As the café grew quieter and his friends left, Jimin returned to his spot behind the counter, feeling the familiar sense of peace Rosalia’s presence seemed to bring. He watched as she gently closed her book, glancing at her phone with a frown. She looked troubled, a stark contrast from the serene smile she’d worn all afternoon.

He tried to stay focused on the tasks he’d set for himself, but his gaze kept drifting back to her, watching her expression shift as she read whatever was on her screen. Her fingers tightened around her phone, her knuckles turning white, and Jimin’s heart clenched in response. He noticed her blinking rapidly, as though fighting back tears. Her gaze fell to her coffee cup, now cold and nearly empty, and she looked away, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth as though to stifle a sob.

An uneasy feeling settled in his chest, and he couldn’t shake the urge to go over, to offer her some comfort or at least let her know he was there if she needed someone. His protective instinct kicked in, and he found himself watching closely as she rose from her seat, clutching her bag tightly and heading toward the door. As she stepped outside, Jimin made up his mind, tossing his apron aside and following her out.

The cool evening air hit him as he exited, and he spotted her only a few feet away, her shoulders hunched as though the weight of whatever was troubling her was pressing down on her. She looked small and vulnerable, a stark contrast from the confident girl he remembered. Before he could fully think through what he was doing, he gently reached out, touching her shoulder to get her attention.

“Rosalia?” he said softly, his voice laced with concern.

She flinched at his touch, spinning around with wide eyes, her expression a mixture of surprise and confusion. For a moment, she didn’t say anything, just looked at him as if trying to process his sudden appearance.

“Are… are you okay?” Jimin asked, his brow furrowing as he took in the tears brimming in her eyes. He tried to soften his voice, hoping it would encourage her to open up if she wanted to.

She seemed to hesitate, her gaze dropping to the ground as she clutched her bag even tighter. “I… I’m fine, really. You don’t have to worry about me,” she mumbled, attempting to brush him off. But her voice cracked, betraying the emotions she was trying so hard to keep hidden.

Jimin stepped a little closer, his heart aching at the sight of her struggling to hold herself together. “You don’t have to pretend with me, Rosalia. If something’s wrong… I’m here. I want to help.”

For a moment, she was silent, and he wondered if he’d overstepped. But then, as if a dam had broken, her shoulders began to shake, and she finally looked up, tears spilling down her cheeks as she clutched her hand to her mouth, trying to contain her sobs. Before he could say anything, she took a shaky step toward him, and he instinctively opened his arms, letting her fall against his chest.

She buried her face in his shoulder, her small frame trembling as she cried, and Jimin wrapped his arms around her, holding her as gently as he could. He could feel her pain, raw and unfiltered, in the way she clung to him, as though he were her only anchor in a storm she couldn’t control.

For several moments, he simply held her, his hand moving in slow, comforting circles on her back as he let her release everything she’d been holding inside. Her sobs gradually quieted, and she drew in a shaky breath, wiping her face with the back of her hand as she finally pulled back slightly, looking up at him with red-rimmed eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice hoarse from crying. “I… I didn’t mean to fall apart like that. I just… it’s been a hard day.”

Jimin shook his head, offering her a gentle smile. “Don’t apologize. I’m glad I was here. Do you… do you want to talk about it?”

She hesitated again, but something in his gaze seemed to reassure her, and she took a steadying breath before nodding. “It’s… it’s family stuff,” she began, her voice wavering. “I just got off the phone with my mother. She… she called to tell me about some issues going on with my dad’s health and… and our finances. Everything’s falling apart, and I feel so helpless.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks.

Jimin’s heart clenched at her words. He understood, perhaps better than most, what it was like to feel helpless in the face of family struggles. He reached out, brushing a stray tear from her cheek with a tenderness that surprised even him. “That sounds really tough. I can’t imagine how overwhelming it must be for you.”

She nodded, sniffling as she looked down, her expression filled with guilt and frustration. “It’s just… I thought I was strong enough to handle everything. I’ve always tried to be the responsible one, the one who keeps things together. But today… it all just felt like too much.” Her hands shook as she spoke, and Jimin could see the toll it had taken on her.

“Hey,” he murmured softly, catching her gaze with his own. “You don’t have to be strong all the time, Rosalia. Sometimes… it’s okay to lean on someone else.”

For a moment, her expression softened, and she seemed to consider his words. “I just… I hate feeling like a burden. I didn’t want to bother anyone with my problems.”

“You’re not a burden,” he assured her, his voice firm yet gentle. “You’re allowed to feel this way, and you’re allowed to let others help you. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a gratitude that made his heart ache. “Thank you, Jimin,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I… I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this, but… it feels good to finally get it off my chest.”

He smiled, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’m glad you did. You deserve someone to lean on, Rosalia. And if you ever need to talk, I’ll always be here.”

A faint smile broke through her tears, and for the first time that night, she looked a little less burdened, a little more at ease. “I might take you up on that offer,” she said, her voice soft but hopeful.

Jimin felt his heart swell at her words, knowing he would do anything to be there for her, no matter what. In that moment, he didn’t care about the risks or the complications that might come with letting her into his life. All he knew was that he wanted to protect her, to be her safe haven in a world that seemed determined to wear her down.

They stood there for a few more moments, neither of them speaking, just sharing a comfortable silence that seemed to ease the tension that had settled over her. As she took a deep breath, wiping away the last of her tears, Jimin knew he’d found his purpose. He’d finally been given the chance to be there for her, and he wasn’t going to let it go to waste.

When she finally stepped back, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, she looked at him with a newfound warmth in her gaze. “Thank you again, Jimin. I… I don’t think I could have made it through the night without you.”

He returned her smile, his voice filled with quiet sincerity. “Anytime, Rosalia. Really.”

She hesitated for a moment, as though she wanted to say something more, but instead, she simply nodded, her eyes lingering on him with a softness that made his heart race. “Goodnight, Jimin,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“Goodnight,” he replied, watching as she turned and walked away, disappearing into the night.

As he stood there, the cool breeze brushing against his skin, he felt a sense of purpose settle over him. Rosalia had become more than just a lingering memory, more than just a school crush. She was someone he wanted to protect, to cherish, and to make happy.

With that thought in mind, he walked back inside, feeling more determined than ever. He had her back now, in a way he never thought possible, and he was going to make sure she knew she could always count on him. Whatever struggles she faced, whatever burdens she carried, he would be there by her side, ready to lift her up and give her the strength she needed.