A Sprinkle of Sunshine

Jeon Jungkook was known around campus as the guy who could make anything look cool. He was the silent type, always clad in black, with headphones perpetually hanging around his neck. His sharp features and intense gaze made people think twice before approaching him.

In contrast, Park Jimin was the human embodiment of sunshine. Always cheerful, always smiling, he was the kind of person who would offer you his last piece of candy just to see you happy. His laughter was contagious, and his energy seemed boundless.

They were opposites in every possible way, and perhaps that was why Jungkook found himself inexplicably drawn to Jimin.

Jungkook sat in his usual spot at the back of the library, flipping through a textbook he had little interest in. He was more focused on the soft humming coming from a few tables away. Jimin was there, as always, surrounded by a small group of friends. They were chatting, but every now and then, Jimin would laugh, and the sound would resonate through the quiet room, wrapping around Jungkook like a warm blanket.

It wasn't long before Jimin noticed Jungkook's gaze. He offered a small, knowing smile, and before Jungkook could look away, Jimin got up from his seat and approached him.

"Hey, Jungkook!" Jimin greeted, plopping down in the chair across from him. "What are you studying?"

"Just… going through some notes," Jungkook replied, trying to sound nonchalant as he closed his book.

Jimin's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Mind if I join you? I could use a break from all the giggling over there."

Jungkook shrugged, but inside, his heart did a small flip. "Sure."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, with Jimin occasionally glancing at Jungkook, who was pretending to read. Finally, Jimin broke the silence.

"You know, you're always so quiet, Jungkook. I never see you smile much. You should smile more."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, taken aback by the comment. "Why?"

"Because you have a nice smile," Jimin said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "And because it makes people happy when you smile."

Jungkook's cheeks tinged pink, and he quickly looked down at his book. "I… I don't really know how to smile on command."

"That's okay," Jimin replied, his voice soft and understanding. "It doesn't have to be forced. Just let it happen when it feels right."

They fell back into silence, but this time, it felt different. It was as if the air between them had shifted, becoming lighter, more comfortable. Jungkook found himself glancing at Jimin, taking in the way his lips curved into a gentle smile even when he wasn't saying anything.

After a while, Jimin spoke again. "Hey, want to go grab some ice cream? My treat."

Jungkook hesitated, but the hopeful look in Jimin's eyes made it hard to say no. "Okay," he agreed, standing up and packing his things.

As they walked to the nearby ice cream shop, Jimin chatted about random things—his classes, a funny incident that happened earlier that day, his plans for the weekend. Jungkook listened, occasionally nodding or offering a small comment, but mostly he was just content to let Jimin's voice fill the space between them.

At the ice cream shop, Jimin insisted on getting the most colorful flavor they had, while Jungkook opted for something simple—vanilla. They sat outside on a bench, enjoying the late afternoon sun as they ate.

Jimin looked at Jungkook, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Hey, Jungkook. Want to try something fun?"

Jungkook eyed him warily. "What is it?"

"Close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Just trust me," Jimin said, his voice light and playful.

With a sigh, Jungkook complied, closing his eyes. He heard Jimin shift closer to him, and then felt something cold and sticky press against his lips. He opened his eyes in surprise, only to see Jimin holding out his rainbow-colored ice cream with a cheeky grin.

"Try it!" Jimin encouraged.

Jungkook hesitated for a moment before leaning forward and taking a small bite. The sweet, tangy flavor burst on his tongue, and despite himself, he smiled.

"See? I told you it would make you smile," Jimin said, his voice filled with warmth.

Jungkook felt his heart swell with something he couldn't quite name. Maybe it was Jimin's unwavering positivity, or maybe it was the way he looked at Jungkook like he was someone worth caring about. Whatever it was, it made Jungkook want to keep smiling, just to see the joy it brought to Jimin's face.

They spent the rest of the afternoon together, wandering around the park and talking about everything and nothing. As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, they found themselves sitting on a hill, watching the colors change.

Jimin leaned his head on Jungkook's shoulder, a content sigh escaping his lips. "You know, I think you're pretty great, Jungkook. Even if you're quiet and serious most of the time."

Jungkook glanced down at Jimin, his heart pounding in his chest. "I think you're pretty great too, Jimin. You're like a ray of sunshine."

Jimin looked up at him, surprised but pleased. "Really?"

Jungkook nodded. "Yeah. You make everything seem a little brighter."

Jimin's smile widened, and he squeezed Jungkook's hand, which had somehow ended up in his own. "I'm glad I met you, Jungkook."

Jungkook's lips curved into a genuine smile, one that reached his eyes. "I'm glad I met you too, Jimin."

As they sat there, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, Jungkook realized that Jimin was right—sometimes, all it took was a little sunshine to bring out the best in someone. And for Jungkook, Jimin was that sunshine, warming his heart in a way he never expected.

And in that moment, with Jimin by his side, everything felt perfect.

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**End**