Chasing Dreams (Jikook) - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Confrontation in the Night
Jimin’s steps came to a sudden halt.
He had had enough.
With a sharp intake of breath, he turned around, his tired eyes burning with frustration as he glared at the figure standing just a few steps behind him.
"Are you seriously following me again?" Jimin’s voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet night.
Jungkook stiffened but said nothing. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, his gaze lowered to the ground.
Jimin let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “What is this, Jungkook? Why are you suddenly so interested in me?” His voice wavered, anger mixing with something dangerously close to hurt. “Where was all this attention when I actually wanted you to notice me?”
Jungkook remained silent.
Jimin clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as his frustration boiled over. "You ignored me. Every single time, you brushed me off like I was nothing." His voice cracked, but he swallowed the lump in his throat. "And now, suddenly, you’re always there—watching, following. Why?"
Nothing.
Jungkook didn’t even look at him. He just stood there, head bowed, silent as ever.
Jimin’s breath trembled.
"Say something!" he snapped, stepping closer, desperate for any reaction. "If you have nothing to say, then stop following me! Stop acting like you care when you clearly never did!"
Still, Jungkook didn’t meet his eyes.
Jimin scoffed, his heart pounding in his chest, anger and disappointment twisting inside him.
"Pathetic," he muttered under his breath before spinning on his heel, his feet carrying him away.
One step.
Two steps.
Then—
"I like you."
Jimin froze.
His breath hitched, his entire body going rigid at those three words.
Did he just imagine it?
Slowly, hesitantly, he turned his head, his heart slamming against his ribs as he looked at Jungkook.
Jungkook was still staring at the ground, his fingers curled into fists, his entire body tense as if forcing himself to stay still.
But he had said it.
Jimin knew he had.
Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.
Jimin’s heart was racing, but his mind—his mind was screaming.
After all this time… now?
Now, Jungkook decided to say this?
His lips parted, but no words came out. He was too stunned, too overwhelmed.
Jungkook still wasn’t looking at him.
And that—somehow—hurt the most.
Without another word, Jimin turned away and walked off, his emotions tangled and chaotic, leaving Jungkook standing alone in the quiet night.
Jimin’s footsteps were hurried, his heart pounding as he tried to ignore the ringing in his ears.
"I like you."
Jungkook’s voice kept replaying in his mind, over and over, like a broken record. It made his chest feel tight, his emotions clashing between anger and something else—something he refused to acknowledge.
He clenched his fists.
It didn’t matter.
It was too late.
He had spent so long trying to get Jungkook’s attention, trying to reach out, only to be ignored and pushed aside. And now, when he had finally learned to accept that Jungkook didn’t care, when he was finally trying to move on—
"I like you."
Jimin gritted his teeth and forced himself to keep walking.
He wasn’t going to let those words shake him.
He wouldn’t—
A strong grip suddenly wrapped around his wrist, stopping him mid-step.
Jimin tensed. He knew who it was before he even turned around.
"Let go," he said, voice cold.
Jungkook didn’t.
Jimin exhaled sharply and finally turned, ready to rip his hand away—but the moment he saw Jungkook’s expression, the words died in his throat.
Jungkook looked… lost.
Not desperate. Not pleading.
Just lost.
His lips were slightly parted, his breathing uneven, and his grip on Jimin’s wrist was firm but not forceful. It was as if he was holding on, afraid that if he let go, Jimin would disappear.
Jimin’s chest ached.
He hated this.
He hated that Jungkook had this effect on him.
"Say something," Jimin muttered, his voice quieter now, but still sharp. "If you’re just going to stand there, don’t waste my time."
Jungkook opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Jimin scoffed. "Of course." He yanked his hand back, breaking Jungkook’s hold. "You say you like me, but you can’t even explain why? Do you even know what you’re saying?"
Jungkook flinched.
Jimin shook his head and turned away again.
This time, Jungkook didn’t stop him.
He just stood there, watching Jimin walk away—his chest burning with the words he wanted to say but didn’t know how.
Warnings and Worries
Jimin sat at the small table in his apartment, stirring his drink mindlessly. Across from him, Taehyung watched him carefully, arms crossed, waiting for Jimin to speak.
After a long silence, Jimin sighed. "He said he likes me."
Taehyung’s expression twisted into a deep scowl. "What?"
Jimin pressed his lips together, hesitating. "Jungkook… he followed me home again last night. And when I confronted him, he just… he just stood there, silent, until he finally said it."
Taehyung leaned forward, his frustration clear. "And you believe him?"
Jimin shook his head immediately. "No. I don’t know. Maybe?" He groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t know what to believe, Tae. He never cared before. He barely even looked at me when I—" Jimin stopped himself, inhaling sharply. "I don’t get it. Why now?"
Taehyung scoffed. "Typical. He ignores you for so long, and now that you’re finally moving on, he decides he likes you? Sounds more like guilt than love."
Jimin swallowed. He wanted to argue, but a part of him wondered the same thing.
"I just… I don’t know what to do," Jimin admitted.
Taehyung leaned back, arms still crossed. "I’ll tell you what to do. Ignore him. If he really cares, he should’ve said it when it mattered. Not now, when it’s convenient for him."
Jimin stared at his untouched drink. "You think he’s just playing with me?"
"I think you’re going to get hurt again," Taehyung said bluntly. "And I’m not going to stand by and watch it happen."
Jimin swallowed hard.
"Besides," Taehyung continued, voice darkening, "next week, we’re back in university. And you know what that means."
Jimin stiffened. "Sungho."
Taehyung nodded grimly. "That bastard isn’t going to leave you alone. He’s going to be worse than before. And if Jungkook is suddenly interested in you, Sungho’s going to use that against you. You need to stay away from both of them."
Jimin felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
Taehyung wasn’t wrong.
If Jungkook kept approaching him, Sungho would see it as a challenge. And Sungho never played fair.
Jimin let out a shaky breath. "I don’t know if I can just ignore Jungkook, Tae…"
Taehyung’s expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "Then you better prepare yourself. Because next week, things are going to get worse."
Unfinished Taste
The semester had started again, and Jimin was determined to avoid Jungkook.
But no matter how much he tried, Jungkook was always there.
In the hallway. At the cafeteria. Even near the culinary department, where Jimin thought he'd be safe.
It was as if the universe was playing a cruel joke on him.
And what made it worse?
Jimin could feel Jungkook’s eyes on him—always watching, always near.
He sighed as he walked out of the cafeteria, holding a small container of food he had prepared for himself. It was a simple meal, nothing fancy. But as he turned the corner, a familiar figure appeared in front of him.
Jungkook.
Jimin’s steps faltered for a second before he quickly regained himself. He pretended not to see Jungkook and kept walking.
But then—
"Jimin."
The deep voice made him stop in his tracks.
Jimin sighed, already annoyed. He turned his head slightly. "What?"
Jungkook pointed at the container in Jimin’s hands. "Give me some."
Jimin furrowed his brows. "Excuse me?"
Jungkook met his gaze, his expression unreadable. "The food. I know you made it."
Jimin scoffed. "So?"
Jungkook’s voice was calm but firm. "I want to eat it."
Jimin let out a bitter laugh, gripping the container tighter. "You want to eat it? Since when?"
Jungkook didn’t respond. He simply stood there, waiting.
And Jimin—he could feel the anger bubbling inside him.
His mind flashed back to before—when he used to make food for Jungkook. Back then, he had been so excited, so hopeful. But then he found out the truth.
Jungkook never ate his food.
Instead, it ended up in the hands of Sungho.
Jimin’s stomach twisted at the memory.
He took a step forward, glaring at Jungkook. "You want to eat it now? You didn’t seem interested before."
Jungkook remained silent, but his jaw tightened slightly.
Jimin scoffed. "Why should I give it to you? So you can hand it over to Sungho again?"
This time, Jungkook flinched.
Jimin saw it.
And it only made his anger grow.
He took a deep breath before shaking his head. "Forget it, Jungkook."
Without another word, he walked past him, gripping the lunchbox tightly as he left.
Jungkook stood there, watching his back, his fists clenching by his sides.
Left Behind
Jungkook watched as Jimin walked away, his grip tightening around the straps of his bag. He hadn’t expected Jimin to lash out like that, but deep down, he knew he deserved it.
Jimin had every right to be angry.
Because back then, Jungkook had never even acknowledged the food Jimin had made for him.
He never threw it away, but he never enjoyed it either.
Sungho did.
And Jungkook had let it happen.
It wasn’t because he didn’t want Jimin’s food. It wasn’t because he hated it.
It was because back then, Jungkook hadn’t understood his own feelings.
But now, everything was different.
And Jimin—
Jimin wasn’t going to make it easy for him.
Jimin stormed into the culinary department, his heart still racing from the encounter.
He wasn’t sure if he was angrier at Jungkook for suddenly showing interest or at himself for still feeling affected by it.
He took a deep breath, placing his lunchbox on the counter. His classmates were busy preparing ingredients for their class, but his mind was elsewhere.
Why now?
Why was Jungkook suddenly appearing everywhere?
Why was he asking for his food?
Jimin clenched his fists.
No.
He wasn’t going to let Jungkook mess with him again.
"Jimin?"
A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
He turned to see Taehyung standing beside him, looking concerned. "You okay? You seem out of it."
Jimin sighed, rubbing his temple. "I’m fine."
Taehyung narrowed his eyes. "Liar. Something happened, didn’t it?"
Jimin hesitated before sighing. "It’s Jungkook."
Taehyung instantly groaned. "Oh my god. What did he do this time?"
Jimin hesitated before explaining everything—how Jungkook had been following him, how he kept showing up everywhere, and how he suddenly asked for his food as if the past had never happened.
By the time he finished, Taehyung’s arms were crossed, and his expression was unreadable.
Then, he scoffed. "Unbelievable. After everything he did, he suddenly wants your food? What’s next? He’s gonna act like he never ignored you?"
Jimin stayed silent.
Taehyung rolled his eyes. "Jimin, listen to me. I know you still have feelings for him."
Jimin flinched but said nothing.
"But you need to be careful," Taehyung warned. "We’re back in school now. You know what that means, right?"
Jimin frowned.
"Jungkook is going to keep approaching you," Taehyung continued. "And Sungho? He’s always going to attack you. You know how much he hates you."
Jimin swallowed hard, his stomach twisting.
Taehyung placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don’t let them mess with you again, Jimin. Stay away from Jungkook before you get hurt."
Jimin bit his lip.
Taehyung was right.
But the problem was—
Jimin wasn’t sure if he could.
The Breaking Point
Jimin was on his way out of the culinary department when it happened.
He had stayed behind longer than usual, finishing up his assignments. The hallway was mostly empty now, students having left for their next classes.
But as he turned the corner, he suddenly stopped.
A figure was waiting for him.
Sungho.
Jimin’s body tensed immediately. The smirk on Sungho’s face sent an uneasy feeling through his chest.
"Well, well," Sungho drawled, stepping forward. "If it isn’t Jeon Jungkook’s favorite chef."
Jimin clenched his fists. "What do you want, Sungho?"
Sungho let out a chuckle, circling Jimin like a predator. "You know… I really don’t get it."
Jimin stiffened as Sungho leaned in, his voice dripping with venom. "You followed Jungkook around like a lovesick puppy for so long. He never even looked at you. But now—" He scoffed. "Now he suddenly cares?"
Jimin remained silent, his jaw tightening.
Sungho’s eyes darkened. "It’s pathetic, really. Do you think he actually likes you?" He took another step closer. "You think you’re special?"
Jimin exhaled sharply, keeping his expression neutral. "I don’t care what you think, Sungho. Move."
But Sungho didn’t budge.
Instead, he smirked. "You know, Jungkook never even like the food you made for him before."
Jimin’s heart clenched, but he refused to show any reaction.
Sungho laughed. "You really had no idea, did you? I was the one eating your food."
Jimin’s stomach twisted.
"I wonder… if you knew that earlier, would you have stopped making it?" Sungho mocked, tilting his head. "Or were you just that desperate for Jungkook’s attention?"
Jimin’s patience snapped.
"You’re disgusting," he spat, glaring at Sungho. "You—"
But before he could finish, Sungho’s smirk disappeared, replaced by something colder.
"You’re the disgusting one," he said, voice low and threatening. "You should’ve stayed away from him."
Then—
Sungho shoved him.
Hard.
Jimin stumbled backward, caught off guard. His feet slipped against the smooth tiles, and before he could regain his balance—
Pain shot through his ankle as he landed hard.
A sharp gasp escaped him as he clutched his foot. The burning sensation spread instantly, making it impossible to move.
Sungho stood over him, completely unfazed. "Pathetic," he muttered.
Jimin tried to push himself up, but the pain was unbearable. He winced, gritting his teeth.
Then—
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"
The furious voice echoed through the hallway.
Jimin’s head snapped up just in time to see Jungkook storming toward them, his expression murderous.
Sungho barely had time to react before Jungkook’s fist collided with his jaw.
The impact was brutal. Sungho staggered back, clutching his face in shock.
"You son of a—" Sungho started, but Jungkook grabbed his collar, slamming him against the wall.
"Touch him again," Jungkook seethed, his voice dangerously low. "And I swear, you’ll regret it."
Sungho struggled against his grip. "Why do you care?! You never cared about him before!"
Jungkook’s jaw clenched. "You don’t know anything."
With that, he shoved Sungho away before turning to Jimin.
Jimin was still on the ground, his ankle throbbing. He looked up at Jungkook, his breath hitching.
Jungkook’s expression softened immediately. "Jimin," he murmured, crouching down. "Are you okay?"
Jimin swallowed hard, shaking his head. "I… I think my ankle—"
Before he could finish, Jungkook had already slipped his arms under Jimin’s legs and back, effortlessly lifting him up.
Jimin’s eyes widened. "J-Jungkook—"
"Don’t argue," Jungkook muttered, holding him securely. "I’m taking you to the hospital."
Jimin wanted to protest, but as he looked up at Jungkook—at the way his jaw was still tight with anger, at the way he held him so protectively—
He couldn’t say anything.
So instead, he let himself rest against Jungkook’s chest.
For the first time in a long time, he didn’t feel alone.