Chapter 19: Echoes in the City of Dreams

Seven years. Seven years since the carefree laughter of youth had faded, replaced by the quiet hum of responsibility and the gnawing ache of unresolved longing. Jungkook, at twenty-five, stood at a crossroads. His mother, Jaehyun, a woman whose wisdom was as boundless as her love, gently suggested he assume his rightful place at the helm of their family's burgeoning company.

But the weight of expectation felt heavy, a stark contrast to the lightness he craved. A deeper, more personal matter demanded his attention—a quest for closure that overshadowed all else. Jaehyun, with the intuitive understanding that only a mother possesses, offered him her unwavering support and her blessing to follow his heart wherever it may lead.

And so Jungkook embarked on a solitary journey, a pilgrimage of self-discovery that took him far from the familiar comforts of home. He chose to disconnect from the digital world, a deliberate act of self-preservation. The relentless scroll of social media and the constant barrage of notifications felt suffocating, a stark contrast to the quiet introspection he desperately sought.

He craved silence, the kind that allows the whispers of the soul to be heard above the din of the everyday. His first destination: New York City, a sprawling metropolis teeming with life, a place where anonymity could be both a blessing and a curse. He planned to spend a week in each city, allowing himself time to truly absorb the atmosphere and let the rhythm of each place seep into his bones.

Three days into his exploration of the Big Apple, Jungkook found himself engulfed in the sensory overload of Times Square. The dazzling spectacle of billboards, the cacophony of sounds, the relentless surge of humanity—it was a symphony of urban chaos. Yet, amidst this vibrant disarray, his gaze locked onto a familiar face, a beacon of recognition in the sea of strangers.

"Hyung," he called out, his voice a surprised whisper against the city's roar.

Jimin, his features softened by a warm smile, approached, his gait easy and confident. "Jungkook! Imagine running into you here. How are you doing? You've been completely off the radar."

"I've been traveling," Jungkook replied, his voice tinged with a weariness that belied his youthful appearance. "And I've taken a break from social media. Needed to reconnect with myself, you know?"

A frown creased Jimin's forehead, concern etched into his expressive features. "I noticed. You were always so active online, then... nothing. What happened?"

Jungkook hesitated, the unspoken words hanging heavy between them, a silent testament to the pain he carried. "Someone important...left my life. I've been searching for him."

Jimin's eyes widened, his initial surprise giving way to a deeper empathy. "What about your girlfriend? I thought you two were serious."

A self-deprecating laugh escaped Jungkook's lips, a sound laced with bitterness and regret. "That relationship... it was a game, Hyung. A hollow imitation of love. I ended it before it could become something even more damaging."

He steered the conversation towards safer ground, seeking refuge from the raw emotion that threatened to overwhelm him. "So, what brings you to New York, Hyung? Last I heard, Yoongi-hyung was in Japan."

Jimin ran a hand through his hair, the gesture revealing the underlying stress beneath his composed exterior.

"I'm here for a music video shoot in two days. Yoongi-hyung's in Japan, helping a friend produce a song. You should come and support us, you know." He playfully ruffled Jungkook's hair, a gesture of brotherly affection that felt both comforting and slightly jarring in the context of their reunion.

"I will," Jungkook replied, a genuine smile finally breaking through the layers of sadness that had encrusted his heart.

A mischievous glint sparkled in Jimin's eyes. "You know, I think he might be here too. I believe he has some business dealings in the city. Maybe we could convince him to treat us to dinner."

Jungkook sighed, a mixture of weariness and amusement coloring his tone. "You just want a free meal, don't you?"

Jimin grinned, unfazed by Jungkook's teasing. "Come on, the prices here are astronomical! Besides, you know this person better than I do. I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss this."

Confusion flickered across Jungkook's face. "What do you mean?"

Jimin's smile deepened, a hint of mystery adding to the intrigue. "Don't worry about the details. Let's go. You'll find the answers you're looking for." He gently placed a hand on Jungkook's shoulder, guiding him through the throngs of people.

Jungkook, drawn by a mixture of curiosity and a strange sense of comfort in Jimin's presence, allowed himself to be led. The prospect of a distraction, perhaps even a breakthrough in his search, was too tempting to resist.

He let go of the reins of his own narrative, allowing himself to be swept along by the unpredictable current of the city, trusting in the unspoken promise in Jimin's eyes. For now, it felt good to relinquish control and let someone else guide him through the labyrinth of his own heart. It wasn't a bad idea to let someone else lead the way, at least for a while.

When they arrived at the company, Jimin was the one who talked to the receptionist, asking questions to help them go to a specific room. Jungkook was simply roaming his eyes around because he admired how huge the inside of the company was. Well, his mother's company was also huge but to think that he had to handle that kind of company kind of stressed him.

"Jungkook, come on," Jimin called him and he followed.

Once they reached the floor where they were going, the elevator door opened, and Jungkook's eyes widened when he saw the specific person he'd been looking for. Tears filled his eyes and he didn't hesitate to hug him more tightly than he ever did in his life.

"I miss you so much, Hyung,"

Taehyung was surprised; he could barely comprehend what had just happened. But still, he wrapped his arms around Jungkook's shoulders and snuggled his face in the crook of his neck.