author's note:
I published this chapter in the old version too and i was so close to publishing this chapter when it wasnt pride month yet. i did well holding back, huh?

A reminder, this chapter happens before their holiday. This chapter was supposed to serve as hints on who were the unknown cpl back then 😂

Dedications to friends who are part of the community.

EDITED;
Contents may affect future chapters.

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Namjoon found himself immersed in a busy day, engrossed in counting and summarizing the contents of the booklet before him. The usual commotion of the boutique surrounded him, with Jimin and Jungkook playfully arguing, Seokjin scolding them to be quiet, Yoongi persistently clicking his mouse, and Jisoo and Wheein giggling at something on their phones.

Nevertheless, Namjoon managed to focus on his task, feeling disconnected from reality and fully absorbed in the world of numbers and calculations. It took him a while to notice that Taehyung had become unusually quiet. Pausing his counting, he peered through the frame of his spectacles and wondered what was on Taehyung's mind.

"Taehyung?" he called out, raising an eyebrow as the younger man looked at him with raised eyebrows. "What are you checking out?"

Pouting his lips, Taehyung shook his head in response.

Curious, Namjoon raised an eyebrow and said, "Okay." He was about to resume his counting when Taehyung reached out and held his hand, surprising him. "What is it?" Namjoon asked, taken aback by the gesture.

"Do you think we have gay people in our shop?" Taehyung questioned.

Namjoon blinked several times before responding, "Well... I don't know. Why do you ask?"

"It's nothing," Taehyung replied, his eyebrows furrowed as he continued to pout. "The ahjummas in the shop next to us suspects that we have gay employees. I overheard them while I was taking out the garbage behind our shop."

"Oh," Namjoon murmured. "I can't be certain, Taehyung. Just because there are sights of affection among us doesn't instantly assume our sexuality. Each person decides their own identity, considering the environment we live in. You're aware of the kind of society we're in, aren't you?"

As Namjoon took a sip of his coffee, Taehyung remained silent. However, just as he was about to swallow a large gulp, Taehyung spoke up again. "I think it might be Yoongi hyung and Seokjin hyung."

Namjoon choked and needed a moment to compose himself. Placing a hand over his mouth to suppress a cough, his eyes fixated on a pencil stand before turning back to the younger man. "What made you... *cough, cough*... what made you think it's... *cough*... them?"

"It seems logical. They've known each other longer than any of us," Taehyung reasoned.

"I see," Namjoon replied, still feeling a lingering discomfort in his throat. He attempted to chuckle but ended up coughing instead. After regaining his composure, he added, "Let's not dwell on this too much. If it turns out to be true, it's none of our concern."

"But it bothers me that the ladies next door are spreading rumors. It's annoying, hyung."

"They are aware that I identify as aromantic, Taehyung. People meddling in other's affairs is nothing new. Ignore them."

"But that's because you openly declared it. You showed us that accepting yourself is important, and I'm glad you chose to disregard those who believe being aromantic is impossible. But I'm concerned about the gay staff in our shop. We don't know who they are." Taehyung glanced down at his fingers. "I don't care about their identities either. If we find out, I don't want the atmosphere in our shop to become tense because of this. I'm saying this because I understand the community we live in," he muttered.

Namjoon gazed at him with gentle eyes and chuckled. "Taehyung-ah, don't worry. Whoever they may be, we've got their backs."

Taehyung slowly nodded. Then, he spoke again. "Hyung, I have one question."

"What is it?"

"What does 'arrow-sexual' mean?"

Namjoon's eyebrows furrowed above his spectacles. "Arrow-sexual?"

"Yeah, arrow-sexual. Your sexuality," Taehyung clarified.

"Oh," Namjoon let out a short laugh. "It's actually 'aro-sexual'."

Taehyung stared at him with lightly creased eyebrows before repeating, "arrow-sexual."

"No, no. A-ro-sex-u-al."

"Arrow-sexual."

Namjoon facepalmed and muttered, "Oh, boy."

"What's wrong, hyung?"

The man forced a chuckle before sighing. "So, being a-ro-sex-u-al means that I experience romantic feelings for someone, but I don't and can't experience sexual attraction towards them. And on the other hand, I can feel sexual attraction toward someone but not experience romantic feelings for them. It's difficult for me to develop both sexual and romantic feelings for someone. And I can't force it. It's always one-sided."

"Ah..." Taehyung nodded in understanding.

Namjoon smiled, appreciating Taehyung's innocent curiosity.

Suddenly, Jimin's voice calling for Taehyung echoed through the premises. Taehyung turned his head in the direction of the voice and replied, informing Jimin that he would be there in a minute to help with the stock boxes. "Okay, I'll be right there!" he exclaimed.

As Taehyung disappeared into the back of the boutique, Namjoon intended to resume his work, but his pencil remained suspended in the air. It rested under his index finger as he brought his dominant hand up to his chin.

"'Arrow-sexual,' huh? An interesting word."

Arosexual:
is when you're never attracted to someone both sexually and romantically at the same time.
You find this one person sexually attractive but not romantically but you find this other person romantically attractive but not sexually.

Happy Pride Month, loves!
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
(I'm sorry I don't include other flags, I click what I have on my keyboard.)
❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍