FATE'S GAME | | BTS FF (18+)

9| Warm Plates, Cold Shoulders

"Good morning, roommate!" Jungkook's voice was cheerful as he stretched, sitting up beside me.

His messy hair fell over his forehead, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe. "Morning," I said simply, shaking off sleep.

He grinned, clearly amused by my quiet demeanor. "You look like you barely slept."

"Maybe I didn't," I muttered, swinging my legs off the bed...The day ahead wasn't just any day-it was the day our performances for the public voting would be counted.

I had poured everything into my stage yesterday, every beat, every turn, every move designed to leave the audience breathless. And now... the anticipation was suffocating.

When the results were announced, the cheers were deafening. My performance had gone viral-votes pouring in from everywhere.

Every idol from the other groups came up to me, their faces full of admiration. "You're unreal," Taehyun from TXT said, grinning widely.

"Where did you even learn to move like that?"

"I've never seen anyone hit every beat so perfectly," Sunghoon from ENHYPEN added, shaking his head in disbelief.

Joshua from SEVENTEEN gave me a warm smile. "You're going to be the one everyone remembers, yn."

I blinked, overwhelmed by the attention. Even the older idols who had already debuted were praising me, and my heart beat so fast I thought it might burst.

Then I felt a reassuring presence. Jin oppa caught my eye from across the room and ruffled my hair in that familiar, brotherly way. "yn-ya, that was insane," he said. "Absolutely insane. You're unstoppable."

I laughed nervously. "Oppa... you're making me nervous." But even as I basked in the applause, I felt a shadow creeping from behind. Haerin and Seyeon-my own team members-stood a little apart, their expressions tight.

"Everyone's just making a big deal out of nothing," Haerin whispered, her voice sharp despite being quiet.

Seyeon smirked. "Yeah... she's good. But no one's perfect. Let's see if she can keep it up." I clenched my fists subtly, forcing myself to remain calm. My own group, the people I should be able to trust... already showing cracks.

Jungkook noticed the shift immediately. He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Ignore them. They're just insecure."

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah... ignore them."
And so I did-for now. The cheers from the other idols, the votes, the messages from the audience... all of it was mine to savor.

My spotlight wasn't something I would give away to petty jealousy. Jungkook gave me a quick wink. "You're going to win them all over. Don't doubt it."

I returned a small, determined smile. "I won't."
And with that, the day went on, my mind buzzing with strategy, pride, and the quiet, simmering tension of what was to come.

The cheers had barely faded when Haerin leaned a little too close, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.

"Wow, yn-ya... everyone's talking about you. Don't let it get to your head." I tilted my head, keeping my tone calm. "Thanks, I... I'm just happy people liked the performance."

Seyeon snorted, stepping closer. "You think just because everyone else is praising you, that makes you special?"

Her words stung, sharper than I expected. I had expected competition, sure, but not this... venom from my own team.

........

The dining hall buzzed with quiet chatter around the breakfast buffet. I poked at my half-eaten bowl of cereal, my mind still replaying yesterday's performance ....the applause, the praise... and the sharp whispers from Haerin and Seyeon.

A shadow fell over my tray.

"Are you seriously just eating cereal?" Jin oppa's disapproving voice cut through my thoughts. He loomed over me, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
I blinked up at him. "It's... breakfast?"

"That's not breakfast," he scoffed, sliding into the seat opposite me. "That's sad. You need protein. Energy." He gestured emphatically at my pathetic bowl.

"You're performing today, aren't you?"

I sighed. "Oppa , I'm fine-" "Nope." Before I could argue, he stood, grabbed my tray, and marched toward the buffet line. I scrambled after him.

"Jin oppa!" I hissed, cheeks heating as heads turned our way.

He ignored me, piling eggs, rice, and grilled fish onto a fresh plate. "Eat," he commanded, shoving it into my hands.

I groaned but took it. "You're worse than my mom." Jin smirked. "And yet you love me."

Rolling my eyes, I stabbed a piece of fish only to freeze when I spotted something tucked beneath my napkin.

A folded note.

Frowning, I set my fork down and unfolded it.

"How are you holding up?"

No signature. Just those four words written in neat, unfamiliar handwriting. My pulse jumped. Who...?

"Something wrong?" Jin asked, tilting his head."No," I said quickly, crumpling the note into my pocket. "Just... thinking."

He eyed me suspiciously but let it go. Later, as I hurried toward the practice hall for the next challenge briefing, I rounded a corner-and collided with someone.

"Ah-!"

Strong hands gripped my shoulders, steadying me before I could fall.

Taehyung.

My breath hitched. He stood close, his dark eyes flickering over my face-cold. Unreadable."Watch where you're going"

I swallowed, still caught off guard by his expression. Taehyung released me, stepping back, and I felt a twinge of disappointment at the absence of his touch.

Clearing my throat, I attempted a smile, hoping to dispel the sudden tension. "Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."

He didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on me, and the silence stretched, growing heavier with each passing second. It was as if he was... studying me.

Finally, he spoke. And his voice was as cold as his expression. "You did well yesterday."

I froze, surprised by the compliment-if you could even call it that. But the way he said it, so detached... it didn't feel like praise at all. It felt more like a statement of fact-like he was simply acknowledging something he found mildly interesting.

"I... thank you," I managed, even as unease prickled along my spine. "You should hurry," he said, his voice still devoid of warmth. "Looks like rehearsals are starting soon."

With that, he brushed past me, heading down the hallway, leaving me standing there, confusion and something else I couldn't name churning in my stomach.