175.

And on the other side of his hand was the letter he saw on the sledge. Tae furrowed his brows at the words.

“Why is this just letters?” He asked, scanning the piece of paper.

“That’s a code.” Jungkook answered, recovering from his knee pain.—

“How is this a code?”

“It’s called ‘Caesar’s Box’. Its used by the Roman Empire. Come here, I’ll teach you.”

Jungkook sat on his chair and pulled out a piece of paper and a fountain pen.

Tae smiled at the pen, he never expected he’d see this kind of pen.—

“What does this say?” Tae was referring to the code.

“It says ‘in the forest cliff’.” Tae’s mouth flung open. “How did you read it?” He asked.

Jungkook wrote the letters in a straight line. “If you’ll count the letters, its 16. Get its square root and its 4.”—

Jungkook wrote the word by four letters. “You’ll have to read it column by column.” Tae was amazed by what he just learned.

Seriously, how genius is Jungkook?

“You shouldn’t be amazed. Someone sent me this. And up to now, I don’t know why they’ll do that to you.”

183.

“Why are you here?” Jungkook asked, not giving a look at Tae. He’s busy reading a book — a philosophy book.

Tae put the aid kit on his table, and it caught Jungkook’s attention. “Why do you have that?”

“The trainer taught us first aids. So I might wanna try it on you.”—

Jungkook’s wounds are a bit fine now. But the stab on his abdomen is still aching.

Jungkook shook his head. “Mr. Kim, I’m literally wounded—“

Tae pouted, “I want realistic things. And it’ll train me more. Come on!” He said and opened the kit.—

“That’s not how it works. Besides, don’t you still have another training—“

“Its already 6 in the eve and the trainings are done. Just please, please, let me do this? Pleaaaaase?”

Jungkook doesn’t know what to think. How can he reject him when he’s acting cute like that?—

“Fine.” Jungkook sighed, closing the book he was reading.

Tae felt excited, he had some other mission why he’s here, but he still wanted to try his skills.

Jungkook stood up and started unbuttong his uniform.

“H-Hey! What the fuck are you doing?!” Tae felt flustered.—

Jungkook on the other hand, was confused. “What? I have a wound in my abdomen. I thought you want realistic things?” He asked.

Tae looked down, trying to his face. “W-Why on your abdomen? You have wounds on your elbow and knees too!—“

“They’re fine. And this one isn’t.”—

Tae looked away because even right before he stops Jungkook, he had already taken off his top.

“You don’t have to do anything. Just change the bandage.” Jungkook ordered, putting his top above the chair.

Tae looked for the bandage quietly. His heart is beating so hard.—

He finally found the bandage, he started cutting it until Jungkook spoke.

“Aren’t you supposed to measure my waist first?” He asked, and Tae was caught off guard.

He turner around and gulped, seeing Jungkook topless is just...oh my god.

185.

Tae removed the current bandage encircling his abdomen. And it revealed a long cut, its stitched.

Tae felt a bit worried since Jungkook probably got that while saving him. He felt so bad.

He started to encircle a new bandage around his waist.—

“Your hands are shaking.” Jungkook whispered.

“No, you’re just seeing things—“ , “Are you flustered?”

Tae let out a loud sarcastic laugh.

“HA. HA. HA. Flustered? Over you? How pathetic.” He said and turned around, cursing himself mentally.—

They went silent for awhile, Tae was starting to focus on cutting the bandage, and Jungkook was just observing him.

“Captain,” Tae called. “Did you get these wounds in the forest?” He asked, cuz he’s really curious.

Jungkook hesitated, but he eventually spoke, “Yes.”—

“There are lots of traps. I avoided some but not all. The one who set you up is really good.” He said.

Tae successfully wrapped the bandage around his wound. “There, it’s done! See? I’m good at this!” Tae giggled.

He was fixing the kit when sum1 knocked on the door.—

“Come in,” Jungkook said while putting his top on.

The person opened the door — and its Dongjin — that guy who got involved in a suicide case last week. But he was proven innocent.

And now, he looks pale and thinner. “Good evening, sir.” He saluted.—

“May I talk to Mr. Kim?” He asked and that caught Tae’s attention. “M-me?” He asked.

Dongjin nodded, “If it’s okay.” Tae was hesitating. He immediately looked at Jungkook and he was also looking at him.

But his eyes, were giving him assurance.—

Like his eyes we’re telling him that he shouldn’t be scared because he’s there. And its just the eyes, but they understood each other.

Tae nodded and went outside with Dongjin. It really looks like its a serious one.

“What do you want to talk about with me?” He asked.—

Dongjin was fidgeting with his fingers, he’s hesitating and he looks anxious. Tae felt even more nervous.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’ll listen.” He gave him a smile to make him comfortable, but it didn’t look like it helped.

“Taehyung, I’m sorry...”—

He was crying, and he’s shaking. Tae panicked because he doesn’t know why he’s crying.

“W-Why are you sorry? Its not like you—“

“I was the one who hit you that day.”

Tae’s mouth was open, but no words left it. He can’t believe what he’s hearing right now.—

“That day when you we’re getting your bag in your room. I was the one who hit you.” He cried, and he’s shaking even more.

Tae was lost in thoughts. “Why...would you do that?” His voice tone feeling betrayed.

“I helped you in your case & thats what you’re gonna do to me?”—

Dongjin shook his head and held Tae’s hand, like he’s begging for forgiveness.

“No, no, Its not like that. I’m so sorry I never wanted to do that. I spent nights being attacked by my conscience and I can’t fight it anymore. Please, I’m so sorry.”

Tae felt confused.—

“Who asked you to do that?” He asked, making Dongjin freeze.

He looks like he’s thinking, then he spoke. “I don’t know who he is since he’s not the one who asked me. But I heard his name is—“

Tae flinched and let out a loud gasp. He felt so shocked of what he just saw.