Enthralled || Liskook

Chapter 63

Jungkook shuffled into the rest area, a crumpled mess. His stomach rumbled, but 

the fruit plate sat empty, a silent mockery. 

Awkwardly, his hand hovered for a beat before snatching a meager bunch of grapes from Taehyung's plate. 

He cleared his throat, forcing a smile. "Meeting adjourned,” he announced, eyes flickering around the expectant faces. 

Jisoo, ever the diplomat, stepped in. “Just a quick heads up, everyone. The Nine Ball World Championship starts this Thursday.” 

Jungkook nodded curtly, already aware of Lisa's participation. 

“We're leaving a week early,” Jisoo added, her voice clipped. 

A knot formed in Jungkook's gut. On the surface, it seemed innocuous. He mumbled another agreement and tossed the grapes back into the bow! with a dull thud. "Alright, that's it, you guys can go." 

The second he crossed the threshold, the truth slammed into him. He whirled back to Jisoo, voice tight. “Leave this Thursday?” 

“Yup,” Jisoo confirmed, a glint in her eyes as she descended the stairs. 

Jungkook's stomach lurched. The much anticipated dinner with Lisa this week vanished. 

The others, oblivious to his internal 

storm, piled into their cars and peeled away. 

Jungkook lingered, a lone figure hy the entrance. Another message buzzed on his phone, from Lisa. 

Fruit in the Forest: Grandma's been staying with me, and barely leaves the house. Let me know when you're free. 

He stared at the message, a wry smile playing on his lips. Naive girl, clueless to the chaos she'd just unleashed. 

Lisa tapped her phone screen, a frown creasing her brow, Jungkook still hadn't replied. 

Fruit in the Forest: Still busy? 

Fruit in the Forest: Let's talk when you're free. 

A few minutes later, Jungkook's replies come. 

Jeon: The Championship is on Thursday, you don't know about it? 

Lisa blinked, momentarily stunned. Then realization dawned. Jisoo, being part of the coaching staff, would have the inside scoop. 

Fruit in the Forest: Then wait for me to come back, in two weeks, 

But there was no immediate response. A tense silence stretched for what felt like an eternity. 

Finally, after a grueling thirty seconds, Lisa's phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't a text, but a voice message. 

~~~~~~~

Jungkook shuffled back into the office, the fluorescent lights harsh against his tired eyes. 

With a weary sigh, he flipped the switch, plunging the room into a comforting darkness. 

The silence was broken only by the soft glug of a kettle, and the steam swirled ethereally before him. 

He sank onto the worn leather sofa, his long legs folding over the edge of the coffee table. His gaze drifted to the worn spot where the teacher used to sit, a silent echo of a past camaraderie. 

These days were a whirlwind, a relentless storm that left no time for introspection, no space for sadness to take root. 

The relentless to-do list gnawed at Jungkook.