The Unread Pages of My Heart
The Price of a Smile
University Cafeteria - Noon
~ The cafeteria is crowded, but the center table is occupied by the university’s "royalty." Jungkook is leaning back in his chair, feet on the table, while Eunwoo and Lisa are laughing at a joke he just made. Taehyung sits beside him, opening a lunch box he prepared himself. ~
Jungkook
(pouting, looking at his phone)
" Tae, look at this. My dad actually did it. He cut my daily limit because I 'overspent' on the club opening last weekend. How am I supposed to live on this? "
Lisa
" Kook, your 'limit' is more than my monthly rent. Just stop buying designer hoodies for one week. "
Jungkook
" It’s the principle, Lisa! (He turns to Taehyung, his eyes turning soft and pleading) Tae... you haven't used your allowance yet, right? I saw those new sneakers... I just need a small loan. I’ll pay you back when my mom sneaks me some cash. "
Taehyung
(hesitating for a split second, then sighing with a smile)
" It’s fine, Kook. I was saving for a new camera lens, but it can wait. How much do you need? "
Jungkook
(grinning widely, leaning over to hug Taehyung’s shoulders)
" This is why you’re my soulmate! Seriously, what would I do without you? You're the only one who actually understands me. "
~ Taehyung’s heart hitches at the word 'soulmate.' He knows Jungkook means it platonically, but he can't help the way his chest warms up. ~
~ The atmosphere here is warm and smells like home-cooked stew. Jin is in the kitchen, while Namjoon is trying to keep their toddler daughter, Minji, from drawing on the walls. ~
Jin
(calling out from the kitchen)
" Jungkook! Stop bothering Taehyung with your whining and come help me set the table! "
Jungkook
(sprawled on the sofa, head in Taehyung’s lap while Taehyung studies)
" I’m tired, Hyung! Uni was exhausting today. "
Jin
(walking out, wiping his hands on an apron)
" Exhausting? I heard from Eunwoo you spent three hours at the arcade. Taehyung is the one who looks exhausted. (Jin looks at Taehyung with motherly concern) Tae, honey, did this brat make you do his prep-work again? "
Taehyung
(quickly closing his laptop)
" No, Jin-hyung. I was just... checking some references for him. It’s no trouble. "
Namjoon
(picking up Minji, who immediately reaches for Taehyung)
" Tae, you're too good to him. You’re part of this family, you know? You don't have to cater to his every whim just because he’s a spoiled prince. "
Jungkook
(reaching up to tickle Minji)
" Hey! I treat him well! Right, Tae? Didn't I buy you that keychain last month? "
Taehyung
(softly)
" You did, Kook. "
~ Taehyung doesn't mention that he had to pay for the dinner Jungkook "treated" him to that same night because Jungkook "forgot" his wallet. ~
10:00 PM | Inside Jungkook’s Luxury Sports Car
~ Jungkook is driving Taehyung back to his home. The city lights of Colombo flicker across Jungkook’s sharp jawline. For a moment, the car is quiet, and the intimacy feels real. ~
Jungkook
(voice softening, sounding almost sincere)
" Tae? Thanks for today. I know I’m a mess sometimes. I know I ask for a lot. I just... I feel like I can only be myself around you. No pressure to be the 'perfect heir' or whatever. "
Taehyung
(looking at Jungkook’s profile, his heart full)
" You don't have to thank me, Kook. I’ll always be here. No matter what. "
Jungkook
(flashing a bunny smile, briefly squeezing Taehyung’s hand on the gear shift)
" I know you will. Best friends forever, right? "
Taehyung
" Right... best friends. "
Taehyung’s Bedroom - Midnight
~ Taehyung sits at his desk, the silence of the room feeling heavy after the warmth of the Kim household. He pulls out his diary. ~
Taehyung’s Diary Entry:
March 12th.
Tonight, he held my hand for three seconds while driving. He called me his soulmate in front of his brothers. My logical brain tells me he’s just being Jungkook affectionate, clingy, and blissfully unaware. But my heart is a traitor. It whispers that maybe, just maybe, he’s starting to see me the way I see him. I’m terrified of the day a girl enters this picture. Until then, I’ll gladly be the shadow he leans on.
University Main Hall - The Next Morning
~ A crowd has gathered near the administration office. A sleek black car pulls up, and a girl steps out. She’s stunning elegant, with a cold but captivating aura. She looks like she belongs in a magazine. ~
Rose
" Who is that? She looks like she’s from the London branch. "
Jimin
" That’s the new transfer, Sarah. Her family owns the hotel chain. "
~ Jungkook, who was mid-sentence complaining about a professor, stops dead. His coffee cup hangs loosely in his hand as his eyes lock onto her. He doesn't move. He doesn't breathe. ~
Taehyung
(noticing Jungkook’s silence)
" Kook? You okay? "
Jungkook
(whispering, breathless)
" Tae... who is that? She’s... she’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. "
~ Taehyung feels a cold shiver run down his spine. The warmth from the night before evaporates instantly as he watches the look in Jungkook’s eyes a look Jungkook has never once given him. ~
Author V
See you in next pedicure 🥰
Bye bye 👋
The Gravity of a Glance
~ The air in the hallway feels suddenly thin. Jungkook is still staring at Sarah as she walks past them, the clicking of her heels echoing against the marble floor. ~
Jungkook
(Turning to Taehyung, eyes wide with a frantic sort of energy)
" Tae! Did you see her? Did you see the way she didn't even look at me? No one just walks past me like that. "
Taehyung
(Forcing a light tone, despite the sinking feeling in his stomach)
" Maybe she was just looking for her classroom, Kook. She’s new. "
Jungkook
" No, that was a 'vibe.' She’s a challenge. I need to know everything about her. Go find out what her major is, okay? And see if she’s in any of our lectures. "
Taehyung
(Pausing, his voice small)
" You want me to go ask? "
Jungkook
" Well, yeah! You’re friendly, people talk to you. If I go, it looks like I’m trying too hard. Just... do this for me, Tae? Please? "
~ Jungkook flashes that specific, boyish grin the one he knows Taehyung can't say no to. He squeezes Taehyung’s arm briefly before jogging off toward his own class, leaving Taehyung standing alone in the middle of the corridor. ~
15 Minutes Later | University Library - Quiet Corner
Jimin
(Throwing a pen onto the table in frustration)
" I cannot believe you. You’re actually looking up her social media for him? "
Taehyung
Staring at his laptop screen, his heart aching with every 'like' he sees on Sarah's photos)
" He’s just curious, chim. It’s probably a passing phase. He gets obsessed with new things easily. "
Jimin
" She isn't a 'thing,' Tae baby. She’s a person. And you’re the person who spent all last night helping him because he was 'stressed.' Does he even realize he’s hurting you? "
Taehyung
" He doesn't know how I feel. So he isn't doing it on purpose. "
Jimin
" That’s exactly the problem! He doesn't look because he doesn't care to look. He’s a brat, Tae. A rich, spoiled brat who thinks the world and you revolve around his needs. "
The Kim Mansion - Evening
~ Jungkook’s family home is grand, but Taehyung has always felt more comfortable here than in his own. Today, however, the atmosphere feels different. Jungkook is pacing the living room floor while Jin sits on the sofa, feeding Minji a sliced apple. ~
Jungkook
" Hyung, you have to help me convince Dad to let me use the summer house next month. I want to throw a party. A proper one. I need to impress someone. "
Jin
(Raising an eyebrow)
" Impress someone? You usually just throw parties to get drunk. Are you seeing someone? "
Jungkook
" She’s... different. Her name is Sarah. Her family owns the Royal Plaza Group. "
Jin
(Glancing at Taehyung, who is sitting quietly in the corner, playing with Minji’s building blocks)
" And what about Taehyung? You two were supposed to go to that art exhibit next month. You’ve been talking about it for weeks. "
Jungkook
(Waving a hand dismissively without looking at Taehyung)
" Tae won't mind. We can go any time, right, Tae? This is important. Sarah is the first girl who’s actually made me feel... nervous. "
~ Taehyung looks up, meeting Jin’s worried gaze. He feels like he’s disappearing, becoming invisible in the very room he used to call home. ~
Taehyung
(His voice steady, though his hands are shaking)
" It’s fine, Jin-hyung. The exhibit isn't a big deal. Jungkook should focus on his... guest. "
Namjoon
(Walking into the room, sensing the tension)
" Jungkook, come to the study. We need to talk about your recent credit card statements. Taehyung, stay for dinner? I bought those strawberries you like. "
Taehyung
" Actually, Joon-hyung... I think I’ll head home early tonight. I have a lot of... a lot of studying to do. "
Taehyung’s Bedroom - Midnight
~ Taehyung is curled up on his window seat, the moonlight casting long shadows across the floor. He opens his diary, but for the first time, he hesitates to write. ~
Taehyung’s Diary Entry:
March 13th.
Today I learned that there is a difference between being 'needed' and being 'wanted.' He needs me to do his work, to lend him money, to find out the interests of the girl he likes. But he wants her. He wants her attention, her time, her heart. Why does it feel like I’m building the altar for my own sacrifice? My chest feels heavy tonight. Like there’s a stone where my heart used to be. Is this what it feels like when the end begins?
The Next Day | University Terrace
~ Jungkook is leaning against the railing, looking frustrated. He spots Taehyung and immediately marches over. ~
Jungkook
" Tae! Thank god. Listen, I tried to talk to her this morning and she barely gave me the time of day. I need money. A lot of it. I want to buy that limited edition bouquet and have it delivered to her next lecture. But my account is still flagged. "
Taehyung
"Kookie, I... I don't have much left this month”
Jungkook
(His expression shifting from pleading to cold in a second)
" Seriously? Tae, I thought I could count on you. I thought you were my best friend. It’s just a loan. I’ll pay you back double next week. "
Taehyung
(The sting of Jungkook’s tone hitting him harder than any physical blow)
" I... I’ll see what I can do. I’ll check my savings. "
Jungkook
(Instantly brightening, the coldness vanishing as if it were never there)
" I knew you wouldn't let me down! You’re the best, seriously. Come on, I’ll walk you to your next class. "
~ As they walk, Jungkook is busy typing on his phone, likely messaging Eunwoo about Sarah. He doesn't notice that Taehyung is walking half a step behind him, his head bowed, looking like a ghost of the person he used to be. ~
~ As they reach the stairs, Sarah appears, surrounded by a group of admirers. She looks over and, for the first time, her eyes linger not on Jungkook, but on the expensive watch on Jungkook's wrist. She smirks, a calculated, predatory look. ~
Sarah
" Jungkook, right? I think we share a Finance elective. "
~ Jungkook’s face lights up like a Christmas tree. He completely forgets Taehyung is standing right next to him. ~
Jungkook
" Yeah! Yeah, we do. I’m Jungkook. I was actually just thinking about - "
Sarah
" Walk me to class? "
~ He walks away with her without a single glance back at Taehyung. Taehyung stands on the steps, the wind biting at his skin, feeling the weight of the "loan" he now has to provide for a girl who doesn't even know his name. ~
~ Taehyung leans against the wall, his breathing hitching. He pulls out his phone to call Jimin, but his hand stops. He sees a notification from the university portal. ~
📲 Reminder: Valentine’s Day Event sign-ups close in 48 hours.
~ A single tear escapes, rolling down his cheek. ~
Taehyung
(Whispering to himself)
" He’s not my type anyway... right, Kook? That’s what you’ll say eventually. "
Author V
See you in next episode 🥰
Bye bye 👋
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