Beyond The Friend Zone [Taekook]

A Big Catch and a Bigger Scare (13)

It took roughly ten minutes before Taehyung’s fishing line began to move underwater. The subtle tug at first was so slight that most would have missed it, but Taehyung’s sharp eyes caught it immediately. With a calm breath, he tightened his grip and began reeling in the line, his hands steady and sure. For a moment, the water rippled gently, then more forcefully as the line dipped and danced beneath the surface, hinting at the struggle taking place below.

Despite it being his first attempt at fishing, Taehyung handled the technique with surprising skill. His movements were fluid, precise, as though he had been doing this for years. In truth, he had only ever watched fishing videos a few times, but his keen observation and quiet confidence now paid off. The line jerked suddenly, the fish fighting for freedom, but Taehyung remained unflinching. A few more turns of the reel, and the fish broke through the water’s surface, gleaming in the sunlight—a lively trout thrashing about, desperate to escape.

“Bucket,” Taehyung said calmly, his voice unwavering amidst the sudden excitement.

Mira, who had been watching with wide eyes, panicked for a split second. But Taehyung’s steady voice brought her back to the present, grounding her. Without hesitation, she grabbed the bucket of water they had prepared earlier and rushed to his side. Her hands trembled slightly as she held the bucket out to him, but Taehyung’s calm presence reassured her. With gentle care, he unhooked the line from the trout’s mouth and lowered the fish into the water. The trout splashed briefly before settling at the bottom of the bucket, its movements slower now but still full of life.

It was the class’s first catch of the day, and both Taehyung and Mira felt a wave of relief wash over them. The sight of the trout, shimmering in the water, filled them with a quiet sense of accomplishment. The other students, who had been growing restless by the riverbank, quickly spotted the catch and rushed over. Their initial boredom evaporated, replaced by excitement and admiration.

“Whoa, Taehyung caught a fish!”

“Look at that! It’s huge!”

“How did you do that, Taehyung?”

“That’s amazing!”

The chorus of praise washed over Taehyung, but he remained modest, simply nodding in acknowledgment. He didn’t crave the attention, but seeing the joy it brought to his classmates made him feel a small sense of pride. Their admiration wasn’t just for the fish; it was for the patience and skill he had shown, something many of them still lacked.

Inspired by Taehyung’s success, the students returned to their own fishing lines with renewed focus. Their earlier complaints faded away as they tried to emulate his calm determination. The air buzzed with anticipation now, every ripple in the water met with eager eyes.

As the excitement settled, Taehyung turned to Mira, holding out the fishing rod. “Do you want to try?” he asked, his voice gentle and encouraging.

Mira looked up at him in surprise, her eyes wide. “No, no. I’ve never fished before. I’m afraid I’ll make mistakes and just cause more trouble,” she stammered, her hands twisting nervously.

Taehyung’s gaze softened, his voice reassuring. “It’s fine. It was my first time fishing too. Just give it a try. You might find that you enjoy it.” His tone carried a quiet confidence that made it hard to refuse.

After a moment of hesitation, Mira nodded, albeit reluctantly. She took the fishing rod from Taehyung, her grip tentative. She cast the line into the water, her hands trembling slightly. The line didn’t go far, but it was a start—a promising first attempt.

“Good job,” Taehyung encouraged her, his tone warm and approving. Before she could doubt herself, his simple praise grounded her, filling her with a small sense of accomplishment.