DEVIL IN DISGUISE [JJK▪KTH]

C H A P T E R 4

The body recovered last week was identified to be Kim Yeong-il. A pedophile that has been running from them, country to country, he has new victims. It even got to the point of human trafficking and abduction. A frustrated groan left Jungkook's lips, hand rubbing his face from annoyance and irritation. It's just the start, but the stress was already getting to him. The letter didn't help at all, and it feels like he was being toyed around. Taunted and played like a chess piece. The files and reports given to him was nothing but a useless piece of information on trying to find the psychopath.

Jungkook is tired; both physically and mentally. All he wants is to eat something and not the constant pack of ramen, and maybe lay on his bed to sleep it all out. The stain of multiple coffee mugs drying on his desk, and he doesn't even know when was the last time he had gone home early. He stretched from his position, hearing a satisfying popping sound as he woke his sleeping muscles and tendons, a silent yawn leaving his lips as he glanced at his busy surroundings. He might as well take a break while he can and eat something that will energize him, for he still has a lot of work to do till midnight.

Standing from his seat, Jungkook makes a quick detour out of the office and heads to the nearest cafe. He took a deep breath of the fresh air for the first time, glad to escape the torturous work and investigation he has to make. He opened the glass door, still entertained with the fact that the cafe's name was quite absurd for its pastel interior. The bell rings above him as he enters, the smell of fresh pastry and coffee abusing his nose as he makes his way to the counter.

"Good afternoon! Welcome to Grind For You Cafe! What would you like to order?"

"One black coffee and... maybe a banana cake. Yeah, that's all."

"May I know what's your name, sir?"

"Jungkook is alright."

"Understood. One black coffee and a slice of banana cake coming right up."

He took a seat at the farthest corner inside the cafe that was pretty packed despite the time. It was already noon, and usually, it would be empty for it was time for lunch. Jungkook was scrolling through his phone, glancing outside from time to time as he waited for his order. The weather was surprisingly calm since it has been raining for the past three days. There has been a reported typhoon heading their way, but not yet confirmed if it will enter their country.

"Order for Kim Taehyung-ssi!" the server standing in the cashier called out, making him snap his head in the direction of the said man standing from a seat, not a few tables away from him. He didn't even notice Taehyung, hiding behind his opened laptop at another corner of the shop.

"Order for Jungkook-ssi," upon hearing his name, he abruptly stands from his seat and grabs his order. He contemplates going back to his seat or going to the brunette at the corner. He still remembers the move he pulls on their first day of meeting each other, and he admits he might have cringed and regretted his actions that time the whole night he's lying on his bed.

The raven-haired was just standing there for a long time before he heard the cashier loudly clearing her throat that made him move even before realizing it.

"Is... Is this seat taken?" he nervously uttered, looking at the other with expectation in his doe eyes. Taehyung lifted his head and stared back at him, shock written across his face.

"N-No, you can take it," the brunette answered low, as if afraid that someone will hear him. He glanced back to his laptop, and Jungkook took the seat across from him. It was a little awkward, the atmosphere thick as they sat there doing their own thing.

Jungkook isn't one to do such a thing, he was more closed-off, and he doesn't even know why he is doing this. As if someone just keeps pulling him towards the other and his brains always go on autopilot. Maybe it's because he sees his Yoongi-hyung like a real older brother, and seeing Taehyung gives him the urge to protect him, but maybe also because Taehyung is mysterious. Being in this kind of field, it's only natural to study human psychology. He had mastered it early, but Taehyung is the kind of person he can't put his finger into. As if he is seeing him, but also not. He's like an empty vessel; he can't see any emotions in those eyes, even if his reactions show that he is flustered, scared, sad, or happy. A blank canvass and his hands are itching to paint on it, to put colors on the plain white surface. He was just about to open his mouth when he heard Taehyung's soft voice.