giving up.

"Shouldn't you be upstairs?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded. "Yeah, but we're almost done. I came down early because I wasn't much help anymore."

I made an 'o' with my mouth, nodding slowly before returning my attention to the TV. 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bokjoo' was on again—my favorite drama. Nam Joo-hyuk is such a charmer; don't you think?

"I wish I could meet Nam Joo-hyuk," I said wistfully, nudging Jungkook's leg. I immediately felt him flinch, and I mouthed an apology.

He immediately shot back, "Please, Taehyung is so much more attractive than him. Why don't you like him? He's kind of your type—"

"Jungkook," I interrupted, voice firm but calm, "Taehyung is a bully. He's harsh, and he has no mercy when it comes to me."

He looked surprised, sitting upright now. "No, he's not. It's just cause he likes—Yeah no, I mean, he do be like that sometimes." he said, shaking his head with a disappointed look.

But I could see through him—something wasn't quite adding up. It's the second time I've caught him hesitating or changing the subject when it comes to Taehyung.

What is it he's hiding? Why can't he finish his sentences? It's starting to bother me.

I shifted closer, my curiosity piqued. "Jungkook, What are you trying to tell me?"

He looked nervous, plastering on a wide, innocent smile. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, avoiding my gaze.

I narrowed my eyes. "Come on. I'm not stupid. What's with you and Taehyung?"

His eyes widened slightly, and he looked away. I turned to see Taehyung approaching, standing just a few feet behind us. His expression was unreadable, but there was a tension in the air. "What about me?"

"N-nothing, hyung," Jungkook stammered, hurriedly defending himself. "We were just talking about yesterday."

I stared at them both, suspicion growing. "No we weren't. Liking what, Jungkook?"

Taehyung's gaze sharpened. "What's going on?"

Jungkook looked caught between two worlds—fear and guilt flickered in his eyes. I could feel the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air, thick and uncomfortable.

I sighed, leaning back. "Forget it. I don't have the energy to chase shadows. Let's just watch the drama."

But deep down, I knew I'd be thinking about this—whatever 'this' was—for a while. I didn't like feeling like I was missing pieces of the puzzle, especially when it involved people I care about.

And Taehyung? Whatever his intentions, I was determined not to let him interfere with what little peace I had.

Taehyung's POV

George muttered, "Forget it. I don't have the energy to chase shadows. Let's just watch the drama." and sank back into the sofa, eyes fixed on the TV screen. I shot a quick glance at Jungkook, who offered a nervous smile in return. I subtly gestured toward the kitchen, and he understood immediately—he's not as clueless as he sometimes seems.

Standing there, leaning against the kitchen counter, I felt the heat rising—not physically, but in a way that made my patience wear thin. I'm aware of how that sounds, so let's be honest: it's not about the temperature.

After a moment, Jungkook finally appeared, looking visibly tense—like he'd been caught doing something he knew he shouldn't have. That's probably because he was.

"You little-" I whispered sharply, smacking his head lightly. He made a sound—'Tsch'—and scratched the back of his neck, caught off guard.

"I'm sorry, Hyung. I got carried away," he muttered, trying to sound innocent. "I didn't actually say it, though."

You almost did. That's what I was thinking. Honestly, I don't trust Jungkook with secrets like this. He's impulsive, and once the words leave his mouth, there's no stopping him. Today, I got lucky. Next time? Not so much.

"Hyung... I overheard her talking earlier—it was with Jackson. Said something like, 'I miss you,'" Jungkook added hesitantly.

My mood shifted instantly. I knew this moment was coming, yet it still hit hard. She didn't bother to hide her feelings—especially since she was upset with me yesterday. Maybe she was in a good mood now, or maybe she simply didn't care about hiding it anymore.

"Do you think they're officially dating?" Jungkook asked, voice tinged with curiosity.

A sigh escaped me. "Who cares," I replied flatly. But honestly, I did. I suspected they already were. It stung knowing that, perhaps, I missed my chance to be part of her world—my attempt at connection failing miserably, making her hate me even more.

A pointless thought crossed my mind: should I reward myself? With what, exactly? F**king everything up even more? Maybe that's the only thing I'm good at lately.