Chapter 2
At nine, they left for the airport. To make amends for his neglect last
night, he took Taehyung coat and helped him put it on.
Taehyung only looked better in the day than he did at night. After taking a few steps forward, he suddenly turned around and waved at Jungkook
At first, Jungkook didn’t know what he meant.
A faint smile appeared at the corners of Taehyung mouth. His voice was beyond gentle:
Kim Taehyung
Jungkook did you call the wrong name?
He finally remembered what he was supposed to do. He approached Taehyung and held his hand.
Kim Taehyung
{leaned affectionately toward him, whispering}
Kim Taehyung
Don’t forget our relationship.
Jeon Jungkook
Lovers,
{smoothly answered}
Jeon Jungkook
Fake lovers
{added in silence}
Acting had never been something Jungkook was good at. If he were one of
those celebrities whom Taehyung provided for, he’d probably cooperate with him(t)better.
But he was Jungkook .
He felt quite sorry about how Taehyung had to condescend to be together with him.
They arrived at the airport early. Taehyung made three phone calls and sent two emails during their wait before the plane finally landed.
Jungkook had once dreamed of leaving this place along with So hyun. He later realized that freedom always came with a price.
Now, he stood here with his hand held by Taehyung , watching So hyun and Lisa walk toward them. The two seemed to be made for each other.
Lisa was two years younger than Taehyung , which put her right at the prime of her youth. Wearing a pink cloak and a small beret, she flew
into Taehyung arms like a little bird.
He patted her on her back and asked,
Kim Taehyung
How was studying abroad?
Lisa
Everything was great except not having you there.
Taehyung chuckled when he heard her.
Kim Taehyung
Each year I fly almost a half dozen times to see you.
Lisa
How could a half dozen times in three hundred and sixty-five days each
year be enough?
Jungkook stood at the side and watched them talk. Suddenly, someone tall
blocked the sunlight in front of him.
he turned around. What he saw first was So hyun chin.
He still remembered how it had made him feel when they kissed. The
stubble that So hyun had at the time always seemed to tickle his heart.
After all these years, So hyun was a little taller than he remembered, although he looked as mature and reliable as before with those rimless glasses on his face.
Their eyes met, although it wasn’t as dramatic as what TV shows usually depicted. Words got stuck in Jungkook throat. While he hesitated to say “long time no see,” he already heard Taehyung introducing him,
Kim Taehyung
This is Jeon Jungkook
Then he pointed at So hyun and said,
Kim Taehyung
Jung so hyun, my sister’s boyfriend.
The word “boyfriend” was sort of a warning.
Jungkook had to extend his hand.
Jeon Jungkook
Hello, Mr. Jung
So hyun didn’t shake hands with him.
Jung so hyun
What a coincidence.
{looked at Jungkook}
Jung so hyun
We were classmates in high school, Mr. Jeon. Don’t you remember?
If this happened several years ago, Jungkook would’ve felt incredibly embarrassed. But in his years of being with Taehyung , the only progress he had made was growing a thicker skin. “
Jeon Jungkook
I’m sorry. My memory’s not so great.
{smiled and said}
They stood there greeting one another for so long that Lisa began to complain about feeling hungry.
Taehyung immediately turned back toward her and asked,
Kim Taehyung
What do you want for lunch?
Taehyung had always been a good brother, giving her whatever she wanted. But this time, he refused,
Kim Taehyung
Not today. We can have seafood on our own next time.
He put a hand on Jungkook shoulder. His strength was neither too heavy nor too light, suggesting a vague intimacy between the two. He answered,
Kim Taehyung
He’s allergic to seafood.
So hyun gaze changed. He didn’t say anything.
Although Lisa had a bit of a spoiled princess’s character, she wasn’t too picky or hard to please. She waved her hand.
Lisa
Then let’s eat something else.
As she spoke, she studied Jungkook quietly.
Taehyung didn’t show anything on the surface. He held Jungkook hand the entire way.
In the end, they had lunch at a European restaurant that Taehyung usually went to. It wasn’t big, but the atmosphere was good. Taehyung ordered a bottle of wine and flaunted the ring on his left hand when he picked up his wine glass.
One would expect no less from someone who hung out with actors so often—his performance was utterly natural, not at all pretentious.
Jungkook was so utterly impressed that he could even applaud him.
During their lunch, Lisa talked the most, babbling all the way from the English weather to her Korean classmate.
So hyun was quiet as usual. Taehyung was the busiest, paying attention to what Lisa was talking about while taking care of Jungkook as well.
Jungkook wasn’t used to having European cuisine, so Taehyung cut his steak for him, adding,
Kim Taehyung
Next time we’ll have your favorite—Peking duck.
Seeing this, even Lisa had mixed feelings
Lisa
Brother, if you keep on giving off so much PDA, I’m gonna get jealous.
Kim Taehyung
{didn’t reply. He only smiled at Jungkook with a wink}
Jungkook felt beyond flattered.
Luckily, he still had some self-awareness.
Everyone knew that Mr. Kim had a bad temper and showed patience only to
his family.
It was all thanks to Lisa that he’d attained the honor to be treated so tenderly.
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