Love, Affairs, and Hardships | PJM

3.

No One's POV:

Jimin turned toward Taehyung, who was casually leaning against a locker, engrossed in his phone. A group of girls passed by, giggling girlishly as they caught sight of Taehyung.

Taehyung glanced up from his phone with a mischievous grin and winked at the girls. Their blushes deepened, and Taehyung couldn't help but savor the reaction he elicited.

Jimin shook his head, somewhat bemused by his friend's antics, and poked Taehyung on the shoulder. "What?" Taehyung asked, his tone laced with boredom.

Jimin couldn't help but ask, "Do you think Eunji and Jungkook are dating? They look like a couple." His curiosity was evident in his voice.

Taehyung burst into laughter at Jimin's question. "Do YOU think they're dating? They're more like siblings than Eunji and I are," he responded, his amusement clear.

Jimin raised an eyebrow, challenging Taehyung's assertion. "You guys aren't siblings," he pointed out, his tone slightly teasing.

Taehyung shot Jimin a glare but didn't back down. "I don't care if we're cousins or not; we've grown up together like siblings," he argued, his affection for Eunji shining through in his words.

Jimin smiled at Taehyung's love for Eunji. He knew Taehyung would never openly admit it to her, but he cared deeply for his little sister.

Jimin had hidden his feelings for Eunji since he was seven years old, ever since that day he first visited Taehyung's house. He remembered her hiding behind her room door, stealing glances at him. When he greeted her with a simple "Hi," she quickly shut the door, her face flushed.

Jimin found her shyness incredibly adorable, even though he didn't fully understand what it meant to like someone back then. But as the years passed, he realized that he had, what they call, a crush on Eunji which gradually turned into love.

•••

"Okay, attention, class! We have a new student joining us today. Let's give him a warm welcome. Please come in and introduce yourself," Mrs. Shin announced, and all the girls in the class couldn't help but fangirl as the new student stepped inside. His dimpled smile was enough to make their hearts race.

As the new kid introduced himself, Jungkook and Eunji were engrossed in their own conversation about their plans after school.

"Jungkook, get up. You two are busy chit-chatting, and it's disrupting the class. Dear, you can take the seat next to Eunji," Mrs. Shin declared, despite the protests from both Eunji and Jungkook.

Jungkook reluctantly got up and approached the girl sitting behind Eunji, asking if he could take her seat. She, of course, didn't hesitate to vacate her spot; after all, it was Jeon Jungkook asking.

Eunji looked back at Jungkook, her lips forming a pout, and Jungkook playfully mimicked a crying face. Their teacher sighed, accustomed to their antics.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here?" Eunji heard a sweet voice addressing her. She turned her head to find a strikingly handsome young man standing beside her desk. Her initial reaction was, "Holy shi—oh, I mean, sure. The seat's all yours."

The new student seemed like a living Greek god, possessing qualities that included handsomeness, cuteness, charm, and a beautiful voice—basically, Eunji's type. Jungkook couldn't help but snort when he observed Eunji looking at the new guy as if she'd just fallen in love.

Eunji heard Jungkook's snort and snapped out of her momentary infatuation. She quickly reminded herself that she only had eyes for Jimin and Jimin alone. "I'm Eunji, nice to meet you," she managed to say, offering a friendly smile.

They shook hands, and as their skin touched, an undeniable current seemed to pass between them. Eunji and Chan looked up simultaneously, their eyes locking in a moment of connection. It wasn't just Eunji who felt it; Chan recognized that she had experienced the same sensation.

"Alright, you two, I get it. You guys have great chemistry, but we should start with the real chemistry lesson now," Mrs. Shin interjected, drawing laughter from the class. Eunji and Chan, both blushing, looked at the front.

•••

As the bell rang and the teacher concluded the lecture, Eunji and Jungkook made their way to the cafeteria. Before they could reach their destination, Chan approached them with a polite request, "Hey, do you guys mind if I join you?"

Eunji quickly replied, "Sure, you can. I know you're new, and it must be tough to adjust, right?" She gave him a warm, sympathetic smile.

Jungkook shot Eunji a betrayed look and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "I thought you wouldn't sit with anyone besides me."

Eunji leaned in closer to him and whispered back, "He's new, and he's so handsome." Her rationale didn't seem to satisfy Jungkook, but he reluctantly accepted it.

Together, they walked to the cafeteria and sat at their usual table, drawing curious glances from their peers. People were shocked to see someone other than Eunji and Jungkook occupying the sacred seats.

News of Chan's good looks quickly spread throughout the cafeteria, attracting even more girls to their table. Among them was Hyemin, who approached with an introduction, "I'm Hyemin, nice to meet you. Why don't you sit with us?" She extended a friendly invitation.

Chan politely declined, saying, "I'm sorry, but I'm already sitting with Eunji and Jungkook. Thanks for the offer, though." Eunji rolled her eyes at Hyemin's attempt to poach her friend and went back to her meal.

The trio continued their conversation and enjoyed their food. Eunji laughed at something Chan said, and they exchanged a high-five. Subsequently, she playfully intertwined her fingers with his, a gesture she often shared with Jungkook when they were joking around. Both Eunji and Chan blushed slightly, aware of the subtle connection between them. Jungkook observed their interaction and couldn't help but smirk.

Just as things seemed to be going smoothly, another chair was pulled out, and someone boldly inserted themselves between Eunji and Chan. Eunji turned to see who had the audacity to sit at their table, locking eyes with a visibly annoyed Jimin.

Glancing between the startled Eunji and Jungkook, who was now wearing an even wider smirk, the interloper introduced himself, "Taehyung's flirting with some girl, so I hope you guys don't mind if I sit here."

Jungkook, still grinning, responded, "Oh, we definitely don't mind." Eunji shot him a warning glare, elbowing him discreetly. Jungkook dodged and threw her a smirk. "This is getting interesting," He whispered to Eunji who scoffed in response.