The rain had stopped.
But the tension inside the apartment had only grown heavier.
Vespera stood near the table, spreading several papers across its surface. Maps of the university campus, staff schedules, and security layouts were arranged carefully.
Her sharp eyes studied every detail.
Her fingers traced the layout of the principalâs office.
Completely focused.
Completely calm.
Across the room, Jungkook leaned against the wall, watching her.
He had been observing her silently for almost ten minutes now.
And something about her fascinated him.
Not just the tattoos.
Not just the strength she had shown during the fight.
But the way she moved.
The way she planned.
The way her eyes darkened whenever the principal was mentioned.
This wasnât simple revenge.
This was personal.
Deeply personal.
Jungkook finally broke the silence.
Jungkook said slowlyâ
âYou're obsessed.â
Vespera didnât even look up.
Vespera replied calmlyâ
âFocused.â
Jungkook chuckled.
Jungkook saidâ
âThereâs a difference.â
Vespera moved another paper across the table.
Vespera saidâ
âNo.â
Her voice remained cold.
Vespera saidâ
âThere isnât.â
Jungkook pushed himself away from the wall and walked toward her.
His steps were slow.
Deliberate.
He stopped beside the table and looked down at the plans.
Jungkook saidâ
âYou've already mapped the security routes.â
Vespera nodded slightly.
Vespera saidâ
âThe guards rotate every two hours.â
She pointed at a hallway on the map.
Vespera saidâ
âHis office camera covers only this angle.â
Her finger moved again.
Vespera saidâ
âThereâs a blind spot here.â
Jungkookâs eyebrows lifted slightly.
Jungkook saidâ
âYou planned this before coming to Korea.â
Vespera finally looked at him.
Her eyes were calm.
But something darker burned inside them.
Vespera said quietlyâ
âI plan everything.â
Jungkook leaned slightly closer to the table.
His shoulder brushed lightly against hers.
But Vespera didnât react.
Her attention remained on the map.
Jungkook smirked faintly.
Jungkook said softlyâ
âYou're ignoring me.â
Vespera replied without hesitation.
Vespera saidâ
âYes.â
Jungkook laughed under his breath.
Jungkook saidâ
âThat might be the first time someone has ignored me in years.â
Vespera moved another paper aside.
Vespera said calmlyâ
âYou broke into my apartment.â
She looked at him again.
Vespera saidâ
âYouâre lucky I didnât throw the knife two centimeters to the right.â
Jungkook leaned closer now.
Much closer.
Close enough that his shadow fell across the papers.
Jungkook said quietlyâ
âYou wouldnât kill your partner.â
Vesperaâs eyes narrowed slightly.
Vespera saidâ
âYou assume too much.â
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
The tension between them was sharp.
Dangerous.
Like two predators standing inches apart.
Then Vespera stepped back slightly and returned to the plans.
Vespera saidâ
âFocus.â
Jungkook sighed dramatically.
Jungkook saidâ
âYou're ruining the mood.â
Vespera raised an eyebrow.
Vespera saidâ
âWhat mood?â
Jungkook leaned against the table.
His voice lowered.
Jungkook saidâ
âThe one where a mysterious mafia queen and a crime lord plan revenge together in the middle of the night.â
Vespera looked completely unimpressed.
Vespera saidâ
âThis isn't a movie.â
Jungkook watched her carefully.
Then his expression became slightly more serious.
Jungkook saidâ
âYou hate him that much?â
Vesperaâs hand stopped moving.
For a moment, the room became quiet again.
Then she spoke.
Her voice softer.
But colder.
Vespera saidâ
âMy brother trusted them.â
Her fingers clenched slightly.
Vespera saidâ
âThey broke him.â
Her eyes darkened.
Vespera saidâ
âAnd now Iâm going to break them.â
Jungkook studied her silently.
Then he nodded slowly.
Jungkook saidâ
âGood.â
Vespera looked at him again.
Jungkookâs voice dropped lower.
Jungkook saidâ
âBecause I want the same thing.â
Three Days Later â University
The next morning, the quiet nerd returned.
Vespera walked through the university gates wearing her oversized cardigan, long skirt, and glasses.
Her hair was tied loosely again.
Her shoulders slightly hunched.
Just another harmless student.
But this time, she wasnât alone.
From the rooftop of a nearby building, Jungkook watched the campus through dark sunglasses.
Taehyun stood beside him.
Taehyun sighed.
Taehyun saidâ
âYouâre babysitting her now?â
Jungkook smirked slightly.
Jungkook saidâ
âIâm observing.â
Across the campus courtyard, Ara spotted Vespera immediately.
Her lips curved into a cruel smile.
Ara said loudlyâ
âWell look who survived yesterday.â
Several students turned to watch.
Minji laughed.
Minji saidâ
âI thought sheâd transfer schools already.â
Vespera lowered her gaze.
Perfect acting.
Perfect nervousness.
Vespera said softlyâ
âI just came for class.â
Ara stepped closer.
Ara said coldlyâ
âYou donât belong here.â
She shoved Vesperaâs books from her hands.
They scattered across the ground.
Students watched.
Some whispered.
Some laughed.
From the rooftop, Jungkookâs jaw tightened slightly.
Taehyun noticed.
Taehyun saidâ
âYouâre going to let this happen again?â
Jungkook watched quietly.
Jungkook saidâ
âShe wants this.â
Taehyun blinked.
Taehyun saidâ
âWhat?â
Jungkookâs eyes remained fixed on Vespera.
Jungkook said slowlyâ
âSheâs gathering attention.â
His lips curved faintly.
Jungkook saidâ
âMaking them underestimate her.â
Back in the courtyard, Ara leaned closer to Vespera again.
Ara said quietlyâ
âYouâre pathetic.â
Vespera bent down slowly to pick up her books.
Her expression hidden behind her hair.
But a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Because everything was going exactly according to plan.
And somewhere above the campusâŚ
Jungkook watched her carefully.
The Italian queen pretending to be weak.
The Black Panther hiding in plain sight.
And for the first time in a long timeâ
Jungkook felt excited about what was coming next.