During the last two days of convalescing at home, Kim Seokjin calmed down and sorted out all the clues from the beginning until now. The current situation was complicated, and it seemed that Kim Namjoon or Park Jimin was at the top of the food chain; but just a little mess, the whole chessboard will change. The disclosure of Kim Taehyung's biological father would cause big waves.

At the beginning of the following week, despite Jeon Jungkook's advice, Jin still stubbornly went to work, so the boy couldn't do anything but help him go to the hotel.

Kim Taehyung had just stepped foot to the office door when he saw his secretary's tired face glued to the computer while constantly clicking on the keyboard. Noticing the white gauze bandage behind the soft black bangs and on the back of Jin's left hand, he frowned suspiciously.

-"What's wrong with your face and hands?"

-"I had an accident on Saturday"-Jin took his eyes off the laptop screen, coldly glanced at the other person, and replied.

-"Why don't you take days off?"- Being hated by his secretary, Kim Taehyung pondered for a few seconds.

-"Light injury. Can't die yet."

Secretary Kim replied indifferently, then lowered his head to focus on his work, causing the general manager to shut up and return to his office.

As always, the department head's meeting would start at 9:30. Jin glanced at his watch and quickly headed to the meeting room to organize the documents. At nearly 9:30, people began to enter the meeting room. The laughter and greetings around somewhat pulled him out of his fatigue.

When Park Jimin passed Jin and discovered the wounds on the older's body, his eyebrows immediately furrowed. Ignoring the other's gaze, Kim Seokjin indifferently lowered his head, pretending to be busy.

During the meeting, the director and GM's bad mood and uncomfortable faces made the department heads silently wish the meeting quickly ended to free their fragile souls. After nearly an hour in the conference room, the department heads breathed a sigh of relief, quickly said goodbye to the bosses, and then disappeared. The whole meeting room was now only three people Kim Seokjin and his two bosses. Ignoring Kim Taehyung's cold face, Park Jimin walked towards Jin and pulled him up to follow him.
Jin had to grit his teeth to follow Park Jimin's pace since the injured leg was still not fully healed. Sweat began to trickle down his temples as a sharp pain in his elbows and legs invaded his senses. As soon as the door to the CEO's room closed, his aching body was pressed against the sofa.

-"Why did you get hurt? Why didn't you call me?"

Jin sat down on the sofa and closed his eyes. After adjusting his breathing and letting the muscle tension and pain ease, he laughed sarcastically.

-"It's none of your business. We're nothing to each other"

-"Kim Seokjin!"- Park Jimin was provoked and went mad. He squeezed his shoulder on the chair and shouted.

The injured elbow collided with the arm of the chair, making the older's face pale.

"Please...let me go, I'm tired of being tossed around on your chessboard,"- He whispered. "I already knew your plan with Kim Namjoon. It's time for this damn mouse and cat game to end."

Park Jimin froze, the arm holding him loosened. Kim Seokjin quickly got up and was about to leave when the younger suddenly pulled him back in his arms. He wanted to pull away, but the hug was getting tighter.

-"It's me being selfish, but if I didn't, you wouldn't be by my side. Before the murder, I overheard you telling a colleague that you would quit your job. That's why I chose this worse solution" -He paused for a moment and then slowly told the story that had been hidden in his heart for so long.

-"That first year of university, meeting you was the happiest time of my life. The first time I knew happiness was when I looked at your energetic eyes and heard your warm voice singing along to a certain Kpop group. Indeed, we didn't talk much, but all that time, I unconsciously searched for you. I signed up for every activity that you joined just to get closer to you. I mustered up the courage to confess to you, but in return, I only got your polite refusal. You even avoided me, like avoiding evil. And my mother passed away; everything around seemed to drown me in darkness. I was forced to go study abroad. The time in America was tough. The only thing that kept me from falling was your pictures, even though I knew I might never see you again in my life. But fortunately, God was not so cruel. After graduating and coming back home, I again met you at this hotel. Once I saw that familiar smile, I swore to myself that this time I would risk everything to keep you by my side."

Memories about university days gradually emerged more clearly behind the dust of time. It was so beautiful, and Kim Seokjin was the only reason for it.

But for Kim Seokjin, meeting Park Jimin was like an unexpected event, accidentally appearing in his life but soon being eroded by time into meaningless fragments of memories. He didn't understand why he stubbornly avoided the younger while people not only admired but were jealous of Park Jimin's love for him. In fact, he didn't even know if it was love or a meticulously carved golden birdcage. It was beautiful, but it was so frustrating. And he, Kim Seokjin, would never be an oriole captured in that cage waiting for his owner's love. The scenery outside the cage was where he belonged, despite many difficulties laying ahead.

"I'm sorry. I'm too neglected"

Park Jimin suddenly felt warm tears fall on the back of his hand. He loosened his embrace, turning the older to face him. Seeing his clear eyes glistening with tears, Park Jimin reached up and gently caressed his wet cheek.

-"It's okay. From now on, let's start over. Our mistakes before are all erased. In the future, you just need to stay by my side. I will take care of the rest."

Through the sparkling water, Jin met the opposite eyes containing countless mixed emotions. Gentleness, sadness, faith, and...desire.

"Sorry, Park Jimin"

Jin nodded slightly. And beyond the younger's expectations, the older took the initiative to press his lips to Jimin's. It didn't take long for the warmth to cover the younger's lips before Jin quickly backed away, bowed his head, and stammered.

-"Thank you"