The airport buzzed with energy, a mix of excitement, anticipation, and the soft hum of a thousand stories unfolding in the vast expanse. The air was thick with the weight of new beginnings and silent goodbyes, as if every person passing by was carrying a secret, a hope, a wish. For a moment, it felt as though time itself was holding its breath, waiting for something significant to happen. The sound of rolling suitcases, footsteps, and the chatter of voices seemed distant, muted—everything faded into the background as they stepped closer to their destiny.
Yn, Hana, and Sumi walked ahead, each step purposeful yet uncertain, the weight of their journey pressing gently on their shoulders. They could feel the thrill of adventure, the excitement of what lay ahead. Yet, there was a lingering unease, the kind that comes with change—quiet, almost imperceptible.
Meanwhile, Taehyung, Jungkook, and Jimin stood a few steps behind, their casual stride betraying nothing of the storm that seemed to rage beneath their calm facades. Taehyung's eyes, usually so steady and confident, darted around, taking in the scene. His heart beat with that familiar restlessness, the tension that never seemed to leave him.
Suddenly, the air shifted—a voice, high-pitched and eager, reached their ears.
Girl: [excited tone] “Hi, Taehyung!”
The world seemed to pause for a split second, the chaos around them fading into the background. The three boys turned, their eyes meeting the girl who had approached with a radiant smile, her presence somehow different from the crowd. She had a way of moving, of speaking, that made everything else feel less important.
Taehyung: [a little confused but polite] “Hello?”
Girl: “I’m Ara.”
She extended her hand, her fingers trembling just slightly, as if this moment meant more to her than it did to him.
Taehyung hesitated for just a heartbeat, but then his fingers met hers. His touch was brief, but there was something about the way their hands briefly connected that sent an unexpected pulse of energy through him.
Ara: “I’m from the other class... but I know you. You’re the class topper, right?”
Taehyung: “Oh.”
Ara: “You really do look good...”
Her words hung in the air, her gaze never faltering, meeting his with a quiet intensity. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, trying to keep her cool but her cheeks turning the faintest shade of pink. Her heart was fluttering, but she maintained eye contact, refusing to look away first.
Taehyung blinked, his mind momentarily thrown off, his thoughts tangled in the unexpectedness of it all.
Taehyung: “Uh… thank you.”
Jungkook, ever the observer, leaned toward Jimin, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Jungkook: “Looks like someone’s already crushing on Taehyung.”
Jimin’s small chuckle only added fuel to the fire, his voice barely a whisper.
Taehyung, despite his cool exterior, felt the growing discomfort of the situation. He nodded politely but turned his gaze toward the gate, as though hoping the moment would pass.
Ara, not to be deterred, continued, her voice lighter now, her excitement bubbling over.
Ara: [giggling] “Honestly, I thought I wouldn’t get a chance to talk to you… since we’re from different classes. But thanks to this trip, I get to spend some time with you.”
Taehyung: “Huh.”
Ara, catching her mistake, quickly corrected herself, her voice almost stumbling over the words.
Ara: “I-I mean, not just you. I meant… with you and your friends. Like… making new friends, you know?”
Taehyung glanced at Jungkook and Jimin, the unease now settled firmly in his chest. He forced himself to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Taehyung: “Uh… should we go inside?”
Ara’s eyes widened, realizing her mistake too late, but she quickly recovered.
Ara: [quickly, almost stumbling over her words] “Oh—yes! Let’s go!”
The group finally entered the plane, the door closing behind them with a quiet click. Inside, Yn was already seated by the window, her expression distant, her gaze lost in the view outside. Hana and Sumi sat beside her, chatting quietly, unaware of the tension that had just unfolded.
As soon as Taehyung entered, his eyes met Yn’s. Their gazes locked briefly, an unspoken challenge passing between them—cold, sharp, and undeniable. His eyes betrayed nothing, but inside, a storm was brewing. Yn’s expression was unreadable, as always, but there was a quiet fire burning behind her eyes.
As she sees who’s sitting in front of her, her hand curls into a fist.
He silently took his seat near the window—right in front of her. The space between them felt almost suffocating.
Ara, however, wasn’t about to let the distance remain for long. She plopped down next to him with a wide, almost predatory smile, as if she were claiming her territory. Jungkook and Jimin took the seats beside her, exchanging amused glances.
Pilot: “We are ready for take-off. Please fasten your seat belts.”
Professor: “Everyone, wear your seatbelts now!”
The familiar click of seatbelts filled the air, and the mix of nervous excitement buzzed around the cabin.
Pilot: “The flight is ready for departure. Please sit back and enjoy your journey.”
The plane ascended, and a wave of exhilaration swept over the students. The laughter, the cheers, the clinking of cans, all mingled together as the plane sliced through the sky, carrying them into the unknown.
Hana: [smiling] “Yn, Sumi—look at the view outside! It’s so beautiful!”
Yn’s eyes softened as she took in the view. A rare moment of peace settled in her chest, but it was fleeting.
Meanwhile, Ara’s voice floated through the air, trying again to pull Taehyung into her world, her presence too close, too insistent.
Ara: [pointing out the window] “Taehyung, look! The view from here is amazing, isn’t it?”
Taehyung gave her a small smile—polite, detached—and nodded slightly, but his eyes never left the window. He was already retreating into himself, closing off the world around him.
Ara leaned a little closer, her breath too warm against his skin, her fingers brushing his arm. Every time Taehyung tried to shift away, she was there, following him, grabbing at his sleeve like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Jungkook leaned toward Jimin again, his voice barely audible, but the smirk on his lips spoke volumes.
Jungkook: “Looks like she’s going to cling to him the entire trip.”
Jimin chuckled, the sound soft and amused.
Jimin: “At this rate, she might just ask him to be her boyfriend before the plane lands.”
After a while, everyone finally reached their destination.
The forest stood like a guardian—ancient, silent, and whispering secrets only the wind could understand.
Misty clouds clung to the mountaintops like forgotten memories, heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth.
As the bus came to a gentle halt before the grand architectural marvel tucked into the lap of the woods, it felt like time itself slowed down.
The house stood proud—modern, minimal, yet strangely melancholic.
It wasn’t just a building.
It felt like a soul carved in stone and glass—watching, waiting.
After a while, everyone finally reached their destination.
Yn stepped out, her shoes softly crunching against the forest path. The air was crisp, filled with the echo of rustling leaves and unseen emotions.
She looked around, her heart quietly stirring as her eyes lifted to take it all in—
The vast, moody sky.
The silent sentinels of trees.
The home that felt like a secret.
Her voice came out like a breath of awe.
Yn: “Wow… what a beautiful place.”
Hana: “Yeah, seriously... it’s amazing.”
The words dissolved into the chilled air, and just then, a staff member approached them—smiling politely, but with the kind of calm that only comes from living in the embrace of nature.
Staff: “You all are from Seoul University, right?”
Professor: “Yes, we are.”
Staff: “Welcome, everyone.”
The professor’s eyes lingered on the structure with appreciation before he turned to the students, a soft smile resting on his face—one that said, this is going to be special.
Professor: “Students, this is the building we’ll be staying in. I hope you all like the place.”
All Students: “Yes, sir!”
Professor: “Good. Let’s head inside.”
The doors opened, and they stepped into a world where everything echoed—their steps, their breaths, their unspoken feelings.
The lights inside were dim and warm, like golden threads in the cold air, knitting a quiet sense of belonging.
A bunch of keys jingled gently as the staff handed them to the professor.
Staff: “Here are the room keys, sir.”
Professor: “Alright.”
A curious voice, laced with hunger and innocence, rose from the crowd.
Student: “Sir, when will dinner be served?”
Professor: “Soon. First, freshen up. We’ll gather later for dinner.”
All Students: “Okay!”
One by one, the professor began distributing the keys. Each key had a weight—not just of metal, but of stories waiting to unfold.
The building was so grand, each student was given their own room.
A small freedom. A quiet universe.
When he reached Yn, he handed her a key with a gentle nod—almost like he already knew, somehow, that this stay would mean something more to her.
Professor: “Here you go, Yn.”
She smiled politely, turning to walk away—when—
That voice.
That damn voice.
Smooth like silk, sharp like thorns.
Taehyung: “One minute.”
Her steps halted. Of course. Of course it had to be him.
Rolling her eyes with practiced elegance, she turned with a sigh.
Yn: “What now?”
Taehyung walked up, his gaze unreadable.
He didn’t speak.
He just stared—like he was searching for something in her eyes. A trace. A flicker. A truth.
Then—without a word—he reached out and snatched the key from her hand.
His fingers brushed against hers for a split second—warm, firm, and infuriatingly calm.
He read the number, paused, then placed it back—slowly, deliberately—into her palm.
Still no words.
Then he turned and walked away.
A storm in silence.
Yn blinked, annoyed.
Confused.
Furious.
Softly, almost to herself—
Yn: “Stupid bat… always finds a way to irritate me.”
She shook her head, strands of hair falling over her face like veils of exasperation.
And she left.
Meanwhile, Taehyung entered his room. It was quiet. Not like the world outside, but deeper. Like solitude wrapped in cedarwood and velvet shadows.
He dropped his bag on the bed, shoulders finally relaxing. The wide glass window framed the entire forest like a painting from a forgotten dream.
A rare smile touched his lips—small, barely-there.
Taehyung: “Now this… this is what they call nature’s beauty. So peaceful.”
He pulled out his phone.
Low battery. Of course.
Taehyung: “Need to charge this thing.”
He opened his bag—rummaging—and then his hand froze.
A lipstick.
Its sleek surface glinted under the light, innocent and oddly misplaced.
Taehyung: “Lipstick...? How did this end up in my bag?”
A memory flashed—Yn bumping into him earlier, a messy moment.
Taehyung: “Must’ve fallen in when that wildcat was near. Guess I should return it.”
He stood up—then paused.
A second thought. A third. A hesitation that felt like a blush without a reason.
Taehyung: “Wait… what if someone sees me? They’ll think it’s mine. Hell no.”
So he slipped it into his pocket.
******
"I hope you like it"
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