FACING THE SAME FACE | JINKOOK

CH11

JungKook and Jin decided to go out together, in what JungKook presented as a way to apologise. However, deep down, something darker was driving him. He had been hard on himself, he thought, and felt he deserved more than a mere apology. He needed something special, something that would put him in a position of power. It was the perfect moment to put into action the plan he had been scheming for days. He still wasn't sure whether he'd succeed, but he knew he had to try. After all, Jin had to pay.

They walked through the shopping centre, surrounded by a crowd of shoppers moving like shadows, when a familiar face approached them. At first, JungKook didn't recognise him. But as soon as the man spoke his name, the world seemed to stop for a second. It was TaeHyung, his lifelong friend.

"JungKook?" TaeHyung's voice was filled with confusion, and something else. Surprise? Suspicion? The question was clear, but what accompanied it made JungKook uneasy. "Why are you dressed like that?" JungKook tensed. His breathing became more irregular, though he tried to hide it.

'Why am I dressed like this?' he wondered internally. The reflection in the mirror before leaving had thrown him off, and now, seeing TaeHyung's inquisitive gaze made him feel even more vulnerable. 'Stay calm,' he told himself, before answering, 'Don't let him see you hesitate.'

"Well, you know, sometimes it's good to mix things up a bit," JungKook replied, deliberately ignoring Jin's expectant look. A low blow, avoiding eye contact with him. He didn't want Jin to notice the nervous twitch he was barely able to control. TaeHyung, who had never been easy to deceive, raised an eyebrow.

"Huh... it's weird seeing you like this." His tone was casual, but his dark eyes couldn't help but scrutinise his friend. After an uncomfortable silence, TaeHyung continued, "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" JungKook swallowed. The hand that had been nervously toying with his sweater now clenched into a fist. What should he do now? How could he steer him away from the truth?

Without thinking too much, he answered.

"This is Jin, he's just arrived from China," he said without hesitation. He glanced at Jin for a second, seeking reassurance in his impassive expression, but when he saw the slight confusion in his eyes, a chill ran down his spine. Was Jin seeing what was really happening? Did he notice the fragile balance JungKook was struggling to maintain? "But anyway, I won't keep you any longer, we're in a bit of a rush. If we don't hurry, we'll miss our reservation at the restaurant," JungKook continued, hastily taking Jin's hand more firmly than he intended. He didn't want, he couldn't, let TaeHyung get even the slightest hint that might throw him off track.

With a faint smile that convinced no one, JungKook spun on his heels and began walking quickly, pulling Jin behind him. He couldn't afford to lose focus. It was the right moment to end this conversation before TaeHyung said something that could shatter the façade JungKook had worked so hard to build.

However, TaeHyung didn't step away. He watched them with that penetrating look he always used to uncover the secrets of those around him. His mind was working at full speed, processing everything that had happened in the seconds before. The way JungKook had spoken, how he'd avoided his gaze, and most of all, the most unsettling detail: his clothes.

JungKook had always been a man of style, but this look... this was not his style. The plain sweater, the straight-leg trousers, the glasses... He looked like an exact replica of how JungHyun used to dress. Why?

TaeHyung frowned, the weight of doubt creeping into his mind.

"This isn't a coincidence," he murmured. "Something strange is going on here." He remembered JungHyun clearly, his friend who had gone to China and left an indelible mark on his life. He remembered how close he'd been to JungKook... and how much JungKook had changed since his departure.