🤎✨LOVE IN SEOUL✨🤎 ( UNDER EDITING )

26

The lounge hummed with the chatter of students as Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung stepped in. Some students crowded around the game consoles, cheering loudly, while others were tucked into armchairs in the book section, noses buried in pages.

Amidst the chaos, the boys headed towards the sitting area—

"I'll get us a drink," Jungkook announced, letting go of Taehyung's hand. "You both go ahead," he added, walking towards the vending machine.

Taehyung fought with his internal turmoil, pouting visibly at the sudden loss of touch. "I'll be back, Tae." jungkook called out, noticing the pout on his face. Jimin scoffed, "You're so obvious, Tae," he teased.

A hot blush crept up Taehyung's ears, and he sighed, "I wish you never found out about my secret. You keep taunting me!" he whined.

Jimin chuckled as he draped his arms around Taehyung's shoulders, "I can't help it. You're so cute when you're so obvious," he teased.

Taehyung shrugged Jimin's arms off him and trudged ahead."

Meanwhile, Jungkook punched a few coins into the machine, the metallic clink echoing in the corner of the lounge. He selected his desired items with a practiced push of the buttons: a strawberry juice—Taehyung's favorite, a banana milkshake for himself, and a mixed fruit juice for Jimin.

The drinks rolled out with a soft thud, and he gathered them, the cool plastic a contrast to the warmth of his hands. He scanned the lounge, his eyes sweeping over the scattered students, until they landed on his friends. They were nestled in large, plush beanbags at the far end of the hall.

Taehyung was smiling, a genuine, open smile that Jungkook knew well. But it wasn't Jimin whom was making him smile like that.

A wave of confusion washed over him. A dirty blonde-haired, someone he had never seen before, was leaning close to Taehyung, their faces illuminated by the bright screen of a phone. They were smiling, a wide, easy grin, and Jungkook watched as the blonde angled the phone, snapping a selfie with Taehyung.

Jungkook's steps slowed, almost imperceptibly. He watched as Taehyung, who had been pouting just moments before, now seemed completely at ease, his laughter mingling with the low hum of the lounge.

He saw the way Taehyung's shoulders relaxed, the way he leaned slightly into the blonde's space, a comfortable familiarity that Jungkook couldn't place. A knot of unease tightened in his stomach. He couldn't decipher the interaction, couldn't understand how Taehyung had warmed up so quickly to a stranger. He continued to walk forward, his gaze fixed on the pair, his mind racing to catch up with the scene unfolding before him.

"Kookie, come! I've got an introduction to make!" Jimin squealed, almost childlike. Jungkook forced a smile as he plopped down between Jimin and Taehyung. His eyes lingered on Taehyung, who had yet to acknowledge him. A knot tightened in Jungkook's stomach, a familiar frustration bubbling up.

Jimin abruptly stood up and faced his friends. Their gazes snapped up at him instantly. With a giggle, he reached for the blonde and pulled him up. The blonde chuckled, a light, airy sound that grated on Jungkook's nerves; he just didn't know why. Was it the way Taehyung's eyes flickered towards the new blonde, or the easy, relaxed way Jungwon smiled?

"This is an emergency transfer student, Yang Jungwon. He's in my class, and we're the only blondes there! Isn't it amazing? I decided to add him to our clique, just because!" Jimin sassed, his eyes sparkling. " Wonnie, meet Jeon Jungkook, the school's heartthrob" he added.

Jungkook's gaze remained fixed on The blonde, his glare subconsciously hardening. Jungwon, oblivious to the undercurrents, offered a polite smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Nice to meet you jungkook, I hope we become great friends" he said, his voice smooth and friendly.