The air hadn't settled.
Not after that.
Tahee walked through the corridor, her steps calm—
But her mind…
Anything but calm.
"…Why do I feel like I just walked into something troublesome?"
Behind her—
Footsteps.
Steady. Familiar.
She didn't need to turn.
"…Of course. Him again."
Jungkook.
He walked beside her naturally.
Like it was expected.
Like it was normal.
Tahee glanced at him briefly.
"…Why does he look so calm after saying something weird like that?"
Jungkook didn't look at her.
"Stay away from him."
Straight to the point.
Tahee blinked.
"Why?"
A pause.
Jungkook's gaze shifted slightly.
"He's not simple."
"…Neither are you."
Tahee crossed her arms lightly.
"So?"
Jungkook stopped walking.
Tahee stopped too.
Slowly—
He turned to face her.
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Then—
He stepped closer.
Not too close.
But enough.
"Not everything interesting is safe," he said quietly.
Tahee held his gaze.
"…Why does that sound like a warning… and not advice?"
A faint silence stretched between them.
Then—
Her thoughts slipped again.
"…Still… both of you are dangerous in different ways."
A pause.
"…One is sharp…"
Her eyes flickered slightly.
"…And one is…"
She looked at Jungkook properly this time.
"…Annoyingly attractive."
Silence.
Jungkook's expression didn't change.
But his gaze—
Darkened.
For a brief second—
Something unreadable passed through his eyes.
Then—
He moved.
Grabbing her wrist.
Gently—
But firmly.
Tahee froze.
"…What is he doing?"
Before she could react—
He pulled her slightly forward.
Not aggressively.
Not harshly.
But enough to close the distance between them.
"Then stay where you won't get hurt," he said quietly.
Tahee's heart skipped.
"…What does that even mean?"
But before she could answer—
Another voice cut in.
"How interesting."
Both of them turned.
Asher.
Standing a few steps away.
Watching.
Calm as ever.
But his eyes—
Sharp.
Focused.
On their joined hands.
Tahee blinked.
"…Oh."
Jungkook didn't let go.
Instead—
His grip tightened slightly.
Subtle.
But intentional.
Asher noticed.
Of course he did.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Are you always this protective?" he asked casually.
Jungkook didn't answer immediately.
His gaze didn't leave Asher.
Then—
Cold. Simple.
"Yes."
Silence.
Tahee looked between them.
"…What is happening?"
The tension in the air thickened.
Invisible.
But heavy.
Asher tilted his head slightly.
"Or is it selective?"
A challenge.
Clear. Direct.
Jungkook stepped forward slightly.
Still holding Tahee.
"Does it matter?"
A pause.
Asher smiled.
"Not yet."
His gaze shifted—
Landing on Tahee.
Sharp. Curious.
"As I said before…"
A faint pause.
"You're interesting."
Tahee's lips twitched slightly.
"…Why does that sound more dangerous now?"
Asher turned.
Walking away calmly.
Like he hadn't just stirred the atmosphere.
Silence remained.
Jungkook finally let go of her wrist.
Tahee looked at him.
"…One is dangerous…"
A pause.
"…And the other…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…is getting more dangerous."
Jungkook turned to leave.
But before he could take another step-
A faint sound echoed behind them.
A quiet chuckle.
Both of them paused.
Asher stood a few steps away.
Not looking at them directly.
But listening.
Always listening.
His lips curved slightly.
Not amused.
Not surprised.
Just… interested.
Then—
Without saying a word—
He turned and walked away.
Like he had just confirmed something.
Something no one else understood yet.
Tahee watched him go.
"…Why does that feel worse than him speaking?"
Silence lingered.
And for the first time—
The game didn't feel one-sided anymore.