chapter 1

Taehyung moved quietly around the kitchen, humming under his breath as he arranged the last pieces of rolled omelette into Jungkook’s bento. He even added tiny heart-shaped carrots—not because he needed to, but because Jungkook once said they looked cute.

The sun had barely risen, yet Taehyung had been up for hours preparing breakfast and lunch.

He always wanted Jungkook’s mornings to start softly.

Just as he finished packing the lunch box, footsteps approached.

Jungkook walked in, hair still messy from the night, shirt half tucked, eyes warm and soft. He leaned down immediately and pressed a kiss to Taehyung’s forehead.

“Good morning,” Jungkook said, voice still low and husky.

Taehyung’s cheeks flushed. Last night had been… intense. They didn’t sleep much.

Just thinking about it made his ears warm.

“Good morning,” Taehyung whispered shyly. “I-I made a bento for you. It’s on the dining table. Don’t forget to take it before going to work.”

Jungkook’s lips curved.

“Hmm. You spoil me.”

Taehyung’s heart fluttered.

But before he could respond, the front door opened.

Minji walked in.

Jungkook’s little sister. Pretty, fashionable, and always annoyed when Taehyung existed in the same room as her brother.

Taehyung stepped slightly back from Jungkook instinctively.

Jungkook straightened, expression turning more neutral.

Minji raised a brow the moment she entered the kitchen.

“What’s for breakfast?”

Taehyung answered politely, “Rice porridge, stir-fried veggies, and egg rolls—”

Minji made a face before he even finished.

“Ugh. That again.”

Taehyung looked down, fingers tightening around the apron cloth.

He didn’t expect her to praise him… but the disgust still stung.

Before he could reply, a bodyguard appeared at the doorway, holding two bento boxes wrapped in elegant packaging—the signature boxes from a high-end restaurant that only opened early mornings.

Jungkook blinked in surprise.

“That place? How did you—? They don’t even do takeout.”

Minji flipped her hair.

“Obviously. I woke up early and picked them up. You and I used to love their bentos, remember? So I thought, why not bring something special for you?”

Taehyung’s small smile dimmed slightly.

He wasn’t jealous—they were siblings.

He just… wished his handmade bento mattered.

Softly, he said, “Ah… I already made one. It’s on the table.”

Minji barely looked at him.

“So what?”

Taehyung blinked.

“It… would be a waste if it goes uneaten.”

Minji rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Then give it to someone who wants it.”

Before he could protest, she grabbed Taehyung’s carefully-prepared bento and handed it to a bodyguard.

“Here. You can have this.”

The bodyguard thanked her awkwardly.

Taehyung’s chest tightened.

He worked so hard…

He woke early…

He made it with love…

And just like that, it was gone.

Jungkook glanced at Taehyung but only laughed lightly.

“Well… Minji knows my taste. We always did love this place.”

Taehyung looked down to hide the sting in his eyes.

He forced a smile.

“You should… have breakfast before you go.”

Jungkook nodded and was about to sit—

“Oppa!” Minji whined. “Let’s go eat at that café near the river. That new brunch place. I want coffee from there.”

Jungkook froze.

“Minji… Taehyung just cooked. We shouldn’t—”

“But I WANT to!” she pushed, crossing her arms. “Come on. It’s been so long since we went out together.”

“Still, Tae worked—”

She leaned closer, voice sugar-sweet with bitterness underneath.

“Oppa, it’s a brother-sister morning. Why ruin it? And besides… he shouldn’t waste food like he always does.”

Her eyes flickered to Taehyung.

“You’re always overdoing things, you know?”

Taehyung’s nails dug into his palms.

Minji added quickly before Jungkook could protest, “He can eat his cooking. We’ll eat out.”

Jungkook sighed, defeated by her tone—he always struggled to say no to her.

“Fine. Just today.”

Taehyung’s throat felt tight, but he still managed a soft smile.

“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “I’ll… clean up and eat later.”

Jungkook gave him a small apologetic look, the only kindness in the moment, before Minji tugged him away.

Taehyung watched them put on their shoes, step outside, and leave.

The door shut.

Silence filled the kitchen.

Taehyung turned back to the table.

Two plates of hot breakfast sat untouched.

Steam still rising…

Food getting cold…

His handmade bento was gone.

The café would take his place.

The morning he planned was ruined.

Taehyung swallowed the ache and whispered to no one—

“It wasn’t supposed to start like this.”

The house was warm.

But he felt cold.

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