The corridor near the practice hall was quiet. Too quiet.
Only the soft hum of the air conditioner and the faint echo of music leaking from another room.
Y/N sat on the floor, back against the cold mirror wall. Her knees hugged to her chest.
Her fingers were still clutching her phone, screen dark.
Taehyung stood in front of her.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just… there.
"Why do you keep doing this to yourself?" he asked softly, his voice low.
She didn't look at him.
"What am I doing?"
"Pretending you don't care."
A bitter smile touched her lips. "Because I shouldn't care."
"But you do." he whispered.
Silence stretched between them.
Then he spoke again.
"You don't have to choose anyone right now… you know that, right?"
Her eyes finally lifted to meet his.
"I'm tired of choices." she murmured.
"Tired of being a decision someone else makes."
Taehyung swallowed. His jaw tightened.
"You're not a decision," he said.
"You're… someone who matters."
Her fingers trembled slightly.
"You don't have to say things like that just because you feel sorry for me."
He immediately shook his head.
"That's not pity," he said firmly.
"That's me being honest."
He hesitated, then added softly,
"I don't want to lose you, even if I'm not the one you'll choose."
Her expressions changed. Confusion. Guilt. Softness.
"And if I don't choose anyone?" she asked.
He looked at her for a long moment.
"Then I'll still stay," he replied.
"As long as you let me."
She didn't answer.
But her silence wasn't rejection either.
Unseen Eyes… Unwanted Ears
Just a few steps away, behind the half-open door…
Jungkook stood there.
He hadn't meant to listen.
He hadn't meant to hear anything.
But his feet froze.
And every word… every sentence…
hit him straight in the chest.
"I don't want to lose you…"
"I'll still stay…"
His fingers curled slowly into a fist.
His jaw clenched.
A sharp, painful breath left his lips.
He didn't walk away immediately.
He stayed there — listening to the silence after.
And it hurt worse than shouting ever could.
Ria's Fake Tears Scene
Meanwhile, inside the dance practice hall…
Ria dropped her water bottle intentionally.
"Oops…" she muttered loudly.
When one of the staff asked if she was okay, she forced a weak smile.
"I'm fine… just tired, I guess…"
She sat down dramatically, holding her ankle.
Another trainee rushed to her.
"Did you twist it?"
Ria nodded slowly, eyes shining.
"I think so… I was practicing really hard because I don't want anyone thinking I'm getting things easily just because of Jungkook…"
Her voice trembled.
Someone asked,
"Did someone say that?"
She hesitated.
Then whispered,
"No… I just… felt a bit uncomfortable around Y/N today…"
The room went quiet.
"Uncomfortable how?"
Ria looked down… and this time real tears threatened — but only for show.
"She just… makes me feel like I'm stealing something that belongs to her…"
"But I never meant to… I swear."
Her voice cracked dramatically.
Some trainees exchanged looks.
One murmured,
"That's pretty harsh of her…"
Ria wiped her eyes gently.
"I don't blame her… I understand why she hates me…"
Back in The Corridor
Y/N finally stood up.
Her legs felt weak, but she tried not to show it.
"I should go," she whispered.
Taehyung didn't stop her.
He just nodded.
"Drink water," he said softly.
"You look like you'll collapse."
She gave a faint smile.
"Don't worry," she replied.
"I'm stronger than that."
She walked away…
Not knowing:
• Jungkook heard everything.
• People were starting to turn against her.
• Ria had already planted seeds.
• And the storm hadn't even started yet.
The evening wind was cold.
The training ground lights were still on, shining like tiny stars over the track field.
Everyone had already left… except two shadows.
Jungkook stood near the bleachers, hands in the pockets of his hoodie.
His jaw was tight.
His mind… louder than the stadium.
Ria approached slowly, hesitant.
"Are you… avoiding me too now?" she asked softly.
He didn't look at her immediately.
"I'm not avoiding you."
"I'm trying to understand everything."
She stepped closer.
"Understand what?"
He finally turned to her.
"Why things always hurt when they involve us."
Her lips parted slightly.
"I never wanted to hurt you, Jungkook."
He let out a small, humourless laugh.
"You didn't have to try.
It just… happened."
Ria looked down.
"But I stayed, didn't I?" she whispered.
"When things went bad… I stayed."
There was silence.
Long. Heavy.
Then he said quietly,
"You did."
She lifted her head slowly, courage building in her eyes.
"Then why are you still punishing yourself?"
His brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"You keep thinking about who might get hurt," she replied.
"But you never think about what you want."
His eyes softened.
"And what if what I want… causes more damage?"
Ria stepped closer, their distance disappearing.
"Sometimes damage is unavoidable," she said.
"But regret isn't."
He swallowed.
"You're not afraid of the consequences, are you?"
She gave a faint smile.
"I'm more afraid of you letting me go without even trying."
There was a long pause.
The air was cold.
Emotions… warmer.
Then he spoke.
"Stay," he said.
"Not because you feel guilty. Not because I feel lonely."
His voice lowered.
"Stay because you choose me."
Ria's eyes filled — not fake this time.
"I already did," she whispered.
He didn't say anything after.
He just pulled her into a slow, careful hug.
Not rushed.
Not dramatic.
Just… real.
And for the first time in days…
he actually felt calm.
Meanwhile… Somewhere Else
Y/N stood on the balcony outside the dorm.
She wasn't crying.
She wasn't shaking.
She was just holding a warm coffee cup, staring at the night sky.
Taehyung stood beside her, silent.
After a while, he quietly asked,
"You okay?"
She nodded.
"I think so."
A pause.
"It's easier when you stop expecting things."
He glanced at her.
"And what are you expecting now?"
She looked at the stars.
"Nothing."
But strangely…
she didn't look broken.
She looked… free.
NEXT DAY No More Hiding
The sports academy cafeteria was louder than usual.
Not because of the food.
Not because of training schedules.
But because of them.
Jungkook walked in first.
Not alone.
Ria was beside him.
Her hand wasn't hiding in her hoodie pocket this time.
It was in his.
Not tight.
Not possessive.
Just… visible.
The entire place slowed.
Whispers started spreading like soft thunder.
"Is that…?"
"They're really…?"
"Did you see their hands?"
Jungkook didn't respond to any of it.
He just kept walking.
Ria leaned closer, whispering,
"You sure about this?"
He nodded.
"No more pretending."
They sat down together.
Not for show.
Not for some statement.
Just as two people done hiding.
A Few Seats Away
Taehyung arrived with Y/N.
He noticed the silence first.
Then he noticed why.
He didn't say anything.
But Y/N saw it.
She glanced at Jungkook and Ria.
Then at Taehyung.
"You okay?" she murmured.
He smiled faintly.
"Yeah. Just… surprised."
She didn't respond.
Instead, she picked up her juice box and gently pushed it towards him.
"You always forget to drink between practice."
He looked at her, slightly confused.
"You remembered?"
She shrugged.
"Someone has to."
Their fingers brushed for a second.
Not consciously.
Not planned.
But this time…
neither of them pulled away.
Taehyung looked at her, searching her face.
"In front of everyone?" he asked quietly.
She met his eyes.
"Why not?" she replied.
"We're not doing anything wrong."
A small smile appeared on his lips.
He leaned a little closer.
No big move.
No drama.
Just a simple motion.
His hand slowly covered hers on the table.
The room felt it.
Even if they pretended not to.
Jungkook's POV
He didn't want to look.
But he did.
Not because he was angry.
Not even jealous.
Just… a little strange inside.
Yoongi, sitting beside him, noticed.
"She's not your responsibility anymore," he said calmly.
Jungkook nodded slowly.
"I know."
His eyes returned to Ria beside him.
And this time, he didn't look away.
Later – Training Ground
Jungkook and Taehyung were warming up.
No tension.
No ego.
Just two athletes breathing the same air.
Taehyung broke the silence.
"You look… settled."
Jungkook smirked faintly.
"And you look… lighter."
A pause.
Then Taehyung added,
"We deserve that, don't we?"
Jungkook nodded.
"Yeah."
"We do."
Comment Section in Campus Blogs Later That Night
"I never thought I'd see this day."
"They're both so different but somehow look… right."
"Y/N doesn't look hurt though."
"She looks peaceful."
And maybe…
that was the scariest part for them all.
The indoor stadium smelled like new mats and fresh sweat.
The academy had organized a Sports & Wellness Charity Event —
athletes, coaches, physiotherapists, media, sponsors… everyone in one place.
Y/N didn't want to come.
But attendance was compulsory.
So was Jungkook's.
And Taehyung's.
And Ria's.
Unavoidable.
✦ The Four of Them – Same Space, First Time
Cameras flashed as they walked in.
Jungkook and Ria side by side.
Taehyung a little behind, and Y/N next to him.
Not holding hands.
Not making it obvious.
But their shoulders brushed.
A lot.
A reporter whispered loudly enough:
"Do you think they're trying to compete?"
Y/N ignored it.
Taehyung leaned closer and murmured,
"People talk too much."
She smiled faintly.
"They always do."
He walked them to their allocated seats.
And fate, of course, had its own plans.
Right beside Jungkook and Ria.