Persona

"WHOOOOOH!" Jimin yelled as we rode down the empty street. I leaned back to look up at the dark starry sky with a soft smile on my face. Maybe it isn't that bad???

"Isn't it fun?" Jimin chuckles, glancing at me through the scooter's mirror.

"It is," I smiled at him and raised my arms up to feel the wind brushing softly against my fingers.

"I love riding around the city at night! It heals me in a way," Jimin grins while looking at me through the mirror again.

"I used to do this in Busan. I wish I could turn back time," I said quietly. Yoongi... We used to ride around the city a lot in Busan. I felt a sharp pain in my chest-

"Hold me tight!" Jimin grinned, using one of his hands to grab my arm and pull it around him.

"It's okay- I'm sure you can't go fast on this little- AHHHH! HAJIMA!" I laughed, pulling my hands away from his hips when Jimin started zigzagging the scooter all over the empty road- making me clench onto him tightly.

"I told you to hang on tight!" Jimin chuckled after stabilizing his scooter again.

"Didn't you say you want to eat ramen?" I asked with my chin rested on his shoulder and arms wrapped around his waist.

"Yeah! But not at the mart. I know a better place," Jimin grinned and glanced at me again. He stared at me just as I turned to look at him with my chin rested on his shoulder. Why is he looking at me like that...?

"Yah! Keep your eyes on the road!" I snapped to break the awkward situation.

"Oh, that's right," Jimin averted his eyes to the road.

"So Yoongi takes you on rides?" Jimin questioned. My heart sank at the reminder of his name. The lurking pain began to emerge in my chest again. I didn't say anything but stared at the road blankly as we raced through the street. Tears formed in my eyes when I felt the constant stabbing in my chest, so I dug my face into Jimin's hoodie.

"Yeah, he used to," I finally nodded, fastening my arms around Jimin. Fuck, the pain is no joke. They don't know about the breakup yet, and I don't feel like talking about it either.

"We're here!" Jimin exclaimed, coming to a halt at a food tent by the river. I quickly got off the scooter and dabbed away the tears in my eyes. I can't cry now!

"I still can't believe an alpha like you eats at a place like this," I smiled, turning to smile at Jimin.

"I like it better than the food they make at home," Jimin chuckled, turning to grin at me.

"What's wrong with you? Are you crying???" Jimin stared at me in confusion when I softly sniffled.

"What? Ah! No, it's just a bit cold," I chuckled uncomfortably and dabbed my tears again.

"Ah, I told you to dress warmly," Jimin took off his jacket and placed it over my shoulders.

"Thanks," I smiled.

"IMO! PLEASE BRING ME MY USUAL DISHES! BUT DOUBLE IT!" Jimin loudly called out when we entered the tent.

"Ah! Mr. Handsome! You're back!" A middle-aged aunty came rushing up to Jimin to give him a soft pat on his shoulder.

"I'm so hungry imo," Jimin pouted at the lady. She let out a loud chuckle before turning to look at me.

"Who's this? Your girlfriend? You always-"

"Ani! We're just friends," Jimin and I quickly shook our heads, feeling slightly flustered by her assumption.

"Friends? Out together at this time? I don't believe you," She chuckles at us with an unconvinced look.

"Imo, please bring me my favorite dishes," Jimin smiled after sitting down on the opposite side.

"Aigo! Did they overwork you again? You must be tired," The lady spoke in a disappointed tone.

"Neh, the boss was especially mean to me today. I didn't even get to have lunch," Jimin whined at the lady like a kid.

"Boss?" I turned to look at him in confusion. What is he talking about? Jimin shot me a joking glare, then shook his head repeatedly.

"That boss is going to hell for overworking you like this! I'll be right back," The aunty grimaced, walking away to prepare our dishes.

"What are you talking about??? You have no boss!" I leaned forward to stare at him in shock.

"That's what I tell her. I'm just an ordinary person, you see. I blend in well, don't I?" Jimin chuckles smugly.

"You're telling me you lied to her?" I asked, leaning back in shock.

"No? It's just someone I want to be. You know? Like another persona," Jimin grins at me cheekily.

"Here it is," Imo announced, setting down steaming hot Jjigae with other side dishes and bulgogi on the table.

"IMO! Why is the bulgogi so little? I'm starving!" Jimin whined, turning to look at the aunty.

"Aigo! Araso! Araso! I'll give you another free set! God, I'm going to go bankrupt because of you!" The lady huffed, smacking Jimin's arm lightly before rushing back to prepare the dishes.

"How can you make her give you double food? You're an alpha!" I turned to look at Jimin in disbelief as he opened the Soju bottle. I didn't know he was this humble? And selfless?

"I'm giving her more than she knows," Jimin smirked while pouring soju into my cup.

"What do you mean-"

"Good thing I only have to pay for half the rent these days. They're giving me a discount because I'm old," The lady chuckles brightly as she sets the food on the table. I quickly eyed Jimin, who was smiling like an idiot at his food. Wait...

"Thank you, imo! I'll help you close your shop in return," Jimin smiles at the lady before digging into the food.

"You should, young man!" The lady nods cheerfully before turning to smile at me. Not knowing what to say, I returned her with a weak smile.

"What's with the new generation genes these days? What did you guys eat? I wish I was half as pretty as you when I was your age," The lady examined my face while shaking her head.

"Ah, thank you," I smiled until I felt my cheeks flushing red from embarrassment. Jimin glanced up at me with a sly smirk and quietly ate his food.

"Anyways, enjoy the food," The lady waved her hand around and walked away from us.

"You paid for her rent, didn't you?" I quickly leaned forward with my eyes wide open.

"Say ahh~" Jimin smiled at me before pushing a piece of bulgogi into my mouth.

"Yah! Answer me!" I lightly smacked his soft hand in frustration. I want to know the answer. Why is he giggling by himself?

"Yeah, I actually covered 90% of the rent fee. Imo still think it's 50% percent because she didn't know they raised the fee. She wouldn't be able to run this place if I didn't help. And I made sure the authorities won't mess around with her," Jimin took a sip of his soju. I sat back in awe. I guess alphas can be very generous. But it's weird though. They don't do things for free.

"Why? Why did you help her? There must be a reason," I questioned, leaning forward again.

"Yah! Aren't you going to eat?" Jimin suddenly put his chopsticks down, then glared at me.

"Answer me first! I want to know!" I pout at him.

"I used to run away from home when I was in high school. I didn't have anything with me, not even money. I remember being super hungry but didn't want to go home. It was pouring that day, and the lady saw me. Called me into her tent and gave me food. My parents found me a few hours later. I was so touched by her kindness," Jimin smiles, turning to watch aunty serve food to other customers.

"So you repaid her," I nodded, sitting back again. He definitely has a warm heart.

"Now eat up! Cheers?" Jimin stated, raising his cup in the air.

"Cheers!" I smiled, clicked my cup with his, and then poured the soju into my mouth. God, I can feel the burn in my chest. I can't drink much. It makes me feel heavy. We chit-chatted and drank for hours.

"Are you drunk!? Already?" Jimin laughed while poking my forehead with his fingers when I laid my head on the table.

"Of course not! I'm juuuuust-... sleeeepy!" I complained, pushing his fingers away before sitting up straight again.

"Your face is red!" Jimin chuckles, taking out his phone to snap a picture of me.

"Yah! Stooooop it!" I whined, pulling out my phone to take pictures of him too.

"Let's take a selfie!" Jimin waves his hand before turning the camera to us. I'm dazed...

"Aigo! She's drunk! Take her out for a walk! She needs to freshen up!" The lady appeared and stared at me worriedly.

"Aniyo!!!! I'm fine," I smiled at her and softly giggled even if there was nothing to laugh about.

"We'll be right back," Jimin chuckled, helping me up onto my feet.

"I'm telling you- I'm not drunk!" I snapped as we walked out of the tent into the cold.

"Come on. Let's go sit near the river," Jimin chuckled, walking down the steps, but I didn't want to go any further, so I quickly sat down on the wooden step near the riverbank.

"Yah- Araso... let's sit here then," Jimin muttered, sitting down beside me. I said nothing but stared at the river with my arms wrapped around my body.

"Why are you suddenly quiet- YAH!? Wae??" Jimin turned to look at me in shock when I started sobbing uncontrollably. For some reason, I felt very sad. It's hitting me.

"Uljima! Do you cry when you're drunk?! Is it your drunk habit???" Jimin gasped, turning his body towards me worriedly. I can feel the pain stabbing my chest over and over again. I tried to ignore it, but it didn't work. I hate it! I miss him! How can he leave me like this!? It's unfair!

"Uljima..." Jimin whispered, pulling me into a tight hug. I tightly clenched onto his shoulder as streams of tears rolled down my cheeks, accompanied by the wrenching pain in my chest.

"I lost everything," I whispered, digging my face into his shirt. A hot lump formed in my throat again. I want him back!

"What do you mean-"

"He changed! I don't know why but he changed! He's so different now," I choked while shaking my head. I feel cold and lonely without Yoongi. I can't bear the thought of losing him!

"What- Who are you talking about???" Jimin asked while patting my head with a baffled expression.

"He said it's because of Taehyung! But I don't even like Taehyung! Wait! I don't know- it's confusing! It's so unlike him...? How-"

"Sora, slow down! It's okay," Jimin suddenly broke the hug to look me in the eyes. My lips were trembling from the misery I was in... so I whimpered and lowered my head.

"I lost him, I lost Yoongi, and he blamed me for it. Maybe it is my fault-"

"He broke up with you, and he blamed you for it???" Jimin questioned, looking at me with his mouth hanging open.

"Maybe it is my fault-"

"No, it isn't! What the fuck?!- Don't cry. Come here," Jimin gasped, pulling me back into a tight hug, so I sobbed louder. I cried for a while on his shoulder. After calming down, Jimin helped the lady close her shop and took us back home. I was super exhausted when we arrived at the mansion.

"I'll see you tomorrow, get some sleep, and try not to think too much," Jimin sighed while holding my hands.

"Yeah-"

"What are you doing?" Taehyung came striding out of his room while yawning but stopped dead when he saw us.

"Oh? Oh! Nothing, we went out for a jog around- around... the garden!" Jimin laughed uneasily, quickly letting go of my hands. I cleared my throat and looked away uncomfortably.

"Sora isn't supposed to-"

"I just went out to get some fresh air while he jogs," I smiled, cutting Taehyung off. Taehyung, however, didn't look convinced. He'll kill us if he finds out!

"I'm tired. I'm going," Jimin walked away, but Taehyung pulled him back.

"Where do you think you're going?" Taehyung asks, staring at Jimin with a blank face. Shit. Does he know? WE'RE DEAD!

"What? I'm going to-"

"You have to get ready for school!"

"Moh? What? I didn't even get to sleep- AH! RIGHT WE HAVE SCHOOL," Jimin almost slipped out the truth but caught himself as I held onto my breath.

"You too, Sora," Taehyung turned to look at me when I was about to walk away.

"What?" I turned to look at him in confusion. I didn't even get to sleep yet!

"We might be going to the most privileged school, but they will expel you if you miss out for too long!" Taehyung frowned at me.

"Right," I muttered, turning to look at Jimin, who was also staring at me. We didn't sleep last night. How the fuck will we survive in school? My soul... it's crying for a bit of sleep.

"YAH!? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?! CAN YOU HEAR ME?" Taehyung suddenly snaps, causing both of us to snap out of our thoughts in panic.

"WHAT?!" Jimin and I accidentally snapped back Taehyung. The corridor grew silent after our unintentional outburst. Taehyung darted us a suspicious look... well... shit.