The morning sun filtered through the windows of the lecture hall, casting a warm glow over the rows of students. As usual, Jungkook sat near the back, his laptop open in front of him, notes neatly organized in a document. He preferred this spot—it was quieter, allowing him to focus without the distraction of idle chatter. Today, however, he was finding it difficult to concentrate.
Ever since his unexpected encounter with Jimin, Jungkook’s mind had been uncharacteristically scattered. Every time he tried to focus on his work, flashes of Jimin’s smile or the way his nose scrunched when he was deep in thought kept surfacing, uninvited. It was unsettling, and frankly, it annoyed Jungkook. He was used to being in control of his thoughts, his emotions, but now… now, he found himself increasingly distracted.
“Good morning, everyone!” The professor’s voice broke through Jungkook’s thoughts, pulling him back to the present. Professor Kim, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a sharp gaze, was a well-respected figure in the computer science department. His classes were known for being challenging, but Jungkook appreciated the rigor. It kept him engaged, kept his mind occupied.
“Today, we’ll be assigning partners for the semester-long project,” Professor Kim announced, scanning the room as if gauging the students’ reactions. “This project will account for a significant portion of your final grade, so I expect you all to take it seriously. Your partner will be your closest ally for the next few months—choose wisely.”
A murmur of excitement and anxiety rippled through the room. Students began whispering to one another, glancing around to see who they might be paired with. Jungkook, however, remained indifferent. He didn’t care who his partner was, as long as they were competent and didn’t slow him down.
“Jeon Jungkook,” the professor called out, glancing down at the roster in his hand. Jungkook raised his head, meeting the professor’s gaze with his usual calm demeanor. “You’ll be partnered with… Park Jimin.”
For a split second, Jungkook’s composure faltered. He blinked, processing the professor’s words. *Park Jimin.* Of all the students in the class, he had to be partnered with Jimin?
Jungkook’s eyes instinctively scanned the room until they landed on Jimin, who was seated closer to the front. The moment their eyes met, Jimin’s face lit up with a smile, and he waved enthusiastically.
“Guess we’re partners, sunbae!” Jimin called out, his voice carrying across the room.
Jungkook nodded stiffly, forcing himself to return the gesture with a brief nod. He wasn’t sure how to feel about this. On one hand, Jimin seemed friendly and approachable, traits that could make working together easier. On the other hand, Jungkook wasn’t sure how to handle the whirlwind of energy that was Park Jimin. His disciplined, structured approach to work didn’t seem to align with Jimin’s more laid-back, spontaneous nature.
As the professor continued pairing up the rest of the class, Jungkook took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. *It’s just a project,* he told himself. *All I have to do is focus, get the work done, and everything will be fine.*
After class, Jungkook packed up his things and made his way to the front, where Jimin was waiting with that ever-present smile. “So, sunbae,” Jimin started, bouncing on the balls of his feet, “do you want to grab a coffee and discuss the project? I know a great café nearby.”
Jungkook hesitated. He wasn’t particularly fond of cafés—they were often too noisy and distracting—but he didn’t want to seem rude. “Sure,” he agreed after a moment, “as long as it’s a quiet place.”
Jimin’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Don’t worry, it’s pretty chill! Let’s go.”
---
The café Jimin led him to was surprisingly cozy, tucked away from the bustling main streets. The interior was warm, with wooden tables and soft lighting that gave the place a relaxed atmosphere. The sound of light jazz music played in the background, blending seamlessly with the quiet hum of conversation.
