Ambivalence || TAEJIN

The professor explained, "So, students, the project you'll be working on is creating a documentary about the traditions and culture of people living in South Korea. Since many of you are pursuing MA degrees in photography, dance, culinary arts, literature, architecture, and other streams, you and your partner will choose one tradition or custom, such as cuisine, clothing, or architecture, and complete the project before the end of your first semester. I hope I've made myself clear."

"Yes, sir," the whole class responded, except for four people: Jungkook, Jimin, Jin, and Taehyung. They were still reeling from the shock of being paired together.

"I hope you'll all work sincerely on this project. Start as soon as possible, as I'll be conducting weekly reviews to monitor your progress. That's all for today's class," the professor said before leaving the room.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, students began to file out. Jimin was about to leave when Jungkook said, "Listen, Jimin, if you don't want me as your partner, you're free to change. You can tell the professor you want to be partnered with Taehyung."

Taehyung, who was packing his things, was shocked by Jungkook's words. He couldn't understand why Jungkook wasn't happy about being paired with Jimin.

"Jungkook, I don't know what you're up to, but please can we talk? Please, Jungkook, can we?" Jimin pleaded, desperate to resolve the issue.

"Okay, let's go to the rooftop," Jungkook said before leaving the classroom, with Jimin following closely behind.

Taehyung was about to follow Jimin to see where they were going, but he was stopped when someone grabbed his bag from behind. He turned around to see Jin glaring at him.

"Where do you think you're going, Taehyung-shi?" Jin asked. "Come with me to the library. We need to discuss the project."

"Leave my bag alone! We have months to work on the project, and I need to see where Jungkook took Jimin," Taehyung protested.

"If you're not cooperating with me, I'll have to tell the professor. Jimin can take care of himself. Are you coming with me or not?" Jin asked firmly.

"Fine, I'm coming," Taehyung said, defeated. He didn't have any other way but to follow Jin because the least he wants is being scolded by his father for not cooperating with his classmate

"That's like a good boy. Now come, Yoongi and Hoseok are waiting for us outside," Jin said, leading Taehyung out of the classroom with a pouty face.

**

At the library:

Jin and Hoseok sat beside each other, while Taehyung and Yoongi sat opposite them. They opened their materials, ready to start their research.

"So, Hoba, what tradition are you and Yoongi planning to do?" Jin asked Hoseok.

"Hyung, we're planning to focus on architecture," Hoseok replied. "Yoongi has an idea about it, and he'll be doing his master's in architecture as well. I'll be handling the filming."

"Will you be doing a project on cuisine?" Hoseok asked Jin.

Before Jin could respond, Taehyung cut him off. "No, why would we do a project on cuisine? Besides, the professor said that if we choose cuisine, we'll have to show ourselves cooking, and I don't know how to cook."

Hoseok chimed in, "I think Taehyung, you don't know that Hyung is a good cook and is also doing his master's in culinary."

Taehyung was taken aback but tried to maintain his composure. "I don't believe it, though. I've never had any of his cooked food. What do you say, Jin? Will you show me how you cook?"

Jin glared at Taehyung, his expression cold. "Yeah, sure, Taehyung-shi. But don't you think we should start working instead of talking nonsense?"

Hoseok and Taehyung exchanged places and began working on their respective projects. Taehyung and Jin took notes on their laptops, using pencils to jot down important points.

As they worked, both Taehyung and Jin made a mistake and reached for the eraser at the same time. It had fallen under the table, and as they bent down to retrieve it, their fingers touched accidentally. An electrifying sensation ran through their bodies.

They stared at each other, lost in the moment. It felt as though time had stopped around them.

Yoongi cleared his throat from across the table. He and Hoseok had witnessed the entire exchange. But when they saw both of them were lost in each other's eyes so much, Yoongi planned on breaking it so he too bend down and cleared his throat, to make them know they were currently in a library.

As Taehyung and Jin returned to reality, Jin quickly withdrew his hand. Taehyung picked up the eraser and stood up, bumping his head on the table in the process. Jin did the same

" Ouch"