Enthralled || Liskook

Chapter 29

That night Park Jimin added fuel to the fire, as he animatedly narrated the story of Jeon Jungkook's thrilling escape in Busan City. 

Each word dripped with drama, his voice rising and falling with the chase's intensity. 

Across from him, Lalisa Manoban devoured a plate of fried chicken wings, the tangy vinegar clinging to her fingers. 

Her gaze, however, remained glued to the screen, betraying a deeper focus than the casual meal suggested. 

Was Jimin truly tearing down the platform, or was he subtly bolstering Lisa's resolve? The answer, much like the upcoming matches starting Tuesday, remained shrouded in suspense. 

The global Open had attracted 318 participants this year, including 109 women, with a mere 7 hailing from Korea. Among them, nestled within the aptly named "Purgatory Group,” was Lalisa Manoban. A newcomer to the professional stage, her past third-place finish in the youth competition offered little solace against the low expectations of the outside world. 

The name ‘Lalisa Manoban’ resonated through the Open audience, a rising star from the Korean Legion. The "Purgatory Group," notorious for its daily eliminations, had witnessed her fight her way through, leaving a trail of defeated opponents in her wake. 

Friday marked the final day of the group stage, and for Lisa, it meant three crucial matches. 

The morning saw her demolish a seasoned Russian player with a staggering 11-3 victory. 

Following that, she dominated a Polish opponent with another decisive 11-4 win. 

Upon returning to the Korean players’ lounge, she was met with a wave of enthusiastic applause and congratulations, not only from her Seoul comrades but those from Busan and other domestic clubs. 

A modest smile played across Lisa's face as she acknowledged the well-deserved recognition. 

Lisa found solace in a quiet corner. 

Unlike the animated chatter of the Busan Club players in the east, the Seoul contingent, including herself, exuded an air of quiet intensity. 

Each athlete wrestled with their pre-game emotions, forming a bubble of focused silence. 

Lisa, positioned on a small stool, her back towards the others, sought refuge in music and a pre-packed meal. 

Her phone, tucked away in her bag, symbolized the temporary suspension of her usual connection with Jungkook. 

This week, their nightly conversations, limited to stolen moments before bed, held unspoken agreements - no mention of the competition, only a brief respite from the pressure that enveloped them. 

The plastic fork clinked softly against the disposable container as Lisa meticulously picked out a mango slice. Each bite was measured, a deliberate act of building her resolve. The desire to win crackled within her, a potent force that bordered on dangerous. 

Being unemotional has always been her strength. 

But this time, her heart yearned for the quarterfinals, not just for the victory, but for the chance it offered. Saturday... perhaps it held the possibility of Jungkook being there. 

A flicker of hope ignited in her eyes, quickly replaced by calm determination as she reached for strawberries. 

Her eating habits on competition days were a ritual, a carefully orchestrated dance with her emotions. Slow, measured chews served as an anchor, keeping her feelings in check. 

Limiting her meal to five minutes ensured 

a light stomach, avoiding the dreaded pregame stomach ache that could cripple her performance.