My Destiny | Taekook

Chapter 13.8: A Decision Made

Friday afternoon
Song: Blue Side

Taehyung was thankful that Jimin had at least bothered to steam both of their clothes down so that he did not have to go for lessons in damp clothes. "Wait for me outside the school gates," Taehyung instructed. "For what?" said Jimin, refilling his lockers with lesson material. Taehyung merely replied, "You'll see."

Having gone through lessons with Hoseok, Namjoon and Seokjin, Taehyung had earlier convinced them to wait for him outside the gates as well. Now, he had to locate Jungkook and Yoongi. Here's to hoping I can find those two.

Taking a roundabout the corridor, Taehyung bumped into a face he recognised, except it was neither Jungkook nor Yoongi. It was Cheolsoo.

"This stupid machine!" Cheolsoo bellowed, kicking the vending machine in the corridor. Cheolsoo pounded his fists on the transparent glass. "I don't have a fucking coin! Two days ago the notes slot worked, and now it only takes coins?" Cheolsoo groaned, repeatedly jamming a note into the notes slot. He slammed his palm on the button indicating "grape soda". Throughout Cheolsoo's rage, the insides of the vending machine rattled, the grating sound of metal unresponsive to his abuse. Taehyung stood perplexed, undecided as to whether he should leave Cheolsoo alone.

"Cheolsoo," Taehyung called out. Perhaps others might have turned a blind eye to Cheolsoo throwing a fit, but Mr and Mrs Park taught Taehyung better than that. Upon spotting Taehyung, he snapped through gritted teeth, "What do you want?"

Taehyung held out two 500 won coins in his palm. Cheolsoo squinted his eyes suspiciously at the glinting coins, not budging a muscle. "It's on me," Taehyung offered, inching the coins closer to Cheolsoo. "I don't need your fucking money. Leave me alone," Cheolsoo snarled, rejecting Taehyung's offer. Taehyung inserted the coins into the vending machine. He clicked the button for grape soda, obtained the soda can from the dispenser and passed it to Cheolsoo.

Cheolsoo wordlessly stared at Taehyung.

"Take it please, my hands are getting cold," Taehyung urged, "Please. I think I'm getting hypothermia."

"I thought you could control the temperature of water and shit," Cheolsoo grumbled.

"Soda at room temperature? Ew," Taehyung laughed, beaming with amusement. Cheolsoo blinked. He took the soda can from Taehyung before quickly walking away.

~

Taehyung managed to catch Jungkook and Yoongi at the front gates of school. The seven boys gathered outside the gates, listening to Taehyung blither.

"All of you have been really considerate, and I truly appreciate your support and advice. I don't know how any of you would respond to this, but I have been thinking and I-"

"It's okay, Taehyung, just tell us. You've been beating around the bush for the past three minutes," Jimin coaxed.

Taehyung said, "Okay. It might come as a surprise for some of you but-"

"Don't worry. No matter what it is, we're here for you," Seokjin said comfortingly.

Taehyung mumbled, "Uh, okay. I'll say it now." The boys nodded, anxiously waiting for him to continue. Alright then, here goes nothing. Taehyung took a deep breath before he said, "I-"

"As long as you haven't murdered anyone, we're standing by you. Actually, even if you did, I'm sure Jungkook can settle for a deal with the law officials. Now, go on," Namjoon encouraged him.

Taehyung shook his head. "Oh Cvuldir, you guys sound more worried than I am about this. Let me carry on, please," he exasperatedly said. "I just wanted to tell all of you-"

Hoseok gasped, "Who did you murder?!"

Before anyone else could cut in, Taehyung finally announced, "I want to join the Anpanman." The boys went into complete silence, all of them staring wide-eyed at Taehyung.

Hoseok was the first to rejoice, "You'll do well in Anpanman!"

"Are you sure, Taehyung? It's not an easy feat," Seokjin said, seeking to confirm with Taehyung.

"Yeah, seriously?" Jimin seethed, crossing his arms in utter disbelief. A whirlpool of mixed emotions swirled in his mind. After everything we've been through, Taehyung goes ahead and hurls right into danger. How very Taehyung to do something like that.

"Yes. I want to become stronger," Taehyung averred.

Jimin threw his hands up and stormed off without saying another word. Taehyung took a step to follow Jimin, but Yoongi stopped him. "I'll talk to him," Yoongi said. In a heartbeat, he left to go after Jimin.

Just then, Hoseok, Namjoon and Seokjin received a phone call at the same time. "That's a strange coincidence," Taehyung muttered. "Ah, looks like we're called on a mission. Would you like to join us?" Hoseok invited Taehyung. Seokjin instantly expressed his disapproval, reasoning that Taehyung should be given a few days of training prior to his first mission. Namjoon and Jungkook affirmed this.

"Alright then. Taehyung, give Jimin some time to cool down. He'd eventually empathise with your decision," Namjoon assured Taehyung, giving a pat on his back. Subsequently, Hoseok, Namjoon and Seokjin headed off in the same direction, leaving Jungkook and Taehyung behind.

Out of uneasiness, Taehyung shifted his feet. I've never done something against Jimin's wishes. He always has my interests at heart, and yet I didn't heed his advice. I didn't even ask for his opinion before announcing my decision to the rest. Oh god, I should have told him beforehand at the very least. How could I-

"Taehyung," Jungkook called, his lips pursed in a thin line.

Taehyung did not know how to respond when Jungkook said, "I would like to take you somewhere tonight."