Stranger | Jikook/Kookmin

27 | Delivering

"We had our monthly club meeting, the only time you'll see this place this busy," Minji smiles tiredly, pulling out a chair for Jungkook to sit. "Guys! We'll do the cleaning later, Jungkook's here."

They look worn out, Jungkook can't help but notice. It's not a usual we're-exhausted type of worn-out but something darker than that... something desperate, something sad. 

Jungkook is hella antsy by the time everyone's finally gathered around the table, slumped back against their seats.

Please let this not be about the elections.

"The results of the elections are out," Shady speaks up, sinking Jungkook's heart with itself. "You won the majority of the votes. Siin won the elections."

Jungkook almost trips from his seat. 

"What?!" he exclaims in shock, a throaty laughter roaring through his body. "Oh my god, for real?"

Shady chuckles, nodding. 

Jungkook doesn't know what to do with himself. Finally, finally all of their efforts were worth it! He got elected! Their plan worked perfectly and they got to the top! The only thing left to do is talking to the dean and getting Jimin re-enrolled and... oh dear god Jungkook is elated.

He can't stop himself from shaking, looking at the other members in expectance of a congratulations or a collective celebration but...

Nothing really happens.

They look equally exhausted and now, equally guilty too.

"What's going on, guys? We made it, come on!" Jungkook shouts to agitate them but it's not really working. This... this is not how you deliver or receive good news.

That's when it hits him.

There is more to the story.

"Jungkook-ah," Jin drawls suddenly, meeting Jungkook's hawk eyes. They share a moment of suspending silence before Jin speaks again. "The directory didn't allow the mascot to serve. They nullified your ballots and handed the position to the second winner. Sorry man."

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The worst part about being a hard-worker is that the bad news hit you extra hard. It stops being about the game when you decide to invest in it. Takes the form of a personal challenge, an ability test, a last chance even if there will be more to come. The club members stated that it was victory in itself for Jungkook, who now has the freedom to upload the episodes to his channel and revive it back. Technically he got all he wanted. 

But Jungkook was never about the technicalities.

He got into this for himself, but found his purpose someway else. 

He found Jimin. He found his person.

And Jimin trusted him. Jungkook gave Jimin so much hope, made so many promises that he didn't think for a moment about what would happen if he were to not keep them. 

Jimin told Jungkook that he couldn't hang out with him that night because Byeongie and himself were invited to Sungwoon's house for dinner, but agreed to come outside for a bit to meet him. Now Jungkook is standing in Jimin's neighborhood except a few blocks away than usual, in front of a two-story white house in which Sungwoon's family resides.

It's a warm night.

The door gate opens and Jimin walks out in the street, a big smile on his face when he spots Jungkook. He almost makes a run for it, a cute little skippy toes dance until he falls into Jungkook's open arms, giggles making through his body as Jungkook immediately nuzzles into him like he missed the hell out of him.