Chapter Text
It's the end of autumn, Seokjin most favorite season, and the Inn is going to need to hire more people in preparation for the winter, so Seokjin had been stuck in his small office all morning, reading all of the letters of applicants. He checks his wrist watch and sees that it's almost the time for his 'date'. He heaves a long sigh, stretches his back and gets up from his chair. It'll only take fifteen minutes drives to the place where he'll be meeting Jungkook.
They will meet at The Min's, a small coffee shop that serves the best coffee in town with a mini music studio on its second floor for rent.
When he gets there Seokjin walks into the shop's entrance, straight to the corner with a wooden shelf full with any kind of mugs, takes his favorite one (a big blue round mug with 'Hello gorgeous' written on it in red letter) then walks to the counter, where a pale looking male with raven hair currently tending it.
"Good morning my angel, my precious, my Yoongi" Seokjin uses his sweetest voice.
"How many cups did you have before you walked through that door?" the barista, a shorter guy with grumpy looking, the guardian of the only thing that Seokjin needs right now, asks with a warning tone.
"Just one"
Yoongi raises his eyebrow.
"Okay two" Seokjin tries again. But Yoongi still hasn't made a move to grant his wish.
"Okay fine, I had five, but none of them are as good as yours and they were all come in a very tiny cups, and I really really need yours right now or my brain will explode, and you know I can't let my brain explode, because if that happened nobody's going to come to your coffee shop every single day and gushing at you." Seokjin rapidly spills the words and wonders if he probably can try his luck as a rapper.
"You've got problem hyung, and it's almost one in the afternoon, so it's not considered morning anymore" Yoongi replies but he takes Seokjin's mug anyway and starts working behind the coffee machine.
"I can't have my morning ended before I had your coffee, you know that"
"Junkie" Yoongi retorts as he put Seokjin's mug on the counter full of hot dark liquid.
Seokjin puts few won bills and winks, "It's hard to not be addicted to your coffee." Then he turns his back on the younger male just in time when the tips of Yoongi's ears turning red.
Seokjin heads to his usual corner near the entrance where he can window watching the town square very clearly. The remaining of the annual Chuseok Festival still scattered all over the place even if it's already been almost a month ago. Seokjin caught Jungkook's figure walking towards the shop and a smile spread in his face instantly.
"Dad, my butt is freezing, have you ordered me coffee?" His sixteen-year-old son said as he sits on the chair across Seokjin.
"Oh my poor baby, here drink mine, I'll get another one" he handed his mug and then takes one random mug from the shelf and headed to Yoongi once again.
"Hyung, it's not even five minutes passed, I'm not giving you another cup," Yoongi says even before Seokjin has a chance to say anything.
"No, it's not even for me" Seokjin puts the new mug at the counter staring at Yoongi's scowling face. "It's for Jungkook, he's right over there" he points at Jungkook's direction for a second then turns to face Yoongi again with a victory grin, "See?"
Yoongi sighs in defeat "Fine, just go back to your seat, I'll take it to you and I'll personally check whether Jungkook really drink the coffee or not"
"Huh, you should've known better that Jungkook has always been my partner in crime 'Officer Caffeine" Seokjin sticks his tongue before going back to his table.
"Dad, can you not act like a five-year-old for once" Jungkook comments.
"What did I do?" he asks, haven't even had the chance to sit in his chair when his son blatantly judged his mental age in public.
"You always bickered with Yoongi hyung every time we're here, and we're here every day," Jungkook says between every sip of his coffee. Right at that moment, Yoongi comes with Seokjin's coffee.
"He started it" Seokjin points at Yoongi accusingly.
"Do you want me to take this back? 'Cause I'll gladly do it," Yoongi drawls his words.
"See Kookie? He always so mean to me" Seokjin whines and flails his hand.
"Okay please stop, you're embarrassing" Jungkook reaches for the coffee mug in Yoongi's hand and says, "Yoongi hyung, I need you to be the adult one here"
Yoongi smiles at Jungkook remark, his gummy and white teeth displayed. He ruffles Jungkook's soft brown locks saying "Anything for you kid" and turns to get back to his chores at the counter without further complaints.
"That is just so unfair, he spoils you too much" Seokjin scowls while looking at Yoongi's retreating figure.
"Yeah well, I know something you don't Dad."
Before Seokjin gets the chance to question Jungkook's statement, his phone rings in his pocket. He picks it up right away after seeing that it's a call from Hoseok.
"Hey Hobie, what's up?"
"Hyung, where are you?" Hoseok's voice suspiciously sounded too excited.
"I'm at my usual Thursday coffee date with Jungkook at Yoongi's place, why?"
"Oh right. Okay, guess what came in the mail at the Inn while you're on your date?"
Seokjin can clearly visualize Hoseok bouncing on his heels just from his bubbly voice over the phone, "Is the insurance company finally reply to our request?"
"Nope"
"Your grandma sent you her secret recipe?"
"Nope"
"Ooh,...ooh,...I know, the review of your dishes on the culinary magazine came out?"
"Nope"
"Oh come on, what can be more exciting than that?"
"The reply for Jungkookie's enrollment in Seung-ri High just came in"
"Oh my god!"
"Hyung, you have to go back here this instant, I'm dying to know the result"
Seokjin could tell that Hoseok is jumping on his feet at the moment.
"No, no, no, I'll die out of curiosity on the road. You open it and read it to us right now"
"Oh, okay. Wait a second I'll get the envelope opener"
"Just rip it, it's okay"
"No, even the envelope looks so elite I couldn't disrespect it"
Seokjin rolls his eyes "Fine but move your ass right now"
"I'm moving, I'm moving" there's a distinct sound of a door being open and then some rustling of papers, "Okay, I've opened it"
"Wait, I'll put you on speaker so Jungkook can hear it too" Seokjin tabs the speaker button on his phone then put it on the table in front of Jungkook and gets a questioning look from his son in return.
"Go Hobie..."
"Okay here we go." Hoseok takes a dramatic long breath, "Dear Mr.Kim Seokjin, we're happy to inform you that we have a vacancy here at Seung-ri Preparatory School starting immediately. Due to your son's excellent credentials and your enthusiastic pursuit of his enrollment we'd be happy to accept him in our school once the first semester's tuition has been received," a pause and then, "That's about it the rest is just more information about the tuition and everything. Congratulation Jungkookie! I know you can do it"
"Oh my god! Dad, is this real? I really got accepted?" Jungkook's standing on his feet now next to Seokjin, staring blankly at the phone on the table.
"Yes you did kiddo, you really got in. Now you can finally have a shot to go to college at SNU like you always dream of, and become a journalist who will travel the world hunting news like you always wanted" the fond smile in Seokjin's face is getting wider as he watches his son literally jumping on his feet and doing his little victory dance at the news.
"Dad, I need to tell Jimin a.s.a.p, can I go now? Please, please, please?" Jungkook's plea is always lethal for Seokjin, so of course he says yes.
"Sure, go on, but make sure you come home with a warm butt okay?"
Jungkook giggles then take his backpack from the floor next to his chair "Thanks Dad, bye, I'll see you at home."
Jungkook already at the shop's front door when he pauses his steps, turn around and run towards his Dad to crush him with his hug, "I love you Dad"
"Love you too, kiddo, now go scream with Jimin" Seokjin releases him with a smile.
"I will, bye!"
Once Jungkook steps out of the shop, Seokjin picks his phone from the table "Hey Hobie, you still there?"
"Yeah hyung, I'm here, Jungkookie's gone?"
"Yeah, he wants to tell Jimin about the news"
"Okay I'll see you back at the Inn okay, I need to check on my sauce in the kitchen"
"No, wait-"
"Yeah, what is it hyung?"
"Since you already opened the letter, can you tell me how much Jungkook's first-semester tuition that I need to pay?"
"Oh, yeah, I thought that you might don't want Jungkook to worry about it, that's why I didn't mention it"
"That bad huh?"
"It's six million won for one semester and one and a half million won for the enrollment fee, and if they don't receive it before Monday, they'll give Jungkook's spot to somebody else "
"Shit," Seokjin sighs, all the bubbling excitement from before gone in a flash "That'll be seven and a half million won and they want me to settle it up before Monday? What did those people think I do for a living? Bank robber?"
"Hyung, let's talk about this once you get back here okay, we'll think of something and I really, really need to check on my sauce right now"
"Fine, go check on your sauce, I'm just gonna drown myself with Yoongi's coffee for now"
"I'm sure it'll make you smell nice, gotta go"
Seokjin sighs once again when Hoseok hung up the phone.
"Well, at least I've got two cups of coffee for myself now" he mutters to himself.
"You know I'll never gonna let you do that hyung" Yoongi suddenly materializes on his side making his heart jumps.
"Jeez Yoongi, learn to make a noise while you walk will ya" Seokjin rubbing his chest to calm his heart beat down while sitting back on his chair.
"Your date abandoned you?" Yoongi sits him self on Jungkook's chair and grabs the coffee cup on the random mug that he delivered there a few minutes ago that apparently still untouched.
"Hmmm..." Seokjin absentmindedly answers.
"Something's wrong?"
"No, nothing's wrong...everything is...peachy"
"When you said peachy it means some thing is wrong" Yoongi prods.
"Jungkook got accepted at Seung-ri High"
"Really? Seung-ri High is a very prestigious school, right? That's incredible, and that's supposed to be a great news. Why aren't you happy?"
"I am happy, who says I'm not happy?"
"You want me to get you a mirror?"
"This is my happy face, I have a different kind of happy faces, you just haven't seen this one yet"
Yoongi pointedly looks at him from behind his coffee mug.
Seokjin draws a heavy breath, knowing that Yoongi won't let him get away with it. They've been friends for years, ever since Yoongi started to run the coffee shop about ten years ago. Yoongi now knows how to make Seokjin talk, even if he didn't want to. "I need to settle the enrollment fee and the first-semester tuition by Monday or Jungkook might lose his spot" Seokjin finally said.
"How much?" Yoongi puts his mug on the table.
"Seven and a half million won" Seokjin fiddles with his coffee mug with a gloomier look.
"Damn" Seokjin could hear the sympathy very clearly in Yoongi's cuss word.
"Yeah...damn" he lifelessly reciprocates.
"I have some deposit at the bank but I don't think I can make it liquid before Monday" the raven hair guy in front of him slowly offers.
"It's okay, I appreciate your sentiment Yoongi, I'll think of something. I have to." Seokjin says the last sentence more to himself than to Yoongi.
"You know you can always ask your-"
"Nope!" Seokjin cuts him as fast as lightning. "Don't even go there"
"But they're yo-"
"No, N to the O Yoongi, a big NO, a huge NO"
"Okay, I get it, I'm just giving you the idea"
"I would rather sleep in a room full of cockroaches than go to them" Seokjin winces at the imagery, but it's emphasizing his statement a lot because Yoongi knows he's really afraid of cockroach. Seokjin once said to Yoongi that cockroach must be a direct descendant insect from hell.
"They're your parents hyung. How bad can they be?" Yoongi asks.
"Oh, you have no idea Yoongi..." Seokjin replies grimly.
****
Jungkook ran with all his might to the school's gym where he knows Jimin will be there, practicing his dance move along with the other dance club members for the upcoming Christmas event.
"Chim chim!" Jungkook ignoring the other students that sitting on the gym floor to run straight into Jimin with a shout of "I got in! I got in!"
Even if Jimin's face clearly shows that he doesn't understand what was Jungkook screaming about, but he still indulges his best friend as he proceeds to scream along with Jungkook and jumping on their feet together. "I'm gonna need a longer sentence from you so I can understand what we're screaming about Kookie" Jimin says while still jumping on their feet.
"I'm accepted at Seung-ri High, I'm gonna start on Monday!" Jungkook's reply makes Jimin screeching in an inhuman voice.
"That's great! I know you can do it. Everything in this school was always so easy for you anyway." Jimin congratulates him earnestly. "Don't forget about me when you're young and famous after getting there okay"
"There's no way that's gonna happen, you are my best friend wherever I am, Jimin"
"Glad to know" they both grin widely at each other.
"Hey Jimin, if you guys have done screaming, can you introduce me to your friend there?" A deep voice coming from behind them and Jungkook whips his head so fast he's amazed he didn't get a whiplash.
"Oh yeah, Kookie, remember last week when I told you my distant cousin and his family were moving to town?" Jimin says as he steps beside Jungkook and drapes his arm over his shoulder that always makes Jungkook bends at an awkward angle. They both facing the new guy now, and Jungkook didn't remember if Jimin ever mentioned that he has a hot cousin before because this new guy is just gorgeous. Jungkook is not the one who get awestruck for someone's face, he is Kim Seokjin's one and only son for god's sake. But this guy right here makes him pray that he doesn't drool at the sight. He still wearing the uniform from his old school because it's orange instead of maroon red like the one Jungkook is wearing and nobody supposed to look that good in orange. His skin is tanner than Jungkook and Jimin, his face is perfectly symmetrical, his eyes are golden brown and his hair is as orange as his uniform jacket.
Jungkook wonders how their Principal just let him get away with it.
"This is Kim Taehyung, my distant cousin from Daegu. He and his family moved to our town last Sunday and he's been in our school since this Monday"
"Hi, I'm Taehyung..." the new guy offers his hand, his bright smile makes his mouth shaped like a box and Jungkook thinks he probably had a minor seizure because he couldn't even move a muscle. Jimin narrowing his eyes then nudges him slowly when he saw his best friend left Taehyung's hand hanging in the air.
"Ow...it's Jungkook...Kim...my name. I mean, me, Kim Jungkook..." Jungkook feels like he might combust from the heat on his face at the moment because he's positive that he just squeaks instead of stutters in his normal voice. And he still left Taehyung's hand hanging.
"Okay, nice to finally meeting you, Jungkook Kim..." Taehyung teases while withdrawing his neglected hand.
Jungkook blushes, "What do you mean finally?" he timidly asks.
"Jimin won't shut up about you every time we met, so I'm really curious to meet you in person" Taehyung slips his hand into his trouser's pocket and Jungkook hates the fact that the small gesture makes Taehyung look cooler.
"Told ya he's cute" thank god Jimin's comment saves him from another session of stuttering mess Jungkook's about to turn himself into.
"So what were you guys screaming about just now? If I may ask" Taehyung looks back and forth between Jungkook and Jimin.
"Kookie got ac-..."
"Nothing!" Jungkook interrupts Jimin before he could finish his sentence, "I need to talk to Jimin alone, it's nice to meet you." Then he drags him away from Taehyung before Taehyung had a chance to say anything else. Jungkook doesn't want to admit that he thinks he saw Taehyung looked a bit hurt and disappointed.
When they're at the farthest corner of the gym Jungkook letting go Jimin's arm and his smaller friend arching a brow at him "What was that all about Kookie?"
"Nothing" Jungkook hopes for a second that Jimin would just let it go, but the way Jimin stares at him with an incredulous look means he won't, "...I mean the news about me transferring school is not final yet. There's a lot that needs to be taken care of and everything, I don't want anyone other than you to know about it...at least for now." Jungkook says.
Jimin's brow arching even higher at Jungkook's statement, "But I thought..."
"You thought wrong" Jungkook cuts him once again.
"But I haven't even said anything" Jimin pointedly looks at Jungkook.
"Let's just not talk about this now, okay? Please?"
Jimin sighs but he nods anyway "Okay, if that's what you want"
"Thank you Jimin, you're the best" Jungkook gives him a quick side hug before asking him a question, "So...what did you say to Taehyung when you talked about me?"
They both still standing at the corner of the gym as Jimin starts to tell Jungkook everything that he talked about with Taehyung. Jungkook listens to Jimin's words but his eyes searching for someone with an orange hair color.
Suddenly his dream to go to SNU for college doesn't look as tempting as the guy in the orange uniform that stands in the middle of their high school gym.