RED STRING REWRITTEN

9

Gemini (harshly):
"Pick it up. Faster."

(Fourth bends down quietly, picking up his books. But just then, footsteps echo. Dunk and Phuwin appear at the edge of the wall, faces tense. They had followed him. Before they can call out, Joong smirks and grabs Dunk's wrist.)

Joong (low, dangerous):
"Where do you think you're going?"

Dunk (snapping, pulling back):
"Let him go! Stop this nonsense!"

(Pond moves swiftly, blocking Phuwin's path. His tone is sharp, but there's a glint of unease in his eyes.)

Pond:
"You two shouldn't have come here. This isn't your fight."

Phuwin (angry, glaring):
"He's my friend. It is my fight."

(Gemini glances at them, his voice dripping with venom.)

Gemini:
"Perfect. More witnesses. Maybe I should teach all of you what happens when you cross me."

(He grabs Fourth by the collar and slams him against the wall. Fourth gasps, his body tensing in pain. Dunk struggles against Joong's hold, fury blazing in his eyes.)

Dunk (yelling):
"Let him go, Gemini! You're a coward-picking on someone who doesn't even fight back!"

(Gemini's jaw clenches. He turns to Dunk, his eyes dark.)

Gemini (cold, quiet):
"Say that again."

(Dunk glares but doesn't back down. Gemini throws Fourth to the ground and strides toward Dunk, his fists tight. But before he can reach, Pond holds him back, whispering urgently.)

Joong (low, tense):
"Gemini, enough. Don't let last night control you. This isn't-"

Gemini (snapping):
"Shut up, joong!"

(He shoves Pond's hand away and kicks Fourth's books across the dirt, pages scattering. Fourth crawls on his knees, silently gathering them, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. Phuwin's fists tremble-seeing his younger brother humiliated like this makes his chest burn with helpless anger. But before he can lunge forward, a familiar voice cuts through the air like a blade.)

(The gravel crunches under footsteps. Jungkook storms in, his breath sharp, his eyes blazing with fury. Everyone freezes. Fourth is crouched on the ground clutching his scattered books, Dunk and Phuwin are held back by Joong and Pond, and Gemini stands above them, fists clenched. Jungkook's gaze goes straight to Fourth-and his chest burns. The boy's dirt-smeared hands, his trembling shoulders-it all feels like a stab to Jungkook's heart.)

Jungkook (furious, voice shaking):
"Gemini! What the hell are you doing to him?! Are you out of your mind?!"

(Gemini stiffens, startled by the raw rage in Jungkook's voice. He tries to cover it with a smirk, but his tone wavers.)

Gemini (defensive):
"You don't understand, hyung-this is not what it looks like"

Jungkook (cutting him off, shouting):
"Understand?! That's Taehyung's brother you're hurting! Do you get that? Taehyung! The person I-"
(he stops himself, but the word almost slips)
"...the person I care about more than anything. And you dare... you dare to touch his little brother?!"

(Fourth's eyes widen. He looks at Jungkook, startled. Gemini freezes in shock, his chest lurching.)

Gemini (stammering, stunned):
"...Wait. What did you just say? Tae...tae is Taehyung? That's him? That's the one you-?"

(Jungkook's jaw tightens, but he doesn't back down. He takes a step closer, his voice low and searing.)

Jungkook (cold, firm):
"Yes. Taehyung. Fourth's brother. The one you've been hurting without even realizing it. The one who trusted me... and now, because of you, I have to watch his brother bleed. Tell me, Gemini-what right do you think you have?"