Taehyung and Jungkook sat across from each other at the intimate table, their conversation flowing easily as they enjoyed their dinner. The soft clinking of utensils and glasses filled the air, mingling with the soothing melody of instrumental music playing in the background. The warm glow of candlelight cast gentle shadows on their faces, making the moment feel almost surreal.
Taehyung laughed at something Jungkook said, his eyes crinkling in that way that made him look even more endearing. Jungkook's lips curved into a soft smile as he watched Taehyung, the atmosphere between them light and unguarded.
From a distance, hidden just outside the restaurant, Yejoon stood frozen in disbelief. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the familiar duo through the large glass windows. "Oh my god," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. "Isn't that Taehyung and Jungkook?"
Yejoon quickly stepped back into the shadow of a nearby tree, his heart racing as if he'd stumbled upon a scandalous secret. He fumbled in his pocket for his phone, his hands trembling slightly. Pulling it out, he hesitated for a moment before angling the camera lens toward the restaurant.
Through the screen, he saw the two figures clearly. Taehyung was smiling softly, his cheeks faintly pink, possibly from the wine. Jungkook was leaning forward slightly, his gaze focused entirely on Taehyung as he spoke. The scene looked like something straight out of a romance movie, and Yejoon's curiosity burned brighter.
Click.
The phone camera captured the moment, freezing it in time. Yejoon glanced down at the photo, his finger hovering over the screen. His conscience wavered for a moment, but his intrigueâand the potential drama it could stirâproved too tempting to resist.
He opened his messaging app, scrolling until he found Gyungho's name. For a second, his thumb lingered above the chat, uncertainty flickering across his face. "Should I really send this?" he murmured to himself. But the image of Gyungho's reaction played vividly in his mind, pushing him forward.
With a sharp inhale, Yejoon attached the picture and typed out a short message:
Look who I just spotted together.
Without giving himself another chance to hesitate, he pressed send. The message disappeared with a soft whoosh, and Yejoon stared at the screen, anticipation curling in his chest.
He glanced back toward the restaurant, where Taehyung and Jungkook were still lost in their own world, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing outside.
______
The sound of a basketball hitting the court echoed through the empty gym as Gyungho finally came to a halt, his chest heaving from the relentless hours of practice. Sweat dripped from his brow, and he pushed his damp hair back with a frustrated sigh. Grabbing a towel from the nearby bench, he wiped his face and neck before reaching for his phone, which buzzed insistently on the bench.
He picked it up, glancing at the screen. It was a message from Yejoon. His brow furrowed in curiosity, but as soon as he tapped it open, his expression darkened.
The image on the screen showed Taehyung and Jungkook seated at a small, cozy table. Candlelight illuminated their faces, making the scene appear almost romantic. Taehyung looked relaxed and content, a soft smile on his lips as he gazed at Jungkook, who seemed just as absorbed in the moment.
Gyungho's grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles turned white. His jaw clenched as an unsettling mix of disbelief, anger, and jealousy bubbled up inside him. He stared at the picture, unable to tear his eyes away, his thoughts spinning out of control.
"At first, they went to the amusement park together," he muttered under his breath, his voice low and laced with bitterness. "And now, they're dining in such an intimate environment?"
He paced the gym floor, the phone still clutched in his hand. His mind replayed moments with Taehyungâmoments he once thought were special, exclusive to him. But now, those memories felt distant, overshadowed by the sight of Taehyung smiling at Jungkook in a way Gyungho had longed to see again.
He stopped pacing, his breathing uneven. The question that had been gnawing at him finally slipped past his lips, quiet but heavy with doubt and frustration. "Does Taehyung really like Jungkook?"
The words hung in the air, echoing in the empty gym. Gyungho's chest tightened at the thought. It couldn't be true, could it? Taehyung had always been his, in a wayâalways chasing him, always looking up to him. But now, that certainty seemed to crumble, leaving him standing in the middle of the court, gripping his phone like it was the only thing tethering him to reality.
He exhaled sharply, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. He couldn't let this go. He wouldn't. Turning back to the bench, he grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder as his mind raced.