At first, Ria tried to look confident.
Laughed at Jungkook's jokes.
Smiled at cameras.
Tucked her hand inside his arm.
But her eyes kept drifting.
To Y/N.
Every time.
The way Y/N listened to Taehyung speak.
The way she handed him his protein shake.
The way she laughed softly when he said something childish.
Not dramatic.
Not loud.
Just natural.
Ria leaned towards Jungkook.
"Do you think…" she whispered,
"She still matters to you?"
He turned, surprised.
"I'm with you," he replied.
"What she does isn't… about me."
"But you still watch," she said quietly.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I'm just aware of my surroundings," he answered.
But she didn't look convinced.
✦ The Stage Moment (Public Event Begins)
A host called them for a couple coordination fitness challenge.
Of course.
Jungkook + Ria
Taehyung + Y/N
Same floor.
Spotlights.
Audience.
Phones everywhere.
The game was simple:
Balance exercises + coordination drills.
But emotions ruined simplicity.
During one drill, Y/N almost lost balance.
Taehyung immediately stepped forward and held her by the waist.
Not for long.
Not to attract attention.
Just enough.
Enough for Ria to notice.
Enough for cameras to catch.
Enough for whispers to start again.
Ria clenched her fingers around Jungkook's sleeve.
"See?" she breathed.
"They act like it's nothing but everyone sees it."
Jungkook didn't reply.
He just focused on the next move.
✦ After the Event – Hallway Scene
The event ended.
Noise faded.
People dispersed.
Ria followed Jungkook quietly as he walked toward the locker area.
"You've changed," she said suddenly.
He stopped.
"Since when?" he asked.
"Since her and him started standing like that in front of everyone," she answered.
He turned to her fully.
"And does that change how I treat you?"
She hesitated.
"…No."
"Then why are you letting it change how you see yourself?" he asked.
Her eyes softened.
"I just don't want to feel like a replacement," she whispered.
Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"You're not," he said.
"If you were, I wouldn't be standing here with you."
She nodded slowly… but the doubt still lived inside her.
✦ Meanwhile – Outside the Hall
Y/N sat on the steps, breathing the night air.
Taehyung joined her with two water bottles.
"You okay?" he asked.
She nodded.
"This kind of attention… I'm not used to it."
"You handled it well," he said.
She smiled.
"You were shaking more than me."
He laughed softly.
"Only because I care too much."
She looked at him.
A long second passed.
Then she said quietly,
"Let them look."
He blinked.
"Let them talk."
Another pause.
"I won't hide with you anymore," she added.
A soft smile appeared on his face.
"Good," he murmured.
"I was getting tired of pretending not to want to stand beside you."
✦ Jungkook – The Doubt
The gym was empty.
No cheers.
No cameras.
Only the sound of his gloves hitting the bag.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Too hard.
Too fast.
Yoongi stood near the bench, arms crossed.
"You're going to break something," he said calmly.
Jungkook didn't stop.
"Let it break," he snapped.
Silence.
Then Yoongi sighed.
"You're not angry," he said.
"You're confused."
Jungkook froze.
"…I don't know what I feel," he finally admitted.
"I don't know if it's jealousy, ego, or something I never dealt with properly."
Yoongi walked closer.
"And Ria?" he asked.
Jungkook looked away.
"She doesn't deserve someone who's still fighting ghosts," he whispered.
The bag swung back.
He didn't punch it.
He just stared at it.
"And Y/N?" Yoongi asked gently.
Jungkook's voice came out quieter.
"She looked peaceful today," he said.
"Standing next to him."
He swallowed.
"And that's what scared me."
✦ Outside – Y/N & Taehyung
It was late.
The academy lights were dim,
only a few streetlights glowing outside the training complex.
Y/N sat on the low wall near the parking lot, swinging her legs slowly.
Taehyung stood beside her, hands in his pockets.
"You okay today?" he asked.
She nodded faintly.
"Just tired," she replied.
"But not the bad kind."
He tilted his head.
"What kind then?"
She looked at him.
"The peaceful tired."
A small smile.
"I haven't felt that in a while."
He leaned beside her on the wall.
For a while, they didn't speak.
Just quiet.
Wind.
Distant traffic.
Faint buzz of campus lights.
Then he broke the silence.
"Do you ever feel like people want you to be confused just because they are?"
She laughed softly.
"All the time."
He looked at her.
"But you're not confused now, right?" he asked.
She turned to him slowly.
"No," she said.
"I'm just… going where I feel steady."
He didn't smile.
He just watched her.
"And do you feel steady with me?" he asked, not playful.
Not teasing.
Just honest.
She exhaled.
"Yes," she said.
"Even when we fight. Even when we're quiet."
His expression softened.
"I don't want to rush anything," he said.
"Not labels. Not expectations."
She nodded.
"Good," she replied.
"I don't want a race. I'm tired of competing."
He chuckled softly.
"You're surrounded by athletes. Good luck with that."
She nudged him lightly.
"Only one of them makes me feel like I'm not in a competition."
He looked at her, surprised.
"Who?" he asked.
She stood up slowly, stepping closer to him.
"You," she said simply.
His breath hitched.
Not because of passion.
Not because of tension.
But because of the calm in her voice.
He didn't try to hold her.
Didn't rush.
He just pressed his forehead gently against hers for a second.
A silent promise.
No rush.
No ownership.
No confusion.
Just two people standing in clarity.
✦ Meanwhile… From a Distance
Jungkook watched them from the corridor above.
Not with anger.
Not with hate.
Just with quiet realization.
Some things are not meant to be won.
They're meant to be understood… even if it hurts.
Episode Scene: The Distance
The dining table was filled with warmth…
laughter echoed, spoons clinked against bowls, Taehyung was teasing Y/N about her overcooked pasta, and everyone looked normal.
Everyone… except Ria.
She noticed it again.
Jungkook didn't look at her the way he used to.
Usually, he would sit close.
His hand would accidentally brush against hers.
He would ask her to sit beside him while they ate.
But today…
There was a space.
A silent, painful distance.
Not physical.
Emotional.
The Moment She Realizes
"You okay?" she asked softly, passing him water.
"Yeah. I'm fine," Jungkook replied quickly, not even meeting her eyes.
Her heart skipped.
He used to always look at her first.
But this time…
his eyes briefly went towards Y/N and Taehyung.
Not in love.
Just… confused.
Clueless.
Lost.
And that hurt her even more.
Tae × Y/N – Subtle Affection in Front of Them
Taehyung was leaning close to Y/N, whispering something in her ear.
She laughed, shyly pushing his shoulder.
"Stop, Tae…"
"But you're smiling," he smirked.
He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek.
A small moment.
But everyone saw it.
Including Jungkook.
Including Ria.
Jungkook looked away instantly.
His jaw tightened.
Ria noticed.
Everything.
Ria's Heart – Breaking Silently
After dinner, Ria tried walking with him.
"Did I do something wrong?"
He stopped.
"No… you didn't."
Then why do you sound so far?
So cold?
So different?
She thought, but didn't say it.
Instead, she just whispered…
"You're not here anymore, are you?"
Jungkook's eyes softened — but only for a second.
And then the walls came back up.
"I'm sorry, Ria…"
And honestly?
That one sentence hurt more than everything else.
JL & Ria's Love (Shaky but Real)
Later that night, JL found her on the balcony.
"You know… love isn't always about holding on," he said softly.
"And what if I'm scared to let go?" she replied.
He stepped closer.
"Then let me hold your fear."
And for the first time…
she didn't move away.