The corridor felt colder than usual.
Tahee walked calmly, but her thoughts weren't as light as before.
"…That class was fun."
A pause.
"…But why did the teacher react like that?"
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"…And why was everyone coughing like they were dying?"
"You really don't know?"
She stopped.
That voice—
Jungkook.
Leaning against the wall, arms crossed.
Waiting.
Tahee sighed softly.
"You again."
"…Why is he everywhere?"
Jungkook pushed himself off the wall, walking toward her slowly.
"Enjoyed your class?"
His tone was calm.
Too calm.
Tahee blinked.
"…It was fine."
"…Very fine."
Silence.
Jungkook stopped in front of her.
Close.
Not too close—
But enough to feel his presence.
"Fine?"
A faint pause.
His gaze lowered slightly.
"To the point you couldn't stop thinking about him?"
Tahee froze.
Just for a second.
"…Again?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"What are you talking about?"
Jungkook didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He stepped closer.
Now—
Too close.
Tahee's heartbeat stuttered.
"…Why is he doing this again?"
His voice dropped slightly.
"Your thoughts," he said quietly,
A pause.
"Are very distracting."
Silence.
Tahee stared at him.
"…This again."
But this time—
She didn't brush it off immediately.
Something in his tone—
Felt real.
Too real.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"…You keep saying that."
A pause.
"…Why?"
For a moment—
Jungkook didn't answer.
His gaze stayed on her.
Deep.
Unreadable.
Then—
He spoke.
"Because it's true."
Her breath caught.
Just slightly.
"…No."
Her mind rejected it instantly.
"…That's impossible."
She looked away first.
"…You're imagining things."
Her voice was calm.
But not as steady as before.
Jungkook noticed.
Of course he did.
A faint silence passed.
Then—
His voice softened.
"Then stop testing people."
Tahee's eyes snapped back to him.
"…Testing?"
A pause.
"…I'm not—"
But she stopped.
Because—
Deep down—
She wasn't sure anymore.
Jungkook watched her carefully.
Then—
He stepped back.
Creating distance again.
"Just be careful," he said quietly.
A pause.
"Not everyone will stay silent."
Silence.
Tahee stood there.
Still.
"…Not everyone?"
A face flashed in her mind.
Calm.
Sharp.
Asher.
Her expression tightened slightly.
"…So it's not just him."
For the first time—
A real crack appeared in her confidence.
Small.
But dangerous.
Jungkook turned to leave.
But paused for a moment.
Without looking back—
He added quietly:
"And not everyone will be patient."
Then he walked away.
Leaving Tahee alone.
With her thoughts.
And for the first time—
They didn't feel completely safe anymore.