Raw Marks | Taekook✓

Chapter 1

When winter finally loosened its grip, the harsh heat of the coming summer settled over the city like it had no intention of leaving. The days were hot enough to make the air feel heavy, but the nights still carried their own kind of charm. Streets stayed alive long after sunset. Small cafés buzzed with laughter, families enjoyed evening walks, and groups of friends wandered around together, making the most of the warm summer nights before another exhausting day arrived

Kim Taehyung stood in front of the mirror, completely focused as he adjusted his outfit one last time. He carefully smoothed the wrinkles from his shirt, fixed a few messy strands of hair, then sprayed a light touch of cologne on his neck and wrists. He took a small step back, studying his reflection from head to toe, searching for anything out of place

On the outside, he looked calm and put together. But inside, his stomach was twisting into knots. His brows slowly pulled together as he let out a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside his chest. Closing his eyes for a brief second, he gathered every bit of courage he had before looking back at himself with a determined smile "You can do it, Taehyung" he whispered quietly to his reflection, almost as if he needed to hear the words from someone else

The encouragement sounded small inside the silent room, but it was enough to make him nod to himself. Picking up his phone and wallet from the table, making sure he had everything he needed, he slipped them into his pockets before finally leaving the house

As he stepped outside his cosy home and walked toward the modest gate surrounding his small front yard, Taehyung's eyes naturally wandered across the quiet street to the house directly opposite his own. Just then, he noticed Mrs Jeon, the kind woman in her late fifties, carrying a small trash bag as she made her way toward the bin outside

The moment she spotted him, her face brightened with a warm, familiar smile. She had always treated him like family ever since he was little. Seeing her walking over, Taehyung smiled back politely, though a small feeling of nervousness quietly settled in his chest "How are you, Taehyung? Off somewhere?" she asked kindly, her gentle voice carrying the same warmth it always had

Taehyung swallowed before answering. The simple question somehow made him feel strangely guilty. He quickly pushed the feeling aside and forced a small smile onto his face "I'm going out to have dinner with my friends"

He tried to sound as casual as possible, but a slight stiffness still slipped into his voice. It was almost impossible to hide. He knew Mrs Jeon well enough to know that she loved asking questions and keeping up with everyone's lives. She never meant any harm, but today, every extra question only made him more anxious. He silently hoped she wouldn't ask where he was going or who he was meeting

Mrs Jeon's smile never faded. Instead, it grew even softer as she folded her hands together "It's Jungkook's 16th birthday, and you know that child doesn't like celebrating. So we're having a simple family dinner. I hope you'll join us too. Can you, Tae?" There was a small hint of hope in her voice as she waited for his answer. It wasn't a grand invitation. Just a quiet family dinner with the people who cared about him

Taehyung let out a nervous chuckle, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the back of his neck. His heart immediately started arguing with itself. He had already made plans for tonight. It was his first date with someone he had met through a dating app, and cancelling at the last minute didn't feel right. But at the same time, saying no to Mrs Jeon felt equally difficult "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"

His voice stayed polite, carrying an apologetic smile, but the guilt refused to leave him. As soon as the words left his mouth, he couldn't help wondering if he had made the wrong choice