The semester was coming to an end.
It was the last one before we all moved on to university.
But things were not normal anymore.
Jimin…
He had been missing school.
Sometimes he would come
And leave before break.
Sometimes he stayed in class
But he slept through everything.
Like nothing around him mattered.
And whenever he showed up
A crowd followed him.
"Jimin oppa! Take this!" a girl said, handing him a lollipop.
Girls kept giving him gifts.
Calling themselves his fans.
Boys asked for his number.
Some even gave him their food.
Students from other schools came just to see him.
Dropping gifts.
Calling his name.
But still..
He wasn't happy.
This wasn't what he wanted.
Yes…
He wanted to be an idol.
But not like this.
Not fake smiles.
Not people who didn't really know him.
Not all this noise.
Because the one person he wanted the most…
Didn't even look at him anymore.
Minju.
Even in a crowded place..
He could feel her presence.
But she never came close.
"…Shit."
He ran his hand through his hair.
Should he give up one dream…
To keep the other?
He didn't know anymore.
He had no one to talk to.
Not Ara anymore.
Everyone was there
But no one was really with him.
*******
Jimin's POV
I stood in front of the office door.
My heart was beating fast.
Then I opened it.
Inside sat Bang Si-hyuk.
The CEO.
"What is it?" he asked calmly.
I didn't think twice.
"Why can't I date?" I asked.
My eyes were serious.
He sighed.
"Still on that matter?"
He leaned back in his chair.
"All your fans want you," he said. "They see you as theirs."
I frowned.
"That doesn't make sense."
"It does," he continued. "To them, you are not just an idol. You are their dream."
He paused.
"What happens when they find out their 'dream' belongs to someone else?"
I stayed quiet
"You're not just giving them music," he said. "You're giving them yourself."
My jaw tightened.
"I trust Minju," I said firmly.
He looked at me.
"Trust her… until something goes wrong."
I stepped forward.
"I won't let anything go wrong. I promise."
Silence filled the room.
Then he sighed again.
"If you want to date… then there are rules."
My heart started beating faster.
"You can't be seen together in public."
I nodded.
"You can't post anything about her."
"…Okay."
"And you will work harder than everyone else."
I didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
"You will diet. Strictly."
"I said yes."
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then
"Fine."
That was all I needed.
I turned and ran out.
Finally.
Finally.....
I could be with her.
I ran.
Faster than ever.
My heart was light.
Happy.
And Excited.
I reached her window and climbed in quickly.
"Minju...."
I stopped.
Silence.
The room felt empty.
Too empty.
My eyes moved around.
Closet.
Bed.
To Table.
Nothing.
Her clothes…
Gone.
My chest tightened.
"…No."
I stepped back slowly.
"She… left?"
The words felt heavy.