GOLDEN TALENT | VKOOK ✓

36 | DADDY ISSUES

A week and one day passed since New Year's. Everyone was stuck back in college, stressed as in just a few days they will be performing for their dancing class, which was announced a few days ago by their professor and will be a huge part of their overall grading.

But the situation between Taehyung and Jeongguk was heated.

''Fuck, I get it! My back just hurts, goddamn it.'' Taehyung yelled back at Jeongguk. They were practicing for an hour now in the dancing room, as they had reserved it for at least three hours. ''How many times do I need to tell you it's just the cold I had?''

''That cold was five days ago.'' Jeongguk had a stern tone. ''Is it really your back though? You've danced in worse conditions. Do I need to remind you of your first competition? Didn't you say you sort of sprained your ankle while running there?''

Taehyung scoffed, ''What do you know? I had no other chance! I was going to be disqualified from the exam if-''

''If it weren't for me.'' Jeongguk finished. He saw Taehyung groan and pace around. ''We also have no other chance now. We must be at least in the top two, Taehyung, fuck. I'm exhausted. I haven't slept for two goddamn days.'' Jeongguk rubbed his template.

''I haven't too! I've been stuck with you those nights to practice as well.'' Taehyung threw hands in the air towards the other. ''Jeongguk, everything is fine with the choreography. My back will be just fine tomorrow because I am sleeping tonight in my own bed and I am having at least ten hours of sleep.'' He hissed and went to his backbag.

''Where do you think you're going?'' Jeongguk asked, seeing him pack his things.

''To fucking sleep because this,'' he said, making a whole circle with his hands, ''this is not the way to make it perfect. You yourself are limping, but don't notice your mistakes but mine.'' He zipped his bag and grabbed his jacket from the wardrobes there to put it on. ''If you want, practice on your own. I'm not dealing with that angry energy here.''

''We have the room reserved for an hour more.'' Jeongguk walked to him and grabbed him by the wrist. ''Taehyung, I am tired too, so so much. But if we don't-''

''What if we do?'' Taehyung snapped and pulled away. ''Always the negative ifs; what if we actually do well, huh? Can't you think of that option as well?'' His eyes seemed both sad, tired, and angry at the same time. He felt them sting from the tiredness. ''I'm telling you, overworking ourselves will lead to fainting and throwing up. I'm already losing weight; you also seem like it.''

The tension in the practice room was palpable, the air thick with the weight of unspoken frustration. Taehyung glared at Jeongguk, the lines of his face etched with annoyance.

Taehyung's frustration bubbled to the surface. "There's a difference between working hard and working ourselves into the ground! This is not healthy, and you're dragging me down with you."

Jeongguk's jaw clenched, his determination unwavering. "We're not leaving this room until we get it right."

The relentless beat of the music continued to play, underscoring the heated exchange. Sweat glistened on their faces, a testament to the grueling hours they had already spent practicing. Taehyung, unable to contain his frustration, slammed his hands on the dance floor. "I can't do this anymore. You're pushing me too hard, and I won't let you ruin my chance at the exam."

Jeongguk's gaze turned icy. "Ruin? I'm trying to make sure we excel. If you can't handle it, then maybe you're not cut out for this."

As the lingering tension in the room hung in the air, Taehyung took a step back, his eyes locking with Jeongguk's. There was a pause, a moment of silent understanding, before Taehyung broke the quiet. "Well, I'm leaving now," Taehyung declared with a measured calmness, "If you need a partner that badly, ask one of those girls who are head over heels for you."