××××××××

Noter:- The age gap between Jungkook and Jimin is four years in this chapter.

××××××××

Family Dinner, something that never managed to excite the younger son of the Jeon family. No matter how many new videogames, clothes and shoes their grandparents gifted him, it still couldn't stand above hanging out with his friends, especially when he knew his new classmate would be there.

The boy was doing almost everything to stand out for the girl, to get noticed. From staying after his soccer practice, to skipping defense classes sometimes, to joining his little sister to the park everyday. All of this with the only purpose of seeing her, and having her see him. And when he finally had the courage to ask her if she wanted to join their movie programme with his friends, the family had to suddenly throw up a family dinner!

Screw everything!

Jungkook sighed, looking defeated as he stared at his grandfather giving a piggy back ride to his sister who seemed to be having fun. Everybody, actually, seemed to enjoy this, except Jungkook. The boy turned away, pulling out his phone and opened the too familiar chat.

Bro? U there?

Yes bro?
How's your fd goin?

fd?

family dinner lol

fuck you
It's insane btw. They're enjoying
too much, I wonder how

Aya's here tho
with me ;)

I'm goin to kill you the moment I
see you!

Chill bro XD
She was asking abt you
Why you didn't come. I said he's a
family man, got more work than us.

No you didn't say that...
I am so close to MURDERING YOU RN!

jk jk relax.
But srsly Kook, you should've
been here. I'm sure you could've
got her right.

Really? You think so?

Yeah, I think she's interested in you.
Better make a move before someone
else does.

How abt I ask her to go w me alone
this time?

Maybe, Idk. You can try it.
Call her at your place?

I'll try.
gtg now. Bye!

Bye, C'ya

"Who's it?" Jungkook flinched with the sudden voice, looking up from his phone and saw Jimin sitting beside him.

The elder held out a plastic cup filled with coke as he looked around the room, spotting everyone busy with their own stuff. Jimin took a sip from his drink, gesturing Jungkook to drink his too.

"Who were you talking to?" He asked again.

"Dan" Jungkook replied, shrugging his shoulders and glanced at Jimin who nodded in response, "When are we going home?"

"Not until another hour." The elder smirked, "Riri wants to stay the night."

"No way!" The fifteen year-old exasperated, almost choking on his cold drink as he stared at Jimin who laughed at him.

"Relax, we're not staying the night. You can go to school tomorrow and see whoever that girl is."

"Yeah, I- No wait! Why do you think it's a girl?" Jungkook squinted his eyes at his brother who just smiled in return, standing up and pulled him along.

"Let's go and talk outside." Jimin suggested, walking to the backyard of their grandparents' house which is not that big, but looks cozy and comfy for small visits.

The brothers sat on the last step before touching the grassy ground, Jimin was gazing up at the sky while Jungkook stared at him with a nervous expression. Probably confused how he came to know when Jungkook was quite sure that nobody except his friend, Daniel knew about his crush on the new transfer student.

"Hyung? You said we'll talk..." Jungkook mumbled.

"Hmm, go on, ask." Jimin nodded.

"Uh why... why do you think there's a girl?"

"Isn't it obvious?" The older chuckled, "You didn't like going to school but you love to go there now. You never missed any of your practices, but recently, even if dad didn't notice, I know you've skipped some days, am I right?"

"It was because I- I didn't feel very good."

"That's a lame excuse. It might work with parents, not me."

Jungkook stared at him, knowing Jimin is almost four years older than him and nothing is really hidden from him. He's aware of all the teenage perks more than anyone in his whole family, even Jungkook himself.

"...okay."

"So, what's her name?"

Jungkook thought for a moment, taking a deep breath as he imagined the girl's face, smiling in front of him, "Aya, Kang Aya."

Jimin glanced to the side, scrunching his face at the younger's love struck expression, "Man, Kook you're so in love. Don't tell me you can see her here."

Jungkook said nothing at that, instead lowered his head, attempting to hide the reddish flush on his cheeks. Jimin laughed and threw his arm around the younger's shoulders, "I bet she must be really beautiful to catch your attention, because I honestly thought you were blind to girls."

"That is not funny." Jungkook rolled his eyes.

"Am I ever getting to see her or like meet her?"

"I think you must've seen her around. She's the new student who transferred from Ilsan last month. She goes to the senior building sometimes, I wonder if she has an elder sibling."

"Oh" Jimin nodded, "I think I didn't pay much attention then."

"Please don't pay attention to her." Jungkook sighed, earning a look from Jimin.

"Jungkook... do you actually think I'll hit on a girl you like?"

"No I... I didn't mean it like that. It's just, y'know you're better in everything than me, and all the girls already like you a lot. I won't even be surprised if she turns out to be one of them." Jungkook said, smiling sadly at the ground.

Jimin stared at him with a soft and somewhat guilty expression. His hand gently lifted up, caressing the younger's back and smiled a little, "Don't think like that, you're good in everything you do. Maybe I'm a little bit better, but that's because of more practice and experience Jungkook, while you just started with most of the things. Still I want you know that you're doing good, don't compare yourself with me or anyone."

Jungkook nodded, glancing at his brother with a smile, "Thanks hyung, you're the best."

"No problem bud. Remember, you can talk to me about anything, anytime. Especially your dating stuff, I'm a great advisor."

___________

A FEW DAYS LATER

"Hyung!" Jungkook ran up the stairs, throwing his bag aside on the way and kicking his shoes off as there was no time to stop.

Jimin looked at him, seeing the boy hurrying inside, "What happened?"

"She agreed!"

"What does that mean?"

Jungkook sighed and closed Jimin's books, pushing them aside and cleared the table for him to sit, while Jimin stood up, crossing his arms at his brother's hyped actions, "I asked Aya to hangout with me and she agreed."

"That's cool." Jimin smiled, ruffling the younger's hair, "Go and get changed then, and tell me when you're leaving? I can give you a ride, I have to pick Aera from her friend's place, so."

"I don't have to go, hyung." Jungkook said, "Aya's coming home."

Jimin stared at the boy, contemplating his decision of calling the girl home, "Aren't you going too... uh fast?"

"No?" Jungkook shrugged, "How's it fast? She was the one who wanted to hangout here."

"Oh, well that's... weird, but okay." Jimin nodded, "Go wash up then, and maybe clean your room before she arrives. I'll be leaving in a while."

"How long will you take?"

Jimin chuckled noticing Jungkook's nervous expression and patted his shoulder, "You don't have to be that stressed Kook, just be respectful with her and get her some good snacks. Girls love food." He said, earning a shy smile from the younger, "I'll take about twenty minutes maybe?"

"Twenty minutes is okay." Jungkook nodded, jumping down from his hyung's desk and jogged out of the room after waving once at the elder, earning an amused chuckle.

He entered his own room, looking around the mess he had created with books, gaming equipments, clothes and Aera's toys. He sighed deeply, deciding to start cleaning from the desk, he got an empty box out and started stuffing the toys in it. Books and assignment papers went in the desk drawer, while the clothes dumped into the laundry basket.

Once being satisfied with the cleanliness, Jungkook pulled his sweaty, damp t-shirt over his head and sniffed it, scrunching his nose at the odour, he tossed it across the bathroom and smirked as it fell straight into the laundry basket. He took a quick shower, making sure to clean himself properly, for smelling like sweat beside a his crush would be the last thing he'd want.

Wrapping a towel around his waist, he walked into the closet, rummaging again through the clothes and groaning in frustration as none of his clothes passed his 'test' to be chosen for his first date.

"Jungkook, I'm leaving!" He heard Jimin's voice.

"Hyung wait!" He rushed out of his room, holding the towel with one hand and stopped near the stairs where Jimin was standing, busy on his phone.

"I swear if you're planning her on welcoming her like that, I'll personally go and tell her not to date you."

"Aish! No!" Jungkook shook his head, "I can't find anything to wear."

"You have tons of clothes Jungkook, just open your eyes while searching this time." Jimin said, holding his laugh somehow while Jungkook stared at him with a straight face, "Alright fine, what do you want me to do?"

"Lend me something?"

"Uh fine, but are you sure? Wouldn't mine be a little loose on you?"

"Just give me a shirt. I'll take the pants from mine."

"Go and take whichever you like. I'm going now, Aera must be waiting."

"No, you give me. I don't know anything right now, what if I choose a bad colour that doesn't work well with my pants and I make a fool of myself? I can't risk everything like that."

Jimin squinted his eyes, giving a weird look to his brother for overthinking and making a fuss out of a simple thing. He headed to his room with Jungkook following behind him, and said, "It's not your wedding, stop overreacting so much."

"You don't know hyung, I've been waiting for this day for so long and now it's finally happening. I don't wanna mess it up."

"Just relax, it'll be fine." Jimin looked through his clothes and pulled out a grey and white false two-piece sweatshirt, handing it his brother, "Take black pants with this."

"Jeans?"

"Just any casual black pants. Anything."

Jungkook smiled and nodded, rubbing the back of his while still standing in front Jimin. The elder arched an eyebrow questioningly and Jungkook spoke, "Can I... uhm borrow your cologne too?"

"Jungkook what? and why?" Jimin stared at him through a frown, not understanding which direction this was going.

"I heard girls like how you smell..."

"So you wanna smell like me and impress Aya?" Jimin sighed deeply on seeing Jungkook nodding gradually. His hand rested on the boy's shoulder, making him look up from the floor. "You don't have to copy anyone buddy. You should be yourself and be happy with yourself, only then someone else will be able to see the positive in you."

Jungkook nodded slowly, not looking completely convinced yet, "You can take whatever you want if that makes you feel better. But remember Jungkook, it's you who matters and you're the only one in the world who can truly be yourself." Jimin said and smiled, "And I have an advice for you, go to your room, focus on getting ready and, take an extra hour if you want, but sniff your cologne nicely."

Jungkook frowned at him, "...why?"

"You'll know." Jimin smiled, patting his shoulder and started walking out of the room, "If your girl comes before I do, get her something to drink and bring her to your room or whatever, but do not lock the door."

"Yeah, I know." Jungkook grinned.

"Good," Jimin nodded, jogging down the stairs and took the keys of his car, "I'll be back soon!"

"Okay!"

Fifteen minutes. After fifteen minutes of impatiently getting ready, the door bell finally rang, indicating that Kang Aya arrived. Jungkook checked himself in the mirror one last time and breathed in deeply, repeating his hyung's words in his head and sprayed his cologne, inhaling deeply. A chuckle left his lips realizing it was the same his brother's.

He jogged down the stairs, rushing to the front door and pulled on a smile before opening the door. Aya waved at him shortly, flashing a shy smile. The boy stepped aside, letting her in and lead to the living room, gesturing for her to take a seat. His eyes frequently wandered to the tiny basket she was holding and finally decided to ask what that was.

"Oh these are cookies, I baked them with my mom." Aya said, placing them the table. "I thought I should being some since you like cookies and also your siblings can share too."

"Thanks a lot, you didn't have to." Jungkook smiled, almost melting in his place as Aya once again proved of her sweet personality before him. He noticed her shy glances around the house which he assumed was to avoid making things awkward between them.

He loved the fact that the girl hadn't tied her hair and decided to let it down, for it was rare to see her long hair resting flawlessly on her back, going down till her waist, contrasting with her baby pink colored dress.

"I'll get you something to drink." Jungkook said and stood up.

"Okay, mind if I join you?" She asked and Jungkook couldn't have been happier.

"Sure, this way." He motioned his hand towards the kitchen.

"Where's everyone by the way?"

Jungkook walked to the fridge, glancing at her to answer, "Mom and Dad had an important business seminar, so I don't think they'll be home tonight, and my hyung went to get Aera from her friend's place. They should be here in a while."

Aya nodded her head subtly, a smile playing along her lips, "Aya, water? Or..."

"No, water is fine." She blurted, breaking out of her thoughts. Jungkook handed her a glas of water and sat on the stool next to hers.

"Do wanna watch a movie or something?"

"Sure, anything you like." She smiled.

Jungkook looked down for a moment, pulling himself together and mentally telling him not to be that shy amd relax like she is, "Transformers?" He said, hesitantly.

"Yes, I love that!" Aya beamed, clapping her hands together, face showing a genuine interest in the subject, making Jungkook breath a sigh of relief.

"Let's go then."

Aya nodded and stood up, walking after him as the boy went to the stairs. The two stopped on hearing a car being pulled in the drive, and soon a high pitched giggle filled the air.

"Is your room upstairs?" Aya asked, glancing at the front door before focusing back on Jungkook, seeing him mumbling a yes. "Can we, maybe, use the living room TV?"

"Okay, if you want." Jungkook shrugged, walking back to the living room while Aya smiled at him. "You can put it while I get some snacks." The boy said, handing her the remote and headed back to the kitchen, suddenly remembering his hyung's advice regarding food.

"Jungkook we're back!" Jimin's voice ringed, bringing a smile on Aya's face as she turned to the side, seeing the older male entering the living room carrying his five year-old sister in his arms while she giggled, poking his cheeks.

"Oh hey," Jimin smiled, noticing the girl for the first time "you must be Aya."

The girl looked down for a second, her smile nearly dying at his statement, but pulled on another one and nodded, "Yes, that's me. Kang Aya, it's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." He chuckled, "I'm Jimin, Jungkook's-"

"Brother, I know." She smiled and instantly covered up, "and that's Aera, his sister."

Jimin glanced at his sister and placed her down, "Say hello to Aya, she's Kookie's friend."

"Hello," Aera said, looking at the girl who smiled at her. Jungkook came back, glancing at Aera and smiled, placing the snacks on the table. "Koo, what are you doing?" The sister asked, leaning forward on the table, almost giving her hand in the snacks.

"Riri," Jimin stopped her, "we'll go in my room and watch your favourite movie. Let Kookie spend some time with his friend."

"I'll watch movie with Koo." Aera said.

Jimin sighed and scooped her up in his arms, "No kiddo, we'll have our movi-'

"Uhm it's okay, she can join us too." Aya said, glancing at Jungkook who looked dead for a second, hearing that from the girl, but nodded anyway. "And Jimin oppa can join us too...?"

Jimin glanced at Jungkook through the thick silence that was replaced by Aera's happy cheer as she could now watch the movie with her Koo. The elder sighed, noticing Aya's eyes on him and smiled in a little.

"I don't think I can join you guys, I have some work that needs to be done." Jungkook smiled at Jimin, as if thanking him virtually for bringing up an excuse at the right time.

"oppa please?" Aera said, pouting at the eldest brother.

Aya glanced at her and nodded, fixing her eyes back at Jimin, "Yes oppa, it's just one movie."

Jungkook's eyes gradually turned to look at the girl, hearing her chirruping voice telling his brother to stay. She looked at him, gesturing him to say something too which made the boy sigh, "...you should stay hyung" he mumbled.

"No, I-"

"It's fine hyung." Jungkook smiled a little, glancing at Aya almost jumping in happiness as she leaned forward to hug his arm, for the first time. Jungkook was supposed to be happy too, but the reason he received the hug was making him question many things now.

He gently pulled himself away from the girl and motioned his hand for Aera to come and sit with him while Jimin awkwardly (and forcefully) sat himself across the couch. He took his phone, typing a quick message to his friend, telling him to ring him right now and act like the world is about to end.

In a few seconds, his phone rang. Jimin answered instantly, "Hey Mark." He said, "Oh really, is that so?"

"Man I'm so sorry, I'll do it right now, just give me half an hour." He said and stood up, glancing at the youngers with an apologetic expression. Jungkook stared at him with a frown which soon relaxed and a smile tugged his lips gently on seeing Jimin nodding at him in assurance before heading upstairs.

"What happened to him?" Aya asked.

"Maybe some assignment work is pending?" Jungkook shrugged, "You don't have to worry, he'll manage it, we should watch our movie."

Aya nodded hesitantly, smiling at Jungkook and focused back on the television screen. However Jungkook noticed her frequent gazes towards the stairs, gradually letting him know that she was never really interested in him and all this was probably to see his brother.

"Koo" Jungkook startled, sighing deeply he forced a smile and glanced at his sister, pulling her on his lap, "Chips..." She said, showing the empty bowl, making him chuckle softly.

"Go and get more, it's right on the counter."

Aera smiled widely, running off to the kitchen. The boy leaned back, earning a glance from the girl who seemed hesitant about something, fiddling with her fingers.

"Uhm Jungkook, can I ask you a favour?" She asked with a nervous smile.

He took a moment before nodding slowly, and the the girl continued, "I... actually, your brother, I like him... and I was thinking if you can maybe help me get closer to him a little bit?"

Jungkook stared at her for a minute before lowering his gaze as he let out a soft, airy chuckle, recalling all the signs he saw as 'liking back'. Maybe he was dumb, or maybe this girl was way too smart to have used him in a strategic manner that he couldn't even get himself to deny all the things he felt, every time he smiled when she looked at him, every time she smiled when he looked at her.

"Please say something Jungkook..."

"What am I supposed to say?" He breathed out, smiling through his dreamy doe eyes, not even letting her see how she hurted him, "I don't know if he wants to date anyone or not. You have to figure that out yourself."

Aya smiled sadly and nodded, "Yeah I guess you're right. Please don't tell this to anyone, I'm trusting you with this."

"I won't," Jungkook nodded, scoffing at her statement internally, trusting me with this?

Aya smiled at him, taking a deep breath and stood up, "I'll get going now... it's getting late." She said, glancing towards the stairs one last time.

"Yeah, sure." Jungkook nodded, standing up as well, "See you in school."

"Yeah, bye." The girl smiled and headed towards the front door alone as Jungkook didn't take an initiative on walking her out.

He flopped back on the couch, closing his eyes and breathed deeply. Repeating the same words over and over, She doesn't like me and it's okay.

But no matter what he said to comfort himself, it did hurt. Just being a medium for girls to reach his brother wasn't something enjoyable. Do they not see his feelings? Do they forget that he craves a little attention too just like any other human on Earth?

His eyes fluttered open, hearing a thud sound from the kitchen, followed by Aera's cry. He jumped on his feet, rushing there and saw the kid on the floor with the kitchen stool lying beside her.

"Aera, what were you doing?" He asked, helping her up and made her sit on the chair while she kept crying.

"I was taking chips..." She pointed at the upper cabinet, earning a sigh from the brother.

"I told you it's on the counter. Why would you reach up there, mom told you not to do that right? Now, look you got hurt."

"Sorry," Aera mumbled between sobbing. Jungkook hugged her small body, carrying her back to the living room and sat her on the couch.

"It's okay, don't cry."

"What is going on? Why's Riri crying?" They heard Jimin's voice along with his footsteps entering the room.

"She fell down from the stool." Jungkook said.

Jimin sighed, shaking his head and sat on the couch as the five-year-old instantly leaned towards him, rubbing her teary eyes. He brought the sister on his lap, patting her back and looked around, frowning as he couldn't locate Jungkook's friend.

"Where's Aya?"

"She left." Jungkook answered, keeping his eyes fixed on Aera, blowing on her foot gently where she was apparently hurt.

"Left already? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, you were in your room, so she left."

"What?" Jimin frowned at the younger, not understanding what the brother meant by that. Jungkook flashed a small smile, shaking his head.

"She was here to see you, not me."

"I think there's some misunderstanding, yo-"

"There was a misunderstanding, now it's clear. She liked you all this time, and I am the closest to you. So she befriended me... to get close to you hyung. She never liked me."

"Jungkook... this- I... I'm sorry."

"It's fine hyung, I told you the very first day that I probably won't be surprised if she likes you, and I, honestly, am not surprised. But a little hurt I guess, I... I thought she liked me, genuinely."

Jimin stared at him with soft eyes, coated with concern, he shifted Aera to the couch and pulled Jungkook to sit next to him, "If she couldn't see your sincerity and understand your words, then it's better that she's gone."

Jungkook nodded and glanced at his hyung, "I wish I were you."

"Don't think like that bud, not all people we meet are meant to stay and neither is there a guarantee that they won't hurt us. It's our responsibility to make sure that we let go of the people who are not good for us and appreciate the ones who love us and support us." Jimin said, patting the younger's back, "And about girls, it's all good Jungkook, you have a long way to go. I'm sure you'll have a lot of attention in the next few years, if that's what you're worried about."

"Did you ever face a rejection too?" Jungkook asked quietly, fiddling with the hem of his sweatshirt, and looked up at his brother when he heard him chuckle lightly.

"Of course, and it was really embarassing."

"Really?" Jungkook stared at the older with wide eyes, "Someone actually said No to you?"

"Yes," Jimin nodded, "I didn't have this face, body, abs and everything at that time. And she was really pretty, like really. So she said I don't have a chance with her."

Jungkook gasped, "She must be regretting it now."

Jimin laughed and shrugged his shoulders, "I have her request pending for almost a year now."

"Wow," Jungkook laughed, "you're so cool, hyung. Maybe I can have a similar story?"

"You'll have a better one." Jimin smiled, ruffling his hair. "Let's go out, I'll treat you."

"Now?" Jungkook tilted his head, staring at the elder than glancing at Aera.

"Yes, I'm sure Riri would like to have dinner outside too." Jimin said, making Aera look up at them, leaving her foot for a while and nodded. "Aw baby, come here." He chuckled and wiped her cheeks that still had tears even though she stopped crying about ten minutes ago.

"I'll eat a lot of sushi!" Aera said.

"Sure, and what will Kookie eat?"

"Koo will eat kimchi." She said, "and Jiminie oppa will eat kimchi too."

"Oh you've already decided our order huh?" Jungkook huffed playfully, making Aera giggle as he stepped forward bringing her closer and tickling her sides. Jimin stood up, smiling at the two and went to grab their jackets before heading out.

"Guys come on, let's go."

Jungkook sat beside Aera who was buckled in her booster seat while Jimin drove to their favourite restaurant, relived that Jungkook is fine and not thinking of himself as unworthy or bad.

"Our brother is the best, right Riri?" Jungkook whispered to the girl, getting a vigorous nod of agreement from her. Jimin smiled at them, shook his head focusing back on the street.

_____________________

A/N- How is everyone doing? Y'all good?

I was feeling a little down today, then I thought I should publish another chapter. Your sweet comments make me happy :) thanks for everything, you guys are amazing 💜✨

Take care!😊

________________

Word count : 4.5K