Fragments of fragile heart

The bell rang, signaling the end of their last class. As the group began gathering their belongings, Jin clapped his hands together.

"Alright, everyone," Jin said with a wide grin. "Let’s go shopping today. My treat!"

The suggestion caught everyone off guard. Jimin raised an eyebrow. "Shopping? Since when do you offer to treat us, hyung?"

"Since today," Jin replied. "Besides, it’s been a while since we all spent time together outside college."

Taehyung immediately chimed in. "I’m in." He cast a glance at Jungkook, who was busy packing his bag. I need to fix things, Taehyung thought. Spending time together will help.

Jungkook hesitated when the group turned to him. He avoided their expectant gazes, fumbling with the strap of his backpack. "I… I can’t today. I have some work at home."

Taehyung frowned, his chest tightening. "Come on, Kookie. Just for a little while. It’s been ages since we all hung out together."

"I really can’t," Jungkook insisted softly, his tone almost apologetic. "Maybe next time."

Jin crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. "Kookie, you always say next time. Why do you never join us? What’s going on?"

The room grew tense as everyone waited for Jungkook’s response. He forced a smile, his signature bunny grin, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I’m just busy, hyung. That’s all."

Jimin placed a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "It’s okay, Kookie. But next time, no excuses, alright?"

"Yeah," Yoongi added, ruffling Jungkook’s hair affectionately. "You’re part of the group. Don’t leave us hanging."

Jungkook nodded quickly, eager to escape the spotlight. "Next time for sure." With that, he slung his bag over his shoulder and hurried out of the room.

As they watched him leave, Taehyung felt a pang of guilt. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Jungkook was slipping away from them—and from him.

---

On their way , Jin brought up the topic of Jungkook again.

"Did anyone else notice how nervous he was?" Jin asked, concern lacing his tone.

“I’ve noticed too. He’s smiling like nothing’s wrong, but it doesn’t feel real.”
Jimin admitted.

“Maybe he’s just trying to keep the peace, but it’s not healthy to bottle things up like that.” Yoongi agreed.

Taehyung remained quiet, their words weighing heavily on him. He had noticed the same thing but hadn’t wanted to admit it. Jungkook’s forgiveness had been too quick, too easy. It felt wrong.

“Right. We’ve got to step in. But first, maybe someone here should figure out how to apologize properly.” jin sharp eyes flicked to Taehyung. "It’s probably because of what Tae said," . "You were way too harsh on him, and now he’s pretending everything’s fine to keep the peace."

Taehyung’s heart sank. "I know," he said quietly. "I regret it more than anything. I’m trying to make things right, but he’s not letting me in."

Jimin sighed. "We need to figure out what’s really going on with him. Kookie’s hiding something, and it’s not just about Tae’s words."

"Agreed," Namjoon said. "But we need to approach it carefully. Pushing him too much might make him retreat even further."

“We need to do something. He’s always there for us, but who’s there for him? If we keep letting him carry everything alone, it’s going to break him one day.”jin said

As they continued their conversation, Taehyung replayed every interaction he’d had with Jungkook in his mind. The way Jungkook had avoided eye contact, the nervous laugh, the forced smile—it all pointed to something deeper.

What are you hiding, Kookie? Taehyung wondered, a mixture of guilt and determination swirling within him.

But they didn't see jungkook who listens all there talk
The weight of the day hung heavy on Jungkook as he hurried down the college corridor. His thoughts were in turmoil after overhearing his friends discussing him. He had forgotten his notebook in class and returned to retrieve it, only to hear their concerned conversation.

When jungkook hear the conservation Jungkook froze outside the door. His chest tightened as their words echoed in his ears. They can’t find out… they can’t know the truth, he thought, panic rising.

Jungkook took a deep breath, clutching the strap of his bag. He couldn’t let his fragile world crumble. If they found out about his part-time job, the harsh treatment at home, or his inner turmoil, they’d only pity him. And pity was something he couldn’t bear.

Without retrieving his notebook, Jungkook turned and left the building, his heart heavy with fear and shame.

---

Meanwhile, the group continued their discussion as they walked to the mall.

"I think we should give him some space," Namjoon suggested. "But not too much. He needs to know we’re here for him."

"I just don’t understand why he forgave me so easily," Taehyung muttered. "It doesn’t feel real. It’s like he’s scared of something—scared of losing us."

"Or scared of himself," Jin added thoughtfully.

Hoseok, who had been quiet, finally spoke. "Whatever it is, we can’t push him too hard. Kookie has a way of shutting down when he feels cornered. We need to be patient."

The group nodded in agreement, though the worry in their eyes remained.

Back at the mall, the group wandered through various stores, trying to lift their spirits. Taehyung stayed quiet, lost in his thoughts. He remembered all the times Jungkook had been there for him—the teasing, the laughter, the endless support.

A small smile tugged at his lips as he recalled the time Jungkook had apologized profusely for hiding a trivial secret. Taehyung had been upset then, but now he realized how unfair he had been. He had hidden something far more important from Jungkook and then blamed him for his reaction.

As the others chatted and shopped, Taehyung’s resolve strengthened. He would do whatever it took to make things right with Jungkook.

Jungkook walked aimlessly, the evening air doing little to soothe his troubled mind. His shift at the part-time job started in an hour, but he felt too drained to face it.

He stopped at the park—the same park where he had met Taehyung for the first time. Memories flooded back, unbidden. The laughter, the teasing, the warmth he had once felt with Taehyung by his side.

Now, those moments felt like a distant dream.

Why can’t I just be happy? Jungkook thought bitterly. Why do I always feel like I’m falling apart?

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Jungkook wiped away a stray tear and steeled himself. No one can know. I have to keep pretending.

Later that night, Jungkook returned home after his shift, exhausted and emotionally drained. He opened the door to find his parents laughing with Jungwon in the living room.

"There you are," his mother said sharply. "Late again. Always making excuses."

"Sorry," Jungkook mumbled, keeping his head down.

"Of course, you’re sorry," his father added, the sarcasm biting. "You’re always sorry but never good enough."

Jungwon smirked behind his glass of juice, enjoying the spectacle. Jungkook clenched his fists but said nothing.

He retreated to his tiny room—the storage room they had shoved him into years ago. As he sat on the floor, staring at the moonlight filtering through the small window, he let out a shaky breath.

"I’m fine," he whispered to himself. "I have to be fine."

But deep down, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep pretending.

------

To be continued.....🫂🤧