Whiplash | jjk.

[10]: Defeated

SIX MONTHS LATER

The time had finally come.

After months, and months of training, and tests, and persevering no matter how difficult and dark it got, it was time.

You sat on your kitchen counter, with a beer in one hand and your laptop in the other.

You stare at the screen, relentlessly pressing refresh.

You feel your heart almost jump out of your throat once a new email finally pops up at the top.

You rush to open it, your eyes wide with anticipation.

Good afternoon. We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the Seoul Metropolitan Police Training Agency! Under task force 'Yongsan'. Congratulations, Sohn Haru for your application, details of your employment are attached at the bottom. We look forward to working with you.

Regards, Recruiting Officer Chen

You almost want to scream.

This is it.

Success. And boy, does it feel good.

You roll off of your stool and scurry over to your record player on one side of the room, putting on a familiar, particularly favourited disk, and play it from the beginning.

The song 'Weak for Your Love' by Thee Sacred Souls tings into the still atmosphere, immediately bringing life to your apartment.

Your hips start to sway, as your body takes itself over towards the windows. You have a smile plastered that is ten times bigger and brighter than it had been in a long time. Your arms come up and you throw the blackout blinds apart, letting the gorgeous afternoon sun lick every corner of you and your apartment.

You feel every beat as if it's a tiny English-speaking monkey tickling your ribs, urging you to enjoy yourself, one playful jab at a time.

You dance around the room, your baggy white button-down swaying in graceful waves. You miss your long hair, but rake your hands through what is left of it anyway, feeling particularly cheerful.

You feel more alive than you had in years, and that urges you into a state of seldom productivity.

The feel-good song is loud, bouncing off the walls and shaking the sunlight as you prance around your kitchen, filling a sink for the dishes, and organising all your nick-nacks that really didn't need to be kept. 

You take out your trash and tidy up the living space.

Although the home was missing some of its old inhabitants, you do your best on your own to fill the space with the energy and enthusiasm that it once had. At least just for today.

This next phase was going to open up a world of possibilities.

As your next door opens in front of you, you feel warm gratification in going to close the last.

—————

"Thank you so much for aiding and training me for the last nine months, Coach. I have you to thank for everything, and I can't express how much good you've-"

"That's enough, Haru," coach jokes, throwing his arm over your shoulders and pulling you into his chest. He ruffles your hair playfully. "You got no one to thank but yourself for everything you've achieved."

You laugh into his chest.

God, this feels good.

"Seriously. Thank you."

He lets you go, and you stand back, smiling up at him. With an unexplainably heavy heart, you hold out your gloves to return them to him, one final time.

Coach smiles. He looks proud. And he nods.

This is goodbye, for now.

You turn around, only to meet the face of your Achilles heel.

"Jungkook."

Good feeling gone.

"So where is your dumbass runnin' off to now?" he grins, crossing his arms. "Finally given up? Took you long enough."

"Yes, Jungkook. You've finally got one over on me, and I surrender." you stare flatly up at him, a blank half-smile. "You won't have to worry about dancing around peanuts any longer."

Jungkook accidentally lets a smile loose. A real one. Or, so it seems. 

"Yay."

You squint. Was that...sarcasm?

For someone who absolutely despises you, and who's highest endeavour for nine months has been to force you to leave, it seems odd that when the time finally comes, he doesn't seem at all overjoyed.

But, that isn't the same for you.

"I must say, I'm very excited to never see your face again, Jungkook."

A tiny scoff comes from his nose, "Likewise, Peanut."

You decide to leave it at that. The air between you and him had shifted, and you couldn't understand why. It had turned awkward and forced, as if he wanted to wish you a proper goodbye. His face and body language suggested, of all things: defeat.

And you didn't want to stick around to find out why.

Maybe it was because he had figured out your secret? No, impossible. And, it didn't matter anyway. You were a free spirit riding bareback off into the sunset, and he had no chance of catching you now.

You smile.

"See ya."

You peel around him, dodging his body and heading for the door. You had already said your goodbyes to most of the people who wanted one, though the whole ordeal was awkward.

Jimin comes jogging over and catches you at the door.

"See you, bro. Was nice knowing you."

He throws his open palm out for a dap-up, and you happily give him one with a somewhat-real smile on your face. You liked Jimin, he was soft hearted, and by far the kindest of all of the boys at Kor Ops.

"You too, Jimin. Thanks for training with me."

"No worries. It was good fun," he lies, nervously scratching the back of his head. "Anyway, good luck with whatever you're doing next. And who knows? Maybe I'll see you again."

You tilt your head slightly, readjusting your bag on your shoulder. "Yeah, who knows?"

He takes a step back to give you an opening to leave, and you take it happily. You nod at him and turn to walk up the steps, looking back only one more time.

You wave at Taehyung. He doesn't look friendly, but he waves back anyway.

Your eyes can't help but fall on Jungkook, who is simply flipping you off.

You laugh, returning the gesture.

Then, you leave.

Step by step, you close the amount of space between you and your target.

But, there was still the big question looming over your head like an angry raincloud: what's next?

[A/N]
I have a Spotify playlist if any of you are interested in some nice jazz-like songs. It's called 'honey' by 'jellycool'. originally made it in honour of my ex but there are no sour feelings there, I just really enjoy the songs. maybe you can too while you read!

love,
m