Winter In My Heart (Jikook/Kookmin)

29

Before Jimin returned to town to resume work after a week-long vacation, the Jeon family decided to have a final picnic on the beach. Mrs. Jeon, as always, prepared a variety of dishes, and Jimin had made sure that chicken stew was on the list. He had been pleading with his mother to make it before he had to leave, craving the comforting meal one last time before heading back to his life in the city.

While Jimin, Mr. Jeon, and Mrs. Jeon enjoyed the food, Jungkook and Yumi strolled along the shoreline, hand in hand. Jimin’s eyes followed their figures, his heart sinking a little more with every step they took together.

Why does this hurt? Jimin thought to himself, his brow furrowing in frustration. Should I even feel hurt? The questions gnawed at him, leaving him restless. He knew he shouldn't be thinking this way about his brother. Jungkook had a beautiful fiancée. His life was moving forward, and Jimin had no place interfering. And yet, the pain was still there, sharp and unavoidable.

"I didn’t know this place had such a beautiful beach," Yumi said as she rejoined the group, settling onto the mat beside Jungkook.

"There are even more interesting places nearby," Jungkook replied, his voice calm but distant. He listed off a few spots in Gijang, places filled with memories. All of them were Jimin’s favorite places, places where he and Jungkook used to go together—just the two of them.

"Wow, that sounds exciting! We should visit them together," Yumi said, wrapping her arm around Jungkook’s as she smiled up at him.

"Yeah..." Jungkook muttered, his eyes flicking briefly toward Jimin before looking away.

Yumi, oblivious to the tension, turned her attention to Jimin. "Hey, Jimin, I heard from Mingyu that you're working for him now. Is that right?"

Jimin blinked, surprised that Yumi was speaking to him directly for the first time. "Yes," he answered simply, not sure where the conversation was going.

"You’re still so young. You should be pursuing your studies, not working," Yumi said, her tone light but a little condescending. Mr. and Mrs. Jeon both turned their attention to Jimin, curious themselves. They didn’t know why their son had given up on school, but Jungkook did.

"I... I just don’t like studying," Jimin lied, his voice soft. In truth, if there had been a chance, he would have loved to continue his education. He had always been passionate about art, but that dream was out of reach now.

"You know, college is where you can meet your soulmate," Yumi continued, glancing affectionately at Jungkook. "That’s how Jk and I met. We were the most popular couple on campus, right baby?"

Jungkook only nodded, his expression unreadable. Jimin sat in silence, stirring his bowl of chicken stew, his appetite gone. His brother wasn’t his anymore—Jungkook had a new life, a new love. It was a painful realization, and it hurt more than Jimin could explain.

"Why aren’t you eating?" Mr. Jeon asked, noticing how Jimin was just pushing the food around on his plate. "Are you feeling alright?"

"It’s really good, I’m just full," Jimin mumbled, trying to sound convincing.

Suddenly, a voice called out, breaking the awkward atmosphere. "Cutieeeeeee!"

Everyone turned toward the sound, and Jimin’s face lit up. Mingyu was walking toward them, holding a bouquet of flowers. Jimin jumped up from the mat and ran to greet him.

"Mingyu hyung!" Jimin exclaimed, throwing his arms around Mingyu in a warm hug.

Mingyu grinned, hugging him back tightly. "Did you miss me?"

Jimin giggled, the sound bright in Mingyu’s ear. "Of course I missed you! I missed you this much!" he said, stretching his arms out as wide as he could to demonstrate.