Chapter 3: A Month of Unfolding Hearts

The month that followed Yoongi and Jimin’s first encounter was one of transformation—a quiet, subtle change that neither had anticipated but both felt deeply. For Yoongi, whose days were usually filled with relentless meetings and responsibilities, the café became a sanctuary. For Jimin, who often felt isolated in his pursuit of excellence, Yoongi’s presence became a comforting constant.

It started simply. Yoongi began visiting the café more frequently, always arriving at odd hours that coincided with Jimin’s shifts. At first, their exchanges were polite—thank yous and small smiles. But over time, they grew into something more.

One afternoon, as Jimin wiped down tables during a lull, Yoongi sat by the window with his laptop open. He glanced up and called out, “Do you have a recommendation for something... different?”

Jimin smiled, resting the cloth on his tray. “You’ve tried everything on the menu by now. Maybe you need a change of scenery instead of coffee.”

“Maybe,” Yoongi said, his lips twitching upward. “But this place has something the others don’t.”

Jimin blinked, slightly flustered by the way Yoongi’s gaze lingered on him before returning to his screen. It was moments like these that made Jimin question what exactly was unfolding between them.

Over the weeks, their conversations moved beyond coffee orders. Yoongi was curious about Jimin’s studies, asking questions about medical advancements and how Jimin managed the workload. Jimin, in turn, asked about Min Co., marveling at Yoongi’s ability to run such a massive enterprise. Each question felt like an invitation, a tentative step into each other’s lives.

“Why medicine?” Yoongi asked one evening as Jimin set down his espresso.

Jimin paused, his expression thoughtful. “I guess... I like the idea of helping people. Of making a difference.”

Yoongi tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. “And you’re good at it.” It wasn’t a question.

Jimin’s ears turned pink. “I try to be.”

“You don’t just try,” Yoongi countered. “You succeed. I can see it.”

The sincerity in his voice made Jimin’s heart stutter. “What about you?” Jimin asked, desperate to shift the focus. “Why run an IT company? Was it always your plan?”

“No,” Yoongi admitted, his tone quieter now. “But it was necessary. My grandmother... she built this company. She trusted me to continue her legacy.”

Jimin sensed the weight behind those words but didn’t press. Instead, he offered a small, encouraging smile. “She must be proud of you.”

“I hope so,” Yoongi said, almost to himself.

A Rainy Evening and Unspoken Promises

The turning point came on a rainy evening. The café was about to close, and Jimin was gathering his belongings when he noticed Yoongi still seated by the window, his phone pressed to his ear. The rain outside was relentless, a steady downpour that blurred the city lights.

“You’ll get drenched out there,” Jimin said, interrupting his call as he approached.

Yoongi ended the call and looked up, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t realize the rain had started.”

Jimin held out an umbrella. “Take this.”

Yoongi raised an eyebrow. “And what about you?”

“I live close by. It’s just a little water,” Jimin said with a grin.

For a moment, Yoongi didn’t move. Then, slowly, he reached out and took the umbrella, their fingers brushing. “Thank you.” His voice was soft, but there was something else there—something that made Jimin’s stomach flutter.

That night, as Jimin walked home in the rain, he couldn’t stop thinking about Yoongi. About the way his eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words. About how his presence made the world feel a little less lonely.

The following week, Yoongi arrived earlier than usual, catching Jimin on his break. Instead of sitting at his usual table, he gestured for Jimin to join him.

“I owe you a coffee,” Yoongi said as Jimin sat across from him.

Jimin chuckled. “I don’t think it works that way.”

“It does now,” Yoongi replied, his tone lighter than Jimin had ever heard. It was disarming, this softer side of him, and Jimin found himself relaxing.

Their conversation flowed easily, covering everything from their favorite books to their childhood dreams. Jimin spoke about his parents, who had passed away when he was young, and how their memory drove him to excel. Yoongi opened up about his struggles balancing the expectations of his family with his own desires.

“You must think I’m terrible at this,” Yoongi said at one point, a rare hint of self-deprecation in his voice.

“At what?” Jimin asked, genuinely curious.

“Connecting with people,” Yoongi admitted. “It’s not something I’ve ever been good at.”

Jimin shook his head. “You’re doing just fine.”

The warmth in his words made Yoongi’s chest tighten. For the first time in years, he felt like someone saw him—not the CEO, not the Min family heir, but the man beneath all of that.

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