The sleek black car cruised silently along the city streets, its tinted windows shielding Jihoon and Jake from the curious gazes of passersby. The bodyguard driving up front was stoic, his eyes fixed on the road, but the tension in the backseat was suffocating. Jihoon glanced sideways at Jake, who had been silent since they left the palace. His arms were crossed, and his jaw was set, radiating quiet fury.
Jihoon sighed, the weight of the morning's argument still heavy on his chest. He leaned his head back against the seat, trying to focus on the passing scenery instead of Jake's icy demeanor.
Suddenly, Jake shifted. Without a word, he pulled something from his bag and passed it to Jihoon.
Startled, Jihoon blinked at the small bottle in his hand—a scent and pheromone blocker. His stomach sank as he realized what Jake had noticed. His heart raced as he quickly sniffed the air around himself, subtle traces of his scent faint but detectable.
"Damn it," Jihoon muttered under his breath, feeling his cheeks heat up. He'd forgotten to take his medication this morning in the chaos of leaving. He glanced at Jake, half-expecting a snide comment, but his friend remained resolutely silent, staring out the window.
"Uh, thanks," Jihoon said awkwardly, fumbling with the bottle. He took a dose, swallowing the pills with a swig of water from his bag.
"....." Jake didn't respond.
Jihoon hesitated, then added quietly, "I mean it. Thanks for catching that."
Still no answer. Jake didn't even look at him, his gaze locked on the passing buildings. Jihoon could see the tension in his posture, the way his fingers drummed against his arm. He was furious, no doubt about it, but this small gesture—passing him the blocker—spoke volumes. No matter how angry Jake was, he still cared.
For a moment, Jihoon just watched him, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Jake might act tough and indifferent, but deep down, Jihoon knew he was the only one who truly looked out for him. It was maddening and touching all at once.
"I don't need a babysitter, you know," Jihoon teased lightly, hoping to break the silence.
Jake finally turned to look at him, his eyes sharp and filled with frustration. "Babysitter? You're right, you don't need one. But you do need someone to clean up your messes, apparently." His tone was clipped, and Jihoon winced at the edge in his voice.
"Jake—"
"Don't." Jake held up a hand, cutting him off. "I'm still pissed, Jihoon. Do you have any idea what kind of risk you're taking? One slip-up and this whole thing falls apart."
Jihoon's smile faltered. He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know. I didn't mean for—"
"For what?" Jake interrupted, his voice rising slightly. "For your scent to leak? For you to make things worse with Ryan? For you to forget that we're not just here for fun and games? We're here for a reason, Jihoon, and you're screwing it up."
The car fell silent again, Jake's words hanging heavy in the air. Jihoon clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
"I didn't ask for your help," Jihoon muttered after a beat, his voice quiet but steady. "I can handle myself, Jake."
Jake scoffed, shaking his head as he turned back to the window. "Yeah, because you're doing such a great job of that so far."
Jihoon opened his mouth to argue, but the car slowed as they approached the university gates. The grand campus loomed ahead, bustling with students and life. The bodyguard eased the car to a stop, and the tension in the car shifted as both of them prepared to leave.
As the door opened, Jihoon stepped out, inhaling the crisp air and adjusting his bag over his shoulder. Jake followed, his usual confident stride not betraying the storm that had just passed.
Jihoon glanced at him, catching his eye for a brief moment. "Jake..." He hesitated, unsure of what to say. "I'll do better," he offered quietly.
Jake paused, his expression softening just a fraction. "You better," he replied, his voice firm but lacking the earlier venom. He turned and strode ahead, leaving Jihoon to trail behind with a small, knowing smile.
Even if Jake wouldn't admit it, Jihoon could see through him. Beneath all the anger and frustration, he still cared. And for Jihoon, that was enough.
Jihoon adjusted his bag over his shoulder as he and Jake stepped into the university courtyard. The morning sunlight bathed the bustling campus, students hurrying to their classes or chatting in small groups. Jake glanced at Jihoon, his expression softening slightly as they walked.
"Don't forget, lunch," Jake reminded him curtly. "We'll meet at the café by the library. Don't be late."
Jihoon nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Got it. Try not to let your anger ruin your appetite."
Jake rolled his eyes, muttering, "Just go to your class, idiot," before striding off towards his building. Jihoon watched him for a second before heading in the opposite direction, his steps leading him to his locker.
Locker 231.
He stopped in front of it, twisting the dial absentmindedly until the lock clicked open. Swinging the door wide, he froze.
Inside was a small black box, wrapped in red stripes with an intricate design in the center. Jihoon's brows furrowed as he leaned closer. The design was sharp and ominous—a black dragon intertwined with silver and crimson lines, its jet-black eyes staring back at him as though alive.
A strange, heavy aura seemed to radiate from the box. Jihoon instinctively took a step back, his pulse quickening. He looked around, scanning the faces passing through the hallway, but no one seemed to pay him any mind.
"Who put this here?" he muttered to himself, turning back to the box.
He reached for it, his hand hovering inches above the surface. Something inside him hesitated—a gut feeling that screamed at him to stop. His fingers curled into a fist, and he quickly pulled his hand back.
"Nope," Jihoon muttered, shaking his head. He grabbed his books and slammed the locker shut, the loud bang echoing through the hallway. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself before heading to class.
"Focus, Jihoon. It's probably nothing," he thought, though unease gnawed at him. First the dream, and now this strange box. Something wasn't right.
To be continued....