Time ➳ BTS

18 | Emerald gaze

"Uhm... nothing?" you replied, your voice wavering as it came out more like a question than an answer. Internally, you cursed yourself for sounding so stupid.

Jihoon laughed at your panicked expression, seeming to enjoy your discomfort. You raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his cocky demeanor, so different from the Jihoon you knew from the movie night.

Chansook suddenly pointed a finger at him. "Since when did you wear contact lenses?"

You turned to the male and noticed his eyes were now forest green, a detail that had escaped you until now. His usual eye color was absent, replaced by these vivid green contacts, making you wonder what prompted the sudden change.

Jihoon chuckled, a mischievous glint in his green eyes. "Oh, these? Just thought I'd try something new," he said casually. "Why, do they bother you?"

You and Chansook exchanged wary glances, both of you feeling unsettled by this unfamiliar version of Jihoon.

He wasn't saying the truth.

"Why are you here?" you asked, trying to break the awkward silence.

Jihoon scoffed, an action that made Chansook's eyes widen in surprise. You glanced at her, confused by her reaction. She leaned closer and whispered in your ear, "The Jihoon I know does not scoff, ever."

Sensing her slipping into a defensive mode, you grabbed her wrist gently, trying to keep her calm and seated beside you. Not wanting to escalate the situation, you looked back at Jihoon with a polite smile. "Would you please go back to doing your job? We all have things to do."

Jihoon's lips curled into a scowl as he stood up, towering over both of you. You tried to inch away, but with Chansook glued to your side, it wasn't really possible.

Jihoon placed both of his hands on the table and leaned in, bringing his face uncomfortably close to yours. Chansook instinctively moved you behind her, now standing face to face with Jihoon. He smirked cockily at her.

"Are you scared, my lady?" he whispered seductively, causing you to nearly choke on your spit. However, Chansook remained unfazed, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the man in front of her.

"You," she said in a low, dangerous tone, barely audible to you. "You are not Jihoon."

His smirk widened, a chilling glint in his eyes. "Oh? And what makes you say that?"

Chansook stood her ground, her gaze unwavering. "The real Jihoon would never act like this. Who are you really?"

Jihoon burst out laughing, holding his stomach with one hand while keeping the other on the table for balance. A few workers glanced over, curious about the sudden outburst.

You felt a wave of discomfort wash over you. After a few moments, Jihoon stopped laughing and wiped away a few stray tears, looking at Chansook with a mocking smile. "What do you mean? I'm Kwon Jihoon, your best friend since high school. Can't you recognize your own best friend?"

Chansook shifted uncomfortably in her seat, biting her lip as she remained silent for a few seconds. Uneasiness was written all over her face. "Well, I do, but... you've never acted this... bold before."

Ignoring her words, Jihoon abruptly stood up, slipping his hands into his pants pockets. He cocked an eyebrow, staring down at her. "Things change, don't they?"

Chansook's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she held her ground. "Yes, things do change. But this change in you... it feels wrong."

Jihoon's smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating look. "Maybe you just don't know me as well as you think you do," he said, his tone dangerously soft. "Or maybe I've just been hiding my true self."