Y/N wore a radiant smile all day as she meticulously prepared for the date she had planned. Determined to take the reins, she decided to arrange everything herself, knowing how nervous Taehyung was simply sitting beside her. She wanted to ease his worries and make their time together unforgettable.

It wasn't extravagant, but she had crafted a simple yet thoughtful picnic to bring to her favorite cliffside, a place she often sought solace. The breathtaking view of the setting sun would be the perfect backdrop for their shared moment.

In the kitchen, Y/N busied herself packing the assortment of food she had prepared when her older brother entered, his presence an unwelcome intrusion. "What's this for?" Minjun asked, folding his arms as he studied her with a curious gaze.

Y/N glanced over her shoulder, momentarily startled by his sudden appearance. Her expression quickly hardened. "What are you doing here?" she snapped, her hands moving faster to finish packing.

"Our parents needed to speak with me-apparently something urgent," Minjun replied, his tone devoid of enthusiasm.

Y/N let out a dry scoff. "Your parents, you mean," she retorted, brushing past him with deliberate force. She had no intention of lingering in his company any longer than necessary. Without another word, she left the house, heading directly to Taehyung's.

The irritation on her face dissipated the instant she spotted Taehyung waiting by his mailbox. His fidgeting movements-shifting from side to side and glancing anxiously around-made her heart soften.

"Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," she called out with a cheerful tone as she approached.

Taehyung's head whipped toward her, and his fidgeting ceased immediately. "You're here," he said, almost in relief.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss a date with you," she replied with a warm smile. Taehyung's ears turned a rosy shade at her words, and the faintest smile tugged at his lips.

"I-uh-where are we going?" he asked, gesturing toward the picnic basket she carried. He also took in her appearance, noting the delicate pink sundress that complemented her vibrant energy. Grateful he had chosen something casual, he felt less out of place.

"You'll see," Y/N teased, her smile widening as she began leading the way. As they walked, she broke the silence with a question. "What do you like doing, Taehyung?"

"For fun?" he asked hesitantly.

"For fun, yes," she clarified.

He shrugged, looking unsure. "I guess I like studying."

Y/N shot him a disapproving glance, though he didn't notice it. "Studying? There must be something else you enjoy that's actually fun."

"Studying can be fun... sometimes," he defended weakly. "But I also like hanging out with Jimin."

"Hanging out with Jimin? What do you two usually do?" she probed, though her tone was gentle. She wanted to uncover more about his interests to make their next outing even better for him.

"Usually, we play video games, walk around, or visit this café that serves amazing hot chocolate," he said, his eyes lighting up as he spoke. Y/N felt a warm flutter in her chest at seeing him open up.

In no time, they arrived at the cliffside, the sun dipping low on the horizon and casting the sky in soft peach hues. Y/N spread out a blanket, arranging small tubs of fruit and chips. It wasn't elaborate, but it was thoughtful, and it was exactly what she had envisioned.

"Welcome to my place of peace," she said softly.

Taehyung was mesmerized, his gaze fixed on the fiery sky. "How did you find this?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe.

Y/N, however, had seen the view countless times, so she let her eyes linger on him instead. "I like to walk around a lot. You'd be surprised what you stumble upon," she said with a small smile.

When he turned to meet her gaze, his expression softened. "This is nice. Thank you," he murmured. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the world around them fading into insignificance, until Taehyung shyly turned back to the sunset.

---

"So, let me get this straight-Nayeon poured milk and cereal into your backpack, and when you went to throw it out, Jimin offered to eat it?" Y/N recounted, laughing at the bizarre story Taehyung had shared about his first meeting with Jimin.

"Yeah," Taehyung said, chuckling at the memory. "At first, I thought he was mocking me, but he was completely serious."

"Sounds like quite the character," Y/N remarked, amused.

"He is," Taehyung admitted. "But I'm glad I met him. I don't think I could've made it through school without him."

The lightness of their conversation shifted at his words. His tone carried a weight that made Y/N's chest tighten.

"For as long as I can remember, I've been bullied," Taehyung confessed quietly. "Having Jimin around made it... bearable."

"I hate people sometimes," Y/N replied, her voice firm. "They always think they're better than others and act so cruelly."

Taehyung nodded. "They bully me because I'm smart. It's strange-it inflates my ego and crushes it at the same time." He let out a soft laugh, and Y/N's heart swelled at the sound.

"I hear a lot about you, you know," she said. "The boy in Year 11 History who might as well be the teacher. Everyone's impressed."

Taehyung flushed, looking down. "That's... embarrassing."

"It's not. You should be proud of who you are," Y/N insisted.

He hesitated before speaking. "What if I don't want to be who they expect me to be? What if I want something different for myself?"

"Then go for it," she said firmly, her voice carrying both encouragement and certainty. "Nothing is better than living the life you truly want."