chap7: Funereal

The car was silent, save for the soft hum of the engine and the occasional whisper of the wind outside. Jungkook's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles pale against the leather. He kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his jaw clenched, as though concentrating on driving would somehow make this day easier.

I sat beside him, staring out the window. The world outside passed by in a blur of gray skies and leafless trees. Everything felt muted, lifeless, as if even nature understood the gravity of the day.

I glanced over at Jungkook. He was wearing a black suit, crisp and tailored, the fabric hugging his frame in a way that accentuated how much he'd changed over the years. He was more built now—his shoulders broader, his arms more defined. But his face… his face was still the same. That soft, delicate face with its sharp nose and doe-like eyes. He still looked like a bunny.

The thought tugged at the corner of my lips, and I let out a quiet chuckle.

Jungkook shot me a look, his brow furrowing. "What's so funny?"

I shook my head, still smiling. "Nothing. Just thinking… I must be the first person in history to attend his own funeral."

The words hung in the air for a moment, light and absurd. I thought he might laugh, or at least crack a smile. But he didn't.

Instead, his lips pressed into a thin line, and he turned his gaze back to the road. The silence that followed was heavier than before.

So I just stayed quiet until we arrived.

There were so many faces as we entered. Jungkook looked tense. I roamed my eyes around the hall, and then I saw them—my family. I went to them. Mom was crying, with some people offering her kind words. Namjoon, my older brother, was sobbing while his husband, Jin, comforted him.

I felt tears streaming down my own face as I walked toward Namjoon hyung and hugged him tightly.

"I can feel him. I can feel my Tae here," Namjoon hyung whispered, his voice trembling. His words made me cry harder.

"He's always here with us, Joon," Jin said softly.

I hugged Namjoon even tighter, unable to hold back my emotions.

When I looked back, I saw Jungkook talking with Mom. She was crying while holding onto him, and he was gently wiping her tears. The sight made my heart feel warm, even in the middle of this sorrow.

I scanned the room and noticed so many familiar faces—old friends I hadn't seen in years. Jimin, my best friend, stood there with Yoongi hyung, his boyfriend. J-Hope was there too.

This was going to be a long day.