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Disclaimer.

This work is a piece of fiction. All characters, names, organizations, locations, and events depicted are entirely imaginary or used in a fictional manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased, or to real events is purely coincidental.

This content is intended solely for entertainment purposes. Readers are encouraged to engage with it for enjoyment and creative exploration.

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And the pics used in this story aren't mine , taken from pintrest , credits belongs to the respectfull owner .

Kim Taehyung (18)

Extroverted, bubbly, warm

Lives with his grandmother(Grandma Kim Hae-sook) , the only family he has left after losing his parents.

Jeon Jungkook (13 → grows older later)

Introverted, possesive , protective 

The rest of the characters will be introduced naturally in the upcoming chapters as the story progresses.

Jeon Jungkook liked routines.

They made the world quieter.

Every day after school, he walked the same path home, counting the cracks in the pavement, stepping carefully so his shoes didn't touch the darker ones, adjusting the straps of his backpack when they slid down his shoulders.

The neighborhood was usually still at this hour. A few aunties watered their plants. A dog barked lazily somewhere far away. The air smelled faintly like dust and evening food.

It was safe. Predictable.

That was why Jungkook noticed immediately when something was wrong.

He slowed his steps near the corner of his street, eyes lifting from the ground for the first time since he'd left school. There was a truck parked where there had never been one before, big, white, with its back doors wide open.

Boxes were stacked neatly beside it, some tall, some small, taped carefully as if whoever packed them didn't want anything inside to break.

Jungkook stopped walking.

His fingers tightened around his backpack straps.

The house next to his.

The empty one.

The one with closed windows and dusty curtains and a garden no one ever touched.

Someone was moving in.

Jungkook stood there longer than he meant to, staring like the house might disappear if he blinked. His heart started beating faster, not in a scary way,  just fast, like it always did when something unexpected happened.

He took a hesitant step forward.

Then another.

That was when he saw him.

A boy stepped out of the house carrying a box nearly as wide as his chest. He looked... older. Not just taller, though he was tall, much taller than Jungkook, but older in the way he moved, relaxed and sure of himself, like he knew where he belonged.

He wore a soft-looking hoodie, sleeves pushed up to his elbows, and his dark hair was messy in a way that didn't seem accidental. The sunlight hit him just right, catching on his face, outlining his nose and lips, making his skin glow.

Jungkook forgot how to breathe.

His chest felt tight, like someone had pressed pause on him. Before he could think, his body moved on its own, he ducked behind the metal gate of his house, gripping the bars with both hands and peeking through the narrow space.

He knew he shouldn't stare.

He knew it was rude.

But he couldn't stop.

The boy laughed suddenly, the sound light and warm, and Jungkook's heart skipped. It wasn't loud laughter, just soft and genuine, like it came easily to him.

An elderly woman sat on a folding chair near the door, fanning herself slowly. She watched the boy with a fond smile, eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Taehyung-ah," she said, her voice gentle. "Be careful with that one."

"I am, grandma," the boy replied easily. "I'm strong, remember?"

He grinned, and Jungkook felt something strange twist in his stomach.

Taehyung.

The name settled quietly in his mind.

Jungkook shifted his weight, the gate making a small noise as it creaked under his grip.

The boy, Taehyung paused.

He looked up.

Straight at Jungkook.

Their eyes met.

Jungkook's heart slammed so hard it hurt.

For one terrifying second, Jungkook thought he'd done something wrong. That Taehyung would frown, or look confused, or ask why he was staring like that.

Instead, Taehyung smiled.

It was bright. Open. Warm.

Like he was happy to see him.

He lifted one hand and waved casually, as if greeting neighbors was the most natural thing in the world.

"Hi!" he called.

Jungkook panicked.

His face burned instantly, heat rushing up his neck and into his ears. A small sound escaped his throat, something embarrassingly close to a squeak, and before his brain could catch up, he turned and ran.

The gate rattled as he pushed it open, his shoes slipping slightly on the pavement as he fumbled with the door. He slammed it shut behind him and leaned against it, chest heaving.

Oh no.

Oh no no no.

His heart was beating too fast. Way too fast.

He pressed his hands to his cheeks. They felt hot. Way too hot.

Why did he wave?

Why did he smile like that?

Why did Jungkook feel like he'd just done something terrible even though nothing bad had happened?

He slid down the door until he was sitting on the floor, knees pulled to his chest, backpack forgotten beside him. He stared at the opposite wall, breathing slowly, trying to calm himself.

"Stupid," he whispered.

He stayed there for a long time.

When he finally stood up and went to his room, the house felt quiet, too quiet. His parents weren't home yet. They rarely were at this hour.

Jungkook changed out of his uniform slowly, folding it neatly like he always did. He tried to think about homework. About dinner. About anything else.

But his mind kept going back.

The smile.

The wave.

The way Taehyung had said hi like he'd been waiting for someone to answer.

As the sky outside softened into shades of orange and pink, Jungkook found himself standing near his window without remembering how he got there.

He hesitated.

Then, very carefully, he pulled the curtain aside just a little.

Taehyung was still outside.

Jungkook watched quietly.

Taehyung sat on the front steps now, next to his grandmother. He listened while she spoke, nodding along, his expression attentive and gentle.

At one point, she laughed, and Taehyung laughed with her, leaning slightly closer. He rested his head against her shoulder for just a second, eyes closing like he was tired but content.

Something warm bloomed in Jungkook's chest.

He didn't know why.

He just knew he liked watching.

The next morning, Jungkook woke up earlier than usual.

He lay in bed staring at the ceiling, heart fluttering with nervous energy he couldn't explain. He dressed quietly, ate breakfast alone, and tied his shoes more carefully than necessary.

When he stepped outside, his eyes moved on their own.

The house next door.

The gate opened.

"Good morning!"

Jungkook jumped so hard he nearly dropped his bag.

Taehyung stood there, school bag slung over one shoulder, hair still slightly damp like he'd just washed it. He smiled, soft this time, not as bright as yesterday, but just as warm.

"You're going to school too, right?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook nodded quickly, clutching his bag with both hands.

"I'm Kim Taehyung, and I'm your senior" he said. "We moved in yesterday. That's my grandma." He gestured behind him.

Jungkook swallowed. "I'm... Jeon Jungkook."

Taehyung's eyes lit up. "Jungkook," he repeated, like he liked how it sounded. "Nice to meet you."

They started walking together.

Taehyung talked a lot.

About the move. About how his grandma complained the house was too big for just the two of them. About how confusing it was to be new in a school again.

Jungkook listened quietly, nodding sometimes, answering in short words when Taehyung asked him something.

"You're really quiet," Taehyung said after a while, glancing at him.

Jungkook tensed.

But Taehyung smiled. "It's cute."

Jungkook's ears burned.

At the school gates, Taehyung slowed. "We will meet again after school, okay?"

Jungkook nodded again.

That afternoon, Taehyung found him sitting alone and handed him a juice box.

"My grandma said I should share," he said.

Jungkook took it carefully. "Thank you."

Taehyung smiled.

That evening, Jungkook stood by his window again.

This time, he didn't hide his smile.

Because the boy next door wasn't just someone new anymore.

He was someone Jungkook wanted to see again.

.

.

End of the chapter.....

Jungkook didn't sleep properly that night.

He tossed and turned beneath his blanket, the fabric twisted around his legs, his pillow hugged tightly to his chest. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the same thing, Taehyung's smile, the way he waved, the sound of his voice saying hi like it meant something.

It was stupid.

He knew it was.

Taehyung was just a neighbor. Just someone older. Just someone nice.

So why did Jungkook's heart feel too big for his chest?

When morning finally came, Jungkook lay very still, staring at the ceiling. The faint sound of traffic outside told him it was time to get up.

He sighed quietly and pushed himself out of bed, moving through his routine on autopilot, brushing his teeth, washing his face, putting on his uniform.

He paused while buttoning his shirt.

What if Taehyung was outside again?

His stomach flipped.

Jungkook considered waiting. Just five more minutes. Maybe ten. Maybe Taehyung would leave first, and Jungkook could walk alone like usual.

But something tugged at him, soft, insistent.

So he grabbed his bag and stepped outside.

The gate next door opened almost immediately.

"Jungkook!"

Jungkook froze mid-step.

Taehyung stood there, backpack slung over both shoulders this time, hair slightly messy like he'd rushed. He smiled when he saw Jungkook, eyes crinkling at the corners.

"You're early," Taehyung said.

Jungkook nodded, fingers curling around his bag strap.

Taehyung continued easily. "Yesterday you ran off so fast, I didn't even get to say bye."

Jungkook's face heated instantly. "S- sorry."

Taehyung blinked. "Why are you apologizing again?"

Jungkook didn't answer. He just stared at the ground.

Taehyung watched him for a moment, then smiled softly. "Hey. You don't have to say sorry for being shy."

Jungkook's shoulders relaxed just a little.

They started walking.

The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, at least, Taehyung didn't make it feel that way. He hummed quietly as they walked, occasionally kicking small stones along the road.

"So," Taehyung said after a moment, "what grade are you in?"

"First year... middle school," Jungkook replied quietly.

Taehyung's eyebrows lifted. "Oh! That makes sense. I'm a senior."

Jungkook nodded.

"That's cool," Taehyung added. "Same school, different buildings though."

Jungkook's eyes flickered up for a second. Same school.

"Do you like school?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook hesitated. "It's okay."

Taehyung chuckled. "That sounds like a no."

Jungkook didn't deny it.

They reached the school gates, and Jungkook slowed, suddenly unsure. This was usually where he went quiet. Where he slipped away unnoticed.

But Taehyung stopped too.

"I'll walk you to your building," he said.

"You don't have to," Jungkook said quickly.

"I want to," Taehyung replied, like it was that simple.

So Jungkook let him.

As they walked across the campus, a few students glanced at Taehyung, some waved, some called his name. Taehyung responded to all of them easily, smiling, joking, ruffling someone's hair as they passed.

Jungkook stayed close without realizing it, his steps matching Taehyung's.

When they reached Jungkook's building, Taehyung crouched slightly to meet his eye level.

"Have a good day, okay?" he said gently. "I'll wait for you after school. Same spot as yesterday."

Jungkook nodded.

Taehyung grinned. "You do that nod thing a lot."

"Sorry."

Taehyung laughed softly. "There it is again."

Before Jungkook could retreat, Taehyung reached out and lightly poked his cheek.

It was gentle. Brief.

But Jungkook's brain completely shut down.

"Cute," Taehyung said, almost to himself. "You have chubby cheeks."

Jungkook's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.

Then he turned and bolted into the building.

Taehyung stared after him for a second before laughing under his breath. "Okay," he murmured. "Definitely cute."

Jungkook spent the entire day replaying that moment.

The poke.

The word cute.

His cheeks felt warm even hours later.

At lunch, he sat alone like usual, unwrapping his food slowly. The noise around him faded as his thoughts drifted back to Taehyung. He wondered what Taehyung was doing now. If he was eating with friends. If he was laughing.

Did Taehyung think about him at all?

Jungkook shook his head quickly. No. Of course not.

After school, Jungkook packed his bag carefully, heart beating faster with every step toward the gate.

Taehyung was already there.

He leaned against the fence, talking animatedly to a boy with light hair and an even louder laugh.

"And then he just ran," Taehyung was saying. "Straight into the building."

The boy laughed. "You scared him."

"I didn't mean to"

Jungkook slowed, unsure.

Taehyung noticed him instantly. "Jungkook"

The other boy turned and stared openly.

"This is him," Taehyung said proudly. "The neighbor I told you about."

Jungkook shrank slightly.

"I'm Jimin," the boy said, stepping closer. "You're adorable."

Jungkook nearly combusted.

Taehyung groaned. "Jimin, don't."

Jimin grinned. "What? It's true."

Jungkook hid behind his bag.

Taehyung gently guided him away. "Ignore him."

They walked home together.

"So," Taehyung said casually, "do you like snacks?"

Jungkook nodded.

"My grandma made tteokbokki," Taehyung continued. "She'll be offended if you don't come."

Jungkook hesitated. "Okay."

Taehyung beamed.

At Taehyung's house, Jungkook sat stiffly at the table while Taehyung's grandmother fussed over him.

"You're so thin," she said. "Eat more."

Jungkook obeyed.

Taehyung watched with amusement. "He listens better than I do."

"That's because he's a good boy," his grandma said warmly.

Jungkook felt something soft settle in his chest.

Later, they sat on the floor of Taehyung's room, homework spread between them.

"You can ask if you don't understand," Taehyung said gently.

Jungkook nodded.

Taehyung leaned closer, explaining slowly, patiently. Jungkook listened, really listened. Every word. Every tone.

When Taehyung laughed, Jungkook smiled.

When Taehyung spoke, Jungkook leaned in.

By the time Jungkook went home that evening, his heart felt full in a way it never had before.

That night, he stood by his window again.

Taehyung waved from next door.

This time,

Jungkook waved back.

And Taehyung's smile grew brighter than ever.

.

.

End of the chapter.....