My Brother

Chapter 3: Shadows of Doubt

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### Chapter 3: Shadows of Doubt

The morning sun rose over Seoul, casting a golden hue over the city as Jungkook made his way to school. His footsteps echoed in the quiet streets, a stark contrast to the bustling chaos that would soon engulf the corridors of his high school.

Yesterday's encounter with the bullies still lingered in Jungkook's mind like a dark cloud. He couldn't shake the feeling of humiliation and fear that had gripped him when they had cornered him in the schoolyard. V's intervention had saved him from further harm, but it hadn't erased the scars left on his psyche.

As Jungkook entered the school gates, he found himself scanning the crowd nervously, half-expecting to see the bullies lurking in the shadows. He kept his head down, trying to blend into the background as he made his way to his locker.

Inside the bustling corridors, students chatted and laughed, oblivious to Jungkook's inner turmoil. He felt like an outsider in his own school, a target waiting to be picked off by predators disguised as classmates.

During the morning break, Jungkook found a quiet corner of the school courtyard where he could be alone with his thoughts. He sat on a bench, staring blankly at the ground, replaying yesterday's events in his mind.

"You okay, Kookie?"

The voice startled Jungkook out of his reverie. He looked up to see Jin, one of V's closest friends and a member of his trusted circle. Jin was a calming presence with his warm smile and gentle demeanor, someone Jungkook had always looked up to.

Jungkook managed a weak smile. "Hey, Jin. Yeah, I'm okay," he replied, though his voice lacked conviction.

Jin sat down next to him, his expression filled with concern. "You know, it's okay to not be okay sometimes," he said softly, placing a comforting hand on Jungkook's shoulder.

Jungkook sighed, feeling a rush of gratitude for Jin's understanding. "It's just... yesterday was rough," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jin nodded sympathetically. "I heard about what happened. Those guys are cowards, picking on someone younger and defenseless," he said, his tone tinged with indignation.

"Yeah," Jungkook murmured, feeling a swell of bitterness rise within him. "I don't understand why they target me. I've never done anything to them."

Jin sighed, his expression thoughtful. "Sometimes people bully others because they see something in them they wish they had, or they're just looking for an easy target to make themselves feel powerful," he explained gently.

Jungkook frowned, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together in his mind. "But why me? What do they see in me?" he asked, his voice tinged with self-doubt.

Jin squeezed Jungkook's shoulder reassuringly. "It's not about you, Kookie. It's about them and their own insecurities," he said firmly. "You're stronger than you think, Jungkook. You just have to believe in yourself."

Jungkook nodded slowly, his thoughts racing. He had always admired Jin for his wisdom and calm demeanor. Maybe there was truth in what Jin was saying. Maybe he needed to stop letting fear control him and start standing up for himself.

Just then, the school bell rang, signaling the end of the break. Jin stood up, offering Jungkook a reassuring smile. "Hang in there, Kookie. And remember, you have people who care about you," he said warmly before heading off to his next class.

As Jungkook watched Jin disappear into the crowd, he felt a flicker of hope ignite within him. Maybe he wasn't as alone as he had thought. Maybe he had allies in this school who could help him navigate the challenges ahead.

The rest of the school day passed in a blur of classes and whispered conversations. Jungkook kept his head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone who might remind him of the bullies. He tried to focus on his studies, seeking solace in the familiar routine of textbooks and assignments.

After school, Jungkook headed straight home, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the school. As he entered the penthouse, he found V standing by the windows, his gaze fixed on the cityscape below.

"Hey, hyung," Jungkook greeted softly, unsure of how to broach the topic of his day.

V turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "Hey, Kookie. How was school?" he asked casually, though Jungkook sensed an underlying tension in his voice.

Jungkook hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "It was... okay," he replied vaguely, not wanting to worry V unnecessarily.

V studied him for a moment, as if sensing his hesitation. "If something's bothering you, Kookie, you can always talk to me," he said gently, his tone sincere.

Jungkook bit his lip, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. "I... I'm still scared, hyung," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to make it stop."

V's expression softened, a mixture of sadness and determination flickering in his eyes. He walked over to Jungkook, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's okay to be scared, Kookie. Everyone feels fear sometimes," he said quietly. "But you don't have to face it alone. I'm here for you, always."

Jungkook felt a wave of relief wash over him at V's words. Despite everything, V always knew how to make him feel safe. "Thanks, hyung," he murmured gratefully, leaning into V's comforting presence.

V smiled warmly, ruffling Jungkook's hair affectionately. "Come on, let's have dinner. We'll talk more later," he said gently, leading Jungkook towards the dining area.

As they sat down to eat, Jungkook felt a sense of peace settle over him. With V by his side, he knew he could face whatever challenges tomorrow brought. And maybe, just maybe, he could find the courage to stand up to his fears and reclaim his sense of strength.

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