[Contest] Friends are not enough

You're starting to become conscious

As we walked along the playground, we were in silence.

No, I couldn't say anything.

김태형

Wow, you're even walking me to class even though you're not my boyfriend. What a nice friend!

As soon as Jeon Jungkook brought me to class, Kim Taehyung suddenly popped out and started making fun of Jeon Jungkook.

나

Jungkook always takes me places. It's been a habit since I was little.

김태형

Isn't it time you broke that habit? You're not a child who can't find your way, are you?

I couldn't understand why Kim Taehyung was talking so harshly to me, why he was putting Jeon Jungkook down while suffering the loss himself.

I barely managed to turn Jungkook around, who looked like he was about to knock Taehyung out. And then I forcibly kicked him out of my class.

I didn't mean to, but the situation was so urgent that my fingernails left a gash on the back of Jeon Jungkook's hand. I looked at him, startled by the stinging pain.

However, Jeon Jungkook was looking at the hand I was holding.

전정국

...don't let go of my hand.

나

Oh, I'm sorry!

Startled, I let go of Jeon Jungkook's hand. Jeon Jungkook stared at the scratches in silence and opened his mouth.

전정국

Don't worry, we won't fight where you are.

나

Still... I'm afraid you'll get hurt.

전정국

It's nice that you're worried about me.

Jeon Jungkook smiled brightly at me, as if he was genuinely happy.

...again. This strange, ticklish, exciting feeling.

전정국

What the heck, why are you spacing out?

나

Huh...? Oh, no...

That feeling didn't last long because Jeon Jungkook came up to me and spoke to me in a familiar way.

Jeon Jungkook playfully ruffled my hair, then dusted himself off and headed to his class. It seemed he meant it when he said he wouldn't fight.

As I entered the classroom, I saw Kim Taehyung staring at me, and Joohyun standing in front of him, looking terrified. It seemed like Kim Taehyung was bullying Joohyun.

All the kids in the class were terrified, and no one dared step forward. As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, I decided I needed to step forward, so I took Joohyun's hand and made her stand behind me.

김태형

what.

나

What's going on that makes the class atmosphere so tense?

김태형

Why are you meddling when you don't even know?

Kim Taehyung's voice was low and hoarse, as if he was very angry. Honestly, I was a little scared. I'd only heard rumors, but this was my first time seeing Kim Taehyung's fierce expression in person.

But I couldn't back down. Joohyun was behind me, her hand gripping my collar, trembling with fear.

김태형

Hey, Kim Yeo-ju. You don't seem to know anything.

배주현

Tae... Taehyung. I was wrong...

As soon as he heard Joohyun's apology, Kim Taehyung seemed to get even angrier, roughly brushing his hair and leaving the class.

I didn't know exactly what was going on, but it was definitely serious. Joohyun, perhaps relieved of her tension, immediately collapsed on the floor and cried as soon as Kim Taehyung left. I tried to comfort her.

나

Why is Kim Taehyung so angry?

It's only been a short time since I've seen him, but the Kim Taehyung I know isn't the type to get angry for no reason. He might have been a bit playful, but there had to be a reason for him to get so angry.

배주현

Ah... no. I really didn't do anything wrong... I was just talking to the kids and then all of a sudden...

Joohyun started crying again, so I had no choice but to give up asking. Still, the uneasy feeling didn't ease easily.