The next few days were… quiet.
Not empty.
Just… calmer.
Taehyung didn't come looking for you again.
No messages.
No sudden conversations.
But sometimes—
you'd still feel his presence in class.
A glance.
A moment.
And then it would disappear.
Like nothing ever happened.
And maybe…
that was better.
Jimin didn't rush things either.
He didn't ask questions.
Didn't bring up Taehyung.
Didn't push you to talk.
He just…
stayed.
Next to you in class.
Walking beside you after lectures.
Sitting quietly when you didn't feel like speaking.
And somehow—
that felt heavier than words.
One afternoon—
you sat on the campus steps.
Same place.
But this time—
you weren't alone.
Jimin sat beside you.
No phones.
No distractions.
Just silence.
"…You've been quiet," he said after a while.
You smiled slightly.
"So have you."
He nodded.
"…Feels different."
"It is," you said.
No denial.
A small breeze passed.
You looked ahead.
"I thought I'd feel… clearer by now."
Jimin didn't interrupt.
"I don't feel confused anymore," you continued.
"That's good."
"But I still feel… something."
"For him?" he asked softly.
You nodded.
"…Yeah."
Silence.
But this time—
it didn't hurt the same way.
"I don't think it'll go away instantly," you said.
"It doesn't have to."
You looked at him.
"…You're okay with that?"
He shrugged lightly.
"I'm not in a race."
That made your chest feel lighter.
"But," he added.
You waited.
"I won't stand where I don't matter."
That line—
gentle.
But clear.
You nodded.
"…You won't."
And this time—
you meant it.
Later—
you both walked back.
Slow.
Unhurried.
At one point—
your hands brushed.
Just slightly.
Both of you noticed.
But didn't react immediately.
Then—
after a few steps—
he held your hand.
Softly.
Not tight.
Not possessive.
Just… there.
You looked at your hands.
Then at him.
He didn't look back.
Just kept walking.
Like it was normal.
Like he wasn't asking for anything.
Your fingers slowly curled around his.
Not fully.
But enough.
And for the first time in days—
your heart didn't feel heavy.
From a distance—
someone watched.
Taehyung.
Standing near the corridor.
He saw it.
Your hand in Jimin's.
That small moment.
Simple.
But real.
His expression didn't change much.
But his gaze stayed for a second longer.
Then—
he looked away.
And walked in the opposite direction.
Back with you—
you didn't know.
You were just walking.
Hand in hand.
Not as a decision.
Not as a replacement.
Just…
👉 a step forward.