On their third meeting after school for basketball practice, Jungkook finally agreed to meet Taehyung's grandma. Taehyung beamed with pride, his heart swelling with a nervous excitement. It was the first time he'd ever invited a friend home, and seeing Jungkook there filled him with a sense of accomplishment.
The atmosphere around the dinner table was warm and inviting. Taehyung's grandma bustled around, placing heaping bowls of steaming Korean dishes in front of them. The aroma of Kimchi, Bulgogi, and fluffy white Rice filled the air, and their laughter mingled with the clinking of chopsticks.
Jungkook, despite his initial reservations, found himself devouring everything. The food was unlike anything he'd tasted before, an explosion of flavors and textures that danced on his tongue. Grandma, noticing his appreciation, beamed even wider.
"These dishes are incredible, Grandma," Jungkook said sincerely, wiping his brow with a napkin. "Thank you so much for having me."
Grandma's smile deepened. Curiosity flickered in her eyes as she asked, "Tell me a little about yourself, Jungkook. What do your parents do?" She paused, her gaze softening. "Taehyung mentioned you gave him a very nice phone."
Taehyung shifted uncomfortably in his seat, a blush creeping up his neck. He knew his grandma was well aware of the disparity between their social statuses, and her questions felt a little intrusive.
"They own a business," Jungkook replied politely, setting his chopsticks down.
Taehyung winced internally, his cheeks burning even hotter. He felt a pang of sympathy for Jungkook, thrust into this unexpected interrogation.
"Do you have any siblings, or grandparents?" Grandma continued, her voice dropping to a whisper as she looked at Taehyung. "He's all I have left," she added, a hint of sadness tinging her tone.
"Actually, I'm an only child myself," Jungkook responded with a smile, his gaze meeting Taehyung's briefly. "But I do have a grandma, and let me tell you, she's a firecracker!"
A memory flickered in Taehyung's mind, a shared joke between him and Jungkook about his formidable grandma.
Grandma's eyes sparkled. "A firecracker, you say?" she chuckled. "Well, then you've come to the right place. I can be a bit of a firecracker myself sometimes! But you seem like a good boy, Jungkook. Consider yourself welcome here anytime."
The warmth in her voice filled the room, putting everyone at ease. The rest of the evening flowed by in a comfortable silence, punctuated only by the clinking of dishes and the occasional shared smile. As the clock struck a late hour, Jungkook knew it was time to leave.
"Thank you again for the delicious meal, Grandma," he said, bowing respectfully. "It was lovely meeting you."
Grandma returned the bow, her smile genuine. "Come visit again soon, Jungkook. You're always welcome."
With a final wave goodbye, Jungkook stepped out into the night, his heart lighter than it had been in a while. He had a feeling this was just the beginning of something special.
-
The day of the inter-school basketball competition finally arrived. This year, the energy crackled in the air as Sunny Dale High School played host. Excitement buzzed throughout the stands, a sea of red jerseys swaying in unison. Jungkook, ever thoughtful, had reserved a seat right up front for Taehyung.
Taehyung, however, was a bundle of nerves. Large crowds and loud noises overwhelmed him, and the cacophony of cheers felt like a physical assault on his senses. He fidgeted in his seat, his red jersey (a gift from Jungkook) feeling a little too conspicuous.
The game began, and Taehyung's gaze never left Jungkook. He watched in awe as Jungkook glided effortlessly across the court, his every move precise and confident. The ball seemed glued to his hands as he weaved through defenders, his jumpshots finding nothing but net. The score steadily climbed in Sunny Dale's favor, the crowd erupting in cheers with each successful basket.
When the final buzzer sounded, announcing Sunny Dale's victory with a score of 78-62, the gym erupted in a frenzy. Taehyung, still slightly overwhelmed, found himself amidst the jubilant chaos, surrounded by Jungkook, Yejun, and Young Jae. He hadn't realized these two, were also on the basketball team.
"Congrats, guys!" Taehyung managed in a small voice, a shy smile gracing his lips.
A hand landed on his shoulder. He flinched slightly before recognizing Young Jae's playful grin.
"Thanks, Tete! Having you here definitely brought us luck," Young Jae teased, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Yejun joined the banter, letting out a hearty laugh. "Yeah, who knew you were such a basketball fanatic?"
Jungkook, sent a withering glare at his friends. "Leave him alone, guys. Let the poor guy breathe! You're giving him a sweat bath with all that hugging!"
A playful argument ensued, the three friends poking fun at Taehyung's discomfort while Jungkook playfully defended him.
Despite the teasing, Taehyung couldn't help but smile. The camaraderie between them was a balm to his nerves, a sense of belonging washing over him.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the nearby crowd. A group of unfamiliar boys huddled together, their eyes fixed on Taehyung with envious stares. Their conversation remained a murmur, the specifics lost in the distance. Unaware of the malice brewing behind him, Taehyung continued to bask in the camaraderie with his friends.
A shiver ran down Taehyung's spine, though for a reason entirely different. The carefree atmosphere had shifted, a subtle change barely perceptible. An invisible threat hung heavy in the air, but for Taehyung, it remained shrouded in the joyful chaos of victory.