Rise Of The Fallen || KTH FF

Chapter 15: Tension

You stepped out of the room, feeling the weight of their stares lingering long after the door shut behind you. The air outside felt colder, sharper, cutting through the embarrassment that flushed your cheeks. You could still feel it—like someone was watching you, judging every step, every move you made. Was it Jimin? Or maybe Taehyung's lingering smirk that had left you reeling?

You shook your head, trying to shrug off the uncomfortable feeling. It wasn't just their stares. It was the tension hanging between all of you, the questions no one wanted to ask but couldn't avoid.

As you made your way down the dimly lit hallway, the soft hum of voices echoed faintly from another room. You spotted Lisa sitting at a small desk, sorting through more papers. A wave of relief washed over you—Lisa was always easier to talk to, less intense than the others. Maybe she could help you take your mind off things.

"Hey," you said quietly as you approached, leaning against the doorframe.

Lisa glanced up, her eyes brightening when she saw you. "Hey, you okay?" she asked, her voice warm but tinged with concern. She gestured to the seat beside her, and you sank into it with a soft sigh.

"I guess," you mumbled, running a hand through your hair. "I just... needed a break from all the tension in there. It's suffocating."

Lisa chuckled softly, setting aside the papers. "Yeah, I can imagine. Especially with Jimin being all... Jimin." She rolled her eyes playfully, though there was an edge of truth in her words.

You hesitated, biting your lip as you tried to find the right words to broach the subject that had been nagging at you for days. Finally, you decided to just come out with it.

"Is Jimin... um, is Jimin gay?"

The question hung in the air for a moment, and you immediately felt heat rising in your cheeks again, wondering if you'd overstepped. But Lisa's reaction was surprisingly casual. She raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile creeping onto her lips.

"That obvious, huh?" she teased, leaning back in her chair with a small laugh. "I mean, he doesn't exactly shout it from the rooftops, but... yeah, he is."

You blinked, feeling a small sense of validation but also surprise at how easily Lisa confirmed it. "I wasn't sure. It's just... the way he acts sometimes. Especially around Taehyung. It feels like he's... I don't know, competing with me."

Lisa shrugged, giving you a sympathetic look. "Well, it's complicated with Jimin. He's... protective of Tae. Always has been. But that doesn't mean he hates you." She paused, glancing at you more carefully. "You noticed how he's been with Yoongi though, right?"

You frowned, thinking back to the interactions between Jimin and Yoongi. "Yeah, I mean... I noticed they've been spending more time together. I wasn't sure what to make of it."

Lisa nodded, her smile widening. "Trust me, he's got more on his mind than just you and Taehyung. He's figuring things out for himself too."

You leaned back, processing the revelation. The tension you had felt between Jimin and yourself now seemed less personal, more complex. It wasn't just about you—it was about him, his feelings, his unspoken conflicts.

"That... actually makes a lot of sense," you admitted, feeling some of the weight lift from your shoulders.

Lisa winked at you, her tone lightening the mood. "Don't sweat it too much. Just be yourself. Jimin might be prickly, but he's got his reasons. He'll come around."

You nodded, grateful for the conversation. For the first time in a while, you felt like you had some clarity. At least now, you could focus on what really mattered—finding the truth behind the virus, behind Jeon Ha-joon.