Chapter Two

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the cracked blinds of Jungkook's new bedroom, painting the barren walls with streaks of light. He stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the tie of his freshly ironed uniform. His hands trembled slightly—not out of fear, but anticipation. Today, everything would change.

Gone was the bruised, broken boy trapped in a decaying house. Here stood Jungkook, a clean slate, ready to reinvent himself. He smoothed back his dark hair and practiced a shy, disarming smile in the mirror. It wasn’t hard to fake innocence when your face looked like his—soft, delicate features, big doe eyes, and a charmingly nervous aura. Nobody would suspect the darkness that simmered beneath the surface.

The shadows had been quieter since that night. They lingered, sure, but they were satiated, as if his uncle’s blood had bought him some peace. For now.

The school was massive, its towering gates opening to a sprawling campus that buzzed with activity. Students hurried to and fro, their chatter blending into a cacophony that filled the air. Jungkook clutched his backpack straps tightly and forced himself to look unsure, timid. It didn’t take long for the other students to notice him.

"Hey, are you new here?" A girl with bright eyes and an easy smile stopped in front of him. Her gaze flickered over him, assessing but not unkind. "You look kinda lost."

Jungkook nodded, letting his gaze drop to the ground like he was too shy to meet her eyes. "Yeah… I just transferred here."

She smiled wider, extending a hand. "I'm Soojin. Nice to meet you."

Before he could respond, another voice cut in. Deep, smooth, and commanding. "Soojin, don’t overwhelm the poor guy."

Jungkook turned toward the voice, and his breath hitched.

There he was. Kim Taehyung.

Taehyung was taller than most of the boys Jungkook had seen, his sharp jawline and piercing eyes giving him an almost otherworldly presence. His uniform hung loosely on his lean frame, the top button undone in a way that seemed effortlessly rebellious. He smiled at Jungkook, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away.

"I’m Taehyung," he said, holding out his hand. His voice was warm, friendly, but there was something about it that made Jungkook’s pulse quicken. "Welcome to our school."

Jungkook hesitated, just for a moment, before taking his hand. Taehyung’s grip was firm, his skin warm against Jungkook’s cold fingers. Their eyes met, and Jungkook felt something stir deep within him—something dark and possessive.

"Jungkook," he said softly, his voice almost a whisper.

"Nice to meet you, Jungkook," Taehyung said, releasing his hand and gesturing toward the school building. "Come on, I’ll show you around."

As they walked through the halls, Taehyung pointed out the different classrooms, the cafeteria, the library. Jungkook barely registered the words. He was too focused on the way Taehyung’s lips moved, the way his hands gestured animatedly when he spoke.

And then, she appeared.

"Taehyung!" A girl’s voice rang out, bright and cheerful. She jogged up to them, her long hair bouncing with each step. She was beautiful, with a radiant smile that lit up the hallway. She slid her arm around Taehyung’s waist and leaned into him, her gaze flickering to Jungkook with polite curiosity.

"This is my girlfriend, Eunji," Taehyung said, smiling down at her.

Jungkook’s heart sank, but he forced a smile. "Nice to meet you."

Eunji smiled back. "Welcome to our school! I hope Taehyung hasn’t been boring you with his terrible jokes."

Taehyung laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "Hey, my jokes are great."

They continued to banter, their chemistry undeniable. Jungkook watched them, his mind racing. The way Taehyung looked at her, the way his hand rested casually on her hip—it made Jungkook’s stomach churn.

But he didn’t let it show. Instead, he laughed along with them, playing the part of the shy, innocent boy. Inside, though, the shadows stirred, their whispers returning, faint but insistent.

"She’s in the way," they hissed.

Jungkook clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He wouldn’t act now. No, he had to be patient. He had to plan.

By the end of the day, Jungkook had cemented himself as the new, sweet boy everyone wanted to befriend. He had charmed his teachers, impressed his classmates, and, most importantly, secured a seat at Taehyung and Eunji’s lunch table.

As they laughed and talked, Jungkook’s gaze lingered on Taehyung. His mind was already working, already calculating.

He would get what he wanted. He always did.

And if that meant destroying Eunji in the process, so be it.

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