Faded stars, new beginning

Jungkook never imagined he’d be back in his hometown, let alone teaching at the same high school where he once roamed the halls as a restless teenager. Life had taken him on a winding path, far away from the dreams he once held. But here he was, standing in front of a classroom, trying to reignite the passion for art that he had nearly forgotten himself.

The school was just as he remembered it—red brick walls, faded paint, and a quiet hum of nostalgia that hung in the air. But what he hadn’t expected was to find Jimin, the boy who had once been the light of his life, standing at the entrance of his classroom.

Jimin had always been a beacon of warmth and kindness, a bright star in Jungkook's turbulent adolescence. But their paths had diverged after high school, and they lost touch, their once inseparable bond fading into distant memories.

“Jungkook?” Jimin’s voice was soft, tinged with disbelief as he stepped into the classroom.

Jungkook froze, the sound of Jimin’s voice instantly pulling him back to those years long gone. He turned slowly, his eyes meeting Jimin’s, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to stand still.

“Jimin…” Jungkook’s voice was barely a whisper, emotions flooding his chest. He had thought about this moment countless times, wondering what he would say if they ever crossed paths again. But now that Jimin was here, all those rehearsed lines vanished, leaving him speechless.

“It’s been a while,” Jimin said, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips. There was something different about him—an air of maturity, a quiet strength that hadn’t been there before. But his eyes, those soft brown eyes that Jungkook remembered so well, still held the same warmth.

“Yeah, it has,” Jungkook finally managed to say, his voice catching in his throat.

Jimin moved closer, his gaze never leaving Jungkook’s. “I didn’t know you were back in town. Are you… teaching here now?”

Jungkook nodded, trying to steady the rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. “Art. I’m teaching art.”

Jimin’s smile grew, a spark of the old Jimin shining through. “That’s perfect for you.”

Jungkook felt a wave of bittersweet nostalgia wash over him. How many times had Jimin encouraged him to pursue his passion for art? How many late nights had they spent together, Jimin watching in awe as Jungkook sketched under the dim light of his desk lamp?

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Jungkook said, his voice softer now. “Are you… visiting?”

Jimin shook his head. “I’m working here now. Guidance counselor.”

A mixture of surprise and admiration flickered in Jungkook’s eyes. “That’s amazing, Jimin. You were always good at helping people.”

They stood there for a moment, the weight of their shared history pressing down on them. The air was thick with unspoken words, memories of what once was, and the painful realization of how much time had passed.

“I’ve missed you, Jungkook,” Jimin said suddenly, his voice trembling slightly. “I’ve missed us.”

Jungkook’s breath hitched, his heart aching at the vulnerability in Jimin’s voice. “I’ve missed you too, Jimin. More than you know.”

The years of silence, the unspoken regrets, and the lost chances all seemed to hang in the air between them. But as Jungkook looked into Jimin’s eyes, he saw something else—hope, the possibility of a second chance, a new beginning.

“I know we can’t go back,” Jimin continued, his voice steadying as he took a step closer. “But maybe… we can start again. As friends. Or maybe… more.”

Jungkook felt a lump form in his throat, the idea of rekindling what they had once lost filling him with both fear and longing. But as he gazed at Jimin, standing there with that familiar kindness in his eyes, he knew he didn’t want to let this chance slip away.

“I’d like that,” Jungkook said, his voice firm with resolve. “I’d really like that.”

A smile broke across Jimin’s face, one that reached his eyes and filled the room with warmth. And in that moment, with the echoes of their past surrounding them, they both knew that this was their chance to rewrite their story.