My own BTS part 7
2708 Words
Chapter Seven
Friday came faster than Seo-yeon expected.
She woke before her alarm, staring at the ceiling while the sky outside was still gray.
For several minutes, she didn't move.
Then she remembered.
The debt.
The messages.
The threat.
And the worst part was that Jungkook knew.
He had seen the message on her phone.
She still didn't know exactly how much he had read, but she had seen his expression afterward.
He had looked frightened.
Not for himself.
For her.
Seo-yeon pulled the blanket closer around her.
She had spent years learning how to solve her problems alone.
She didn't know what to do when someone else wanted to help.
Especially someone like Jungkook.
Someone whose life seemed to belong to a completely different world.
She finally got out of bed.
At the stall, her mother was already preparing breakfast.
“You're quiet today.”
“I'm just tired.”
Her mother looked at her carefully.
“You didn't sleep?”
“A little.”
“Seo-yeon.”
“Yes?”
“Is something wrong?”
Seo-yeon smiled.
“No.”
Her mother sighed.
“You've been saying that a lot lately.”
Seo-yeon looked down.
“I'll be fine.”
Her mother reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
“I hope so.”
Seo-yeon smiled.
But her heart was beating hard.
Because she knew something her mother didn't.
Someone was coming.
Across the city, the seven boys were facing their own problems.
Their careers were beginning to move faster than they could control.
There were meetings.
Schedules.
Interviews.
Performances.
New business ideas.
People making decisions around them.
People expecting more from them.
And with every opportunity came another disagreement.
Namjoon wanted them to think bigger.
Yoongi wanted them to be careful.
Hoseok wanted everyone to stay focused.
Seokjin wanted them to remember why they started.
Jimin wanted everyone to remain close.
Taehyung wanted to experiment.
And Jungkook...
Jungkook's attention was increasingly divided.
Part of him was thinking about music.
Part of him was thinking about their future.
And another part of him was thinking about a girl who had no idea how much space she was beginning to occupy in his mind.
That morning, they gathered at the studio.
Namjoon placed several papers on the table.
“We have a problem.”
Seokjin looked up.
“That's a terrible way to start a meeting.”
Namjoon sighed.
“The funding isn't confirmed.”
Everyone became quiet.
The business they had been planning was still just an idea.
They needed money.
They needed connections.
They needed people who believed in them.
And for the first time, their dream seemed bigger than their resources.
Yoongi leaned back.
“So what now?”
“We keep going.”
Taehyung nodded.
“Obviously.”
But Jungkook wasn't listening.
His phone was in his hand.
He was waiting.
No message.
He checked again.
Nothing.
Jimin noticed.
“You're waiting for Seo-yeon.”
Jungkook looked up.
“No.”
Jimin smiled.
“You're becoming predictable.”
“I said no.”
“You've said that every time.”
Jungkook put the phone down.
Then picked it up again.
Jimin laughed.
That afternoon, someone new arrived at the studio.
Her name was Yoo Min-ah.
She was a talented young songwriter who had recently begun working with the group.
Confident.
Smart.
Ambitious.
And very comfortable around Jungkook.
Too comfortable, at least from Seo-yeon's perspective.
Seo-yeon arrived later that afternoon carrying food from the stall.
She stopped outside the studio door when she heard laughter.
Jungkook was laughing.
Min-ah stood beside him.
She touched his arm while saying something.
Jungkook laughed again.
Seo-yeon's smile disappeared.
She didn't know why.
She had no right to feel anything.
Jungkook wasn't hers.
They weren't dating.
They weren't even close enough to call themselves best friends.
So why did something inside her hurt?
She almost turned around.
Then Jimin opened the door.
“Seo-yeon!”
Everyone looked toward her.
Jungkook's face brightened.
“You came.”
She forced a smile.
“I brought food.”
Seokjin immediately appeared.
“Food?”
Seo-yeon laughed.
“Yes.”
But her eyes moved briefly toward Min-ah.
Min-ah smiled.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
There was a pause.
Then Min-ah looked at Jungkook.
“You didn't tell me she was coming.”
Seo-yeon heard it.
Something about the sentence bothered her.
Jungkook didn't notice.
He simply said:
“She usually comes.”
Usually.
Seo-yeon's heart skipped.
Min-ah looked at her again.
“Are you part of the team?”
Seo-yeon hesitated.
“No.”
Min-ah smiled politely.
“Ah.”
Just one word.
But somehow, it made Seo-yeon feel smaller.
She placed the food on the table.
“I should go.”
Jungkook looked surprised.
“You just arrived.”
“I have to help my mother.”
“You can stay for a while.”
Seo-yeon shook her head.
“Another time.”
Then she left.
Jungkook watched her go.
Min-ah noticed.
And something changed in her expression.
That evening, Seo-yeon walked home alone.
She was angry.
But she didn't know at whom.
Jungkook?
Min-ah?
Herself?
She kicked a small stone down the road.
“What is wrong with me?”
She knew the answer.
Jealousy.
And she hated it.
She had no right to be jealous.
She had no claim on him.
She couldn't even explain what she felt.
Maybe she was simply afraid.
Afraid that the moment they found someone more interesting...
they would leave her behind.
That fear wasn't new.
It had followed her since childhood.
People left.
People changed.
People found better things.
She had learned not to expect anyone to stay.
So why had she started expecting them?
The next day, Seo-yeon didn't answer Jungkook's messages.
He noticed immediately.
Are you okay?
No reply.
Did I do something?
Nothing.
Seo-yeon?
Still nothing.
He stared at the phone.
“What happened?”
Jimin looked at him.
“Maybe she's busy.”
“She always answers.”
Jimin studied his face.
“Did something happen yesterday?”
Jungkook thought.
Then remembered Min-ah.
His expression changed.
“Oh.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
But it wasn't nothing.
While their personal tension grew, their professional problems became worse.
The company they had hoped would support their new business proposal suddenly backed away.
“We're not sure this is the right time,” an executive told Namjoon.
“Why?”
“Too risky.”
Yoongi frowned.
“You told us the opposite last week.”
“The market changed.”
Namjoon looked at the others.
“So that's it?”
The executive nodded.
“For now.”
They left the meeting in silence.
Outside, Seokjin finally spoke.
“We're going to have to start again.”
Taehyung kicked the pavement.
“Again?”
Hoseok sighed.
“We've started again before.”
Jimin looked at Jungkook.
“You okay?”
Jungkook nodded.
But his mind wasn't on the meeting.
It was on Seo-yeon.
And that made him feel guilty.
Their dream was important.
He knew it.
But every time his phone stayed silent, he felt restless.
He didn't understand himself anymore.
That evening, the seven gathered at the studio.
Tension filled the room.
Nobody was laughing.
Nobody was joking.
Namjoon looked at the proposal.
“We can still do this ourselves.”
Yoongi shook his head.
“With what money?”
“We'll find it.”
“That's not a plan.”
“It can become one.”
“We need more than hope.”
Namjoon looked frustrated.
“And what do you suggest?”
“Wait.”
“Waiting is what people do when they're afraid to fail.”
Yoongi stood.
“And rushing is what people do when they're afraid of thinking.”
The room went silent.
Hoseok stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Jungkook suddenly stood too.
“I need to go.”
Everyone looked at him.
“Where?”
“Out.”
Yoongi frowned.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Jungkook—”
“I said I need to go.”
He walked out.
The door slammed behind him.
Nobody spoke.
Seokjin looked at the others.
“This is getting bad.”
Jimin nodded.
“We're all stressed.”
Namjoon rubbed his face.
“We can't let this destroy us.”
But none of them realized that the cracks forming between them weren't coming from one problem.
They were coming from several.
Career.
Money.
Pressure.
Jealousy.
And secrets.
Jungkook went to the only place he could think of.
The roadside stall.
But Seo-yeon wasn't there.
Her mother was alone.
She looked surprised to see him.
“Jungkook?”
He smiled politely.
“Hello.”
“You're looking for Seo-yeon?”
“Yes.”
“She went to deliver some food.”
“Do you know when she'll be back?”
Her mother shook her head.
“Not exactly.”
Jungkook hesitated.
Then asked:
“Is she okay?”
Her mother studied him.
“You really care about her.”
Jungkook became uncomfortable.
“I just want to make sure she's safe.”
Her mother smiled.
“She doesn't like people worrying about her.”
“I know.”
“She thinks she has to handle everything alone.”
Jungkook looked down.
“Why?”
“Because she has always done it.”
There was sadness in her voice.
Jungkook wanted to ask more.
But then a sound came from behind the stall.
A man's voice.
“Is this where Han Seo-yeon works?”
Jungkook turned.
A stranger stood there.
His expression was serious.
Seo-yeon's mother became pale.
Jungkook noticed.
“Who are you?”
The man ignored him.
“I need to speak to her.”
Her mother stood.
“She isn't here.”
“Then I'll wait.”
Jungkook stepped forward.
“You can leave.”
The man looked at him.
“Who are you?”
Jungkook didn't answer.
The man looked between them.
Then smiled coldly.
“I'll come back.”
He walked away.
Jungkook watched him disappear.
Then looked at Seo-yeon's mother.
“What was that?”
She didn't answer.
“Ma'am?”
She sat down.
Her hands were trembling.
“Please.”
“What?”
“Don't tell Seo-yeon I told you.”
Jungkook's heart sank.
“Told me what?”
Her mother looked at him.
“My daughter is in trouble.”
When Seo-yeon finally returned, she saw Jungkook standing beside her mother.
Her heart stopped.
“What are you doing here?”
Jungkook looked at her.
“I came to see you.”
She noticed her mother's face.
Then his.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Mom?”
Her mother looked away.
Seo-yeon understood immediately.
“You told him.”
Her mother whispered:
“I didn't mean to.”
Seo-yeon looked at Jungkook.
“You shouldn't be here.”
“I know.”
“You shouldn't have come.”
“I know.”
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain it to me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because this is my problem.”
Jungkook stepped closer.
“No.”
She looked at him.
“Yes.”
“No, Seo-yeon.”
His voice became firmer.
“If someone is threatening you, it's not something you should handle alone.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“You don't know what you're talking about.”
“Then tell me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm afraid.”
The words came out before she could stop them.
Silence.
Jungkook's expression softened.
Seo-yeon wiped her eyes.
“I don't want you to see me differently.”
He stared at her.
“I already see you.”
She looked confused.
“As what?”
“As Seo-yeon.”
Her lips trembled.
“That's not enough.”
“Why not?”
“Because you're going to get tired.”
“Of what?”
“Of me.”
Jungkook didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
“You don't get to decide that for me.”
Seo-yeon looked at him.
And for the first time...
she believed him.
Meanwhile...
At the studio, Min-ah was speaking to Jimin.
“Does Jungkook always disappear like this?”
Jimin frowned.
“Not usually.”
“He seems distracted.”
“He's worried about someone.”
Min-ah looked toward the door.
“Seo-yeon?”
Jimin didn't answer.
Min-ah smiled faintly.
“I thought so.”
Jimin studied her.
“Why?”
“Because he looks at her differently.”
Jimin became quiet.
Min-ah looked down.
“I didn't realize he cared that much.”
There was something in her voice.
Something Jimin couldn't identify.
When Jungkook returned later that night, the others were still at the studio.
Min-ah was there too.
Seo-yeon's situation had left him distracted.
He wanted to help her.
But he also knew he couldn't force her to accept his help.
As he entered, Min-ah smiled.
“You're back.”
“Yeah.”
She walked toward him.
“You disappeared without telling anyone.”
“Sorry.”
She touched his shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
Jungkook stepped slightly away.
“I'm fine.”
Min-ah noticed.
Her smile faded.
Across the room, Jimin noticed too.
Something was happening.
Something none of them were saying.
And then the door opened.
Seo-yeon stood there.
She had come to return a notebook Jimin had left at the stall.
She saw Min-ah standing close to Jungkook.
Again.
Her stomach tightened.
Jungkook saw her.
“Seo-yeon.”
She held out the notebook.
“You forgot this.”
Jimin took it.
“Thanks.”
She nodded.
Then turned to leave.
Jungkook followed her.
“Wait.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“Are you angry?”
“No.”
“You're doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Pretending.”
Seo-yeon looked at him.
“Maybe you should spend time with people who actually belong here.”
Jungkook frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
“It doesn't sound like nothing.”
She turned.
“Min-ah seems nice.”
Jungkook stared at her.
“Why are you talking about her?”
“I'm not.”
“You are.”
Seo-yeon sighed.
“Forget it.”
She walked away.
Jungkook followed.
“Seo-yeon!”
She stopped.
He looked frustrated.
“You've been avoiding me.”
“Maybe I needed space.”
“Why?”
She looked at him.
“Because I don't know where I fit anymore.”
Jungkook's expression softened.
“You fit with us.”
“Do I?”
“Yes.”
“Then why does it feel like I'm always standing outside?”
He didn't know how to answer.
Because perhaps she was right.
Their lives were moving quickly.
And hers was completely different.
He wanted her to be part of his world.
But he didn't know what that meant.
And that uncertainty frightened him.
Before either of them could say more, Seo-yeon's phone vibrated.
She looked down.
Her face went pale.
Jungkook noticed.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
He reached for her hand.
“Seo-yeon.”
She pulled away.
“Don't.”
“Please.”
She showed him the screen.
One message.
Tonight. Come alone.
Jungkook's stomach tightened.
“Who sent that?”
“I don't know.”
“Yes, you do.”
She looked toward the dark street outside.
“I have to go.”
“No.”
“I have to.”
“Absolutely not.”
She looked at him.
“If I don't go, they will come to the stall.”
Jungkook's face changed.
“You're not going alone.”
“Jungkook—”
“I said you're not going alone.”
She stared at him.
Behind them, the other boys had begun to notice something was wrong.
Namjoon walked over.
“What happened?”
Jungkook looked at him.
Then at Seo-yeon.
“We have a problem.”
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
Seo-yeon looked toward the window.
For the first time in years, she was genuinely afraid.
And somewhere in the city...
someone was waiting for her.
But they didn't know one thing.
Seo-yeon wasn't alone anymore.
And neither was Jungkook.
To be continued...
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD