After Jungkook cried his heart out in front of me, he told me he would explain later.
But even after a day, even after two days, he never told me anything.
I thought, There must be a reason why it's hard for him to talk about it.
Since that day, Jungkook would often go out, saying he had something to do,
but he never told me where he went or what he did.
"He’s not sick… right?"
I could understand if he didn't want to talk about what happened,
but after that day, he started subtly avoiding me.
He wouldn’t even engage in any skinship.
"Did I do something wrong…?"
"Why is he avoiding physical contact…?"
At that very moment, Jungkook was meeting Taehyung,
his friend who, just like him, could see ghosts.
"Are you okay?"
"No… I'm not okay."
Jungkook, looking like he would burst like a balloon at the slightest touch,
gulped down his iced Americano and spoke.
"Well, the person I love is wandering as a spirit…"
"Of course, I’m not okay."
"I can see it just by looking at your face. You’re barely holding on."
It had already been four years since Taehyung and Jungkook met.
Back in college, they had discovered each other’s ability to see ghosts and naturally became friends.
"What do I do… How do I tell Yeojoo that she’s a spirit?"
"How do I tell her to return to her body?"
"What if she gets too shocked and disappears…?"
"I can’t live without Yeojoo…"
A spirit that hasn’t fully passed on can disappear permanently if they receive a huge shock.
And if the spirit vanishes, the body left in a coma will eventually die as well.
"That’s why… I have to make sure she doesn’t get shocked."
"It’s… it’s because of me… all because of me…"
"And you need to stop blaming yourself."
"If you keep thinking like that, Yeojoo will only suffer more."
Jungkook fell into silence,
his mind drifting back to that day.
The beginning of it all—
the day of the accident.
Even though they had been dating for six years, Jungkook and Yeojoo were still deeply in love,
enjoying a sweet city date as always.
Because Jungkook had been busy, it had been a while since they last went on a proper date.
So Y/N had dressed up more than usual, even using a perfume she couldn’t remember the last time she wore.
Jungkook, worried that someone else might fall for her,
ended up bickering over her outfit—though, as always, he was the one who eventually gave in.
"Do you think I look pretty? Is that why you don’t want me wearing this?"
"I don’t know…"
"You're sulking again."
"Listen, Jeon Jungkook, I dress up like this to look pretty for you, not for anyone else."
"But you never listen to me…"
"Aww, so you’re sulking?"
"I’m not sulking…"
"Oh please, you totally are."
Whenever Jungkook sulked,
Yeojoo had a secret weapon—aegyo.
She usually found it unbearable,
but for Jungkook, she was willing to do it.
"Kkook-ah, Y/N wants you to stop being mad~ Won't you forgive me?"
Even when he tried to resist,
the corners of his lips betrayed him, curling up involuntarily.
Jungkook’s anger was already gone.
Yeojoo’s aegyo never failed.
Jungkook always gave in.
In fact, there were times when he pretended to sulk just to see her act cute.
Of course, Yeojoo, being sharp as ever, knew what he was doing.
But she let it slide because she found him adorable.
That day, they had a blast,
wandering around and enjoying their time together.
"It feels so good to finally go out with you again."
"Yeah… except for those guys who kept sneaking glances at you."
"Oh, please. If anything, guys just sneak glances.
Girls straight-up stare at you."
"Tsk, who dares to look at my man?"
As Yeojoo pouted, Jungkook noticed the back of her heels.
Her new heels had already started to blister her feet.
"I knew this would happen."
"I told you to wear comfortable shoes."
"Oh come on, it’s just a blister."
Hearing her say that,
Jungkook felt a pang of frustration.
"Wait here for a sec."
Spotting a pharmacy across the street,
he told her to stay put and dashed off as soon as the pedestrian light turned green.
But despite the green light,
a speeding car was recklessly charging toward him.
Seeing this,
Yeojoo forgot all about her aching feet and ran.
"J-Jungkook…!!"
Hearing her voice,
Jungkook turned around.
And in the next moment,
Yeojoo shoved him away with all her strength.
A deafening crash.
Jungkook, barely holding onto his consciousness,
lifted his head—
Only to see Yeojoo, lying on the pavement,
covered in blood.
His mind went blank.
With trembling hands,
he pulled her into his arms.
"Yeo-Yeojoo… Yeojoo!!!"
.
.
.
"H-Haah…"
"Jungkook… are you okay?"
"Ah… Yeojoo…"
Tears poured down Jungkook’s face
like an endless rainstorm.