jangmi (장미) ● taejoon

t w e n t y o n e .

Seokjin, Minnie, and Jjang kept to themselves. They never spoke of Jimin to Namjoon. Jungkook and Minnie went home like nothing happened.

Seokjin drove Jungkook to school, and put a hand on his shoulder. They look at each other before Seokjin spoke, "Jjang will teach you how to fight. He'll pick you up after school."

Namjoon went to the elementary school as usual. Getting enormous hugs from his students after being gone for one day. A giant smile on his face.

Jangmi was the last to hug him, and she hugged tightly. Tears welling up in her eyes, before sobbing loudly. Namjoon was confused, patting her back. He just entered the classroom.

Jangmi believed her father hurt him already. She was too small to understand.

She sniffled loudly. "You were gone!" She hiccups. "I thought you went bye bye!"

Namjoon laughed softly, noticing she wasn't pulling away any time soon, so he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to her desk. "I just had some things to do, sweetheart. It won't happen again."

He wiped her tears away with the softness of his palm. "Don't cry," he says, "Tears aren't meant for me..."

Jangmi pulled away and sat in her seat. Nodding furiously before wiping her own cheeks.

"Don't cry Mi-Mi!" One of her classmates say. "Mi-Mi's got a crush on Mr. Kim!"

"No I don't!" Jangmi whines, sniffling. "Mr. Kim is my da-"

"Alright, no bullying!" Namjoon shook his head and crossed his arms, "Being mean doesn't make you happy!"

Jangmi slouched in her seat, crossing her arms like Namjoon and frowning with puffed cheeks. Her cheeks a peach pink.

"Did you guys practice your english yesterday?" Namjoon put his hands on his hips and grinned. "I'll give out marshmallows to you all if you can sing twinkle twinkle little star with me."

All the kids started to nod furiously and say 'yes!' in sync.

The man began to sing the lullaby with the class. Clapping his hands for harmony, watching as the kids speak the difficult foreign language with thick accents. Jangmi sings shyly, clapping her hands under the desk.

While Namjoon taught, Jungkook went to class with paranoia. Not being able to talk, pursing his lips. His palms sweat and soak his backpack straps.

"Where were you, dude?" One of his friends, Jae, catches up to the boy. "We had an english exam!"

"... Sorry, just got sick," Jungkook shrugs. "Can I copy your homework?"

"... Yeah, yeah sure," Jae nods, holding his backpack by one strap. "What's with the face? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Jungkook simply shrugs his shoulders once more. He couldn't help but laugh. Jae wouldn't believe what he's done these past days. His ribs still ache after all this time.

He walks to class with his friend. Rather excited for after school.

Jangmi feels otherwise.

[unedited]