Fragments of fragile heart

Fragments of fragile heart part:- 37

Jungkook looked up, blinking. "Oh... hey."

The girl smiled shyly. "I just wanted to check on you. How are you

Jungkook nodded politely. "Yeah, I'm fine . Thanks for asking."

Taehyung felt something bitter rise in his throat.

She didn't care about Jungkook.
She just liked the idea of him.
And yet, Jungkook responded so... nicely.

The girl hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Actually, I-um..." She twirled a strand of her hair, looking nervous. "I wanted to tell you something."

Taehyung's eyes narrowed.

"I like you, Jungkook."

The words hit Taehyung like a slap to the face.The air around the table shifted.

Jungkook looked stunned. "Oh..."

"I've liked you for a while now," the girl continued, her cheeks pink. "And I know you might not feel the same, but I wanted to be honest about my feelings."

Jungkook opened his mouth, about to say something-But before he could, Taehyung cut in.

"He's not interested."His voice was sharp. Cold.

The girl blinked in surprise. "What?"

Taehyung leaned forward, his gaze dark. "Jungkook isn't interested in dating."

The girl frowned. "And who are you to speak for him?"

Taehyung clenched his jaw.jimin interrupt and said "he is his best friend."

She scoffed . "That doesn't mean he can control who he talks to."

Jungkook suddenly spoke up, his voice firm. "That's enough."

Everyone fell silent.

Jungkook turned to the girl. "I appreciate your honesty, but... I don't feel the same way."

She looked disappointed but nodded. "I understand."Then, she glanced at Taehyung and muttered, "It's always you. Every time."

Taehyung froze. "What?"

The girl crossed her arms. "Every time I try to talk to Jungkook, you always come between us. It's like you're his bodyguard or something."

Jungkook sighed, rubbing his temple. "Let's not-"

"No, really," she pressed. "It almost feels like you two have... something going on."

The words made Taehyung's heart stop.

Jungkook, without hesitation, shook his head.

"No. We're just friends."

Taehyung felt like he had been punched in the gut.

Jungkook's words echoed in Taehyung's mind.

"We're just friends."

He knew they were. He knew it.
But hearing Jungkook say it so easily, so emotionlessly... it hurt.
Because Taehyung wasn't just his friend anymore.He was in love with him.

Namjoon, who had been watching the entire exchange, noticed the way Jungkook lowered his gaze after saying those words.

Like it hurt him too.
Like he was forcing himself to say it.

Namjoon's chest tightened. Jungkook was still in love with Taehyung.He had just buried it so deep that he was trying to convince himself otherwise.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group watched Taehyung with concern.