The next morning, the academy felt different.Not because Jungkook collapsed yesterday.Not because the coaches were on edge.
But because…
*Taehyung was coming.*
Korea's second golden boy.A sprinter and high jumper.
Jungkook's biggest rival — and the person who annoyed him the most.
You didn't care much. Competitive boys were tiring. But everyone else behaved like a king was arriving.
You were adjusting straps on a therapy machine when someone called your name.
"Y/N-ah."
You turned and saw Yoongi — your closest friend in the academy.Calm, sarcastic, and quietly brilliant.He handled athlete mental health… and honestly, your mental chaos too.
He handed you coffee without a word.
"You stayed late. You look like you fought a lion."
"I fought Jungkook's stupidity," you said.
Yoongi smirked."That sounds worse."
On the Track;
You and Yoongi walked out and saw Jungkook warming up.He wasn't just looking at you — he was glare-staring at Yoongi.
Like a jealous puppy watching his favorite person with someone else.
Yoongi whispered,"Why does he look like he wants to throw a javelin at me?"
You ignored him.
Jungkook came straight to you."Good morning, Y/N."His voice was unusually soft.
Yoongi raised a brow."Wow. He's polite now? You did magic."
Jungkook's jaw tightened.You sighed."Jungkook, move your shoulder slowly today. If it clicks again—"
Suddenly—
"JEON!"
Taehyung's voice echoed across the track.He jogged over, taking off his warm-up jacket, sweat shining.
He looked at Jungkook, then at you, then smirked."So you're the intern who scolded the mighty Jungkook."
Jungkook frowned."Hyung, don't."
You bowed."I just did my job."
Taehyung tilted his head."Then do it for me too. My leg needs stretching."
You opened your mouth to refuse, but Jungkook stepped in front of you — literally blocking Taehyung.
"She's my physiotherapist."
Yoongi almost spit out his coffee.Taehyung raised a brow."Wow… possessive much?"
You groaned."Can both of you stop before I tape your mouths shut?"
Yoongi leaned closer and spoke : "Power move. I'm impressed."
Later on - Therapy room
You finally got Jungkook alone for his treatment.
He sat on the table, lifting his shirt slightly so you could check his shoulder blade.He wasn't flirting today. He was quiet and focused — maybe too focused — on your hands moving over his back.
You tapped him lightly.
"Relax," you said.
He swallowed."I am relaxed," he said.
You frowned."You're sitting like a statue."
He muttered quietly,"That's because… you're touching my back."
You ignored that and pressed a point near his scapula.
He hissed in pain.
"Jungkook, when did this pain start?" you asked.
He hesitated."Three months ago," he said.
You shook your head."You should've told someone."
"…I didn't want to look weak," he said.
You stopped your hands.So that was the truth.
You softened your voice."You're not weak, Jungkook. You're just human," you said.
He turned slightly and looked at you — eyes quiet but intense.
"You're the only one who talks to me like that," he said.
Before you could answer, someone shouted:
"Y/N! Yoongi needs you in Room 2!"
You stepped back immediately.Jungkook's posture stiffened.
"…You're going to him?" he asked.
You blinked, confused by his tone.
"Yoongi is my friend. And someone is waiting," you said.
Jungkook didn't reply.He just watched you leave, his expression impossible to read.
Was he jealous?Annoyed?Confused by his own emotions?
Maybe all three.