Special Chapter: A Detective's Judgment (A FLASHBACK of Detective Hoseok's Entrapment Plan)

Detective Hoseok held his phone tightly as he listened to the killer's recorded voice over and over again.

There's no mistaking it.

Jeon Jungkook, the man living only a block away from the Kims, has the same voice.

"It could only be him." Hoseok uttered, eyes fixated on the ceiling as he contemplated for the necessary action he had to make in order to catch him and produce concrete evidence.

"What's his goal?" He whispered, mind working on the possibilities.

There were two things he started to consider, one being revenge, and the other... alliance.

Revenge seemed to be a probable reason for Jungkook to appear and approach Taehyung again after a long time.

However, a lot of things couldn't justify the said hypothesis.

"If he's after Taehyung to kill him, why isn't he making any move? Why wait?" Hoseok thought for a long while as he swiveled his chair.

"Not only that... he killed those who did something wrong to Taehyung." He uttered, eyes still fixated on the ceiling.

It's like he's protecting him.

"But why?" He darted his gaze at his scribbles on the paper and eliminated the word revenge.

"If it's not revenge.." Hoseok trailed off as he circled the word alliance.

Could it be that the encounter they had 10 years ago wasn't a nightmare but instead... a beginning of a bond?

A bond that they're finally fulfilling now?

"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth." Hoseok whispered, remembering the famous line from Arthur Conan Doyle's prominent character Sherlock.

Jeon Jungkook and Kim Taehyung must have formed an alliance 10 years ago. Whatever happened that time had caused the reappearance of the killer who started protecting Taehyung by murdering those who mistreated him.

And in exchange, Taehyung falsified the identity of the killer by giving fake information about him.

"That's the only logical explanation that fits the whole damnation." He uttered, attention darting on the pictures he had posted on the board which had a lot of lines that showed interconnection between the killer and all other people involved in the case.

In order to get the evidence, he needed someone to work on his side.

Someone who did not have direct involvement in the case but could play a crucial role in getting the evidence he needed.

As Hoseok continued to stare at the pictures, his eyes landed on the man who had crescent eyes as he smiled.

"Perfect." Hoseok whispered before taking his phone out, dialing the man's number which he had gotten from the files he had been compiling.

A few rings and the call was finally answered.

"Hello, Mr. Park Jimin." Hoseok greeted without second thoughts.

There was a long silence before the other responded.

"Who's this?" He asked in a careful tone.

"Do you have a moment to spare? I would like to have a word with you." Hoseok said which earned another long silence from the other line.

"It depends on who you are." Jimin answered, irritated at how the other didn't answer his question.

"I'm detective Hoseok, the one working on the cases which involved your best friend, Kim Taehyung." Hoseok uttered in a careful voice.

"I won't disclose anything else until I meet with you. Do you have time to spare? Your friend's life is on the line." Hoseok added the last sentence in a hushed voice to ensure that the man would not hesitate but cooperate.

"What do you mean?" Jimin asked, voice wavering.

"Meet me on the address I'm going to send to you." Hoseok instructed.

"How will I know if you're a real detective or just a scammer?" Jimin asked in an uncertain tone that made Hoseok scoff.

"I don't have all the time in the world to spend on proving my identity. Just search me up." Hoseok responded before sending a picture of his identification card.

"If that's enough, I'll be sending the details of our meeting. Please be discreet and never tell anyone else." He added.

"And when I say never tell anyone, I meant anyone even Taehyung himself." He reiterated which earned a long sigh from the man on the other line.

"I understand."

————

It had been two hours since Hoseok started asking around for the information about some people involved in the case.

After finding out the link between Kristina Jordan and Jungkook, them being raised from the same orphanage, Hoseok started to look for more information that may lead him to some connections.

There must be a crucial link that would lead him to something he's been missing from the start.

As he went inside the hospital where Josh Kruger used to work, Hoseok immediately asked the woman in the information desk.

"Excuse me. I'm detective Hoseok and I'm here to do an interrogation." He started, showing his identification card.

"Is there a problem, detective?" The woman asked, troubled.

"Not really. I just need some information regarding this person, Dr. Josh Kruger." Hoseok said.

At the mention of the name, the woman looked confused.

"Sorry, sir. There's no doctor with that name here." She said, staring at the photo.

"How long had you been working here?" Hoseok asked.

"Only for a year, sir." She responded. The look on her face told Hoseok that she's telling the truth.

"That explains it. Do you know someone who works here the longest? Around 10-15 years, tops?" Hoseok inquired.

The woman thought for a long while before remembering a name.

"Nurse HyeJi Choi worked the longest here." She said which earned a smile from the detective.

"Is she here today?" He asked to which the woman nodded.

"Could you call her for me? I'd like to ask her some questions." Hoseok instructed and the woman followed though hesitant.

Detective Hoseok waited as the woman called the nurse. He heard a bit of their conversation before the call ended on a positive note.

"She's coming, sir." The woman informed which had Hoseok smiling.

"Thank you." He said as he slumped on the seat situated in the waiting area.

After roughly five minutes, a nurse in her mid-forties came rushing to him.

"Excuse me, sir. Are you the detective who's looking for me?" Nurse Choi asked.

"Yes, Ma'am. Do you happen to know this man?" Hoseok flashed the photo in front of the other.

The instant recognition that registered on the nurse's face made Hoseok smile.

"I can tell that you know him. In that case, could we go somewhere private, so I could ask you some questions?" He asked in a friendly tone which made the woman nod.

"Will the nurse's quarter suffice?" Nurse Choi asked.

"Perfect." Hoseok responded, smiling like the ray of the sun that immediately put the nurse at ease as she led the way.

Once inside the private place, Hoseok immediately placed a picture of a young Jungkook on the table for the nurse to see.

"Do you happen to know this kid? Did he come here for instance?" Hoseok asked.

The nurse looked unsure as she stared at the picture of a kid with raven hair.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't remember. There are a lot of patients who come here, so I couldn't really remember." Nurse Choi answered.

"That's understandable. How about this woman?" Hoseok showed the picture of Kristina Jordan.

"She's a registered nurse. Did Dr. Kruger work with her?" Hoseok inquired.

There was another long pause before the nurse shook her head.

"I haven't seen her before." Nurse Choi said in a confused tone.

Hoseok could only sigh, seeing the honesty in the nurse's face.

Could it be that there wasn't a connection between the victims? Was it really just senseless killings?

Hoseok sighed once more as he resorted to his last option.

He scattered few more pictures on the table, those who were both connected to Jungkook and Kristina and the places common to them.

"I want you to closely look at these pictures. If you happen to be familiar with any of them being associated with Dr. Kruger, please tell me." Hoseok said, intensely staring at the nurse's every reaction as she scanned the pictures.

He was already losing hope when he saw the sudden change in the woman's face.

"This.." Nurse Choi lifted one of the pictures.

The abbess of the orphanage, Sister Cicely Victoria.

"I remember her." She said, giving the picture to detective Hoseok whose eyes turned sharp.

"Is she a patient of Dr. Kruger?" Hoseok asked, voice firm.

"I'm not really sure if she's a patient, but I saw her for a couple of times." Nurse Choi said in a hushed tone.

"What was she doing with Dr. Kruger, then if she's not a patient? Are they friends?" Hoseok asked once more.

"I don't know, sir. I just remembered her because of that one time when I first saw her. She was inside Dr. Kruger's car.. and they talked there for a long time." Nurse Choi informed.

"I remember her face because... I got afraid of her gaze when our eyes met." She honestly said.

"Why? What about it?" Hoseok continued to inquire.

"It was probably just my silly intuition, sir." Nurse Choi forced a laugh.

Hoseok didn't ask anymore as he stared at the picture of the abbess.

Another clue pointing to the orphanage.

————

"Why did you ask for me, detective?" Jimin asked as he sat on the chair opposite to the the other.

"Straight to the point, I see." Hoseok commented as he smiled.

Jimin didn't say anything while the waitress settled the food on the table before leaving the two of them in the private room.

"I only came here because you said Taehyung's life is on the line." Jimin said which had Hoseok nodding.

"And that's the truth." He responded.

"What do you mean?" Jimin felt his heart racing just from the thought.

"Taehyung is being controlled by the killer who's responsible for the murders involving him." Hoseok said without pause.

"What?" Jimin thought he had gone deaf for a while.

"I know you're aware of his condition. He lacked emotion and awareness thereof. This made him the easy target for the killer to control." He explained and the crease on Jimin's forehead only deepened.

"I.. I couldn't fully understand-"

"I already know the killer's identity and so does Taehyung." Hoseok said in a serious tone.

"And though he knew, he chose to conceal the truth, thus making him an accomplice." He added.

Jimin felt like the other was speaking a language he couldn't understand. Nothing made sense.

"Taehyung wouldn't do something like that!" Jimin blurted but Hoseok just shrugged.

"At this rate, once the killer is captured, Taehyung would be put behind bars with him." Hoseok said instead of indulging Jimin's outburst.

"No.. that's impossible. Taehyung is a victim here. He couldn't be-"

"That's the reason you're here, Mr. Park." Hoseok cut him from saying anything else.

"You're here to help me prove that Taehyung is innocent and that killer is only controlling him." He added in a firm voice.

"H-how? What do I need to do?" Jimin asked, voice wavering.

"Simple. I need you to work for me in secrecy." Hoseok placed few devices on the table and pushed it towards the other.

"What are these?" Jimin asked.

"Listening devices. Place them somewhere inside their apartment - living room, dining room, even his own room. Place them anywhere you deem necessary." Hoseok instructed which made Jimin's eyes grow larger than life.

"This doesn't feel right. I don't think I could..." He trailed off as he stared at the detective's serious eyes.

"Just look for an opportunity when Taehyung is not around the house." Hoseok suggested.

"Why not let Jin-hyung do this? In that way he could-"

"I don't know if I could trust him yet." Hoseok honestly said.

"Why? Is he also involved?" Jimin asked.

"I don't know yet. I couldn't tell whether he's aware or not of the killer's identity. He could also be an ally for all we know." Hoseok explained and Jimin lost himself in deep thought.

"You're the only person who could do this without arising suspicions." He added and all Jimin could do was nod in agreement.

"Taehyung... he's going to the university tomorrow." Jimin suddenly remembered.

"Great. Take that chance to plant those in the apartment." Hoseok uttered in urgency.

"But.. what excuse could I make?" Jimin asked, uncertain.

"Anything that's not out of ordinary. We don't want anyone to be suspicious of your real intention." Hoseok reminded.

Jimin thought for a long while before an idea came to mind.

"My grandma is fond of giving sweets and other treats to Taehyung. Will that be a good excuse?" He asked which made the detective smile.

"Perfect." Hoseok said with a confident smile.

———

"How's your day, hyung?"

Hoseok heard Taehyung's voice from the listening device Jimin had placed inside his room.

He had been listening to everything that's happening inside the apartment for a couple of weeks now.

And so far, he had been getting a lot of information necessary to strengthen his claims.

"Hm?"

It was Jungkook's voice that followed and continued to answer the question after a long pause.

"It's the same. Trying to behave because you told me to."

This had Hoseok scoffing.

"So you're really doing anything Taehyung tells you, huh?" Hoseok murmured to himself.

"It's good to know you're keeping your words, hyung."

Taehyung's voice seemed to have been laced with humor, something out of his usual monotone.

"You know I'll keep my words only when it comes to you."

Hoseok heard rustling sounds before Jungkook's voice came again.

"Don't you think I deserve a reward for being insanely good?"

Hearing this, the detective almost cursed as he knew where this could probably lead.

"Fuck!" He gritted his teeth.

It's not in his line of work to listen to people doing that.

"What do you say, hm?"

"What is it that you want, hyung?"

"You already know what I only want in this world."

"You."

"The fuck. These horny shits." Hoseok groaned, aiming to remove his headphones to stop hearing things he shouldn't hear.

However, he listened for a bit more, and he was glad he did when after a few more lewd sounds and words, he heard something substantial.

"Don't cover your moans. I want to hear you."

"My brother..."

"I told you. I should've just killed your brother."

At those words, Hoseok went alert again as he made sure he's recording.

"No.."

"No... I'll stay quiet."

Finally, Hoseok stopped listening as he already got the recording he could use. Just from that short conversation, he could conclude that Jin wasn't aware of anything.

This information finally completed the plan he had in mind.

As long as he worked away from involving Taehyung directly, Jungkook wouldn't know.

After all the listening he did, Hoseok was able to understand Jungkook's goal.

It's not revenge nor alliance why he's after Taehyung.

It's affection.. and probably even love.

And Hoseok was using this to his advantage.

He realized Jungkook would only keep an eye on Taehyung. As long as he wouldn't directly involve Taehyung, his plan could be a success.

With this in mind, Hoseok contacted Jin together with Jimin to lay all his cards.

Once the three of them were in the private room, Hoseok finally revealed everything to Jin.

And just like how he convinced Jimin, Hoseok won Jin over by promising to keep Taehyung away from getting involved.

Once everything was settled and the plan was clear for everyone, they went their separate ways.

Detective Hoseok who still had a lot of things in his mind was far from ending his investigation just yet as he settled in his seat behind the wheel.

He had been trying to understand why the information in the files were missing a lot.

After he had asked few more people who were somewhat related to the victims who were murdered, he instantly found a connection.

All the victims, one way or another, had interaction with the people from the orphanage, specifically with the abbess.

So how come the police missed that?

It felt like the links were purposely wiped out to make it look like the killer was just randomly killing people.

"Something's not right." Hoseok whispered as he maneuvered his car, going to the place where he knew he would get all the answers he wanted to know.

To the person who's in charge of the case 10 years ago, Yoongi's father, Min Yoonho.

————

"Mr. Min." Hoseok greeted as soon as he saw the older emerge from his room.

"Hoseok." Yoonho was surprised to see the other in his house.

"Good evening, sir." Hoseok bowed, showing respect to the older whose face turned wary upon seeing him.

"Did something happen to my son? I was just getting some changed clothes before going back to the hospital." Yoonho said, alarmed.

"No, sir. It's not what I came here today." Hoseok said before handing the man the files and information he had gathered.

The older took the envelope and scanned the documents inside. The immediate change on his face was clearly noted by Hoseok who didn't hesitate to start asking.

"Sir, 10 years ago, you suddenly decided to retire and stop handling the cases involving the serial killer who murdered Josh Kruger and six more individuals." Hoseok started.

At the mention of the event that occurred few years back, Yoonho's face turned grim and uncertain.

"I already stopped being involved in police matters, Hoseok." Yoonho said with a forced smile.

"I know sir, but there are things I need to understand." Hoseok said firmly.

The older looked away as he placed the envelope on top of the table.

"I'm afraid I couldn't help you with anything." Yoonho said, attempting to leave but Hoseok was quick to stop him.

"Jeon Jungkook." Hoseok uttered.

The name made the older stop and turn to look at the other with wide eyes.

Even without words, Hoseok immediately knew the older was aware who Jeon Jungkook was.

"He's the killer, right?" Hoseok said which made Yoonho look away once more. His face seemed pale as if the name brought back memories he didn't want to remember.

"Just... leave, Hoseok. If you're here as a detective, you may leave." Yoonho said but Hoseok didn't waver.

"You knew about him. You knew he's the killer but why didn't you do anything?" Hoseok's voice raised an octave as he waited for the older to respond.

"Was it because he was just 16 years old that time? A crime is a crime! Why did you drop the case and pretended not to know anything?" His body was shaking from the intense anger he felt.

"Because of what you did, Yoongi, your own son is now in the verge of dying!" He spat, anger boiling inside him.

He couldn't understand why such an upright police officer like Yoonho would do something like that.

That's why the information were lacking and the evidence seemed to have been wiped out.

Anything that would allow the police to find the killer was not in the files.

"Just why?" Hoseok asked, voice breaking and wavering from all the emotions he's been trying to contain.

The older sighed, body losing strength as he slumped on the couch. He looked like he aged in an instant as he gazed at Hoseok.

"I did know... but it was too late." Yoonho uttered, voice faltering.

"You see, sometimes the answer is already in front of us, but we failed to notice." He added in a tone that's full of regret.

"It's not too late. We could finally capture him now and-"

"That's not what I meant, Hoseok. For me.. it's already too late." Yoonho said as he sighed once more.

"What do you mean?" Hoseok asked, not understanding why the older looked miserable.

"I'm already too late to help that child." Yoonho uttered, voice shaking.

There was a long silence that befell between the two as the older finally found the courage to continue.

"I used to help out in the orphanage whenever I had the time. You know, I've always been fond of children." Yoonho started.

"There was this boy with raven hair who would stay in a corner while other children would play happily together. He instantly caught my attention." The older added, remembering the times he would approach the boy and all he would get was silent treatment.

"He won't talk to me nor answer my questions. Until one day, I stopped seeing him. The nuns.." Yoonho trailed off at the mention before gulping down the word as if it were poison.

"They said he didn't want to go out of his room because he's not fond of playing with other children... and I believed them." Yoonho stopped and for the longest time, his eyes were fixated on nothing as if he's seeing the boy in front of him.

"I believed them." He repeated, lost in thoughts.

Hoseok couldn't understand the look on the other's face.

"I was not able to see what's in front me... and failed to help him." Yoonho uttered in a whisper as his mind went back to the time he badly regretted up to now.

"He's still in his room?" Yoonho asked the sister who was playing with the children.

"Jungkook?" The nun asked, eyes immediately looking away when the police nodded.

"Yes. He still doesn't want to go out and play with other children." The nun answered.

"Why? Is he really that shy?" Yoonho asked, scanning the outside of the orphanage being run by nuns.

The nun just smiled before going back to play with the other kids, leaving Yoonho still wondering.

For few more days that he went to visit the orphanage, he didn't see Jungkook.

There wasn't really something unusual for a child to be aloof of other people, so he let it pass.

Until that one day when he saw Jungkook running out of the orphanage barefoot, face soaking wet from tears.

"Sir!" Jungkook cried, clinging desperately in Yoonho's arm.

"You're a policeman, right?! Please! Help me! Please!" He begged, face drenched from both sweat and tears as he clung to him.

"What's wrong?" Yoonho was startled to see the boy begging as if his life depended on it.

"They're hurting me! Sir, please!" Jungkook landed on his knees, begging.

"What happened?" Yoonho asked.

Even before he could level the child face, the abbess came out of the orphanage.

Her presence made Jungkook quiet as he sobbed in silence.

"Please.." Jungkook whispered, body trembling.

"Angel, I told you not to go around barefoot." The abbess said, voice soft as she stopped in front of them.

"I'm sorry officer for any inconvenience." The abbess said, her black habit framing her face.

"Is there something wrong, sister? This child said he needs help." Yoonho said, bending down to comfort Jungkook.

"Nothing of the sort, sir. This little angel only wanted to stay in his room. He started crying when I convinced him to go out and play for a while." The abbess said before leaning down to hold Jungkook by the shoulder.

"Isn't that right, angel?" Her gentle voice made Jungkook nod.

"See, officer? He's just trying to get you to stop me from making him play with other kids." She added before urging Jungkook to stand.

Yoonho didn't say anything as he stared at the boy who was suppressing his sobs.

"Is that it, Jungkook?" He asked, staring at the ravenette's eyes.

He saw the boy nod before turning away with the abbess who gave him a small smile.

"Thank you for the concern, officer." The abbess said, holding Jungkook by the shoulder.

If only Yoonho was able to see what's in front of him that time, he would've prevented the damnation that followed.

There was a fire that burned almost the whole orphanage and killed a lot of people. Only few survived.

When the investigation occurred, only then was Yoonho able to understand Jungkook.

He had been suffering under the pretense of what the nuns believed to be an act of help.

They tortured him, a way for him to stop liking person of the same sex.

It was a sin for them, so they resorted to torture. Every time, Kristina, the nurse, would sedate Jungkook whenever he would start being violent during what they called 'cleansing'.

An animal, an offering as they called it, would be killed and its blood would serve as holy water that would purify Jungkook's soul.

It was his everyday life and it only worsened when Dr. Kruger showed up and offered to help him through counseling.

But those counselings were only his pretense to violate Jungkook who could only keep quiet and do nothing.

They ruined him to the point that he no longer knew what's wrong from right.

And all he wanted was to be free.

But it was too late for Yoonho to know that.

The boy needed his help, but that time no one was there.

No one but himself.

"What are you saying?" Hoseok felt his body turn cold as he stared at the older Min.

"Jungkook was the one who started the fire." Yoonho repeated.

"It was his way to finally be free when no one else was there to help him." The older added, voice faltering.

"That child took the law in his hands, killed those who did him wrong because I failed to see that he needed help, Hoseok."

The regret in Yoonho's voice was evident as he stared deeply in the other's eyes.

"And it was too late for me to help him."

Hoseok failed to say anything. He couldn't stomach the things he had learned. He wanted to vomit in disgust after hearing what those people had done to a kid.

"When he finally stopped after killing Dr. Kruger, I thought he could finally be at peace. I removed any connection that may lead to him as my only way to help." Yoonho admitted.

"I knew it's wrong, but that time, helping him was the only thing I wanted." The older added.

"I wanted him to finally live a life he failed to have, and so when I made sure nothing would lead to him, I resigned from my position."

Hoseok finally understood the sudden retirement of the other. Yoonho's guilt of doing something against the law still haunted him.

Even before, Hoseok had always been a fan of Yoonho.

He's upright and kind. A true police officer who works for the betterment of people.

Now, learning something he did for a criminal, no matter how valid his reason was, suddenly made his heart clench.

"Did you tell Yoongi about this?" Hoseok asked.

Though he already knew the answer, he still wanted to make sure.

"No. He doesn't have anything to do with this." Yoonho said.

This made Hoseok sigh in relief. He stared at the older for the longest time before aiming to take his leave.

"I still don't agree with what you did, but going forward now will most likely affect Yoongi as well." Hoseok uttered in a hushed tone.

"So I'm going to keep quiet about everything you've told me." He added, though there was a lump in his throat at his own decision.

"However, I'd still proceed in capturing the killer and place him where he needs to be." Hoseok firmly stated.

"10 years ago, you chose to be blind as your way to help him. This time, I'm going to do what's need to be done." He added, finally turning his back on the older who could only stay quiet.

"I'm going to help him in the right way and won't place the law in my hands."

————

"You're here again?" Yoongi asked as soon as Hoseok came inside his hospital room.

"Hello to you too." Hoseok greeted instead, placing the fruits on the bedside table.

It had been a week since Yoongi woke up from coma. He had been out of it for a couple of days, but now he's able to be all grumpy towards Hoseok.

The fact that he's finally awake remained confidential with only Hoseok, Yoonho and the assigned doctor to know.

"How's the case going? Have you finally found a lead?" Yoongi asked.

This made Hoseok force a smile.

"Don't think about it. I'll have everything covered, so focus on getting better." He said, opening an orange for the other.

"You already know who the killer is?" Yoongi asked, understanding the hint on Hoseok's face.

"Stop with the questions and just eat this." Hoseok shoved the orange inside Yoongi's mouth.

"The fuck? Are you trying to make me feel better or trying to kill me?" Yoongi hissed which had Hoseok laughing.

"Sorry. You're too noisy I had to." Hoseok grinned, only making Yoongi roll his eyes.

They silently ate the fruits together when Yoongi suddenly got serious once again.

"For real, you already know, huh?" He asked but Hoseok just sighed.

"You really are a great detective, then." Yoongi muttered which caught Hoseok's attention.

He could see the fondness in Yoongi's face as he stared outside the window.

"I'm glad." Yoongi whispered as silence befell between them.

Hoseok could only stare at the other for the longest time before asking the question that came to mind.

"What do you want me to do to him?" Hoseok asked afterwards.

The question had Yoongi looking at him as if he had grown three more heads.

"What else? Capture him." Yoongi answered.

"No matter what he did to me, always let the law handle everything." He added, earning a smile from Hoseok.

"I just knew you'd say that." Hoseok whispered before giving an apple to Yoongi who didn't have any choice but to take it.

————

PRESENT

The media had been flocking outside the police station since the news about the killer being captured spread like wildfire.

It made Hoseok's mood turn sour. He didn't know how the news came to be which angered him.

As much as possible, he didn't want the media to meddle with the case.

"Fuck it!" Hoseok groaned as he made his way to the conference room where the killer was being held.

He entered and as soon as he was inside, the police officers nodded at him before leaving the two of them alone.

"If it isn't the detective." Jungkook uttered, hands cuffed on his back.

"I don't have time for pleasantries." Hoseok said, staring directly in the killer's eyes.

"Your future will depend on your answer." He added before asking the thing that had been bugging him since the beginning.

"Was Yoongi just lucky to have survived the bullet grazing his heart or was it intentional?" Hoseok asked.

He had been thinking about it ever since the day the doctor said the bullet missed Yoongi's vital organs.

They call it luck, but Hoseok needed to be sure.

"What do you think?" Jungkook asked instead, smirking.

Just one look at the other and Hoseok already knew the answer.

"Why?" He asked, finally admitting to his defeat.

"I bet you already know." Jungkook answered as he stared deeply in the other's eyes.

And he's right. Hoseok already knew the reason why Jungkook intentionally didn't kill Yoongi.

He most likely wanted him out of the case by getting him hospitalized.

Maybe, even though Yoonho's way of helping Jungkook was not the right way, it still had an effect to Jungkook.

And maybe for Jungkook, Yoonho didn't really fail to help him.

For him, when he needed someone's help, though not the way he had hoped for, Yoonho was able to help him.

Hoseok sigh. He couldn't voice out the words he wanted to say, and all he could do was nod and leave the room.

Before, Hoseok wanted Jungkook dead after what he did to Yoongi, but after finding out everything there is to know about the ravenette, all Hoseok wanted now is to help him.

Help Jungkook heal from the cruelty he had to endure from the unfair world he had to live in.

———
My mind really said 5k+ words for a special chapter. 🤪
Last chapter next and then epilogue.

Love you 💜