Cannon Fodder's Time Has Come
10
Late evening, the Jeon estate is quiet except for the soft creak of a door opening further down the hall. Taehyung, on his way out, pauses when a figure appears. Jungkook leans against the door frame, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Jeon Jungkook
[smirking] Heading off to play the knight for Minho?
Jeon Jungkook
Ready to fight for Minho's injustice?
Taehyung halts, turning his head slightly, ready to offer an explanation, but Jungkook simply waves him into his room without another word. Taehyung’s brows furrow slightly, but he obliges, stepping inside.
Jeon Jungkook
[gesturing to a velvet armchair bathed in the soft glow of a floor lamp] Sit.
Taehyung takes a seat, his movements composed. He retrieves a cigarette from his pocket, balancing it between his fingers as he leans back casually.
Kim Taehyung
Do you mind if I smoke?
His tone is polite but indifferent, as though the question is mere courtesy. The warmth of Jungkook’s room—the soft lighting, plush furnishings—makes him feel unexpectedly at ease.
Without hesitation, Jungkook strides over, plucks the cigarette from Taehyung’s fingers, and drops it into a nearby glass of milk. A sharp hiss fills the air, almost mocking in its abruptness.
For a moment, Taehyung freezes, surprise flickering across his features. No one had dared treat him with such casual disregard since he’d taken over the Kim empire. But instead of anger, he chuckles, leaning forward with his palm cradling his forehead.
Kim Taehyung
[grinning] You’re quite something, Jungkook.
Jungkook doesn’t reply, his focus shifting to the computer on his desk. The glow from the screen reflects in his sharp eyes as he types away, speaking without turning around.
Jeon Jungkook
Minho wasn’t expelled because of me.
Taehyung leans back, the humor fading from his face. His voice softens as he replies
Kim Taehyung
I know. I didn’t come here to accuse you.
Taehyung just wanted to say a few words to comfort the boy. Since the day he exposed his dark side and inner fragility, he always felt some sympathy for him, always involuntarily paid more attention to him.
Jeon Jungkook
[glancing over his shoulder after a pause] Then you already know who’s behind it.
Taehyung doesn’t respond, his gaze steady but unreadable. Jungkook turns back to his screen, the clacking of keys filling the silence once more.
Jeon Jungkook
I also wanted to tell you, I’m going abroad the day after tomorrow.
Kim Taehyung
[raising an eyebrow] Where?
Jeon Jungkook
[tapping his toe against the floor, spinning his chair slightly] With Minho to A Country. But I’ll be at Hodges Secondary School.
Jeon Jungkook
[His eyes narrow slightly as he smirks.] You know, A Country’s security isn’t great—rampant drug abuse, bad influences everywhere. You might want to keep a closer eye on Minho so he doesn’t go astray under someone else’s guidance.
Taehyung’s body stiffens ever so slightly, though his smirk remains. He chuckles lightly, masking the emotions flickering beneath his cool exterior.
Kim Taehyung
[laughing softly] Leaving the country is Minho’s choice. What does that have to do with me? Why should I keep an eye on him?
Jungkook doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, he presses the Enter key on his computer. The screen flickers, and a black-and-white photograph begins to load slowly, the room filled with the faint hum of the computer.
The image reveals a fifteen-year-old girl sitting on the grass, her arms around a four-year-old boy. The sunlight dapples the scene, and their smiles are bright, their bond evident. Taehyung’s gaze sharpens, his casual demeanor faltering for a fraction of a second. He recognizes the girl as Minho’s late mother, and the boy—a young, innocent version of himself.
Taehyung’s eyes darken, the memory dragging him back to a warmth he hadn’t felt in years, a happiness that was ripped away too soon.
Jeon Jungkook
[calmly, tilting his head] You were adopted by the Kim family, but before that, you lived in an orphanage. Minho’s mother was like a sister to you. She took care of you, didn’t she? How could you just stand by and leave her son to fend for himself?
Although Jungkook already knew everything, he did not intend to expose all the truth, such as Taehyung’s true identity. His fake identity was an orphan from A country that a couple from C country adopted, which was also his excuse to become acquainted with Minho.
Jeon Jungkook
(Smirks faintly, arms crossed) Do you remember? You and your sister always got gifts from Ms. Yang every year. New clothes, toys… all sent by my mother, Yang Hyejin.
Kim Taehyung
(staring at the photo, his expression stiff)
Jeon Jungkook
(Ironic grin) Funny how you can just forget something like that, huh? But I guess it’s easier to ignore kindness when you’re fed lies your whole life.
Kim Taehyung
(Finally looks up, voice strained) I... I’m sorry. I forgot. I was only five when the Kim family took me in. My memories of her are... blurry.
Jeon Jungkook
(Mocking smile ) Oh, I’m sure they are. But your sister’s memories? Pretty sharp, weren’t they? Sharp enough to destroy the family that saved her.
He was forced to be the villain, so to repay the system he decided that he’d live each new life at the height of morality. Although Yang Hyejin probably did not kill Minho’s mother, and she was most likely murdered by Mr Jeon, why did he have to tell him? Letting him feel guilty and conscientious meet his ultimate interests.
After Taehyung was adopted, Ms. Yang continued to support his sister, she was able to leave the harsh environment of the orphanage, studied in the best university in C country and got the opportunity to work in Jeon.
This grace was uncommon, but how did his sister return her benefactor? She destroyed the benefactor’s family, and indirectly led to the death of the benefactor.
He also had sins- not only did he never care about the benefactor’s child, he even entertained the idea of getting rid of him, just because Minho told him his sister was forced to kill herself by Yang Hyejin.
If this situation was reversed, he’d undoubtedly hate everybody involved. Taehyung wiped his face, dared not entertain that line of thought.
Kim Taehyung
(Looks down, hands trembling)I... I didn’t know.
Jeon Jungkook
(Walking to the door, his voice cold) Save your apologies, Taehyung. My mother gave to charity all the time. You weren’t special.
Kim Taehyung
(Looks up, shocked) Jungkook, I—
Jeon Jungkook
(Opens the door, cutting him off)It’s late. You should go. Don’t forget to grab your glass of milk on the way out.
Kim Taehyung
(silently picks up the glass, his steps heavy as he leaves.)
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