Fated Foes ||toptae||

42

The volleyball match practice was in full swing. Both teams were fiercely competitive, each determined to claim the win. Jungkook’s team was playing exceptionally well, with Jungkook himself proving to be a key player. On the sidelines, Lia cheered enthusiastically for both teams, clapping and shouting words of encouragement.

Taehyung, on the other hand, had a different kind of energy. He played skillfully but managed to throw in playful winks and smiles toward Jungkook whenever he could, causing Jungkook to roll his eyes mid-game.

But halfway through the match, disaster struck. Jungkook went for a powerful spike, but as he landed, he twisted awkwardly, and his shoulder took the brunt of the fall. He winced in pain, clutching his shoulder as the referee blew the whistle.

“Jungkook, are you okay?” Yoongi asked, running over to him with concern.

“I’m fine,” Jungkook replied, though the grimace on his face told a different story.

Realizing he couldn’t continue, Jungkook reluctantly stepped off the court, leaving Yoongi to take his place. He sat on the bench, annoyed at himself for getting injured but determined to keep cheering for his team.

A few minutes later, Lia walked over to him, holding a water bottle. “Hey, you were playing really well,” she said with a kind smile, handing him the bottle.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, taking the bottle. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better, aren’t you?”

Lia laughed lightly. “Maybe. Did it work?”

Jungkook chuckled. “Yeah, a little.”

The two laughed together, and for a moment, Jungkook felt his earlier frustration melt away.

After a while, Lia reached into her pocket and pulled out a small object. It glimmered in the sunlight as she held it up—a delicate necklace with a simple yet elegant pendant.

Jungkook looked at it, surprised. “What’s this?”

Lia smiled. “Do you remember back in high school? I made necklaces for both you and Taehyung. I gave one to him, but when I tried to find you, you were nowhere to be seen. I’ve kept this with me ever since, waiting for the right moment to give it to you. And now, I finally got the chance.”

Jungkook stared at the necklace, a mix of emotions washing over him. “You kept it all this time?”

“Of course,” Lia said warmly. “Now, let me put it on you.”

Without waiting for a response, she leaned forward and clasped the necklace around Jungkook’s neck. It rested perfectly against his skin, and she stepped back to admire it.

“Isn’t it pretty? I made it myself,” Lia asked, tilting her head.

Jungkook touched the necklace gently, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia. “Yeah, it’s beautiful. Thank you, Lia.”

She smiled brightly. “I’m glad you like it. It suits you.”

For a moment, Jungkook felt a pang of guilt. Lia was so thoughtful and kind, but his heart was conflicted, tangled with emotions he wasn’t ready to confront. Still, he offered her a grateful smile, tucking away his feelings for now.

As Lia returned to the sidelines to cheer, Jungkook remained on the bench, absentmindedly fingering the necklace. Unbeknownst to him, Taehyung had seen the entire exchange from across the court, his jaw tightening ever so slightly.

The volleyball practice had just ended, and Taehyung couldn’t help but glance toward the bench where Jungkook sat, fiddling with the necklace Lia had given him. The sight sent an uncomfortable pang through Taehyung’s chest. He clenched his jaw, trying to shake off the growing frustration that had been simmering inside him since Lia’s little gesture.

As everyone began filing out of the court, Taehyung made sure to slow his pace, positioning himself next to Jungkook as they walked.

“Hey,” Taehyung said, his tone neutral but his eyes sharp.

Jungkook barely glanced at him, his focus elsewhere. “What?”

“That necklace,” Taehyung started, his voice deliberately casual. “It’s new, isn’t it?”

Jungkook’s steps faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. “Yeah, Lia gave it to me. Why?”

Taehyung forced a smirk, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Seems like she has a habit of handing those out. Must be her thing.”

Jungkook stopped walking and turned to face Taehyung, his expression unreadable. “And? What does it matter to you?”

Taehyung hesitated, his smirk fading. He looked away, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Nothing. Just... curious.”

Jungkook’s gaze softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. “Well, it’s none of your business.”

The words stung more than Taehyung cared to admit. As Jungkook walked ahead, Taehyung stood frozen in place, fists clenched at his sides. He knew exactly why it bothered him—because it wasn’t Lia’s necklace he wanted Jungkook to wear. It was his.

Later that evening, back in his dorm room, Taehyung lay sprawled on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He knew he liked Jungkook—he’d known for a while now. But watching Jungkook interact with Lia, seeing that stupid necklace around his neck, it made his feelings harder to contain.

The thought of losing Jungkook to Lia was unbearable.

“I need to do something,” Taehyung muttered to himself.

Meanwhile, Jungkook sat by his window, the necklace in his hand. He stared at it, his mind swirling with thoughts of Taehyung. Despite everything—Taehyung’s teasing, his constant presence, his overbearing antics—Jungkook couldn’t ignore the effect Taehyung had on him.

He sighed, leaning back against his chair. “Why does he always have to complicate things?”

But deep down, Jungkook knew the answer. It wasn’t just Taehyung complicating things—it was his own feelings, too.

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Sorry for the boring chapter. I haven’t been feeling well for the past three days and still haven’t recovered.

Taehyung’s

Jungkook’s