As promised, Mingyu took it upon himself to help Jungkook uncover the truth. He was just as curious—was Jimin really the person Jungkook had been missing all these years? So he texted Jimin, casually inviting him to meet for afternoon tea at their favorite café. It was the perfect setting, quiet enough for conversation but busy enough to ease any tension.

When Jimin stepped into the café, the soft chime of the door announcing his arrival, he immediately spotted Jungkook sitting next to Mingyu. His brows furrowed in surprise. "Oh, I thought you’d be alone."

Mingyu gave him a sheepish smile as Jimin took the seat across from him. "He wanted to come along," Mingyu said, his tone light but observant, watching Jimin’s reaction closely.

Jimin shifted slightly in his seat, his eyes flicking to Jungkook. "Is it okay? If you’re uncomfortable, I can leave," Jungkook offered, sensing the slight unease.

Jimin hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit unsettled by the presence of someone he didn’t really know. There was something about Jungkook—something familiar but distant—that made his heart stir uncomfortably.

But Jimin wasn’t one to show discomfort easily. "No, I’m okay," he said, offering a small smile.

Mingyu, always perceptive, leaned forward slightly. "Are you sure? You look like something’s on your mind."

Jimin was like an open book to Mingyu—his face gave away every little emotion without him even realizing it. His expressive eyes always betrayed him. That’s why Mingyu enjoyed teasing him so much. Today, though, Jimin’s hesitation wasn’t something Mingyu wanted to play with.

Jimin chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he looked at Mingyu. "Why are you acting like this?" he teased back, amused by how protective Mingyu seemed.

Mingyu let out a sigh, relieved that Jimin was laughing again. "I just thought you didn’t like meeting new people."

Jimin waved it off with a dismissive hand. "I’m okay, Mingyu hyung. He’s your friend." Jimin turned his gaze to Jungkook and flashed him his signature crescent-eye smile. The warmth in that simple gesture made Jungkook’s heart race for reasons he couldn’t fully explain.

Jungkook smiled back, unable to resist the charm. "Cutie..."

Jimin paused mid-sip of the iced tea Mingyu had already ordered for him, a curious glint in his eyes. "Hyung?" he asked, unsure of which of them Jungkook was addressing.

"Yeah?" Both Mingyu and Jungkook answered in unison, their voices overlapping. They glanced at each other, and Jimin couldn’t hold back a giggle. Watching the two of them together was like witnessing some quirky comedy duo—Mingyu the playful, teasing one, and Jungkook, who seemed caught between tension and awkwardness.

"You two are funny," Jimin said with a light laugh. "Like two weird hyungs."

Mingyu grinned. "Weird? Me? Never."

Jimin shook his head, amused, before taking another sip of his drink. He hummed in delight. "I love iced tea... How did you know?"

Mingyu raised an eyebrow, ready to claim the credit, but then paused. "Actually, Jk ordered it for you."

Jimin turned to Jungkook, surprised. "Oh, really? Thanks, Jk hyung. Looks like we’ve got similar taste."

Jungkook’s heart skipped a beat at the word "hyung" coming from Jimin. His hands felt suddenly clammy, and he could hardly believe how easily Jimin had accepted him, even if he didn’t know their potential connection yet. The smile that Jimin gave him was like a small piece of sunshine, bright and warm, and Jungkook couldn’t help but smile wider.

As Jungkook reflected on his childhood, the similarities between him and Jimin became clearer. Their shared tastes in food and drinks, the love for baggy clothes, the way they both enjoyed the same movies and games—it all reminded him of his younger brother. These connections made it easy for them to bond, though Jimin was still unaware of the truth that weighed heavily on Jungkook's heart.

"Ah, yeah..." Jungkook muttered as he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to steady himself. His instincts had been screaming at him, but he needed confirmation.

"Cutie, I never actually asked—what’s your real name?" Mingyu’s voice was casual, but there was an edge of tension beneath it.

Jimin sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. "Duh, I’ve told you like a million times, but you never listen, Mingyu hyung. My name is Jimin."

Mingyu smirked, knowing Jimin’s exasperation all too well. "Yeah, yeah, I know that. What’s your family name, though?"

Jimin, now sipping his iced tea, raised an eyebrow. "Park. Park Jimin."

In that moment, Jungkook felt as though the ground had been pulled from beneath his feet. His breath caught in his throat, and his heart raced uncontrollably. Park Jimin. He knew it. His gut had been right. The person sitting across from him, smiling innocently, was his brother—his Mochi.

Jungkook’s mouth went dry, but he had to ask. "Do you have a brother?" His voice was a mix of hope and fear, his heart pounding in his chest.

Jimin frowned at the question, confused by the sudden shift in the conversation. "Why are you asking that? Do I look like someone you know?" He turned to Mingyu, half-joking, but something in his chest tightened.

Mingyu shot a glance at Jungkook, unsure of what to say. But Jungkook, desperate for answers, spoke up. "Did you?" The question was softer now, but filled with a quiet urgency.

Jimin shook his head, his expression darkening. "No, I don’t have a brother," he said flatly, his tone shutting down the conversation.

The words hit Jungkook like a punch to the gut. His heart broke right there in the café, shattering at Jimin’s denial. Could it really be that this person—the one he was so certain was his brother—had forgotten him? Or worse, had Jimin convinced himself that his brother no longer existed in his life?

"A-are you sure?" Jungkook pressed, his voice wavering with emotion. Please remember me, he thought desperately.

Jimin’s frustration was growing. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his fingers tightening around his glass. "Why are you asking me all these questions? I don’t like talking about my personal life. Can we drop it?"

Mingyu, sensing the tension, tried to mediate. "We just wanted to know, Cutie. We're friends, right?" His tone was gentle, but he was torn. He wanted to help Jungkook, but he could see how uncomfortable this was making Jimin.

And then Jungkook asked the question that broke everything wide open. "Do you know anyone connected to the Jeon family?"

The moment the name Jeon left Jungkook’s lips, Jimin froze. His heart lurched painfully in his chest. His eyes flicked over to Jungkook, studying him closely. From his eyes to his nose, his lips to the tiny mole on his face... the recognition was instant. This man... I know him. His heart began to race as old memories, memories he had buried deep, started to claw their way back to the surface.

"I-I need to go," Jimin whispered, panic rising in his throat as he abruptly stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. He couldn’t do this. He wasn’t ready. The past he had worked so hard to forget was crashing back in waves.

"Mochi..." Jungkook’s voice cracked as he stood, his heart breaking as he saw the way Jimin flinched at the sound of that nickname.

Jimin froze mid-step, his whole body trembling. That name... Mochi. His brother had always called him that. The tears he had fought so hard to hold back threatened to spill, but he clenched his fists, trying to push them down. He was so tired of crying over the past. So tired of the pain.

Jungkook stepped closer, his voice soft and pleading. "You’re not... my brother?" Jimin voice wavered, filled with sorrow and guilt. Jungkok reached out, trying to close the distance between them.

"Don’t." Jimin’s voice was sharp, stopping Jungkook in his tracks. "Don’t come closer," he whispered, his voice barely holding together.

"Mochi, please," Jungkook begged, his heart shattering with each step Jimin took away from him.

"I-I need to go," Jimin choked out, but his legs felt weak, and his vision blurred with tears he could no longer control.

Jungkook rushed forward, gently grabbing Jimin’s wrist, stopping him from leaving. Jimin’s shoulders shook as he stood there, unable to face him. Jungkook’s hand rested gently on his shoulder, and with a soft tug, he turned Jimin to face him. When their eyes met, Jungkook’s heart broke at the sight of his brother crying.

"I’m so sorry," Jungkook whispered, his own tears falling freely. "Please don’t cry, Mochi. I’ve missed you so much."

Jimin’s head hung low, his voice trembling as he spoke. "Y-you’re not my brother. My brother wouldn’t have left me. He promised me. He promised he’d never leave me." His voice was thick with pain, the years of abandonment cutting through every word.

Jungkook pulled Jimin into his arms, holding him tightly as if he could make up for all the years they had lost. "I’m so sorry, Mochi. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you. I’ve missed you every single day."

"I hate you, hyung. I hate you," Jimin cried into Jungkook’s chest, his fists weakly hitting his arms. "I hate you for leaving me."

Jungkook held his brother tighter, his own tears soaking into Jimin’s hair. "I know, and I’m so sorry. I looked for you, I swear. I’ve been trying to find you for so long."

Jimin sobbed, the pain of the past catching up to him. "I prayed for you every day, hyung. I prayed we’d meet again... but I wasn’t ready. Not like this."

Jungkook gently stroked his brother’s hair, his heart aching. "I’m here now, Mochi. I’m not going anywhere this time. I promise you."

Jimin clung to Jungkook, the weight of years apart falling from his shoulders as they stood there, two brothers finally reunited.