Jeon's family is a happy family, despite having only one son named Jeon Jungkook. They were content with their biological son, who was a good boy and respected both of his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Jeon knew their son was lonely at home and needed frien...
Jimin had recently discovered a new aspect of photography-editing. It had become his favorite part of the job, even though he had zero knowledge about it when he first started working with Jungkook. Jungkook had patiently taught him everything he needed to know about photography, from the basics of lighting to the nuances of composition. But Jimin, being Jimin, could be difficult at times.
Jungkook loved teaching him, but sometimes he grew frustrated-not because he was tired of helping, but because Jimin had a tendency to whine whenever he didn't understand something. Jimin would sulk, refusing to learn further, and start playing around instead. He would back-hug Jungkook, sit on his lap, or ruffle Jungkook's hair in distraction. Focus was not his strong suit. But, in a way, those moments had become some of Jungkook's favorite memories-ones filled with laughter and affection.
Today, Jungkook had a baby photo shoot scheduled in the countryside, which left Jimin to manage MoKie Photography all on his own. He sat at his desk, busy editing photos, his new favorite pastime. Though staring at a computer screen for hours could be tiring, the satisfaction he felt when he saw the final results made it all worth it. His heart swelled with pride at how much he'd improved.
Suddenly, a voice broke his concentration.
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"Jimin."
Jimin jumped in his chair, startled. He looked up to see Yumi standing in front of him, Jungkook's ex-fiancée. His heart immediately sank. He hadn't expected to face her today, and especially not alone.
"Y-Yumi noona..." Jimin stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Can we talk?" Yumi's tone was sharp, though she tried to remain composed.
Reluctantly, Jimin nodded. Soon, they were seated across from each other in the small office, a tense silence filling the space. Jimin stared at the cup of tea in front of him, unable to bring himself to meet her eyes. He already felt guilty, as he always did when it came to Yumi. Even though Jungkook constantly reassured him that it wasn't his fault, a part of Jimin still believed he had stolen something precious from her.
After what felt like an eternity, Yumi finally spoke.
"He loves me."
The words were soft but cutting, like a dagger aimed straight at Jimin's heart. He looked up at her, stunned.
"He told me he loves me. I know he does. Can you leave him?"
Yumi's hand suddenly grasped Jimin's, her grip tight and desperate. Jimin gasped, quickly pulling his hand away and placing it in his lap. His mind raced, unsure of how to respond.
"Noona, you need to talk to Kookie hyung about this," Jimin said, his voice shaky.
"He won't listen to me. He only listens to you. You're the only one who can help me." Yumi's eyes were pleading now. "Please, leave him."
Jimin felt his heart break a little. He didn't want to hurt Yumi any more than she already was, but he couldn't do what she was asking.
"I'm sorry..."
"Please!" Yumi's voice cracked, and her desperation turned to frustration. "He's confused, Jimin. He just can't think straight. He doesn't know the difference between love for a brother and love for a partner."
Jimin's brow furrowed. He could feel Jungkook's love-he knew it was real, and it wasn't just the love of a sibling. It was deeper than that, something more profound.
"This is all your fault," Yumi hissed. Her voice grew louder, angrier. "Ever since you came back into his life, he's changed. You took him from me! It's your fault!"
Jimin flinched at her words, guilt gnawing at him. He knew this conversation would lead to blame, but hearing it so bluntly still hurt.
"Yeah, it's my fault," Jimin whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm sorry. I really am."
Jimin's eyes welled up as her words sliced through him. He had heard about this "dream" of Jungkook's before, but he never fully understood what Yumi meant.
"What dream?" Jimin asked, his voice trembling.
"Children," Yumi said coldly. "Jungkook wanted a family. He wanted to give his parents grandchildren. Can you give him that? Can you give him the family he's always wanted?"
Jimin's heart clenched painfully. He felt the weight of her words crushing him, the reality that he could never give Jungkook the one thing Yumi was talking about. Tears threatened to spill as he whispered, "He doesn't love you..."
Yumi scoffed. "Do you really think he loves you? He loves you as his brother, Jimin!"
"No," Jimin said, his voice louder now. "He loves me. He tells me every day. He shows me every day. And no one-not you, not anyone-can change that! We love each other, and nothing will separate us!"
Jimin's sudden outburst startled both of them. His chest heaved with emotion as the words hung in the air. Why did everyone fight their love? Why was it so hard for people to accept? Their father disapproved, Mingyu distanced himself, and now Yumi was attacking him. All they ever did was love each other-why was that so wrong?
"Kookie hyung loves me..." Jimin muttered, almost to himself.
Yumi's eyes burned with anger, and her hand shot forward, as if to slap him. But before she could, someone grabbed her wrist.
"That's enough, Yumi."
Jimin's eyes widened as he recognized the voice. Kim Mingyu stood behind Yumi, holding her arm firmly. He didn't even spare Jimin a glance.
"Mingyu hyung..."
"Let's go, Yumi," Mingyu said calmly, though his tone carried an unmistakable edge.
"No!" Yumi protested, trying to pull away. "It's all his fault! Jungkook left me because of him!"
Mingyu's expression didn't change. "If Jungkook sees you like this-screaming, yelling-he'll hate it. He won't want anything to do with you. Believe me."
With that, Yumi reluctantly stomped out of the office, leaving Jimin and Mingyu alone.
"Thanks, hyung," Jimin said quietly, still shaken.
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Mingyu turned to him, his eyes cold. "Don't thank me. I didn't do this for you. I did it for Yumi."
Jimin's heart sank. He looked down at his lap, too afraid to meet Mingyu's gaze.
"Look at what you've done," Mingyu said, his voice harsh. "Think carefully, Jimin. Not just about yourself, but about everyone around you."
With those final words, Mingyu left, leaving Jimin alone with the crushing weight of doubt and guilt.
'My fault...' Jimin thought, tears blurring his vision as the weight of everything he was carrying threatened to overwhelm him.
