Sora slumped into the passenger seat of Jungkook's car, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Jungkook's heart ached as he hurried to the driver's side, sliding into the seat with a sense of urgency. He turned to her, his voice gentle but firm. "Can you tell me your house address?"

Her response came out muffled, choked by her sobs, her voice barely more than a whisper through the tears. Jungkook's heart clenched as he watched her, a wave of helplessness washing over him.

Realizing she needed a moment, he reached into the glove compartment with a careful motion, pulling out a pack of tissues. With a soothing, almost tender smile, he extended the tissues toward her. "Take your time. It's okay."

Sora took the tissues with shaking hands, her fingers brushing against his. She dabbed at her eyes, the tissues slowly absorbing the tears that seemed to have no end. Jungkook gripped the steering wheel, his gaze drifting to the pedestrians outside as he waited.

He wanted to say more, to offer some comfort, but he knew that sometimes silence could be just as powerful.

When her sobs finally subsided, Sora's voice was still shaky and fragile, like a delicate thread barely holding together. "You don't have to drive me home. I can just take the bus."

Jungkook's concern deepened, his brows knitting together as he looked at her. Her pallor and the tremor in her voice spoke volumes about her distress. "I don't think it's safe for you to go home alone like this," he said softly but firmly. "Not when you're clearly upset and in such a vulnerable state. It's not trouble at all. I'd feel better knowing you're safe and getting home with some support."

He could see the weight of her emotions still clinging to her, evident in the way she sat, her hands tightly clasped in her lap, her shoulders hunched as if bracing against an invisible burden. Jungkook wanted to ensure that she wasn't left alone to deal with her turmoil. The idea of her navigating public transit in such a state was unsettling, and he was determined to be there for her, as her teacher, no matter how small the gesture seemed.

Sora hesitated, her eyes still red and puffy from crying, before finally giving Jungkook her address. Jungkook quickly entered the details into the map app on his phone, his fingers moving with practiced ease. He then buckled himself in, casting a reassuring glance at her.

Sora, her hands still tightly clenched in her lap, mirrored Jungkook's actions in silence. Her fingers gripped the seatbelt with a white-knuckled intensity, as if it were the only thing anchoring her to the present. Her body continued to tremble slightly, the quivering a visible echo of the emotional storm raging inside her.

As Jungkook started driving, the rhythmic hum of the engine filled the car, creating a backdrop of soothing monotony against the oppressive silence. The low rumble seemed to amplify the quiet, making the weight of the moment feel even heavier. Jungkook felt a deep sense of helplessness, wishing he could do more than just offer a ride.

As the cityscape blurred past, memories of Yoongi's harsh words surfaced in Sora's mind, cutting through her thoughts like a sharp blade. His accusations that she didn't love him stung deeply. How could he question her love when she had sacrificed so much for him? She had always put his needs and desires above her own, constantly seeking to please him and maintain his approval.

Yoongi's jealousy had been a constant shadow over their relationship, creeping into every interaction with a suffocating intensity. He would often accuse her of being unfaithful or of showing too much attention to others, even when there was no basis for his suspicions. His possessiveness was a relentless force, leaving her feeling trapped and isolated.

As she remembered their argument earlier at the park, his words and the harsh grip of his jealousy replayed vividly in her mind. She had tried so hard to make him see her love, clinging desperately to the hope that he would change back to the gentler man she once knew.

Now, with her vision blurred by tears, the weight of her emotional turmoil felt almost unbearable. It was hard for her to focus on anything but the overwhelming ache in her heart.

Jungkook, noticing her body's renewed trembling as she struggled to contain her tears, felt a surge of compassion. "It's alright to cry," he said softly, his voice carrying a gentle reassurance. "Nobody else is here. You don't have to hold it in."

Sora's silent tears began to fall again, each drop a testament to her pain. Jungkook felt a pang of sadness as he glanced at her, the desire to offer comfort pressing on him. He hesitated, unsure of how to bridge the silence, before finally asking the question that had been lingering on his mind.

"How did you two meet?" he asked, his voice carrying a tone of quiet concern.

Sora wiped her eyes, the tissues now soaked with her tears. She took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself as she spoke. "Back in high school... He was my senior. He was always so sweet, so caring. I-I fell in love with him first... But then, in the last few months, he suddenly changed. It was like a switch flipped, and he became someone else..." Her voice wavered as she spoke, and the nostalgia for their earlier days only deepened her sorrow.

Jungkook listened intently as he absorbed Sora's words. He could hear the pain and weariness in her voice. After a moment of thoughtful silence, he responded with genuine empathy.

"I'm sorry to hear that," he began, his voice steady and reassuring. "It's incredibly hard when someone you love changes like that. I can only imagine how painful it must be to hold onto the memories of who he used to be while dealing with the person he's become now."

Jungkook glanced at Sora, his eyes filled with concern. He hesitated, carefully weighing his words. Though unsure if he was crossing a boundary, he felt the need to help her recognize her worth.

"And it sounds like you've given so much of yourself to this relationship," he said softly, choosing his words carefully. "You deserve to be with someone who truly values and respects you, not someone who constantly makes you feel trapped or unhappy. It's not right for him to control you like this. You deserve to be free—to make your own choices and to live without fear or manipulation."

Jungkook's words were meant to gently confront the reality of her situation, hoping to provide a moment of clarity amidst the turmoil she was experiencing.

Sora's eyes, shimmering with a complicated mix of pain and fragile hope, met Jungkook's. She drew in a deep, trembling breath, as if steeling herself before she spoke. Her voice, though soft, carried a quiet determination that was impossible to miss.

"I believe he'll change back," she began, her words laced with a yearning that tugged at her heart. "He was different before... He was so kind and loving, and sometimes, he still is. I just need to avoid making him angry. I love him, and I truly believe he can be that person again."

As she spoke, there was a raw, almost desperate conviction in her tone, a refusal to let go of the man she had once fallen in love with, even if it meant enduring all the pain he now inflicted.

Jungkook felt a wave of sadness wash over him as he listened to Sora's words. He could see how deeply she was holding onto the hope that Yoongi would change, but it also pained him to hear her justify enduring such pain.

He did not want to hurt her further, but knew that he needed to say something. "Sora," he began gently, his voice filled with a mix of empathy and concern, "I know you love him, and I can see how much you want things to go back to the way they were. But love shouldn't be about avoiding someone's anger or living in fear of doing something wrong. You don't have to feel like you're walking on eggshells around the person you love."

Jungkook paused, his gaze lingering on Sora for a brief moment before returning to the road ahead. He hoped his words would resonate with her, even if only a little. "I'm not saying it's easy to let go, especially when you've seen the good side of someone," he continued, his voice steady but compassionate. "But I want you to know that you have the right to be happy and to be with someone who can make you feel loved, not just sometimes, but all the time."

His words were gentle, an attempt to plant a seed of self-worth in her heart. He hoped that one day she would realize she deserved far more than the pain she was enduring, merely for those fleeting moments of affection from Yoongi.

But this time, Sora remained silent. Her eyes drifted away, staring blankly out the window as if she were shutting out the world around her. She didn't respond. It was as if she was deliberately tuning out his words, refusing to let them sink in.

Deep down, she knew Jungkook was right—his words echoed the doubts she had been trying to suppress for so long. But she didn't want to listen. She couldn't afford to. If she allowed herself to believe him, to see the truth he was offering, she feared it would unravel everything she had convinced herself to hold onto. The love she clung to, the hope she nurtured, would start to crumble, leaving her with nothing but the harsh reality she wasn't ready to face.

Jungkook sighed silently, the weight of his concern pressing down on him. He knew he couldn't force Sora to see things his way, no matter how much he wanted to help her break free from the chains that bound her. But there was a nagging worry in the back of his mind that he couldn't shake, something more urgent than just his desire to see her happy.

"Sora," he began, his voice laced with a quiet seriousness, "Has Yoongi ever hurt you? I mean... has he ever hit you or done things that made you feel unsafe?"

Jungkook felt the need to ask the question because in this moment, he wasn't just her instructor—he was someone who genuinely cared about her well-being. The lines between teacher and protector had already blurred, and all he could think about was ensuring her safety. The thought that she might be enduring something far more sinister than what she was willing to reveal gnawed at him.

As the adult in this situation, as someone who had the power to help, he knew he couldn't turn a blind eye. Ignoring it wasn't an option—not when he saw the subtle signs of distress, the way she recoiled at certain memories, and the fear that lingered in her eyes.

Sora froze, her entire body going rigid as Jungkook's question hung in the air. Her eyes dropped to her lap, where her fingers nervously twisted the already soaked tissue. After what felt like an eternity, she gave a small shake of her head, the movement was stiff, almost too rehearsed. It lacked the conviction that might have reassured him, and instead, only deepened the worry in his heart. He didn't believe her, he couldn't.

He'd witnessed Yoongi's temper before—seen the way his demeanor would darken in almost an instant, how his hold on Sora would tighten in a manner that was more possessive than protective. Jungkook had noticed the way Yoongi would pull her—too rough, too controlling, not with the gentle touch of someone who cared, but with a roughness that bordered on violence and aggression. It made Jungkook's stomach twist with unease, leaving him with a nagging fear that more could be going on beneath the surface. The thought that Yoongi might be hurting Sora in ways she wasn't willing to admit sent a cold shiver down his spine.

Jungkook's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. His voice was soft, but there was a gravity to it that conveyed the depth of his concern. "Sora," he began, his heart heavy with worry, "if he ever hits you, or does anything to hurt you... please, you have to tell someone. You don't have to face that alone. You can tell me, or anyone else you trust. Just don't keep it to yourself, okay? It’s never right for anyone to hurt you, and you don’t need to make excuses for their actions. You deserve support and safety, always.”

He glanced over at her, hoping his words would sink in, that they would offer her some small measure of comfort or courage. Sora's expression was unreadable, her gaze fixed on her lap, where her fingers continued to twist the now shredded tissue. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, but the silence that followed was thick, filled with unspoken fears and the weight of her unvoiced struggles. She didn't say anything more, and Jungkook knew better than to push her. The car fell into a somber quiet, the only sound the low hum of the engine as they continued down the darkened road.

The minutes passed slowly, the journey seeming to stretch on endlessly as they approached Sora's house. The neighborhood grew familiar, and soon, the glow of streetlights gave way to the quiet stillness of her street. Jungkook slowed the car, finally pulling up in front of her home.

As Sora unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle, her hand trembled slightly, and she paused for a moment. Without meeting his gaze, she whispered softly, "Thank you... Mr. Jeon."

The formality of his title, almost never used by students, carried a depth of sincerity that struck a chord with him. Jungkook's heart swelled at the unexpected gesture. The quiet respect in her voice, the acknowledgment of his role, made a profound impact. Jungkook couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth and pride. It was a sign that he had earned a place of respect in her eyes.

For a fleeting moment, all the doubts and insecurities that had plagued him about his perceived inadequacy in commanding respect seemed to dissolve. In their place, a sense of validation settled in. The realization that he was not merely seen as a young instructor—just five years older than his students—but as someone capable of making a meaningful impact, filled him with a deep, genuine pride.

The click of the door snapping open jolted Jungkook from his thoughts. He blurted out, "I'm not sure if I made things worse at the park earlier, but if Yoongi finds you and tries to hurt you or make you feel uncomfortable, please tell me. Or anyone you feel safe with."

Sora glanced back, nodding with a mix of gratitude and sadness. Her silhouette seemed small and fragile against the backdrop of the night. She stepped out of the car and softly closed the door with a deliberate, measured motion.

Just as she reached the front steps of her house, the door creaked open, revealing a man who emerged from within. The warm light from inside bathed him in a soft glow, accentuating his youthful features.

Jungkook's curiosity was immediately piqued. The man looked to be around his own age, exuding a blend of approachability and authority. His crescent-shaped eyes, both expressive and sharp, held a clear concern as he glanced at Sora. When his gaze shifted to Jungkook in the car, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. It was evident he hadn't anticipated seeing a stranger at the door and was likely wondering about Jungkook's connection to Sora.

Deciding it best to let the matter be for now, considering the late hour and the chill in the air, the man gently placed a hand on Sora's back, guiding her inside the house with a tenderness that starkly contrasted the roughness Jungkook had seen in Yoongi. His touch was reassuring and kind, offering a semblance of safety and warmth.

As the door closed behind them, Jungkook felt a wave of relief wash over him. The gentle way the man had interacted with Sora was reassuring; it was clear she was in good hands. The trust she placed in him spoke volumes about his character and suggested she was well cared for. With a lighter heart, Jungkook watched the street recede in his rearview mirror as he drove away.