Jungkook Overhears
Jungkook wasn't trying to listen.
He was just walking past the corridor…
phone in hand…
mind already tired from practice, pressure, and Ria's constant clinginess.
But voices stopped him.
Taehyung's voice.
Calm.
Quiet.
Too serious to ignore.
He slowed his steps.
Not intentionally.
Just… instinct.
"…don't add confusion. Add clarity."
A man's voice said.
Not familiar.
Not staff.
Not an athlete.
Jungkook stayed near the corner, unseen.
Taehyung replied:
"I don't want her to survive…
I want her to live."
That sentence hit him right in the chest.
He froze.
His jaw clenched slightly.
He didn't hear everything.
Just pieces.
But what he heard was enough.
Enough to make him realize something he didn't want to accept.
That Taehyung wasn't just "concerned."
He was serious.
And that scared Jungkook more than he expected.
Because for the first time…
It didn't feel like a game.
It felt like he might actually lose her.
And not because she chose someone.
But because he waited too long.
He stepped back quietly, not wanting to be seen.
Not wanting to admit he heard anything.
But that one sentence kept replaying in his mind.
I want her to live…
You & Jisoo — Midnight Talk
Later that night…
The city was quiet.
Not asleep.
Just resting.
You stood on the terrace above the academy building,
wind brushing your hair softly as you stared at the lights below.
Your phone vibrated once.
Unknown: "I'm here."
You didn't even have to ask who.
Because you already knew.
Jisoo walked up slowly behind you.
No noise.
No drama.
Just calm presence.
"You always come here when your head is full," he said.
You smiled slightly.
"Some things don't change."
He leaned beside you, looking at the city view.
"You've been avoiding everyone today."
You sighed.
"Not everyone.
Just noise."
He nodded.
"And how loud is the noise inside?" he asked gently.
You looked down for a second.
"Louder than the outside."
Silence.
Comfortable.
He didn't rush you.
Didn't force you to explain.
He just waited.
That's why you always trusted him.
Finally, you spoke:
"Do you think I confuse people?"
"…without meaning to?"
Jisoo glanced at you.
"No," he answered.
"I think people confuse themselves
because they don't know what to do with someone like you."
You let out a small breath.
"They make it feel like I owe them clarity."
Jisoo shook his head.
"You don't owe anyone a clean story."
A pause.
"Messy people deserve peace too."
You looked at him then.
"Why did you come today?"
He didn't answer immediately.
He just looked ahead again.
"Because you always stand alone when things get heavy," he said softly.
"And I just wanted you to not do that… even for a few minutes."
Your throat tightened slightly.
"You're good at making things quiet," you whispered.
He smiled, barely.
"No.
I'm good at letting you hear yourself."
You stayed like that for a while.
Just two silhouettes against the city.
No drama.
No tension.
Just understanding.
The wind was colder now.
Not sharp.
Just… honest.
You were still standing beside him, arms folded, eyes lost somewhere between the city lights and your own thoughts.
Jisoo hadn't looked at you in a while.
He was quiet.
Too quiet.
You noticed that.
"You okay?" you asked softly.
He exhaled, slow.
"Sometimes," he said,
"…I wish people understood that you're not a problem to solve."
You tilted your head.
"And what am I then?"
He didn't answer right away.
His fingers tapped once on the railing.
"You're… a storm that doesn't break things," he said.
"You just show people what's already weak."
You gave a small smile.
"That sounded poetic for a gym boy."
He huffed lightly.
"I listen more than I speak."
A pause.
Then he muttered something.
Very low.
"…that's how I even found out."
You looked at him.
"Found out what?"
He froze slightly.
Your silence pressed gently.
"What did you find out, Jisoo?"
He swallowed.
Still avoiding your eyes.
"I wasn't supposed to say anything," he admitted.
"But I don't like how they talk about you behind your back like you're a headline instead of a person."
Your expression changed.
"They?"
He clenched his jaw.
"Coaches… management… sponsors."
Your heartbeat slowed… but heavier.
"What about them?"
He finally looked at you.
Directly.
"They're planning to use you."
Your breath hitched a little.
"Use me how?"
"For a distraction," he said quietly.
"They're saying if Jungkook's performance drops again… they'll shift the media focus to you. Turn all the attention on your choices, your closeness to people, your 'controversy.'"
Your fingers tightened around your sleeves.
"So I'm their backup headline," you muttered.
Jisoo shook his head.
"I hated how easily they said it. Like you're not even human. Just a tool."
Another pause.
He looked almost upset now.
"And Taehyung heard it too," he added without thinking.
Your eyes lifted instantly.
"What?"
Jisoo's eyes widened.
"I—" he stopped.
You didn't look angry.
Just still.
"He heard them discussing it near the meeting room."
"He didn't say anything… but I saw his face change."
"He left the building right after."
Silence filled the terrace.
Just city noise.
Just wind.
Just truth.
"So that's why he's been acting like this…" you whispered.
Jisoo nodded once.
"He's not playing a role," he said quietly.
"He's protecting you without letting you know."
You swallowed.
"And Jungkook?" you asked.
Jisoo hesitated.
"Jungkook… doesn't know yet."
You didn't speak for a long second.
Then finally:
"Then don't tell him."
Jisoo turned to you.
"You sure?"
You nodded.
"He already has enough pressure on his back."
"I won't add mine."
A small silence.
Then Jisoo asked:
"And what about you?"
You smiled faintly.
"I'll carry my own storms.
Like always."
He looked at you.
And for the first time…
there was something like respect mixed with worry.
The night felt colder than usual.
The wind brushed against the trees, carrying silence between you and Taehyung.
He stood there, eyes filled with confusion, hurt, and quiet longing.
You stepped closer.
Not because you wanted to run from anyone…
but because you were tired of running from your own feelings.
Your voice was soft.
"Taehyung… don't ever think you're any less important to me. Not now. Not ever."
He looked away, jaw tightening.
"But you still love him too…" he whispered.
You didn't deny it.
But instead… you reached forward and kissed his cheek.
A gentle one.
A warm one.
A kiss full of emotion.
Then you hugged him tightly, your hands gripping his jacket like he was the only thing holding you together.
"I'm not choosing today… but I'm not letting you think you're just an option either," you breathed.
He didn't hug you back immediately.
Then slowly… his arms wrapped around you.
And right then…
Ria saw everything.
Your kiss.
Your hug.
The way Taehyung closed his eyes like he had been waiting for this his whole life.
Her nails dug into her palm.
Inside the practice hall…
Jungkook was wiping sweat from his forehead when Ria walked in, fake calm on her face.
"You should know something," she smiled sweetly.
He frowned slightly.
"What?"
She tilted her head.
"Your Y/N just kissed Taehyung. On the cheek. And hugged him too."
His body stilled.
"What?" his voice was low.
"She said he's as important as you… that she doesn't want to choose."
Ria folded her arms dramatically.
"You should hate being confused like that, Jungkook. I know I would."
His jaw tightened.
Something changed in his eyes.
But he didn't explode.
He didn't shout.
He just smiled… slowly.
"Is that so?"
Ria nodded.
Later that night…
You were sitting alone near the dorm balcony when Jungkook stepped in.
"You could've told me directly," he said coldly.
You didn't look at him.
"Told you what?"
"That you're busy comforting him now," his tone was sharp but controlled.
Your eyes finally met his.
"Why are you acting like you didn't start all this?"
Your voice trembled with anger.
"You knew Ria was trying to get close to you… you still trained with her, still helped her, still let her hang around you!"
"I was just being professional."
"No, you were being careless."
Your chest rose with frustration.
"You knew how she felt. And you still let her stay that close."
His lips pressed together.
For once… he had no immediate answer.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"You're right."
Your brows frowned.
"But if you think I'm going to stand here confused between you and him… I won't," he continued.
"What do you mean?" you asked.
His eyes darkened just slightly.
"I'm done being that option you aren't sure about."
And then…
he walked away.
Next Day
Everyone noticed the change.
Jungkook and Ria were suddenly inseparable.
Training together.
Laughing loudly.
Posting photos.
Standing close enough for rumors to spread like wildfire.
And finally…
She announced it.
"We're dating."
The words echoed in your mind like broken glass.
When she said it, Jungkook didn't even look at you.
Not once.
But you knew…
This wasn't only love.
This was his plan.
Not to hurt you physically, no…
but to make you feel exactly what he felt —
Replaceable.