Time ➳ BTS

12 | Checkmate

The letter fluttered limply in your hand as you reread it. Each sentence and symbol seemed to dance with a hidden meaning as if to taunt you to unravel the truth.

Does someone know of your existence in this timeline? If yes, then how? It's supposed to be some kind of secret.

Perhaps Guk also got other people involved from your timeline, which you somehow doubt it.

"This is ridiculous," you muttered, shaking your head. A frown etched itself onto your face. "Someone's definitely having a laugh at my expense," you grumbled, your voice laced with suspicion. With a decisive motion, you crumpled the letter into a ball, deciding to put it inside your pocket.

A familiar voice sliced through the fog of confusion left by the cryptic letter. You spun around, relief washing over you as you spotted Chansook making her way down the hallway, engrossed in something clutched in her hands. A genuine smile tugged at your lips. "Yo, Chansook!" you called out, waving an arm above the heads of the bustling staff members.

She glanced around, searching, before her eyes landed on you and lit up like fireworks. "Babe!" she exclaimed, hurrying over. You playfully rolled your eyes at the new nickname she'd bestowed upon you. But with a warmth spreading through your chest, you had a feeling this "babe" phase might stick around for a while.

As Chansook reached you, she threw her arms around you in a surprise hug. You let out a surprised "oof" as you were engulfed in her embrace. "How are you, babe?" she whispered, her voice muffled against your chest.

"Babe, huh?" you teased, raising an eyebrow with a playful grin. "No more 'little shit'?"

She pulled back, a laugh bubbling up from her throat. She reached up and ruffled your hair, a move that elicited a groan from you. "Hey," she chirped innocently, "if you prefer 'little shit,' I can always switch back."

You swatted her hand away, feigning annoyance. "You're such a tease, you know that?"

"I hear that a lot," Chansook replied with a wink, a playful glint in her eyes. Draping an arm casually around your shoulder, she steered you both into a more leisurely stroll through the bustling hallway. "So, spill the beans," she pressed, her voice taking on a curious lilt. "What mischief have you been getting into lately?"

You couldn't help but sense the double meaning in her words. While she undoubtedly wanted to distract you from the unsettling events, a flicker of curiosity about the situation danced in her gaze.

"The usual," you shrugged, offering a vague response. "Honestly, it gets pretty dull around here without something to keep me occupied." You knew it wasn't entirely truthful, but revealing the cryptic letter felt... wrong.

Chansook bobbed her head in agreement, her eyes still fixed ahead. "Yeah, I can imagine," she murmured.

Then, a barely audible sigh escaped your lips. "To be honest," you began mindlessly, your voice dropping a notch, "you're the only real friend I've made here so far. Besides the boys, of course."

Suddenly, she stopped walking with a jerk, her head snapping towards you with a whiplash-inducing speed. "Wait, what?" she blurted out, momentarily stunned. "Did you just say...?" The question hung in the air, heavy with anticipation.

You threw her a look, but nonetheless repeated your words. "I said that it gets boringㅡ"

She shook her head. "No no, the words after that."

A flicker of confusion crossed your face at Chansook's abrupt stop. "Uh, yeah," you stammered, brows furrowing slightly. "I said you're the first real friend I made here besides the boys. Why? Is something wrong?"