The sunset came by quickly, turning the skies into rich marmalade along tangerine clouds.
"It's so cold!"
You heaved a sigh, silently agreeing with one of your classmates as you carried boxes from your department's booth for the event. Lifting your head up, you eyed the numerous festival pennons of red and white lined above you. The student festival had finally unfolded within the university, eliciting a calm prelude to winter and a long awaited academic break. Each college department had their own booth, mostly selling food or hosting a variety of games. One student was wearing a brown bear mascot, parading around and dancing with random people roaming the campus.
"[Y/N]!"
The atmosphere grew colder with the continuous descent of the sun. Standing outside the International Studies building, your eyebrows jumped at the sound of your name being called. You turned on your heel, eyes twinkling at the sight of a close friend, all bundled up in his cozy milk-chocolate-colored muffler.
"Tae!" you exclaimed, running towards him with a frivolous smile.
"What are you doing here? The concert is about to start!" Taehyung said in a rush, animatedly widening his eyes at the end of his sentence.
"I just helped in tidying up our booth." you responded nonchalantly, trying to slip your gloved hands past your small jean pockets for warmth.
A few classmates were still chattering away behind you, quickly bidding them goodbye as Taehyung started pulling you away by your forearm.
"Let's go!" He dramatically beckoned, briskly walking by your side, "Oh and, congratulations by the way!"
Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion with the art major giving you a boxy grin. Suddenly, the lamp posts simultaneously came to life, illuminating the university campus under the messy dark blue and grey colors of the sky.
"I heard about your class standing and I'm quite sure," Taehyung paused, turning to you, "...that you're at least one of the top 20 students in your year." he beamed with a proud smile.
"What? Where did you hear that from?" you questioned, feeling heat crawling over your cheeks.
"Hmm, you know I'm quite friendly!" he said, chuckling at the end of his sentence as he flashed you a playful smile.
Sometimes, your life in Seoul felt surreal despite the amount of work you accomplished. Studying immensely while working part-time weren't new things; but you realized, you weren't alone and seemingly invisible anymore in doing so— that was occasionally surreal to you.
Giggling softly, your tracks halted by the vast field and the assembled stage at the far end, "Thank you, Tae."
People were starting to crowd near the stage as the night continued to deepen with frigid winds. The concert was indeed about to begin; with numerous performances coming from the performing arts department and invited guest-artists.
"Taehyung! [Y/N]!"
Standing a few meters away from you, Namjoon waved enthusiastically before gesturing to Seokjin, Yoongi, and Jungkook. They were all snuggled in their long-sleeved outfits, conserving warmth amidst the growing winter.
The dim fairy lights behind you blurred in Jungkook's vision. To his demise, he still found the world stopping at the sight of your eyes glistening and your dulcet smile ever-s0 gracing your lips. He had long been forcing himself to move on from his feelings for you— even back when you were both children— that it brought nothing but immense pain in the dwellings of his chest. Nevertheless, he couldn't bring himself to look away from you.
"Jungkook! Yoongi-hyung! Jin-hyung!" Taehyung's booming voice cut through Jungkook's silent thoughts, ecstatic in tone.
Meeting Jungkook's stare, you gave him a tight-lipped smile in which he cordially returned. What happened was the inevitable. Stiff interactions slowly morphed back to casual friendship and professional tutoring sessions. Like always, you rarely saw each other in Seoul.
"We are finally complete." Namjoon declared, "Courtesy of me, of course." he lightly continued after gathering the Yonsei rivals, as you would quote Jimin from time-to-time.
"Hobi texted that the dance department is the opening act." Seokjin scrolled through his phone.
Knowing looks and uncontrollable smiles appeared on your friends' faces.
You weren't any different, the corners of your lips stretched widely at the graveling anticipation of seeing your friends perform live. Barely any of you and the rest of your friends saw Jimin and Hoseok the whole day, given their rehearsals.
"Let's stand over there." Yoongi motioned.
Hurriedly advancing through the field, you managed to secure a spot at the right side of the stage.
Jungkook stood beside you, often glancing your way as you endlessly chattered with Taehyung to your left. He still basked in your shameless enthusiasm; unconsciously wanting it for himself.
"Oh, Koo,"
He didn't notice that you were already staring back at him.
"Hm?" he hummed on reflex.
Silently, you reached for Jungkook's white beanie on top of his dark brown hair, carefully dragging it down to cover his ears.
"Your ears are red. It's really cold." you said, caring but nonchalant.
Doe-eyed and stagnant, Jungkook reeled back to his forlorn reminiscing of the past. You were always attentive to intricate details and tender in nature, all frozen in his head.
Till you turned away.
The stage-lights were a tad bit overwhelming, flashing in different colors and moving in different directions. As soon as the host officially announced the start of the concert, music blasted through the huge speakers at the sides of the stage. A heavy bass dropped as a tall and lean figure emerged between waves of smoke from the smoke machines.
You and your friends never doubted the stage presence of Jung Hoseok.
It was no wonder why he was chosen to lead the senior hip hop division, having the audience rasping their throats out as they cheered on his sharp and precise movements. A couple more dancers appeared from both sides of the stage as they commenced with the choreography.
Upon hyping up the performance, Jungkook caught a glimpse of your bright smile.
Until, the lights dimmed on the stage and soft strings started to play. A figure from the shadows leapt across the stage floor, graceful and effortless as he landed on an arabesque position.
The expression etched on your face completely changed. Your mouth fell ajar, eyes wide and shining.
"It's Jimin! Park Jimin!" a couple of people from the audience whispered.
Jungkook's breathing halted for a moment, watching in awe. Amongst the spattered colors, Jimin was dressed in white, putting emphasis on his newly-dyed orange hair. His moves were fluid and smooth, yet strong and explosive.
He was simply an enthralling performer; but as Jungkook averted his gaze, the pain in his chest bloomed tremendously.
There you were, mesmerized by Park Jimin.
Jungkook watched your eyes soften and twinkle in sublime admiration, his head finally got stripped bare of his constant reminiscing.
You had long been gazing past the stars, enraptured by how they exploded into a supernova. Why did it take so long for Jungkook to notice?
You had long been gazing past him.
Suddenly, the world was whirring like a fast-forwarded video. Jungkook's thoughts crashed like the waves of the sea against thick sand, washing over to a realization.
He was so caught up with his memories that he kept forgetting how much you've changed— how much he has changed.
Jungkook was frozen in his head.
Instead, you had already been so far away despite you standing beside him in close proximity.
— so far away from your childhood, from your past dreams, from Busan, from the sofa where it was just you and him, and from Jungkook.
You knew this a long time ago; and Jungkook silently lamented over his scathed and heavy heart.
Nonetheless, reality settled in like a plateau as he found himself standing by the outskirts of the field after the concert. His friends would not stop talking about the concert, scrolling over Yoongi's camera as you waited for your two other friends who performed.
"Minie!"
As if Jungkook's realizations needed any emphasis, he watched you run towards the contemporary dance major after calling out to him with an endeared tone.
And in matching exuberance and fondness, Jimin caught you in his arms, holding you tightly.
Everything was the same since you came to Seoul and after he confessed— you and Jungkook were already worlds apart.