Oh, come on, hurry up! What if we end up being late?

The gathering was supposed to start at nine, and here we are, leaving at ten. Honestly, this is so unlike you, Jinho.

Ah, it's alright,

Jinho replied with a dismissive wave.

Just call Tae and get him here quickly. We really need to get going now.

Taehyung, son, hurry up! Look how late we've become already.

From upstairs came his voice, slightly muffled yet loud enough to be heard.

I'm coming, Mom! Just two more minutes!

His mother let out a helpless sigh, shaking her head with a fond smile.

Honestly, this boy...Hurry up, sweetheart. We don't have any more time to waste.

.

The night had settled deep over the city. The stars hid behind a blanket of darkness, leaving the sky unusually quiet.

A cool breeze drifted through the roads as the car sliced through the night, carrying the three of them toward their destination.

After a while, Taehyung leaned forward from his seat, curiosity finally getting the better of him.

Mom, Dad, can you at least tell me now whose wedding we're going to?

His mother turned slightly toward him, her expression gentle.

Taehyung, dear, it's the wedding of your father's friend's daughter.

They've always been very close to us, and he invited our family with so much warmth and affection that we simply couldn't refuse.

Oh, Mom, is it that same friend of Dad's—the uncle who gifted me a camera once?

Yes, sweetheart,

she replied with a smile.

The very same uncle.

At once, Taehyung's face brightened.

Really?

That's great! He's such a wonderful person. This is going to be so much fun—I can't wait!

.

Their car finally came to a halt in front of a magnificent wedding hall.

The venue looked nothing short of breathtaking, draped in lavish decorations that shimmered under the night sky.

Countless lights illuminated every corner—golden, silver, blue, and crimson—casting a magical glow over the entire place.

Guests filled the venue, seated at beautifully arranged tables and chairs, while others moved about in lively groups, exchanging greetings and laughter.

The air buzzed with conversation, music, and celebration. Everywhere Taehyung looked, there was life—children running between tables, relatives catching up after years apart, and attendants hurrying from one corner to another.

The three of them made their way toward the entrance, weaving through the cheerful crowd and dazzling lights. As soon as they stepped inside,

Taehyung's father spotted a familiar face standing among the guests.

A wide smile spread across his face.

Oh! Hello, Mr. Dong-wook! It's been ages since we last met.

And I must say, you've done an incredible job with your daughter's wedding. Everything looks absolutely wonderful.

The older man laughed heartily before pulling his friend into a brief embrace.

Jinho! Welcome, my friend, welcome!

he said with genuine delight. Then, turning to Taehyung's mother, he added,

And welcome to you too, sister-in-law. I'm so glad you all could make it.

Dong-wook's eyes suddenly fell on the boy standing beside Jinho, and a look of surprise crossed his face.

Wait... is this Taehyung?

He exclaimed.

My goodness, you've grown so much!

Jinho chuckled proudly.

He has indeed. Taehyung is ten years old now.

Taehyung stepped forward politely and offered a small bow.

Hello, Uncle Wook. How have you been?

A broad smile spread across Dong-wook's face.

I've been doing wonderfully, son. But look at you!

He shook his head in amazement.

You've become such a handsome young man. Truly remarkable.

The older man patted him gently on the shoulder.

Make sure you enjoy yourself tonight, alright? And if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to come and find me. Just let me know, okay?

Okay, Uncle,

Taehyung replied with a bright grin.

With one last affectionate smile, Dong-wook excused himself to greet other guests, while Taehyung's excitement for the evening only grew stronger.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the three of them settled into their seats, watching the festivities unfold around them. The hall sparkled with light and laughter,

while the soft melody of the wedding music drifted through the air.

After a moment, Taehyung leaned toward his father.

Dad, what was Uncle Wook's daughter's name again?

Her name is Lisa, She's a very kind and wonderful girl. I just hope she stays happy wherever life takes her.

Taehyung nodded thoughtfully before another question popped into his mind.

And Dad, who is she marrying?

Jinho glanced toward the decorated stage before answering.

Well, son, Uncle Wook has arranged Lisa's marriage with the son of his business partner. Their families have known each other for years, and they felt it would be a good match.

Taehyung followed his father's gaze toward the grand stage, wondering what the groom was like.

Jinho smiled faintly as he noticed the curiosity in Taehyung's eyes.

He's quite handsome, son,

he said.

And can you believe it?

He's only eighteen years old. People are constantly talking about him. In fact, many families would have gladly married their daughters to him if they had the chance.

Taehyung's interest immediately deepened.

Really? Then what's his name, Dad?

For a brief moment, Jinho's gaze drifted toward the grand stage glowing beneath the countless lights.

His name is Jeon Jungkook.

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...****************...

The moment Jungkook's name reached his ears, something strange fluttered inside Taehyung's chest.

A faint warmth crept across his cheeks, coloring them pink before he even realized it. Completely unaware of his own reaction, he simply sat there, staring ahead.

Jeon Jungkook...

he repeated softly to himself, unaware that before the night was over, the name would become far more memorable than he could have ever imagined.

An instant, the cool night breeze that had followed them throughout the journey seemed different. The air no longer felt crisp and cold; instead, it carried an unexpected warmth, as though the night itself had quietly changed around him.

The name drifted through his thoughts once more, leaving behind a curious feeling he was far too young to understand and far too intrigued to ignore.

Jinho frowned slightly as he looked at his son more carefully.

Taehyung, son... why are your cheeks turning pink?

he asked, concern creeping into his voice.

Taehyung immediately snapped out of his thoughts and looked up.

Hmm?

His mother leaned forward as well, studying his face.

Are you feeling alright, sweetheart? You don't seem unwell, do you?

Caught off guard by the sudden attention, Taehyung quickly straightened in his seat.

Dad, Mom, I'm completely fine,

he replied with an awkward smile.

Nothing happened. I'm perfectly okay.

It wasn't a fever, nor was he uncomfortable. It was simply there—quiet, unfamiliar, and impossible to explain.

The conversation faded as a sudden stir rippled through the hall. One by one, the guests turned their attention toward the grand stage.

Almost instinctively, Taehyung followed their gaze.

A lone figure appeared at the far end of the aisle, moving steadily toward the brilliantly lit stage. The moment he came into view, an unusual silence seemed to settle over the crowd.

Conversations softened, heads turned, and countless eyes followed his every step.

At the same instant, Taehyung felt a cool breeze brush against his skin once more.

The laughter, the music, the clinking of glasses—everything around him seemed to drift into the background. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though time itself had slowed, holding its breath in anticipation.

As the figure gradually came into focus, Taehyung found himself unable to look anywhere else. His eyes remained fixed on the young man walking toward the stage, as though his curiosity had quietly taken hold of him.

He blinked once... then forgot to blink again.

Around him, guests continued talking, laughing, and moving about, but their voices seemed distant. Seated among hundreds of people, Taehyung could do little more than watch Jungkook make his way through the crowd.

And why wouldn't he?

Jeon Jungkook carried himself with a confidence that naturally drew attention. The glow of the chandeliers reflected off his formal attire, while every step he took seemed calm and assured.

There was nothing loud or dramatic about his presence, yet people instinctively noticed him the moment he entered.

For Taehyung, it felt as though he were watching the central figure of a story finally step onto the stage. Not because he understood anything special about him yet, but because there was something undeniably captivating about the young man that made it difficult to look away.

Meanwhile, Jungkook remained completely unaware of the curious boy seated among the guests, watching him with wide, unblinking eyes.

Jungkook was dressed so impeccably that it was difficult for anyone to look away. The suit fit him perfectly, making him look far more mature than his eighteen years.

The bright lights of the hall seemed to cling to him, enhancing the natural glow on his face. There was a youthful brilliance in his features—fresh, effortless, and impossible to ignore.

And seated among the guests, Taehyung could only stare, completely captivated by the sight before him.

Dad... is that Jeon Jungkook?

Taehyung asked softly, unable to take his eyes off the stage.

Yes, son,

Jinho replied with a smile.

That's him. He's the groom.

A few moments later, the music changed, and all eyes turned toward the entrance. Lisa made her grand appearance beside her father, looking elegant as she walked toward the stage.

The guests admired the bride, whispers of praise spreading through the hall. Cameras flashed, and heads turned to catch a glimpse of her.

But Taehyung barely noticed.

He couldn't have said what color her dress was or how beautiful the decorations around her looked. None of it seemed to reach him.

His gaze remained fixed on one person alone.

Jeon Jungkook.

As though the crowd, the lights, and even the bride herself had blurred into the background, leaving only him in perfect focus.

And there stood Jungkook, straight-backed and composed, carrying the weight of the responsibility his father had placed upon his shoulders.

His face still held that striking glow everyone admired, and from a distance he looked every bit the perfect groom. Yet something was missing.

The smile on his lips never quite reached his eyes.

.

Throughout the entire wedding ceremony, Taehyung's eyes barely left Jungkook. No matter what was happening around him, his gaze always seemed to find its way back to the groom.

Now that the ceremony was over, Jungkook stood among his friends, exchanging polite smiles and conversations.

A little later, Mr. Wook approached Jinho once again.

Come with me,

he said warmly.

It's time I properly introduce you to my son-in-law.

Jinho nodded and rose from his seat. Taehyung's mother followed, while Jinho gently took Taehyung's hand.

The four of them made their way through the crowd, drawing closer and closer to Jungkook.

With every step, Taehyung could feel his heartbeat quicken for reasons he couldn't explain.

And before he knew it, he was standing only a few feet away from Jeon Jungkook himself.

Taehyung had no idea how he was supposed to react. His mind had gone strangely blank, leaving him with nothing but the rapid thumping of his heart.

Jungkook greeted Jinho politely, exchanging a few words with him before his gaze naturally shifted to the boy standing beside him.

And then he looked at Taehyung.

For a brief moment, their eyes met.

The instant it happened, Taehyung felt his heartbeat stumble before racing even faster than before. It pounded so loudly in his chest that he was convinced everyone around him could hear it.

Meanwhile, Jungkook's expression remained calm and courteous, completely unaware of the storm his simple glance had stirred.

Jungkook offered a gentle smile and looked at the boy standing beside Jinho.

Hi, dear. What's your name?

For a moment, Taehyung simply froze.

The question was simple, yet the words seemed to get stuck somewhere between his mind and his lips. His heart was beating far too fast for him to think clearly.

Before he could answer, Jinho chuckled softly.

His name is Kim Taehyung, It's his first time meeting you, so I think he's a little nervous.

A faint blush crept onto Taehyung's cheeks as he finally lowered his gaze.

H-Hello...

he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

Standing beside his father, he wished he could act normally, but somehow, the closer he was to Jungkook, the harder that seemed to be.

Jungkook let out a small laugh, noticing the boy's nervousness.

Hey, there's no need to be nervous,

Hi, I'm Jungkook.

He then extended his hand with an easy smile.

Want to be friends?

Taehyung stared at the offered hand for what felt like an eternity. His mind was blank, his heartbeat relentless. Gathering every ounce of courage he had, he slowly reached out his own hand.

And then Jungkook's fingers closed around it.

The touch lasted only a moment.

Yet to Taehyung, it felt as though something had brushed against the very core of his being, sending a strange rush through his entire body.

Panic overtook him.

Without a word, he abruptly pulled his hand back and turned on his heel, hurrying away from the group.

For a second, everyone stood stunned.

Then laughter erupted around them.

.

Taehyung's mother looked at him with concern.

Taehyung, sweetheart, you must be very tired, aren't you?

Yeah, mom, I'm really tired.

He immediately turned to his father.

Dad, can we leave soon? Please drive faster. I want to go home and sleep.

Jinho and his wife exchanged amused glances before nodding.

Alright, alright, We'll head home soon.

But the truth was, Taehyung wasn't in a hurry to sleep at all.

What he wanted was to escape.

Escape the unfamiliar nervousness swirling inside him. Escape the memory of that handshake. Escape the way his heart refused to calm down whenever he thought of Jungkook.

More than anything, he wanted the safety of his room, where he could hide from the strange feelings he couldn't understand and the questions he wasn't ready to answer.

Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad.

With that, Taehyung hurried upstairs and slipped into his room. The moment the door clicked shut behind him, he leaned against it for a second.

And smiled.

A real smile.

The kind he had been trying to hide all evening.

His cheeks warmed at the memory of the wedding, of a certain smile, of a certain handshake.

Walking over to his desk, he pulled out an old notebook from the drawer. After flipping through a few pages, he carefully tore out a blank sheet.

The paper crackled softly in the quiet room.

Still smiling to himself, he sat down on the edge of his bed, the sheet resting in his hands.

For the first time in his ten years of life, a single name refused to leave his thoughts.

Jeon Jungkook.

After staring at the blank sheet for a long moment, Taehyung finally picked up a pen and began to write in large, uneven letters.

If I ever get married, it will be to someone like Jeon Jungkook.

The words looked simple on the page, yet he found himself reading them over and over again.

At ten years old, he didn't truly understand the meaning of what he had written. He wasn't thinking about the future or marriage in any real sense.

He was simply captivated by the impression Jungkook had left on him that evening.

And so, sitting alone in the quiet of his room, Taehyung allowed himself to get lost in those thoughts, unaware of how fleeting childhood emotions could be and how little he understood them.

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...****************...

Life rarely follows the promises people make on joyful nights.

TEN YEARS LATER ....

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Years later, a devastating financial crisis struck the Jeon family. The Jeon Enterprise suffered enormous losses, and the company that had once stood tall eventually collapsed under the weight of its debts.

With the fall of the business came the collapse of relationships as well.

The friendship between Jungkook's father and Lisa's father gradually deteriorated, turning into a bitter conflict filled with blame and resentment. What had once been a strong partnership became a source of constant disagreement.

Caught in the middle of it all were Jungkook and Lisa.

Already distant from one another, the growing tension between their families only widened the gap. Before long, they began living separate lives, with little contact and even less understanding between them. Their marriage existed in name alone, and eventually they stopped meeting altogether.

They had no children to bind them together, no shared future left to protect.

Lisa remained in Korea, choosing to stay close to the life she had always known.

Jungkook, on the other hand, left everything behind and moved to England.

.

The window stood open, allowing a strong gust of wind to sweep into the room. The breeze tousled the man's hair, sending a few strands across his face.

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the cool air wash over him.

A faint smile touched his lips.

Well, at least Rosewick University hired me,

He murmured to himself.

Today's my first day.

Opening his eyes again, he looked out at the unfamiliar city stretching beyond the glass.

Hopefully, everything goes well.

And that man… was none other than,

Jeon Jungkook.

Time had rewritten him completely.

The boy who once stood silently at a wedding hall was long gone. In his place stood a 28-year-old man—composed, distant, and sharply refined by years that had not been kind.

He was no longer soft around the edges. Life had carved maturity into him, turning him into someone who carried both silence and strength in equal measure.

Even his appearance had changed.

Subtle piercings on his eyebrow and lip added a quiet edge to his presence, enhancing the intensity in his gaze rather than softening it. There was a controlled confidence in the way he carried himself now—effortless, yet undeniably commanding.

His entire sleeve was inked in intricate tattoos, each design flowing into the next like a quiet story etched onto his skin. It added a striking depth to his appearance, enhancing the quiet intensity he already carried.

Yet Jungkook rarely revealed it in public.

.

The classroom door suddenly swung open with a sharp sound, making every student turn their heads toward it.

For a moment, the room fell into a brief silence.

Then one of the students stood up from his seat and walked over, stopping right in front of Taehyung with an amused grin.

Oooh Taehyung, where were you lost?

he said teasingly.

Your girlfriend just came looking for you a while ago. She even asked about you and left.

He shook his head with a playful sigh.

Honestly, you really trouble her a lot, man.

Oh really?

Taehyung replied casually, raising an eyebrow.

It’s fine, bro. I just talked to her this morning anyway. We’ll meet later.

He leaned back slightly in his chair, brushing off the comment with an easy smile.

Come on, let’s just arm wrestle.

.

Time moved forward quietly, like it always does.

Taehyung was now 20 years old.

The boy who once blushed at a name had grown into a young man stepping into a new world. His parents, wanting the best for his future, had arranged his higher studies abroad, and soon he found himself admitted to Rosewick University in England.

.

The classroom door burst open as a student rushed inside, slightly out of breath, excitement clear in his voice.

Guys! A new professor is joining today!

He announced.

I heard he’s from Korea and he’ll be teaching Literature.

A few students exchanged interested looks.

Ohh, Taehyung, he’s from your country!

someone teased from the back.

Taehyung barely looked up from his seat.

So what?

he muttered lazily.

What does it even matter? He can be from anywhere.

He leaned back, clearly uninterested, as the chatter around him continued.

The principal is bringing him here himself,

another student whispered excitedly.

Looks like he might even be our new class teacher.

A few groans immediately followed.

seriously Another one?

Taehyung clicked his tongue softly, leaning further back in his chair.

Ugh… what is this mess,

Can’t they just hire teachers properly in one go? Why all this drama?

Around him, students continued complaining and gossiping, but Taehyung only looked away, already bored of the idea of yet another unfamiliar professor stepping into their routine.

The principal stepped into the classroom, and immediately the atmosphere shifted. Students straightened in their seats, the casual noise fading into attentive silence.

Students, at the beginning of this academic year, I would like to introduce your Literature teacher.

A soft tension filled the room as everyone waited.

Then the door opened again.

And Jungkook entered.

For a brief moment, it felt like even the room noticed him.

The classroom lights caught the subtle edge of his appearance—the faint glint of his lip piercing, the calm confidence in his expression.

His eyebrow piercing was missing today, but the remaining one only added to his quiet intensity.

As Jungkook stepped further into the classroom, every pair of eyes slowly turned toward him.

For a moment, there was silence—then soft whispers began to rise from the rows of students.

Oh my God… he’s so handsome,

Bro, seriously? Our new teacher looks like that?

another student whispered, leaning toward her friend.

The girls around the room exchanged excited glances, their attention no longer on the syllabus or the principal, but on the striking figure standing at the front.

Jungkook, however, remained calm and composed, as if he was completely unaware of the quiet buzz he had just created.

In the middle of the murmurs and giggles, Taehyung sat unusually still—his back straight, eyes fixed forward.

Not on the board.

Not on the students.

Only on Jungkook.

His friend, noticing the sudden silence beside him, nudged him playfully and snapped his fingers in front of his face.

Bro, what happened? Did you dislike the sir that much already? Or are you planning something from now itself?

he joked with a grin.

But Taehyung didn’t respond immediately.

His gaze didn’t shift.

Hey, everyone, please be quiet and let him introduce himself.

The room slowly settled down, whispers fading into silence.

Jungkook stood calmly at the front, his gaze sweeping across the class before he spoke.

Hello, students. My name is Jeon Jungkook.

The moment the name left his lips, something shifted in the room—at least for Taehyung.

He closed his eyes tightly.

His breath hitched slightly, and without realizing it, his fingers moved to his head, pressing against his temple as if trying to steady something inside him.

Why… does this name feel familiar?

Like I’ve heard it before… somewhere…

Taehyung’s friend immediately noticed the change in him and panicked.

Bro, Taehyung, what happened? Are you okay? Hey… talk to me, what’s wrong with you?

he said, leaning closer in concern.

Taehyung kept his eyes shut for a moment, hand still pressed to his head, as if trying to push back something he couldn’t understand.

Seeing no response, his friend quickly turned toward the front.

Sir, excuse me,

he said urgently, standing up.

My friend isn’t feeling well. I need to take him to the nurse.

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...****************...