The Better Ones [JeongMin]

Chapter 30: Their First Time

Another day at the university began with a commotion—once again, centered around Yoo Jeongyeon.

On the bulletin board, written in bold, unmistakable letters:

'IN EXACTLY ONE MONTH, SON CHAEYOUNG AND JEON JUNGKOOK WILL LEAVE THIS UNIVERSITY.

NAYEON AND HOSEOK WILL STAY.

TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HUNTING ME—STOP NOW, AND I WILL STOP AS WELL.

TO EVERYONE ELSE—DO NOT LAY A FINGER ON YOO JEONGYEON.

IF SHE REMAINS UNTOUCHED, EVERYTHING WILL BE GOOD.

IF SHE SUFFERS, THIS CAMPUS WILL SUFFER WITH HER.

I AM THE PHARKTOM. AND I AM VERY, VERY REAL.'

Yoo Jeongyeon stepped away for a bit, trying to absorb what she just read. What does she have to do with the Pharktom? This goes on in her mind repeatedly. Naturally, the people around her looked her way, some were even questioning her.

"Who is that?"

"Why are you protected?"

"Is this your doing?"

Some brushed it off, ultimately thinking that those words were unreal.

"Whoever wrote that was just a psycho."

"People just do anything these days."

Jeongyeon was already cornered by questions when Kai thankfully grabbed her arm to pull her out of the unwelcome audience.

"Unnie, we've been looking for you."

"What happened? Where are we going?"

"To your classroom, of course! The bell will ring anytime soon."

〰️

The day was exhausting for her, as people constantly glanced her way while making an effort not to cross paths with her.

"Ughhh. I feel like I have a disease!" She groaned, after making her way to her friends' table. Jimin instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist. "I think you have to find a new part-timer." She addressed Jihyo who replaced her at the counter.

"Paboya..."

"I mean, students who wanted to come in immediately left when they saw me."

"Unnie, they will forget about it sooner or later. Just let it pass for now." Ryujin squeezed her hand to reassure her. She smiled faintly. "Anyway, why were we summoned here?"

At this moment, only their group occupied Better Butter—the Cypherproof members, Mina, Jihyo, Sejeong, Ryujin, Rosé, and even Eunwoo. What seemed like a slow day for business was actually perfect timing. With no outsiders around, they could finally discuss what needed to be addressed—the Pharktom's warning.

"Alright," Nayeon, who gathered everyone, stood up from her seat, moving to the center of the diner so everyone could hear her clearly. "Did everyone see the note Pharktom left on the bulletin board?" Everybody nodded. "Good. What do we do about it?"

"What do you mean? Isn't what it posted actually in our favor?" Taehyung immediately responded.

"In our favor?" Jeongyeon asked in disbelief. "You think having Chaeyoung and Jungkook kicked out from the campus is in our favor too?"

"Huh? This is literally in your favor, Jeongyeon."

"I don't want any of that!" Frustration started growing in her voice. "I don't feel protected. If anything, this is just making me overthink even more. Why me??"