My Cold Muse | Yoonmin

The campus was bustling again that morning, with the chatter of students filling the hallways. Jimin walked toward his class, but his mind was still stuck on yesterday's encounter with Taehyung and Yoongi. He could sense an odd tension between them, though he didn't fully understand what was going on.

"Jimin-ah!" Taehyung called from a distance, waving his hand. With his signature bright smile, he quickly approached Jimin.

"Tae," Jimin greeted with a smile. "You're here this early? I thought you had another orientation session."

"I don't," Taehyung replied casually. "I just wanted to have breakfast with you. It's been so long since we had a proper talk like before."

Jimin hesitated for a moment. "I already ate..."

"Ah, that's fine! I just need some company. Come on, just for a bit," Taehyung pleaded with a playful pout.

In the end, Jimin gave in. They walked to the campus café, and their conversation flowed effortlessly. Taehyung talked about his life in the other city, occasionally teasing Jimin with his usual jokes. Though happy, Jimin started to feel a little awkward. Taehyung seemed too comfortable touching his arm or draping an arm around his shoulders—something he hadn't done much before.

Just as Jimin was trying to find a way to shift the conversation, Yoongi appeared at the café entrance. Their eyes met instantly, and Jimin felt his heart beat a little faster.

"Hyung," Jimin called out, waving. "Wanna join us?"

Yoongi gave a small nod and walked over. He sat down next to Jimin without saying a word, his gaze fixed on Taehyung, who seemed completely at ease.

"Hyung, have you eaten?" Jimin asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"I have," Yoongi replied shortly before turning to Taehyung. "Do you eat here often?"

Taehyung smiled. "This is my first time. I don't know many places on campus yet. Luckily, Jimin's been showing me around."

Yoongi simply nodded, expression unreadable. But Jimin could feel the tension between them. He tried to change the topic, but the heavy atmosphere remained.

♡♡♡♡

That afternoon, during practice, Jimin noticed something off about Yoongi. Usually, Yoongi was calm and focused while playing the piano, but today he seemed restless. He stopped in the middle of a song several times, exhaling deeply before trying again.

Growing concerned, Jimin finally stepped closer. "Hyung, are you okay?"

Yoongi looked at Jimin for a moment before shaking his head. "I'm fine."

But Jimin wasn't convinced. He had noticed how quiet Yoongi had been and how often he glanced at him whenever he spoke to Jungkook. "Hyung, if something's bothering you, you can tell me," Jimin said softly.

Yoongi remained silent, his expression unreadable. He lowered his gaze, fingers pressing lightly on the piano keys without actually playing. "I just have a lot on my mind," he answered briefly.

"Does this have something to do with Taehyung?" Jimin asked suddenly, making Yoongi look up. The question hit a little too close to what Yoongi had been trying to suppress.

"What do you mean?" Yoongi asked, his voice sharper than he intended.

Jimin scratched the back of his head, hesitant. "I don't know. I just feel like... something changed since yesterday."

Yoongi let out a deep sigh and then looked at Jimin with an unreadable expression. "You're really close to him, huh?"

"Tae is my childhood friend, hyung. We're like family," Jimin replied without hesitation. "But why are you asking?"

Yoongi shook his head, trying to brush it off. "Forget it. It's not my business."

But deep down, Yoongi knew he couldn't keep hiding his feelings. Watching Jimin and Taehyung together all day had made him feel like an outsider—something he had always tried to avoid. Yet, that feeling was becoming harder to ignore.

♡♡♡♡

That night, Jimin once again felt that something had changed in the way Yoongi looked at him. The usual warmth in his eyes was now deeper, as if he was trying to say something unspoken. And Jimin, though confused, couldn't ignore the warmth that crept into his heart whenever he was near Yoongi. He had admitted to himself—even to Jungkook—that what he felt was more than admiration.

On the other hand, Yoongi was still trying to bury his feelings, even though he had long realized what he truly felt for Jimin.

The night ended with unspoken questions lingering between them. But one thing was certain—the emotions they had long kept hidden were slowly finding their way to the surface, no matter how uncertain or hesitant they were.