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The lecture hall was buzzing with energy. Students streamed in, taking their seats, chatting loudly, and scrolling through their phones. In the midst of the chaos, Y/N strolled in late as usual, her leather jacket slung over her shoulder, earbuds in, chewing gum like she owned the place. She barely glanced around before sliding into a seat at the back, far away from the front of the classroom where Taehyung, the senior professor, was setting up for his lecture.
Kim Taehyung was an enigma to most students-young, brilliant, and with a sharp, no-nonsense attitude. His reputation preceded him, known for running a tight ship, not tolerating slackers. His appearance, though calm and composed, carried an aura of authority that intimidated many.
Today, his sharp gaze caught sight of Y/N, who didn't seem to care that she was already five minutes late.
"Miss Y/N," he called out suddenly, his voice cutting through the noise. The room fell silent as students glanced toward the back, knowing what was coming next. Taehyung's eyes were fixed on her, unreadable.
Y/N lazily pulled one earbud out, lifting an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
"Is there a reason you're late for my lecture again?" Taehyung's voice was cool but firm, not letting her casual demeanor rattle him. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, waiting for her response.
Y/N smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Traffic," she said with a shrug, as if that explained everything.
A murmur ran through the classroom. No one spoke to Taehyung like that, at least not without consequences.
Taehyung's jaw tightened, but he remained composed. "This is the third time this week, Miss Y/N. If you can't manage your time better, I suggest you don't bother showing up at all."
Her smirk widened, unfazed by his threat. "Noted, professor."
Taehyung's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, a brief flicker of something unrecognizable in his expression, before he turned back to the board. "For everyone else who is here on time, let's begin," he said, resuming the lecture.
Y/N leaned back further, crossing her arms. For now, they were strangers, but there was something about the way he spoke to her-cool, unshaken, and unafraid-that intrigued her, though she would never admit it.
As for Taehyung, he was used to difficult students. But something about Y/N caught his attention. Whether it was her blatant disregard for rules or the fire in her eyes, he knew that this wasn't going to be the last time their paths crossed.
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The next day, the lecture hall was quieter than usual. Taehyung's presence always seemed to have that effect, his stern demeanor making students sit a little straighter, pay a little more attention. He was already deep into his lecture when Y/N strutted in, this time only a few minutes late. She popped a piece of gum into her mouth, loudly chewing as she made her way to the back row.
Taehyung noticed instantly. His sharp eyes flicked toward her as she took her seat, the repetitive snap of her gum cutting through the otherwise focused atmosphere.
He paused mid-sentence, turning toward the back of the class. "Miss Y/N," he said, his tone icy.
Y/N looked up from her phone, raising her brows in mock surprise. "Yeah?"
Taehyung's lips pressed into a thin line. "In case you were unaware, this is a lecture, not a playground. Get rid of the gum."
She stared at him, her smirk returning as she slowly blew a bubble and let it pop. The students around her were now wide-eyed, waiting for what would happen next. No one dared defy Taehyung so openly.
Unfazed by her boldness, Taehyung stepped out from behind his desk, his eyes never leaving hers as he walked down the aisle toward her. The air in the room felt charged as he approached, and for the first time, Y/N felt a flicker of unease.
He stopped right in front of her, leaning slightly closer. "Miss Y/N, I don't tolerate disrespect in my classroom. You have two options-spit out the gum or leave." His voice was low, but the authority in it was unmistakable.
Y/N blinked, caught off guard by how close he was and how serious he sounded. For a second, her rebellious attitude wavered, but she quickly recovered, shrugging. "Fine," she muttered, pulling the gum out of her mouth and sticking it onto a tissue from her bag.
"There," she said with a false sweetness. "Happy?"
Taehyung straightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Ecstatic," he replied dryly. He turned on his heel and walked back to the front of the room. "Now, if everyone else is ready to act like adults, let's continue."
Y/N watched him as he resumed his lecture, her usual confidence shaken just a bit. No one had ever spoken to her like that-firm, commanding, but without raising his voice. And for reasons she didn't quite understand, it intrigued her.
For Taehyung, it was just another day dealing with a difficult student. But there was something about Y/N's defiance that made him wonder what she was really hiding behind that rebellious facade.
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YOU ARE READING
Badass In Love(COMPLETED)
Romance"I never ever thought I'd love you," she admitted softly, her words hanging in the quiet air between them. "I always told myself that... I'd never let myself feel this way, not after everything that's happened in our past."
