Chapter - 4 ( ‿ )
[Saturday Morning – Apartment corridor]
The building was unusually quiet for a weekend
Stepped out, coffee in hand, intending to head to the music store
Just as he reached the stairs, he spotted Hoseok locking Apartment 306
TAEHYUNG
Morning. Heading somewhere?
HOBI
Temple. Jungkook’s visiting his mother
TAEHYUNG
(Hesitated) Can I come? I… want to see the place
HOBI
(Studied him for a moment, clearly weighing his options. Finally, he sighed)
HOBI
Fine. But keep your curiosity in check. Don’t ask him questions he doesn’t want to answer
[The bus ride – Outside view of Seoul’s outskirts]
The three of them sat together — Hoseok by the window, Jungkook in the middle, Taehyung on the aisle
JUNGKOOK
(Sketching in his notepad)
TAEHYUNG
(Tilted his head to peek)
It was a drawing of a woman smiling warmly, her hair tied back, eyes kind
JUNGKOOK
(Paused, then nodded, a soft smile tugging at his lips)
The temple was serene, surrounded by blossoming cherry trees. The sound of prayer bells mixed with the soft rustle of leaves
JUNGKOOK
(Approached a small memorial area, placing fresh flowers on a stone with his mother’s name engraved)
JUNGKOOK
(He knelt, closed his eyes, and rested his hands in his lap)
TAEHYUNG
(Stood a few steps back, quietly watching)
Jungkook’s posture was calm, but there was a heaviness in the air — the kind of weight that doesn’t show on the face but is felt in the heart
When Jungkook finished, he touched the stone gently before standing
JUNGKOOK
(Wandered toward the koi pond)
HOBI
(Hoseok sat on a bench, patting the seat next to him)
TAEHYUNG
(Joined him sensing he was about to tell him something important)
HOBI
He was five when his mom passed. She was all he had. She raised him alone, taught him how to feel music even when he couldn’t hear it
TAEHYUNG
(Brows furrowed) Music?
HOBI
She used to play the piano at a small church nearby. She’d place his hands on the wood so he could feel the vibrations. That’s how he learned to play — not with his ears, but with his heart
TAEHYUNG
(Looked toward Jungkook)
Who was crouched by the pond, letting a curious koi nibble his fingertips.
HOBI
After she died, he stayed with relatives. Some treated him well… others didn’t. People can be cruel to those who are different
HOBI
(His voice grew tight) Then, in college, he fell in love. First time he let someone in. But when that person realized how much effort it took to communicate… they left
TAEHYUNG
(Clenched his jaw) That’s… awful
HOBI
That’s why I warned you. He doesn’t let people close easily
TAEHYUNG
(Gaze softened as he watched Jungkook stand, sunlight catching in his hair)
TAEHYUNG
I’m not going anywhere
The ride home was quieter
JUNGKOOK
(Sat by the window this time)
Sketchbook resting on his lap
One point, Taehyung tapped his shoulder and signed
TAEHYUNG
{Beautiful drawing}
JUNGKOOK
(Glanced at him, a small smile appearing — faint, but real)
YOONGI
(Leaning against the railing with a cup of coffee)
When Hoseok returned with Taehyung and Jungkook
YOONGI
So, you’re the famous Hoseok. The one guarding the gate to Jungkook’s heart
HOBI
(Raised an eyebrow) And you must be the sarcastic guitarist Taehyung warned me about
YOONGI
(Smirked) He talks about me? I’m flattered
They exchanged a look — part challenge, part curiosity — before heading inside
[Later that night – Rooftop]
Taehyung and Jungkook sat side by side on the low wall, Seoul’s city lights glittering below them
TAEHYUNG
(Signed slowly) {Your mom… would be proud}
JUNGKOOK
(Blinked, then looked away, blinking rapidly as if fighting back tears)
Taehyung didn’t push. He just sat there, quietly keeping him company until the tension in Jungkook’s shoulders eased
Comments
kookie
nice
2025-08-15
0