Hello my lovely readers ☺️

How are you all?

‼️PLEASE READ EVERYTHING‼️

Before writing any further, I want you all to know that updates of this novel book won't be regular, as I have studies and I have to manage my personal life also. I will try my best to give regular updates... If I don't, then please don't leave this story behind. (I'm not forcing you... it's your wish whether you wanna read it or not). I might give regular updates if I get good response from the readers.

If you read the description, you'll know that this is a Taekook short stories book. Each story will be about 5-7 parts, or more.

The ideas of the story and writing are fully mine, I have just used AI to know the way you actually write a novel and the format (this is my first actual novel that I am ever going to write) so please don't hate me. I have also used other stories as inspiration for writing, it won't be the exact same... a lot of different things will be here. So don't accuse me of coping other author's stories.

In the description I have written the first few stories that I am going to be writing. If you all have any ideas of any stories please do tell me.

Please note that I will not be writing any intimate/smut scenes. It's not necessary to write smut scenes in every single story. I'll admit that I do read them but I can't write, I'm not good with those things. If you check my other stories, there are no intimate/smut scenes that I've written.

I'm not being rude or anything, but please don't hate the way I write or say that it's AI. If you don't like the story then please leave and don't comment bad things.

Also, I don't think I'll be writing omegaverse stories. But if you all want them I'll try.

I hope you all will enjoy reading my stories.

Thank you so much for choosing this story to read. I will try my best while writing that you enjoy it.

My other stories don't have many views and readers so please do try them, I'll really be happy if you do.

I won't be asking to give gifts and votes, but if you leave a like and comment I'll be really happy. For any author, even one like means a lot. They feel supported and gain confidence to update more... to share their ideas in the form of wonderful stories.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH 💖🎀

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO LOVE YOURSELF AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF~

JUST IGNORE THIS 👇🏻

One of my favourite songs from ARIRANG THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US (I needed to complete the word limit in order to upload this... that's why I added this)

THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT US HOW YOUR VOICE CAN CALM THE SEA-EE-EE THEY KNOW

I CAN SHOW YOU LOVE, I CAN SHOW YOU IF YOU WANNA KNOW ME, WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

DAECHE MWOGA DALLANNYAGO JAKKU MUREO NANEUN DAEDAPAE, NADO MOLLA

EVERYBODY HEARS THE STORY THAT THEY WANT TO JYAENEN IGEO TTAEME TTEOSSEO, NAEGA MAJEO

WE JUST BIG BOYS, A.K.A. CHONNOM GEUNYANG MWO GISEJI, JUST SHUT UP, SHUT UP, OH

HOLD UP, CHILL, AND TAKE A BUBBLE BATH, BAE (AYY)

DO THE MATH AND GO, JUST SAY WHAT YOU SAY (JUST SAY)

OH, IT'S HARD AND THAT WE CANNOT EXPLAIN (AYY)

EVERY TIME WE TRYNA, TRYNA EXPLAIN, WE FIND

THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW BOUT US (OH-OH)

THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US (OH, OH)

THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US (OH-OH)

THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US

YEAH, DAMN, OOH, DAMN RIGHT, OOH, DAMN RIGHT (THEY DON'T KNOW)

YEAH, DAMN, OOH, DAMN RIGHT, OOH, DAMN RIGHT (THEY DON'T KNOW)

YEAH, DAMN, OOH, DAMN RIGHT, OOH, DAMN RIGHT (THEY DON'T KNOW)

YEAH, DAMN, OOH, DAMN RIGHT, OOH, DAMN RIGHT (THEY DON'T KNOW)

I CAN SHOW YOU LOVE, I CAN SHOW YOU IF YOU WANNA KNOW ME, WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU? (THEY DON'T)

DAECHE MWOGA DALLANNYAGO JAKKU MUREO NANEUN DAEDAPAE, NADO MOLLA

HANGSANG SWIUN GILMAN CHATGI BAPPA GWAENSIRI (AYY)

OJIRAPDEUREUN DOESN'T LOOK AT THE ENGINEER'S CLOCK (UH)

ANOTHER SWIP TO THE HOUSE, BABY? WHERE IS THE DWAE THE STEAL OF ALLYEO? AH (AYY; THAT)

"GYAENEN TEUKBYEOLHAE (HAE) ASIAN JUNGE," AYY "YEONGUNGSEUREOUN JONJAE (JAE), TOO HARD TO BREAK," UH

UH, WE CAN'T RELATE (LATE) GEUNYANG SARAM ILGOBINDE AH, YOU SAID WE CHANGED? (CHANGED) WE FEEL THE SAME, SHIT

THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US (OH-OH)

THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US (OH, OH)

THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US (OH-OH)

THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW 'BOUT US

YEAH, DAMN, OOH, DAMN RIGHT, OOH, DAMN RIGHT (THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT US: THEY DON'T KNOW)

YEAH, DAMN, OOH, DAMN RIGHT, OOH, DAMN RIGHT (THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT US; THEY DON'T KNOW)

YEAH, DAMN, OOH, DAMN RIGHT, OOH, DAMN RIGHT (THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW

ABOUT US; THEY DON'T KNOW) YEAH, DAMN, OOH, DAMN RIGHT, OOH, DAMN RIGHT (THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT US, THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT US)

THEY DON'T KNOW US HOW YOUR VOICE CAN CALM THE SEA-EE-EE

...✧THE BOY FROM THE LIBRARY✧...

The old city library was always quiet. Not the uncomfortable kind of quiet. It was the kind of silence that felt peaceful.

The soft turning of pages. The faint sound of footsteps between the shelves.

For Taehyung, it was the one place where he could forget everything else.

Every Saturday, he came to the library.

Same day. Same time. Same corner.

He had been doing it for almost three years.

The librarians knew him. The regular visitors knew him.

Even the old wooden chair near the window felt like it belonged to him.

"Back again?"

Taehyung looked up from his book and smiled at the librarian.

"Is it that obvious?"

Mrs. Choi laughed.

"You only come here every Saturday at exactly one o'clock."

"I didn't realize I was so predictable."

"You are."

Taehyung smiled and adjusted the strap of his bag.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Third floor?"

"Of course."

The third floor was his favorite.

It was quieter than the rest of the building, filled with old novels and forgotten stories.

Taehyung slowly walked between the shelves, scanning the books.

He wasn't looking for anything specific. He rarely was. He just enjoyed finding something unexpected.

Then he saw it. A novel he had been trying to reach for weeks.

His eyes lit up.

"There you are."

Unfortunately... It was on the highest shelf.

Tae Han stared at it.

Then he looked around.

No ladder. No one nearby... Only a small stool sitting at the end of the aisle.

He sighed.

"This is embarrassing."

Still, he dragged the stool over.

"I blame the library for this."

He carefully stepped onto it and stretched his arm upward.

Almost... His fingers touched the book.

"Come on..."

Just as he was about to grab it, another hand reached above him.

"I think this is what you're looking for."

Taehyung froze.

A stranger stood beside him, easily reaching the shelf. He pulled the book down and handed it over.

Taehyung slowly turned around... And forgot what he was going to say.

The stranger had soft black hair, bright eyes, and a smile that somehow made the entire quiet library feel warmer.

"You okay?"

Taehyung blinked.

"Yeah. Sorry."

The stranger tilted his head.

"You were staring."

"Oh my God."

Taehyung immediately covered his face.

"I'm sorry, that was rude."

The stranger laughed softly. "It's okay."

He held out the book again. "Here."

"Thank you."

Their fingers touched briefly. Something strange happened.

A small flutter. A feeling Taehyung couldn't explain.

He quickly pulled his hand back.

"I'm Taehyung."

The stranger smiled.

"Jungkook."

"Nice to meet you."

"You too."

A small silence followed.

Usually, Taehyung hated awkward conversations.

But somehow... This one didn't feel awkward.

Jungkook looked at the stool.

"So..."

"Hm?"

"Do you always climb furniture for books?"

Taehyung looked at the stool.

"Only when libraries decide tall people deserve better treatment."

Jungkook laughed.

"That's tragic."

"I know."

"We should complain."

"Definitely."

"I'll write a formal letter."

"You will?"

"Absolutely."

"What will it say?"

Jungkook thought seriously.

"'Dear library, please consider shorter readers when designing shelves.'"

Taehyung laughed.

"That's a very important issue."

"I agree."

Somehow, that simple conversation continued.

They talked about books. Then movies. Then music. Then their favorite places in the city.

Hours passed without either of them noticing.

"So..." Jungkook asked, holding a book in his hands.

"What's your favorite novel?"

Taehyung groaned, "That's impossible."

"Why?"

"Because choosing one favorite book feels like choosing a favorite child."

Jungkook nodded seriously.

"Fair answer."

"Your turn."

"The Little Prince."

Taehyung smiled.

"I should've guessed."

"Why?"

"You seem like someone who likes stories with hidden meanings."

Jungkook looked surprised.

"That's actually accurate."

Eventually, Jungkook checked his phone. His expression changed.

"Oh no."

"What?"

"I completely forgot."

"Forgot what?"

"I promised my friend I'd help him with something."

Taehyung tried not to look disappointed.

"Oh."

Jungkook noticed and smiled.

"I come here every Saturday."

Taehyung looked up.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Every Saturday?"

"Almost."

Jungkook put his book back.

"Maybe we'll meet again."

Taehyung smiled.

"I hope so."

Jungkook waved before leaving.

"See you next Saturday, Taehyung."

"See you."

Taehyung watched him disappear through the library doors.

Only when he was alone did he realize he was smiling. He looked down at the book in his hands.

For some reason... The story inside didn't seem as interesting anymore.

Because suddenly, he was more interested in the person who had handed it to him.

...~~...

The next Saturday came faster than usual.

Taehyung told himself he wasn't waiting for Jungkook.

He was just reading. In the library. On a Saturday. At one o'clock.

Exactly where Jungkook would probably appear.

Which was completely normal. At least, that's what he told himself.

Then he heard a familiar voice.

"Taehyung?"

He looked up.

Jungkook stood there, smiling.

And suddenly the entire week of waiting felt worth it.

"You came."

Jungkook laughed.

"Of course I came."

"I wasn't sure."

"Why wouldn't I?"

Taehyung shrugged.

"I don't know."

Jungkook studied him for a moment.

Then smiled.

"Well, now you know."

And from that day on... Saturdays became something different.

They read together. They shared coffee from the vending machine. They argued about books. They laughed about terrible movie endings.

Sometimes they talked for hours. Sometimes they sat quietly beside each other, reading separate books.

But somehow... The silence between them never felt empty. It felt comfortable.

Like they had known each other much longer than they actually had.

Neither of them noticed when friendship slowly became something more. Neither of them realized they were already becoming an important part of each other's lives.

Until one rainy afternoon...

"Hey, Taehyung."

"Hm?"

Jungkook looked outside at the rain falling against the library windows.

"If you could live inside any book, which one would you choose?"

Taehyung thought for a moment.

"One where the ending is happy."

Jungkook looked at him.

"Only one?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Taehyung smiled softly.

"Because real life doesn't always give you the ending you want."

For a moment, Jungkook didn't say anything.

Then he smiled.

"Then I hope you find your happy ending."

Taehyung looked at him.

Neither of them knew it yet... But they were already becoming each other's.

...✧THE STRANGER WITH THE SAME FACE✧...

Weeks passed.

And without either of them saying it out loud, Taehyung and Jungkook became part of each other's routine.

Every Saturday belonged to the library. It became their place.

Jungkook always arrived carrying two drinks.

One for himself. One for Taehyung.

Even though Taehyung had told him countless times that he didn't need to.

"You know you don't have to keep buying me coffee."

Jungkook looked offended.

"It's not coffee."

Taehyung looked at the cup.

"It literally says coffee on it."

"It's a friendship coffee."

"That's not a thing."

"It is now."

Taehyung laughed.

"You make up rules whenever you want."

"Only the important ones."

"And coffee is important?"

"Very."

Those were the moments Taehyung treasured. The little jokes. The comfortable silences. The way Jungkook could make him smile without even trying.

But one Saturday... Jungkook didn't come.

Taehyung waited.

Ten minutes.

Thirty minutes.

An hour.

He told himself it didn't matter.

Maybe something happened. Maybe Jungkook was busy.

Still... The empty chair across from him felt strangely noticeable.

...~~...

A few days later, after finishing work, Taehyung stopped by a small café near his office.

He wasn't expecting anything. He just wanted a quiet place to relax.

Until he saw him.

Near the window.

The same dark hair. The same eyes. The same face.

Taehyung froze.

"Jungkook?"

The person looked up from his laptop.

For a moment, Taehyung smiled.

"You disappeared after Saturday. I thought maybe you got busy."

The stranger stared at him.

Not confused. Not surprised.

Just... blank.

"I'm sorry."

Taehyung laughed awkwardly.

"You're joking, right?"

The stranger said nothing.

"I don't think we've met before."

The smile slowly disappeared from Taehyung's face.

"What?"

"I think you have me confused with someone else."

Taehyung stared.

"But..."

He looked closer.

It was impossible.

Same face. Same voice.

"You're not Jungkook?"

The stranger shook his head. "No."

Taehyung felt embarrassed.

"Oh."

A quiet silence followed.

"I'm sorry. I really thought..."

"It's okay."

The stranger closed his laptop.

"I should go."

"Wait."

The stranger paused.

Taehyung didn't even know what he wanted to say.

Why did this person look exactly like Jungkook?

Why did he feel so familiar?

"I'm sorry."

The stranger gave a small nod. "It's fine."

Then he walked away.

Leaving Taehyung sitting there, completely confused.

...~~...

The next Saturday, Taehyung arrived at the library with his arms crossed.

He wasn't angry.

At least, he told himself he wasn't.

But when Jungkook walked toward him with his usual smile... "Taehyung!"

Taehyung didn't smile back.

Jungkook immediately noticed.

"What's wrong?"

"You tell me."

Jungkook blinked.

"What?"

"So you're just going to pretend nothing happened?"

His smile faded.

"What happened?"

Taehyung stared at him.

"The café."

"The café?"

"You ignored me."

Jungkook looked genuinely confused.

"When?"

"After you disappeared."

"Taehyung..."

"I saw you."

Jungkook shook his head.

"I wasn't at a café."

"Yes, you were."

"No."

His voice became softer.

"I'm serious."

Taehyung looked away.

"Forget it."

He turned around.

"Taehyung."

But he kept walking.

Jungkook stood there, watching him leave.

For the first time since they met... He had no idea how to fix something. Because he honestly didn't know what had happened.

...~~...

That evening, Jungkook sat in his apartment.

His roommate and longtime friend, Mingyu, glanced over.

"You look like someone ruined your favorite book."

"Maybe worse."

"What happened?"

Jungkook sighed.

"Taehyung thinks I ignored him."

"The library guy?"

"Yeah."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing."

Mingyu raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing?"

"I wasn't even there."

"Where?"

"A café."

The room became quiet.

Mingyu's expression changed. "A café?"

"Yeah."

He slowly sat down.

"Jungkook..."

"What?"

"I think I know what happened."

Jungkook frowned.

"What?"

Mingyu hesitated.

"Maybe the person at the café looks like you?"

"What?"

"I think he met Jeongukk."

"Who?"

"Someone who looks exactly like you."

Jungkook stared.

"You're telling me there's another person with my face?"

"Basically."

"That sounds impossible."

"I know."

Jungkook leaned back.

"So Taehyung thought he was talking to me."

"Probably."

"And Jeongukk didn't tell him?"

"Knowing him..." Mingyu shook his head. "Probably not."

Jungkook covered his face.

"Oh no."

"What?"

"He must think I hate him."

...~~...

The next day, Taehyung returned to the café.

He didn't know why.

Maybe he wanted answers. Maybe he just wanted to prove he wasn't imagining things.

And there he was. The stranger. Same face. Different expression.

This time, Taehyung walked straight toward him.

"I know your secret."

The stranger looked up. "My secret?"

"You're not Jungkook."

For a moment, the stranger said nothing.

Then... "You're right."

Taehyung sat down across from him.

"So..."

He sighed.

"You have a twin?"

The stranger shook his head.

"No."

"Then what?"

"My name is Jeongukk."

Taehyung waited.

"Jeongukk?"

"Yes."

"And Jungkook?"

"Not me."

The realization finally settled in.

Two people. Same face. Different personalities.

"That's why..."

Jeongukk looked at him.

"That's why what?"

"You looked at me like you didn't know me."

A small, almost apologetic expression crossed Jeongukk's face.

"I didn't."

Taehyung laughed quietly.

"I thought you were angry with me."

"I wasn't."

"Then why didn't you explain?"

Jeongukk looked down.

"I'm not very good at talking to strangers."

"Even when they think you're someone else?"

"Especially then."

Taehyung couldn't help smiling.

"You really are different from him."

Jeongukk looked curious.

"Different?"

"Jungkook talks a lot. He laughs easily."

Jeongukk nodded.

"And you?"

Jeongukk thought for a moment. "I'm quieter."

Taehyung smiled.

"I noticed that too."

A comfortable silence settled between them.

Not the same silence he shared with Jungkook.

Different. But not unpleasant.

Jeongukk suddenly pushed a plate toward him.

Taehyung looked down.

Cheesecake.

"You were looking at it."

"What?"

"The cheesecake."

"I was not."

"You were."

Taehyung laughed.

"You noticed?"

Jeongukk looked away.

"I notice things."

For some reason... That simple sentence stayed with Taehyung.

Because Jungkook made the world feel brighter.

But Jeongukk... Made it feel calmer.

And Taehyung had no idea that meeting someone new would make his heart even more confused.