Long Chapter ahead
Jungkook was sprawled across his dorm room couch, script in hand, lips moving as he practiced his lines. Every now and then, he’d groan in frustration, mumbling, “Why did I agree to this?”
Just as he was getting into the groove, a knock interrupted his misery. He groaned louder, tossing the script aside. Opening the door, he found Yoongi standing there, looking like a kid who’d just broken his mom’s favorite vase.
“Get inside,” Jungkook said, stepping aside. Yoongi shuffled in, plopping himself onto the single couch.
“What’s up?” Jungkook asked, sitting on the edge of his bed.
Yoongi scratched the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact. “Uh… so, see, the thing is—”
Jungkook squinted at him. “Spit it out.”
Yoongi sighed, rubbing his temples. “I… I can’t do the play anymore.”
Jungkook froze, staring at him like he’d just confessed to a crime. “What do you mean you can’t? The play’s in six days!”
“I know! But I got called in for a shift at work, and if I don’t go, I won’t be able to pay my bills. You know how tight money is for me right now,” Yoongi explained, his tone half-apologetic, half-desperate.
Jungkook blinked at him, his face turning pale. “Yoongi… are you insane? Bang Chan is going to kill us. Do you know how many times he’s warned us about this kind of thing?”
“I know, I know!” Yoongi waved his hands defensively. “But I’m begging you, Jungkook. Talk to him. Convince him to let me go.”
Jungkook shot up from his bed, pacing the room. “You’re seriously asking me to walk into the lion’s den and tell him that you, his main lead, are bailing with less than a week to go?”
Yoongi winced. “Yes?”
Jungkook threw his hands up. “Oh my God. Do you have any idea how dead I’ll be? No—we’ll be? He’ll probably write us both out of the play and replace us with some first-year who thinks ‘method acting’ means crying on command!”
Yoongi held up his hands in surrender. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I have no choice! You’re the only one he won’t yell at.”
Jungkook stopped pacing, narrowing his eyes at him. “Why me?”
“Because you’re the golden boy. He likes you,” Yoongi said with a weak smile.
Jungkook groaned, running a hand through his hair. “He doesn’t like me. He tolerates me. There’s a difference!”
“Still better than his tolerance level for me,” Yoongi quipped.
Jungkook sat back down, burying his face in his hands. “This is a nightmare. First, Hoseok bails, and now you. What’s next? Bang Chan decides I should play both roles?”
Yoongi raised an eyebrow. “You do like a challenge.”
Jungkook shot him a glare. “Get out.”
Yoongi stood, patting Jungkook on the shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.”
As Yoongi left, Jungkook fell back onto the couch, staring at the ceiling in disbelief. “Six days. I have six days to survive Bang Chan’s wrath. Why didn’t I just play the tree?”
The next morning, Jungkook took a deep breath before knocking on Bang Chan's office door. He rehearsed his lines in his head, trying to make his explanation sound convincing. However, as soon as he told Bang Chan about Yoongi’s situation, Bang Chan’s reaction mirrored Jungkook’s meltdown from the night before.
“WHAT?!” Bang Chan exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table. “You’re telling me we’re down two leads in less than a week? What is this? A cursed play?”
Jungkook winced. “I know it’s bad, hyung, but—”
“It’s not bad, Jungkook. It’s a disaster!” Bang Chan cut him off, pacing furiously. “Do you know how much planning this takes? Costumes? Blocking? Scripts? My sanity?”
“I get it! I do!” Jungkook tried to reason. “That’s why we should hold auditions to replace him quickly. There’s still time!”
Bang Chan stopped pacing and glared at Jungkook. “Fine. But if this fails, you are playing all the roles.”
Jungkook gulped. “Understood.”
By mid-morning, the playroom had transformed into an audition hall. Jungkook sat in the front row alongside Bang Chan and two other committee members. One by one, candidates came forward, but none of them seemed to fit the role.
A boy came in, mumbled his lines, and left after a stern “dismissed” from Bang Chan.
Next, Jaehyun stepped forward. He performed with ease, impressing everyone with his delivery. Bang Chan nodded in approval.
“Not bad,” Bang Chan admitted. “But let’s see the next one.”
Jungkook casually glanced at the list of candidates, and his jaw dropped. “No way,” he muttered under his breath.
The next candidate was Taehyung.
As Taehyung sauntered in, Jungkook stared at him in disbelief. “What is he doing here?”
Taehyung winked at Jungkook as he walked to the stage. “Good morning, everyone,” he greeted confidently.
Meanwhile, outside the playroom, Jiya was in a hurry, clutching a small instrument in her hand. She’d been running all over campus, looking for the right room.
At the same time, Yoongi was walking in her direction, checking his phone. Neither noticed the other until they collided.
“Oh!” Jiya exclaimed as she stumbled back.
“Sorry!” Yoongi said quickly, catching her arm to steady her.
When Yoongi looked up, he froze. Jiya’s soft features, wide eyes, and flustered expression left him momentarily speechless.
“Are you okay?” Jiya asked, brushing herself off.
Yoongi blinked rapidly. “Y-Yeah, I’m fine. Uh… are you lost?”
“Actually, yes,” Jiya said, holding up the instrument. “I need to find the playroom. Do you know where it is?”
Yoongi nodded. “Go left at the end of this hall. It’s the big room with the stage.”
Jiya smiled. “Thank you!” She hurried off, leaving Yoongi standing there like a lovesick puppy.
“Damn,” Yoongi muttered, running a hand through his hair. “She’s so pretty… Oh gosh, focus, Yoongi.” He shook his head and walked in the opposite direction.
Back in the playroom, Taehyung stood on stage, delivering his lines with precision and charisma. Even Bang Chan was impressed, but when it was time to play the ancient Korean instrument, Taehyung froze.
Bang Chan leaned forward, frowning. “What are you waiting for?”
Taehyung scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “I… forgot the instrument.”
Jungkook groaned, rubbing his temples. “So, are you just going to stand there and stare at us? Or are you going to play air music?”
Before Taehyung could reply, the doors burst open, and Jiya rushed in, panting heavily. “Oppa! You forgot this!” she exclaimed, handing him the instrument.
The entire room went silent as Taehyung took the instrument from her.
Jiya tilted her head but shrugged. “Okay. Good luck, Oppa!”
Taehyung avoided eye contact, tuning the instrument. “Focus on the play, Jungkook.”
Bang Chan clapped his hands. “Enough drama! Let’s hear you play, Taehyung.”
Taehyung played the instrument flawlessly, but Jungkook couldn’t shake the odd feeling that there was more to Taehyung’s life than he let on.
YOU ARE READING
Fated Foes ||toptae||
FanfictionJeon Jungkook and Kim Taehyung have been enemies for as long as they can remember, their families' rivalry shaping their entire lives. Their constant bickering quickly escalates into something deeper. As they compete in games and challenges, their a...
