What the wounds on my body and the wounds on my heart have in common

[Episode 4]

???

"jungkook jeon."

Jungkook flinched at the sound of his name, his eyes turning into rabbit eyes. He looked at his own face without realizing it.

전정국

"jimin park..?"

Something felt empty. Did Park Jimin live around here?

박지민

"Why are you crouching here? It's cold outside. You'll catch a cold."

His face was covered in wounds as he spoke, his mask lowered, but he smiled beautifully. It was the kind of smile that could make even the most weary and worn-out person smile... Well, either way, Jeongguk decided to just pray.

전정국

"Jimin. Please save me just this once."

박지민

"huh..?"

Jimin, who knew nothing, was clearly flustered. It was understandable. Who would be calm when a friend begs for his life without explanation?

지민 어머니

"Is Jimin your friend? Come to my house, it's still cold."

Oh, there you are. Someone who isn't embarrassed.

박지민

"Oh, Mom~ I told you not to come out~ Come in quickly, hurry!"

지민 어머니

"I came out because you weren't coming for a long time. You were meeting a friend, weren't you?"

박지민

"Hehehe~ Jungkook! You come quickly too!"

전정국

"Oh, thank you!"

Jimin's house.

전정국

"Excuse me."

Jimin's house looked shabby at first glance. It also seemed too small for Jimin, his mother, and his younger sibling to live together.

But the endless laughter spilled out... It was incredibly cozy. In short, it was the complete opposite of Jeongguk's house. Jeongguk, though cramped, seemed to like the atmosphere inside, glancing around the house with envious eyes.

지민 어머니

"Guys, let's eat!"

Although it was a bit late, everyone started eating, and Jungkook was hungry too, so he ate quickly.

°°°

After dinner.

Jungkook called Jimin in a small voice. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, only heightening Jimin's curiosity.

전정국

"I'm really sorry... Could you let me stay for a few days...?! I don't have anywhere to sleep..."

Jimin couldn't help but laugh at Jungkook's seemingly unconcerned concern. He was so cute, his eyes darting around in anxiety, not knowing what would happen to him.

박지민

"What kind of crazy person would leave the house without any plan?"

전정국

"..n, I regret it too..."

Jeongguk's voice crawled in.

박지민

"Pfft-, just kidding, just kidding~ Did you really think it wouldn't work? Of course it would."

박지민

"We're... friends."

"Friend." That single word brought warmth to Jungkook. And his heart ached. A man who never felt the need for friends. A man living alone in the world. Perhaps he needed friends too. Friends are precious. Indispensable.

박지민

"It's getting late, let's hurry up and catch up~"

Jungkook smiled at Jimin's words and answered with a bright smile.

전정국

"Yes! Really... really thank you."

Around 3 AM, Jungkook kept tossing and turning as if he couldn't sleep, and Jimin couldn't sleep because of him.

박지민

"...Jungkook."

전정국

"huh?"

박지민

"Sorry."

박지민

"You spread false rumors. If I hadn't done that, you'd be fine. You wouldn't have had to be bullied like this..."

전정국

"fool..."

전정국

"There's no need to be sorry. I had no choice but to do it because they told me to."

전정국

"Even if it weren't for you, those birds would have done anything. In a way, it's my fault for being unlucky."

박지민

"...Thank you. I won't do it again. This...will never happen again."

Jimin's tears sparkled in the moonlight. The night passed, and the two fell asleep. The two men's eyes were moist as they slept, but beautiful smiles played on their lips.