ᖇOOᗰᗰᗩTᗴՏ ᗯITᕼ ᕼIᗰ 《C.TZ × J.JK》

Chapter 34: Changing Back

Weeks and months passed.

First term ended and second started.

September whizzed past to January.

Autumn blended into winter.

And the distance between Jungkook and Tzuyu grew and grew, so wide that there was no bridge big enough to cross the gap.

Everything went back to the way it once was.

Tzuyu's heart once again swelled with the strong loathe she felt for him, but this time, even stronger. It was almost as if it had never disappeared. It was only that one week, and the feeling was anything but a stranger.

S

tudies got in the way now that the school was fully in progress.

Jungkook got hired for a job to find himself a distraction from his broken heart and take the burden heaving down on him for his part. It was a favor to both sides to not be able to feel the other's presence burning down on their skins, sweltering and uncomfortable.

Tzuyu, too, kept her bargain of maintaining their newfound distance. And she took it upon herself to do a better job. She was off to her shift right after school ended, not even bothering to return home and relax her throbbing mind.

Jungkook, on his behalf, wasn't any less either. It was to his advantage his she didn't come back to drop off her stuff for he was always there. But then, she had no right to complain. It was his place first after all.

Though, however much his feelings bounced back and forth between love and hate, he knew he wasn't a demon. And neither did he wish to one. He still cared.

Jungkook willingly granted Tzuyu her freedom from his shadows. He tried his best to stay out of her way, while she did the same, both striving to be fair to the other to reduce the heavy guilt that plunged and churned inside their chests, stabbing their spirits with reluctance and humility.

While Tzuyu gave him his space by leaving the dorm to himself in the evening, he paid her back by letting her fall asleep in peace, knowing that he won't be until a few hours. Though his own sleep was cut short, it still was a benefit to both, for neither saw each other in the morning, Tzuyu already having left before he awoke.

Homework and projects were done during the free time they got between classes and work. And for the most part, the home they shared was deserted. Neither wanted to stay in the place for longer than they had to.

Sometimes it was almost as if they didn't know if each other anymore.

Rosé and Lisa returned from their three month suspension with their demeanor of power as solid as ever, bringing Tzuyu the feeling of dread that she hadn't felt for a while.

They were often heard whispering secretly to each other whenever her or Jungkook passed by.

Lisa effortlessly tried to make her his again but failed over and over again. Though, he wanted to go back to her as much as she wanted him to, which was not at all, he couldn't help but get drawn to her. He kept finding himself trying to strike up random conversations with her, but his heart always told him that it belonged to someone else, not Lisa and that it was useless to mend that broken relationship.

Mr. Gong's teasing ceased since he rarely saw Tzuyu and him together anymore, which was a relief. To both of them. Jungkook had to still let the fact sink in that so much had changed between their Tom and Jerry relationship in just one week, but had flipped back into place just like it used to be.

But, will it ever change back ever again?