Taeyon's Pov:

Warm tears rolled down from her brown eyes, which had lost their shine in the darkness. The cool breeze tried to soothe her, brushing against her face as her long, dark, wavy hair swayed with the wind. She felt an emptiness inside, that the night air couldn't touch.

She knew her mother's care and frustration were all for her, born from love and concern. But Taeyeon had her own dreams, ones she had worked so hard to achieve. She was already living the life she had planned, and she didn't want to quit now.

She had lived up to their expectations until high school, dutifully following the path laid out for her. But now, at 26, she was grown, doing her dream job.

She still remembered the chaos that erupted at home when she first declared her interest in becoming a manhwa artist. The arguments, the tears, the overwhelming pressure to conform—it all felt like a storm she was struggling to weather. But amidst all the turmoil, there was one person who stood by her side, unwavering: Taehyung.

"You let me follow my dreams, so why not hers?" Taehyung had argued passionately, his voice cutting through the tension like a lifeline. He had always been her strongest backer, the one who believed in her even when others didn't. 

She really misses him now, though he would come if she just gave him a call, but she doesn't want too because it only leads to another argument with their mother. 

Her phone lit up, casting a soft glow that briefly reflected off her face. Taeyeon glanced at the screen, her eyes catching the message from Jimin again: "Where are you right now?"

Taeyeon stared at the screen for a moment longer before typing her response, her fingers trembling slightly as she tried to steady her emotions. 

"Just came to the park for fresh air," she sent, hoping it would be enough to reassure Jimin without revealing too much.

Jimin's Pov:

Jimin's phone buzzed with Taeyeon's reply, and he read the message: "Just came to the park for fresh air."

That five-minute wait had felt like an eternity for him. Something about her responses still didn't sit right with him. If she was just at the park, why did it take her so long to reply? And why did her messages feel so distant, almost like she was holding something back?  Questions swirled in his mind as his gaze fell on Ki-joo; he decided to ask her.

"Ki-joo, Is there any park around here?" Jimin asked Ki-joo, who was busy comforting a drunken Taehyung.

"A park? Yeah, there's one nearby—Seojin Park. It's just a short walk away. Why?" She replied, her attention still on Taehyung.

Jimin hesitated, glancing at his phone again. "Nothing; I just feel like I need some fresh air. If you don't mind, could you take care of Tae?"

Ki-joo rolled her eyes but smiled. "Mind taking care of him? I'm the only one who ever does. Go ahead, I've got this."

Jimin nodded, grateful. "Thanks, Ki-joo. I'll be back soon." With that, he slipped out of the apartment, heading toward the park.

But first, he returned to Taehyung's bedroom, cleaned his face, and tried not to let her smell any beer on him before she left the apartment.

As he approached the park, the cool evening air was a welcome change from the stuffy apartment building, as his alcohol effect had worn off, returning his flushed face to normal. The park was dimly lit, with only a few scattered street lamps casting a soft glow over the walking paths and benches. Jimin's eyes scanned the area, searching for Taeyeon.

Jimin spotted her eventually, sitting alone on a bench beneath the gentle light of a nearby streetlamp. She was dressed in a cozy, oversized cream sweatshirt and matching loose-fitting pants, her long, wavy hair swaying with the cool breeze. Her posture was hunched, as if she were trying to curl in on herself to escape the world.

He approached her quietly, careful not to startle her. The rustling of leaves and distant sounds of the city were the only things breaking the silence. As he drew closer, he could see the faint shimmer of tears on her cheeks, caught by the dim light.

"Taeyeon?" he called softly, stopping a few feet away from her.

3rd Pov:

Taeyeon's head shot up, brushing away her tears as soon as she heard Jimin's voice, and she turned to face him. The soft glow of the streetlamp highlighted her distress, but she tried to smile calmly.

"Jimin-shi," she said, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke his name. "I didn't expect you to come here."

As Jimin sat down on the other edge of the bench, he glanced at Taeyeon with concern. "Just came to meet Taehyung?"

"Oh," she replied, her eyebrows raised in surprise. "But why did you come here?" Her soft voice was broken in between the crying before.

Jimin had noticed that, but he acted like he didn't. "Well, Taehyung was very drunk," he started to explain.

He paused, letting out a sigh in the end. "So, here I am, leaving your brother with your best friend."

As Jimin finished his story, Taeyeon chuckled softly, her earlier sadness momentarily forgotten. "That sounds like quite a scene. I'm sorry if he troubled you."

Jimin shook his head, a reassuring smile on his face. "You don't need to. These kinds of things are really common for us. He's my best friend after all."

Taeyeon's chuckle grew a little warmer, a trace of genuine amusement in her eyes.

"But you siblings," Jimin continued, shaking his head playfully, "seriously have a knack for making scenes after getting drunk. Remember that night when you called me and, well, let's just say there is my fault at time?"

Taeyeon lowered her head, her already red face flushing even more. She bit her lower lip, trying to suppress a smile. "That day, I'm really so sorry. I didn't mean to cause such a fuss."

Today it feels so different for her; there is no hint of her nervousness or discomfort she felt with Jimin as usual; maybe she wasn't in a state to think of them for now.

Jimin laughed " You know, I missed seeing your face—if I had been there, I wonder what would have happened."

Taeyeon's cheeks flushed as she looked at him, her eyes wide with a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. "Jimin-shii, please..."

Jimin raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. "What? Are you embarrassed now?"

Taeyeon looked down, her face a deep shade of red. Her flustered expression only made Jimin smile more, his laughter bubbling up as his eyes turned into crescent shapes. Taeyeon stared at him; there was no awkwardness or nervousness in her gaze. For the first time, she felt completely at ease with him.

She couldn't help but think back to the night they met in Tokyo. If things had been different, she might have reacted with pure excitement upon the fact that Jimin was JM, her favorite artist—the one who had inspired her to chase her dreams of becoming a Manhwa artist. She could have been overwhelmed with joy, even surprised to learn that her idol was also her brother's best friend.

But now, sitting here beside him, she found herself wondering about his journey. How had he become such a popular artist that so many manhwa companies wanted to work with him? Had his parents ever questioned his dream, like hers had? Had they tried to convince him to choose a more "secure" path, telling him there was no future in following his passion?

Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "Jimin-shii, may I ask you something?"

Jimin's laughter subsided as he noticed the seriousness in her tone. He turned to her, his expression softening. "Hmm"

She hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath, deciding to voice the thoughts that had been swirling in her mind. "Did your parents ever... try to stop you from becoming a Manhwa artist? Did they question your dream?"

Jimin's eyes softened, a flicker of understanding passing through them. He hadn't expected her to ask something so personal, but he could see how much she wanted to know by her eyes He nodded slowly, gathering his thoughts. 

"Yes, they did." A bitter chuckle escaped his lips, tinged with the memory of past struggles.

"My parents weren't exactly thrilled when I told them I wanted to pursue art, especially manhwa. They thought it was just a phase, something I'd grow out of. They wanted me to follow a more routine path—something secure, like becoming a doctor or a lawyer.

 They didn't understand why I was so determined to pursue something that seemed so uncertain. To them, it wasn't a real career, just a hobby that wouldn't amount to anything."

Taeyeon listened closely, sensing the weight behind his words. "So, what did you do? How did you handle it?" She asked like a little girl.

Jimin smiled gently, though there was a hint of bittersweetness in it. "It wasn't easy. There were a lot of arguments and a lot of sleepless nights. But I couldn't see myself doing anything else. Art was my passion, my escape, and I wasn't willing to give it up. So, I worked hard—really hard—to prove to them that I could make a career out of it."

He paused, his gaze meeting hers with a quiet intensity. "Eventually, they saw how serious I was. They saw the dedication and the sacrifices I was making. And slowly, they started to come around. It took time, but now they support me. They're proud of what I've achieved."

Jimin's eyes softened further as he added, "But in all of that, there was a person who believed in me more than I did." His beautiful brown eyes locked with hers, the connection between them deepening.

Taeyeon, for the first time, never felt any nervousness or awkwardness; she just stared into his eyes. "Who was that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper; her curiosity piqued.

Jimin smiled softly as his eyes blink softly. "Your brother...my best friend," he said.

He can see her brown eyes getting widen as her lips parted a little while her eyes twinkled with tears. The brightness in her eyes brought back when she heard of her brother's name, her supporter.

"Taehyung has been with me through every struggle I faced," Jimin paused, his voice softening as he continued. "Whenever I felt overwhelmed, whenever I wanted to give up, he gave me a lot of strength."

"He just kept saying, 'The struggles we face today are making a story for our success tomorrow; once we achieve it and look back at these moments, they will become someone's inspiration, so don't give up.'"

"And that...that kept me going," Jimin finished, his voice filled with gratitude as his eye welled up with tears. "He believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself. Your brother, Taeyeon, He is the reason that I'm standing here today, doing what I love."

 That was the first time she had seen tears in his eyes, which were glistening more by the little light, making him look beautiful even in those tears.

"But you know," Jimin continued, his voice thick with emotion, "after my breakup, I just wanted to give up on everything that I have achieved. I wanted to leave it all behind and disappear. But that night in Tokyo... meeting you changed everything."

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Taeyeon's heart raced, her own emotions swirling inside her as she listened.

"That day you said I'm a manhwa hero," Jimin continued, "which I couldn't quite understand at the time, but..." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "But those words stayed with me. They gave me a different perspective and made me think about my own purpose. That reminded me of Taehyung's words again."

"That's right, I might be the Manhwa hero just as you said."

"Thanks, Taeyeon, for bothering me that night," he said with a chuckle following.

Taeyeon chuckled, her laughter mingling with the warmth of her tears. She hadn't realized her drunken words would have such an impact on him beside the things that had happened. A part of her found it a bit amusing, but another part felt a deep, heartfelt connection to what Jimin was saying.

"It's funny," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "I didn't think those words, just coming out while drunk, would have such meaning."

Jimin laughed softly, covering his face with his hands, a familiar gesture of his when he was amused or touched. "Neither did I," he admitted, his voice muffled by his hands.

"But they did," he added, looking up at her with a genuine smile. 

"But that night is worst at the same time," Taeyeon said, looking down at her lap.

Jimin's expression turned serious, a flicker of something unsaid in his eyes. His lips pressed together, as if he were debating whether to share his thoughts. 'That night actually—'

"Thank you, Jimin," Taeyeon interrupted, wiping her tears away. Her voice was soft but sincere, and it broke through Jimin's train of thought.

For the first time, she called him simply "Jimin," dropping the honorifics that had marked their interactions before. 

Jimin's heart skipped a beat as he heard her simple words and how she dropped the formality of his name. His gaze softened, and his eyes met hers. A warmth spread through him, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time. 

He wanted to reach out, to hold her in his arms, but he hesitated, unsure if it would be too much, too soon. His fingers twitched, and he took a deep breath, trying to grasp the moment.

He nodded, trying to push his thoughts aside. "I think you should head back to the apartment. It's getting late, and you know we have to work on the chapters."

Taeyeon chuckled, nodding her head, "Okay." 

Jimin felt a rush of relief and warmth in the way she spoke. It was clear she was starting to feel more comfortable around him, and that made him happy.

"Let's go," Jimin said, taking a step toward her. "I'll walk you back to the apartment, and then I'll head over to Taehyung's."

Taeyeon nodded, a small, genuine smile on her lips. Without protest or hesitation, she accepted his offer. The two of them began walking side by side, the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the city fading in the background.

They talked lightly about their work and upcoming deadlines, the conversation flowing easily between them. With each step, the distance between them seemed to shrink, both physically and emotionally.

As they reached the apartment building, Jimin didn't leave until he took her to her apartment, even though Taeyeon said it's okay. As they both stood out side the door, Taeyeon's mother opened the door

"Where did you go, Taeyeon-ah?" her mother asked, her voice tinged with regret. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have talked to you like that even when you got settled."

 The younger woman's shoulders slumped slightly, and her face reflected a complex mix of emotions. Jimin understood now what might have happened earlier and why Taeyeon had seemed so distressed.

"Eomma," Taeyeon began, closing her eyes for a moment, "I'm sorry too." She opened her eyes, her voice steadier. "I'm sorry for yelling."

"It's okay, Taeyeon-ah," her mother said, cupping her cheek gently. "I understand how much you wanted to prove yourself to us."

Tears welled up in Taeyeon's eyes, and her mother's comforting gesture seemed to ease her distress. "Aigoo, my crybaby, don't cry," her mother said softly, pulling her into a hug. "Eomma won't talk like that again."

"Eomma, I'm not a kid," Taeyeon whined, though a smile tugged at her lips.

Her mother chuckled warmly, clearly reassured by Taeyeon's response. Jimin watched the scene with a smile, the tender affection reminding him of his own family. A chuckle escaped his lips, drawing Taeyeon's mother's attention.

"Who is he, Taeyeon-ah?" her mother asked, her curiosity piqued. "Is he your boyfriend?"

Before Taeyeon could respond, her mother's eyes widened in recognition as she keenly noticed Jimin. "Jimin-ah?!"

Her mother's surprise was evident, and Jimin nodded, a slight smile on his face and bowed. "Yes, nice to see you again, Eomma-nim."

"Aigoo, Jimin-ah, it's been a while! How are you doing?" Mrs. Kim exclaimed, her surprise turning into warm recognition.

Jimin smiled, his eyes turning into crescents. "I'm doing well, thank you. How are you?"

Mrs. Kim's expression softened even more. "I'm doing good; I didn't realize you two knew each other. I'm sorry if I was a bit forward earlier."

Taeyeon, on the other hand, was slowly processing what was happening, so now her mother also knew Jimin, she was really mad at her brother, 'That protective idiot, have introduced him to everyone except me.'  She chastised Taehyung internally.

"It's okay, Eomma-nim," Jimin said with a reassuring smile. 

"Oh, come in," Mrs. Kim said, gesturing towards the door. "I've been talking to you guys in the hallway for too long."

Taeyeon was about to protest, saying that Jimin needed to leave, but before she could say anything, Jimin had already stepped inside. He gave her a reassuring smile, silently telling her it was okay.

As Jimin settled on the couch, his eyes wandered around Taeyeon's neatly arranged apartment before shifting back to her. "You really have a neat arrangement here, unlike Taehyung," he commented with a smile.

Taeyeon chuckled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Yeah, oppa's place is always a bit of a mess. It's just his photographer's things. he says"

Mrs. Kim, having gone to the kitchen to prepare some food, returned with a tray of snacks and tea. She set them down on the coffee table and smiled warmly at Jimin. "Taeyeon's always been the tidy one. Taehyung, on the other hand, well..." Her voice trailed off with a knowing laugh.

Taeyeon rolled her eyes playfully. "Eomma, you make it sound like oppa's place is a disaster zone."

Mrs. Kim laughed softly. "Anyway, Jimin-ah, how do you know Taeyeon? I thought that bear never introduced you to Taeyeon."

"Oh, well," Jimin began, taking a sip of tea, "I'm working on a project at Taeyeon's company. They invited me as a guest artist for the project, so that's how we ended up meeting."

"Ah, I see," Mrs. Kim said with a chuckle. "That makes sense. Why would that protective idiot introduce you to her?"

Taeyeon is rolling her eyes at her mother's comment.

Jimin laughed softly, feeling more at ease in the warm atmosphere. "It's okay, Eomma-nim. I understand. Taehyung can be quite protective." for which Mrs. Kim chuckled.

 "How many days are you planning to stay, Eomma-nim?" Jimin asked

"I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow," Mrs. Kim replied. "Taeyeon will go back to her usual routine, and I'll head to Taehyung's place before returning to Daegu. I came here mainly to take care of her since she wasn't feeling well."

"Oh, also, thank you so much," Mrs. Kim added with a grateful smile. "I heard you helped her that day when she fainted."

Jimin smiled warmly, a bit embarrassed by the praise. "Ah, you don't have to say that, Eomma-nim. I'm glad to help her."

Mrs. Kim's eyes softened further. "Oh! I forgot," she said, standing up from the couch.

She went to the kitchen and returned with a large glass jar. Jimin immediately stood up to help her, but she waved him off with a gentle smile.

"I brought you your favorite kimchi," Mrs. Kim said, her voice filled with warmth. "I thought I would give it to Taehyung so he could pass it along, but I'm glad I could give it to you myself."

Jimin's eyes lit up with appreciation. "Thank you so much, Eomma-nim. This means a lot to me."

Taeyeon watched the exchange with a hint of surprise. She hadn't realized just how strong the bond was between Jimin and her mother.

"I'll take my leave now," Jimin said, his face lighting up with a smile as he looked at the kimchi. "Thank you so much again, Eomma-nim."

Mrs. Kim nodded with a warm smile. "Agio, you're still the same as you were back in high school. So polite and kind-hearted."

Jimin chuckled, a bit shy. "Thank you, Eomma-nim. I'll make sure to enjoy the kimchi."

With a final nod and a heartfelt smile, Jimin turned to leave. Taeyeon, standing up, said she would walk him to the ground floor. Jimin, initially reluctant, insisted that it wasn't necessary, but Taeyeon was insistent.

"Everyone knows him except me?" Taeyeon thought aloud; her curiosity piqued.

Jimin glanced at her with a playful smirk. "Well, Ki-joo doesn't know me. like you"

Taeyeon's face turned frozen as she realized she thought aloud. Jimin couldn't help but laugh, one hand covering his mouth while the other held the jar of kimchi.

As they got out of the elevator, Jimin turned to leave, but something made him pause. He turned his head back, catching Taeyeon's gaze.

He walked back to her and slowly hugged her without even thinking twice, making Taeyeon's eyes go wide and her heart race faster.

"Just don't try to give up on what you've achieved until now," he said softly, his voice filled with sincere encouragement. "I understand how much you must have fought to get to this stage. You're doing amazing, Taeyeon. Just don't doubt yourself." Jimin had kept these words to himself from the park; now he finally let them out.

Those were the words Taeyeon had longed to hear. Hearing them from Jimin, her favorite artist, overwhelmed her. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she felt a rush of emotions.

Jimin's words were like a soothing balm to Taeyeon's soul. "You will always have me beside you from now on," he added, his voice gentle but firm.

Taeyeon's tears continued to fall, but this time they were mixed with a smile, her heart swelling with a mix of hope and comfort. 

Jimin gently pulled away from the hug and brushed away Taeyeon's tears with one hand. "Now, go and get some sleep," he said softly.

Taeyeon didn't even speak a word; she just nodded and turned to go while Jimin watched her go. Taeyeon couldn't understand why Jimin was acting like that. 

 Is that because both of us have same story? may be

Jimin walked back to Taehyung's apartment with a smile on his lips, feeling like a fool in the best way. He closed the door behind him and looked up to see Taehyung asleep on Ki-joo's lap, while Ki-joo was resting her head back on the couch, also asleep.

It looks like sorted things, he thought.

Jimin tiptoed on his toes, trying not to wake them, but Ki-joo stirred and looked up, her eyes blinking groggily.

"Oh, you're back," she said softly, rubbing her eyes. "What took you so long?"

Jimin whispered, not wanting to disturb Taehyung. "I saw Taeyeon at the park, and we talked for a bit. Later, I walked her home."

"What?!" Ki-joo's eyes widened in surprise. She sat up, trying to process the news. "You were with Taeyeon? What happened?"

Jimin chuckled at Ki-joo's reaction. "Woah! Calm down. There was nothing that happened. We just talked," he said, recounting the events of the evening.

"Talked?" Ki-joo raised an eyebrow. "Yes," Jimin replied. 

Ki-joo sighed, her eyes narrowing at the sleeping Taehyung. "This idiot has hidden so much from us," she grumbled, shaking her head. 

"Well, even you guys have hid something from my best friend too; it's not right to blame him," Jimin said with a smirk.

"Oh, Park, if he got to know you, you will be found in Taehyung Hand, not us," Ki-joo said, which made Jimin chuckle.

"Well, it's when he got to know to now," he shrugged, not caring much. "Looks like you enjoyed the company of your boyfriend," he said with a smirk, trying to tease her, subsiding the topic.

"Boyfriend?" Ki-joo frowned, glancing down at Taehyung, who was still snuggled up on her lap. Realization dawned on her, and she shook her head. "This drunken—" she started at Taehyung and then to Jimin and said, "See, he's not my boyfriend. I'd rather love a dog but not him."

Jimin's smirk widened at Ki-joo's playful frustration. "Why? What's wrong with my best friend? He has such a handsome face."

Ki-joo rolled her eyes. "No wonder you both were in that position when I showed up.," she said in a teasing tone.

"Ugh, please, don't remind me of that," Jimin said, walking over and placing the jar of kimchi on the table.

"Will you take him off my lap so I can go to my apartment?" Ki-joo asked, shifting slightly under Taehyung's weight.

"It's too late. Why don't you just rest here?" Jimin suggested.

Ki-joo laughed softly. "I live next door."

"What?!" Jimin exclaimed, surprised. "You live next door?"

Ki-joo nodded, a mischievous grin on her face. "Yep. So, if you don't mind, I'll just make my way home now. I've had enough excitement for one night."

Jimin chuckled. "Alright, alright. I'll get Taehyung off your lap. You should head home before it gets too late."

As Jimin gently helped Taehyung shift off Ki-joo's lap, she continued with a serious tone.

"Just be careful around Taehyung when you are talking with Taeyeon. If he finds out what happened between you two, you'll be in trouble; it's my last time I'm saying this."

Jimin nodded, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "Yeah, I know."

Ki-joo gave him a stern look. "Also, don't fool my best friend. She's very innocent."

Jimin chuckled softly. "Yeah, very innocent."

Ki-joo raised an eyebrow, clearly not fully convinced but willing to trust Jimin for now. "I'll leave you to it. Just remember, I'm keeping an eye on things."

With that, Ki-joo headed out the door, leaving Jimin alone with Taehyung. As Jimin settled into the quiet apartment, a smile formed on his lips at how freely Taeyeon had talked with him. He was already looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow.

Looking at Taehyung, who was sleeping soundly, Jimin gently hugged him like a teddy bear. Despite the warmth of the gesture, there was a shadow of guilt in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Jimin knew exactly what he was apologizing for—his own mixed feelings and the tricky situation with Taeyeon.  

Taehyung, blissfully ignorant, continued to sleep peacefully, leaving Jimin to grapple with his emotions and the choices he had made.

Jimin's thoughts drifted as he continued to hold Taehyung close. He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like when his best friend found out that the girl he met in Tokyo—the one who had left such a lasting impression on him—was none other than Taehyung's own sister, Taeyeon.

He wondered how his best friend would react. Would Taehyung be furious, feeling betrayed by Jimin's growing feelings for Taeyeon? Or would he understand, knowing how deep Jimin's emotions ran?

The uncertainty gnawed at him, and the weight of his secret felt heavier than ever. As he lay there, holding his best friend close, Jimin couldn't help but whisper softly, "How will you feel when you know it's her, Tae? And that I... I have feelings for her?"

The unanswered question hung in the air, a silent confession that only deepened Jimin's turmoil.

Jimin closed his eyes, the room falling into a heavy silence, broken only by the soft sound of Taehyung's breathing. The weight of his thoughts pressed down on him, the uncertainty of what lay ahead making his heart race. He knew that the truth would come out eventually, but for now, he could only hope that when it did, their bond would be strong enough to withstand it.