"Hey, put your phone away. RM is about to come in," Jimin chided Jungkook, trying to pull the younger's phone from his hands.

Jungkook clutched the phone to his chest and turned away from his friend. "I'm just checking one thing!"

"Tae's flight isn't going to magically get in two hours earlier, Kook. Constantly checking won't make the time go by faster, so just be patient."

"I am patient," Jungkook grumbled, sliding his phone into his pocket.

The door opened and the two producers walked in, a peppy Namjoon followed by a pensive Yoongi. Jungkook's eyes flitted over to Jimin, trying to gauge his expression, but the elder was looking down at his hands.

"Hey, guys," Namjoon greeted the three mentees with a wave. "How are we doing today? Getting excited for the show next week?"

The three boys stared back at him with mixed expressions. Jungkook was nodding his head vigorously, excited because he was going to sing his new song he wrote for Taehyung. Yeonjun looked a little apprehensive, but still ready for the challenge. And Jimin . . . .

"What's that look for Jimin?" Yoongi asked, eyebrows set low over his eyes.

Jimin's lips parted as he met his mentor's gaze. "Um, I . . . I'm not making any sort of look?"

Jungkook studied his friend and found his features to be scrunched with stress. Jimin was practicing his routines nonstop and was most definitely overworking himself. He needed a break and to relax, but the elder wanted to make sure everything was perfect for next week.

He was running himself ragged in the process.

Yoongi stared at him for a moment longer before turning to Namjoon, letting Jimin off the hook for now.

"We're going to quickly run through logistics for the showcase so you all know what to expect," Namjoon explained, pulling up his notes to properly communicate the information. "If you have questions, ask now so you're not confused later on."

The next hour flew by, both producers covering the show's breakout and song order in great detail. The three would perform the four group routines they'd been working on as well as two individual solos each. Additionally, due to the anticipation of the show, the final performances were now going to be held in a larger venue to accommodate the massive amount of people attending.

The showcase had essentially turned into a mini concert.

At the very end of the show, the three mentees would find out instantly if they were going to be signed. The Big Hit executives pretty much knew now whether or not the boys were going to receive an official contract, but they wanted to make sure there were no big surprises come show night.

Jungkook tried not to think about it, but still understood the added pressure. One way or another, his life would change next week. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his sudden onset of anxiety.

"Look," Yoongi spoke up, rolling his shoulders back, "you've all been working so hard. There's nothing to stress about so stop overthinking things."

His comment was made to the group but Yoongi only looked at one person.

Jimin flushed noticeably.

"Alright, you can all head home for today. Good work everyone," RM announced, the energy of the room lightening perceptibly.

Jungkook grinned as he pulled out his phone again, tapping the screen a few times.

Jimin noticed as his smile fell. "What?"

The younger handed his phone over. "Delayed by an hour," he whispered, not wanting to draw the attention of the producers.

Despite their strong relationship, both Taehyung and Jungkook decided to keep a low profile until a while after the showcase. In a few months, they'd discuss what steps they'd need to take to date somewhat publicly.

"I'm sorry, man," Jimin handed the phone back, a wicked twinkle in his eyes. "How about you go home, relax a little, and get all squeaky clean for him?"

The younger's face scrunched in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Jimin sent him a pointed look.

"Jimin," Jungkook groaned, hitting his arm. "I seriously don't know what to do with you sometimes."

He got up and left, leaving a giggling Jimin behind.

Jimin, still laughing to himself, collected his belongings and walked towards the training rooms. Despite the early dismissal, he knew he'd be here late once again. The dances for the group routines were intricate and he needed to work on his timing. And for his solo songs, he wanted to practice a couple new breathing techniques so he wouldn't get too breathy during the high notes.

His future was on the line and he wasn't leaving things up to chance.

The practice rooms were quiet once he entered that wing, everyone having left for the day. Jimin picked a smaller room, tossing his bag to the side and plugging his phone into the sound system. He put on soft music to start, needing to stretch his exhausted muscles.

"You should go home, Jimin," a voice said from behind him. "You need to rest."

He turned, taking in his mentor leaning against the doorframe. "It's just one more week, Yoongi. I'll rest after the show."

The elder approached him, stopping a foot away. "There will be less time to rest once you're signed. Everything will get busier than it is now and you'll barely have time to breathe let alone relax."

Jimin shook his head. "You don't know what will happen next week. That's why I need to keep pushing myself now."

The younger bent down to stretch but Yoongi pulled him up by the arm. His grip was strong but the expression in his eyes was gentle.

"Jiminie," he said, his tone soft and caring. "If you won't listen to me as your mentor, then listen to me as your friend. Take a break. Please. You are tired and stressed. Let's just go and chill out."

"I can't fail, Yoongi. I can't," Jimin breathed, his fears and insecurity rising to the surface.

Yoongi shifted his grip, running his hand down the younger's arm and to his hand. He squeezed. "I can't make you believe me when I say you're one of the most talented performers I've seen. Only you can make yourself believe that. But you are, Jimin. I have no doubt that you will be as successful as you want to be."

It was quiet as Jimin stood there, letting his mentor hold his hand in a comforting gesture. He wanted to believe the elder's words. But years of self-doubt were hard to overcome just because someone he respected told him otherwise.

"I was planning on ordering some food," Yoongi remarked, breaking their silence. "How about you run through your routines for the next thirty minutes and then eat dinner with me?"

"Okay," Jimin agreed softly.

It meant a lot to him that Yoongi didn't push him into stopping. Instead, he compromised and offered a solution Jimin could more readily accept.

The elder backed away, smiling reassuringly. "I'll come get you when the food is here."

Jimin nodded, the corners of his own mouth pulling up in response. It made him remember the feeling he had after overhearing Yoongi's and Hoseok's break up.

"Yoongi?"

The elder turned back toward him in question.

"After the showcase, if you're still interested in dating me, you can take me out on a date."

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

》《