Arch-nemesis
Summer had ended , but the heat didn't.
The rain had just let up , but the sky remained heavy and its gray light soflty soaking into the courtyard stones of the Saint Armitage University.
It was less of a collage and more of an institution , that perched between wooded hills and carved stone archways.
The students who walked these halls weren't just bright, they were brilliant.
And when the fall term resumed after a long burning summer , murmurs ran ahead of the two names that had come to define the upper year at Saint Armitage.
The other stepped from royalty.
But both belonged to the elite.
A soft hush came with the mist as umbrellas dotted the campus grouds and students slipped into their respective sections.
Jeon Jungkook didn't rush. He walked beneath the ivy covered archway of the philosophy building , with his wet hair curling slightly at the nape of his neck.
He wore an oversized hoodie with a mask that he mostly wears, every time. Like people barely get to see his face.
𝗝𝗲𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗼𝗼𝗸.
Twenty-one. Third year Computer Engineering and business dual major. Smart. Too smart, most professors said. Known for always having the highest grades. A machine when it came to academics. Quiet. Had a look like he’d rather disappear, but couldn’t help being noticed anyway.
They called him The Golden brain. The silent valedictorian. Not because he was loud about it , but because he never missed anything.
Exams , presentations, debates , assignments. He didn't just complete things. He just aced then effortlessly it seemed like it was his default setting.
What made him terrifying wasn't that he topped every class. It was that he didn't seem to care about the recognition.
And now seated in his usual second row spot , that was not so far, not so close… And then not suddenly, the polished sound of the shoes clicked against the tile.
A few students turned and the chatted dipped.
𝗞𝗶𝗺 𝗧𝗮𝗲𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗻𝗴.
Twenty Two. Heir to the Kim Empire. Legacy student. Honors Law and politics dual major. Intimidatingly brilliant. Effortless charisma. Known for walking into rooms like he owned them. Never flaunted wealth…but no one could ignore it.
He wasn't loud not flashy. But the way people turned to look said everything.
A full black tailored suit with its sleeves folded just enough to reveal his watch. And his slight blonde hairs swept back. He looked like he'd just walked off the cover of something expensive.
He paused briefly near the center of the room for a heartbeat longer than necessary and when his eyes landed on Jungkook, he paused.
A simple respectful tilt of his head, a nod barely there.
Jungkook blinked and met his gaze and gave his infamous cold stare in return.
And Kim Taehyung returned to his usual spot just two rows behind Jungkook's seat.
The class had gone quiet again cause the question had been asked like one of the those open-ended philosophical setups that demanded pretty answers.
Some gave their flowery words and poetic ideas and professor listened it all patiently.
Kim Taehyung
Maybe people like… Because truth is small to hold all they feel. Fiction, sometimes is more honest than facts.
The room went silent and even the professor looked intrigued.
But in the second row, Jeon Jungkook didn't lift his head. He was scribbling something in his notebook and then without looking up, he said quietly enough for everyone to hear.
Jeon Jungkook
Or maybe fiction is just what people use when they don't have the spine to say what they mean.
Taehyung tilted his head slightly. His eyes found Jungkook, but he still wasn't looking.
The professor raised an eyebrow , clearly entertained.
He then slowly looked up with his mask still hiding half his face.
Jeon Jungkook
I think truth doesn't need to dress itself up in poetry . It either cuts clean or it doesn't.
Then he went back to his notes.
The rain had faded so far by the time the morning lectures ended. And the corridor had again filled with chitter chatters and footsteps .
Jungkook walked straight to the outdoor courtyard, that leads to a quietest place of the campus. It was his usual spot. And as usual, someone was already there.
Jackson Wang
Finally, bruh..
He grinned with arms wide like he hadn't seen Jungkook in years. But Our boy just shrugged off Jackson.
Yoongi said with a half-smirk with his eyes half closed as he raised a cig for a puff.
Jeon Jungkook
(He hummed low in his throat and sat beside them with his hood still on and mask still in place).
Jackson Wang
Did you hear??
(He sat just next to them and leaned near Jk's shoulder and said).
Jackson Wang
They say the rich prince is moving into the dorms.
Jackson Wang
Guys.! Kim taehyung in the dorms, imagine that!
Jackson Wang
Dude, that’s your arch-nemesis. What if he ends up like.. next door or some shit?
Jackson Wang
Or in the same room?
Jeon Jungkook
(he raised an eyebrow).
That’d be his problem.
Back at the dorms Taehyung walked slightly ahead with his pace unbothered and calm as always and behind him, his assistant more like a personal stand dragged his heavy Louis Vuitton suitcase while hoseok and Jimin trailer along with two iced americanos and too many questions.
Park Jimin
You are actually doing this? Bro, you sure?
He asked for the third time that day and Taehyung signed for the nth time adjusting his sunglasses.
Kim Taehyung
Yes Jimin. For the hundredth time. I'm sure.
When they reached the door, Taehyung pulled out the key card and Jimin peeked over his shoulder as he unlocked it and excused the man who left the suitcase to Taehyung.
Jung Hoseok
What if it's a first year?
Taehyung didn't answer. He just pushed the door open. And blinked.
Like, hotel grade spotless.
A faint smell of lavender hit his senses. And his eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses as he looked at the half used incense stick in the ceramic tray.
He furrowed as it did something to his senses.
He didn't say it. He didn't even let the name fully form in his head.
He knew this exact scent lingered once when Jungkook had walked past him in a hallway, hoodie up, earphones on, and with his mask still in place .
No one else would notice that .
Park Jimin
Guess your roommate's already moved in
Tae nodded slowly, sliding his sunglasses off.
Kim Taehyung
Doesn't feel like a first year
Tae sat down slowly on his bed and just let his eyes sweep over the room again. Meanwhile, Jimin and hoseok already left to their own respective rooms.
Like not 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, but enough.
Enough to notice the kind of water bottle he carried. Enough to know he chewed gum when he is frustrated or nervous.
Enough to remember that he has a scar near his left thumb, small and faded but Taehyung had seen it once when Jungkook reached to collect his paper from the professors' desk.
No one else noticed these things.
He shouldn't also know these things.
He shouldn't know how Jungkook always wore the same black hoodie during morning classes. And the way he sometimes clicked his tongue twice before answering something more like opinion based.
He shouldn't 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 this all.
Not because he was trying. But because over the last two years, Jungkook become something else.
Not a friend. Not even a rival the campus called them as. Not really.
It was more like a 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁.
If it was really him...if Jeon Jungkook was just down the hall or already halfway to the building, then this year was already messed up in the most 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘆.
Kim Taehyung
(He smirked to himself).
And you thought this was just about grades .
This wasn't going to be interesting.
This was going to be 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱.
And Taehyung was absolutely without a doubt, 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱.
so far.. what you think of this plot .??
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