After seeing that tired look on your face, how could he ever bring himself to kill you? He had only known you for a couple of weeks, and he was certain that you loathed him for some reason, his timing on things was always the worst and he seemed to get on your nerves every single time.
But then, he began to put himself in your shoes. Somehow, he could tell that you were struggling. You were trying your best to live a normal life, but at the same time, you had to protect yourself from something that you didn't know was coming.
You didnt' know who to trust, he could see the way you struggled to interact with everyone, causing them to label you as an outcast. You were in discomfort while talking even with Taehyung and Jin who he knew you were closest with.
He knew that you needed someone, after seeing that impression in your eyes, he knew that he couldn't bring himself to kill you. He couldn't crush another person just to lift his own dreams.
And that day, he decided that he would surrender. He would tell you that he was an assassin, and that he was willing to submit and to be your protector.
It just felt like the best thing to do, it felt like it was the right thing to do.
"Why did you call me up here, Jungkook?" The coldness and bluntness of your voice had surprised him from his train of thoughts. Thoughts which surrounded you. He flashed you a small smile which you cocked an eyebrow at.
"I don't have all day, you know." You tell him, growing impatient. You hated your time being wasted.
"(Y/N), I have something to confess." Jungkook took a step towards you, you began to feel the nervousness to bubble at the seriousness of his face.
"I'm an assassin." Your eyes widened, and you reached for a knife that you had strapped against your thigh. "Wait!" His shout and the way raised his arms in the air in an expression of surrender had stopped you.
"What are you-"
"I surrender and I will commit to be your protector."
You were beginning if this was some joke, but you knew that the moment that the assassin had revealed themselves to you and you still had time to notify Jonghyun, then you were still the winner and you earned a protector.
But the thought of having Jeon Jungkook as your protector had repulsed you. You had no idea why, but the mere thought of him had caused you a lot of irritation and you loathed his presence.
"I don't need a protector." You stubbornly told him whilst straightening your position. You crossed your arms across your chest as a form of defiance towards him. "You should have just killed me."
Jungkook grits his teeth, he wasn't expecting that you would be this stubborn about it. But still, he had decided and nothing that you were going to say was going to change his mind.
"Listen, (Y/N), you need a protector."
"I do-"
"Will you listen to me?" Jungkook cuts you off in irritation, and you deepened your glare as you began to curl your hands into fist. Feeling the nail break skin for the second time.
"Does it look like I want to hear anything that you have to say." Jungkook sighs in exasperation.
"What did I do to you, (Y/N)?" He was beginning to grow frustrated with how you were acting, and he had to admit, embarrassed that you were denying his request. "Even if you don't want me to be your protector, it's part of the rules." He took a step closer to you as if to intimidate you, but your feet stayed planted against the ground.
Before you knew it, the two of you were inches apart.
"Why do you fear me?" He leaned in to whisper in your ear and you pushed him away. Glaring at him with as much force as you could.
"Do whatever the fuck you want to do," You turned on your heel and began to walk away from him. "Don't forget that I don't need you or anyone else." You walked down the stairs leading back to the hallways. Leaving Jungkook to his thoughts as he watched your retreating figure.
"So much for trying to reach out."
~'~'~'~
To say that you were annoyed was an understatement. Jungkook followed you around like a lost puppy, he still tried his best to remain quiet most of the times, but he still tried to reach out to you.
Of course, you weren't going to let him in too easily.
It was another school day with Jungkook trailing behind you. This time, he had been with Taehyung who had actively talking to him about things that you didn't bother to listen to. You were walking side by side with Jin as he explained to you about the 'awesome' cafe that he wandered into the other day.
Too bad that you already knew that you had to reject his offer to ever hangout outside.
"(Y/N)!" Your head turned towards the direction where the voice had come from, it was from in front of you and there you saw your brother being followed by two other boys. It didn't take you long to realize who they were.
"Jae-sun," you politely greet him and offer a small smile. The two of you haven't bumped into each other lately, actually, you had been purposely avoiding him. This time, you hadn't paid enough attention to your surroundings so you didn't see him coming.
He smiles brightly at you, you could see a few females glancing towards direction and sighing at the sight of him. You rolled your eyes at their action before turning back to him.
"You look like you're doing well." You could tell that his words weren't exactly truthful. Each candidate was being notified whenever someone had a protector or gained one. Your brother was taking the lead with 2, you and Daniel having one each, while Seulgi struggled with none.
You were lowkey glad that Jungkook was stubborn. But you wouldn't ever admit that you were going to accept him as your protector. It would only feed his ego.
"I am, you look like you are too." You just wanted to walk away and not talk to your brother. You wanted to go home and hide yourself from the rest of the world. But you knew that your comfort zone would only make you more vulnerable.
You were glad that your brother was sensing your 'I don't want to fucking talk to you' vibe and cut the conversation short, "We're gonna be late if we chat any longer, I'll see you soon, Noona. Don't forget father's words!" He walked past you followed by his two companions. A girl with blonde hair and a boy with black hair.
"That was your brother?" Taehyung was now at your side, slinging his arm around your neck as you walked. Usually, you would have snapped at him for touching you, but your move was already sour and you just wanted to get to class, sit down, and not listen. Mr. Minki didn't seem to mind anyways.
"Yup," You said, barely paying attention to him.
"He seems really weird." Taehyung said causing you to look at him and cock an eyebrow at his words.
"Coming from you?" He pouts at you and groans, Jin laughs at you and you heard Jungkook huff silently at the back. He stayed barely a step behind Taehyung as if keeping an eye on him.
"You're so mean, (Y/N)ie!" He called out, and you couldn't help but freeze at the name that he called you. You quickly returned back to your usual composure hoping that they didn't notice.
"You should be used to it by now, Taehyung." You simply told him. You continued to walk ahead of them, still hearing Taehyung whine about how you acted towards him.
Without realizing it, a smile cracked on your face.
~'~'~'~
"For this project, you will be in groups of four." Mr. Choi's voice caught everyone's attention the moment that he said those words. You looked up from the blank piece of paper that you were staring at and locked eye contact with him.
"When I announce whoever your groupmates will be, sit together so that you may all discuss the task that I had explained earlier."
He began to call names and people did as they were told. When you heard that Jungkook had been grouped with another set of people, you couldn't help but sigh in relief. The red-haired boy was starting to strangle you with how close he's been acting.
"(Y/N), Taehyung, Jimin, and Hoseok."
You were glad that Taehyung had been grouped with you, but you didn't trust the other two much. Jimin was a late enrollee and Hoseok had recently transferred from another class. You haven't gotten the chance to interact with them much, but you would rather not.
Hoseok seemed to be too friendly and Jimin never stopped flirting with you.
And perhaps, every other girl that existed in the planet.
Before you could stand up, the three had approached you and took the vacant seats adjacent to you.
"I'm glad that I'm group mates with you," Taehyung said with a sigh. His boxy smile gracing his face.
"Looks like we'll be getting to know each other more." Hoseok said next, he was sitting closest to you so he used the opportunity to sling his arm around your neck. You flinched at the contact and shot him a glare.
"Oh, sorry." He sheepishly apologized and raised both his hands in front of him as a surrender. You only sighed softly before an arm hooked itself around yours and you already knew who it was.
"Jimin, don't touch me." You scolded him and unhooked your own arm. Ignoring the pout that had formed on his face the moment that you did.
You weren't going to fall for his deceiving charms.
"Yah, (Y/N), I was just excited that I got grouped with you." He explained, you barely listened to what he was saying as you read what had been written on the board. "Today must be my lucky day." You roll your eyes.
"Mr. Choi!" Everyone's attention had been turned to Jungkook who was waving his arm in the air, trying to get the teacher's attention.
"Yes, Mr. Jeon?" Mr. Choi immediately responded with a quirked eyebrow.
"I'd like to switch groups with Taehyung," Your eyes nearly bulged from your sockets and you saw Taehyung about to protest. But the glare coming from Jungkook had stopped him from doing so. Mr. Choi looked towards the blonde.
"As long as it's fine with Mr. Kim." Taehyung nodded albeit unwillingly. You wondered why he didn't fight Jungkook to stay in your group.
Taehyung looked at you sadly and stood from his seat to change with Jungkook. You grabbed the sleeve of his arm and gave him a (attempted to) a concerned look and he gave you a soft smile and nodded.
"Don't worry, (Y/N). We'll be groupmates some other time." You couldn't help but feel upset with what Jungkook had did. The blonde had quickly crossed to the other side, bumping shoulders with the one who initiated the change.
You rolled your eyes at Jungkook the moment that he took Taehyung's seat which was in front of you.
"What about we do the project at your house, (Y/N)?" Hoseok suggested to which you nearly cocked an eyebrow at.
"And I would allow that because...?" You waited for him to speak up. You were beginning to feel even more suspicious of him because of the suggestion that he just made. But the curious look that he had given you had set you off.
"Because the three of us all live in boy dormitories." Jungkook explained and you were beginning to understand the suggestion.
The thought of being together with a bunch of other boys had made you feel uncomfortable. Even with the ones you were somewhat close with, you already wanted to get away from them every chance that you were given.
"I already have enough competition for you," Jimin began with a huff, puffing his cheeks as he spoke, "Knowing the boys at my place, they would go crazy at the thought of a girl visiting."
You hum, as they waited for you to say something. They had a point in suggesting that they all work at your place. But you were afraid that one of them could be an assassin as well. You had Jungkook as a protector but that didn't settle you one bit.
You weren't comfortable with the thought of doing your project in public either.
"Alright," You affirm, giving in to their suggestion as their faces lit up.
'Are the lions entering the prey's sanctuary, or are the preys entering the lion's den?'
~'~'~'~
You were walking out of your classroom when you saw Jonghyun standing outside with your brother and Daniel, your cousin. Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion as your eyes locked with his.
"(Y/N)!" All of their attention had been turned to you at the mention of your name. Jungkook was behind you and had noticed that you were being called by the competition's head.
"The three of you are excused from your classes for the rest of the day." He told you and caused you greater confusion. But your eyes widened the moment that you understood the reason why.
"Did she-"
"Yes." That one word was all it took to silence you. A sigh escaped your lips before you nodded towards them. They took it as a sign that you were ready to go.
Jungkook watched your retreating figure, no longer following you. He bit his lower lip putting the pieces together.
Only three were left in the competition.
~'~'~'~
The wake was quiet, no person dared to speak or even whisper in fear of destroying the painful silence. Your eyes remained trained on the coffin that was in the middle of the room, you couldn't help but feel pity for the girl inside.
The silence was broken a few minutes when a group of women chattered amongst themselves. Although their voices had been soft, you could still make out what they had been saying.
"Poor girl, did you see the condition that she was in?"
"Her parents didn't even bother to visit her." You bit your lower lip, the wake was a private one. Only those who were part of the Kang clan were allowed.
And those who knew about the stupid competition that you were participating in.
Before you could listen on the rest of their conversation. A hand that gently grasped your shoulder had distracted you from your reverie.
"(Y/N)?" It was your father, his sharp eyes were boredly staring at your own, "Let's talk for a few minutes." You stood up from the chair that you were sitting on and proceeded to follow him. He took you to one of the rooms but had left the door open.
"Don't disappoint me, okay? I know that you can win this." You couldn't help but feel pressured at his words but you summoned the strength to nod and gave him a confident smile.
Not noticing the prying eyes that were glued in your direction.