Eternal Devotion of Manifest/Chaennie

Chapter 28

The hallway reverberated with the sound of their footsteps. Jisoo's panic grew as she glanced back to see Jennie closing on her, the look of perseverance on Jennie's face amplifying her anxiety. She pushed herself harder, her breath coming in quick gasps as she rounded a corner and took the stairs two at a time.

Jennie's focus sharpened, her mind racing with thoughts of what could have possibly frightened Jisoo. She reached the stairwell just in time to see Jisoo's foot disappear around the next landing. Her pace quickened, determination fueling her chase.

Jisoo reached the top of the stairs of the roof, she risked another glance back. Her trepidation morphed into confusion as she saw Jennie's expression—a combination of concern and something else she couldn't quite place.

Finally, Jennie caught up, clutching Jisoo's arm gently but firmly. "Jisoo, stop!" she articulated, her voice breathless but kind.

Jisoo froze, her eyes wide with apprehension. "Don't kill me, I didn't do anything I swear" she asked, her voice fluttering slightly.

Jennie let out a small laugh, releasing her grip. "What?," she said, her tone softening. "Why would I kill you? You looked so spooked, I thought you might know something about... Rosé."

Jisoo blinked, her anxiety slowly dissipating into relief and puzzlement. "You... you're not going to kill me?"

Jennie shook her head, a smile spreading across her face. "No, Jisoo. I'm not going to kill you, even though every muscle in my body hates you without any reason. But why did you run?"

Jisoo let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly. "Uh... nothing, I thought—"

"Don't! I'm not stupid. You've been dubious from the start. Tell me the truth. Why did you run from me?" Jennie crossed her arms, leaning against the wall beside the stairs.

"I—"

"Don't lie. I need the truth," Jennie interjected, glaring at Jisoo.

Jisoo groaned, "I didn't even start."

"You were about to lie, and I believe you are the definition of a liar because Lisa and Rosie believe you're the most innocent soul in the world. They have a completely different perception of you. While here you..." Jennie studied Jisoo from head to toe. "...you're a completely different person. Why do you act differently in front of them? Because you're certainly not innocent but fierce, selfish, convinced—"

"Amazing, gorgeous, badass, and the most intelligent person you've ever seen," Jisoo completed, flicking her hair back. "That, I know," she added, snickering.

Jennie couldn't help but chuckle, the uncertainty easing slightly. "Alright, you got me there. But seriously, what's going on?"

Jisoo sighed, her playful demeanour fading. "Look, Jennie, it's complicated. I didn't mean to act suspicious. It's just... there are things I can't explain."

Jennie raised an eyebrow. "Try me. I know you locked us on the rooftop yesterday. I saw you. Mind telling me why you're playing cupid? When you know very well how much Rosie hates me? Why are you on my side?" Jennie stepped closer, her eyes boring into Jisoo's, searching for answers.

What startled her the most was Jisoo's unflinching stare. Jennie couldn't understand why she felt skittish under Jisoo's gaze. Normally, it was she who made everyone timid with a single look. But now, the tables had turned, and Jennie lowered her eyes in front of Jisoo.

Jisoo huffed, "Oh... is that what you want to ask? Thank god."

"You know what? I truly want to know why the fuck you ran," Jennie sniggered, placing her gold-plated gun against Jisoo's forehead.