Enigma

chapter 6

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As Jungkook lay in bed, the glow from his phone screen cast shadows on his face. He scrolled through his messages with a smirk. Among the numerous texts from friends and classmates, one particular conversation stood out. It was a group chat with Jimin and a few other friends, the ones who knew about the dare that had set everything in motion.
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Flashback:

It had all started a few weeks ago, during one of their usual hangouts at the arcade. They had been talking about school, their latest conquests, and the upcoming camping trip when someone had brought up Soojin. She was pretty, smart, and popular—a stark contrast to Jungkook's usual targets. That's when one of his friends, Taemin, had leaned in with a mischievous grin.

"Hey, Jungkook, I dare you to make Soojin fall for you," Taemin had said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "But here's the catch: you have to crush her heart afterward. Let's see if you can pull it off."

Jungkook had laughed it off at first, but the more he thought about it, the more intrigued he became. It wasn't just about the dare; it was about proving something to himself and to everyone else. He was the best at everything he did, and this would be no different. So he had accepted the challenge, confident in his ability to manipulate and control the situation.
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Now, as he lay in bed, he opened the group chat and read through the messages again:

Taemin: "So, how's it going with Soojin? Is she falling for you yet?"

Jimin: "Remember, you have to make it convincing. Don't let her see through you."

Jungkook: "Don't worry, it's all under control. She won't know what hit her."

He chuckled to himself, remembering the moments at the campsite. He had played his part perfectly, saving her from falling and showing just enough concern to make her think he cared. He could see the confusion and budding feelings in her eyes, and it amused him. She had no idea that she was just a pawn in his game, a pastime to keep him entertained.

But despite his confidence, there was a small, nagging doubt. He pushed it away, reminding himself of the plan. He couldn't afford to get soft now. Soojin was just another challenge, and he was going to win, no matter what.

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The next day at school, Jungkook was back to his usual self, exuding confidence and charisma. He caught glimpses of Soojin in the hallways, laughing with her friends, Yeji and Taehyung. He knew he had to play his cards right, so he decided to approach her.

During lunch, he walked over to where Soojin and her friends were sitting. "Hey, Soojin," he said, flashing a charming smile. "Mind if I join you?"

Yeji and Taehyung exchanged surprised looks, but Soojin nodded, a bit flustered. "Uh, sure, Jungkook."

Soojin felt her heart race as Jungkook sat down next to her. She couldn’t deny the fluttering sensation in her stomach whenever he smiled at her. The memories of him saving her from the fall during the camping trip kept replaying in her mind. She tried to push away the confusion and focus on the present moment.

Yeji leaned over and whispered, "Are you okay?"

Soojin nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just a little surprised."

Taehyung looked at Jungkook suspiciously. "So, what brings you over here, Jungkook?"

Jungkook shrugged, his smile never wavering. "Just thought I'd join you guys. Trying to be more... social, I guess."

He sat down, joining their conversation seamlessly. They talked about the camping trip, shared laughs, and Jungkook made sure to show just enough interest in Soojin to keep her intrigued.