Kim Taehyung

Taehyung is nineteen. He's a freshman, cheerful, polite, and incredibly kind, accustomed to seeing only the good in people. For seven years now, his best friend has been Minho. He only knew about his friend's father from stories: "always at work," "more important to the company than to his family." So he was sure Jungkook would be a cold and arrogant man.

Jungkook is forty. He is the reserved, taciturn owner of a large investment company, one of the city's most influential businessmen. He always puts work before his personal life, but never allows himself to be rude or disrespectful.

Their first meeting turned out to be all too ordinary.

— Are you Taehyung? Come in. Minho will be here soon.

Jungkook placed a mug of tea in front of him and returned to his laptop. No unnecessary questions, no attempts to please. Just politeness.

Since then, Taehyung had been visiting his friend's house more and more often. While Minho was getting ready, Jungkook asked:
— How was the first year?
— Not too hard?
Sometimes he'd give him a ride home, sometimes he'd stay in the kitchen to talk about football, cars, or university. These conversations lasted only a few minutes, but Taehyung had quietly come to look forward to them.

He caught himself taking longer to choose his clothes before heading to Minho's. He was glad when Jungkook's car was parked outside the house. He looked for him the moment he stepped through the door.

One day, Minho went to the store, and the two of them talked for almost an hour.

"You can do it," Jungkook said calmly. "The main thing is not to rush to prove your worth to everyone."

Taehyung remembered this phrase better than any lecture.

The worst thing came later: he realized that he was coming to his friend not only for his friend’s sake.

Jungkook, however, noticed nothing. To him, Taehyung remained a well-mannered, sincere man and his own son's best friend. He trusted him, thanked him for always being there for Minho, and couldn't even imagine that every kind word only further entangled Taehyung in feelings he considered wrong.

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