The humid Korean air hung heavy as Jin and Namjoon, buzzing with manic energy, shook the sleep from their bandmates' eyes. Groans and mumbled protests filled the air. "Hyung, it's three in the morning!" Jungkook whined, burrowing deeper under his blanket. Taehyung, ever dramatic, clutched his pillow theatrically, declaring, "My beauty sleep! You're ruining my ethereal glow!" Suga simply glared, radiating a silent threat that could curdle milk. J-Hope, though naturally cheerful, looked utterly defeated, his sunshine temporarily eclipsed by the ungodly hour. Only Jimin remained relatively silent, his face pale in the dim light.
Jin clapped his hands, undeterred. "Come on, sleepyheads! Adventure awaits! Think of it as team building… at an ungodly hour!"
Namjoon, ever the diplomat, added, "We know it's early, guys, but we promise it'll be worth it. We packed your bags last night, so just get dressed and grab a quick breakfast. Plane leaves in an hour."
The next hour was a symphony of complaints and bleary-eyed shuffling. Breakfast was consumed in a haze of exhaustion, punctuated by occasional grumbles. Jimin picked at his food, his usual cheerful demeanor absent. He looked like he hadn't slept at all.
On the plane, the members instantly succumbed to sleep, a tangle of limbs and soft snores. Only Jin, Namjoon, and Jimin remained awake. Jin, noticing Jimin's continued unease, gently nudged him. "Jimin-ah, you okay? You seem a little… off."
Jimin forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Just tired, hyung."
Namjoon, ever perceptive, raised an eyebrow. "You're shaking a little, Jimin. Something's bothering you. You know you can talk to us."
Jimin hesitated, then the dam broke. "It was my mom… she called last night." His voice was barely a whisper.
Flashback – Jimin's room, Late Night
The phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. Jimin, already feeling the weight of exhaustion from a grueling dance practice, answered with a hopeful, "Eomma?"
The response was anything but warm. "Park Jimin! When are you going to stop this nonsense and act like a responsible son?" His mother's voice was sharp, laced with disapproval.
"Eomma, I…"
"Don't 'Eomma' me! Dancing and singing! It's a childish fantasy. Your father and I have built a successful business, and you're throwing it all away for this… entertainment. You're being selfish, Jimin. Think about your family for once!"
"I am thinking about my family! I'm working hard, making a name for myself…" Jimin's voice rose in protest.
"Name? What name? You're a puppet, dancing for the amusement of teenagers! When are you going to grow up and take over the business like I asked? Your father isn't getting any younger!"
"But Eomma, I love what I do! I'm happy…"
His mother scoffed. "Happy? Is that what you call it? Being away from family, constantly under pressure? That's not happiness, Jimin. That's a fleeting illusion. Come home, Jimin. This is your last chance. Stop being so stubborn."
The line went dead. Jimin stared at the phone, his heart pounding, the joy of his life suddenly tainted with a bitter sense of guilt.
End Flashback
Tears welled in Jimin's eyes as he finished the story. Jin and Namjoon exchanged a look of concern and simmering anger.
"That's… that's awful, Jimin-ah," Jin said, his voice soft. "She has no right to say things like that."
Namjoon nodded, his expression grim. "We need to talk to the company about this. Your well-being is our priority. But more importantly, Jimin, we need to respect your wishes. What do you want to do?"
Jimin looked down, his shoulders slumped. "I don't know… I just want it to stop."
"Then we'll help you make it stop," Namjoon assured him. "For now, try to get some rest. We'll figure this out."
Jimin managed a weak smile and closed his eyes, finally drifting into a troubled sleep. Jin and Namjoon exchanged a worried glance. They knew this was more than just a family disagreement; it was an attack on Jimin's identity, his passion, and his very core. They quietly discussed the situation, agreeing to contact their manager discreetly upon arrival, ensuring Jimin's privacy and protection as much as possible.
The landing in Japan was smooth. As they walked through the airport, the members' spirits slowly began to lift. The initial exhaustion faded, replaced by a sense of anticipation. At the hotel, they were whisked to the entire 20th floor, reserved exclusively for them. After unpacking and freshening up, Namjoon announced the surprise.
"Alright, everyone! Are you ready for some magic?" He grinned mischievously.
Eyes widened. Jungkook practically bounced on his heels. "Disney?! We're going to Disneyland?!"
A chorus of excited cheers erupted. Even Suga cracked a small smile.
Disneyland Tokyo was a kaleidoscope of color and sound. They rode rollercoasters, ate Mickey Mouse-shaped snacks, and posed for countless pictures with characters. They laughed, screamed, and genuinely enjoyed each other's company, the earlier tension temporarily forgotten. Jimin, though still a little subdued, couldn't help but get swept up in the energy of the park. He even laughed as Taehyung, wearing a ridiculous Goofy hat, tried to teach him a new dance move.
As evening approached, they left Disneyland and strolled through the vibrant streets of Tokyo. The neon lights reflected in their excited eyes as they sampled street food, played arcade games, and explored hidden alleyways filled with quirky shops.
Back at the hotel, they ordered a mountain of takeout, showered, and changed into comfortable clothes. They gathered in the large suite, a chaotic mix of laughter, playful insults, and friendly competition as they played board games and told stories.
Later that night, as a fragile peace settled over the hotel floor, Jimin's phone rang again. He hesitated, dread creeping into his heart before answering.
"Jimin-ah," his mother slurred, her voice thick with alcohol. "Why haven't you called? Are you ignoring your mother?"
"Eomma, I was busy…"
"Busy being a clown? Don't lie to me! I saw you on TV, all that makeup makes you look fat! I knew I shouldn't have let you chase this dream. You're embarrassing the family."
Jimin flinched as though physically struck. "Eomma, please stop. I don't want to hear this."
"You need to hear it! You think you're so talented, so special? You're nothing but a pretty face. You'll be washed up in a few years, and then what will you do? Come crawling back to us. But don't think we'll be so welcoming then, you made your choice"
The line went dead again, leaving Jimin trembling and devastated. He curled into a ball on his bed, tears streaming down his face. The hurtful words echoed in his mind, amplifying his insecurities and doubts. He felt worthless, unloved, and utterly alone.
Meanwhile, in Suga's room, a different kind of warmth was brewing. The two were enjoying a rare moment of privacy, tangled in each other's arms. Suddenly, a muffled sob pierced the quiet intimacy.
Suga paused, his brow furrowed. "Did you hear that?"
J-Hope listened intently. "Yeah… sounds like someone's crying."
Concern etched on their faces, they cautiously approached Jimin's door and knocked gently. "Jimin-ah? Are you okay?"
A choked sob was their only response. They exchanged a worried look and cautiously opened the door.
The sight that greeted them was heartbreaking. Jimin was huddled in a corner, his face buried in his knees, his body shaking with silent sobs.
Suga, despite his tough exterior, immediately softened. He knelt beside Jimin, his voice gentle. "Jimin-ah, what's wrong?"
J-Hope sat beside him, placing a comforting hand on his back. "It's okay, Jimin. You can tell us."
Jimin looked up, his eyes red and swollen. He couldn't speak, the pain too raw, too overwhelming.
Suga didn't push. He simply sat there, his presence a silent reassurance. J-Hope started humming a soft melody, a soothing balm to Jimin's shattered emotions. Slowly, Jimin's sobs began to subside.
After a while, his breathing became less ragged. He looked at Suga and J-Hope, his eyes filled with gratitude and confusion. "How did you do that…?"
Suga glanced at J-Hope, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "We've both had our fair share of panic attacks, Jimin. It's normal. It'll pass."
Jimin nodded slowly. "Sorry… sorry if I woke you."
J-Hope chuckled softly. "You didn't, I promise. Can I ask what caused your panic attack?"
Jimin shook his head, unable to articulate the pain. Suga and J-Hope respected his silence, offering only comfort and support.
Suga helped Jimin lie down in bed, tucking him in like a child. "Try to get some sleep, Jimin-ah. We're here for you."
As they left the room, they saw Jin and Namjoon sitting at the small bar on their floor, glasses of wine in hand, deep in conversation.
"Jimin had a panic attack," J-Hope explained quietly.
Jin and Namjoon's faces fell. They knew about Jimin's history of anxiety, and they knew it was this bad.
"We'll handle it," Namjoon said, his voice firm. "You guys get some rest."
That night, the usual carefree atmosphere of their trip was replaced by a quiet unease. The weight of Jimin's pain hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the invisible struggles they all carried beneath the surface. They knew that this week off, meant for relaxation and bonding, had suddenly taken on a new, more profound purpose: protecting their brother, their friend, their family.