The Game Begins

💌 Chapter 4: The Game Begins

Jennie should have stayed in her room.

That’s what a normal person would do after everything that had happened.

But Jennie Park had never been normal.

And she definitely wasn’t the type to run.

So instead of hiding…

She walked straight into the lion’s den.

The cafeteria.

The moment she stepped inside, the noise didn’t stop.

It dropped.

Like someone had turned the volume down just enough for whispers to survive.

Eyes followed her.

Again.

Always.

Jennie ignored it, lifting her chin slightly as she scanned the room.

And then she saw them.

Soo-Jin.

Ethan.

Sitting together like nothing had happened.

Like she hadn’t crossed countries for him.

Like her heart wasn’t still trying to catch up with reality.

For a split second—

It hurt.

But just a second.

Because something inside her had already changed.

Jennie walked forward.

Straight toward them.

“Bold,” a voice murmured behind her.

Taehyung.

Of course.

“You’re really doing this?”

Jennie didn’t stop walking.

“Watch me.”

He let out a quiet chuckle, falling into step beside her.

“I like this version of you.”

“Get used to it.”

They reached the table.

Ethan looked up first.

His expression shifted instantly.

Guilt.

Again.

“Jennie—”

“Relax,” she cut in smoothly. “I’m not here for you.”

That… shut him up.

Soo-Jin leaned back slightly, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

“Then why are you here?”

Jennie met her gaze.

Calm.

Unbothered.

Even if her heart was anything but.

“To sit.”

Without waiting for permission—

She pulled out the chair.

And sat down.

Right across from them.

Silence.

Tense.

Thick.

Taehyung slid into the seat beside her, clearly entertained.

“Oh, this is fun,” he muttered under his breath.

Soo-Jin’s lips curved slightly—but there was no warmth in it.

“You’re confident for someone who just got here.”

Jennie shrugged. “You’re threatened for someone who has everything.”

That landed.

Hard.

Ethan looked between them, already regretting his life choices.

“Okay… maybe we should all just calm down—”

“No one asked you,” both girls said at the same time.

Taehyung choked back a laugh.

Jennie didn’t break eye contact with Soo-Jin.

“You don’t like me,” she said simply.

Soo-Jin tilted her head. “Should I?”

Jennie smiled slightly.

“Probably not.”

Something flickered in Soo-Jin’s eyes.

Recognition.

Challenge.

“Good,” she said softly. “At least we understand each other.”

Across the table, Ethan shifted uncomfortably.

“Jennie, I really think we should talk—”

She finally looked at him.

And whatever he saw in her expression…

Made him stop.

“We’re done,” she said.

Not angry.

Not emotional.

Final.

That hurt him more than anything else.

Taehyung watched her quietly.

Not teasing this time.

Not joking.

Just… watching.

And understanding.

A sudden movement caught Jennie’s attention.

The room shifted again.

Not quieter this time.

Just… aware.

She didn’t need to turn.

But she did anyway.

Jae-Min had just walked in.

And somehow—

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Students straightened.

Voices lowered.

Even Soo-Jin’s posture shifted slightly.

Jennie noticed.

Of course she did.

Jae-Min’s gaze swept across the room—

And landed on her.

Like it always did.

Direct.

Unavoidable.

Her pulse quickened.

Annoying.

Why did he always look at her like that?

Like she was something he couldn’t ignore.

Or didn’t want to.

He started walking toward their table.

Jennie felt it.

That same tension.

That same pull.

Taehyung leaned slightly closer to her.

“Here we go,” he murmured.

Jae-Min stopped right beside them.

His presence alone was enough to silence the last few whispers.

His eyes moved from Ethan…

To Soo-Jin…

To Taehyung…

Then finally—

Back to Jennie.

“You don’t listen very well,” he said.

Jennie raised an eyebrow.

“You talk in riddles,” she replied. “Not my fault.”

A few students nearby inhaled sharply.

Soo-Jin watched closely.

Interested now.

Jae-Min’s jaw tightened slightly.

But there was something else there too.

Something almost like…

Amusement.

“You think this is a game,” he said.

Jennie leaned back in her chair.

Relaxed.

Confident.

Even if her heart was racing.

“Isn’t it?” she replied. “Everyone here seems to be playing one.”

Taehyung smirked beside her.

“Careful,” he added lightly. “She learns fast.”

Jae-Min’s gaze flicked to him briefly.

Something unspoken passed between them.

Then—

Back to Jennie.

“This isn’t something you can win,” he said quietly.

Jennie held his gaze.

Unmoving.

“Who said I’m trying to win?” she asked.

Silence.

Tension.

Electric.

Then—

Jae-Min leaned in slightly.

Close enough that only she could hear.

“You’re already losing.”

Her breath caught.

But she didn’t move.

Didn’t break.

“Then maybe,” she whispered back, “you’re not as good at this as you think.”

For a split second—

His expression shifted.

And that was all she needed.

Jennie smiled.

Small.

Victorious.

Jae-Min straightened, his face returning to that cold, unreadable mask.

But something had changed.

She felt it.

He felt it.

Everyone at that table felt it.

The game wasn’t one-sided anymore.

“Stay away from things you don’t understand,” he said finally.

Jennie tilted her head slightly.

“Make me.”

Taehyung let out a quiet laugh.

“Oh, I really like her,” he muttered.

Jae-Min looked at Jennie one last time.

Longer this time.

Like he was memorizing something.

Or warning her without words.

Then—

He turned.

And walked away.

Again.

But this time…

It didn’t feel like he was in control.

Jennie exhaled slowly, her heart still racing.

“What was that?” Ethan asked under his breath.

No one answered him.

Because the truth?

Everyone knew.

Something had just started.

And it wasn’t going to end quietly.

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