Enthralled || Liskook

Chapter 70

The banquet pulsed with the murmur of conversation as players, both women and men, filled two separate tables. 

Jungkook, engaged in a hushed conversation with Namjoon, reached for his chopsticks. His hand paused mid air as his gaze met Lisa's across the expanse of tables. Dozens of faces blurred into a background hum as the leader's enthusiastic speech washed over the room. Yet, only her eyes held his attention. 

A prickle of self consciousness flickered across Lisa's skin. She darted her eyes away, the brief movement betraying a subtle guilt. 

Stealing a glance back, she found Jungkook's gaze unwavering. 

Just as their connection threatened to crackle with unspoken words, a coach's hand Janded on Jungkook's shoulder, breaking the spell. He was drawn away, leaving Lisa with the lingering warmth of his stolen glance. 

Unbeknownst to her, another pair of eyes had witnessed the silent exchange. 

Jisoo, seated behind Lisa, wore a knowing smile that hinted at secrets yet to unfold. 

Jisoo's teasing voice cut through the air, 

“Sneaking glances like lovesick puppies, aren't we?" 

Lisa flushed, her cheeks burning. “It's nothing like that,” she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. 

"We agreed on this before coming. He's the captain, you see, and can't exactly have everyone gossiping if..." 

Jisoo's smile was a knowing one, its edges tinged with a hint of melancholy. She slid a chopstick dish towards Lisa. "Did you know about your cousin's... abrupt exit at the competition thirteen years ago?" 

Lisa's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "No, I... I thought he just wasn't doing well that year.” 

Public records only showed Yoongi's meteoric rise to fame at the age of fourteen. He entered the competition a year earlier, but his performance was shrouded in silence. The official records only stated a mid tournament withdrawal. 

"There's more to the story," Jisoo said softly. 

"They all signed up at thirteen. Your cousin lost to Jungkook in the group stage. So devastated, he quit right there. The next year, fueled by that ‘rude Jeon’ incident, he stormed back and dominated the competition.” 

Jisoo's gaze drifted across the room, lingering for a moment on Namjoon before settling on Yoongi. 

A knowing sigh escaped her lips as she leaned closer to Lisa. “Namjoon started young too, just thirteen when he entered the national competition." 

Her voice softened further, tnged with a hint of wistfulness. "There's a curious overlap in their competitive years. Your brother, unfortunately, withdrew during his first year, while Jungkook finished strong in his last. It's a fascinating coincidence, wouldn't you agree?” 

The corner of Jisoo's mouth quirked upwards, a hint of something unspoken flickering in her eyes, "Perhaps that's why the coaches always refer to them as players of the same era, strong rivals bound by a shared history." 

After dinner .. 

Lisa's shoulders slumped as she surveyed the emptying cafetena. Disappointment gnawed at her. He hadn't come back. 

With a defeated sigh, she rose to leave, the dream of seeing him before bed fading with each departing figure. 

Just as she reached the door, a familiar voice cut through the quiet night air. 

“Lalisa Manoban?" 

She spun around, a gasp escaping her lips as relief and surprise washed over her. There, bathed in the soft moonlight, stood Jeon Jungkook.