Winter In My Heart (Jikook/Kookmin)

20

As promised, Mingyu took it upon himself to help Jungkook uncover the truth. He was just as curious—was Jimin really the person Jungkook had been missing all these years? So he texted Jimin, casually inviting him to meet for afternoon tea at their favorite café. It was the perfect setting, quiet enough for conversation but busy enough to ease any tension.

When Jimin stepped into the café, the soft chime of the door announcing his arrival, he immediately spotted Jungkook sitting next to Mingyu. His brows furrowed in surprise. "Oh, I thought you’d be alone."

Mingyu gave him a sheepish smile as Jimin took the seat across from him. "He wanted to come along," Mingyu said, his tone light but observant, watching Jimin’s reaction closely.

Jimin shifted slightly in his seat, his eyes flicking to Jungkook. "Is it okay? If you’re uncomfortable, I can leave," Jungkook offered, sensing the slight unease.

Jimin hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit unsettled by the presence of someone he didn’t really know. There was something about Jungkook—something familiar but distant—that made his heart stir uncomfortably.

But Jimin wasn’t one to show discomfort easily. "No, I’m okay," he said, offering a small smile.

Mingyu, always perceptive, leaned forward slightly. "Are you sure? You look like something’s on your mind."

Jimin was like an open book to Mingyu—his face gave away every little emotion without him even realizing it. His expressive eyes always betrayed him. That’s why Mingyu enjoyed teasing him so much. Today, though, Jimin’s hesitation wasn’t something Mingyu wanted to play with.

Jimin chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he looked at Mingyu. "Why are you acting like this?" he teased back, amused by how protective Mingyu seemed.

Mingyu let out a sigh, relieved that Jimin was laughing again. "I just thought you didn’t like meeting new people."

Jimin waved it off with a dismissive hand. "I’m okay, Mingyu hyung. He’s your friend." Jimin turned his gaze to Jungkook and flashed him his signature crescent-eye smile. The warmth in that simple gesture made Jungkook’s heart race for reasons he couldn’t fully explain.

Jungkook smiled back, unable to resist the charm. "Cutie..."

Jimin paused mid-sip of the iced tea Mingyu had already ordered for him, a curious glint in his eyes. "Hyung?" he asked, unsure of which of them Jungkook was addressing.

"Yeah?" Both Mingyu and Jungkook answered in unison, their voices overlapping. They glanced at each other, and Jimin couldn’t hold back a giggle. Watching the two of them together was like witnessing some quirky comedy duo—Mingyu the playful, teasing one, and Jungkook, who seemed caught between tension and awkwardness.

"You two are funny," Jimin said with a light laugh. "Like two weird hyungs."

Mingyu grinned. "Weird? Me? Never."

Jimin shook his head, amused, before taking another sip of his drink. He hummed in delight. "I love iced tea... How did you know?"

Mingyu raised an eyebrow, ready to claim the credit, but then paused. "Actually, Jk ordered it for you."

Jimin turned to Jungkook, surprised. "Oh, really? Thanks, Jk hyung. Looks like we’ve got similar taste."

Jungkook’s heart skipped a beat at the word "hyung" coming from Jimin. His hands felt suddenly clammy, and he could hardly believe how easily Jimin had accepted him, even if he didn’t know their potential connection yet. The smile that Jimin gave him was like a small piece of sunshine, bright and warm, and Jungkook couldn’t help but smile wider.