𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 ˢᵒᵒᵏᵒᵒᵏ

Four

12 p.m.

Seoul, South Korea

Author

It was the typical lunch break, and Jungkook sat at the back of the classroom, his dark eyes narrowing as he watched Junghyun and Jisoo chat near the front. Junghyun was laughing, really laughing, something that seemed to happen more often whenever Jisoo was around.

It irritated Jungkook to no end.

He wasn't sure why it bothered him so much, but every time Jisoo leaned in to whisper something to Junghyun, making him blush or laugh, a strange, burning sensation tightened in Jungkook's chest.

What is she even saying to him? Jungkook thought, clenching his fists under the desk, Why does he always look so...happy around her?

And again, she was grinning, rambling about some funny incident that had happened in class earlier.

"And then the chalk just snapped in the teacher's hand! I swear, the look on her face was priceless!" Jisoo giggled, nudging Junghyun with her elbow. He chuckled in response, adjusting his glasses as he listened to her.

Jungkook's jaw tightened. Without thinking, he slid into the seat on the other side of Junghyun, cutting their conversation short.

"Junghyun, didn't you say you needed help with the math assignment?" he said, his tone clipped.

Junghyun blinked, slightly confused, "Hyung, uh... I guess, but-"

"I'll help you," Jungkook interrupted, already pulling out his notebook and the pen, "We can go over it now."

Jisoo raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between the twins, "Really, Jungkook? Math? Now? Aren't you usually too busy brooding?"

Jungkook shot her a cold look, "Some of us actually care about our grades, unlike others who spend their time talking about pointless things."

Junghyun glanced between the two, sensing the tension but staying silent. Jisoo, however, wasn't about to back down. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand with a mischievous smile, "You know, Jungkook, if you're so worried about your brother's grades, you should've just said so. But I'm pretty sure he can handle it. He's smart, you know."

Jungkook's grip on his pen tightened, "It's not about that. I just think he should spend his time more....wisely."

"Wisely? Oh, so talking to me is a waste of time now?" Jisoo asked, feigning hurt but with a playful glint in her eyes.

Jungkook didn't respond, but his silence spoke volumes. He turned back to the math problems, hoping that would end the conversation, but Jisoo wasn't done.

She leaned even closer, her voice teasing but sharp, "You know, Jungkook, for someone who acts like they don't care, you sure seem to pay a lot of attention to what I do."

Junghyun let out a nervous laugh, trying to ease the tension, "Hey, it's fine! We can all talk together, right? No need to get worked up."

Jungkook gave his brother a sidelong glance, his frustration growing. He wanted to snap at Jisoo, to tell her to stop meddling, to stop pulling his brother into her bubble of chaos. But the more he pushed back, the more she seemed to enjoy it.

The real problem was that every time Junghyun smiled at her or laughed at her jokes, Jungkook felt something ugly twist inside him. It wasn't just annoyance anymore, it was a pure jealousy, and now he is more obvious, and he hated it.

.

4.30 p.m

Seoul, South Korea

Author

After school, things didn't get any better. As they walked home, Jisoo had somehow convinced Junghyun to stop by a local café. Jungkook trailed behind, his hands stuffed in his pockets, his mood souring with every step.

Inside the café, Jisoo and Junghyun were chatting away as if they had known each other forever, and Jungkook found himself glaring at their every interaction.

Jisoo nudged Junghyun playfully as she sipped her iced coffee, "I bet you've never had anything this sweet before. Come on, try it!"

Junghyun smiled, taking a hesitant sip. "It's good," he said, wiping his lips, "Really sweet though."

"I knew you'd like it! You've got that sweet, innocent vibe, after all," Jisoo teased, grinning at him.

Jungkook's fists clenched in his pockets. Sweet and innocent. That's what she likes, huh?

He couldn't stand it anymore. Before he could stop himself, he stood up abruptly, "Junghyun, we're leaving."

Junghyun blinked up at him, surprised, "But, hyung....we haven't finished-"

"We're leaving," Jungkook repeated, his voice firmer. He glanced at Jisoo, who was watching him with an amused expression, "You've had enough of this....distraction."

Jisoo raised an eyebrow, "Distraction? Seriously, Jungkook? You act like I'm corrupting him or something."

Jungkook didn't respond. He just grabbed his brother's arm just like snatching it or something, pulling him out of his seat, "Come on, Junghyun! You don't need to waste your time here!"

As they left the café, Junghyun cast an apologetic glance back at Jisoo, who shrugged and waved as if this were all just part of the game.

Jungkook felt a strange sense of satisfaction pulling his brother away, but deep down, he knew it wasn't just about protecting Junghyun. It was something more, something he didn't want to admit yet.

The jealousy gnawed at him, no matter how much he tried to bury it.

.

12 a.m.

Seoul, South Korea

Author

Later that night, in their living room, Jungkook couldn't take it anymore.

"Stay away from her!" he snapped, glaring at Junghyun, who looked up in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" Junghyun asked, setting down his Rubik's cube.

"Jisoo!" Jungkook said, his voice dripping with irritation, "Don't spend so much time with her! She's a distraction! I've told you many times to just stay away!"

Junghyun frowned a bit, "A distraction? We're just friends, hyung. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is she's pulling you into her nonsense. You don't need that!" Jungkook growled angrily, pacing the room like a caged animal, "Focus on what matters!"

Junghyun sighed, adjusting his glasses, "You don't like her, fine. But you can't control who I'm friends with. She's nice, hyung. Maybe if you gave her a chance-"

"I don't want to give her a chance!" Jungkook snapped, "She's annoying! Always laughing, always talking. She doesn't shut up!"

Junghyun smiled softly, shaking his head, "Maybe you're just jealous."

Jungkook froze, his glare hardening, "Jealous? Of what?"

"You tell me," Junghyun said simply, standing up and walking toward his room, "You're the one who is acting like this."

As Junghyun disappeared from the living room, Jungkook felt the weight of his own denial pressing on him. He wasn't jealous. He couldn't be.

Could he?

.

To be continued...