chapter 4

By the end of the week, Jungkook had learned something important.

Kim Taehyung did not forget people.

Not even quiet people.

Not even people who spoke in nods and half-words.

Not even people like Jungkook.

Every morning, without fail, Taehyung waited.

Jungkook would step out of his house, bag hanging from one shoulder, eyes already drifting toward the gate next door before he could stop himself. And there Taehyung would be, sometimes tying his shoelaces, sometimes talking to his grandma, sometimes already watching Jungkook like he'd been waiting specifically for him.

"Morning, Jungkook!"

The way Taehyung said his name never changed. Warm. Familiar. Like it belonged in his mouth.

Jungkook would nod. Sometimes whisper a small, "Morning."

And then they'd walk together.

Taehyung talked.

About everything.

About how his grandma woke him up too early. About how the bakery near the school smelled unfairly good. About how his friend Jimin texted him memes during class and got in trouble for laughing.

Jungkook listened.

He always listened.

He didn't realize how different it was, walking beside someone instead of behind everyone, until he noticed how his shoulders didn't feel as tight anymore.

How his steps matched Taehyung's without him trying. How the walk to school didn't feel so long.

When they reached the campus gates, the difference between them became obvious again.

Students called out to Taehyung from every direction.

"Taehyung"

"Hyung"

"You're late again"

Taehyung laughed, waving, responding to everyone easily. Someone slung an arm around his shoulder. Someone else bumped into him playfully.

Jungkook slowed.

This was where he usually disappeared.

But Taehyung noticed.

He always did.

"Come on," Taehyung said, adjusting his pace so they stayed side by side. "Your building's this way, right?"

Jungkook nodded.

They walked past groups of students. Jungkook felt eyes flicker toward them, curious, confused. He knew what they were thinking.

Who's that kid?

Why is he with Taehyung?

Jungkook's fingers curled into his bag strap.

Taehyung leaned closer. "Don't worry. They stare at everyone"

Jungkook glanced up. "I'm not something special to stare"

Taehyung smiled softly. "You are to me."

Something warm bloomed in Jungkook's chest.

At Jungkook's building, Taehyung stopped like always.

"I'll be right here after school," he said. "Don't disappear, okay?"

Jungkook nodded. Then, after a pause, quietly added, "I won't."

Taehyung's smile widened like he'd just been given a gift.

Inside his classroom, Jungkook returned to being invisible.

Teachers talked. Students whispered. Chairs scraped against the floor. Jungkook sat by the window, hands folded neatly on his desk, eyes occasionally drifting outside.

He wondered what Taehyung was doing.

Was he in class already? Laughing? Getting scolded for talking? Was he sitting near his friends?

The thought made Jungkook's chest ache a little.

At lunch, Jungkook ate alone as usual.

But this time, he didn't feel completely alone.

Because he knew, after school, Taehyung would be there.

And Taehyung was there.

Leaning against the same fence. Smiling when he saw Jungkook.

Holding two juice boxes.

"Strawberry or banana?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook blinked. "You... remembered."

Taehyung tilted his head. "Of course I did. You said you like banana."

Jungkook took it carefully, like it was fragile. "Thank you."

They walked home together, the sun warm against their backs.

Halfway there, Taehyung slowed. "Hey, Jungkook?"

"Yes?"

"You don't talk much at school," Taehyung said gently. "Does anything bother you?"

Jungkook thought for a moment. "No. I like listening."

Taehyung hummed. "That's good. You're really good at it."

Jungkook looked at the ground. "You talk a lot."

Taehyung laughed. "Yeah. I guess we balance each other. Little bunny"

Jungkook didn't know what that meant exactly , but he liked the way it sounded.

Friday afternoon came faster than Jungkook expected.

Taehyung was louder than usual, talking about how glad he was that it was finally the weekend.

"No classes tomorrow," he said dramatically. "Freedom."

Jungkook nodded. "I have homework."

Taehyung groaned. "You're too responsible. Enjoy your childhood kiddo"

When they reached their street, Taehyung stopped instead of heading straight inside.

"Hey," he said. "Do you want to come over tomorrow?"

Jungkook froze. "Tomorrow?"

"My grandma likes you," Taehyung continued. "She keeps asking when you're coming again."

Jungkook hesitated, anxiety fluttering in his chest. "What would we do?"

Taehyung smiled. "Nothing special. Eat snacks. Watch TV. Maybe study. You can just sit there if you want."

Just sit there.

That sounded safe.

"Okay, hyungie" Jungkook said.

Taehyung's face lit up. "Great! I'll come get you."

That night, Jungkook lay awake staring at the ceiling.

Tomorrow.

He pressed his hands against his chest, feeling his heart beat steadily.

Tomorrow, he would go to Taehyung's house.

Saturday morning felt strange.

Jungkook cleaned his room even though no one was coming into it. He changed his shirt twice. He checked the time too many times.

When the doorbell rang, his heart jumped.

"I'll get it!" Jungkook said quickly, surprising even himself.

Taehyung stood outside, wearing a simple T-shirt and a wide grin.

"Morning," he said. "You ready?"

Jungkook nodded.

Taehyung's grandma greeted him warmly, immediately placing food in front of him like it was her mission in life.

"You're too thin, Jungkookie" she said again. "Eat."

Jungkook obeyed.

Taehyung laughed from across the table. "See? He listens better than me."

Later, they sat on the floor watching TV. Taehyung talked about the characters. Jungkook listened, occasionally nodding or making a small sound of agreement.

At one point, Taehyung glanced over and paused.

"You're smiling," he said.

Jungkook froze. "I am?"

"Yeah," Taehyung said softly. "You smile a lot when you're comfortable."

Jungkook didn't know what to say to that.

So he stayed quiet.

But his smile stayed.

That evening, as Jungkook walked back home, he realized something.

Taehyung's world was loud.

Full of people. Full of voices.

His world was quiet.

Small. Careful.

They were different worlds.

But somehow,

Taehyung always found his way into Jungkook's.

And Jungkook, without realizing it, had already decided,

If Taehyung was there,

That was where he wanted to be.

.

.

End of the chapter....

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