Y/N-

The bustling sounds of the university courtyard buzzed around me as I sat with Tzuyu, my closest friend after Jungkook. The late morning sun filtered through the trees, casting a dappled light over the benches and tables scattered around the space. Tzuyu was leaning over, her eyes mischievous, a smirk playing on her lips as she watched me with that knowing look of hers.

"So... when are you confessing your feelings to Jungkook?" she asked, her voice teasing but gentle.

I nearly choked on my coffee, eyes wide as I looked around, terrified that someone might have overheard. My gaze darted around, but thankfully, no one seemed to be paying us any attention. I let out a sigh of relief, narrowing my eyes at her.

"Tzuyu!" I hissed, glancing over my shoulder. "Could you be a little louder? I don't think the people in the library heard you."

She just laughed, rolling her eyes at my reaction. "Y/n, come on. It's just the two of us here. Besides, it's written all over your face whenever you're around him. I'm just saying what everyone else is probably thinking."

I shot her a glare, then softened, my shoulders slumping a little as I shook my head. "It's not that easy, Tzuyu. I can't just... tell him. What if he doesn't feel the same way? It would ruin everything. Our friendship means the world to me."

Tzuyu gave me a sympathetic smile, her tone softening. "But, Y/n, don't you think you deserve to know how he feels? You've been pining for him for ages. And what if he feels the same way? You'll never know unless you try."

I glanced down, tracing my fingers along the edge of my coffee cup. The truth was, I had thought about telling Jungkook so many times. I replayed the possibilities over and over in my mind, but every time I imagined actually saying the words, fear would settle like a weight in my chest. Jungkook was my best friend. He had been there for me through everything, and I couldn't bear the thought of losing him if things went wrong.

"He only sees me as his best friend, Tzuyu," I whispered, almost to myself. "I don't think he's ever looked at me any other way."

Tzuyu placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Sometimes, people don't realize what they feel until it's right in front of them. I think you'd be surprised."

Before I could respond, I felt a presence behind me, and I turned to see Jungkook walking toward us, his usual easygoing smile lighting up his face. My heart did a little flip as he approached, and I quickly shot Tzuyu a warning look, hoping she'd get the message to stay quiet about our conversation.

She gave me a quick, reassuring nod, understanding immediately. I was grateful for her discretion.

"Hey, Y/n, Tzuyu," Jungkook greeted, his tone cheerful as he dropped his bag on the table and took a seat beside me. "What are you two gossiping about?"

I forced a smile, hoping he couldn't sense my nerves. "Oh, nothing important. Just... you know, catching up."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, but he didn't press the matter. Instead, he pulled out his notebook, glancing over at me with that familiar, warm look that made me forget to breathe for a second.

"We still on for study night later?" he asked, his voice casual but with an undertone of excitement. I knew he looked forward to these study sessions as much as I did. It was our little tradition, our time to unwind and help each other through the endless workload.

I nodded, managing to keep my composure. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it."

A part of me wanted to tell him, right then and there. Tzuyu's words lingered in my mind—what if he feels the same way? But I pushed the thought aside, reminding myself that it was better to stay quiet. We were too close to graduation, too close to the point where everything could change, and I couldn't risk losing him, not now.

"So, are you both ready for the final exams?" Jungkook asked, looking between me and Tzuyu with a playful grin. "I hear Professor Kim is planning something extra difficult for the last paper. Heard a couple of students are already panicking."

"Oh, great," Tzuyu groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically. "As if the semester hasn't been hard enough. I was hoping he'd go easy on us for once."

I chuckled, nudging her with my elbow. "Come on, Tzuyu. We've survived this far; what's one more hurdle?"

Jungkook laughed along with us, his eyes crinkling at the corners. I stole a glance at him, trying to memorize the way he looked in that moment—carefree and happy. This was the Jungkook I loved, the one who had been with me through every high and low, every celebration and heartbreak. And even though he might never know the truth about how I felt, I found comfort in these small, ordinary moments.

Eventually, Tzuyu got up, saying she had to run to class, and left me alone with Jungkook. My heart started to pound as I watched her walk away, her parting glance reminding me of our conversation just moments ago. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to keep the mood light.

"So, are you ready for the exams?" I asked Jungkook, trying to distract myself from my thoughts.

"Barely," he said with a laugh. "But I know you'll help me through it. You always do."

His words warmed my heart, and I found myself smiling, despite the ache of knowing he didn't mean them the way I wished he would.

"Of course," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "That's what friends are for."

Jungkook shot me a grateful smile, then glanced at his watch. "I should get going too. Don't want to be late for class. I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, see you later," I said, watching as he walked away.

As he disappeared into the crowd, I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of my hidden feelings settle over me once more. Tzuyu's words replayed in my mind, echoing louder now that I was alone.

Sometimes, people don't realize what they feel until it's right in front of them.

I wanted to believe it was true. But for now, all I could do was keep these feelings locked away and treasure the moments I had with him, even if they were nothing more than friendship.

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TAEHYUNG-

The meeting room hummed with energy as we wrapped up our discussion. The collaboration project with Hales Textiles, a complex initiative months in the making, had finally come to fruition. And it was a resounding success. Sales had exceeded expectations, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Seeing the hard work pay off was rewarding, and the team's morale was higher than ever.

I looked across the table at Mr. Park, the CEO of Hales Textiles, a seasoned businessman known for his eye for detail and innovative ideas. Despite his success, he was humble and approachable—a rare trait in this field. He smiled as he closed the folder in front of him, leaning back with a satisfied sigh.

"Taehyung, I have to say, your team is remarkable," he said, his tone genuine. "This collection wouldn't have had half the impact without KTH Enterprises' vision and execution. It's been a pleasure working with you."

"Thank you, Mr. Park," I replied with a nod. "Your team's expertise with materials and textile design is second to none. We couldn't have done this without your input. I think we both share a vision for quality and innovation, which makes for a strong partnership."

Mr. Park face lit up with a spark of excitement. "Well, on that note... I was wondering if you'd be open to discussing another project. After seeing what we're capable of together, I believe there's a unique opportunity to launch a limited collection focused on eco-friendly materials. The market is moving toward sustainability, and we'd be ahead of the curve if we collaborated on something like this."

I leaned forward, intrigued. Sustainability was indeed a growing focus in the industry, and I'd been considering ways to incorporate it more actively into our business. Mr. Hale's suggestion was well-timed.

"I'm open to the idea," I replied thoughtfully. "Our teams work well together, and I think a sustainable line would not only make an impact but also strengthen both our brands in the eyes of our customers. Let's arrange a meeting with our teams next month to brainstorm ideas and outline a potential strategy."

Mr. Park nodded enthusiastically. "Perfect. I think this could be something really special."

We shook hands, sealing the idea with a firm grip and mutual respect. The next chapter of our collaboration already felt promising. But for now, it was time to celebrate our recent success and give the team a well-deserved break.

As Mr. Park left the meeting room, I made my way to my office, my thoughts shifting to the party we'd planned to celebrate the project's success. We'd decided on a grand event, inviting our employees, partners, and fellow businesspeople. It was a way to honor everyone's dedication and hard work and to showcase the achievements of KTH Enterprises to the industry. A successful collaboration like this deserved a grand celebration, and the team deserved recognition for the long hours, the challenges they'd overcome, and the sacrifices they'd made to bring this project to life.

Once in my office, I glanced at my planner, making a mental checklist of everything that needed to be done before the party. My assistant, Mrs. Lee, was handling most of the arrangements, but I wanted to ensure everything went smoothly, down to the last detail.

Just as I began typing out an email to her, there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Lee entered, holding a stack of papers and her ever-present tablet. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction—she was as invested in this project's success as I was.

"Mr. Kim, I just wanted to confirm a few details for the celebration," she began, a faint smile on her lips. "The venue has been reserved, and we've arranged catering with one of the top companies in the city. They'll provide a mix of Western and Korean dishes to accommodate everyone's tastes. We've also invited prominent industry figures, and I'll send out a reminder early next week."

"Thank you, Mrs. Lee," I replied, grateful for her attention to detail. "Make sure the team receives invitations personally. They're the reason we're celebrating, after all."

She nodded, a note of pride in her expression. "Of course, sir. They'll be pleased to hear it. It means a lot to them to be recognized, especially by you."

Her words resonated with me. I valued each and every member of my team. I knew the weight of responsibility that came with leadership, and I made it a priority to acknowledge their hard work whenever possible. After all, they were the backbone of KTH Enterprises.

As she turned to leave, I cleared my throat, stopping her. "One more thing, Mrs. Lee. I'd like to prepare a short speech for the event. Nothing too formal, but something to thank the team for their hard work and commitment."

Mrs. Lee's smile widened. "I'll draft a few ideas and bring them to you for review."

Once she'd left, I leaned back in my chair, my gaze drifting to the framed photograph on my desk—a picture of my grandfather and me taken when I first became CEO. His hand was on my shoulder, pride in his eyes. He'd taught me the value of leadership, the importance of humility, and the strength found in kindness. I often thought of him during moments like these, grateful for the wisdom he'd passed down to me.

Later that evening, after wrapping up the day's work, I drove home to the house I shared with him. I knew he'd want to hear about the project's success firsthand. When I arrived, I found him in his study, his reading glasses perched on his nose as he read the evening paper. The familiar scent of aged books and the crackling fire filled the room, creating a sense of warmth and comfort that always reminded me of my childhood.

"Ah, Taehyung," he greeted, setting his paper aside as I entered. "How was work today?"

"It went well, Grandfather," I replied, settling into the armchair across from him. "The collaboration with Hales Textiles was a success. We're celebrating with a party next week. I'll bring you as my guest of honor, of course."

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Oh, I think I'm too old for such grand events. But I'm proud of you, Taehyung. You've done well, better than I ever could have imagined."

His praise always meant the world to me, and I felt a swell of pride as I looked at him. "You've taught me everything, Grandfather. KTH Enterprises wouldn't be what it is today without your guidance."

He gave a dismissive wave, though his smile remained. "I may have started it, but you've taken it further than I ever dreamed. Just remember, success is about more than numbers and projects. It's about building relationships, treating people with respect. Keep that close to your heart, Taehyung."

I nodded, his words a familiar reminder. "I will. Thank you, Grandfather."

As we sat in comfortable silence, a sense of fulfillment washed over me. The success of the project, the upcoming celebration, my grandfather's pride—everything felt aligned. But amid the triumph, I knew there was more to life than work. A faint longing stirred within me, one I couldn't quite name.

As the week unfolded and the party preparations continued, I found myself reflecting on my grandfather's advice. The celebration would be a success, I was sure of it. But beyond the applause and recognition, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—a piece of the puzzle I had yet to find. For now, I would focus on celebrating the accomplishments of my team, hoping that in time, the answers would reveal themselves.

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