Episode 15: Forgetting You

Jungkook sat by the wide-open window of the Jeon clan’s staycation house, sipping on a cup of green tea. The sun was setting, casting an amber glow over the horizon. Despite the serene atmosphere around him, there was a storm in his heart. He had been here for weeks now, hiding away from the pain that Taehyung’s betrayal had left behind. Slowly but surely, he was trying to piece himself back together.

He had decided to take small steps toward moving on. His academic break allowed him the space to process his emotions, and for the first time, he found himself looking forward to his school assignments. Jungkook wasn’t trying to forget Taehyung entirely—he just wanted some peace of mind. And that peace was beginning to settle in, thanks to Jimin and Hoseok.

“Jungkook, you need a break,” Hoseok said, plopping onto the couch beside him with a bag of chips in hand.

Jungkook smiled faintly at Hoseok's playful antics. “This is my break, hyung,” he replied, motioning toward his neatly organized desk where his assignments were stacked.

“Hyung’s right, though,” Jimin chimed in as he set a plate of fruit on the table. “You’ve been working too hard lately. Let’s take a walk outside. The garden here is beautiful.”

Jungkook hesitated but relented after seeing their pleading expressions. “Fine. But only for a few minutes,” he said, putting on a light jacket.

As the three strolled through the garden, Jungkook felt a faint sense of comfort. Hoseok’s jokes and Jimin’s calm demeanor worked like a balm to his wounded heart. For a brief moment, he found himself laughing—a rare occurrence these days.

Meanwhile, back in the city, Taehyung was a shadow of his former self. The boy who once lit up rooms with his warm smiles and effortless charm now seemed cold and lifeless. He walked through the corridors of his school without looking at anyone, his head bowed, his mind clouded by the weight of his regrets.

During practice, Taehyung’s transformation became more noticeable. His signature warm voice—once filled with emotion and energy—was now dull and monotonous. He barely spoke, and when he did, his voice was void of the life it once carried.

“Taehyung, are you okay?” Namjoon asked after their rehearsal.

Yoongi, standing nearby, furrowed his brows. “You’ve been off lately, Tae. Your movements are stiff, and you’re not hitting the notes like you used to.”

Taehyung avoided their eyes, pretending to be busy packing his bag. “I’m fine. Just tired,” he murmured.

Namjoon wasn’t convinced. “It’s more than that. Have you been eating properly? You’ve lost weight.”

Taehyung shook his head, a bitter smile forming on his lips. “Don’t worry about me, hyung. I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t fine. He hadn’t been eating regularly, skipping meals and barely touching food when he did. His body was weak, his mind clouded, and his heart felt heavier with each passing day.

Late at night, Taehyung found himself back at Jungkook’s old apartment. The place had been untouched since Jungkook left, the faint scent of him still lingering in the air. Taehyung sank onto the couch, running his fingers over the worn fabric. He had been coming here every night, hoping—desperately—that Jungkook would return. But night after night, the emptiness greeted him instead.

“What am I even doing?” Taehyung whispered to himself, his voice trembling. He leaned his head back, closing his eyes. “He’s not coming back… and it’s all my fault.”

As if his father sensed his crumbling resolve, Taehyung received a call that jolted him out of his thoughts. “Have you prepared for the meeting with the Jeon family?” his father asked, his tone stern.

“Yes,” Taehyung replied robotically. “But I still don’t know who I’m supposed to marry.”

His father’s sigh echoed through the phone. “That will be revealed when the time is right. For now, focus on making a good impression.”

After the call ended, Taehyung buried his face in his hands. He hated this uncertainty, hated not knowing if it was Jungkook he was meant to marry. “What if it’s not him?” he muttered, the thought making his chest tighten.

Back at the staycation house, Jungkook lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. He had tried his best to forget Taehyung, to move past the hurt. But even in his quiet moments, memories of Taehyung crept into his mind. He found himself thinking about the way Taehyung used to smile, the warmth in his voice when he called Jungkook’s name.

“Why does it still hurt?” Jungkook whispered, his voice cracking. He closed his eyes, willing himself to fall asleep. Peace was all he wanted now—but peace felt so far away.

And somewhere, in a quiet apartment filled with memories, Taehyung sat waiting, still hoping that Jungkook would walk through the door and forgive him.

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