Immortal Mafia King's Love Story

Episode- 8

Author pov:

The people around stood in stunned silence, as if time itself had momentarily stopped. Nota single person had ever dared to oppose Jungkook, whose authority had always been unquestioned. Yet, here was this scholarship girl, an unexpected figure standing up to him in a way that left everyone in sheer disbelief. It was an audacity no one had ever witnessed, and the tension in the air thickened with the weight of what had just transpired.

Rika: When you have no idea who I am or what I've been through, what gives you the right to interfere in my business? You and your little group might walk around thinking you're superior, as if you're untouchable, but let me tell you something I can guarantee that none of you have ever faced any real challenges or hardships in your lives. Not even close. So, don't assume you know what it's like for someone like me.

Jungkook stood frozen, completely caught off guard, his usual confidence shaken. Meanwhile, Taehyung silently cursed himself for neglecting her file for so long.

Rika: Do you have any idea what it feels like to be abandoned by your own family and spend your entire life in an orphanage? Can you even begin to understand how hard it is to survive with barely enough to get by? To work yourself to the bone, day in and day out, only to return to a bed with almost nothing to your name? Do you even grasp how exhausting and painful that reality is?

Jungkook stared at Rika, his face completely devoid of emotion, as if her words hadn't reached him at all. Taehyung, however, stepped forward, his eyes cold and sharp. He couldn't stand her judging Jungkook, knowing full well that Jungkook ,too, had never known the warmth of parents in his life. She had no right to assume she understood his pain.

Jungkook stared at Rika devoid of any emotion. Taehyung comes forward with cold stare as she did not had any right to judge Jungkook as he is also one who never had parents warmth in his life. She glanced at Taehyung for a brief second, and in that moment, her heartbeat quickened unexpectedly.

Taehyung: Shut up! Don't say another word. He muttered in a low, threatening tone, making sure no one else could hear.

Taehyung: Get lost from here, or I'll personally make your life a living hell.

Before he could take another step, Jungkook reached out and stopped him, silently urging restraint. Rika, shaken and terrified, quickly turned and hurried into the university, her heart racing with fear.

Jungkook: I think I get where she's coming from. When I lost my parents, I still had you guys and Uncle Yeon to look after me. But having a café worker as her only guardian probably feels like having no one at all. We shouldn't meddle in her life anymore. To be honest, I'm the one who started this whole thing. Let's just drop it.

Taehyung: And what about the slap? The entire college saw it.

Jungkook: (Rolling his eyes) That? I can handle.

From that day onward, Rika's name began to spread throughout the university. A handful of people sympathized with her, pointing out that it was Jungkook who had started the conflict with Hanbin and unfairly pulled an innocent girl into his drama. They believed Rika's actions were justified.

However, the majority of students rallied behind Jungkook, argued that slapping him had crossed the line. Among them were some girls, always vying for Jungkook's attention, who whispered that Rika's actions were nothing more than a calculated attempt to get noticed by him.

Meanwhile...

Jungkook and Rika made a silent, mutual effort to avoid each other whenever their paths crossed. Neither spoke a word, nor their once tense encounters were now replaced with cold, distant glances, as if neither wanted to acknowledge the other's presence.

On the other hand, Taehyung found himself puzzled after coming across Rika's file. It contained little information of significance, merely detailing her background. The file listed her orphanage, the various places she had worked since becoming a major, and noted that she lived in a modest two-bedroom rented flat near the college, as well as the café where she was employed. Nothing about her past seemed to catch his attention.

Few days later...

During the first class...

Boy 1: Hey everyone, its Mrs. Kang's class today. I heard she's off on a trip with her husband, so she might not make it.

Girl 1: Thank goodness babe! She's absolutely terrifying. I still remember the last time she was here she detained seven students just because they initiated that no-homework march!

Boy 1: Let's go, babe. How about we head to the cafeteria and relax for a bit and hookup.

The chatter died down, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging over the entire classroom.

Mrs. Kang: Isn't it a bit early for you to be heading to the cafeteria and trying to hook up, Mr. Baek?

The boy flushed with embarrassment, quickly sinking back into his seat. Mrs. Kang then shifted her focus, scanning the entire class with a discerning gaze.

Mrs. Kang: If you all are so thrilled about my absence, let me drop a little bombshell on you. You will be divided into group of 2 and you'll have to work with each other for the entire semester.

A wave of shuffling swept through the classroom; some students looked disappointed, while others secretly hoped to be placed with studious, nerdy types .Some of the girls, eager to catch Jungkook's attention, silently wished to be placed in his group, their eyes flickering with hope at the possibility of working alongside him for the semester.

Mrs. Kang: Oh, Jungkook, what a surprise! It seems you'll be seeing me quite a bit this semester too.

Jungkook: I know, Mrs. Kang. You've missed me, haven't you?

The entire class erupted in laughter at Jungkook's playful remark.

Miss Kang: Alright, enough. Open your emails! Once you've checked, go sit with your assigned group partner.

After about ten minutes of shuffling and murmurs as everyone found their partners, a loud gasp echoed across the room.

Girl 2: What? Jungkook and Rika?!