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The late afternoon sun cast a warm golden hue over the college campus, filtering through the thick trees that lined the walkways.
The scene was serene, with students scattered around in groups or on their own, books and laughter mingling in the soft breeze.
Jisoo walked briskly, files clutched tightly against her chest. She was lost in thought, her mind racing through the long to-do list of assignments and preparations for upcoming exams. Mathematics had never been her strong suit, and today's lecture on complex equations loomed heavily over her. As she walked, she mentally scolded herself for putting off studying yet again.
"Come on, Jisoo. You can do this!" she whispered to herself, but the words felt like a feeble mantra against the rising tide of anxiety. Just then, her foot caught on the edge of the pavement, and in an instant, she found herself colliding with something solid.
The impact knocked the files from her grip, sending them sprawling across the ground like autumn leaves caught in a gust of wind.
"Oh no!" Jisoo gasped, her heart racing as she looked up, only to find herself face-to-face with Taehyung. The sunlight framed him in a halo, casting an almost ethereal glow around his figure. He was tall and lean, his dark hair falling just above his eyes, giving him an air of quiet intensity.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see-" Taehyung murmured, his calm voice breaking slightly as he crouched down to help her gather the scattered papers.
"Are you...alright?" Taehyung asked, his voice low and laced with concern.
Jisoo felt her heart skip a beat, a mixture of embarrassment and excitement flooding her senses. She stole a glance at him, noting how he focused intently on the task at hand, a hint of a frown on his lips.
"Uh, I'm fine," she managed to stammer, though her voice wavered slightly. Her cheeks felt hot, and she couldn't help but admire how his brow furrowed in concentration.
She stole a glance at him as they worked side by side to gather the papers, her heart racing so fast she wondered if he could hear it too.
And yet, she could tell he was nervous too; his hand fidgeted with the edge of one of the files, his gaze briefly meeting hers before darting away.
Finally, they both took a small step back. "Thank you again, Taehyung-shi," she said, offering a polite bow, though her cheeks felt warm.
Taehyung nodded and gave her a small bow in return, his gaze still lingering on her for a beat longer than necessary.
As Taehyung turned to leave, Jisoo hesitated, a sudden urge compelling her to look back. She caught him glancing over his shoulder, and their eyes met once more. In that instant, her heart swelled with warmth. She managed a tired smile, her thoughts racing. Maybe today wasn't going to be so bad after all.
She turned to continue on her path, heart still racing from the unexpected encounter. As she walked, she couldn't help but replay the moment in her mind, each detail etched in her memory.
Inside, she felt a rush of gratitude, relieved that he was safe and seemed more at ease among the sea of students. A subtle warmth filled her, the kind that made her hope for more moments like this.
Meanwhile, Taehyung walked away, shaking his head lightly as he berated himself. "Why do I always mess things up?" he muttered under his breath, his heart still pounding from the brief connection they'd shared. He could feel the weight of his past tugging at him, the anxiety that often gripped him in crowded spaces.
With a sigh, he glanced back one last time,glancing back to watch her walk down the path, her figure slowly blending into the crowd. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling a rush of self-consciousness as he muttered to himself, "I think I made her uncomfortable....again..."
With a small, almost embarrassed smile, he shook his head, smacking his forehead lightly in frustration.
