The laughter drowned out the tension, but beneath it, emotions still simmered — jealousy, friendship, attraction, rivalry.
That night, lying in bed, you replayed the day.
The teamwork, the applause, the smiles. But also Jungkook's sharp glances, Taehyung's calm presence, Sol Hee's warmth, and Taesung's humor.
You whispered to yourself, "This isn't just a project. It's the start of something bigger."
And somewhere across campus, Jungkook sat in his room, staring at his phone, typing and deleting messages to you.
His thoughts tangled: rivalry, jealousy, and something deeper he couldn't name.
It was a breezy afternoon on campus.
The group had just finished a lecture and decided to sit under the big tree near the courtyard. Sol Hee spread her notes out, Taesung leaned against the trunk scribbling lines of poetry, Jungkook lounged with his arms crossed, and Taehyung sat beside you, sketchbook in hand.
The mood was light until Sol Hee suddenly blurted out:
Sol Hee: "You know what? College is too short. If someone likes someone, they should just say it!"
Everyone froze. Taesung chuckled softly, Jungkook raised an eyebrow, and you looked at her in surprise.
Y/n: "Why are you saying this out of nowhere?"
Sol Hee:grinning "Because… I have something to say."
She stood up, brushing her skirt nervously, and looked straight at Taesung.
Sol Hee: "Taesung… I like you. I've liked you since school. And I don't want to hide it anymore."
The group went silent. Taesung blinked, stunned, then smiled gently.
Taesung: "Sol Hee… you always bring light into the group. I didn't expect this, but… I like you too."
Sol Hee squealed, hugging him tightly. The group erupted in laughter and claps.
But the moment didn't end there. Jungkook leaned forward, smirking.
Jungkook: "Wow. First confessions already? Who's next? Y/n, Taehyung, maybe you two?" You rolled your eyes.
Y/n: "Don't start."
Taehyung: calmly, smiling at you "He's just teasing. But… he's not wrong. Sometimes it's better to be honest."
Your heart skipped. The way Taehyung said it wasn't a direct confession, but it carried weight. Jungkook noticed, his smirk fading into a tight jaw.
The professor walked past, noticing the group's excitement.
Professor: "What's all this noise? Celebrating already?"
Sol Hee:laughing "Yes, sir. We're celebrating teamwork… and friendship." The professor smiled faintly, shaking his head. "Just don't let emotions distract you from your studies."
Later, as the group walked back toward the dorms, Sol Hee and Taesung walked ahead, talking softly. You and Taehyung followed, while Jungkook trailed behind.
Taehyung:quietly to you "It's brave, what Sol Hee did. I admire that."
Y/n: "Yeah… it takes courage."
Taehyung: looking at you steadily "Maybe one day, I'll find the courage too."
You froze, cheeks warming. Jungkook, overhearing from behind, clenched his fists.
He suddenly sped up, walking beside Sol Hee, deliberately brushing her hand.
Jungkook: "You know, Sol Hee, you're lucky. Not everyone gets confessed to so openly." Sol Hee giggled, Taesung laughed, but you knew exactly what Jungkook was doing — making you jealous.
That night, your phone buzzed.
Message from Sol Hee:
Sol Hee: "I can't believe I actually said it! Thank you for being there."
Message from Taehyung:
Taehyung: "I meant what I said. One day, I'll tell you properly."
Message from Jungkook:
Jungkook: "Don't think Taehyung's words mean more than mine. You'll see."
You stared at the screen, heart racing. One proposal had already changed everything. And now, more confessions seemed inevitable.
The campus was quieter that evening. After the group's celebration of Sol Hee and Taesung's confession, everyone drifted off in pairs — Sol Hee and Taesung walked together, laughing softly, while Taehyung headed toward the art studio. You lingered near the courtyard, gathering your books.
Jungkook appeared, leaning against the railing, watching you. His usual smirk was gone; his expression was sharp, restless.
Jungkook: "So… you finally admitted you thought I liked Sol Hee back in school." You froze, clutching your notebook. Y/n: "I didn't admit anything. I just… always thought you two had something. You were close, you laughed together, and I didn't want to come between you."
Jungkook:snapping "That's ridiculous. You really believed that? That I liked her?"
Y/n: quietly "Yes. Why else would you always sit with her, talk to her, and ignore me?"
He stepped closer, his voice low but intense.
Jungkook: "I wasn't ignoring you. I was… watching you. But you never looked at me. You only saw what you wanted to see."
Y/n:heart racing "Then why act like that? Why make me feel like I was invisible?"
Jungkook:bitter laugh "Because I didn't know how else to deal with it. You drive me crazy. And now Taehyung's here, saying things I should've said years ago."
You stared at him, stunned. His words cut deep, but they also revealed something you hadn't expected.
At that moment, Sol Hee and Taesung passed by, still laughing. Sol Hee waved.
Sol Hee: "Y/n, Jungkook! Don't fight, okay? We're all happy now." Taesung added softly, "Sometimes misunderstandings last too long. Clear them before they hurt more."
They walked away, leaving you both in silence again.
Y/n:finally speaking "I didn't want to interfere. I thought you and Sol Hee were meant to be. That's why I kept my distance. That's why I never let myself… think about you."
Jungkook:stepping closer, voice rough "And all this time, I thought you hated me. Do you know how insane that feels? Watching you smile atTaehyung, at everyone but me?"
Y/n:whispering "Maybe I was protecting myself."
Jungkook: eyes burning "Or maybe you were protecting me from yourself."
The tension was unbearable. His words hung between you like fire.
Suddenly, Taehyung returned, holding his sketchbook. He saw you both standing close, the air heavy.
Taehyung: calmly "Am I interrupting?"
Jungkook:coldly "Yes."
Y/n:quickly "No. We were just… talking."
Taehyung smiled faintly, but his eyes flicked between you and Jungkook, sensing the storm.
Taehyung: "Well, I'll leave you to it. But Y/n, don't forget — tomorrow we're working on the slides together." He walked away, his presence lingering like a shadow.
Jungkook turned back to you, jaw tight.
Jungkook: "See? He's already pulling you closer. And you let him." Y/n: snapping "Because he's my friend! He's not the one confusing me with mixed signals."
Jungkook:voice low, almost a whisper "Then let me be clear. I never liked Sol Hee. I liked you. Always. Even when you thought I didn't."
Your breath caught. The courtyard felt too small, too quiet.
Y/n:softly "Then why now? Why say it only when you're jealous?"
Jungkook:smirking faintly, but his eyes vulnerable "Because jealousy makes me honest. And I can't stand watching you slip away again."
You walked away before he could say more, your heart pounding. His confession echoed in your mind, tangled with Taehyung's gentle words and Sol Hee's laughter.
That night, lying in bed, you whispered to yourself: "I thought he liked her. I thought I was wrong. But maybe… I was wrong about everything."
And somewhere across campus, Jungkook sat alone, muttering under his breath:
"She'll never see me the way she sees him. But I'll make her."
The campus was buzzing that afternoon.
A small crowd had gathered near the fountain — whispers, laughter, and curious eyes. You and Sol Hee walked past, wondering what was happening.
Then you saw it. Taehyung, standing confidently, holding a bouquet of white lilies, looking at a girl from your class. His voice was steady, warm.
Taehyung: "I've admired you for a while. You inspire me. Will you go out with me?"
The girl gasped, blushing, and nodded. The crowd clapped, cheering. Taehyung smiled, slipping the flowers into her hands.
You froze. Your chest tightened, your eyes burned.
You didn't love Taehyung like that — he was your close friend, someone you trusted. But watching him propose someone else felt like a sharp twist inside. Before you knew it, tears spilled down your cheeks.
Sol Hee noticed instantly. She pulled you aside, away from the crowd.