The entire university campus was louder than usual the next morning.
Colorful banners hung across buildings, students crowded the sports grounds, and music blasted through giant speakers near the football field. Hanseong University’s annual sports festival had officially begun.
Which meant chaos.
And unfortunately for everyone involved, Kim Taehyung treated chaos like a personal hobby.
“Park Jimin,” Taehyung said while stretching dramatically near the running track, “if I collapse during this relay race, tell people I died beautifully.”
Jimin adjusted his sunglasses with unnecessary confidence. “Don’t worry. I’ll cry attractively at your funeral.”
Nearby, Sunoo laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink all over Eun-Woo.
“You people are exhausting,” Eun-Woo muttered calmly while fixing the sleeves of his hoodie.
Taehyung grinned proudly. “And yet you love us.”
“I tolerate you.”
“That’s basically love.”
Around them, students prepared for different competitions while faculty members organized schedules and announcements. The atmosphere felt bright, chaotic, and alive.
At the VIP seating area near the field, Jeon Jungkook stood beside Principal Kim Namjoon, reviewing documents on a tablet while completely ignoring the screaming students around him.
Or at least pretending to.
“Are university events always this loud?” Jungkook asked flatly.
Namjoon looked genuinely tired already. “Unfortunately.”
From nearby, Kim Seokjin walked over carrying iced coffee for both of them.
“You both look like exhausted fathers,” Seokjin commented casually.
Namjoon accepted his coffee with a quiet sigh. “I blame the students.”
“You blame students for everything.”
“Because they are usually responsible.”
Seokjin smiled softly before his attention shifted toward the sports field.
Specifically—
Toward Kim Taehyung dramatically climbing onto a bench while yelling at his teammates.
“WE WIN TOGETHER OR WE DIE TOGETHER!”
Jungkook closed his eyes briefly.
“Why is he always shouting?”
Seokjin looked suspiciously entertained. “Interesting question. Why are you always noticing him?”
Namjoon nearly choked on his coffee.
Jungkook remained silent.
Which unfortunately told Seokjin everything.
---
Meanwhile, near the relay race area, Taehyung’s team was already arguing.
“You are absolutely not the final runner,” Jimin declared.
“Why?”
“Because last year you got distracted waving at someone and ran the wrong direction.”
“That happened once.”
“It happened twice.”
Taehyung gasped dramatically. “You never let people grow.”
Before Jimin could continue bullying him, an announcement echoed through the field.
“Final-year relay participants, please prepare.”
Students immediately rushed toward the track.
Taehyung cracked his neck confidently. “Watch me become a sports legend.”
“You failed physical education twice,” Eun-Woo reminded him.
“Details.”
As students gathered near the track, Taehyung suddenly noticed Jungkook standing near the VIP area watching the event with his usual unreadable expression.
Their eyes met briefly.
Taehyung smirked immediately.
Then—
He waved.
Openly.
Confidently.
Jimin physically grabbed Taehyung’s arm. “Oh my god, stop flirting with the terrifying CEO.”
“I’m not flirting.”
“You literally smiled.”
“That means nothing.”
Across the field, Jungkook stared at Taehyung for a second longer than necessary before calmly looking away again.
Namjoon noticed immediately.
Unfortunately.
“You’re staring.”
“I’m observing.”
“Same thing.”
Seokjin looked delighted by the entire situation.
The race whistle suddenly blew loudly.
Students sprinted across the track while the crowd erupted into screaming cheers.
Taehyung grabbed the relay baton dramatically from Sunoo before taking off down the field with surprising speed.
For a moment, even Jungkook looked slightly impressed.
Then Taehyung turned around while running just to yell something at Jimin.
And immediately lost balance.
The entire crowd screamed.
Taehyung nearly tripped over his own feet before barely catching himself at the last second.
Jimin collapsed onto the grass laughing.
Eun-Woo covered his face in disappointment.
Even Namjoon looked exhausted.
Only Seokjin openly laughed without shame.
Jungkook stared silently at Taehyung standing on the field with messy hair and an unapologetic grin despite almost destroying his team’s chances.
Ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
So why couldn’t Jungkook stop watching him?
The race finally ended with Taehyung’s team somehow placing second despite the disaster.
“WE WERE ROBBED!” Taehyung shouted dramatically afterward while drinking water.
“You almost killed yourself,” Eun-Woo replied.
“But beautifully.”
Nearby, Jung Hoseok arrived carrying files for Jungkook before suddenly colliding shoulders with someone turning around too quickly.
“Oh—sorry,” a calm voice said immediately.
Hoseok looked up.
And froze slightly.
Cha Eun-Woo stood in front of him holding several architecture books against his chest, looking equally surprised.
For a brief second—
Neither moved.
Then Sunoo suddenly appeared between them screaming, “EUN-WOO, TAEHYUNG IS STARTING AN ARGUMENT AGAIN.”
The moment broke instantly.
Still, Hoseok glanced back once while walking away.
And Eun-Woo noticed.
---
As evening slowly settled over the campus, Taehyung sat lazily on the football field grass with Jimin beside him while students celebrated around them.
“You know,” Jimin said carefully, “Jungkook keeps staring at you.”
Taehyung scoffed. “No, he doesn’t.”
“He absolutely does.”
Taehyung looked toward the VIP section again.
And found Jungkook already looking at him.
This time—
Neither looked away immediately.
Something unfamiliar settled quietly between them.
Not attraction.
Not yet.
But definitely the beginning of trouble.
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