5

Taehyung didn't realize when he fell asleep.

One moment he was scrolling through job listings on his laptop, comparing wages, time and locations. Next, his head was resting on his folded arms at the study table because of tiredness .

The laptop screen remained on throughout the night.

When he opened his eyes the next morning, sunlight was peeking through the curtains.

His neck hurt.

His back hurts even more.

Taehyung groaned softly and checked the time.

8:17 AM.

He slept at the desk all night.

After washing his face and taking a bath and making a quick breakfast of toast and instant coffee, he sat back down.

His winter vacation had officially begun.

After that taehyung sat on the study table making plans to study and what to study

He spent the entire morning studying.

Taking notes.

Highlighting chapters.

Creating schedules for third year.

By noon, his eyes were tired.

After closing his textbook, he decided to prepare lunch. However, upon opening the refrigerator, he found only eggs and bread. Disappointed, he shut the fridge and opted to cook his last package of instant ramen instead.

While eating ramen he is searching for more job applications.

But nothing is helping him so after lunch he again went to study

A week later

Taehyung decided sitting in front of a screen wasn't enough.If nobody would contact him, he would go find work himself.After breakfast, he put on his thick winter coat and left the apartment.

The cold air hit his face immediately.

For the entire day, he walked across different neighborhoods of Seoul.

He entered cafes.

Small restaurants.

Bookstores.

Convenience stores.

Everywhere he saw a hiring sign, he asked.

Sometimes managers accepted his résumé

Sometimes they reject him

Sometimes they just mock him

Sometimes they are given very less salary

Sometimes they are asking to do overtime

but at the end he only gets rejection

By evening, his legs felt heavy.

The sky had already turned dark when he stepped onto the subway for the journey home.

His backpack felt heavier than when he had left that morning.Not because of anything inside it.Because of disappointment.

When he finally reached the apartment, it was almost 8 PM.

The moment he stepped inside, exhaustion hit him all at once.

His shoulders ached.

His feet burned.

His stomach growled from skipping lunch.

For a few seconds, he simply stood near the door.

Too tired to move.

Too tired to think.

The apartment was quiet.

Joonho room was closed.

Taehyung slowly walked to the kitchen and placed his backpack on a chair.

Today I accomplished nothing.

No job.

No interview.

No good news.

Yet as he stared at the stack of résumés still remaining in his bag, he knew he would do it all again tomorrow.

Because giving up wasn't an option.

Not anymore.

He sat on the couch, consuming the ramen packet he had brought from cvc , desiring silence. However, his wish was not granted as the door to Joonho's room opened, and Joonho emerged.

Joonho looks at him and sits next to him and said to him after taking the ramen that taehyung is eating

"so what happened to the loser"

Taehyung looks at him in anger, and emotional eyes, and he just shakes his head as no

Joonho, without uttering a word, continued to consume Taehyung's ramen. Upon finishing, he rose and retreated to his room. Joonho then subtly peered from the doorway, asking taehyung.

"If you are seeking employment, inform me in the morning; I have a job opportunity for you."

Taehyung looked at him, confused as to how Joonho knew he was searching for work.

" Failure you search for a job on your laptop and I saw that "

After saying this Joonho went to his room and left Taehyung in confusion because Joonho never talked to him in these two years now suddenly speaking to him, and now, suddenly offering him a job, Taehyung found himself unable to trust him.

Taehyung walked into his room and closed the door behind him.

He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at it.

"Why would Joonho help me?"

Sometimes days passed without a single conversation.

Joonho wasn't friendly. He wasn't the kind of person who offered help.

So why now?

Taehyung lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling.

"Maybe he wants something in return."

"Maybe the job isn't real."

"Maybe he's setting me up for something."

The thoughts kept running through his mind.

Yet another part of him remembered how serious Joonho had looked.

There had been no smirk. No joke.

Just a simple offer.

After hours of thinking, exhaustion finally won. Taehyung drifted off to sleep.

----------------

When he woke up, sunlight was pouring through his curtains.

His eyes widened.

"Ah, seriously!"

He grabbed his phone and checked the time.

He had slept much longer than he intended.

After quickly washing his face and taking a shower, he changed into comfortable clothes and walked into the living room.

The apartment was unusually quiet.

Taehyung sat on the couch and turned on the TV, though he wasn't really watching it.

His mind was still occupied by Joonho.

Two hours passed.

Then he heard a door open.

Joonho stepped out of his room.

His black hair was messy from sleep, and he looked tired.

Without saying a word, he walked to the couch and sat down beside Taehyung.

An awkward silence filled the room.

Neither of them knew how to start a conversation.

Finally, Taehyung spoke.

"Why are you helping me?"

Joonho looked at him.

"What?"

"The job."

Joonho sighed.

"I knew you'd ask that."

Taehyung crossed his arms.

"Because it doesn't make sense."

For a few seconds, Joonho remained silent.

Then he looked away.

"When I first moved to this city, I couldn't find work either."

Taehyung blinked.

It was the first time Joonho had ever talked about himself.

"I slept in internet cafés," Joonho continued. "Sometimes I didn't eat for a whole day."

Taehyung listened quietly.

"A stranger helped me back then."

Joonho let out a small laugh.

"I didn't trust him either."

The room became silent again.

For the first time, Taehyung noticed that Joonho didn't seem rude.

Just... tired.

Like someone who had gone through too much.

Joonho suddenly stood up.

"But the job is in club so be ready at 6 pm today if you want a job ."

Taehyung nodded.

"Don't be late,, and you will get $400 per month as salary."

Listening about salary Taehyung eyes widen in shock because his monthly expansion is $200 in this he is also able to save some money (his father sends him $200 per month)

He started walking back to his room before stopping.

Without turning around, he said,

"And don't overthink everything. Not everyone gets this offer.

Taehyung froze.

It felt as though Joonho had read his mind.

Then Joonho disappeared into his room, leaving Taehyung alone on the couch.

For the first time since moving into the apartment, Taehyung found himself wondering who Joonho really was. And why someone who seemed so cold looked strangely lonely.but Taehyung missed the way Joonho smirk while going to his room

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