Phantom Legion

CHAPTER 19: ECHOES OF REGRET

As night settled over the agency, Namjoon sat alone in his dimly lit room, the silence pressing in around him. The weight of the day's events hung heavily in the air, thickening with every tick of the clock. Taehyung hadn't returned to their shared room, leaving Namjoon in a solitude that felt both suffocating and isolating.

His thoughts spiraled back to the sparring match earlier that day, the aggression in Jin's movements replaying in his mind like a broken record. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong, that Jin's fury stemmed from a place he couldn't understand. Why had he been so aggressive? Did he really hate Namjoon? The idea cut deep, resonating with Namjoon's insecurities and fears.

Namjoon's chest tightened at the thought. Memories of his past rushed back, uninvited and relentless. He could feel the familiar dread settling in, the sense that history was repeating itself—that he was destined to be abandoned again. He'd fought so hard to escape that cycle, to forge a new path for himself within this team, but now it felt like it was slipping through his fingers.

Rubbing his temples, Namjoon tried to push away the thoughts, to convince himself that it was just a misunderstanding. But doubt gnawed at him, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. What if Jin couldn't see past the surface, couldn't recognize that Namjoon was trying to change? What if he couldn't escape the shadows of his past after all?

Lost in this turmoil, Namjoon leaned back against his pillow, staring at the ceiling as a heavy silence enveloped him. Each unanswered question hung like a ghost, haunting him in the darkness.

As Namjoon spiraled deeper into his thoughts, he suddenly became aware of laughter filtering through the thin walls of his room, pulling him from the depths of his guilt. The familiar sounds of his teammates were a stark contrast to the silence that had enveloped him.

Unable to resist the pull, he moved toward the bathroom, letting the sounds wash over him. It was a cacophony of shared moments, punctuated by playful banter and genuine concern, yet a weight settled in his chest as he caught snippets of their chatter.

"Jin looked really upset after that match," Jungkook said, his tone a mix of concern and curiosity.

"I know, right?" Jimin chimed in. "I thought he'd be fine, but the way Namjoon hit him..."

"Yeah, it was like he didn't even hold back," Taehyung added, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I hope he's okay. I mean, as the leader, he deserves respect, and I hate to think he felt disrespected."

Namjoon's heart sank at their words, guilt surging through him like a tidal wave. They hadn't seen the whole picture. They only saw him attacking Jin, not the struggle within him or the overwhelming pressure he felt. He didn't want to be seen as the bad guy, yet here he was, the source of Jin's distress.

"I just wish there was something we could do to cheer him up," Hoseok said, his voice full of earnestness.

"Why don't we take him out for dinner?" Taehyung suggested, his tone brightening with the idea. "A nice meal could help lift his spirits."

"That's a great idea!" Jungkook chimed in, enthusiasm bubbling in his voice. "I know a place that serves those spicy rice cakes Jin loves!"

"Perfect! Let's grab him and head out," Jimin added, his face lighting up with excitement.

Namjoon's heart sank even further at their plan. They cared so deeply for Jin, and the thought of them rallying around him only served to highlight his own inadequacies. He felt like an outsider looking in, unable to be part of the comfort they were so willing to offer.

As they continued to discuss the details, Namjoon lingered in the doorway of the bathroom, torn between the urge to join them and the weight of his guilt. They were ready to support Jin, unaware of the pain that had caused this rift.