My Cold Muse | Yoonmin

That morning, the campus was busier than usual. The bright weather replaced the gloomy night before, bringing a different kind of warmth that Jimin could feel in his chest. He was sipping his morning coffee near the campus stairs, enjoying a quiet moment before class, when a familiar voice called out to him from afar.

"Park Jimin!"

Jimin turned around, his face instantly lighting up at the sight of someone he hadn't seen in a long time. "Taehyung?"

A young man with a wide smile and a relaxed demeanor walked toward him. Taehyung, Jimin's childhood friend, now stood before him, full of enthusiasm.

"How long has it been since we last saw each other, huh?" Taehyung grinned, pulling Jimin into a tight hug.

Jimin let out a small laugh, surprised but happy. "Taehyung! What are you doing here?"

"I'm a new student here now," Taehyung said as he pulled away. "I just transferred a week ago, and I immediately remembered you told me you studied here. I couldn't wait to see you again!"

Jimin smiled brightly. It felt good to see an old friend, especially one as full of positive energy as Taehyung.

"Tae, I have to introduce you to my friends," Jimin said excitedly. "But I have class now. Let's meet up later, okay?"

Taehyung nodded. "Of course. I have my orientation today, too. Don't forget—I want to hear everything about your life later!"

♡♡♡♡

The day passed quickly, and as promised, Jimin met Taehyung again at the campus park after class. They sat on the same bench where Jimin and Yoongi had talked the night before.

Taehyung started telling stories about his life—his old school, his family, and why he decided to transfer here. Jimin listened intently, feeling as if they had traveled back to their childhood days.

But their warm moment was suddenly interrupted by a voice from behind them.

"Jimin."

Jimin turned around quickly, slightly surprised to see Yoongi standing not far away. He was wearing his usual black jacket, but there was something different in his gaze.

"Oh, hyung!" Jimin stood up with a bright smile. "Hyung, this is Taehyung. He's my childhood friend, and now he's a new student here."

Taehyung stood up as well, flashing a friendly smile. "Ah, so you're Yoongi-hyung? Jimin talks about you a lot. Nice to finally meet you!"

Yoongi gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "Nice to meet you, too."

Unaware of the subtle shift in Yoongi's demeanor, Jimin continued, "Hyung, what are you doing here?"

"I was just passing by," Yoongi replied shortly. His eyes flickered toward Taehyung for a brief moment before settling back on Jimin. "I thought we were practicing tonight?"

"Oh, right! I almost forgot," Jimin scratched his head. "I'll meet you there, hyung. Just give me a second, okay?"

Yoongi nodded slowly, but before leaving, he cast one last glance at Taehyung. Something in the way he looked at him made Taehyung pause for a second, though he didn't let it show.

Once Yoongi was gone, Taehyung turned to Jimin with a raised brow. "Is he always that cold?"

Jimin chuckled. "That's just on the outside. Hyung is actually really warm."

Taehyung nodded, though there was a hint of curiosity in his gaze. "If that's the case, I guess I'll have to see it for myself. I want to know what makes you so close to him."

Jimin simply smiled, unaware that this conversation had already left an imprint on two people—Yoongi, who felt unsettled by the presence of someone so familiar with Jimin, and Taehyung, who had just grown curious about the role Yoongi played in his old friend's life.

That night, during practice, Jimin noticed that Yoongi was quieter than usual. Even though he remained focused on the music, Jimin could sense something weighing on his mind.

"Hyung, are you okay?" Jimin asked softly.

Yoongi simply nodded without saying a word. But deep inside, he knew that Taehyung's presence had stirred something within him—something he had been trying to avoid all this time.

Jealousy.