The national sports arena is louder than usual today.
Sprinters warming up…
Gymnasts practicing flips…
Coaches shouting instructions…
And right in the middle of all this—
Jungkook is stretching on the track, trying to look normal.
But his eyes keep drifting toward you.
Where are you?
Standing on the sideline, talking to Yoongi and Taehyung.
Jungkook's jaw tightens.
Tae: "Why is he staring at you like you stole his protein powder?"
Yoongi: "He's been weird all morning."
You shrug.
Y/N: "Maybe he's just stressed."
Yoongi and Tae exchange a look.
Tae: "Stressed about what? The race or you?"
You roll your eyes.
RIA WALKS IN LIKE A DRAMA QUEEN
Suddenly…
Ria enters the hall in full glam.
Pink training jacket.
Fake eyelashes at 9 AM.
Ponytail swinging.
And she's holding…
A bouquet of roses.
And a GIANT "JK ❤️" card.
Taehyung slaps Yoongi's arm.
Tae: "THIS IS IT. SHOWTIME."
Yoongi: "She actually brought props. I want to disappear."
You stare.
Y/N: "No way… she wouldn't—"
Yoongi: "She would."
Taehyung: "And she will."
RIA: "JEON JUNGKOOK, I LIKE YOU!"
Ria marches straight across the track
ignoring the whistle blowing
ignoring the coaches shouting
ignoring the athletes trying not to laugh.
She stops right in front of Jungkook.
Everyone freezes.
Even the air freezes.
Ria takes a deep breath—
And SCREAMS:
"JEON JUNGKOOK!!! I LIKE YOU!!! VERY MUCH!!! PLEASE DATE ME!!!"
The entire hall erupts.
People gasp.
Some cheer.
Someone actually whistles.
Yoongi facepalms.
Tae whispers loudly:
Tae: "We should've sold tickets for this."
You whisper, shocked:
Y/N: "WHY is she shouting?"
Yoongi: "For public attention. She does everything dramatically."
JUNGKOOK PANICS HARD
Jungkook looks like he wants the Earth to open and swallow him.
His ears turn red.
Neck red.
Face red.
Soul probably red.
JK: "Ria… what are you doing?!"
Ria steps closer.
Ria: "I'm confessing! In front of everyone! Because I like you so, so much!"
She shoves the bouquet in his hands.
He doesn't take it.
JK: "Ria. Put that down. Please."
She doesn't.
People start whispering.
Athlete 1: "Is this real?"
Athlete 2: "Confession of the year!"
Athlete 3: "What will Y/N-ssi do?"
You stiffen.
Jungkook hears that.
His eyes immediately fly to you.
His expression
shifts.
Worry?
Fear?
Nervousness?
Something raw flashes through his gaze.
Tae whispers to you:
Tae: "He's looking at you. Not her."
Yoongi smirks.
RIA BACKFIRES
Ria notices Jungkook looking at you.
Her smile fades.
Ria: "Oppa… don't look at her. Look at me."
You freeze.
Jungkook's jaw clenches.
JK: "Don't drag Y/N into this. She has nothing to do with your confession."
You feel a strange twist in your stomach.
Ria's voice cracks.
Ria: "But you always look at her!"
She turns toward you.
Eyes blazing.
Voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
"You're always with him! Why?! What are you to him?!"
A pin-drop silence falls.
Yoongi steps in front of you instantly.
Taehyung too.
Their stance protective.
Jungkook storms forward.
His voice low, lethal.
JK: "Ria. Not one more word."
Ria's eyes fill with tears.
Ria: "Oppa… why are you defending her? Why aren't you looking at me?"
JK: "Because I don't like you. I never have."
Her bouquet slips from her hands.
Gasps fill the hall.
THE AFTERSHOCK
Jungkook continues:
JK: "Don't confess to someone publicly without asking them how they feel.
This isn't romantic. It's disrespectful.
And stop involving Y/N in everything."
Ria trembles.
Ria: "So… so you reject me?"
JK: "Yes."
Ria breaks down and runs out crying.
Half the hall stares at Jungkook.
The other half stares at you.
Yoongi whispers:
Yoongi: "Wow. That was messy."
Taehyung nods.
Tae: "Yeah. Drama score: 10/10."
You?
You're frozen.
JUNGKOOK WALKS TO YOU
Everyone watches as Jungkook walks toward you.
Slow.
Serious.
Eyes locked on you alone.
He stops just one step away.
JK (soft): "Are you okay?"
You nod stiffly.
Y/N: "It's fine."
JK: "No it's not. She dragged you into something you never asked for."
You don't reply.
Taehyung jumps in:
Tae: "Okay children, calm down. Let's all breathe."
Yoongi pats your shoulder.
Yoongi: "Ignore the noise. You're fine."
But Jungkook keeps staring at you.
There's guilt
anger
and something deeper in his eyes.
THE LINE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
Suddenly Jungkook says:
JK: "I didn't want her.
I never wanted anyone…
except—"
He stops.
Silence.
Your heart jumps.
Tae's eyebrows shoot up.
Yoongi straightens.
Jungkook looks away.
JK: "…It doesn't matter."
And he walks off.
Leaving you breathless.
Leaving everyone confused.
Leaving the story wide open.
You walk toward Taehyung with slow steps.
He lifts his head the moment he senses your presence—
eyes slightly red, features soft yet tense.
You don't say anything.
You just sit beside him… quietly.
The air shifts.
Taehyung immediately looks away, pretending he's fine, but the way his fingers tremble on his knee… it shows everything he's trying to hide.
You keep staring ahead, not him—
but your silence speaks louder than words.
It says: "I'm here."
It says: "I still care."
It says: "I don't know what to do either."
The room is so quiet you can hear both of your breaths.
Taehyung finally whispers, his voice cracking slightly:
"You don't have to say anything…
Just… don't leave right now."
His shoulders drop, as if your presence alone is the only thing keeping him from breaking.
You stay.
Silent.
Close enough for warmth, distant enough for boundaries.
The door slightly opens—
Jungkook watches you two from outside.
His jaw clenches, but not with jealousy—
with the fear of losing you before he even gets the chance to tell you everything.
He leaves quietly.
The air between you and Taehyung is trembling.
You don't know why your hand moves first—
maybe instinct… maybe memories… maybe guilt.
You hold Taehyung's hand.
Your fingers touch his lightly.
Taehyung freezes.
He looks down at your joined hands like he's afraid it's a dream he'll lose again.
Slowly… very slowly…
he turns his face toward you.
Those soft brown eyes—
filled with pain, love, confusion.
Your voice comes out barely above a whisper.
"I'm not leaving."
Taehyung's breath stutters.
Something inside him breaks—
or heals.
Even he doesn't know.
You see his eyes fill… shimmering with emotions he can't hide anymore.
Before you can think—
You hug him. Tight.
And Taehyung…
doesn't just hug you back.
He clings.
One arm around your waist, the other around your shoulders—
holding you like he's scared if he lets go, you will disappear again.
His voice cracks against your neck:
"Why does it still hurt like this…?"
You squeeze him harder.
He buries his face against you, breathing shakily—
your scent calming him, destroying him, healing him all at once.
The room is silent.
Too silent.
And then—
you hear a soft sound near the door.
A breath?
A shift?
A presence?
You pull back from Taehyung just enough to turn your head—
JUNGKOOK. Standing there. Watching everything.
His face is unreadable.
But his eyes?
Shattered.
Frozen.
Then he gives the smallest, most broken half-smile.
And steps back.
Quietly.
Leaving.
Your heart stops.
You stand up immediately, your pulse racing.
Taehyung looks up, panicked, confused:
"Where—where are you going?"
You swallow.
You look at him with soft eyes.
And whisper—
"I need to go… to Jungkook."
Taehyung's eyes widen.
Your words hit him like a knife.
But you go.
You move toward the door, breath shaky, hands trembling, pulse wild—
because you know…
You can't lose Jungkook.
Not like this.
Not after everything.
You run after Jungkook.
"Jungkook!"
Your voice echoes down the quiet corridor.
He doesn't stop.
Doesn't turn.
Not even a flinch.
But you run faster—
your heartbeat pounding louder than your steps.
You finally reach him near the end of the hallway and grab his wrist.
He freezes.
Slowly… very slowly…
he turns to face you.
His jaw is clenched.
His eyes—dark, glassy, hurt.
There's a storm behind them.
You open your mouth—
But Jungkook speaks first.
"So… you chose him.
His voice is soft
but sharper than a knife.
You inhale sharply, shaking your head, "No—Jungkook, listen—"
But he steps back.
Not angrily.
Not dramatically.
Just… defeated.
His shoulders drop.
His eyes lower.
He laughs once, empty.
"You don't have to explain," he whispers,
even though he clearly wants an explanation more than anything.
You take a step toward him.
He takes a tiny step back.
His voice trembles:
"I saw the way you held him…
the way he held you…
the way you ran after me only because you felt guilty."
Your chest tightens painfully.
"That's not true," you breathe.
Jungkook finally looks at you—
full and direct.
And the hurt in his eyes is unbearable.
"It's okay," he says quietly.
"You don't owe me anything, Y/N."
One tear falls—
not from you.
From him.
But he wipes it instantly, like he's ashamed of it.
You reach out, gently touching his hand.
Jungkook stares at your fingers on him, breath uneven.
"You think I don't know what you're doing?"
He whispers.
"You're trying to save him… but you're breaking me."
The hallway is silent.
Your heart aches.
Your throat burns.
Your mind spins.
Jungkook steps closer, closer—
so close your breaths touch.
Then he whispers:
"But if you really didn't choose him…"
His gaze drops to your lips, then back to your eyes—
"…tell me."
A challenge.
A plea.
A confession hidden inside a question.
Your voice comes out small.
"I… didn't choose anyone, Jungkook."
He freezes.
His eyes widen—
like he wants to believe you
but he's terrified of being wrong again.
You swallow hard, stepping closer.
"I'm not choosing between people," you whisper.
"I'm trying to understand my own heart first."
Jungkook's breath shakes.
But then…
Your own eyes burn—
and your voice cracks.
You cry… and Jungkook instantly pulls you into his arms
The moment your tears fall—
Jungkook breaks.
His arms wrap around you so fast, so tight, so desperate.
"Hey… hey… don't cry," he whispers,
his voice trembling against your hair.
His hand cups the back of your head gently.
His other arm holds you by the waist like he's afraid you'll disappear.
You clutch his hoodie, sobbing softly into his chest.
Jungkook closes his eyes, jaw tight, like your pain is stabbing him.
"I'm sorry," he murmurs.
"I didn't want to make you cry. I just… I didn't want to lose you."
His thumb brushes your tear-stained cheek.
His forehead rests on yours.
His breath mixes with yours.
He's so close…
so soft…
so vulnerable.
You open your mouth to speak—
And that's when everything shatters.
Taehyung appears behind you. Silently.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Quiet.
Heavy.
Jungkook's arms stiffen around you.
You turn slightly—
Taehyung is standing a few feet away.
His expression?
Not angry.
Not jealous.
Just… heartbroken.
His eyes flicker from your tearful face…
to Jungkook's arms wrapped around you…
to your hands clutching his hoodie.
He swallows hard.
Then he smiles—
a small, painful, polite smile.
"Sorry," Taehyung says softly.
"I didn't mean to interrupt."
Jungkook steps protectively in front of you without thinking.
Taehyung notices.
And that hurts him the most.
But he still speaks calmly:
"I came to check if you were okay," he says to you.
"But it seems… you're already with the person you need."
Your breath catches.
Jungkook opens his mouth to protest—
"Tae—"
But Taehyung shakes his head gently.
"No. It's okay," he whispers.
"I get it now."
He looks at Jungkook.
Eyes glistening.
"Just… don't hurt her."
Then he turns to walk away.
No drama.
No anger.
Just soft heartbreak.
You Run After Taehyung
Jungkook calls your name softly—
"Y/N—wait—"
but your feet are already moving.
You sprint down the hallway after Taehyung, your breath shaky, heartbeat loud in your ears.
"Tae! Taehyung, stop!"
He doesn't.
He keeps walking… steady pace… shoulders stiff…
as if he's holding every emotion inside so it doesn't spill.
You finally reach him and grab his wrist gently.
He stops.
But he doesn't turn.
"Taehyung…"
Your voice cracks again.
Slowly… very slowly…
he turns to face you.
His eyes are red.
Not from anger.
From holding back tears.
"Tae… please don't walk away like that."
He lets out a bitter, soft laugh.
"Why not?"
He looks down at his shoes.
"It's easier for everyone if I do."
You shake your head.
"No. Not for me."
His eyes snap up to yours—surprised, hopeful, confused.
"You still… care?"
His voice is barely above a whisper.
You step closer.
"I've always cared."
Taehyung swallows hard.
"Why did you run after me… and not him?"
That question slips out before he can stop himself.
You look at him.
Really look.
His trembling lips.
His clenched jaw.
His eyes begging for an answer he's scared to hear.
And you answer honestly:
"Because you walked away hurt.
And I could never let you hurt alone, Tae."
Taehyung's breath catches.
He closes his eyes for a moment—
like he's absorbing your words,
like they are the first warmth after a long winter.
When he opens them again, they're glossy.
"You shouldn't be comforting me," he whispers.
"Not when your heart is confused… or maybe already chosen."
You don't reply.
Silence thickens.
Taehyung steps closer, voice softer than ever:
"Just tell me one thing…"
He looks deep into your eyes.
"…am I already too late?"
Your lips part—
but before you can answer—
A voice calls from behind.
"Y/N…"
Jungkook.
Of course.
Standing a few meters away, breathing heavy, eyes dark with panic.
He must've run after you.
Now you're standing between the two of them.
Taehyung on your left.
Jungkook on your right.
Both waiting.
Both hurting.
Both wanting you.
The air feels electric.
The hallway suddenly feels too quiet.
Taehyung waiting.
Jungkook watching.
Both breathing softly—carefully—as if one wrong sound could shatter you.
And maybe… it could.
Your chest tightens.
Your throat burns.
You whisper, barely audible:
"I… I'm scared."
Both freeze.
You look down, tears collecting at the edges of your eyes.
"I'm scared of choosing anyone," you continue, voice trembling.
"I'm scared of hurting you… either of you. I'm scared of ruining friendships, teams, dreams. I'm scared that whatever I choose… someone will break."
Your voice cracks.
"I don't want to break anyone."
Taehyung steps forward first—slow, hesitant.
"Y/n…"
His voice is as soft as cotton.
"You're not responsible for our hearts. We chose to feel this way. Not you."
Jungkook walks up too, stopping right beside you.
"Yeah," he murmurs.
"You don't owe either of us anything."
But the look in his eyes tells a different story.
Worried.
Possessive.
Hurting.
You finally lift your head, tears slipping free.
"I don't know what my heart wants," you whisper.
"And until I figure that out… I don't want to choose. I can't."
Silence.
Heavy.
Full.
Real.
Taehyung exhales shakily and gently wipes one of your tears with his thumb.
"You're allowed to take time," he says softly.
"I'll wait… even if the answer is not me."
And Jungkook—
he clenches his jaw, trying to hide the sting in his chest.
Then he speaks, voice low but steady:
"Just don't run away from us.
Don't shut us out.
Whatever you feel… let us be there."
You sniff, nodding weakly.
"I just… don't want to lose either of you."
Jungkook answers first:
"You won't."
Then Taehyung, quietly:
"Never."
And for a moment, all three of you just stand there.
Not lovers.
Not rivals.
Just souls who care too much, too deeply.
You're standing there—
between Taehyung's soft sadness
and Jungkook's burning worry—
when a slow, measured voice breaks the tension:
"Alright. That's enough."
All three of you turn.
Min Yoongi stands at the end of the hallway
hands in pockets
expression calm
eyes sharp
like he's been watching the scene long enough.
He walks toward you with steady steps, not even acknowledging Taehyung or Jungkook at first.
He stops right beside you
and gently places a hand on the back of your head.
"She's overwhelmed," he says flatly.
"She doesn't need pressure right now."
Jungkook's jaw tightens.
Taehyung's shoulders stiffen.
Yoongi looks between the two of them—unbothered and brutally honest:
"You two are dragging her in opposite directions," he says.
"Back off."
Taehyung looks wounded.
Jungkook looks annoyed.
You whisper, "Yoongi…"
He doesn't let you explain.
He simply takes your wrist gently—not possessive, not dramatic—just protective.
"She's coming with me."
Jungkook steps forward instantly.
"Hyung, she can decide herself—"
"She did," Yoongi cuts in.
"She said she's scared. She said she's confused. That means she needs space, not two idiots hovering."
Taehyung doesn't argue.
He just looks at you—
eyes filled with quiet pain
but also respect.
"Go rest," he tells you softly.
"We'll… give you time."
Jungkook still looks conflicted, but after a tense breath, he nods too.
Yoongi doesn't wait for more drama.
He pulls you close to his side, arm around your shoulders, and leads you away.
As you walk with him, you can feel both sets of eyes watching your back.
But for the first time in hours…
You feel like you can breathe.