When the next bell rang, you stood up and went to Jungkook to clear up things. You stood in front of him the he spoke.
He mimicked your tone, quiet but cold:
"'Jungkook thinks he's the centre of attention.'"
Your eyes widened.
You remembered the moment.
The way you said it without thinking.
Your chest tightened.
He continued, his voice trembling slightly:
"You don't know how much effort I put into that race. How many days I practiced. How I wanted to win. Not to show off… but because I actually loved running."
He looked away, blinking fast.
"And the moment I finish first… the moment I'm genuinely happy… I hear you saying that I just want attention."
His voice cracked at the end.
Your breath hitched.
You had no idea your careless comment stabbed him that deeply.
"Jungkook, I didn't mean it like that—"
"But you said it."
He looked straight into your eyes.
"And it made me feel stupid. Like all my efforts were… nothing."
You stepped closer, guilt rushing through you.
"I'm really sorry. I said it without thinking… I wasn't judging you."
He swallowed.
"I thought maybe… you were different from others."
The softness in his voice made your heart twist.
You whispered,
"I am different. I just… made a mistake."
He stayed quiet, breathing unevenly — clearly still hurt.
Finally you said the only truth you felt:
"I never wanted to make you feel small."
Jungkook's eyes flickered.
The anger softened — just a little.
But he wasn't ready to forgive yet.
"You can't just fix everything with a 'sorry', Y/N."
Your heart sank.
"I know… but can we at least fix something?"
Jungkook looked away, conflicted, silent.
That silence… was not rejection anymore.
It was thinking.
And that was a start.
THE MOMENT IN CLASS
Class had just started, and the students were taking their seats.
Jungkook entered quietly, unusually silent. He didn't glance around; he walked straight to his desk, leaving a trail of nervous energy in his wake.
Yn's stomach churned. She decided she couldn't wait any longer.
She walked up to him, lightly tapping his shoulder.
"Jungkook… can we talk?"
He didn't respond immediately. His eyes were fixed on his notebook.
"…I don't want to hear it," he said softly, without looking up.
Yn's heart sank.
"Please… just five minutes. That's all I'm asking."
After a tense pause, he finally looked at her, eyes guarded but attentive.
"Fine. Five minutes. But don't waste my time."
THE CONFRONTATION
They stepped slightly aside near the classroom window.
Jungkook crossed his arms, jaw tight.
"So… Lee Hyun."
Yn blinked.
"W-what about him?"
"You gave him your number yesterday," Jungkook said sharply.
"I saw it. Or… at least I thought I did. I thought… you wanted to give it willingly."
Yn felt her cheeks heat.
"Jungkook! No! That's not what happened at all! He asked Taesung for my number. I didn't even hand it to him myself!"
Jungkook's eyes softened slightly, but his brows remained furrowed.
"Then why didn't you say that? You never said anything, and I… I saw him with Taesung, and my brain went…"
"Went where?," Yn interrupted, frustrated but trying to stay calm.
"To thinking I… I don't know… cared about him?"
He flinched slightly.
"Yeah…"
Yn's heart softened seeing him like this.
"Jungkook… you know I wouldn't do that. I like… I mean, you know… it's not like that. I was just talking to him about homework!"
He stared at her, eyes searching hers. For a moment, everything froze.
THE APOLOGY
"I… I overreacted," Jungkook admitted, voice quieter than usual.
"I just… I saw him, and my mind jumped to conclusions. I thought you'd… maybe… prefer him."
Yn's lips pressed together, fighting the smile threatening to appear.
"You do know how stubborn you are, right?"
"I know," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck.
"But I can't help it. I… just care, Y/N. A lot."
Yn's chest tightened, heart skipping a beat.
"I… care too. But you have to trust me. Please."
He exhaled, shoulders relaxing slightly.
"I'll try…"
"You better," she teased lightly, a small smirk forming.
"And don't act like a jealous idiot in front of everyone again."
He let out a soft laugh, the tension between them finally easing.
"Deal," he said, eyes flickering with something she didn't expect — relief, and maybe… something more.
They returned to their seats just as the teacher walked in.
But for the first time in days, they exchanged a small smile across the desks.
No words needed — the misunderstanding had been cleared, even if slightly awkwardly.
Sol-hee, watching from nearby, leaned over and whispered:
"I knew you two would figure it out eventually."
Yn just rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the warmth in her chest.
Finally… he's not upset anymore. And I think… maybe this makes him even more important to me than I realized.
AFTER CLASS
Later, as students left the classroom, Jungkook stayed back a moment.
"You… want to walk home together?" he asked, tone casual but eyes searching hers.
Yn blinked, surprised, then smiled softly.
"Sure… if you don't trip over your own feet like yesterday."
He smirked.
"I'll try not to."
And as they walked out side by side, the city streets of Busan glowing with evening light, Yn realized that while small misunderstandings could hurt… sometimes, clearing them could bring two people closer than they ever imagined.
The morning sun spilled over Busan High, casting long golden streaks across the classroom.
Yn walked in, books in hand, still thinking about yesterday's conversation with Jungkook.
Finally… he's not upset anymore.
But as soon as she reached her desk, she noticed him leaning casually against the window sill, smirking at something on his phone.
The familiar spark of annoyance — and something else she couldn't name — flickered in her chest.
As soon as class started, Jungkook leaned toward her desk under the pretense of borrowing a pen.
"Hey, Yn," he whispered, his smirk teasing, "don't tell me you're actually studying seriously. That wouldn't suit you."
Yn blinked, eyebrows raised.
"Oh really? And what would suit me, Mr. 'I'm-Always-Right'?"
He tilted his head, grin widening.
"Chaos. Drama. Me teasing you."
Yn rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips.
He hasn't lost that energy… maybe I like that about him.
During the mid-morning break, the students spilled out into the courtyard.
A few boys were playing with a soccer ball, others chatting in groups.
Yn and Jungkook were walking together, exchanging notes, when suddenly the ball came rolling toward them.
Without thinking, Jungkook reached out and stopped the ball just in time.
"Careful!" he said, steadying her hand briefly as it had almost bumped into her notes.
Yn froze for a moment, their fingers brushing lightly.
"Thanks," she murmured, heart fluttering.
He smirked.
"Don't mention it. Wouldn't want you getting hurt on my watch."
Yn thought: Protective… still protective… even after all the chaos.
MISCHIEVOUS SOL-HEE
Sol-hee appeared suddenly, clapping her hands.
"Ooooh! Look at you two! Acting all… friendly and responsible! I knew it wouldn't take long for the peace treaty to form!"
Jungkook raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not responsible, Sol-hee. Just… making sure nothing explodes around her."
Yn groaned, shaking her head.
"You're acting like a drama queen, as usual."
Sol-hee laughed.
"Drama queen? No… he's my class's disaster in human form, and you, Yn, are the one keeping him sane!"
Jungkook shot her a glare that could melt steel, but Sol-hee just shrugged, enjoying every second.
After the commotion, Yn and Jungkook found themselves alone near the school fence, watching the other students.
"Y'know," he said, quieter than before, "I was… kinda annoyed yesterday. About… the number thing."
Yn nodded, smiling softly.
"I know. And I… I'm glad we talked about it."
He looked at her, expression unreadable for a moment.
"But don't get used to me being so calm. I might snap again."
Yn laughed lightly.
"I'll survive. I'm used to your drama."
A brief silence fell between them, comfortable and tense all at once.
Suddenly, another ball rolled toward them.
Jungkook caught it easily, holding it out of her reach.
"You get it," he said teasingly.
Yn pouted.
"Hey! That's cheating!"
He smirked, leaning closer.
"Life's unfair. Get used to it."
Yn couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head.
Even his teasing… I can't stop noticing him.
As the bell rang, they walked back toward the classroom.
"You know," Jungkook said casually, "I kinda like that you're not always serious. Makes things… easier."
Yn smiled softly, her heart fluttering.
"And I like that you can still act like a human disaster even when you're… being protective."
He gave her a rare, genuine smile.
"Guess we balance each other out, then."
Sol-hee, watching from afar, smirked knowingly.
Oh… this is going to be fun.
Yn laughed quietly, feeling lighter than she had in days.
Finally… a little normal between us. But I know… things are just starting.