Mirror In Dust [TAEKOOK]
Part 1: The Reflection Wrapped in Fog
Author....
I shared this story once before, but over time, I ended up forgetting parts of the plot myself. So this time, I’m rewriting and rebuilding it from the beginning in a deeper and more refined way. Some emotions will still remain the same, but many mysteries, twists, and hidden truths will slowly unfold in a completely new light.
Author....
I hope you’ll stay with the story until the very end once again... 🤍✨
Seoul’s gray sky had settled into a strange silence today.
Beyond the glass window, the thick fog looked almost like a wall separating Jungkook’s study room from the outside world. Under the dim yellow glow of the desk lamp, Jungkook cleaned his glasses once before placing them back on his nose.
The diary in front of him lay open, yet he hadn’t written a single word in the last thirty minutes. He was a psychology professor understanding the darkest alleys of the human mind was his profession. But tonight, it felt as though he himself was getting lost inside the labyrinth of his own thoughts.
Taehyung
Jungkook? It’s very late.
Taehyung’s voice from the doorway was soft, yet it struck Jungkook like electricity. He turned around sharply.
Taehyung stood there holding the doorknob, the swell of his seven-month pregnancy visible beneath his loose white shirt. There was exhaustion in his eyes, but whenever he looked at Jungkook, that exhaustion always carried an indescribable tenderness.
With a sigh, Jungkook closed the diary.
Jungkook
Why are you still awake, Taehyung? You need rest right now. Didn’t the doctor say staying up late isn’t good for you?
Taehyung slowly walked inside and stood beside him. His cold hand rested gently against Jungkook’s forehead.
Taehyung
I can’t sleep because you’re awake. Lately, your hands tremble a lot, Jungkook…
Taehyung
And in your sleep, you talk to someone. Who is it?
Jungkook
No one. Probably work pressure. I’m just worried about the thesis papers for the new semester.
Taehyung held Jungkook’s chin and turned his face toward him.
Taehyung
You don’t stand in front of mirrors and talk to yourself, Jungkook. It sounds like you’re arguing with someone.
Taehyung
Sometimes it feels like there aren’t just two people in this room… but a third one standing here with us.
Jungkook tried to smile, but the expression never reached his lips.
Jungkook
The third person is already inside us, Taehyung. Our child. Maybe I’m just nervous because of that.
Taehyung said nothing. He simply rested his head against Jungkook’s chest.
As Jungkook ran his fingers through Taehyung’s hair, he stared into the darkness beyond the window.
For a moment, it felt like someone was standing behind the fog… watching him.
Someone with the same height.
The same shoulders.
The same silhouette.
**The Next Day — University Corridor**
Suga
Professor Jungkook! Wait!
Jungkook stopped walking. Suga was almost running toward him.
As the head of the university’s forensic department and Jungkook’s longtime friend, Suga rarely looked this disturbed. But today, his face carried an unusual tension.
Jungkook
What happened, Suga? Why are you so out of breath?
Jungkook asked. Without answering immediately, Suga pulled him toward a quiet corner.
Suga
Do you have any CCTV footage from last night? From the street outside your house?
Jungkook
**frowned*** No. Why? What’s wrong?
Suga took out his phone and played a video clip.
Suga
Watch this. Around 3 AM last night, police raided an underground club in Gangnam District. This guy was spotted outside.
Jungkook stared at the screen.
The footage was blurry, but a man could be seen stepping out of a black sports car. Leather jacket. Silver-tinted hair.
Then the man briefly looked toward the camera.
And suddenly, Jungkook felt the ground disappear beneath his feet. The man looked exactly like him. Even the smile was the same.
Jungkook
That’s not me, ***whispered** I was home the whole night. Taehyung can confirm it.
Suga slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Suga
I know it’s not you. Because this guy’s name is Jungguk. He’s the newest sensation in Seoul’s underground film industry. But that’s not the problem.
Suga’s expression darkened.
Suga
The problem is that he’s connected to Kai. And you know how dangerous Kai is.
Jungkook leaned against the wall, ears ringing.
Jungkook
Jungguk… who is he? And why does he look exactly like me?
Suga
I don’t know. But this guy could become a threat to your existence itself. People are already confusing the two of you.
Suga
There are comments under your university lecture videos asking if the professor started acting in movies.
Jungkook couldn’t respond. His mind had already gone back to last night.
The figure outside the fogged window.
Was that Jungguk? Had he been watching the house?
After finishing his classes, Jungkook sat alone in a quiet coffee shop.
The name “JUNGGUK” kept echoing in his head. Opening his laptop, he searched for him online.
There wasn’t much information. Only a few blurry photographs and one article: JUNGGUK: THE MAN OF MYSTERY — KAI Production’s newest discovery who never gives interviews.
The moment Jungkook looked into the man’s eyes in the photo, a chill ran through him. There was a wildness in those eyes. A dangerous kind of freedom Jungkook himself didn’t possess.
Jimin
Are you waiting for someone?
Jungkook looked up. Jimin stood there.
Taehyung’s childhood friend and a dance instructor, Jimin usually carried a playful sparkle in his eyes. But today, he looked at Jungkook with strange suspicion.
Jungkook
No, Jimin. Just sitting here. What about you? ** tried to sound normal**
Jimin sat across from him.
Jimin
I bought some vitamins for Taehyung. I’ll drop them off later. But there’s something I wanted to ask you.
Jimin
I saw you at a nightclub last night.
Jimin’s voice hardened slightly.
Jimin
I went over to say hello, but you shoved me away like you didn’t even know me. You even had two huge bodyguards with you. What was that about?
Jungkook
I was home last night, Jimin. You must’ve mistaken someone else for me.
Jimin smiled, but there was no warmth in it.
Jimin
I didn’t mistake anyone. I saw the mole behind your left ear. And that watch Taehyung gifted you. Are you living some kind of double life now?
Jungkook couldn’t answer. His thoughts spiraled violently. If Jimin really saw “him,” then did Jungguk also wear his watch?
Had Jungkook himself gone there somehow without remembering?
At dinner, Jungkook barely spoke.
Taehyung kept glancing at him repeatedly.
Taehyung
Namjoon hyung called earlier, **said softly.**
Taehyung
He said you were acting strange at the university today. You barely spoke to anyone.
Jungkook put down his spoon.
Jungkook
Maybe he misunderstood.
Taehyung gently held his hand.
Taehyung
Jungkook… Jimin came by this afternoon. He was really upset. He said you pretended not to know him. What’s happening?
Jungkook wanted to scream.
But he forced himself to stay calm. He could feel it now an invisible web tightening around him.
Someone was stealing his identity.
Jungkook
Taehyung… if I told you I never left the house last night, would you believe me? *** asked quietly**
Taehyung looked directly into his eyes. Tears shimmered there.
Taehyung
I want to believe you, Jungkook. But lately… even your scent feels different. Your clothes smell like perfumes I’ve never smelled before. Are you hiding something from me?
Instead, he stood up abruptly and walked straight to his study room. Opening the drawer, he searched frantically for the watch Taehyung had gifted him. It wasn’t there.
At that exact moment, his phone buzzed. An unknown number.A photo.The picture showed a man wearing Jungkook’s watch while holding a glass of alcohol.
And beneath it was a caption
UNKNOWN......?
You have a beautiful life, Professor. Especially your wife. Should I take over your duties for a while?
The phone slipped from Jungkook’s trembling hand. Slowly, he looked toward the window. The fog outside had disappeared.
Under the streetlamp stood a man. A man who looked exactly like him. The figure raised a hand toward Jungkook… waved once...…and vanished into the darkness.
Jungkook
**whispered shakily*** Who are you…?
Outside, heavy rain suddenly began pouring from the sky.
And Jungkook felt as though every drop of rain was washing away another piece of his existence.
Author....
How did you all like this chapter? 👀✨
Author....
I’d really love to hear your thoughts and theories about it... 🤍
Author....
I changed the story a little and rewrote some parts of it. I hope you’ll enjoy this new version even more and stay with the story until the end... 🤍✨
Author....
Like, comment, and don’t forget to vote! ✨ These little things truly inspire me to keep writing and bring more of this story to you... 🤍
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