You're leaning against a streetlight, arms crossed, breathing slowly.
Trying to cool off.
Trying to forget the way Ria looked at you.
Trying to ignore the sting of Jungkook's carelessness.
Then—
"Y/N!"
You turn.
Jungkook is jogging toward you, breathless, anxious, eyes wide with worry.
"Please don't walk away from me," he whispers.
You sigh.
"You said you'd stay inside."
"I don't care," he says softly.
"I care about you."
Your breath catches.
He steps closer— not touching, just… close enough to feel the warmth of his presence.
"I didn't realize," Jungkook starts, voice low, almost trembling,
"that what I thought was 'being nice'… was hurting you."
You look away.
He steps in front of you again.
"I'm sorry," he says,
genuine, raw, honest.
"Really sorry."
You swallow.
"You need to stop leading her on," you say tiredly.
Jungkook nods immediately.
"I will."
"You need to set boundaries."
"I will."
"And don't train with her alone."
He shakes his head quickly.
"I won't."
You finally meet his eyes.
He looks relieved—
and something else.
Something softer.
Warmer.
"Y/N…" he says gently.
"Please don't be angry at me anymore."
You exhale.
"I'm not angry."
"You walked out."
"I walked out because I was irritated. And confused. And—"
you stop yourself.
Jungkook steps even closer, voice barely above a whisper.
"And jealous?"
Your heart stops.
"…I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
Silence.
The cold breeze wraps around both of you.
Jungkook's eyes soften even more.
"I don't want her," he murmurs.
"I want you."
Your breath hitches.
But before you can answer—
Yoongi yells from inside the ramen shop:
"HEY! IF YOU TWO ARE GONNA CONFESS, DO IT QUIETLY! PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO EAT!"
You and Jungkook both jump.
Then you actually… laugh.
Jungkook smiles at the sound.
The tension breaks—
but the meaning behind his words stays heavy between you.
Jungkook stands there frozen for a moment, his breath caught in his chest.
Your sudden anger wasn't something he expected.
JK:
"Y/N… wait—"
But you've already walked out of the physio room, the door swinging behind you with a sharp thud.
Yoongi, sitting on the treatment table, lets out a low whistle.
Yoongi:
"…Damn. She's pissed."
He raises an eyebrow at Jungkook.
"What exactly did you do, kid?"
Jungkook drags a hand through his hair.
He looks genuinely stressed—jaw tight, eyes restless, chest rising faster than normal.
JK:
"I didn't do anything. Ria's just—she's just dramatic. I was only helping her fix her form! She twisted her ankle last time, I don't want her injuries getting worse."
Yoongi stares at him blankly.
Yoongi:
"You're explaining this to the wrong person, genius. Go explain it to her."
Jungkook starts pacing.
JK:
"But she won't listen! She walked out like—like I did something unforgivable! I just—"
He huffs sharply.
"She didn't even look at me."
Yoongi shrugs.
Yoongi:
"Yeah, that's because she's hurt."
Jungkook stops.
JK:
"Hurt?"
Yoongi folds his arms, leaning back.
Yoongi:
"Why else would someone react like that?
She doesn't care about who you train usually… but you being close to Ria? That girl openly calls you hers. That's disrespectful to Y/N. And you didn't draw a line."
Jungkook stiffens.
His eyes drop to the floor, lips parting slightly as the realization hits him.
JK:
"I… didn't think it from her side."
His voice lowers, regretful.
"I thought she didn't care."
Yoongi chuckles.
Yoongi:
"Yeah, well—she's not a robot. She has limits. And Ria crossed a line."
Jungkook swallows, then whispers—
JK:
"…I should've protected her more."
Yoongi doesn't say anything… he just nods.
That was enough.
OUTSIDE — WITH YOU
You stand at the side of the empty practice field, arms folded tightly, not because you're cold—but because your chest feels tight.
You're angry.
You're frustrated.
But more than anything… you feel disrespected.
You replay Ria's voice in your head:
"He's mine. He always trains with me anyway."
And then Jungkook standing there silently.
Not correcting her.
Not denying it.
Not saying a damn thing.
Your jaw clenches.
You kick a loose pebble on the track, exhaling sharply.
Why are you feeling like this?
Why does it bother you so much?
You don't have answers.
Maybe you're not ready to look for them.
Your thoughts cut off when you hear footsteps behind you.
Slow.
Heavy.
Hesitant.
You don't turn.
But you feel him stop a few steps away.
A long silence follows.
Until finally—
JK (softly):
"…Are you still mad?"
You stay quiet, staring at the field.
Jungkook steps closer, voice low… almost scared.
JK:
"I didn't like how Ria spoke to you.
And I should've said something immediately."
His tone drops.
"I'm sorry."
You don't respond.
So he continues—more desperate this time.
JK:
"I wasn't being close to her. I was helping her."
He says it fast, like he's terrified you'll walk away again.
"You know I help everyone. I wasn't— I didn't think she would twist it like that."
Still silent.
Jungkook's breath wavers.
JK:
"…Please say something."
You finally turn around.
Your eyes meet his—
and he freezes at the frustration, the hurt, and the exhaustion in them.
Y/N:
"You didn't shut her down, Jungkook."
Your voice is steady, controlled.
"She claimed ownership over you. In front of me. And you said nothing."
Jungkook's lips part.
JK:
"I—I didn't know how to react—"
Y/N:
"You should have reacted instantly."
He winces.
And you continue, not yelling, not crying—
just painfully honest.
Y/N:
"I don't care who you train. I don't care who you help.
But if someone disrespects me right in front of you… and you stay quiet?"
Your voice turns colder.
"That's where I draw the line."
Jungkook looks like you just stabbed him.
His voice breaks a little.
JK:
"You matter to me… more than anyone. So much more.
You think I would ever let someone disrespect you if I realized what was happening?"
You look away again.
Y/N:
"I just needed distance."
Jungkook steps closer—just a small step—afraid to get too close but unable to stay away.
JK:
"Can you look at me… please?"
Slowly… you do.
And his expression—
soft, regretful, miserable—
makes your anger flicker.
JK (gentle):
"I'll fix it.
I'll handle Ria.
I'll make sure she never talks like that again.
And I'll always stand by you.
Even if you're just my physiotherapist.
Even if I have no right to feel…"
He shuts his mouth abruptly.
You catch the sentence he didn't finish.
Even if I have no right to feel jealous.
But you don't mention it.
Not now.
You sigh softly.
The tension slowly dissolving.
Before you can say anything else—
Jungkook whispers—
JK:
"…Just don't walk away from me like that again."
Your heart jumps.
But you say nothing.
Because you're not ready.
Not yet.
And he knows that.
So he just stands beside you quietly…
matching your silence…
waiting for your walls to lower again.
The field lights hum quietly above you.
You stand there, breathing the cool air, Jungkook standing close enough to feel but not close enough to touch.
He keeps glancing at you—
hesitant, guilty, restless.
You break the silence first.
Y/N:
"I needed time to cool down."
Jungkook nods instantly, almost too quickly.
JK:
"I get that. I shouldn't have let you walk out alone."
He swallows.
"But Yoongi said you needed space, so…"
You arch an eyebrow.
Y/N:
"Yoongi said that?"
Jungkook rubs the back of his neck.
JK:
"Yeah… he threatened to tape my mouth shut if I followed you."
You let out a tiny laugh despite yourself.
And Jungkook immediately brightens at the sound—
like that one laugh gave him permission to breathe again.
He looks softer now.
More boyish.
Less athlete, more… Jungkook.
He steps closer—slowly.
JK:
"You were right, by the way."
You blink.
Y/N:
"About what?"
JK:
"About Ria.
I should've shut her down.
I should've made it clear that she can't talk to you like that. Ever."
His jaw tightens.
"And I will. Don't worry."
You look away.
You're not ready to melt that easily.
Before either of you can speak, a voice breaks in from behind.
TAEHYUNG ARRIVES
Taehyung:
"There you two are."
Jungkook steps back immediately—
like he's been caught doing something he shouldn't.
Taehyung looks between you and Jungkook… and he reads the atmosphere instantly.
His eyes soften toward you.
Taehyung:
"You good?"
Before you can respond, Jungkook interrupts.
JK:
"She's fine."
Taehyung raises a brow.
Taehyung:
"I asked her, not you."
Jungkook clenches his jaw but stays quiet.
You exhale and nod.
Y/N:
"I'm okay now."
Taehyung gives a small smile.
Taehyung:
"Good. I don't like seeing you upset."
Jungkook's shoulders go stiff at that.
He tries to hide it… fails.
Taehyung gently touches your arm.
A simple gesture.
Friendly.
Comforting.
But Jungkook's eyes follow that touch like a laser.
Taehyung notices.
Smirks.
Taehyung:
"Yoongi said you stormed out. Want to talk?"
Before you can answer, Jungkook blurts—
JK:
"Actually, we were in the middle of something."
Taehyung tilts his head.
Taehyung:
"Oh?
Looked more like you were panicking and she was ignoring you."
You stifle a laugh.
Jungkook glares.
JK:
"Hyung, seriously—"
Taehyung:
"Relax. I'm joking."
But he's not fully joking.
He turns back to you.
Taehyung:
"If he stresses you again, come find me."
Jungkook looks like he might explode.
Taehyung gives you a tiny wink and walks away casually.
You sigh.
Jungkook mutters under his breath—
JK:
"He likes you."
You blink.
Y/N:
"He's just being a friend."
Jungkook shakes his head.
JK:
"No. That's not how Taehyung is with 'just friends'."
You stare at him.
He stares at you.
A heavy silence falls.
Then—
YOONGI APPEARS
Yoongi:
"Found you two."
Jungkook groans.
JK:
"Oh, come on—first Tae, now you—"
Yoongi:
"Relax, kid. I'm here to check if she punched you yet."
You laugh.
Jungkook looks offended.
JK:
"I apologized."
Yoongi:
"Good."
He turns to you.
"If you need backup dealing with the Ria situation, let me know. I'll handle her."
Jungkook snaps his head up.
JK:
"No. I will handle her."
Yoongi blinks slowly.
Yoongi:
"Then handle it properly. Or she'll walk again."
You cough to hide a laugh.
Jungkook looks betrayed.
JK:
"Why is everyone on her side?"
Yoongi and you say at the same time—
Yoongi:
"Because she's right."
Y/N:
"Because you were wrong."
Jungkook's mouth falls open.
After a moment, Yoongi pats your shoulder.
Yoongi:
"You okay now?"
You nod.
And with that, Yoongi heads back inside, leaving you and Jungkook alone again.
JUNGKOOK'S FINAL WORD
He steps closer again—
not hesitantly this time.
His voice drops, quieter but more sincere.
JK:
"I don't want misunderstandings between us."
He swallows.
"I don't want distance with you."
His eyes lock onto yours.
"I'll fix everything. Ria, today… all of it.
Just—"
his voice cracks slightly—
"don't stop talking to me."
You look at him.
Really look at him.
And for the first time, you see fear there.
Fear of losing you.
You inhale slowly.
Y/N:
"…I'm not going anywhere.
But don't make me feel disrespected again."
Jungkook nods firmly.
JK:
"I won't. Ever."
There's a silence.
Comfortable, this time.
Then Jungkook clears his throat.
JK:
"Can we… walk back together?"
You don't answer verbally.
You just start walking.
And Jungkook follows—
a step behind you,
matching your pace,
hands in pockets,
shoulders relaxed for the first time all evening.
Not beside you.
Not ahead.
Just behind.
Protecting.
Respecting.
Waiting.
Slow burn continues.
The corridor smells like disinfectant and sweat.
Athletes walk past, laughter echoing, lockers slamming, life moving…
But everything still feels too loud inside your head.
Jungkook walks beside you this time, not behind, not ahead.
Not touching.
Not too far.
Just… there.
You remain silent.
Not because you're angry anymore, but because you're thinking.
JK:
"…You're really quiet."
You shrug.
Y/N:
"I talk enough for my job. I don't like wasting words outside."
He smiles a little.
JK:
I like that about you."
You don't respond.
He notices.
And doesn't push.