"I know what I have given you... I do not know what you have received."—Antonio Porchia

**

THEY SAY, five billion years from now, the sun will die.

It was a time uncountable for humans, even unimaginable thinking right at this moment. However, someday, surely it will. Every day it was like a ticking bomb, a pouring pitcher, a withering plant... it will run out of what it usually gives as so much.

Generosity is praised, generosity is revered.

Yet we forget, to each and every who gives, there's a limit.

For so much will always be too much.

Sometimes it's worse to give.

"She had an accident," Rosé's voice echoed in his mind. Taehyung froze on his spot and felt his body running cold. His mind went blank and he could not utter anything. So, she took it as a sign and continued speaking.

"Jisoo fell from the stairs. She's currently at the infirmary near the gym but we might bring her to the hospital—"

However, he didn't hear the rest of what she was about to say as his feet started moving on its own. In a blink of an eye, he was running.

Taehyung didn't know how he managed to move despite feeling his legs wobble and his insides trembling. He couldn't care less about the students who eyed him weirdly as he rushed by the corridors.

He wants to see her. He needs to see her.

People on the sidelines started looking like the shadows who chased after him in his nightmares. He almost thought that maybe he is just sleeping but the emotions surging in him felt so real, he cannot even fool himself.

The path to the infirmary felt the longest, as if it was a tunnel he was escaping.

He wants to see the light. He needs to see the light.

This can't be happening, Taehyung chanted in his head.

Maybe it was a looming fear, or perhaps desperation, that allowed him to prevent from staggering and falling on his feet.

He is not scared.

And he is way past being frightened.

But he hasn't been this terrified for years.

—

"YOU REALLY have a talent for making us worry, huh?" Hoseok combed her hair with his fingers and shook his head. He stood straight and crossed his arms over his chest while looking at his friend in worry.

"Irene should be expelled," Bona commented. She was standing beside Hoseok while watching over her, "She has always been a bully, anyway."

"No..." Jisoo, who has a bandage around her head glanced at her, "This was an accident," she said as she played with her fingers.

"There you go again," Lisa, who was sitting beside her on the bed uttered, her tone somewhere in between concerned and a little annoyed.

"I bet even if she shoots you a bullet straight to your skull, you'll say... Oh, let's just understand her. Maybe she has a reason. But do you ever think of the damage you take?" she added.

"Lisa," Hoseok put his hand on her shoulder, "Save the lectures later. Jisoo just woke up."

"It's okay," Jisoo smiled at Hoseok and mumbled a sorry to Lisa.

"Jisoo," Lisa sighed in guilt and held her hand, "Look, I'm sorry, I know I always sound like I'm scolding you but... I'm just really worried because you seem so self-destructive most of the time and I don't want something like this happening to you."

"Yeah, I can't deny that," she laughed forcefully and breathed out, her chest feeling heavy in emotions.

"But are you okay now?" Nayeon, who was also sitting on the other side of her bed asked, as she fixed a few strands of her disheveled hair.

"Hm," Jisoo smiled while nodding before looking at them, "Sorry for bothering everyone," she apologized.

Her smile silenced everyone in the room. They knew she was probably feeling the worst out of all of them yet her smile is just as bright as usual, even brighter than them, who was supposed to be the emotional support. They can't help but just watch her, wondering how she could be easily okay like that.

"But you should still report this to the office," Namjoon broke the silence.

"Yeah, whether it's an accident or not, you don't decide that," Jinyoung seconded and turned to look at the girl beside him, "You saw what happened, right?"

Jennie felt slightly uncomfortable as she felt all stares on her at the moment. Her gaze shifted around the room in agitation as she cleared her throat.

"Not exactly..." she uttered, "I just saw her sprawled on the ground already while Irene is just looking at her. Then, another girl appeared who dragged Irene out of the scene."

"Her minions again, huh? Who is it this time?" Nayeon clicked her tongue and frowned.

"Probably Yeri, I passed by them before I heard Jennie shouting for help," Jinyoung answered.

"Those girls... I did hear some bad things about them," Jimin spoke and looked back at them, "I just thought that those rumors are not true but now..."

"They didn't really like Jisoo," Hoseok said while rolling his eyes and facing Jisoo, "You have a bad relationship with them for so long, I doubt they had good intentions over this situation."

"She didn't push me," Jisoo insisted.

"She didn't help you either," Jennie instantly said back. Jisoo turned to her and locked eyes. They stared at each other for a minute while the room fell into silence once more.

Jennie sighed and adjusted her things. She was the first to look away, "Well, uh, I guess my job here is done. I'll take my leave," she said before excusing herself to the door.

Before she could leave, Jisoo spoke, "Thank you, Jennie."

For a split second, her hand paused until she twisted the knob, exiting. A silent sound of the door closing reigned inside the room.

"You should just rest. We could settle this matter when you've recovered," Lisa said and fixed the blanket on her lap.

"Are you sure you're not going to the hospital for a proper checkup?" Jinyoung stared at her from a few steps away. He was standing together with Jimin, Namjoon and the quiet Jungkook.

"I'm okay, really," Jisoo looked towards him, smiling. His eyes lingered on her for an extra second, the act not escaping Namjoon's peering gazes that the latter ended up coughing awkwardly.

Jisoo looked down on her clasped hands, "Besides, I hate it there. It's too expensive while I'm already fine... It's just a waste of money and energy," she pouted.

"You act like you're so broke," Bona commented while shaking her head.

"Well," Jisoo laughed softly and pursed her lips.

Suddenly, a loud thud on the door shattered the ambience in the room. Everyone looked at the direction and were all shocked.

It was Taehyung.

With a Rosé breathing heavily following seconds after, behind him. She looked like she just ran a mile to get there. She put down Jisoo's things on the floor and held her chest.

"Let's uh, leave them for a while," Rosé told everyone while still catching her breath. Taehyung's eyes are scanning the room, his view hindered by Hoseok and Bona's figure that he can't find Jisoo right away.

Jisoo nodded towards them and smiled. Hoseok and Bona moved aside, allowing him to finally see her. His eyes instantly landed on her.

Just then, as they all head toward the door, Taehyung rushed inside to run by her side. Before they closed the door entirely, they got a glimpse of how he pulled her into an embrace.

She was taken aback. But when he hugged her, the feeling of dread she didn't know she was feeling or perhaps denied to herself that she did, disappeared. A relieved smile broke into her face. Jisoo's arms wrapped around his back slowly, letting herself feel comfortable under his hold.

"Hey, Taehyungie. It's fine. I'm okay," she whispered as she caressed his hair. She felt his beating heart and how he was catching his breath on the crook of her neck.

He pulled back and stared at her face, "Did I worry you?" Jisoo asked, laughing.

Taehyung ignored her, "Does it hurt?" he held her head gently and examined her bandage, "Do you feel heavy? Are you hurt elsewhere?" he was mumbling to himself as he checked her body for any other wounds.

Jisoo felt how cold his hands on her shoulders are. His eyes were frantic, making sure he looked at everything. She noticed how he was slightly shaking too.

"Let's go to the hospital," Taehyung suddenly said and stared at her eyes, "Look at what happened to you," he added, referring to her current state.

"I'm fine," she smiled at him and held both of his hands, putting it still on her lap, "No need to go to the hospital. We'll just pay bills there."

"The hell are you saying?" his face quickly frowned, "Why are you even worrying over that? Screw that shit, I'll pay."

Jisoo laughed loudly, her one hand covering her mouth for a split second. Taehyung was confused while watching her.

"What's so funny? You're hurt here," he told her. A little irritation is evident in his tone.

She shook her head lightly, "You're acting cute," she said, tilting her head on one side while her sparkling eyes are staring at him.

He was caught off guard.

Taehyung looked away bashfully, his ears turning to a shade of red. He groaned and covered his face with a hand, "Fuck. Don't say things like that out of the blue."

Jisoo giggled to herself. She poked his cheek and bent down a little to meet his gaze, "Just because I'm injured doesn't mean I can count your dollars, sir," she teased.

"Whatever. I don't care," he combed his hair and looked up to her face, "Tell me how much, I can afford that," he bragged.

"Wow, you're packed," she said and cackled.

Taehyung observed her and pinched her cheeks softly, "You're still acting stubborn even now."

"Ow!" she rubbed her cheek and dropped her hand on her lap after, "I'm okay, how many times should I say that?" Jisoo complained while pouting.

Taehyung ignored what she said again and held her cheek. She almost thought she was getting a heart attack when her chest leapt inside, thumping fast and loud.

Yet he didn't notice what he was making her feel. He innocently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, making her pounding heart worse, "You look pale to me."

She bravely stared back at his worried eyes, "I'm not used to you being a softie," she said and cleared her throat.

"So you could actually be one if you try to, huh," Jisoo laughed her awkwardness away and looked down as she played with her fingers. She sighed to calm herself before her eyes went back to him.

"I like it," she honestly told him and beamed.

This time, Taehyung was the one who fell silent. His eyes stared at her as if he was memorizing each and every angle of her.

That's right.

He wants to memorize this Jisoo.

This smiling Jisoo.

"Just be like this," he suddenly said.

She gawked at him in confusion, "Huh?"

"Just be like this," he repeated, "Forever," he then added before pulling her to a hug. He leaned her on his chest and placed his chin gently on top of her head.

"Don't get into harm ever again," he uttered and closed his eyes, "I can't handle that," Taehyung whispered.

Jisoo laughed softly and hugged him back, "Mhm, 'kay boss!" she cheerfully answered and buried her face on his chest.

Oh, he smells good, she thought.

Slowly, she felt her eyes become droopy. She didn't remember what happened next as she fell back asleep. Taehyung stayed beside her.

It was half an hour later when he felt a little at ease and finally went out to find her friends. He was at the door when he saw them standing just in front of the clinic. Noticing his presence, they all looked at him.

He quietly stepped out and closed the door.

"What exactly happened?" he straightforwardly asked, "I won't buy that she tripped or whatnot," he seriously said.

The girls looked at each other, contemplating what to answer. Then, it was Jinyoung who spoke first, seconds after. It looks like he stayed behind.

"It's who," he started, "Who did that to her, should be your question."

Taehyung's blank stare at him darkened. They had a short staring contest, weighing each other before Taehyung retorted.

"Then, who?"

The ladies looked at him, they felt something ominous from his aura.

Looks like things are not gonna end quietly.

—

"OH, DID I oversleep?" Jisoo slowly gets up from the bed while rubbing her eyes groggily.

Rosé helped her sit straight, "Everyone went to their classes earlier. They dropped by before going home. Jimin and his friends, and Jinyoung. Nayeon and Bona went to the dorms for the meantime while Lisa went to give notice of what happened to your classes and clubs."

"I see," Jisoo answered.

"You okay?" Rosé softly asked in concern.

"Yes, thank you so much," she smiled at her friend. Then, her eyes wandered around the spacious room. She saw the nurse who looked like she just came back to her station managing some documents.

"Uhm," her eyes scanned around again before facing her friend, "Where's Taehyung?"

Rosé looked like she hesitated for a second but soon said, "He left... for something. He said he'll come back and that he'd take you home."

Jisoo stared at her but decided to shrug off her suspicions, "Okay," she simply uttered.

She grabbed her phone from the side table and checked. She saw a bunch of messages from colleagues and her friends. She smiled to herself, feeling warm because of all the concern she had received.

Then, one message made her stop.

Jisoo clasped her hands together. She didn't want Rosé to notice anything off. She bit her lip before bobbing her head up and looked at her friend reading her material.

"Uh, Chae?" she softly called.

"Yup?" Rosé put down her paper and turned towards her.

"Can you get me juice in the cafeteria?" she gave her a small smile.

"Sure, wait," Rosé stood up from her seat.

"Wait," Jisoo called her before she could walk away, "Can you please drag the curtain dividers?"

Rosé looked at the curtain and to her, "Uh, alright," she said before leaving and pulling the curtains around Jisoo's bed.

Jisoo sent out a message. The school nurse looks busy on her computer. She leaned back to the headboard and anxiously waited.

A minute later, she felt a man approaching.

Jisoo was looking out the window beside her. She doesn't need to look back. She knows who it is. She sighed heavily.

"I said I'm alright, sir," she mumbled and balled her hands to fist on her lap, "No one should see you here."

—

"SO IT WAS you?" Taehyung coldly asked the lady in front of him.

After the incident, he went looking for the person they all pointed to. He didn't want to accept but he gave up his pride and had Jinyoung contact her so they could meet. They met in an empty hallway. The sun is setting and the campus is almost deserted because the majority of classes have finished.

When they told him the name, he didn't recognize it right away. He just knew it was familiar but he cannot exactly recall the person.

Seeing her now, he somehow remembered.

Out of everyone, it was... Irene.

"Wow, now you wanna talk," she sarcastically said, "I've been calling you since I arrived in the country but you don't answer!"

So the number I blocked was her? Taehyung's brows furrowed. His annoyance is soaring higher than it was originally.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" he asked, raising his voice, "Stop acting like I have a responsibility to answer your nonsense calls."

"Nonsense?" Irene glared at him, "You didn't say that when you slept with me!"

"Fuck," Taehyung brushed his hands over his face in frustration. For the first time, such thought bothered him and made him feel guilty out of nowhere. He was really a fucked up person.

This is why I hate every part of my stupid past.

He sighed and shot daggers at her, "You're just a side bitch, a fucking fling. The hell are you being so dramatic for? It was just one night of fooling around, aren't you smart enough to get that in your head?"

Irene stared at him. She felt her eyes tearing up. This day was not going well for her. When she heard he was looking for her, she thought this would turn out different at the last minute but hearing him say such harsh words just made it worse.

"No way," she bit her lip and looked at him in disappointment, "Then why did you do that?! You can't tell me that night is nothing!" she hit him consecutively on the chest.

"The heck are you saying?" Taehyung caught her hands, "From the start I told you that we wouldn't fuck if you're expecting anything from me and you said it was clear so don't pull that shit on me!"

"What made you think it was different, huh? Because I saved you from being run over by a car?" he asked mockingly.

When Irene looked down on her feet, Taehyung knew what he said was right.

"Damn," he let out a hollow chuckle and stared blankly at her, "Would you rather I let you die there? I just happened to pass by and pulled you away."

"Don't think of it as anything special. We agreed on fucking— nothing else but mere lust," he continued. Irene raised her hand to slap him but he didn't let her.

Taehyung held her wrist and inched forward. "Get over it," he coldly told her.

"So you're really just an asshole like what everyone says," Irene gave him sharp gazes to hide her hurt feelings.

"I am," Taehyung replied, emotionless.

"Hah," she scoffed, "Alright! So what is it? You want somewhere you can stick your dick in today? Is that why you contacted me again?" she asked spitefully.

"No," he answered firmly.

His hand dropped down to her arm and his glare intensified, "Leave Jisoo alone."

Irene was taken aback by the mention of the name. Her brows furrowed, "Jisoo?" she repeated, confused.

Then it dawned on her. Everything just comes back to her at the end of the day. Irene laughed loudly and slapped his hand away. She guffawed to herself, as if she was losing it, she was facing the other way while pulling her hair. Her eyes went back to him. She looked at him in disbelief.

"Jisoo, you say?" the anger in her voice seeping, "That phony bitch?" she added.

Taehyung grabbed her upper arm. Irene flinched and looked at how strong he was gripping her, "Don't call her like that," her eyes traveled to his sharp orbs.

Her stare lingered before her face broke into a sarcastic smile, "Now you care?"

Taehyung didn't say anything. However, that made her more furious. She backed away and watched him.

"Why? Over that girl? What's with her?!" she hysterically said, "You went here shoving to my face how little you think of me and then go fucking threaten me for her?"

"You're stooping low, Taehyung," Irene told him. She locked her gazes with his blank eyes, "So that's why you don't like me," she continued.

"You prefer cheap girls better," she spat.

Taehyung clenched his jaw and fist, he heaved a sigh, "Look, I'm sure you know I don't have the longest patience," he said in his low voice.

"The only reason why I still haven't done something to you, is her," he added.

"How considerate of you then," Irene interrupted jeeringly, "Hah, Taehyung? You're being soft over some lowly side chick like her!" she yelled.

"She's not a side chick nor anything you said of her!" he shouted back, silencing her with the power of his voice.

"She's also not someone who pushes another person because of their goddamn insecurities," Taehyung took a step forward. His aura is starting to become more serious that Irene fumbled on her words but she still refused to back down.

"Is that what she told you?! See? She's a liar! I didn't push her!" Irene insisted.

"She's not the one who said that," Taehyung said, "And I couldn't care less. Whether you pushed her or not, I wouldn't let pass everything you've done to her until now."

"I never want any connection with you ever again," he continued and stepped away.

"But mark my words," he paused.

"If you lay your hand on her. Even the tiniest, even the slightest touch and you repeat all of this," he slowly relayed the message, emphasizing every word.

"You'll be facing me," he told her with eyes as empty as a void.

Taehyung turned his back on her. But before he actually left, he warned, "Believe me, that'd be the last thing you'll want."

Irene stood there alone. She was dumbstruck, unable to entirely process everything that has happened now and throughout this day. A tear fell unknowingly from her eye but she easily wiped it away.

Earlier that day, she was feeling bothered. She was torn over something. She was doubting and bewildered.

But now, she became clouded instead.

She didn't clear her mind like she planned to. She was engulfed by something heavy in her chest. Her hatred burned crimson red.

"Everything... Everyone..." she uttered under her breath. Her nails were digging on her palm as she fisted her hand.

"You just take them away from me," tears hung by the window of her eyes. She didn't want them to fall. She didn't want to fall.

Irene stared off into space, the image of Jisoo smiling she has always abhorred deep in her heart, flashed by her mind.

Then she spat, "That's the worst thing I hate most about you."