As soon as the plane landed, dozens of notifications flooded my phone.
Real-time news articles, fan posts, and concert photos were endlessly being uploaded, and among them, a photo taken at the departure gate was also spreading.
A scene lasting just a few seconds, where Taehyung grabbed Jungkook's arm the moment he lost his balance.
However, for some, those few seconds were enough to create countless stories.
"...Did you see it?"
At the low voice asking the question, Taehyung nodded with his phone screen turned off.
"huh."
It was a short answer, but his expression was heavier than usual.
Both of them knew.
It was just a simple guess for now.
However, he knew better than anyone that even a single trivial action could become a story that would be talked about for a long time.
Theater waiting room.
The staff were busily preparing the stage, and the members were checking their costumes for the rehearsal.
The two people, who would normally have naturally sat next to each other, deliberately chose the seats furthest away.
Even when our eyes met, I turned my gaze away as if nothing was wrong, and conveyed what needed to be said through another member.
It was awkward.
It was so awkward that the people around me actually found it strange.
Did the two of you fight?
When one of the members asked with a playful laugh, the two smiled at the same time.
"No."
The answer came out at the same time.
A moment of silence followed.
"See, they didn't fight."
The atmosphere quickly lightened, but Jungkook couldn't smile.
Being close was hard, and drifting apart was even harder.
After the rehearsal ended.
Jungkook was looking at the audience from the stage all alone.
The concert hall with the lights off was unbelievably quiet.
Thousands of empty seats were lined up in the darkness, and soon all of them were expected to be filled with fans.
So you were here.
I turned around at the sound of a voice from behind and saw Taehyung walking slowly toward me.
Everyone was looking for it.
I'm going to think for a moment.
Taehyung stood beside him without saying a word for a while.
A familiar silence fell between the two.
"Should we... stop?"
It was a remark made suddenly.
Jungkook slowly raised his head.
"Because of that one photo?"
It's not because of the photo.
Taehyung smiled bitterly.
I was worried it might hurt you.
I'm fine with whatever people say, but I don't want you to have a hard time because of me.
The moment he heard those words, Jungkook was unable to say anything for a while.
He was someone who always thought of others before worrying about himself.
So I felt even more sorry, and I didn't want to let go anymore.
I'm against it.
Taehyung quietly turned his gaze away.
"what."
I prefer a day where I have to be careful because you're here, rather than a day where I'm at ease because you're not here.
For a moment, the wind brushed past the stage.
Jungkook continued speaking slowly.
We hide things because of people, not because we deny each other.
So even though I'm scared, I want to hold on a little longer.
Taehyung closed his eyes and slowly exhaled.
It felt as though the worries that had been swaying endlessly inside my heart were finally starting to settle down little by little.
"Won't you regret it?"
"What about your brother?"
Taehyung chuckled at the short question.
I don't think I'll do it either.
At those words, Jungkook laughed along.
For the first time in a long while, the tension vanished from the two people's faces.
5 minutes before the performance starts.
The backstage area was filled with tension.
The staff count began, and the lights started turning on one by one.
As the members formed a circle, their hands naturally overlapped.
Let's do our best today as well.
"Go for it."
Hands went up with a vigorous cheer.
That brief moment.
Without anyone noticing, Taehyung's little finger brushed against Jungkook's fingertips for just a brief moment.
No one knew whether it was intentional or accidental.
But only the two of them knew.
'are you okay.'
It was a signal conveyed instead of words.
The curtain opened and cheers filled the concert hall.
Under countless lights, the two sang, danced, and laughed as usual.
A member of the same group who creates the best stage, in anyone's eyes.
It was nothing more, nothing less.
The moment they were giving their final greetings to the audience after the performance, their eyes briefly met.
It was a very brief moment, but that look alone was enough.
The secret remained a secret, and tomorrow, as always, one must be careful.
However, at least for today, we confirmed once again that we share the same feelings.
That was enough.
