he paints with lies ❆ kookmin

5 • 다섯

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❁ཻུ۪۪⸙͎.'◦• ⊱›────── January 16th 2020

Jimin tilted his head as his lips formed a smile, watching Jungkook spin on the chair. He had never really figured him out, as they went back to the way things were in school after that day in detention.

"You recognized me at the masquerade, didn't you? It's only been a few years since we graduated, but I've got to say that you changed quite a lot. I don't know how I didn't recognize you with just a mask though," he said as he shook his head. Jungkook chuckled as he nodded, meaning that he did recognize Jimin.

"Well, splendid. Now I know that you can actually be of help," he said, and Jungkook looked at him with an eyebrow raised in question. Amusement danced in his eyes and on his lips. He still did not know why he was there.

"I wanted to talk more about the painting," he added, and Jungkook's eyes glistened at that.

That familiar frustration, that only Jeon Jungkook brought, flowed through him. It frustrated him how he displayed himself like an open book, but whenever you tried to read, the letters jumped around as if you were dyslexic.

"What about it then?"

"I'd like to see it again, after you and I have a talk about it. You see, I'm helping my father with a case of art forgery. I know how talented you are at art, and especially paintings.

"When it comes to your painting, I can't keep from comparing it with the one this case revolves around. It's possible that your painting should be involved in the case."

"Who's the seller of this painting?" Jungkook asked.

"Kim Seokjin. Do you know of him?"

"I do," he started, but paused briefly as if he thought over his answer. "I attended the exhibition of that painting."

There it was, just like the first lie he told him. The way he lied was almost professional, done with such confidence. If anything, he could say that he had improved, and it was a strange realisation.

"Why would you lie?" he mumbled.

The way Jungkook looked at him was familiar; surprise, but no remorse. Jimin knew that Jungkook was known for being talented in most things he tried. It was how his reputation started at the school. The way he lied was not made with simply talent, however. He had seen him lie before, and he had improved as if he had practiced it.

"See, I can tell that you recognize his name. You know who he is, but it's not because you attended his exhibition," Jimin said as Jungkook kept quiet, as if he waited for something. "You don't have to tell me if it's private, but you don't need to lie to me, Jungkook."

"You're so observant. It's rare for people to be," he said as he looked at Jimin fondly, with no detectable remorse. "I know Seokjin, and I've seen the painting. So, what do you want to discuss about it?"

There was a gnawing feeling of curiosity in the pit of his stomach at Jungkook's words. He was very vocal, never really holding back. Despite it, he never understood him. Perhaps he would have to be patient.

''Well, I didn't know it was you earlier, but now I'm that I'm certain I wanted to ask if you noticed what I did. Did you notice it in both of them, and did you see any of them before they... changed?"