Disco lights pulse rhythmically across the room, casting vivid splashes of color on every surface.

The bass reverberates in the air, making the crowd sway in unison.

The door to the club creaks open, and Jimin's face lights up the moment he spots Jungkook entering the scene.

Jungkook strides in, exuding an effortless confidence. He's clad in a sleek leather jacket, his dark hair swept carelessly to the side. The crowd parts for him as though compelled, like the ocean yielding to Moses' command. His presence demands attention without uttering a single word.

"I thought you couldn't make it," Jimin greets him with a wide grin, pulling him in for a brotherly side hug. His hand grips Jungkook's shoulder firmly, as if anchoring him in the moment.

"And miss out on the party? Not a chance." Jungkook replies, his lips quirking into a small smile. A cold bottle of beer is handed to him, and he accepts it with a raised eyebrow, twisting off the cap before sinking into the chair beside Jimin.

"Didn't you say you were in Daegu?" Jimin presses, giving his arm a light pat. "Anyway, how's Y/N? Last I saw her was during graduation. What's it been—four, five years?"

"She's been... busy," Jungkook responds, his tone clipped and indifferent. He takes a long sip of his beer, the bitterness washing over his tongue as his gaze flickers briefly away.

Before Jimin can probe further, his cousin approaches the table, her arrival as brisk and commanding as ever.

"Sorry I'm late. Traffic was insane—did you know they're building a new road down the street? Complete chaos out there." Her voice cuts through the din of the club like a blade. She slips off her jacket, revealing a fitted black top. Her long black hair is tied up in a high ponytail, and silver earrings dangle from her ears, catching the flashing lights. She smirks as her eyes land on the familiar figure seated across from her.

"Well, well. Look who decided to grace us with his presence. If it isn't the guy who cried wolf."

"Jia," Jimin says sharply, his tone edged with warning. "Behave."

Jia rolls her eyes dramatically, the smirk still lingering on her lips. "Relax, chim. I'm just messing with him." She clicks her tongue in mock exasperation before standing again. "I'm going to grab a drink. Try not to miss me too much."

Jimin shakes his head with a sigh as Jia disappears into the crowd, leaving behind a faint trail of perfume and attitude. He turns back to Jungkook, his expression softening. "Don't mind her. You know how she is."

Jungkook just shrugs, his eyes following Jia for a fleeting moment before he takes another sip of his beer.

The music shifts, transitioning into a heavier beat that reverberates through the club, drawing more people to the dance floor. Jungkook leans back in his chair, his fingers absentmindedly drumming against the neck of the bottle.

Jimin chuckles as he notices his friend's gaze on her, tipping his glass toward him. "Jia's a whirlwind, always has been. But deep down, she's—"

"A pain in the ass?" Jungkook interjects with a smirk, raising an eyebrow.

Jimin laughs louder this time, shaking his head. "I was going to say tolerable. But yeah, that too. Though you'd know all about that—you did date her, after all."

The two fall into a comfortable silence, the kind only shared by old friends who don't need to fill every moment with words. Jungkook's gaze drifts across the room, observing the kaleidoscope of faces lost in the music. His mind, however, lingers elsewhere.

Jimin notices the slight furrow in Jungkook's brow, the way his jaw tightens imperceptibly. "You're thinking about her, aren't you?"

Jungkook's fingers still on the bottle. He doesn't need to ask who Jimin means. Instead, he exhales sharply, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling. "It's complicated."

"Isn't it always?" Jimin replies softly, his usual playful demeanor giving way to genuine concern.

Jimin leans closer, his tone growing serious. "You're going to tell her though, right? You can't just leave her in the dark."

Jungkook closes his eyes, a pained expression flickering across his face. "We're at a good place right now. If I tell her, she might—"

"Go back to hating you?" Jimin finishes bluntly. "It's been years, Kook. We've all grown since then. I'm sure Y/N won't treat you any differently if she knows your memory's back."

Jungkook opens his eyes and sits up straight, running a hand through his hair. The bass thumps louder, but it fades into the background as his thoughts grow heavier. He takes another swig of beer, the cold liquid doing little to soothe the storm brewing inside him.

"Maybe," he mutters, almost to himself.

Before Jimin can respond, the music shifts again, pulling their attention to the dance floor. The crowd cheers as a new beat drops, and Jia reappears, a fresh drink in hand and a playful smirk on her lips.

"Miss me yet?" she teases, sliding into the seat beside Jimin. Her sharp eyes catch the tension in Jungkook's posture, but she doesn't comment, instead tossing her cousin a knowing look.

Jimin smiles faintly and leans back, deciding to let the moment pass.

As they continue to enjoy the night, little did they know Aimen happened to be sitting at the table behind them, listening to every word they've said.