Pied Piper // jinkook

9

Chapter Nine

Seokjin let out a tight-lipped smile as he's already out of his uniform, he is all done for today and got his salary. It's not much but it's still better than nothing.

With the lifestyle that they have, Seokjin thinks that it is better if he will always look at the positive side or else he would've gone insane because of all the difficulties.

"C'mon, Seokjin," Hoseok tapped his back, "I'll drop you home."

Seokjin shook his head at his older friend as he fixed himself.

"I still have to go somewhere." Seokjin said.

Hoseok didnt say anything and just nods at his friend. He turned his back against Seokjin only to stop midway to wave at him which made the other laughed.

A huge amount of money in his saving account is already gone because he paid for the rent for the place that they used in Jungkook's exhibit the reason as to why he wont go to school for awhile.

That's okay for him, he can support Jungkook first. He knows that Jungkook will do the same for him too.

Instead of having a broken heart because of his dreams slipping out of his hands, Seokjin has a huge smile plastered on his face going inside the shop where he usually buys Jungkook's materials.

The shop sells a good art products from palettes to everything. Some of it is even made out of the country the reason why it's kinda pricey but it is all okay for Seokjin- he thinks that Jungkook needs a product that has a good quality.

Seokjin picked up a two new palette because he saw that Jungkook's palette looks so old already, he also got three different brushes and an apron for his boyfriend.

He gladly paid for the art materials for his boyfriend back at home who is probably stuck in his own studio trying to create a new masterpiece, for Seokin it was really a masterpiece.

He was about to go out but stopped when he realized why there is too many people falling in line to enter the shop, he saw two people sitting on a long table with papers in their hand. It's as if there is an interview on going.

"Excuse me, what is that?" He asked one of the girl in line.

"A registration for an art competition."

Seokjin's eyes widened in surprise. He looked at the two people who seems to be the one who is listing the names of the possible participants.

He bit his lower lips and stared at the boy who suddenly stood up, he followed him and squinted his eyes when they stopped in one of the aisle facing a boy who is from the line earlier.

"How much is this?"

The boy that seems to be the organizer asked the boy as he peeked inside the white envelope. It doesnt take a genius for someone to know that there is a money inside of it.

"Okay, this will do. You are in. No need to fall in line and shit." The boy said while smiling.

The boy who gave the money nods his head turning his back against the organizer who got shocked when he saw Seokjin, afraid that he wi get recognized- he jogged away from that place.

"I want to be in the competition too." Seokjin directly said.

Jinwoo, that's what the name written on the organizer's tag.

"Many people wants it not only you," Jinwo confidently wiggled his eyebrows, "The judges will be from France and the winner will surely get the break that every artist wants."

Seokjin's heart starts to thumped louder against his chest as the scene seems to be so familiar to him. Competition. Jungkook. Big break.

This happened before already. Only that, the organizers are the one who approached Jungkook assuring his boyfriend how good he is as an artist the only thing that he needs is to participate and he will surely win because of the skills that he has.

Unfortunately, that supposed to be a big break for Jungkook turned into nothing. Seokjin remembered how the organizers called Jungkook for a lot of times even begging him to come back for the competition because even the judges from abroad is searching for him.

Though, even with the demand and the calling of the spotlight. Jungkook didnt go. He stayed, he stayed with Seokjin who is grieving and hurting because of the loss of his mother.

"I.. I can also pay." He stuttered.

He has a limited amount of money, he doesnt have much in his hand but he thinks that the money left in his savings account will do.

"How much? Two hundred and fifty?"

Seokjin's eyes got bigger because of the amount of money the other is asking. That is too much for just a registration! That is supposed to be free in the first place.

"Tha.. that's too much." He timidly said.

If there is a person out there that will willingly give that two hundred and fifty dollars, that is not him.

He only has five hundred dollars left in his account and if that happens to be gone. What will he do? He has nothing but the little amount of what he is getting with his job that pays him almost nothing.

"Can you let me think first?" He asked.

Jinwoo rolled his eyes at him. He shrugged his shoulders and turned his back against Seokjin who panicked because of the reaction that he got.

"I... I'll be back. I will take it! I will take it!" He desperately said.

He ran as fast as he can almost tripping when he crossed the street but he pays no attention because his main priority is for Jungkook to be in that competition.

He stormed inside their apartment and didnt even looked at his boyfriend which made Jungkook furrowed his brows because the first thing that the other always does is to kiss him as soon as he arrives.

Jungkook stood up going inside the younger's room only to raise his brows when he saw Seokjin's hands visibly shaking while desperately trying to find something pacing back in forth.

"What happened?" Jungkook worriedly asked.

It's as if Seokjin didnt hear anything and just opened the drawer biting his lower when he cant find other money.

Jungkook walked towards his boyfriend reached out for his hands tying to make Seokjin calm even just for awhile.

"Listen, babe, there is a registration for an art competition. The judges will be from France and you have to participate there," Seokjin's expression softened, "You want that, right, babe?" He asked.

"Why do you need money?"

Seokjin gulped down, "They are asking for two hundred and fifty so you could get in." He said in a barely audible voice.

Jungkook clenched his jaw taking a step backward as he looked at Seokjin dead in the eye.

"No." He said in a stern voice.

He doesnt want any of this. He loves doing his passion but the words of Taehyung is constantly hitting him. It's as if everyone and everything is trying to slap him with the truth- that he is nothing but an extra baggage for his boyfriend.