You Still Remember

Jeon Jungkook barely slept that night.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Taehyung's cold expression inside the car.

The way he looked at him felt unfamiliar, almost cruel, yet Jungkook still couldn’t stop thinking about him.

The rain had disappeared by morning, leaving the city quiet and gray beneath the cloudy sky.

Jungkook stood inside a small convenience store near his apartment, organizing shelves while trying to calm his restless thoughts.

The soft sound of music played quietly overhead, mixing with the hum of refrigerators nearby.

“Jungkook.”

He looked up immediately.

His coworker frowned slightly.

“You’ve been spacing out all morning. Are you okay?”

Jungkook forced a small smile.

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t.

Not even close.

After Taehyung disappeared years ago, Jungkook spent so long imagining what their reunion would be like.

Maybe Taehyung would yell at him.

Maybe he would cry.

Maybe he would refuse to see him at all.

But somehow, this cold silence hurt far more than anger ever could.

The bell above the convenience store door suddenly rang softly.

Jungkook looked up automatically—

And froze.

Taehyung walked inside calmly, dressed in a black coat that made him stand out against the bright lights of the small store.

The entire room felt smaller instantly.

Their eyes met.

Jungkook’s heart nearly stopped.

Taehyung looked away first and casually walked through the aisles as if nothing had happened.

Jungkook stared at him in disbelief.

What was he doing here?

Their neighborhood was far from the expensive part of the city where someone like Taehyung belonged now.

Trying to calm himself, Jungkook slowly approached him.

“You came here just to buy snacks?” he asked quietly.

Taehyung glanced at him briefly before grabbing a bottle of water from the shelf.

“Am I not allowed to?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Silence fell again.

Jungkook hated this distance between them.

Years ago, they used to talk about everything so easily.

Now every conversation felt sharp enough to hurt.

Taehyung walked toward the counter and placed the bottle down carelessly.

Jungkook scanned it quietly while avoiding eye contact.

Then Taehyung suddenly spoke.

“You still work part-time jobs?”

Jungkook blinked slightly at the question.

“Yes.”

“I thought your family was doing well.”

The words sounded casual, but Jungkook sensed the hidden bitterness underneath.

“My father lost most of his business a few years ago,” he admitted softly.

“Things changed.”

Taehyung gave a slow nod.

For some reason, that answer seemed to satisfy him.

Jungkook handed him the bottle carefully. Their fingers brushed for a brief second.

Taehyung immediately grabbed Jungkook’s wrist before he could pull away.

Jungkook’s breath caught instantly.

The grip wasn’t painful.

But it was firm enough to stop him completely.

Taehyung stared down at his wrist silently.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

“You still wear it.”

Jungkook followed his gaze.

Around his wrist was an old faded bracelet made from blue thread.

Taehyung had made it for him when they were sixteen.

Jungkook swallowed nervously.

“I forgot to take it off.”

A quiet laugh escaped Taehyung’s lips.

But there was something sad hidden inside it.

“You’re still a terrible liar.”

Jungkook slowly looked up at him.

For the first time since returning, Taehyung’s cold mask seemed weaker.

Only for a moment.

Then the expression disappeared again.

Taehyung released his wrist carefully and stepped back.

“Throw it away,” he said quietly.

Jungkook’s chest tightened.

Before he could answer, Taehyung turned toward the exit.

But just before leaving, he stopped near the door without looking back.

“If you keep holding onto the past,” he murmured softly, “you’ll only hurt yourself more.”

Then he walked away again.

Leaving Jungkook standing there with trembling hands and a heart that still refused to let go.

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