Chapter Five

Jungkook couldn’t suppress the satisfaction curling in his chest as he watched Taehyung’s once bright, confident demeanor crumble day by day. The cracks Jungkook had carefully carved into his life were widening, and now it was time to chip away at what was left.

That evening, Jungkook meticulously laid out his plan. His desk was scattered with scraps of paper, scribbled notes, and an old burner phone he’d wiped clean. His thoughts churned like a storm, every angle calculated, every detail perfected.

Taehyung was vulnerable now, heartbroken and confused. He needed someone to lean on, and Jungkook would be there—always there, just enough to blur the lines between friend and savior, until Taehyung couldn’t imagine a life without him.

---

The next day, Jungkook found Taehyung sitting alone in the art room again, staring blankly at a half-finished sketch. His fingers gripped a pencil, but he didn’t move it. His shoulders were hunched, his usually radiant face etched with exhaustion.

Jungkook knocked softly on the doorframe, tilting his head with a carefully crafted look of concern. "Taehyung? Mind if I join you?"

Taehyung glanced up, the faintest flicker of relief crossing his features. "Yeah, sure."

Jungkook slid into the seat beside him, close enough that their arms brushed. He let the silence linger for a moment, studying Taehyung’s expression. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and his eyes were red-rimmed.

"You’ve been here a lot lately," Jungkook said softly, breaking the silence.

Taehyung sighed, dropping the pencil onto the table. "It’s the only place I can think straight."

Jungkook nodded, leaning forward slightly. "I get it. Sometimes it’s easier to hide from everything."

Taehyung gave a bitter laugh. "Yeah, well, hiding doesn’t solve anything."

"It doesn’t," Jungkook agreed, his voice gentle. "But talking can help. You don’t have to deal with this alone, Taehyung."

Taehyung hesitated, his fingers drumming against the table. "It’s just… I don’t get it. I didn’t do anything wrong, Jungkook. I don’t even know where that phone came from. And now Eunji thinks I’m some kind of cheater."

Jungkook’s heart raced, but his expression remained carefully neutral. He reached out, resting a hand on Taehyung’s arm. "Maybe… maybe someone’s trying to mess with you."

Taehyung frowned, his gaze snapping to Jungkook. "What do you mean?"

"I don’t know," Jungkook said, his voice hesitant. "But think about it. That phone wasn’t yours, right? And those texts… they don’t sound like something you’d write. What if someone planted it to make you look bad?"

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed as he considered the possibility. "But… who would do that?"

Jungkook shrugged, letting his gaze drop. "I don’t know. Maybe someone jealous? Someone who wanted to cause problems between you and Eunji?"

Taehyung ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched into his features. "That doesn’t make sense. Why would anyone care enough to do that?"

Jungkook bit his lip, as if debating whether to say what was on his mind. Finally, he sighed. "I… I probably shouldn’t say this, but… Eunji’s really popular, right? Maybe someone didn’t like that she was with you. Or…" He hesitated, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Maybe someone wanted her for themselves."

The idea hung in the air, sinking its claws into Taehyung’s mind. Jungkook watched the gears turn, the doubt taking root.

"I don’t know," Taehyung muttered, shaking his head. "It just… doesn’t make sense."

Jungkook gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "Sometimes people don’t need a reason to hurt others, Taehyung. They just do."

---

Over the next week, Jungkook’s manipulation became more insidious. He spent more time with Taehyung, always there when the other boy needed a shoulder to lean on. He made sure to be attentive, offering quiet words of encouragement when Taehyung doubted himself, subtle touches to remind him he wasn’t alone.

At the same time, Jungkook began feeding small, poisonous lies to Eunji. He used a second burner phone, sending her messages that seemed like they could only come from Taehyung.

> I don’t know why you’re so upset. Maybe if you weren’t so insecure, we wouldn’t be having these problems.

> You’re being so dramatic. Honestly, I think we need a break. Maybe it’s for the best.

Every message was calculated to drive the wedge deeper, to make her believe Taehyung wasn’t the man she thought he was.

By the time Eunji finally confronted Taehyung in the school courtyard, her voice ringing with anger and betrayal, the damage was done.

"I can’t believe you, Taehyung!" she shouted, tears streaming down her face. "You’re not even sorry, are you?"

Taehyung stared at her, bewildered. "Eunji, I don’t even know what you’re talking about!"

"Don’t lie to me!" she screamed, shoving her phone in his face. "These messages—how can you deny them?"

Taehyung grabbed the phone, his eyes scanning the texts. His face paled as he read them, his hands trembling. "I… I didn’t send these. Eunji, you have to believe me."

"Why should I?" she snapped, her voice breaking. "You’ve lied to me before. I don’t even know who you are anymore."

She stormed off, leaving Taehyung standing alone in the courtyard, his shoulders slumping as the weight of the situation crushed him.

From a distance, Jungkook watched, his lips curling into a small, satisfied smile.

---

That evening, Jungkook found Taehyung sitting on the bleachers behind the school, his face buried in his hands. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the field.

Jungkook approached slowly, his footsteps soft. "Taehyung?"

Taehyung looked up, his eyes red and glassy. "Jungkook… I don’t know what to do anymore."

Jungkook sat beside him, his expression gentle. "It’s okay," he said softly. "You don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here."

Taehyung leaned against him, his breath shaky. For a moment, Jungkook let himself savor the closeness, the way Taehyung’s body pressed against his.

This was what he had been waiting for. Taehyung was his now—broken, vulnerable, and completely unaware of the strings Jungkook was pulling behind the scenes.

And soon, Jungkook would tighten those strings until there was no way out.

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