For any normal guy, Mondays would be the worst days of the week, but not for Hoseok, he loved them. The reason? He could see his favorite couple inside Bighit.

Ah, TaeKook. His sacred OTP, his favorite pairing, he'd kill anyone who came between them.

So what was TaeKook? One of the most perfect couples within Bighit, made up of Kim Taehyung or V and Jeon Jungkook... ah, they were the perfect couple.

Hoseok grabbed his backpack and started walking to his favorite place. On the way, he would pick up Lisa so they could go to school together, since she lived a few blocks away from Hoseok.

Last year, Hoseok took the longer route to visit his best friend, but this year he had forbidden him from going near his house just because he had once screamed when he saw Taehyung going to pick up Jungkook to go to school together.

—God, how embarrassing, Hoseok! Now my neighbor is going to think I'm stalking him!—Yoongi had said, as he dragged him to the Institute.

Yoongi was so incredibly lucky! He lived right across the street from Jungkook! He was the main witness to what the two of them were doing, and he didn't want to tell his best friend.

Lisa was leaving her house and joined Hoseok on his walk.

"Did you hear?" the blonde asked, clinging to Hoseok's arm. "Namjoon-oppa threw a party (you know, for the popular kids) and neither Taehyung nor Jungkook went." Hoseok's eyes widened. "When we found out, Wendy and I started investigating... remember Jennie's older brother, Seokjin?" Of course she remembered him; she'd had a crush on him for a while. "Well, he's Namjoon's best friend, and we got him to tell us that Taekook turned down the invitation to the party because they were on vacation."

"Don't lie to me," Hoseok stopped.

—I swear to you on Taekook—Jennie put her hand on her chest.

After several seconds, they both started jumping and shouting with excitement.

"Come on, Momo. Don't even look at them. If you don't look at them, people won't realize they're your friends," a voice murmured behind her.

—But Nayeon, they're your friends too.

Both boys turned around to look at the two youngest members of Red Pink 9.

Jennie let out a little squeal and threw herself on top of both girls; they hadn't seen the younger ones because they had gone on a school trip for the entire vacation.

—Ah, shorties, I missed you—Hoseok joined them.

—Ah, group hug!—A shout was heard and Jennie also joined the hug.

After several seconds they separated, they were 5/9 Red Pink 9.

—I'm leaving, otherwise they'll think I'm hanging out with you guys—Seokjin, Jennie's older brother, disappeared down the short path that remained to reach Bighit.

"How was your trip, girls?" Jennie asked once they started walking.

"Which girls? We're only a year younger," Nayeon said, crossing her arms.

"It was great!" Momo replied, skipping as she walked. "We went to the beach! We went every day with Nayeon! I hope they take us again this year."

—No, that's their last year of "vacation," as the Biology teacher says—Hoseok muttered.—Then they'll have them working like donkeys, just like us.

All the older women nodded.

"Thanks for ruining my day, Hoseok," Nayeon muttered.

—Oh, Nayeon's bitter, what a surprise!—Wendy made her presence known.

—Don't be mean, Wendy—Jisoo, the group's mom, also made her presence known.

—So now it turns out that telling the truth is being bad!—Wendy defended herself.

Everyone laughed except Nayeon.

—There are two missing. Where do you think Mina and Irene are?—Hoseok asked.

—Maybe they're already looking at their courses—Jisoo replied.

Everyone headed to that place; it was surrounded by people trying to see their new courses. Great, they had to get past them all.

Two people emerged from the crowd: Jin and Namjoon. Jennie approached her brother.

—Oppa, didn't you see which course I was in?

"In the middle of all those people?" Seokjin watched as his best friend moved away and started walking away. "Don't even think about it, they could kill me." Without saying another word, Seokjin started running after Namjoon.

"You had more of an advantage! He's a damn popular guy!" Jennie started kicking her feet.

"Just stop it, he's going too far," Jisoo murmured.

"How are we going to get in through all those people?" Momo pouted.

"I'll go," Nayeon said as she walked toward the crowd of people.

"Shall we let her die alone?" Lisa asked.

—If you want to die, you can go with her—Wendy replied.

—Look! It's Mina and Irene.—Momo pointed towards the crowd of people.

Hoseok looked in that direction. Sure enough, Irene and Mina were leaving, taking Nayeon with them (she probably failed in her attempt to see her class). They both walked towards where most of the Red Pink 9 club was.

"Irene!" Hoseok exclaimed and hugged his best friend.

The other five girls did the same, in addition to greeting Mina.

—We have our schedules.—Irene showed eight sheets of paper... ONLY EIGHT?

—But there's only...—Momo was about to write down what she had seen, but Lisa let out a little squeal.

"Look! Look!" Lisa pointed to a secluded bench. Jungkook was sitting there.

—Do you think she's waiting for Taehyung-oppa?—Wendy asked.

—Of course!—Mina replied.

—Speaking of oppa!—Jennie pointed toward the crowd of people.

Taehyung was leaving with two sheets of paper in his hand, he walked towards where Jungkook was and handed him one, Jungkook smiled at him, stood up and they started walking away.

—They're so cute!—Irene squealed, jumping up and down.

How could anyone say TaeKook wasn't real? I mean, look, they were so beautiful!

Hoseok took out his cell phone to take a picture "discreetly"

"Hoseok, I've been looking for you for ages!" Hoseok looked behind him; Yoongi had two sheets of paper in his hand. "Here." He handed one to Hoseok. "We're in the same class (luckily not with those crazy girls), so let's go."

Unable to thank her or defend his friends, Hoseok was dragged along by his best friend.

"The oldest woman in your house is crazy, Min!" Nayeon shouted.

"Don't forget to go to the Red Pink 9 club, Hoseok," Irene shouted.

Bye

Hoseok had to admit that he had missed his friends in class, especially Irene... but he also had to admit that he had a good time just with Yoongi... sometimes spending so much time with eight girls affected him.

"Let's officially open another year for RP9! (Red Pink 9 Club)!" Irene stood at the front of the classroom, and the eight girls and Hoseok applauded.

Red Pink 9 was an official Bighit club, created by Jung Hoseok and Irene five years ago, just months after joining Bighit.

The purpose of the club was to commemorate Taekook's best moments... how could they have been allowed to have a club with that purpose? Well, the teachers thought RP9 was just a simple crafts club... of course they did crafts, but crafts of their favorite couple; Momo had once made some beautiful Taekook plushies.

"The club's goals are the same as last year, we need more photos of TaeKook..." Irene was interrupted; the classroom door had been opened.

Professor Choi entered through it with Seokjin, and everyone in the classroom stood up and bowed.

"Good afternoon, I know I'm interrupting, but I've brought a new member." Professor Choi stepped aside to give a better view of Jin.

"A new member, professor?" Wendy asked.

"That's right," he replied. "Since your club is the only one with fewer than ten members, we've decided to include Seokjin."

³But Jin-oppa is at the basketball club!³Irene complained.

"He was in the basketball club," Professor Choi corrected. "Due to his bad behavior, we've decided to remove him. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must take my leave."

Bad behavior? But Seokjin was one of the best seniors, Hoseok was sure of it. Jennie's mom was always telling him he should be more like his brother.

"Tell me, oppa, what did Namjoon do this time?" Jennie asked once Professor Choi had left.

"Why should Namjoon have done something?" Seokjin sat down at one of the empty desks.

Everyone watched the brothers fight.

"Because you don't misbehave!" Jennie stood in front of her brother. "And Namjoon does."

"It's none of your business, Jennie." Seokjin stood up and slammed his hands on the desk.

"If you don't tell me what happened, you're out of the club!" Jennie refused to back down.

ㅡJennie...ㅡComenzó Hoseok.

He knew that without Seokjin's club grades he couldn't graduate, and once he was kicked out of one club and joined another, if he left he couldn't join another club.

"Well, if you don't let me be in this club, everyone will find out that RP9 isn't just a crafts club," Seokjin declared as he moved closer to his sister. Jennie took a step back.

"Enough!" Irene stepped between them. "In the club, Hoseok and I are the ones who make the decisions."

"And yet, Jennie," Hoseok murmured, "Your brother needs the club grade to graduate."

Jennie looked at her brother, huffed, stamped her foot, and went to sit down.

"How childish," Seokjin muttered, sitting back down.

"Oppa, there are rules here and you must respect them," Irene said. "Uh, by the way, what do you think this club is about?"

—You guys like seeing Taehyung and Jungkook together... you know, you ship them.—Seokjin replied—And yes, I'll respect your rules, but I don't want to spy on anyone.

"Don't worry about it, oppa," Lisa said. "We also do crafts, we help different clubs when it comes to banners or when they ask us for something... especially the drama club."

"I'm terrible at crafts," the brunette complained.

"So he can help us when we go shopping?" Wendy remarked. "We have Hoseok, but he's a weakling..."

"That's right, Irene!" Momo exclaimed. "The drama club said we should help them by making some trees and a palace!"

"What? So fast?" Irene walked over to the desk. "It's the first day! What do they want that for?"

"I don't know," Momo replied. "But they said they wanted it by tomorrow."

"What do we do now, Irene?" Mina asked. "We don't have any materials."

"Yes, we have a few things I put away before the holidays. We can keep doing various things while Hoseok and Seokjin go shopping. Hoseok, you know what to do," Irene said. "Then we'll arrange with the drama club; buy everything we need."

***

Luckily for Hoseok, who was completely athletic, the large stationery store wasn't too far away.

Seokjin took a car and followed Hoseok.

—Do you know what to buy?—He asked.

"Of course I know, hyung," the younger one replied.

A while ago, Hoseok would have fainted if he had been alone with Seokjin, but he had gotten over it after seeing the older man kissing a girl one day; that's when he realized that Jennie's older brother was never going to be within his reach.

"What do we need?" the older one asked.

"Cardboard, foam sheets, markers, paints, scissors, rulers, glitter, popsicle sticks, adhesive tape, fabric tape, pencils..." Hoseok replied.

He picked each item from the shelves, checking the quality first. Every time Hoseok put something in the cart, Jin examined it before placing it there.

—Hyung, can I ask you a question?—Hoseok asked, while looking at a jar of glitter.

—You already did it, but still, say it.

—Uh…—Hoseok hoped Seokjin wouldn’t get as angry as he did with his sister—What was the real reason he was expelled?

"I'll tell you because you don't seem as gossipy as the rest of your friends, I actually like you." Seokjin looked at the jar of glitter that Hoseok had just put in the cart. "Namjoon got into a fight with a boy because he told him he played like a girl, the coach wasn't there and when he arrived I had to say it was me since Namjoon was already on the list."

"But he damaged his file, hyung." Hoseok turned around and looked at Seokjin.

"Wouldn't you do the same for your best friend, Hoseok?" Seokjin turned away, not wanting to look at Hoseok, but for a split second, Hoseok could see a sad look in the older man's eyes. "Don't you need glue?"

³Yes, hyung³Replied Hoseok³To both things.

Seokjin smiled and put the glue in the cart.

"Tell me..." Jin began, "Why are you in a club of girls who like to ship gay couples?"

"Because I like it too," Hoseok replied.

—Are they only targeting Taehyung and Jungkook, or are they targeting other couples as well?

"Only the two of them," Hoseok moved the cart towards the pencil area.

"And why don't you just ship other couples too?" Seokjin followed along. "I mean, there are tons of guys at Bighit who would make a good couple."

—How are you and Namjoon-hyung?

Seokjin dropped a box of markers he had picked up, then bent down to pick them up.

—Oh, what are you saying?—The older one put the box back in its place—Namjoon is my best friend, I would never see him as anything more than that.

"I was just saying," Hoseok murmured. "Yes, there are many guys who can be shipped, but nothing like TaeKook."

ᅳYou should go considering the idea of shippear to othersᅳJin saidᅳRemember that this year Taehyung and Jungkook will be graduating.

And that's how Hoseok's world crumbled. It was true! TaeKook was graduating this year... it was the last year they would be able to see them together.

"Maybe you're right." Hoseek pouted. "Unfortunately, they're leaving this year."

Hoseok lowered his head for a moment, then raised it again just in time to see Taehyung and Jungkook also pushing a cart through the paperwork area.

"Look, hyung," Hoseok said, bouncing slightly. Seokjin looked where Hoseok was pointing. "They're so cute! I have to take a picture. Shopping together, they look like a beautiful couple." Hoseok pulled out his phone.

—Are you really going to do that?—Hoseok took the picture—You did it, at least you didn't forget to turn off the flash.

—Hyung, I had to do it!—Hoseok gazed at the photo on his phone—They looked like a newlywed couple doing their shopping, or better yet! A couple about to get married doing their shopping.

"Just because you shop together?" Jin frowned. "If you think about it, we're doing the same thing. Anyway, do you have everything?"

—Huh?—Hoseok checked that everything was in the cart—Yes hyung, we can go.

They both headed towards the boxes; only one had two people in it, the others were full. Hoseok stood there.

ㅡWhat stressㅡSeokjin muttered.

—Jin?— Both boys turned around when they heard the older boy's name; Hoseok almost had a heart attack when he realized it was Taehyung.

ㅡHello, TaehyungㅡHello Seokjin.

—Jin?—Jungkook also appeared—Hey idiot, you were one of the best at basketball, you and Namjoon should have found a better solution.

"That was the only solution and you know it," Seokjin replied.

"Which club did they put you in?" Taehyung asked.

³Al of manualsㅡMuttered Jin.

"Really?" Jungkook asked. "What a waste, one of my best players will now be doing crafts."

Hoseok moved the cart once one lady had been served; there was only one girl left who was carrying a few things, and it was their turn.

Jungkook glanced at Seokjin's companion, smiled, and then nudged Taehyung, who had been distracted by taking one last look at the list they were carrying. Taehyung frowned and looked at the younger man.

"Are you shopping for your crafts?" Jungkook asked, pointing to the cart full of materials.

"Yes, it turns out the drama club wants us to do several things, and Irene sent me to buy them along with..." Seokjin looked at Hoseok, who was focused on watching the girl being served. "By the way, this is Hoseok." He nudged the younger man, making him look back. "Hoseok, these are Jungkook and Taehyung."

Both boys smiled, Hoseok bowed.

"I know you," Jungkook said. Hoseok was about to have a heart attack. "You're Suga's friend, right?"

Suga? Why did Jungkook call Yoongi "Suga"? He wasn't supposed to like being called that; only his family called him Suga, and sometimes he even let Hoseok call him by that nickname.

"Ah, yes, hyung," Hoseok replied. "He's my best friend."

Jungkook smiled and looked at Taehyung who was staring intently at Hoseok.

"Now that I remember," Seokjin murmured. "Namjoon said to invite you to the party on Friday; it's going to be held at his lake house."

Hoseok stopped paying attention to them; the girl had already been helped. He began putting the supplies in the box.

"I don't know, Jin," Taehyung replied. "It's our last year, we need to apply ourselves."

"That's why, Tae," Jungkook said to his best friend. "It's our last year, we should have fun! We won't have time at university."

"Come on, Tae," Seokjin said. "It'll be a party at the lake, maybe the last one of the year... it won't hurt to go."

"I don't know..." Taehyung looked at the younger boy who was still putting his supplies in the box. "Okay, I'll go... if Hoseok goes."

Jungkook smiled and went back to see his best friend; the dark-haired man had come up with a good strategy.

ㅡ¿Hoseok?ㅡSeokjin regresó a ver al menor.ㅡ¡Hoseok!

—Yes?—The younger boy immediately turned back to look at Seokjin.

"Tae says if you're going to Namjoon's party on Friday," Seokjin said, approaching to put the last of the materials in the box.

"Me?" Taehyung nodded. "I'm not into parties, besides, we always have plans with RP9."

ᅳCome on, Hoseok!ᅳJungkook begged.ᅳTaehyung said if you weren't going he wouldn't either.

Wh-what?

—Ah, hyung probably didn't say that...

"Yes, I said it." Taehyung smiled, Hoseok's stomach fluttered. "But don't decide now, you can tell us your answer later."

"That's 22,666," said the cashier.

Hoseok looked back and took out his wallet.

"Isn't that a lot?" Seokjin asked. "Did Irene give you enough?"

Hoseok took out his credit card and gave it to the girl.

"I'll pay for it, then the drama club will give us the money." Hoseok wanted to run away from there, he grabbed his credit card and then a wallet, he would leave the other two with Seokjin.

"Goodbye, guys." Jin said goodbye to his friends while Hoseok was already at the door.

"We're waiting for your answer, Hoseok!" Jungkook shouted while laughing.

Taehyung rolled his eyes and nudged his best friend.

Hoseok was used to being in the girls' group for PE; he liked the gentle, sweet way they played. It usually happened that way, but not this time. The rules had changed at Big Hit. This year, the boys and girls were separated, with other girls and boys from different grades, respectively.

Because of this, Hoseok never saw the ball coming.

The boys were wild; he'd only let his guard down for a second—one second!—and bam! The ball had hit him in the face. But it was all Yoongi's fault.

The idiot had called him to say something he never caught... ah, damn Yoongi.

Now, because of him, he was on his way to the nurse's office with a bloody nose. The worst part was that Yoongi hadn't wanted to go with him! And it was his fault!

Muttering nonsense about his best friend being an idiot, he entered the nurse's office at the same time Jungkook was coming out; they almost bumped into each other.

"Hey, Hoseok!" "How are you—" Jungkook trailed off mid-question when he noticed the younger boy's nose was bleeding. "Are you okay? Can you tell me what happened?"

Jungkook immediately pulled him inside, making him sit down in a chair.

"Ah, hyung... I..." Before he could answer, the nurse arrived.

"Mr. Jeon, I sent you back to your classroom. Why are you still here? I told you Mr. Kim would be better," the nurse said.

"I found this boy bleeding outside." Jungkook immediately stood up. "I couldn't leave him alone!"

"You should have called me, not started asking what happened!" the nurse exclaimed. "Now, you, put your head forward and breathe through your mouth. I'll get some tissues... and Mr. Jeon, I hope you're gone by the time I get back.

Hoseok did exactly as the nurse said; he'd only been there two minutes and he was already scared.

"I'd better go." Jungkook glanced in the direction the nurse had gone. "If you see Taehyung, tell him the nurse kicked me out in the worst way. Goodbye."

Was Taehyung inside? What could be wrong with him? Instead of worrying about the older man, Hoseok smiled. Jungkook had stayed with Taehyung! That was so sweet and kind of him; he probably hadn't wanted to leave his side, and that's why the nurse had kicked him out.

Ah, how sweet Taekook was.

"Let's go inside." The nurse called to Hoseok, and he followed her. "Sit on one of the beds, stay in the position I told you. If the bleeding continues after a few minutes, call me. There's a girl who just arrived with cramps; you know how dramatic they are." With that, she headed toward the office.

Hoseok sighed; the bleeding had stopped a few minutes ago, while he was talking to Jungkook. He didn't say anything to the nurse because he didn't want her to tell him he could go back to PE.

With the damp cloth the nurse had given him, he began to clean up the remaining traces of blood.

"Nurse, do you think I can leave now?" Hoseok looked up at the sound of that voice. "Hoseok? What are you doing here?"

Taehyung was standing in the doorway of the ward where Hoseok was. The moment he noticed Hoseok's blood, he approached.

"What happened to you?" he asked, taking the handkerchief Hoseok was holding and starting to clean it.

Hoseok's heart began to race.

"I..." Hoseok began. "I was in PE, we were playing basketball when my best friend called me 'Hyung, I swear I only looked away for a second!' And bam! The ball ended up hitting me in the face."

Taehyung started laughing while continuing to clean the younger boy's face.

ㅡHyung, it's not funny!ㅡHoseok pouted.

"I'm sorry," Taehyung apologized. "It's just strange that you're tall and not good at basketball."

"Just because the ball hit me in the face doesn't mean I'm bad at basketball!" Hoseok exclaimed. "I mean, I might be bad at basketball, but that doesn't mean I got hit in the face by the ball."

"Sure." Taehyung continued with a smile. "If you want, I can teach you basketball."

—Do you know how to play basketball?

Okay, that was a stupid question.

"Of course I know." Taehyung walked to the trash can to throw away the tissue. "Don't you know I'm in the basketball club?"

Of course I knew, I just forgot for a moment. I knew, but I wasn't going to admit why I knew.

"Yes..." the younger one replied. "Seokjin-hyung was transferred from that club."

"Uh-huh." Taehyung stood back in front of Hoseok. "Your face is clean, but we can't do anything about your shirt."

Hoseok looked at his sports shirt; several drops of blood had fallen on it.

"It doesn't matter," the younger boy murmured. "I have another shirt in my locker..."

"Mr. Kim, didn't I leave you resting?

" The nurse appeared in the doorway. "And has your bleeding stopped yet?"

Hoseok nodded.

"I feel better now... I can go..." Taehyung murmured.

"Of course not." The nurse shook her head. "Now go lie down, at least until recess... and you." She turned to Hoseok. "If you want, you can stay until recess, just make sure she doesn't leave." The nurse left again.

Taehyung sighed and went to lie down on one of the cots in that room.

"And you, hyung... Why are you here?" Hoseok turned towards the older man's stretcher.

"I have a bit of a fever, it seems I'm going to get the flu." Taehyung sat down. "Come sit with me." The dark-haired man gently knocked on the side of his head, signaling Hoseok to sit next to him.

Without stopping to think, Hoseok went to sit next to his hyung.

"Wouldn't it have been better to send him home?" Hoseok questioned.

"I don't want to go home." Taehyung rested his head on Hoseok's shoulder. "I'll probably get depressed there and things will only get worse."

Since when did they have this much trust? The younger one didn't have time to feel embarrassed or try to push Taehyung away, as he could feel the heat from his fever. Stepping back only slightly, he placed his hand on Taehyung's forehead.

ㅡHyung, it's really hot!

"I get told that often." Taehyung smiled.

"Ah, hyung, please," Hoseok huffed. "This isn't the time to joke around... I think it would be better if you went home to rest."

Taehyung separated from Hoseok, looking at the younger boy with a pout.

"Okay," he replied. "I'll text my mom to come pick me up..." Taehyung turned to look away. "...but you have to agree to go to the party tomorrow..."

—Ah, hyung! Are you still on about that? Now you just need to worry about resting! Don't even think about parties! It's better if you don't go, that way you'll recover faster.

"Okay..." Taehyung took out his cell phone, ready to call his mom. "But at least agree to go out somewhere sometime."

"Okay, hyung." Hoseok sighed, giving in. "But I called his mom now."

Taehyung smiled, then immediately dialed his mother's number.

"Remember your promise," the older boy murmured, his cell phone pressed to his ear. "Mom," he began. "Remember when I told you this morning I'd feel better later? Well, I guess that didn't happen, and now I feel worse. Could you come get me?" Silence. "Okay, I'll wait for you outside. The nurse said I could go at recess... Yes, Mom, thanks."

"Was your mom home?" Hoseok asked.

"She's always at home." Taehyung nodded. "My dad's the one who works; she prefers to stay home gossiping with her friends."

"He's lucky, hyung," the younger one murmured.

—And your parents... what do they do?

Hoseok thought about it for a moment. Would it be a good idea to tell personal things to someone he'd only spoken to twice? Well, he knew a lot about Taehyung, and the older man knew nothing about Hoseok...

"My parents are divorced," Hoseok replied. "My mom works all day, so she's never home... my dad owns a company."

"Really?" Hoseok nodded. "Did you want to stay with your mother, or did the judge decide?"

"I wanted to," Hoseok replied. "I felt like I'd be lonely with my dad, so I decided to stay with my mom... although I think I'm still the same..."

Before Hoseok could continue speaking, the bell for recess rang. Taehyung huffed, getting off the cot, and Hoseok followed him.

"Someday you can invite me over so you don't feel lonely." Taehyung smiled.

"I'll keep that in mind, hyung..." Hoseok returned his smile.

Before they could say goodbye, eight girls appeared out of nowhere and began bombarding Hoseok with questions, oblivious to Taehyung's presence. They seemed genuinely worried about Hoseok.

Yoongi told us what happened.

Are you okay?

Did he leave your nose crooked?

A flood of questions flooded Hoseok, but he paid no attention to any of them as he was focused on watching Taehyung walk towards Jungkook, who was carrying the dark-haired man's backpack, and they began to walk together.

And for the first time, Hoseok didn't feel happy seeing his favorite couple together.

Uhhh, what's happening to Hoseok?