Finally...Us [BTSxReader]

Chapter 17

"Did you hear THAT professor will retire when this school year is done? He could have done at least another five years before officially retiring" a random student near M's table kept talking. She was back in the library, looking for some books for next year and also for the summer vacation list.

The way they emphasized the word ' that' made her think it was probably one of those problematic professors that everyone kept praying they would quit or retire. But taking into account they did not have many at a close age for retiring, she stopped to wonder if it was the one professor Lexy despised. Opening one of the books she got, M tried reading it, but her brain tried concentrating on the conversation next to her table, in case she got more clues about who it was. But the students started whispering amongst themselves, and M wanted to turn around and tell them to continue their info dump once they said that loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Whatcha thinking about?" came someone's voice and she looked up from her book, frown still in place. "Whoa, how did that book offend you?" a chuckle accompanied the question.

M looked at NamJoon as he sat in front of her, waiting for her to say anything. She closed the book as not even one word glued itself to her brain and wondered if she should tell him what she heard or not.

"Yep, all the words inside screamed at me that summer is coming and I should not be reading anymore. Imagine that, me without a book?" she giggled, placing the book next to the others on the table.

"The world would end" he replied, grinning, his dimples deepening. "But really, why did you frown? Everything ok?" he asked once more, his grin disappearing and looking at her up and down to make sure nothing was out of place, especially since it was about two weeks since the entire group saw each other. Even when they got together for the karaoke night, he had to stay behind to study for his last exam the next day.

"Oh? Oh yeah, I was just thinking about something" M said, looking around before leaning closer to him, beckoning him closer as well. Her cheeks colored red just a tiny bit, but she ignored it, whispering about what she just heard, telling him about her thoughts on the subject.

"Ah, that? Yeah, I know. Guess the talk I had with the dean worked" he said nonchalantly after she finished saying what was on her mind, and leaned back like he did not just dump a great piece of information on her. M resembled a fish stuck on land, her mouth opening, trying to use words to say something, and then closing as the words jumbled and got stuck on their way out.

"You WHAT?!" she whispered shouted, her eyes growing as big as dinner plates, and her face paled.

"Oh, I know that face. Don't worry, I will not get into trouble" he continued, nodding to the exit, letting her know they should take this talk outside. She nodded, and immediately got up, going to the checkout desk to get those books on her table. It took her only two minutes to be finished, then hurried to the exit, looking around anxiously for NamJoon. He was waiting by a bench, smiling at her the moment he saw her hurrying to his spot.

"My god, NamJoon. Are you crazy? What did you do?" she immediately asked, not letting him explain anything, worry overtaking her mind. She knew he was in the journalism course, but one wrong move, and he could be expelled, or worse, sent to prison.

"Relax. I did not go around, digging for dirt or anything. This year, the professor went a little to knee-deep in his 'words of advice' to young girls. After Tae told me about Lexy's last encounter with the dude, I wanted to snoop around a bit to see if anyone else felt the same and if anything could be done" he said, shrugging like it was something normal that everyone would do.

"Before I could even get to enquire around, suddenly a door burst open and a girl ran out, the professor right behind her. I don't know what happened, as neither said anything. The girl simply left, and he became paler than how he was, probably thinking I saw something I should not see. He even dared to tell me to not say a thing to anyone. I took his advice, kept quiet around him, and went straight to the dean, telling him what happened. Of course, I told him about all the other rumors that go around the campus, presented him the evidence on how the professor might be getting slightly older for teaching, maybe going a bit too far with what he was saying to his students, and how that could affect the name of our college and any other investing or new students signing in at the college. And soon afterward, this news came out, so I guess he put everything into balance and the school was more important" he finished, M too shocked to say anything or interrupt him from what he was telling her.

"I know in the end it was not my detective skills that solved everything, but at least, starting next year, he will not be around to harass girls anymore" he continued, a tiny smile appearing on his face as he looked at the pavement. "I am just sorry I could not do it earlier so Lexy could not go through that two years in a row".

"You did great, Joonie" M said, placing her hand onto his knee, looking at him with a smile. "And even if you say it was only dumb luck, I think it was your bravery and intelligence. Even if you did go to the dean just to tell him about what you saw, without actually knowing what to say, it would have amounted to nothing. So, it was all of you and luck helped just a tiny bit. You will make a great detective journalist one day" she continued, already imagining him trying to solve all kinds of problems, exposing the truth one at a time.

NamJoon smiled back at her, placing his hand over hers, squeezing it a tiny bit, before standing up, her hand still in his.

"Now come on, miss therapist. Don't say it like you will not be around to witness all that. Who do you think will help me with cracking the cases? You have to be around and get a read on all the people around me, and then help me with deductions and psycho-analysis" he smiled, his hand reaching for her hair, ruffling it.

M could only pout at him, making him laugh before she remembered there was a basketball game this week, the last one before the final match, and the end of the college year. She looked up at him, excited to ask him if he wanted to come as well, as the others in the group already said yes, formulating a plan on how to let Lexy know as well on what he did.

"Right! This Saturday, our basketball team has another match. If they win, they will go to the finals one week before the summer vacation. Are you free to come? Everyone will be there!" she said, looking at him with a pleading gaze, hoping he would say yes.

NamJoon let go of her hand, looking pensive a tiny bit too long, and she tried her last tactic, her puppy dog eyes coupled with a slight whine, tilting her head to one side, her hands brought close to her face, closed into almost fists. He snorted at her trying to be cute tactic, denying it actually worked for him, pretending it did not affect him.

'She knows how to be cute when she wants really get something' he thinks, chuckling.

"Ok ok, I have the time. You just have to tell me when to be there. Now stop pouting, people will think you are a cute dog and they might try to steal you away" he laughs, poking her cheek as she just jumped around, cheering that her tactic worked.

He could only shake his head as she continued like that for a few seconds, remembering he actually got up to go have some lunch, and before she could notice him moving, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, stopping her every movement, and started walking with her in the direction of the cafeteria. M could only look confused at him, asking where they are headed.

"Well, you need to eat something, or you will have a headache from all the energy you have at the moment. Also nothing sweet for you, you are too hyped up" he laughed at M, knowing fully well he would pretend not to notice his cookie or muffin disappearing from his tray if she actually wanted it.

Walking like that towards the cafeteria, they talked about how their exams and projects went and what they missed during the weeks they all went into solitary confinement to study. NamJoon felt great, knowing his exams went well, the group project was completed and he was proud of how it worked out, and now that his best friend was by his side, it felt like all that heavyweight from the weeks of studying and being away from everything just disappeared. He could only hope it would always be like that.