RED STRING REWRITTEN

22

From a distance, Jungkook stood near the faculty building, his sharp eyes narrowing. He had been watching Gemini for days, noticing the way he hovered around Fourth, never daring to push too close but never staying away either. His gut twisted.

Finally, Jungkook walked forward, footsteps heavy, until he reached Gemini.

Jungkook (sternly): “Gemini.”

Gemini stiffened. He turned, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of his older brother’s unreadable face.

Gemini (softly): “Hyung…”

Jungkook crossed his arms, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Jungkook: “Don’t ‘hyung’ me. I’ve seen you these past few days—hanging around, watching him. Don’t tell me you’re still trying to approach Fourth i told you to stay away from him gem.”

Gemini’s lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t answer immediately, which only deepened Jungkook’s frown.

Jungkook (raising his voice slightly): “You swore to me you’d leave him alone when everything came out. Do you even realize what you put him through? And now you’re hovering around like nothing happened—”

Gemini (interrupting, firm): “It’s not like nothing happened, hyung. I know what I did. I know the pain I caused him.”

Jungkook’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening.

Jungkook: “Then why are you still trying? Why can’t you just let him be? He doesn’t need you messing him up again.”

Gemini’s fists clenched, his heart pounding, but his voice came out steady, almost defiant.

Gemini: “Because he gave me a chance.”

Jungkook blinked, startled.

Jungkook: “What?”

Gemini took a step closer, his eyes burning with raw determination.

Gemini: “Fourth… he agreed. He gave me rules to follow. Strict rules. And I promised I’d follow them. Hyung, he didn’t push me away completely. He’s testing me. And I won’t fail this time.”

Jungkook’s brows furrowed, disbelief flashing in his eyes.

Jungkook (incredulous): “Rules? He gave you rules? After everything?”

Gemini (nodding, voice trembling but firm): “Yes. No lies. No masks. No forcing him. Just truth. Just actions. And I swear, hyung, I’ll keep them. Every single one.”

Jungkook studied him, his chest heavy. For a moment, he saw the Gemini who used to laugh carelessly, hide behind arrogance. But now… his little brother’s eyes carried something different—raw guilt, but also something unshakable.

Jungkook (coldly): “You think it’ll be that easy? That just because he gave you rules, he’ll trust you again? Trust isn’t something you buy with promises, Gemini.”

Gemini’s voice cracked, but he didn’t back down.

Gemini: “I don’t expect it to be easy. I don’t want easy. I just want a chance to prove I’m not the same coward who hurt him before. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to earn even the smallest piece of his trust back.”

Jungkook’s throat tightened. He hated how sincere Gemini sounded, hated how much it reminded him of the way Fourth had cried into his arms nights ago.

Jungkook (angry, frustrated): “And what if you fail again? What if you break him again, huh? Do you realize how fragile he is, Gemini? Do you even understand what it means to hold someone like him in your hands?”