Still With You ?

9 AM - The Dining Hall

The atmosphere was suffocating. Jin Kim and Tae were sitting there. Jungkook was still sleeping.

Jin sat at the table, silently pushing his food around his plate. Across from him, Taehyung did the same. Neither of them spoke, their minds heavy with thoughts they couldn't voice.

Kim, on the other hand, ate his breakfast without a care, his presence alone weighing down the room like a storm waiting to erupt.

"Taehyung."

Tae flinched at the sound of his name, his grip tightening on his spoon. His head snapped up, eyes locking onto Kim.

"You can take a leave today if you want, but starting tomorrow, I expect you to return to university," Kim said, his voice devoid of warmth.

Tae merely nodded, his face unreadable.

Kim turned to Jin next. "Jin, I have several meetings today. Handle things on your own and start working on the new project."

Jin's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists under the table, but he said nothing.

"Jin, did you hear me?" Kim's voice turned sharp.

Jin finally looked up, his eyes burning with barely contained rage. "Why the fuck should we do it, huh? Do you even realize how complicated that project is? It was supposed to launch next year, and we're already buried in work. How the fuck do you expect us to handle it now?" Jin asked in anger.

Kim's expression remained cold. "I didn't ask for your opinion, mister. I ordered you."

Jin slammed his fist onto the table, making Tae flinch. His voice trembled with frustration. "Are you insane, Dad? Are you even in your right mind? I said it's complicated! We haven't even started the groundwork, and yet you're making promises as if it's already done! You didn't consult us, you didn't plan anything-you just threw this at us like we're your goddamn slaves!"

Kim slowly rose from his seat, his presence darkening the room. "I said it's your duty. If you can't handle it, then cancel the other projects-I don't care. This is the biggest one, and I want all of you working on it. I won't tolerate any disobedience." His voice dropped into something eerily calm, yet seething with authority. "And lower your fucking voice."

Jin glared at his father, his eyes with anger.

He had so much to say-so much to scream-but he knew it was pointless. Kim never listened. He never cared.

Without another word, Kim turned on his heel and headed toward Jungkook's room.

Jin clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his already bleeding skin. His rage boiled over, and before he could stop himself, he stormed off to his room, slamming the door shut so loudly.

Tae sat there, unmoving.

He had watched his father and Jin fight too many times to count. He had asked-begged-Jin to tell him what was wrong, but Jin never gave him answers.

So now, Tae stopped asking.

He stared down at his untouched plate, his vision blurring with unshed tears. His fingers trembled as he gripped his fork, his heart aching in ways he couldn't understand.

Taking a deep breath, Tae forced himself to move.

With shaky hands, he began cleaning the mess.

With Kim

Jungkook lay on his bed, mindlessly scrolling through his phone. His fever had gone down significantly, but exhaustion still clung to his body like a second skin. He hadn't left his room since waking up, unwilling to face anyone. He had no energy left for forced conversations or empty reassurances.