The morning sun streamed gently through the large windows of Taehyung's minimalist yet cozy apartment, casting a golden glow across the breakfast table. A steaming cup of coffee sat untouched beside a neatly arranged plate of toast and fruit. Taehyung, ever the epitome of discipline, methodically flipped through his tablet while nibbling on a piece of toast, his focus split between the latest news and research articles.
His calm morning rhythm was suddenly disrupted when his eyes caught a familiar name trending across multiple platforms: Jungkook. A soft frown etched itself onto his otherwise serene face as he clicked on the trend out of curiosity.
The first video that popped up was an unflattering clip of a young man, presumably Jungkook, sitting in a luxury car, honking impatiently at an old man crossing the street. The sound of the horn was incessant, and Jungkook's exaggerated facial expressions of annoyance played like a spectacle for the camera. His exasperated voice followed, sarcastic and biting. "Grandpa? You could've rested at home, you know?" he sneered in the video, though he reluctantly stepped out to help the man. His assistance was half-hearted at best, punctuated by mocking comments and dramatic sighs.
Taehyung raised an eyebrow, his fingers pausing mid-scroll. "Hmm.." he muttered, the corner of his lips tightening.
The video was followed by another: Jungkook's apology livestream from the previous night. Taehyung leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other as he watched the clip. Jungkook sat in what appeared to be a well-decorated bedroom, his eyes red and face slightly damp. He spoke in a voice tinged with tremors, "I'm sorry, guys. I shouldn't have behaved like that. I was overwhelmed... I had so much on my mind-especially after my breakup." He paused to wipe nonexistent tears, his lips quivering as he delivered his words with the finesse of a seasoned actor.
Taehyung tilted his head, a flicker of amusement mixed with disbelief crossing his features. His sharp, analytical mind-trained to pick apart the nuances of behavior and emotion-immediately dissected the performance. The way Jungkook overemphasized his trembling voice, the dramatic pauses, the lack of genuine pain in his eyes... it was all too perfect, too rehearsed. His apology was a carefully crafted charade, designed to manipulate emotions rather than express them.
"This boy..." Taehyung repeated, setting his coffee cup down with a soft clink. He tapped his finger against the screen, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Ungrateful. So ungrateful." His voice was low, almost a murmur, but laced with subtle irritation.
He couldn't help but shake his head as he skimmed through the hashtags and comments. Many viewers had fallen for the act, showering Jungkook with sympathy and praise. #WeLoveYouJungkook and #StayStrongKookie were trending alongside the video, while some more critical voices pointed out the hypocrisy of his actions.
Taehyung leaned back in his chair, his gaze flicking to the rain-streaked window as he mulled over what he had just seen. The audacity of the boy struck him-behaving poorly in public, then spinning a narrative to play the victim. Does he even realize how privileged he is? Taehyung wondered, shaking his head slightly.
His phone buzzed with a message notification, but Taehyung ignored it, his thoughts still lingering on Jungkook. What kind of person behaves like that and expects no consequences? He exhaled deeply, pushing the tablet aside. His appetite had waned, replaced by a faint sense of disappointment.
"Kids these days," he muttered to himself with a chuckle, though it lacked humor. Turning his attention back to his book, Taehyung decided to let the matter rest. Yet, as he began to read, a thought nagged at the back of his mind-a mix of curiosity and intrigue. There was something about this Jungkook, something that made it hard to look away. Perhaps it was the brazenness, the unashamed display of self-indulgence, or the peculiar magnetism of his confidence. Whatever it was, Taehyung couldn't deny that the boy had left an impression, even if it wasn't a positive one.
