BETWEENUS//taekook//vkook // Yoonmin

PART 12

Taehyung comes to school, his eyes scanning the hallway, locking onto Jungkook's bright smile. His heart skips a beat as he hastens toward him.

But just as he is about to reach Jungkook's side, Taehyung's gaze falls on Jimin standing protectively behind him, his eyes narrowed.

Taehyung's feet halt abruptly, his approach frozen mid-stride.

For a moment, the three form an awkward triangle, tension hanging heavy in the air.

Jimin's piercing gaze warns Taehyung to keep his distance.

Jungkook, oblivious to the undercurrents, turns to face Taehyung.

"Hey, Tae! Morning!" Jungkook calls out.

Taehyung's smile falters, his eyes darting between Jungkook and Jimin.

"Morning, Kookie," Taehyung replies, his voice measured.

The air is thick with unspoken emotions.

Jungkook watches, perplexed, as Taehyung passes by without a second glance.

"Hey, Tae, everything okay?" Jungkook calls out, but Taehyung is already disappearing into the crowd.

Jimin's gaze lingers on Taehyung's retreating back before shifting to Jungkook.

"Seems like someone's in a mood," Jimin comments.

Jungkook frowns, sensing something is off.

"Yeah… yesterday we were fine, watching movies and laughing," Jungkook thinks. "Why the sudden change? Jimin, did I miss something?"

Jimin shrugs. "No idea, Kookie. Maybe he's just stressed."

But Jungkook's instincts tell him otherwise. He can't shake the feeling about Taehyung's sudden changes.

The bell rings, signaling the start of class. Jungkook reluctantly heads to his seat. His mind remains preoccupied with Taehyung's strange behavior.

Taehyung sits rigidly, avoiding eye contact with Jungkook throughout the class. His mind races with conflicting emotions.

"I need to ignore him," Taehyung thinks firmly. "We're getting too close, and I can't afford to blur the lines."

But every time Jungkook's gaze drifts toward him, Taehyung's heart skips a beat.

Meanwhile, Jungkook struggles to focus on the lesson. Taehyung's cold shoulder weighs heavily on him.

"Did I do something wrong?" Jungkook wonders.

As the class drags on, Jungkook's usually cheerful demeanor falters.

Taehyung, sensing Jungkook's gaze, stiffens.

"Don't look at him, don't think about him," Taehyung's inner voice commands.

But his thoughts betray him.

"Maybe I'm just scared of how natural it feels around him… how much I enjoy his smile."

The classroom door swings open, signaling the end of the period.

The students file out, Jungkook lagging behind, hoping to catch Taehyung's attention.

Taehyung swiftly gathers his belongings and exits the room without a glance.

Jungkook's eyes fall, a pang of disappointment settling in.

---

Jimin approaches Jungkook, noticing his friend's disappointment.

"Kookie, come on, let's go. Leave him," Jimin says, nodding toward Taehyung's retreating figure.

Jungkook hesitates, unsure.