You didn't realize when things started feeling… easier.
Not perfect.
Not completely healed.
But lighter.
Walking to class didn't feel heavy anymore.
Sitting in silence didn't feel awkward.
Because now—
you weren't alone in it.
Jimin was there.
Not loudly.
Not forcefully.
Just… consistently.
"Did you finish the assignment?" he asked one morning, dropping into the seat beside you.
You groaned.
"Don't remind me."
He smirked.
"I'll take that as a no."
"Mind your business."
"Too late. I'm already involved."
You rolled your eyes—
but smiled.
And that smile…
felt real.
Later that day—
you both ended up in the library.
Same table.
Same quiet space.
You were reading.
He was pretending to.
"You've been on the same page for five minutes," you said without looking up.
"I'm thinking."
"About?"
He leaned back slightly.
"…You."
You froze for a second.
Then looked at him.
"…That was smooth."
"I wasn't trying to be."
Silence.
Your heart did that thing again.
But this time—
it didn't hurt.
"You okay now?" he asked softly.
You nodded slowly.
"…Better."
He studied your face.
"Not fully."
You smiled faintly.
"Not fully."
A pause.
Then—
"I can wait," he said.
Your chest tightened slightly.
"…For what?"
"For you to not look like you're holding something back."
Silence.
Because he wasn't wrong.
You closed your book slowly.
"I'm not holding back from you," you said.
"Then from what?"
You didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…From the past, maybe."
He nodded.
"That makes sense."
No pressure.
No pushing.
Just understanding.
Evening came.
You both walked out together.
The sky was turning soft orange.
"Hungry?" he asked.
"Always."
"Good. I know a place."
You ended up at a small café near campus.
Nothing fancy.
But warm.
Comfortable.
You sat across from each other.
"You come here often?" you asked.
"Sometimes."
"With who?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Jealous?"
You scoffed.
"Shut up."
He laughed.
And for a second—
everything felt normal again.
Food arrived.
You both ate quietly at first.
Then—
"Can I ask you something?" he said.
You nodded.
"…That night—when you hugged him…"
Your hand paused.
"…Did it help?"
You thought for a moment.
"…Yeah."
He looked at you.
"…In what way?"
You swallowed.
"Closure, I guess."
A pause.
"And…?"
You looked at him.
"And it made me realize something."
Silence.
"What?" he asked.
You hesitated.
Then—
"That I wasn't holding onto him…"
Your voice softened.
"…I was holding onto the feeling."
Jimin didn't interrupt.
Didn't react immediately.
He just… listened.
"And that feeling…" you continued.
"…isn't there anymore the same way."
Silence.
That moment—
was quiet.
But important.
Jimin leaned forward slightly.
"…So what is there now?"
Your heart started racing.
Because now—
this question mattered.
You looked at him.
Really looked.
At the way he stayed.
At the way he didn't rush you.
At the way he understood… without making it heavy.
"…Something new," you said softly.
His expression shifted.
"…New?"
You nodded.
"Not forced. Not confusing."
A small pause.
"…Just… growing."
Silence.
But this time—
it wasn't empty.
Jimin smiled slightly.
"…I like the sound of that."
You smiled too.
And for the first time—
👉 it didn't feel like you were choosing👉 it felt like you were moving forward
Later—
you both walked back.
The street was quiet.
Your hands brushed again.
This time—
neither of you waited.
He held your hand.
And you held back.
Naturally.
Easily.
From afar—
again—
Taehyung passed by.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
But this time—
he didn't stop.
Didn't look twice.
Just kept walking.
And maybe—
👉 that was his way of letting go.
Back with you—
you didn't see him.
You were just walking forward.
And this time—
👉 you weren't looking back.