Taeyeon Pov:

It had been five weeks since that day. The day he had asked her that question: I want to know about the Taeyeon that I don't know.

The question still echoed in her mind, the way his light brown eyes had stared into hers when he'd asked it. She couldn't shake it off; his words, his eyes, and the way he stared at her tempted her the most to say anything about her.

It wasn't like her to feel this way around men. Usually, she just talked to them, keeping things simple and light. But with Jimin, there was something more—it's inexplainable.

She still remembered how, in that moment, their faces had drawn closer, second by second. The space between them had melted away—until Do-Yoon had walked in at the perfect time, snapping them both out of the moment.

After that, things had shifted. As they focused on work in the days that followed, she couldn't help but notice the subtle annoyance on Jimin's face. He was sulking, acting almost like a kid, while she and Do-Yoon worked on the editing. His mood seemed to change whenever Do-Yoon was around, and she didn't understand why.

Why was he so bothered? she thought. Was it jealousy? But for what? And why?

Taeyeon found herself questioning everything. Did he think there was something more between them? The idea felt ridiculous, yet his irritation was real. And the more she thought about it, the more confused she became.

On the other hand, Taeyeon also noticed a shift in Minji's behavior lately. The way she spoke to her didn't sit right—it felt off, different. Is this really the Minji I know? Taeyeon wondered. Or was it another side of her she hadn't seen before?

Minji had always been helpful, especially with the editorial work alongside Do-Yoon. But recently, she'd excused herself from the tasks more than usual, leaving Taeyeon to handle most of it. And when she did speak, her usual friendly tone was still there, but there was something else behind it—an underlying frustration hidden beneath her soft honey voice.

What's going on with her? Taeyeon thought, feeling unsettled. Not to mention what Minji asked Taeyeon about her relationship with Jimin, if they had ever met before. or kept saying she saw him in Tokyo while they were on a business trip with a Japanese company.

And whenever she got tired of pushing, Jimin would appear out of nowhere in the middle of the conversation, like a bodyguard. He also intervenes when Do-yoon begins to speak casually or inquires about her distancing from him. Jimin is almost like a protector. 

But deep down, she wondered if Jimin was trying to protect her or himself. After all, he had been with her that night in Tokyo, the night that brought so many questions to the surface. Maybe he was just trying to save his face, keeping Minji from digging too deep into a past he wasn't ready to confront. 

Or perhaps she thought so?

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. There was a tangled web of emotions and misunderstandings, and she felt like she was at the center of it all, unsure of how to break through.

Still in all of that, she and Jimin got close, almost like knowing about each other yet not too deeply; she still didn't ask about his love story as she was waiting for time to ask; she thinks they still haven't gotten enough close to ask such a personal and sensitive topic.

Jimin often drags her out to places for which she has to explain ki-joo a lot for not spending time with her best friend, who has already started shipping her with Jimin. Everything really felt changed very much now.

Taeyeon stared out of the large window of the cozy local restaurant, her chin resting on her hand as a small smile tugged on her softly bow lips as she recalled those five weeks. The familiar scent of the place made her smile, but her thoughts were still tangled in confusion. 

Why had he brought me here today? she thought

"Feeling bored?" His honeyed voice broke through her thoughts, making her turn to face him. His handsome face was lit up with a huge grin, his eyes nearly disappearing into crescents while his crooked teeth flashed brightly.

She shook her head slowly, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Just wondering why you dragged me here out of nowhere," she replied, her tone light but curious.

"Nothing much," he said, his grin fading slightly into a more serious expression. "I just thought this would be a good place to talk... freely. Unlike in the company." His eyes finally came fully into view, now focused intently on her.

She sighed, shaking her head. "What do you want to talk about now?" she asked. There is a tinge of annoyance behind her causal tone.

Jimin's smirk deepened, his fingers lazily tapping against his cheek. "Do I really need a reason to spend time with you?"

She rolled her eyes, though the way his gaze lingered on her made it harder to keep up her annoyed facade. "You say that like we're close or something."

"We are close," he said smoothly, leaning forward now, his tone playful yet genuine. "Or at least, we could be."

The way he said it, with that infuriating mix of sincerity and teasing, made her heart race. She looked away, hoping to hide the flush threatening to creep up her neck. "You've been acting weird lately," she mumbled.

Jimin tilted his head, studying her with the same curiosity that had become all too familiar over the past few weeks. "Weird? Or just... different?"

She shot him a quick glance. "Both."

He chuckled, the sound low and easy, sending a flutter through her chest. "Maybe," he mused, "I just realized there's more to you than I first thought."

Taeyeon raised an eyebrow at him, half skeptical, half curious. "What are you trying to say, Jimin-shi?"

He dropped his hand from his cheek and rested his elbows on the table, closing the small distance between them. His voice dropped just enough to make her heart jump out.

"May I know why distance Do-Yoon after work?" Jimin asked, which is out of nowhere and irrelevant to the current situation.

Taeyeon stiffened, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected question. She hadn't seen that coming—not from Jimin, not now. Her fingers curled into fists in her lap as she tried to keep her expression neutral.

"Why do you care?" she asked softly, her voice guarded.

Jimin tilted his head, his gaze steady, unwavering. "Because I see it. Every time he's around after work, you close off. And I can't help but wonder... is it because of me?"

His words hung between them, heavy and loaded with unspoken meaning. Taeyeon's breath hitched. She tried to laugh it off, but the sound came out shaky. "What kind of question is that?"

Jimin leaned just a little closer, his elbows still braced on the table. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "It's not a joke to me, Taeyeon."

The way he said her name sent a shiver down her spine. She could feel her heart pounding harder in her chest, and she hated that he had this effect on her.

"It's complicated," she muttered, shifting her gaze to the window, unable to meet his eyes.

Jimin didn't back away. "Then explain it to me," he said gently yet firmly. "I want to understand."

Taeyeon clenched her jaw. There it was again—that softness in his voice that made it hard to stay angry, hard to keep her walls up. She wanted to tell him everything, but the words tangled in her throat, refusing to come out.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "It's just... some doubts.," she finally said, her voice quieter than she intended.

Jimin's gaze didn't waver, but his brows knitted slightly, as if he were trying to piece together her meaning. "Doubts about Do-Yoon?" he asked, his tone cautious.

Taeyeon shook her head slowly, her eyes flickering to her hands resting in her lap. "Not exactly. It's more about... intentions—people's intentions."

Jimin leaned back slightly, his expression still unreadable, but something shifted in his eyes—understanding, maybe even concern. "Are you saying you don't trust him?"

She hesitated, biting the inside of her cheek. "I don't know. Things have felt... off lately."

"Is that because of that night in Tokyo?" Jimin asked, his voice calm but deliberate, making her snap her gaze up to him, wide-eyed.

Her heart skipped a beat. How could he say what she thinks, as if he already knew exactly what was on her mind? The surprise flickered in her expression, but as the seconds ticked by, her wide-eyed stare began to soften with realization.

Of course he knew. He had been there. He was a part of it too—whatever it was between them that night, unresolved and still lingering like an unfinished conversation. He wasn't just guessing; he understood the weight of that night just as much as she did.

Taeyeon exhaled slowly, lowering her gaze to the table. "You already knew," she murmured, more to herself than to him.

Jimin leaned closer, his elbows still resting on the table, his gaze unwavering. "I had a feeling," he said softly. "It's been hanging over you ever since, hasn't it?"

Taeyeon nodded, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her glass, unable to meet his gaze. "I thought... maybe if I ignored it, it'd just go away, but the person is always with me." Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper, as if saying it aloud would make everything more real.

"I don't know who did that but it was him who gave me the drink," she finally opened up. 

"Did what?" Jimin asked as he couldn't put together her words.

She sighed, closing her eyes. She needed to be clear and make sure he got what's her point she was trying to say. She had explained everything—before she approached him for the drink, going to the bathroom, and then the drinks affected how she  and Jimin kept nodding for every word she said.

Jimin POV:

Then a memory from that night resurfaced. The moment just before Taeyeon had approached him—

"Hello, Mister, can I get that drink?" Jimin could still see it vividly: Do-Yoon standing by the bar, holding a glass that sparkled under the dim lights. 

But back then, Jimin had been too caught up in his own mess, and he didn't even know them either. He had drowned himself in drink after drink, trying to numb the sting of betrayal—his heart heavy from the breakup. Anger and sadness clashed inside him, and all he wanted in that moment was to forget.

He remembered himself slouched at the other end of the bar, swirling whiskey in his glass, lost in his thoughts. His mind was a haze of frustration, heartbreak, and alcohol. He hadn't cared to notice anything going on around him

Jimin stared at his hands, as if the answer were written on his palms. "So, it's him," he muttered, more to himself than to Taeyeon, his voice low and filled with restrained anger.

"I can't confirm that," Taeyeon whispered, her gaze fixed on her lap. Her uncertainty hung heavy between them, like an unfinished sentence.

Jimin noticed her leg tapping against the floor—a nervous habit he'd seen before—and her fingers mirrored that unease, fidgeting restlessly. He could tell she hated this feeling: being stuck between suspicion and not having enough proof. It was a frustration he understood too well.

3rd Person POV:

It had already been a year.

A whole year since that night in Tokyo, but the questions and unease lingered like a stubborn bruise. No clarity, no closure—just a series of half-truths and lingering suspicions that she had dared to confront fully until now.

"A year, Jimin-shi," she muttered, "and none of it feels any clearer..." 

Taeyeon exhaled sharply, her frustration evident as she continued "I thought time would give me answers, but..." She trailed off, chewing on her bottom lip. "It's only made things more confusing."

"Do you think he knows?" Jimin asked quietly, leaning forward.

Taeyeon hesitated, her expression clouded with uncertainty. "I don't know... maybe. But if he does, he's hiding it well."

Taeyeon's thoughts spiraled as she watched Jimin's jaw tighten and his fists curl slightly on the table. If something happened? she repeated in her mind. Something has already happened. Why is he acting like this now? And why is he so furious?

Her heart pounded as unease crept in. Jimin's sudden intensity confused her—was it just guilt? Or was there more?

"Why..." she began slowly, narrowing her gaze. "Why does this make you so angry, Jimin?"

Jimin's mind raced, a whirlwind of scenarios flooding his thoughts. Why does this make me angry? Why wouldn't it? 

Jimin's chest tightened as the thoughts spiraled. What if it hadn't been me? The possibility gnawed at him mercilessly. Even though what happened between them wasn't right—they were both too drunk, lost in their emotions—he couldn't bear the idea of someone else taking his place that night.

That realization hit him harder than he expected. It unsettled him. He didn't even understand why he'd wanted her so badly in that moment. Maybe it was the alcohol; maybe it was the loneliness. 

But if it hadn't been him? If it were someone else... His fists clenched at the mere thought. The idea of someone else touching her, taking advantage of her in her state at that time—it sent a cold rage racing through his veins.

His voice dropped, low and serious. "I keep thinking... If it wasn't me that night, Taeyeon—if it was someone else—do you know what could've happened?"

Taeyeon's mind reeled as she tried to process everything. But why? She could feel the weight of Jimin's guilt, the anger rumbling beneath his words, but something didn't quite add up.

Doesn't that happen between us?

The incidents of that night flashed in her mind like parts of a blurry dream: the drunken haze, the kiss, and the warmth of his skin against hers. It wasn't a lie—they had crossed a line that night, one neither of them could take back. But it wasn't forced, and it wasn't deliberately It was messy, impulsive, and fueled by emotions they hadn't yet understood.

Then why did Jimin act like this wasn't about him? Like the worst thing that could've happened was someone else being in his place?

Her brows furrowed as she tried to find the missing piece. "Jimin-shi," she whispered, her voice tinged with both confusion and hurt. "What are you really afraid of?"

His gaze snapped back to hers, sharp and filled with something she couldn't quite name—fear, guilt, and maybe even something more. "I'm afraid... that night meant something," he confessed quietly, as if admitting it to himself for the first time.

Taeyeon's breath hitched. Her heart felt like it skipped a beat. It meant something?

She blinked, stunned by the seriousness of his words. For a moment, she had thought Jimin's guilt was about making a mistake, about regretting what happened between them. But now...

"It wasn't just the alcohol," he continued, his voice thick with emotion. His light brown eyes, glimmering with a muted warmth, stayed locked on hers—steady, unflinching. "I thought it was at first, but I know it now. I wanted you that night, Taeyeon. And it scares me because..."

He trailed off, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Because I don't know what that means. I thought it was a one-time thing, but it's not going away."

Jimin exhaled deeply, dragging his hand down his face. "The kiss felt warmer... even though it was a mess. It healed something it didn't even break." His words hung in the air.

"It's not a one-time thing, Taeyeon, and you didn't do anything to regret. That night we—" He paused, feeling the weight of the words pressing against his chest. He had been hiding these feelings, dying to tell her the truth, and it felt like the moment had finally arrived.

But before Jimin could continue, a very familiar voice interrupted him.

"Taeyeon-ah!" The voice rang out, almost making Taeyeon's eyes pop wide open in disbelief.

When Taeyeon heard her brother's voice, her heart fell to her stomach, stopping just as she and Jimin were about to fall apart. She whipped her head toward the entrance, and there he was—Kim Taehyung.

Jimin's mouth remained slightly agape, but it was nothing compared to the shock that was in Taeyeon's expression, which was even more telling—she looked like she had just seen a ghost, her wide eyes betraying the panic she felt inside.

"Oppa!" Taeyeon blurted, her voice a mix of surprise and disbelief.

"Taehyung?" Jimin echoed, his voice carrying the same stunned disbelief.

They both stared at Taehyung, who was clenching his jaw and fists, his fuming eyes never leaving Jimin, as if he were ready to throw his hands at him.

Jimin and Taeyeon exchanged a glance, the sweat forming on their foreheads as their minds raced with the same question—Did he hear all of it? The anxiety in the air felt thick enough to cut, and Jimin could almost feel the pressure of Taehyung's glare pressing down on him.

"Yah! PARK JIMIN! YOU BASTARD!" Taehyung almost screamed as he stormed toward Jimin, grabbing his collar. Jimin's eyes widened at his best friend's sudden outburst, while Taeyeon gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth and standing up abruptly; she had never seen her brother like this before.

"Oppa, wait!" Taeyeon called out, panic rising in her voice. But Taehyung's fury was unwavering, and Jimin could only stare, a mixture of shock and helplessness flooding his senses.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Taehyung growled, his grip tightening on Jimin's collar. The air around them crackled with anxiousness, the unspoken feelings and secrets now laid bare in the harsh light of confrontation.

"Taehyung, let me explain!" Jimin gasped, struggling against the tightening grip. It felt like he was underwater, gasping for air while the pressure around him grew stronger. Taehyung's fury was palpable, and it was clear he wasn't in a position to listen.

Would this be how it ended? Would this moment shatter their friendship beyond repair? Jimin's gaze flickered to Taeyeon, who stood frozen, her wide eyes reflecting horror and disbelief. In that moment, the weight of their unspoken feelings hung heavily in the air, suffocating him.

Could he lose her too? The thought was like a dagger to his heart. This was the woman who had unexpectedly healed him and pulled him from the depths of his heartbreak. . Namjoon's words rang in his ears, warning him not to mess this up; his predictions had never been wrong.

Damn, I messed up.