Courtside Confession

Part-9

The heavens had opened up with a sudden ferocity, and Jimin found herself standing in front of the school building, vulnerable to the elements. She watched as students hurried by, each one shielded by the sanctuary of their own umbrella.

A couple caught her eye, their laughter mingling with the gentle patter of rain. They shared a moment that seemed to transcend the weather, finding joy in the simple act of sharing an umbrella.

Just that small view is enough to remind her about Jeno.

In the quiet sanctuary of her thoughts, Jimin grappled with the conflicting emotions that tugged at her heart. Her feelings for Jeno ran deep, a wellspring of longing and hope that threatened to drown out the rational voice within.

She wanted to be more than just another girl in Jeno's life. She yearned for a connection that went beyond surface-level infatuation, a love that held depth and meaning. But the reality loomed before her, stark and unforgiving.

Half of her heart dared to dream of being Jeno's girlfriend, of sharing stolen moments and whispered promises. The other half, though, harbored a painful truth - the knowledge that she might be nothing more than a passing fancy, a fleeting presence in Jeno's world.

The thought of being a mere diversion, a toy to be played with and discarded when boredom struck, sent shivers down her spine. She knew her expectations were high, perhaps even bordering on the impossible. But the ache in her chest refused to heed reason.

As the battle within raged on, Jimin clung to a fragile thread of hope. She dared to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for something more. But the fear of heartbreak, of investing her heart in a love that might never be reciprocated, lingered in the shadows.

In the depths of her soul, she knew that love was never without its risks. And as she stood at the precipice of possibility, she faced a choice that could shape the course of her heart's journey.

As she was lost in her thoughts, like a gentle surprise, an umbrella hovered over her. Her gaze lifted, and she met the warm smile of Heeseung. His presence was unexpected, but it brought with it a sense of relief.

"I can't let you stand here in the rain," Heeseung said, offering the shelter of the umbrella. "Come on, let's get out of this downpour."

At first, Jimin hesitated, a mix of gratitude and independence warring within her. She was used to navigating life on her own, finding strength in her own two feet. But as Heeseung gently tugged her along, a sense of camaraderie blossomed.

With a quiet thank you, the older girl let herself be guided, finding solace beneath the shared shelter of the umbrella. The rain continued to fall, but its touch was softened by the newfound companionship.

As they walked together, the sound of rain provided a gentle backdrop to their steps. In that moment, Jimin couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the unexpected shelter that Heeseung had offered.

_______________

The rain fell steadily, a curtain of water obscuring the world around them. Jeno, with his umbrella in hand, was ready to brave the downpour. In front of the school building, he saw Jimin standing alone and noticed that she did not have an umbrella for her. So, he decided to lent his umbrella to the girl. But just as he was about to step forward, a familiar voice called out to him.

Jisung, his younger brother, rushed towards him, his face a mixture of concern and damp frustration. "Hyung, I forgot my umbrella. Can we share yours?"

Jeno's gaze shifted between his brother and the umbrella. He weighed the options, a silent dilemma unfolding within him. He looked past Jisung, at Jimin, still waiting patiently for the rain to subside.

In the end, Jeno nodded at his brother's request. He offered the umbrella to Jisung, a silent promise to shield him from the rain. Together, they hurried home, leaving behind the school and the girl waiting outside.

As soon as they arrived, Jeno grabbed another umbrella, a silent determination guiding his steps. He rushed back to the school, hoping against hope that she would still be there, her presence a beacon in the rain.

But when he arrived, he saw a sight that caught him off guard. She stood beneath an umbrella, the shelter provided not by him, but by another man.

Jeno's heart twinged with a mixture of surprise and something he couldn't quite put into words. He found himself instinctively seeking refuge behind a tree, his gaze fixed on the unexpected scene before him.

In that moment, the weight of unspoken feelings hung heavy in the air. Hidden behind the protective veil of a tree, Jeno's heart beat in a rhythm that betrayed his outward calm. His eyes never wavered from the scene before him, where Jimin stood, sheltered by Heeseung's umbrella.

As he watched, a truth he was unwilling to face began to seep into his consciousness. There, in the recesses of his heart, a feeling was growing. An emotion that he had sworn to deny. He was falling for that girl.

The realization came like an unwelcome guest, disrupting the carefully constructed walls Jeno had built around himself. He prided himself on being the one to make girls fall for him, not the other way around. He didn't want to be the one caught in the throes of unexpected emotions.

A fierce determination to push these newfound feelings aside welled up within him. He couldn't allow himself to fall for Yu Jimin, nor any girl. He couldn't afford to let his heart be swayed by something as unpredictable as love.

With a silent resolve, Jeno vowed to keep his distance, to maintain the façade of the cool guy who remained unattached. He would bury this burgeoning affection deep within, refusing to acknowledge its existence.

As the rain continued to fall around him, Jeno grappled with the internal tempest raging within. The battle between heart and mind raged on, leaving him standing alone, hidden in the shadows, a solitary figure in the rain-soaked world.

Jeno stood there, the rain painting a melancholic backdrop to his internal struggle. He took a deep breath, steeling himself against the tide of emotions threatening to engulf him. He placed his hand on his left chest over his slightly ached heart, "Why so frail today?"

Then with a firm resolve, he whispered to himself: "Stay sharp, Jeno." 

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Author's note:

Hope you'd enjoy it!

I'm not sure if I could finish this or not. I'm really out of inspiration to write. I'm not in a good mental state. Especially, when I think about my future and the future of out country.

Everyone do care and send support to Ukraine and Palestine. But only a few know what is happening in my country, Myanmar(Burma). We also are living among bombs and gun-shoots. They are telling to run to a safe place as there could be a battle. But the town I live in has no where to run. If we run to the other side, we would be even nearer to the opposite side. Our town is included in the danger zone now. It may start from Dec. 15. 

Please pray for me and my family, the people in my country. It's been almost 3 years now. We want to live peacefully.