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The clink of spoons against bowls filled the air as the group sat down for dinner. Y/N absentmindedly stirred her stew, but something wasn't right. The rich, savory aroma wasn't enough to quell the uneasy feeling in her stomach. She had eaten some bread earlier, followed by hours of hard practice and sparring alone in the weapon room, but now she felt nauseous.

Suga, sitting beside her, noticed she hadn't touched her food. "You're not eating," he remarked, his tone casual but sharp-eyed. "The stew's not bad, right?"

Y/N forced a small smile, pushing the bowl aside. "It's not that. I just... don't feel so good. I ate earlier, and I went a little overboard with training. Maybe it was too much."

Jimin, who was sitting on the other side of Y/N, raised an eyebrow. "You've been going at it pretty hard lately. Maybe you need to take a break before you wear yourself out."

Y/N shrugged, her gaze drifting off. "I just... want to be better. I feel like I'm not doing enough, you know?"

Jiwoo, who had been quietly eating, couldn't help but glance over at Y/N. Her eyes narrowed just slightly, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile. Jin, sitting beside Jiwoo, noticed the change in her expression. He gave her a soft, reassuring nudge, though his eyes also flickered toward Y/N.

"You alright, Jiwoo?" Jin asked, his voice low.

Jiwoo blinked, her attention snapping back to him. "Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about stuff," she said, quickly brushing it off, but her gaze lingered on Y/N for a moment longer before she turned to her food.

Meanwhile, Sehun, sitting next to Minho across the table, caught sight of the subtle exchange between Y/N and Jiwoo. There was a brief, almost imperceptible tension in the air, but he didn't bring it up. Instead, he leaned in to joke with Minho about a recent scouting trip. However, his eyes kept drifting back to Y/N, the weight of the atmosphere not lost on him.

Hobi, ever the optimist, decided to lighten the mood. "You know, if I had to spar with Y/N, I think I'd need a whole team just to keep up!" He grinned, his voice loud enough to draw attention.

Y/N chuckled softly, the tension easing just a little. "I'm not that good. Trust me, there's a lot I need to improve."

Taehyung, sitting beside Hobi, smirked and leaned toward Y/N. "Says the person who could probably take down half of us blindfolded."

Jungkook, who had been listening quietly, added, "Seriously, Y/N, don't underestimate yourself. We're all a team. No one expects you to be perfect."

Y/N smiled, appreciating the reassurance. But as she looked at Jiwoo again, she saw the faint flicker of something she couldn't quite place. Jiwoo was still staring at her food, and there was a strange tightness in her posture.

"I know you're all trying to help," Y/N said, her voice steady but quiet, "but sometimes, it's hard to feel like I'm doing enough, you know?"

The table was filled with quiet chatter, the atmosphere lightening as everyone tried to distract Y/N from her discomfort. Yet, beneath the surface, a subtle tension still lingered. Y/N had barely touched her food, her stomach still unsettled from the evening's training. She pushed her chair back, standing up slowly.

Haneul, the precious toddler, instantly noticed and toddled after her, her small hands reaching out in the direction of Y/N.

"Y/N!" Haru's tiny voice echoed as she quickly followed her, her little feet tapping against the floor as she clung to Y/N's pant leg. Y/N smiled gently, her heart softening at the sight of the little girl. She reached down to pick her up, but before she could take another step, Jiwoo suddenly stood up from her seat.

"Haruh, leave Y/N alone for a bit," Jiwoo said, her voice sharp, slicing through the soft chatter around the table. Her words hung in the air, each syllable a little too harsh. "You're always clinging to her, day and night. She needs some space."

Y/N's heart sank as she looked at Haru, who had stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide, her small face crumbling as she realized the tension. Tears welled up in the toddler's big, innocent eyes, and she sniffled, a tiny sob escaping her lips. The sight of Haru's sad face made Y/N's chest tighten, her heart breaking at the unintentional cruelty of Jiwoo's words.

Haru's tiny voice broke through the tension, barely a whisper, "Y/N..." Her eyes were wide, filled with confusion and fear. The toddler's hands reached up toward Y/N again, her little sobs hitching in her throat as she tried to seek comfort from the only person she knew wouldn't push her away.

"Jiwoo," Sehun started, his tone low but his anger clear. "What the hell was that? You didn't need to go off like that. Haru's just a child!"

Jiwoo whipped around to face him, her eyes blazing. "Don't act like I'm the one in the wrong here, Sehun! What's going on with you all?!" She raised her voice, her words sharp and accusing. "What's going on with all of you and Y/N? Are you all just... perverts or something? Always looking at her like that, always paying attention to her!"

The words hit hard. Everyone froze. The room was heavy with shock, but Jiwoo was far from finished.

"What the hell is wrong with you all?" Jiwoo screamed, her fists clenched at her sides. "Are you all dumbasses or what? Look at yourselves-crowding around Y/N like she's some kind of fucking princess!" She spat the words out like poison, each syllable dripping with fury.

The words came out in a rush, and Jiwoo didn't even notice the stunned looks exchanged between the others. Y/N stood up slowly, clutching Haru to her chest as she processed what Jiwoo had just said.

Sehun, taken aback by Jiwoo's outburst, felt a pulse of anger rise in his chest. "What are you talking about?" He clenched his fists, stepping forward. "You know she's my best friend. We've known each other forever. This isn't some... weird thing."

"Really?!" Jiwoo shot back, pointing at him. "Because it doesn't seem like that! It seems like all of you have some kind of obsession with her!" She laughed bitterly. "Sick obsession."

Jungkook shot up from his seat, his face flushed with anger. "Jiwoo, calm down. This is way out of line. We're all just looking out for Y/N because she's one of us. No one's obsessed with her."

"You're all acting like she's the only one who matters!" Jiwoo hissed, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at Jungkook, Taehyung, and the others who were sitting around the table. "Like we should all just bend over backwards to make her feel special. But all of you are just whoring yourselves out to her. It's pathetic."

Jimin, who had been watching the scene unfold, shot a glare at Jiwoo. "You've completely lost it, Jiwoo. No one's treating Y/N like that. But maybe you're seeing something that's not there." His voice was biting, clearly offended by the accusation.

"Am I?!" Jiwoo snapped, her voice sharp as a blade. "Look at the way you all are with her! Sehun, you're always looking at her like she's the only one in the damn room. RM and Jin, you both always want to protect her. And don't even get me started on Suga and Taehyung-always making sure she's okay. What's wrong with you guys?" She leaned forward, venom dripping from her words. "You're all just a bunch of suckers."

Y/N stood frozen, Haru still in her arms, the little girl's sobs echoing through her chest. Her heart ached, her stomach a heavy ball of nausea, the long training session earlier making her feel light-headed. She could barely process what was happening-everyone shouting, voices overlapping, but Jiwoo's words hitting her like a battering ram.

"Jiwoo," Jin said quietly, his face full of concern. He stood up slowly, his voice calm but firm. "At least think of Haru. She's scared, look at her! You're scaring her."

But Jiwoo wasn't listening. She threw a final look at the group, the anger radiating off her like heat from a furnace. "Fuck Haru. Fuck all of you," she spat, her voice thick with fury. "This is about me. This is about how you all treat me like I'm nothing. Y/N gets all the love and attention while I'm left in the fucking dust. I'm done pretending to be okay with this shit."

Hobi, always the peacemaker, tried to intervene. "Jiwoo, that's not fair. We care about you, too. We're all in this together."

But Jiwoo wasn't listening anymore. "No! I'm not the one who's acting unfair! All of you are so busy fawning over Y/N, making her the center of attention, that you've forgotten about everyone else!"

Sehun's patience snapped. "That's enough! Stop talking like that about her!" His voice was raw with frustration. "She's my best friend. You're just letting your damn jealousy get the best of you."

Jiwoo laughed bitterly. "Jealous? Jealous of you? What about you, Sehun? You've always had her by your side. You two have been thick as thieves for years! Maybe I'm just tired of being the damn third wheel!"

The room fell silent, stunned by her outburst. Haru's sobs grew louder, her tiny voice barely audible. Sehun stepped closer, his voice low and laced with frustration. "You're out of your mind, Jiwoo. She's my best friend, and nothing more. You know that."

Jiwoo scoffed. "No, no, no! Don't try to play innocent, Sehun! You think I don't see it? You all treat her like royalty while I'm here-working my ass off, keeping this group together-and what do I get? Nothing. Nothing but your fucking attention to her!"

Y/N stood in the hall, clutching Haru tightly, her knuckles white. The weight of Jiwoo's words echoed in her mind, the heat and pressure in the room making it impossible to focus. Hyungsik noticed the sheen of sweat on her forehead and the shallow breaths. He reached for her shoulder, but she, sensing his movement, abruptly handed Haru over to him.

"I need... I need some air," Y/N muttered shakily. Without waiting for a response, she bolted toward the front door.

"Y/N!" Suga called sharply, immediately catching the signs of something wrong. Without hesitation, he followed her. Taehyung and Jungkook exchanged anxious glances. Without wasting a moment, they hurried after her too.

The moment she stepped outside, the cool night air hit her, but it wasn't enough to calm the storm inside. Just as she reached the nearest tree, her stomach churned violently. She barely had time to steady herself before she doubled over, emptying the contents of her stomach.

Suga was at her side in moments, kneeling behind her and rubbing her back. "Breathe," he said firmly, his voice a steady anchor. "Don't force it. Just breathe."

Taehyung and Jungkook, who had been watching from the front door, exchanged worried glances. "I'll get water," Taehyung said quickly, and Jungkook nodded, the two disappearing inside to grab a bottle.

Meanwhile, Sehun remained frozen in place, his gaze locked with Jiwoo's. His fists clenched at his sides, but something in Jiwoo's expression held him back. He wanted to go to Y/N, but he couldn't leave Jiwoo-not like this.

The group hesitated, torn between following Y/N and staying to keep Jiwoo from spiraling further.

Outside, Y/N groaned weakly as another wave of nausea hit her. She gripped Suga's arm tightly, her body trembling as she tried to steady herself. "Worst timing," she muttered through gritted teeth, her voice shaky. "This has to happen now?"

Suga shook his head, his jaw tightening. "You're overdoing it, Y/N. You didn't eat enough, and you've been running on fumes all day. What did you expect?" His tone was sharp, but the worry in his eyes betrayed him.

Taehyung and Jungkook returned moments later, Taehyung handing Suga the water bottle. "Is she okay?" Taehyung asked, his voice quieter now as he crouched beside them.

Y/N's breathing remained shallow and erratic, her mind still reeling from everything inside. Jiwoo's words echoed in her head, sharp and cutting. She clutched Suga's arm tighter, trembling, while her other hand pressed into the ground to steady herself. Another wave of nausea hit, though her stomach was already empty. She gasped for air, her shoulders shaking as she fought to regain control.

Suga leaned closer, holding out the water bottle again. "Y/N, drink. Slowly," he urged, his voice steady but edged with concern.

Y/N couldn't even lift her head to acknowledge him. Her vision was foggy, her body refusing to cooperate. Instead, she groaned weakly as another dry heave wracked her frame, leaving her even more unsteady.

Behind her, Taehyung and Jungkook exchanged uneasy glances. Jungkook scanned the darkness, his hand resting on his weapon. "No zombies," he muttered, though the tension in his posture remained.

"She's not going to drink yet," Suga muttered, frustration simmering beneath his worry. "She's too out of it. Just give her time."

But then, through her labored breaths, Y/N weakly called out, "Haru..."

Taehyung immediately crouched down beside her, his hand moving to steady her shoulder. "Don't worry about Haru," he said softly, his voice calm and soothing. "She's with Hobi, Hyungsik, and Jin Hyung. They'll take care of her. You just focus on your breathing for now, okay?"

Y/N's eyes flickered, but she nodded weakly, the panic in her chest starting to subside slightly.

Suga's jaw tightened as he watched her struggle. "Let them wait," he said sharply, glancing toward the town hall. "She's not going back in there like this."

Taehyung nodded in agreement, his hand still firm on her shoulder. "You've pushed too hard today, Y/N," he said gently. "It's okay to rest. Just let us help."

Y/N shook her head weakly, her fingers digging into the dirt beneath her. "I just need...a minute," she whispered, her voice hoarse and strained.

Jungkook shifted slightly, his eyes darting toward the surrounding shadows. "I'll keep watch," he said quietly, stepping a few feet away to give them space while scanning the area.

Y/N's hands shook slightly as she steadied herself against the tree, one hand gripping the rough bark for balance while the other reached for the bottle. She didn't dare drink too much, her stomach still unsettled, but she splashed just enough water onto her face, trying to clear the lingering effects of her sickness. The coolness helped, if only for a moment.

She took another small sip, cautious. The water soothed her throat, but the nausea still gripped her, leaving her with a dull ache in her stomach. She exhaled slowly, feeling light-headed, and looked up at Suga. "Cloth... handkerchief," she whispered, her voice hoarse but calm.

Suga immediately pulled out the cloth, handing it to her. She dipped it into the remaining water in the bottle, her fingers trembling slightly as she wrung it out. Without hesitation, she pressed it to the back of her neck, the cool fabric giving some relief from the heat building there. She kept her head low, her focus entirely on steadying herself. Her knees dug into the dirt beneath her, grounding her as she pressed the cloth against her skin, trying to keep the wave of dizziness at bay.

Behind her, Jungkook's voice broke through the silence, his concern evident. "What's that supposed to do?" He took a cautious step forward, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.

Taehyung, watching now from a few feet away, chimed in, his tone softer but still inquisitive. "I've seen you do that before... What's the point of it?"

Y/N didn't look up. The cool cloth was doing its work, a calming pressure against her skin. Her mind was foggy, her thoughts a tangle of exhaustion and frustration. Suga, sensing their hesitation, finally spoke.

"It's simple," he said, his voice low but steady. "It helps calm the nausea. You've overworked yourself, and your body's just reacting. The cold cloth helps cool down her body temperature and gives a bit of relief from the heat and dizziness."

Y/N nodded weakly, her hand still gripping the tree to keep herself upright, the cloth barely moving against her neck. Her chest rose and fell with slow, deliberate breaths as she focused on the sensation.

After a moment, Y/N blinked her eyes open, the fogginess beginning to lift as she scanned her surroundings. The cool night air brushed against her face, but she didn't let it distract her. Her first priority was to check for any threat. Her eyes moved cautiously across the area, the trees casting long shadows in the moonlight. She had been outside for a while, and if there was danger lurking, she didn't want it to catch them off guard in the dead of night.

Satisfied that the area was clear, Y/N finally allowed herself to stand fully, her legs more stable now. She glanced over at Taehyung and Jungkook, who exchanged a look. It wasn't new to them to see Y/N regain control of herself, but the speed with which she recovered still left them impressed. There was a quiet admiration in their gazes, a mixture of respect and concern.

Suga, who had been watching her quietly, shook his head with a small sigh. "No one's here. Now, let's go in if you want," he said, his voice soft but still laced with his usual no-nonsense tone.

The weight of what had just transpired-the tension, the conversation, the emotions-began to seep back into their minds, especially with the group now starting to move again. Y/N's eyes softened for a brief moment as the memory of the earlier conversation loomed over her. But she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she took a slow, steady step forward, her pace measured and cautious.

She could feel the pressure in the air, the unresolved tension from before, but there was no time for that now. Her gaze shifted one last time to the shadows around them, ensuring they were still safe, before she walked back toward the building, her thoughts swirling.

As they made their way into the town hall, Taehyung and Jungkook carefully closed the front door behind them, securing it. The quiet of the hall felt familiar, but the tension in the air was thick, a weight none of them could shake off.

Y/N's gaze immediately went to the stairs at the far end of the hall. Jiwoo was already halfway up, her back to them, retreating into the quiet of the upper floor. Y/N didn't want to know what had happened or what was happening now. She didn't have the energy to process any more.

Instead, her eyes shifted to the other side of the hall, where the soft light from the fireplace flickered gently. Haru was lying on the sofa, her small form curled up, looking peaceful despite everything that had happened. Y/N silently walked toward her, not acknowledging anyone else in the room.

As she approached, a quiet conversation seemed to bubble between RM and Sehun. "Is she ashamed? Guilty?" RM asked under his breath, his gaze following Y/N's every movement, while Sehun's silent nod seemed to confirm it. Both of them knew Y/N's mind all too well.

Y/N reached Haru and crouched down beside the toddler, who stirred at her presence, her little eyes blinking sleepily. Haru's arms shot up immediately, reaching for her, her voice thick with tears. "Y/N, where did you go? Why did you leave me?" Her sobs came in soft, broken gasps as she clung to Y/N's neck.

Y/N's voice came out hoarse as she whispered to Haru, her breath shaky. "I'm sorry, Haru. I won't leave you again. I'm here now. Shh, it's okay."

"Let us carry her," Jin suggested, his concern evident, but Y/N smiled faintly, shaking her head. She didn't want anyone else to do it, not when she could manage, no matter how exhausted she felt.

After a moment of steadying herself, she took a deep breath and began to move toward the stairs. Jin and Hobi quickly approached, their voices filled with