Three days until the tour showcase.
The practice didn't end until past midnight.
"Thank you for your effort!"
The staff greeted them, and the members left the practice room one by one.
Jungkook tightened his shoelaces again without saying a word.
"...Aren't you going?"
Han Tae-hyun, who was waiting in front of the door, asked.
Just a little more.
"also?"
Jungkook shrugged his shoulders.
My route keeps getting in the way today.
Taehyung sighed and closed the door.
Then I'll stay too.
You go first, brother.
"no."
It was a short answer.
The music started playing again.
Jungkook repeated the choreography while looking in the mirror.
No matter how many times I tried, I wasn't satisfied.
Eventually, the music stopped.
"...it's okay."
Taehyung put down the remote control.
That didn't work out.
"it's okay."
Jungkook frowned.
"brother."
What you're lacking right now isn't practice, but sleep.
Taehyung handed over the water bottle.
Jungkook accepted it without a word and took a sip.
Only the faint sound of the refrigerator running echoed in the practice room.
Since when did you get used to holding out alone like this?
Jungkook chuckled at Taehyung's words.
It's always been like that.
"no."
Taehyung shook his head.
"In the past, I used to at least show it when things were tough."
"..."
You just laugh these days.
Jeongguk could not answer.
It wasn't wrong.
As time passed since my debut, I tried hard not to show any signs of wavering.
To the members as well.
To the fans as well.
And to Taehyung, who is closest to me.
Taehyung slowly walked toward Jungkook.
The distance between the two was close enough to touch if you reached out your hand.
Look at your eyes.
"...why."
Those are the eyes of a tired person.
Jungkook chuckled.
Are you a doctor?
"no."
Taehyung also laughed.
It's something I know from knowing it for a long time.
At those words, Jungkook unnecessarily averted his gaze.
My heart started racing a little.
This moment was the most dangerous.
It would have been over if I had just played a prank like usual.
Strangely, nothing came to mind today.
Taehyung gently swept Jungkook's bangs back.
"head."
"huh?"
The sweat is poking my eyes.
Jungkook held his breath as their fingertips brushed against each other.
Taehyung also seemed to realize his actions belatedly and tried to withdraw his hand.
"...sorry."
At that moment.
Jungkook lightly grabbed his wrist.
"...brother."
"huh?"
"...just a little."
Taehyung stopped in his tracks without saying a word.
How many seconds was it?
A silence that was neither long nor short passed.
They didn't say a word to each other, but there was something conveyed just through their eyes.
You know we shouldn't be doing this, right?
Taehyung spoke first.
Jungkook slowly let go of the hand.
"...i know."
"You might get misunderstood for no reason."
"huh."
Because we're on the same team.
Jungkook bowed his head.
"still."
"...?"
If you weren't left alone today.
He laughed softly.
I think he probably kept practicing on his own.
Taehyung looked at Jungkook for a while and then spoke quietly.
Don't try to endure it alone.
"..."
"At least in front of me."
It was a short remark, but strangely, it put my mind at ease.
Jungkook slowly nodded.
"...promise."
Taehyung smiled and reached out his hand.
Then, I promise.
Jungkook also smiled and held his hand.
It was a brief handshake.
But both of them knew.
That this feeling has already grown too big to be dismissed as mere friendship.
The lights in the practice room went out.
The two walked down the hallway maintaining their usual distance from each other.
No one noticed.
However, since that day, an inexplicable small change had begun between the two.
