The days after the charity event felt like a blur to Ji-eun. She had finally let herself relax, but her mind remained in a constant state of turmoil. Ji-hoon's confession, Jungkook's support, and the confusion in her own heart made it impossible to think clearly. Everything seemed uncertain, and the pressure of making the right choice weighed heavily on her.
Despite her inner conflict, Ji-eun knew one thing for sure: she couldn't keep running away from her feelings. She needed to find a way to sort through the tangled mess in her heart. It wasn't fair to either Ji-hoon or Jungkook to be left in limbo.
One afternoon, after school, Ji-eun found herself sitting in the park, watching the leaves fall from the trees. It was a peaceful spot, away from the chaos of school and the expectations of everyone around her. It was the perfect place for her to think, to clear her mind, and maybe, just maybe, come to a decision.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she glanced down to see a message from Ji-hoon.
Ji-hoon: "Hey, Ji-eun. I know you need time, but I was wondering if you wanted to talk later. No pressure, just want to see how you're doing."
Ji-eun smiled to herself. She had always admired Ji-hoon's patience and understanding. He never pushed her, never made her feel rushed. But that very quality made her feel even more conflicted. She didn't want to lose his friendship, but at the same time, she couldn't ignore the feelings that had been growing for him.
She stared at her phone for a moment before replying.
Ji-eun: "I'd like that. Let's talk tonight."
The moment she sent the message, her thoughts shifted back to Jungkook. He had been there for her through everything—supporting her during the performance, offering his words of encouragement, and, most importantly, being a constant friend. He had always been her idol, but he had become so much more than that. He had shown her a side of him that was kind, thoughtful, and genuine.
But how could she be sure of what she wanted? Ji-eun closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to silence the noise in her head.
Later that evening, Ji-eun met with Ji-hoon at a small café near her house. It was a quiet, cozy place, perfect for a conversation that she knew would be difficult.
Ji-hoon was already sitting at a table when she arrived. His eyes brightened when he saw her, and he gestured for her to sit.
"Hey, Ji-eun," he said softly, his voice warm. "Thanks for meeting me."
Ji-eun smiled nervously. "Of course. I've been thinking a lot, actually. I think it's time we talk about… everything."
Ji-hoon nodded, his expression serious but gentle. "I've been thinking a lot too. I'm glad you're ready to talk."
For a long while, they both just sat there, sipping their drinks, neither knowing exactly how to begin. But eventually, Ji-hoon broke the silence.
"Ji-eun, I don't want to make things harder for you. I know you're dealing with a lot, and I don't want to add to your stress. But I also don't want to hide how I feel anymore. I care about you, a lot, and I think I always have. But I want you to know that whatever you decide, I'll respect it. I just needed you to know."
Ji-eun felt a lump form in her throat. She had never doubted Ji-hoon's feelings for her, but hearing him say it aloud made her heart ache with the weight of her own uncertainty.
"I care about you too, Ji-hoon," Ji-eun said, her voice quiet. "But I'm also confused. My feelings are all over the place, and I don't know what I want right now. I don't want to hurt anyone, especially you or Jungkook."
Ji-hoon's eyes softened with understanding. "I get it. And I'm not asking you to make any decisions right now. I just wanted to tell you how I feel. Take your time, Ji-eun. I'm not going anywhere."
A sense of relief washed over Ji-eun, but the guilt didn't disappear. She still had to confront the feelings she had for Jungkook. She couldn't let them linger in the background, unresolved.
"I don't want to drag this out," Ji-eun said, her voice shaking slightly. "But I think I need to talk to Jungkook. I don't want him to feel like he's being left out of this… whatever this is."
Ji-hoon nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand. Just be honest with him, Ji-eun. That's all anyone can ask for."
---
The next day, Ji-eun met Jungkook at the park. He was already there, sitting on one of the benches, looking as relaxed as ever. When he saw her approach, he stood up and greeted her with a smile.
"Hey, Ji-eun," he said, his voice full of warmth. "You seem like you have something on your mind."
Ji-eun took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it—the moment she had been putting off. She couldn't keep running from the truth.
"Jungkook, I need to talk to you," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "About everything that's been going on."
Jungkook's smile faded slightly, and he nodded. "Of course. What's on your mind?"
"I've been thinking a lot lately," Ji-eun began, her words careful. "And I've realized that I need to figure out what I really want. I don't want to hurt you, Jungkook. But my feelings are so mixed up right now."
Jungkook listened intently, his eyes searching her face. "Ji-eun, you don't have to explain yourself. If you're confused, that's okay. I just want you to be honest with me, and with yourself. No matter what, we're still friends, alright?"
Ji-eun's eyes welled up with tears, and she nodded. "I don't want to lose our friendship, Jungkook. You mean so much to me."
He smiled softly, stepping forward to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You won't lose me, Ji-eun. We'll figure this out, together."
As they stood there, Ji-eun felt a sense of clarity wash over her. She wasn't sure where her heart would lead her, but she knew one thing—she didn't need to have it all figured out today. She had time, and the support of her friends.
And that was enough for now.