The next morning felt… heavier than usual.
Not because anything big was happening.
But because something small was.
You held the pen in your hand, turning it slowly between your fingers as you walked towards class.
I'll just return it. That's it.Don't overthink.
Easy to say.
Hard to do.
💜 CLASSROOM
He was already there.
Of course.
Same seat. Same posture. Same calm, unreadable expression.
You paused for a second before walking to your place.
"Hi," you said softly.
"Hey."
Short. Simple.
You sat down.
Your fingers tightened slightly around the pen.
Now. Just give it.
But your body didn't move.
Why was this so hard?
💜 THE MOMENT
"Do you need something?"
His voice suddenly cut through your thoughts.
You blinked, turning towards him. "Huh?"
"You've been holding that pen like you're about to throw it," he said casually, finally looking at you.
Your face heated up.
"Oh—this… it's yours."
You quickly placed it on his desk.
"You gave it to me yesterday."
A pause.
He looked at the pen.
Then back at you.
"I know."
You froze.
"…Then why didn't you take it back?"
He shrugged slightly. "Didn't feel like it."
That answer—
It wasn't rude.
But it wasn't warm either.
Just… him.
You nodded slowly. "Oh… okay."
You turned away quickly, pretending to focus on your notebook.
But inside?
Something felt… weird.
Why did that feel like rejection?
💜 MINJI ENTERS 😬
"Taehyung~"
Her voice.
Soft. Sweet. Possessive.
Minji walked in and leaned slightly over his desk.
Then her eyes shifted.
To you.
And then—
To the pen.
Her expression changed.
Just a little.
But enough.
"You're using his things now?" she said lightly.
It sounded like a joke.
But it wasn't.
Your heart dropped.
"I was just returning—"
"It's just a pen, Minji," Taehyung interrupted calmly.
Silence.
For a second, even you were surprised.
Minji forced a smile. "I know. I was kidding."
But her eyes said something else.
Something sharp.
Something uncomfortable.
💜 LECTURE (BUT NOT REALLY)
You tried to focus.
Really.
But you could feel it.
Her gaze.
Sometimes on you.
Sometimes on him.
And him?
He acted normal.
Like nothing happened.
Like you were just…
a classmate.
💜 BREAK TIME
You stepped out for some air.
The hallway felt quieter.
Safer.
"Hey."
Jimin walked up beside you, handing you a juice box.
"You look like you survived a war."
You let out a small laugh. "It's not that bad."
"It is," he said, watching your face carefully. "She said something again, didn't she?"
You stayed silent.
That was enough answer.
Jimin sighed. "You shouldn't just take it."
"I'm not taking anything," you said softly. "It's just… not worth it."
"Is he worth it?"
That question—
You didn't answer.
Because you didn't know how to.
💜 LAST MOMENT OF THE DAY
Classes ended.
You packed your bag quickly, wanting to leave before things got awkward again.
But—
"Y/n."
You stopped.
Slowly turning around.
Taehyung.
Standing there.
Alone.
Minji wasn't with him.
"…Yeah?"
He looked at you for a second.
Like he was thinking.
Then—
"You don't have to listen to her."
Your breath caught.
"I wasn't—"
"She does that sometimes," he continued, calm as ever. "Just ignore it."
That's it.
No apology.
No explanation.
Just a statement.
You nodded slowly. "Okay."
A pause.
Then you added, quietly—
"I didn't mind."
But that wasn't true.
And maybe…
for a second—
he noticed.
Because his expression shifted.
Just a little.
💜 END SCENE
You walked home alone.
The sky turning soft pink.
Your mind replaying everything.
Not the insult.
Not the awkwardness.
But him.
"You don't have to listen to her."
Why did that feel like… something?
Small.
But something.