Purple Tiger [Taekook] ✓

Chapter 4

Hyo-seop notices Yuna's skeptical look and follows its direction. He quickly realizes the reason for that flickering glow in her eyes.

"Don't you like snakes?" he asks calmly as he covers the tattoo of the pitch-black snake on his right forearm with his left hand.

Yuna just shakes her head wordlessly and looks into the snake man's dark eyes for the first time. Taehyung's eyes are the same dark color, but they look much prettier and kind.

"Well, keep on painting. Unfortunately, I have to leave again."

The word "unfortunately" sounds completely out of place to Yuna's ears. But before she can elaborate on the thought, the kindergarten director is disappeared. With the black colored pencil, she draws an ever-lengthening curled line. Strange man. Poisonous snake.

On the way to his office, Hyo-seop meets Taehyung carrying a stack of colorful paper in his hands.

"I think the little girl just needs some more time to get used to her new kindergarten."

Taehyung's original plan was to walk straight past Hyo-seop but he became curious.

"What do you mean?", he asks, avoiding eye contact.

"She's very shy but I'm sure that it will subside with time. Imagine, she's been so engrossed in her picture that she hasn't even spoken to the other children at the table. She didn't even exchange a single word with me. Poor thing."

Poor thing? Shy girl? Is he really talking about Yuna? The description doesn't even fit a little bit.

The only reason Taehyung doesn't contradict is that he doesn't feel like discussing it. So, he just passes by, bringing the pile of paper to the craft room. After that, he goes back to the tiger group.

He and two other women are responsible for the group of the oldest children between the ages of 4 and 5. A glance to his left confirms his plan to simply forget the kindergarten director's statement, dismissing it as bullshit. He sees a laughing girl, surrounded by children who share her joy. The moment Yuna recognizes Taehyung, she waves at him with a grin.

You don't have to work with children to realize that this girl has an open and kind character. Taehyung didn't even doubt for a second that she will make new friends with ease. He's surprised that Hyo-seop, of all people, who has years of experience with children, misjudged her that much. He just can't imagine Yuna refusing to speak.

When he sees her wave turning into a "come here" gesture, he does just that and sits down on the chair next to her.

"Wow, that snake turned out beautiful," Taehyung praises her painting skills.

In fact, he didn't even have to lie, the little girl really does have talent. But Yuna shows a reaction Taehyung didn't expect. No child has ever reacted to one of his compliments with a pout. He's confused.

"But it's not supposed to be beautiful at all, it's supposed to be creepy."

Aha. So, there's the problem.

"Beautiful animals are usually the most dangerous."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, well, I'd definitely be scared of your snake."

Yuna's mouth forms into a satisfied smile.

"Will you draw something with me?" she asks, reapplying her pencil to further refine her snake.

"Sure."

Taehyung is about to reach for a new sheet when Yuna stops him in his tracks.

"Can you please draw a tiger for me? Here, next to the snake?"