It was raining in Seoul.

It always rains every time you leave a place.

Rain was the closest thing you had to a real home, because rain feels the same no matter where you are in the world.

Bittersweet comfort.

You were packing all the things you could into two large suitcases. You were going to Beijing to stay with your parents for a while, until you figured out what you were going to do with your life. It was like you were back at square one.

You glanced at your sad, depressing resume and sighed. Being a language instructor was something people could write on the work experience section, but not in your case since teaching English and Chinese to Kpop idols was not exactly a real thing, at least not in the real world.

Well, your mother had been overly enthusiastic when you had told her you were taking her up on her offer to work at your dad’s company, but you felt no excitement at all thinking about how long it was going to take to adjust to Chinese corporate life.

BTS’s manager was really surprised when you told him you were quitting, but he also said the boys would be busy preparing for a world tour anyways, so at least it all works out, right?

You looked at the pellets of rain hitting the window, and you were sad. It wasn’t overwhelming because deep down you had prepared to face the day when you would leave BTS. But nevertheless, the sadness was still there. So you decided to bury it. You thought about how these feelings ease with time, but time was also a thief that could snatch away memories. You didn't want to forget the BTS members, and the time you spent with them. And most of all, you didn’t want to forget Jungkook. But maybe the best way to move on, was to forget…

A small tear rolls down your cheek and you smile at the thought of Jungkook. The young idol that stole your heart and then some.

So this is what unrequited love feels like? You half laugh at the thought of how cheesy it was.

Letting go of someone you never had a chance with was not supposed to hurt this much, was it?

…

“World tour, world tour, world tour” JHope chants as he pumps himself up for practice.

“Can’t we take this slow?” Jin complains. “I don’t think I’m ready for this” He closes his eyes and sighs.

“Hyung, you should be more like our maknae” Jimin says with a cheeky smile.

They both look over to Jungkook who is already going over the new moves. He looked like he had blocked out the rest of the world and was completely focused on dancing. He was practicing intensely. A little too intensely. Beads of sweat were rolling down his face, but he kept going.

“Whao take it easy there, Kookie” Jimin says. “The first concert is a month away. You don’t want to burn yourself out too early. “

“He’s been acting strange lately” Jin comments. “He doesn’t even finish all the food I make him anymore, and the look in his eyes is kind of dead”

“You sure it’s not because you’ve lost your master chief touch?” Jimin jokes.

“Ya! Then don’t eat what I cook!” Jin snaps back.

“He’s been like that since Minchan left” V says, walking up to the two older males.

“You think it’s because of her?” Jimin asks surprised. “I mean, she was nice and all, but aren’t we all at least happy that we don’t have to take language classes anymore?”

V shakes his head. “I’ve known Jungkook long enough to read his feelings before he can even decipher them himself.”

“Are you saying that-?” Jin starts to ask before putting two and two together.

Jimin nods in understanding too.

“It’ll pass over,” Jin finally says, still looking at Jungkook who still has his eyes glued to the mirror in front of him. "We've all been there done that."

"Yeah" Jimin agrees "He'll bounce back in no time." Jimin rushes over and begins dancing with JHope. 

“I don't think so” V whispers to himself as he sighs and sluggishly walks over to join in too. 

…

"That's right, I hate you
Even though you left me
Not a day passed
Where I didn't think about you
Honestly I miss you
But I’ll erase you
Because it hurts less
Than to blame you"

Suga's practing his rap part in "Spring Day", when Rap Monster walks in to the recording studio.   

"How is he?" Rap Monster asks, looking over at Jungkook who is recording. 

"He's actually doing really well" Suga says. "The kid is finally able to put real emotion into his singing."

"If I didn't know better, I would've assumed he really got his heart broken or something" RapMon laugh, half jokingly. 

Suga stays silent and continues to look over at Jungkook, who'd still focused on the lyrics of the song he was recording. 

JHope walks in, covered in sweat. Jimin, V, and Jin follow. 

"He's already here!?" JHope says increduously. 

"I thought he went to take a break" Jimin says, rushing over to wave at Jungkook through the sound proof glass. 

"Not only is he younger, more talented, and more skilled, but he also works harder too" RapMon jokes.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Jin says, clearly offended. "I've been working my off, but this kid is not human."

V walks over and slumps down on the couch, staring at the wall. 

"And what up with you?" Suga asks, seeing how the normal weird and energized V is acting a little strange. 

"I don't know how to help someone so oblivious" V replies. 

"He'll come to realization" Suga says, surprising V. 

Does he know more that he likes to show?

...

Is it just a cloudy day or is this the reality of Beijing’s smog?

You hailed a taxi from the airport and typed in the address your mother had provided you into Baidu Maps. You had managed to survive the couple hour flight from Seoul to Beijing and pass customs without any trouble. China was the same as you had remembered it: people swarming everywhere, loud conversations, and weird smells of food mixed with the stench of public restrooms.

Of course the more developed areas were different, and that’s where your parents lived. It was also where your dad’s company was located.

You step out of the taxi to see the tall 25-story apartment complex that would soon be your home for the next who knows how long. Back in the US you lived in houses, but in Asia you got used to the population density forcing civilization to develop vertically.

“Minchan!” Your mother’s voice rings in your ear as she opens the door and sees you standing there awkwardly with your luggage by your sides.

You hug her and walk into the fully furnished apartment. You had to admit it was pretty, much nicer than your grandparent’s house that was old and cramped.

“Well how do you like it?” Your dad asks, although he probably already knew you were impressed by the lavish apartment and the amazing view of Beijing through the large glass windows.

Your dad had hoped that you would like China enough to make a life here ever since you visited the country for the first time when you were 10. And throughout your teen years, he had tried to convince you that China was a place filled with business opportunities and a giant market just waiting for someone with the skills to build an empire over.

“It’s amazing, dad” You compliment looking out the window.

You had a great relationship with both of your parents and they provided you with everything they could since the day you were born, but you couldn’t help but feel that what you were looking for was something that they couldn’t provide, something that couldn’t be bought with money or materialistic resources.

“We cleared out a nice bedroom for you” Your mom says. “Set your stuff down there and wash up for dinner. I made your favorite!” She says.

You walk over to the empty bedroom and take off the jacket you were wearing. A small pink flower petal falls from the hood of your jacket. Cherry Blossom.

You pick it up and look at it sitting gently in your hands.

You carefully it and smile to yourself as you continue to hold back a tear. 

Jungkook.

.......