Chapter 95

Later That Day, With tae and Jungkook.

They both were in the gaming room, palying. “Ahhh, hyung! This is not fair at all you cheated again!” Jungkook whined at Taehyung as he won yet another round.

Taehyung chuckled, leaning back with a smug grin. “I’m not cheating, Kook. You lost, and I won. Those are just the facts, you know?” he said sarcastically, making Jungkook glare at him with his signature pout.

Taehyung laughed at the sight. “I’ll win this time for sure, Mr. Kim Taehyung,” Jungkook huffed, clearly sulking.

Tae blinked in disbelief, pretending to be offended. “Yah, you brat! Today I’m not going to let you off, double bunny!” he said before lunging forward and tickling Jungkook without mercy.

Jungkook burst out laughing, writhing on the couch. His laughter filled the house, bright and genuine the kind of sound that could chase away shadows.

At the corner of the table, Taehyung’s phone buzzed and rang twice, but he didn’t notice. Two missed calls from Jin.

“Ah, hyung, hyung! Mianhae, mianhae!” Jungkook gasped between fits of laughter.

“You little brat. I’m four years older than you,” Taehyung said, trying to sound serious.

Jungkook stood up, bowed dramatically, and said, “Nae, nae, sure, Mr. Harabeoji!”

Tae scoffed. “You’re gone today, Kim Jungkook!” he said, but Jungkook had already dashed out of the gaming room, giggling.

Tae chased after him, both of them running through the hallways, laughing like kids. Jungkook hurried down the stairs, still chuckling.

“Yah, Kook! Don’t run on the stairs!” Tae shouted, but Jungkook was already halfway down, flopping dramatically onto the couch.

“You lost, Harabeoji!” he yelled from downstairs, smirking up at Tae.

“Wait right there. I’m coming down in a minute then I’ll show you who lost,” Tae warned, pretending to be serious.

Jungkook laughed, ready to run again, but froze mid-step. The smile fell from his face the moment he saw who was standing in front of him.

It was Kim and Hyunwoo. Jungkook’s throat tightened. The air seemed to vanish. His heartbeat rose. He bowed, his hands trembling slightly.

Kim’s voice was low, sharp, bitter. “You look so happy.” Jungkook said nothing, keeping his eyes on the floor.

Taehyung came downstairs, still smiling, until he saw them. His grin vanished instantly. His gaze darted to Jungkook the boy’s face had gone pale, his eyes dim and distant.

Tae’s fists clenched. He wanted nothing more than to grab Kim by the collar and demand answers to scream at him for everything he’d done. But he forced himself to stay calm, jaw tightening.

Kim turned slightly toward them, his tone unreadable. “You both are here. Where’s Jin?”

“He’s at work,” Tae replied, his voice cold and clipped. “Oh.” Kim’s response was flat.

Just then, footsteps echoed down the hall. Jin appeared. “Oh, you guys are here,” he said, forcing a polite smile.

Kim met Jin’s eyes briefly, and Jin bowed slightly. He noticed Tae’s tense shoulders and Jungkook’s uneasy posture his little brother’s hands were twisting the hem of his shirt.

Without a word, Kim walked away toward his room. Hyunwoo sighed softly and stepped closer to Jungkook. “You good, kook? Why are you sweating?” he asked gently.

“I… I was running. That’s why,” Jungkook mumbled.

Hyunwoo patted his shoulder. “You sure?,” he aksed voice concerned. Jungkook nodded.

He turned to Tae. “Why do you look so serious, bear” he asked.

“Ah, nothing. But you could’ve told us before coming,” Tae replied, trying to sound casual again.

Hyunwoo laughed. “And what would you have done if I did, huh? Thrown a big welcome party?”

Tae grinned, the tension easing slightly. “Maybe I would’ve,  for my beloved samchoon.”

Hyunwoo chuckled, shaking his head. Jin finally approached, glancing at Jungkook. “You okay, Kook? What’s wrong?” he asked softly.

“Nothing,” Jungkook said quickly, forcing a small smile. “You sure?” Jin asked again. Jungkook nodded, still pretending to smile.

“Alright. Samchoon, at least stay for dinner. I’ll ask the maids to prepare something,” Jin offered.

“Ani, I should get going,” Hyunwoo said. “If I don’t, Jimin will kill me, you know him.” He laughed lightly. Tae chuckled. “Yeah, good luck with that, samchon.”

Hyunwoo grinned, waved goodbye, and left. As soon as the door closed, Jin turned to Tae. “Why weren’t you picking up my calls?”

“You called me? I didn’t see it I was with Jungkook,” Tae said.

Jin sighed. Meanwhile, Jungkook sat quietly, lost in thought. Fear crawled under his skin, cold and suffocating.

What if he finds out that they know? What if Kim realizes they’ve known all along? He’ll punish me again. Please… no. Not again.

“Kookah!” Jin’s voice broke through his spiraling thoughts. “Huh?” Jungkook blinked.

“Where are lost?” Jin asked, his tone gentle.  Jungkook shook his head while, sitting down on the couch.

Jin and Tae exchanged a look before both moved closer to him. Jin reached out and held Jungkook’s hand. “You look nervous. What’s wrong, hmm?” he asked softly.

“I… I’m not,” Jungkook said quietly. “Aniyo, you are,” Tae said. “You were an energetic bunny just a minute ago. Now you’re a sad bunny.”

Jungkook shook his head again. “I’m fine.” “You can tell us, Kook. We’re here,” Jin said gently. “What happened suddenly?”

Jungkook hesitated, eyes flickering between them. “W… will you talk to Kim?”

Both Tae and Jin looked confused. “About what?” Tae asked. “About me,” Jungkook whispered. “Me being in the mafia… and all that.”

The air went still. Tae’s jaw tightened, his anger barely contained. Jin exhaled slowly.

“Of course we should talk to him,” Jin said calmly. “But not now. Don’t worry. Nothing will happen even if he finds out we know. Alright?”

Jungkook’s eyes widened in panic. “No! Please don’t ask him!” he said immediately.

“Why shouldn’t we?” Tae demanded. “He made your life hell by dragging you into that world! How can we just stay quiet?”

Jungkook shook his head frantically. “No… don’t. Please.” “Why?” Jin asked softly.

Jungkook wanted to say because he’ll kill me, but the words caught in his throat. His heart pounded painfully.

“h-he might get angry,” he managed to whisper.

“Even if he does, we don’t care,” Tae said firmly. “We’ll ask him. You’re not alone this time, Jungkook.”

But Jungkook couldn’t bring himself to believe it. He stayed silent, his throat tight.

Then footsteps. Heavy, familiar.

It was kim, now dressed in casual clothes. “Let’s eat,” he said simply. Jin stood up, nodding. “Let’s eat,” he siad to Jungkook and tae.

Jungkook swallowed hard and went silently.

Before Tae could move, Jin held his arm. “Tae control yourself. Don’t fight with him. I’ll handle this. Just be normal, hmm?”

Tae’s jaw clenched. “How can I, hyung? He made Jungkook’s life hell. You know what that world is like I opposed you joining it too! And now he’s done the same to Kook. I can’t just act normal after everything he’s done.”

He pulled his arm free and walked away toward the dining room, leaving Jin sighing behind him.  

The four of them sat for dinner.
The atmosphere was heavy,bso quiet that even the faint clinking of cutlery sounded loud. No one spoke. Everyone ate in silence.

“Did Jeon Seonah meet you?” Kim finally broke the silence, his gaze still fixed on his plate. “Yes, she did,” Jin replied calmly. “She invited for the  party.”

“Hmmm. This weekend, right?” Kim asked. Jin hummed in response.

“We’re all going,” Kim declared at last, looking up at Jin. “All means?” Jin asked. “All means all, including the maknaes” Kim said. Jin griitting his teeth in anger, “No. Taehyung, Jimin, and Jungkook will not come,” Jin said firmly.

“Why?” Kim asked, chewing slowly. “They just won’t,” Jin repeated, his tone unbending.

“They will come. That’s final.” Kim’s voice turned sharp, dominant. “Why? Why should they?” Jin’s voice rose.

Jungkook looked between them, confused. It was the first time he’d ever seen them clash like this. Taehyung didn’t even glance up, he just kept his eyes on his plate, completely silent. Like he always did. Honestly? This wasn’t the first time for him though!

“There’s no reason,” Kim said coldly. “She invited all of us, so we’re going.” Jin gritted his teeth and clenched his fists beneath the table. “Are you not satisfied with what happened last time? Still not satisfied?” he shot back, sarcasm and bitterness lacing his voice.

Kim’s patience snapped. He slammed his hand on the table, making Jungkook flinch slightly. Taehyung still didn’t move.

“I’ve had enough of you, Seokjin,” Kim hissed. “Jungkook, meet me in my office. And Seokjin, they will come. That’s an order.”

With that, he stormed off furiously. Jungkook’s heartbeat quickened. Jin sighed in frustration, running his hand through his hair. Jungkook stood to leave, but Taehyung’s calm voice stopped him. “Eat and go, Kook.”

“Ahhh… ani, hyung. I’m full,” Jungkook said, forcing a small smile. “Finish it, Kook. Taehyung, you too,” Jin said quietly as he resumed eating.

Something about Jin’s calm tone made Jungkook swallow nervously. He sat down again and continued eating without a word. Taehyung also started to eat.

When Jungkook finished, he left the table silently.

Taehyung glanced at Jin. “You asked me to act normal, and here you arebalready fighting with him.”

Jin chuckled bitterly. “I don’t know why I’m always bound to fight with him,” he muttered. Taehyung didn’t reply. The two brothers sat quietly, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, with Kim

In his office, Kim sat behind his desk, flipping through a stack of files. The fire was burning in the chimney.

A soft knock broke the silence. “Come in,” he said without looking up.

The door opened, revealing Jungkook. He stepped in and bowed slightly.

Kim pushed a file across the table toward him. “Take it. This is your next project. You’ll work with Michael on this. I don’t want anyone to know about it. Handle the documents without leaving a single trace, understood?”

“nae,” Jungkook said, voice calm. “I’ll handle your hyungs and the security,” Kim added, watching him closely.

Jungkook only nodded. Kim leaned back in his chair, pulling out a cigarette. The faint crackle of the lighter filled the silence before the air grew heavy with smoke. Jungkook took a small step back, he had always hated that smell.

“Are you aware of what happened that day when you fainted?” Kim asked suddenly.

Jungkook froze. Didn’t know what to say. He just stayed silent.

“You could’ve been caught by the rivals that day,” Kim said bitterly, his gaze hardening. “And your hyungs might have found out about you being in the mafia. JJK”

Jungkook’s expression was unreadable, but his heartbeat started to race. Sweat gathered at his temples.

“Or maybe they already know,” Kim said coldly. “Right, Kook?” Jungkook stayed silent.

“You know what I’ll do if they get to know about you right kook,” Kim warned, his tone ice-cold.

Jungkook nodded, no expression in our but inner him was panicking.. “Use your damn mouth when you talk to me!” Kim suddenly shouted.

“nae,” Jungkook said, startled.

“I want you to start tomorrow. Tell your hyungs whatever excuse you want. No work in the daytime, only at night. Discuss it wherever you like.”

“Yes,” Jungkook replied softly. There was completely silence for a while.

Kim puffed another cloud of smoke, then said, “You seem happy these days.” Jungkook didn’t know how to respond. He fidgeted with his fingers behind his back.

“You know, right?” Kim said quietly, his tone turning cruel. “You don’t deserve to be happy. You can’t be happy. How can you even smile when you’ve killed everyone who ever loved you? You’ve made them suffer, made everyone around you suffer. Don’t you feel ashamed, being such a curse?”

Jungkook stayed silent for a moment before finally speaking. “I can never be happy when you’re around me, Kim.” His voice was calm but full of quiet hurt. He met Kim’s eyes directly, unflinching.

Kim raised an eyebrow, then let out a bitter chuckle, “What are you trying to saym that you deserve to be happy if I was not there around you?” he mocked. “Whenever you smile, remember the smile of the person you killed with your own hands. And yes, you’re right, you can’t be happy around me… because you don’t deserve to be.”

Kim’s glare cut deep. Jungkook’s breath hitched, but his pain quickly turned into anger.

“Why? Why do you hate me this much, huh?” Jungkook’s voice trembled, but he shouted anyway. “You’re a monster, Kim! I hate you too! I don’t know your reason, but I have mine. I have every damn reason to fucking hate you! I hate you to the very fucking core of my heart!”

Kim froze. His expression shifted. Then he gritted his teeth and crushed the cigarette into the ashtray with force. He stormed toward Jungkook, grabbing him by the collar, then by the neck. In a flash, Jungkook’s back hit the wall hard.

“You want to know why I hate you?” Kim spat, his voice shaking with fury. “You remind me of her! Your eyes, your face, everything about you reminds me of her! I get angry every time I see you, every time you look at me with those eyes. Don’t you dare look at me with those eyes again!”

His hand tightened around Jungkook’s throat. Jungkook struggled to breathe, his face flushing red. But he didn’t fight back, didn’t even raise a hand.

“W-Why don’t you just k-kill me t-th-then?” Jungkook choked out, his voice breaking, eyes burning with pain.

Kim froze. The look in Jungkook’s eyes, those same eyes that once belonged to Yoona, stabbed through him like a knife. He jerked his hand away suddenly, as if burned.

“Get out,” Kim barked, his voice raw. “Before I do something.”

Jungkook coughed hard, clutching his throat, gasping for air. His chest rose and fell rapidly. He glanced up at Kim, who had turned away, his fists clenched at his sides.

“Why?” Jungkook’s voice cracked. “Why don’t you just kill me? You hate me, don’t you? Then do it! Why don’t you just kill me, huh?!”

Kim’s patience broke completely. He grabbed the scissor from his desk, stormed toward Jungkook, and shoved him against the wall again.

Jungkook froze as Kim raised the scissors, bringing them up fast, then stopped just an inch away from Jungkook’s eye.

The sharp metal glinted under the dim light. Jungkook’s breath caught; his eyes widened, terrified. Scared.

Kim stared into those trembling eyes again… and dropped the scissors. They hit the floor with a dull clang.

Jungkook’s tense body loosened, his hands shaking uncontrollably.

“I see,” Kim said coldly. “You’re scared to die, but desperate for it too, aren’t you? You should’ve seen yourself. You’re pathetic, Jungkook. Absolutely pitiful.”

Jungkook said nothing, still struggling to catch his breath. Kim turned his back on him. “Don’t get close to anyone,” he said flatly. “You’ll only hurt them. You’ll ruin their lives, just like you’ve ruined everything else.”

Jungkook’s vision blurred. His throat burned, but he refused to let the tears fall. He simply bowed his head, picked up the document from the desk, and walked out of the room without another word.

He shut the door behind him. He locked it immediately, leaning against it for a moment before his knees almost gave out.

He threw the file somewhere across the roomm it landed with a dull thud on the floor.

He stumbled into the bathroom. The mirror reflected a pale face, sweat glistening on his skin, eyes red and tired. He stared at his reflection for a long moment, then sighed shakily and splashed cold water on his face.

When he returned to bed, he opened the drawer, took out a small bottle of pills, and swallowed one silently. Then he grabbed his phone, put on his headphones, turned off the lights, and lay down. He closed his eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come.

Kim’s words echoed endlessly in his head. Each one stung like a blade.

He wanted to cry. He wanted to scream to shout until his voice broke. He wanted to be free from everything that hurt him. But he couldn’t.

The thought that everyone around him hated him made him hate himself even more.

He didn’t like this version of himself, weak, pitiful, sick. He hated feeling like a burden. He hated existing.

Just a few hours ago, he had been laughing, smiling without thinking.
Now he was questioning whether he even deserved to smile at all.

He felt like nothing. Like no one.
Just a shadow, a curse, a mistake.

He wanted to disappear. To become invisible.

He had finally begun to understand his hyungs’ love and care… yet now he doubted if he even deserved that.

When would he finally feel like he deserved anything at all?

Happy diwali guys!! 💓✨ I was bursting the crackers, then, in fifteen minutes i wrote that last part and just updated!

As you guys were waiting i updated!

Anyway how was it? Good? Bad? Boring? Intresting? Just comment it guys!

And do you feel like I am rushing the things? Or it’s not engaging? Just asking so pls tell.

And guys! I am 15 now! I am freaking 15! It’s been 10 days since I turned 15 😆. Am getting old! Ahhh I don’t want to grow! 😭

Anyway I want to make this clear guys! Most of you thought I going to end this story when I said there’s only 8 chapters to go!

I said that for the 100th chapter! I said you all should tell your thoughts about the character before the 100th chapter so I could make a separate chapter for it and put it for the intro. You all thought I am going to end the story.

There is sooooo many things to get revealed still. As i said in some chapters, the story is just beginning. Our KIM YOONSEONG just entered the game guys! Now the game started.

I don’t know how many chapters are still there but I swear there is soo much things in my head! I think I will finish this chapter when I turn 60! Haha because of my slow updates maybe!

Anyway happy diwali once again! Be safe with your crackers! Enjoy happily!

Comment a lot! Love you all!