THE SECRET PROTECTOR

My name is Tonia, and meeting BTS was the most unforgettable day of my life. But I never imagined that one of the seven members would become the reason my heart raced every single day.

It all started three days after I met them.I was walking through the hotel lobby when I noticed Jungkook standing near the elevator. The moment he saw me, he quickly looked away."Jungkook?" I called.He turned around. "Oh, Tonia. You're here.""Why do you always disappear whenever I see you?"He laughed nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about."But I noticed something strange. Whenever I went somewhere, Jungkook somehow appeared nearby. When a crowded hallway became overwhelming, he quietly asked a staff member to help me find a calmer route. When I couldn't find my way back to the event room, he appeared and guided me there.He never explained why he cared so much.One afternoon, I finally confronted him."Jungkook, why are you always protecting me?"He froze."Protecting you? I'm not.""Then why do you always show up when I need help?"For a moment, he looked as if he wanted to tell me something important.Instead, he smiled faintly."Maybe I'm just good at being in the right place at the right time."I didn't believe him.Later that evening, I was sitting alone in the garden when I overheard Jimin teasing him."How long are you going to keep this secret, Jungkook?""Keep your voice down!" Jungkook whispered."You're always asking whether Tonia is okay. You even remember the smallest things she tells you!""Jimin, please. She can't know yet."My heart stopped.What secret?Before I could hear anything else, they walked away.The next morning, I decided to test my suspicions. I told the members I wanted to visit the fan exhibition that afternoon.Jungkook immediately looked concerned."Are you going alone?""Yes. Why?""Wait for a staff member to accompany you, okay?"I folded my arms. "There you go again!"He lowered his head, hiding a little smile.That evening, I found a small envelope outside my room. Inside was a handwritten note."Tonia, you have a beautiful heart. Never let this world make you feel that you are not important. Someone here cares about you more than you realize. — Your Secret Protector."My hands trembled.I took the note to the members and placed it on the table."One of you wrote this. I want to know who."Jin looked at the ceiling. SUGA suddenly became very interested in his phone. V tried to hide his smile, while J-Hope covered his mouth.RM sighed."Jungkook, I think it's time."Jungkook stared at the floor before finally looking at me."It was me."Silence filled the room."You?" I whispered.He nodded."I started caring about you when we first met. You spoke about your dreams and your family with so much hope. I admired that. I wanted to make sure you were okay, especially when things became overwhelming.""Then why didn't you tell me?"He took a breath."Because I was afraid you would think I was only being kind because you're a fan. I wanted you to know that I respect you as a person, not just as someone who admires BTS."I looked at him, unable to find the right words.Jungkook continued softly."I can't promise to protect you from every problem in the world, Tonia. But whenever we're together, I'll do my best to make sure you feel safe, respected, and never alone when you need help."Tears gathered in my eyes."All this time, it was you?"He nodded."Yes. And there's one more thing."My heart began racing again."What?"He smiled shyly."I think you're becoming someone very special to me."Jimin immediately shouted, "FINALLY!"Everyone burst into laughter, and Jungkook covered his face.I laughed too.I didn't know what the future would bring, or whether this unexpected connection would grow into something more. But I knew one thing: the boy who had quietly looked out for me had finally trusted me with his secret.As we stood together, Jungkook gently offered me his hand."Friends?" he asked.I smiled and took it."Friends. But no more hiding secrets from me!"He laughed. "I'll try."And just like that, the mystery of my secret protector came to an end.But the memory of that day would stay with me forever.The end