Chapter 5 – The Investigation Begins

The next morning felt strangely different.

Jimin noticed it the moment he entered the classroom.

Something felt... off.

The hallway was noisier than usual. Students were gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves. Some glanced toward the classroom windows before quickly looking away.

Jimin frowned slightly.

"What happened?"

As soon as he sat down, Taehyung rushed toward him dramatically.

"You're finally here!"

Jimin blinked.

"...Good morning to you too."

Taehyung dropped into the seat beside him.

"Forget good morning."

His voice lowered.

"Something happened."

Jimin immediately became nervous.

"What happened?"

Taehyung leaned closer.

"I think Jungkook is hiding something."

Jimin stared.

"You're still talking about that?"

"Of course I am!"

Taehyung pointed at himself proudly.

"A great detective never gives up."

Jimin groaned.

"You are not a detective."

Before Taehyung could argue back, Hoseok suddenly appeared beside their desks.

"Good morning, juniors!"

His bright smile instantly lifted the mood.

Taehyung saluted dramatically.

"Good morning, sunshine sunbae."

Hoseok laughed.

"Still being weird, I see."

"Always."

Jimin couldn't help laughing.

But then Hoseok's smile faded slightly.

"By the way..."

He glanced toward the classroom door.

"Have either of you seen Jungkook today?"

Both boys looked up.

"No."

Hoseok nodded thoughtfully.

"Hmm."

That was strange.

Jungkook was never late.

Not once.

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Meanwhile...

At the café.

Jungkook sat alone at his usual corner table.

A black folder rested in front of him.

Across from him sat the person from last night's phone call.

A young man with sharp eyes and messy black hair.

Minhyuk.

One of the few people Jungkook trusted.

Minhyuk flipped through several pages.

"So..."

He looked up.

"You seriously want information on Park Jimin?"

Jungkook calmly sipped his coffee.

"Yes."

Minhyuk raised an eyebrow.

"You know this is weird, right?"

"No."

"It absolutely is."

Jungkook ignored him.

Minhyuk sighed.

"For someone who claims he's not interested, you're putting in a lot of effort."

Jungkook remained silent.

That silence told Minhyuk everything.

"Oh."

A grin appeared on his face.

"Oh, this is serious."

Jungkook finally looked at him.

"Do your job."

Minhyuk laughed loudly.

"You're doomed."

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Back at school...

The first lecture had already started.

Students quietly copied notes from the board.

Jimin tried focusing.

Really.

But he couldn't.

Every few minutes his eyes drifted toward the empty seat near the window.

Jungkook still wasn't there.

Strangely...

The classroom felt emptier than usual.

Even Taehyung noticed.

"Why does it feel weird today?"

Jimin looked away quickly.

"I don't know."

A small smile appeared on Taehyung's face.

"Oh."

"What?"

"You noticed too."

Jimin immediately denied it.

"No, I didn't."

"Sure."

Taehyung looked unconvinced.

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Lunch Break

The cafeteria buzzed with conversation.

Jimin and Taehyung sat together near the windows.

As usual, Taehyung talked nonstop.

"...and then the professor looked directly at me."

Jimin nodded absentmindedly.

"And?"

"I wasn't listening."

Jimin laughed.

"That's your own fault."

Suddenly someone sat across from them.

Yoongi.

The two immediately straightened.

Yoongi calmly opened a bottle of water.

"You two are loud."

Taehyung looked offended.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?"

"Because it's true."

Jimin laughed again.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

Then Hoseok appeared carrying his lunch tray.

"Did Jungkook message anyone?"

Everyone shook their heads.

Hoseok frowned.

"That's unusual."

Even Yoongi looked thoughtful now.

Jimin felt something tighten in his chest.

Why was he worried?

It wasn't like they were close.

They had only talked a few times.

Still...

Something felt wrong.

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That Evening

Rain clouds covered the city.

Jimin walked home alone after stopping briefly at the café.

It was closed.

A handwritten sign hung on the door.

Closed Today

Jimin stared at it longer than necessary.

For some reason...

He felt disappointed.

As he turned to leave—

His phone vibrated.

Unknown Number.

Jimin hesitated before answering.

"Hello?"

Silence.

Then a voice spoke.

"Park Jimin?"

His grip tightened slightly.

"...Yes?"

The stranger paused.

Then asked a very strange question.

"How well do you know Jeon Jungkook?"

Jimin froze.

The voice continued.

"Because if you stay close to him..."

The line crackled.

"...you're going to get involved in something much bigger than you think."

The call ended.

Jimin stood motionless beneath the darkening sky.

His heartbeat pounded loudly in his ears.

Who was that?

And what did they mean?

Far away, standing beneath the shelter of a bus stop, a familiar figure watched silently.

Jungkook.

His expression was unreadable.

His phone rested in his pocket.

And for the first time—

He looked genuinely worried.

To Be Continued... 💜

💜 Author's Note 💜

Thank you for reading Chapter 5!

Things are slowly becoming more complicated for our characters. Jimin only wanted a peaceful college life, but now mysterious phone calls, strange warnings, and Jungkook's secretive behavior are pulling him into something he doesn't understand.

Meanwhile, Jungkook's curiosity about Jimin continues to grow. Is he simply trying to protect him, or is there another reason hidden deep within his past? Even Jungkook himself may not know the answer yet.

Taehyung's detective instincts are becoming stronger, and sooner or later he is bound to discover something important. The question is: will he uncover the truth before it's too late?

In the next chapter, hidden memories, emotional flashbacks, and a connection from the past will begin to surface. Some answers may finally appear—but they might only create even bigger questions.

Thank you for supporting this story and joining Jimin and Jungkook on this journey. 💜

What do you think the mysterious caller knows about Jungkook? And why is Jungkook suddenly so interested in Jimin?

See you in Chapter 6: Fragments of the Past ✨

— Author 💜✍️

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