134340 |JJK FF|

Chapter 13

"Jeongguk? What are you–"

The deep voice of the stranger seemed to dig a hole right into Yumi's gut. Jeongguk wheeled around sharply to face this hybrid.

Yumi was instantly analysing the stranger. Male, tall, curly-haired, graceful stance, surprised expression–

"Jeongguk, what is this–?"

His mouth revealed a series of sharp, gleaming canines and incisors, perfect for catching flesh and maybe Yumi around it and ripping her to thin shreds. Couldn't have been more different than Jeongguk's. He stepped closer, and Yumi winced as his tail came into clear sight.

Yumi was less than fond of Tiger hybrids after the tigress chief smacked her around the face. But she couldn't help but be slightly fascinated at the sight of this new Tiger hybrid. Tigers were some of the most precious creatures that Earthians regretted taking for granted. Yumi was sorely tempted to analyze him closer, along with taking a couple of pictures.

Not for long.

"What's going on? I haven't seen you in ages, and people are talking about weird stuff–"

"Tae hyung," Yumi jumped at Jeongguk's tone, she almost forgot he was there, "Look, you didn't see me, okay? I can't talk. Sorry–"

"Excuse me? Have you heard the rumours that have been spreading about you?" The hybrid growled, his hands gesturing wildly to the air, "What d'you mean, 'I can't talk'? People keep telling me you've got..." His slit eyes fell on Yumi, who was analysing her best way to escape this situation. She couldn't come up with anything.

"... Humans with you..." He finished, his pupils widening as they took her in.

"I..." Jeongguk gulped, obviously looking for a way to end this conversation, "Loo–look! I'm just... I bought myself... Shoes! And-and this mask, yeah!" He let out a shaky laugh as Yumi groaned internally at his horrible lie, "So I just, you know, wanted to show them off–"

"That's not a–!" Tiger Hybrid let out a voice too loud, taking another step closer and sniffing soundly. Jeongguk frantically got right in his face. He seemed to have given up the pretence of keeping his cover.

"Look, listen to me. I can't explain everything now, but–"

SMACK!

He was soon sent flying out of the way and before she knew it, Yumi was lying flat on her back with the heavy orange and black animal on top of her, snarling and clawing blindly.

She kicked blindly at its back, succeeding in nothing but angering the beast further. She tried to flip him over, but he was much heavier than her arms could handle. Perhaps a crowd had formed around them now, but for Yumi's eyes, nothing existed but the blur of claws and teeth flashing over her face. Her pinned arms struggled in vain to be set free. Her screams of terror and pain died in her throat. She distinctly heard Jeongguk scream over the sound of growls.

"NO–NO! GET OFF–!"

The weight of the Tiger lifted for only a split second, but Yumi let instincts take over her as she aimed her free knee at the beast's ribs, causing it to let loose a thundering roar. She rolled away, and Jeongguk tried his best to pin the still-spitting Tiger to the ground. Yumi heaved herself on shaky legs and rushed to help.

"I–can–explain–! Please, Hyung–"

There was a thundering rush of footsteps from the crowd the duo hadn't yet noticed. Yumi was pushed to one side, and she heard Jeongguk scream again.

"NO! Don't kill him! No–"

"GET HIM!" For one terrifying second, Yumi thought the crowd was going to squash Jeongguk to a pulp. She spat her hair from her face, trying to sit up straight from the ground, ready to fight them before realising they were pinning the still struggling Tiger to the ground.