Beyond The Friend Zone [Taekook]

When Courage Calls (14)

"Oh my god! Is that a bear?!" someone screamed in sheer terror.

"Taehyung!" another voice yelled, filled with panic.

"It scratched him!" cried a student, his voice trembling with fear.

"Ms. Aera! Help him!" came another shout, this one more desperate than the last.

"He's bleeding!" someone gasped, their face paling at the sight of blood.

As the reality of the situation set in, students scattered like startled birds, running in every direction. Amidst the chaos, however, one figure stood remarkably calm. Taehyung slowly rose from the ground, his hand tightly gripping his bleeding arm. Despite the pain, his gaze remained locked on the bear, his eyes filled with a determined defiance that was far beyond his nine years.

The bear, massive and imposing, towered over the group as it rose onto its hind legs. Its eyes were fixed on a single prize: the large river carp lying on the ground, the very fish that Taehyung and Mira had worked tirelessly to catch. As it snarled, showing rows of sharp teeth, a primal fear gripped everyone—everyone except Taehyung.

Ms. Aera, trembling but trying to stay strong, instinctively pulled Taehyung behind her, her arms outstretched protectively. "E-everybody, stay back!" she commanded, though her voice quivered with fear. She planted herself firmly between the bear and her students, her heart pounding in her chest. Despite the terror threatening to overwhelm her, she knew she couldn’t let anything happen to them.

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed as he watched the bear inch closer to the fish. That carp wasn’t just any fish; it was Mira’s first catch, and something they had planned to share with everyone that evening, including Jungkook. The thought of the bear taking away what they had worked so hard for—what they had caught for Jungkook—lit a fire within Taehyung. For reasons he couldn’t fully explain, the idea of losing that fish made him furious. He couldn’t let it happen.

Without a second thought, driven by an unusual surge of courage, Taehyung acted. He sprinted toward the bear and kicked it as hard as he could. The impact forced the bear to stagger back a few steps, its growl turning into a surprised grunt. The onlookers gasped in disbelief.

"Taehyung! Get away from the bear!" Ms. Aera’s voice cracked with a mixture of fear and anger. Her eyes widened in horror at his reckless act.

The bear, now enraged, let out a fearsome roar and rose again on its hind legs, appearing even more menacing. But Taehyung stood his ground, his heart pounding in his chest, though his face betrayed no fear. If the bear wanted a fight, it would get one.

With a determined gleam in his eye, Taehyung made a split-second decision. He aimed a swift kick at the bear’s most vulnerable spot, the one area sure to make any creature, human or animal, double over in pain. His foot connected with the bear’s sensitive region, causing it to let out a pained yelp. The sound echoed through the clearing, and every boy watching winced in sympathy.

The bear dropped to all fours, whimpering in agony, its fierce demeanor completely shattered. Seizing the opportunity, Taehyung quickly kicked the carp further away from the bear, ensuring it was out of reach. Despite the sharp pain in his arm, Taehyung remained stoic, his gaze never leaving the now-defeated bear.

The bear, humiliated and hurt, scrambled to its feet and, instead of launching another attack, retreated into the woods with a pitiful whine. It was a sight no one could have predicted.

"D-did Taehyung really just do that?" one student asked in disbelief, his voice trembling.

"He won against the bear?!" another exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.