ISTTIMI

CHAPTER 27: EPIPHANY

Another awkward silence passed for seconds as all of us were looking unsure what to say next after what Taehyung said. It was the first time our group was together after being busy with our different schools yet he suggested that we should go home already. I feel that something's bothering Taehyung - I already felt it the moment he said he'd treat me with ice cream in the middle of practice. It was already weird that he said that, but it got weirder the next days that he continued doing that.

Did he do something wrong? Isn't that what people do when they're hiding something from someone and that they don't want to get caught?

"I have something to do here." Namjoon finally broke the ice. He was looking at me and Seokjin, "You guys go ahead. I already told dad about it"

Our group dispersed quietly after quickly planning for something we could do on our Christmas break. I chose to walk beside Jin when I noticed something about his demeanor while we were talking about relationships. He was quiet, and he didn't even join in teasing Taehyung.

"I haven't seen Irene with you, Jin." I opened up, "Something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." Jin replied, a fake smile on his face.

"I can see right through you, Kim Seokjin." I said sternly, "Spill."

Jin sighed. "Irene and I broke up. Last month."

I stopped walking, holding his wrist to stop him too. "What? Why?"

"We couldn't make things work out." Jin said, "We're both too busy with our requirements. We're in the same department yet we don't have the same schedule so we barely meet. It's a hassle, really."

"Are you okay?"

"Yep, of course." he said, "We're still good friends. We smile at each other when we pass by at the corridors."

"But you seem to like her a lot.." I pouted, remembering the day he proudly introduced Irene to mom.

"I can still like her as a friend, Soo. No need to fret about that." He smiled, the fake tight-lipped one. "Besides, with my face, I can find another girl who I can manage my time with. I'm worldwide handsome, you know?"

"Really, Jin? Does Joon know?"

He nodded. "He's the first one I told about it. Then Yoongi. He said me and Irene looked cute together but he noticed that Irene wanted to focus in academics first." He chuckled bitterly, "I shouldn't have broken that sibling pact we have right during grad. We should've started after we graduated college."

"Jin...." He's smiling but the tone of his voice sounded hurt. "Did she say you can court her again after college?"

"Nope." Jin looked at me, his eyes watery, "That's when I knew we really couldn't work out. She already gave up. She was adamant with her decision to stay just friends. We have different priorities."

"I'm sorry, Jin."

He pat my head, "I'm okay, lil sis. I'll get over this quickly. Don't you like it? I have all my free time with you and the others!"

"Not when you and Namjoon are both busy with college. Do you know where Namjoon went though?"

"He didn't tell you?" he asked. "He's meeting with Wang. The short dude from the dance club, am I right?"

"He's meeting with-?" I tried calming myself. I don't want to expose how excited I was with that news.

Jackson might finally have his shot now!

"You think our brother won't dump that guy's ass for the second time?"

I was so surprised with what he said, I almost broke my neck from how fast I whipped my head to look at him. "What?"