Raw Marks | KOOKV✓

Chapter 1

When the winter relinquished its grasp, the relentless heat wave of the impending summer descended upon the environment like an unstoppable force. Despite the oppressive warmth, summer nights retained a vibrant allure, beckoning people to venture out and embrace the liveliness of the season

Kim Taehyung stood before the mirror, with full focus adjusting his attire and checking his appearance one final time. He smoothed down his shirt, fixed his hair and added a subtle touch of cologne. Despite his outside charm, a wave of nervousness swept through him, evident in the way he furrowed his brows and took deep breaths to steady himself. With a determined smile, he whispered words of encouragement to his reflection "You can do it, Taehyung" before grabbing his phone and wallet, his essentials for the evening.

As he stepped outside his cosy home and approached the modest gate of his front yard, Taehyung's gaze shifted towards the neighbouring house directly opposite. There, he noticed Mrs Jeon, a kind woman in her late fifties, going about the day-to-day task of disposing of trash in the bin. Her warm smile and genuine curiosity caught his attention, and he couldn't help but return the gesture as she approached him "How are you, Taehyung? Off somewhere?" she inquired, her voice dripping with gentle kindness.

Taehyung felt a surge of nervousness as Mrs. Jeon's inquiry pierced through the air. Swallowing hard, he attempted to mask his anxiety with a forced smile before responding "I'm going out to have dinner with my friends" Despite his attempt at casualness, there was a hint of tension in his voice, a subtle giveaway of his inner chaos. He was well aware of Mrs. Jeon's tendency to pry into the affairs of others, adding to his discomfort.

Mrs. Jeon's smile remained fixed upon her lips "It's Jungkook's 16th birthday and you know that child doesn't like to celebrate. So we are having a simple family dinner and I hope you will join us too. Can you Tae?" She extended an invitation for him to join them, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she waited for his reaction.

Taehyung couldn't suppress a nervous chuckle as he fought a war with his own self. He knew he had plans for a date with someone he'd met on a dating app, making attending the dinner a challenge "Oh, happy birthday to him. I'm so sorry, Mrs. Jeon. I'll be a bit late. But I promise I'll join next time" he replied politely, though he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt at declining the invitation

Having moved to this serene countryside-like part of Seoul 3 years prior, Taehyung had made a conscious decision to escape the frantic pace of his former office job. He longed for a simpler existence, with aspirations of establishing a modest farming business despite his limited knowledge of agriculture

Fortunately, the Jeon family, and his neighbours, proved to be valuable supporters in his journey. Offering guidance and help every step of the way, they patiently imparted their wisdom, assisting Taehyung with essential supplies and sharing their expertise in farming methods. Containing four members, the Jeon household included Mr and Mrs Jeon, along with their two children. The elder son served as a chief commander in the military, while their youngest, Jeon Jungkook freshman in high school

Despite his limited interactions with Jungkook, Taehyung had observed the young man's character. Jungkook appeared to be a focused and polite individual, with a dedication to his studies and a reserved nature. Despite the generational gap, Taehyung had appreciated the occasional assistance Jungkook had offered him in his gardening work.

"Um, Taehyung, I just also wanted to talk to you about something. You know, Jungkook has been looking for a part-time job near our home so that his study time doesn't get hampered. So, I just wanted you to-" Mrs Jeon's words were laced with anxiety as she broached the topic, but Taehyung understood her intention before she could finish her sentence, a gentle smile graced his lips