You were playing with the orphanage kids, running around and laughing as you kicked a soccer ball across the orphanage courtyard. It was a sunny afternoon, and spending time with these children made you incredibly happy. You had even brought along a bag of chocolates and snacks to share with them, adding to their joy.

You noticed Sarah, a quiet nine-year-old with a soft smile, sitting alone on the sidelines. Sensing her isolation, you went up to her, carrying a bag filled with chocolates and snacks you had bought earlier.

"Hey, Sarah!" you said, extending your hand for her to join you. "Wanna come and join the snack party?"

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering with doubt. But after seeing the genuine warmth in your eyes, she nodded and took your hand, her trust slowly blossoming.

Together, you all gathered around in a circle, sharing stories and devouring the treats you had brought. The children spoke about their dreams, their hopes for the future. Some wished for a loving family, while others aspired to become doctors, astronauts, or superheroes.

As the conversation flowed, you couldn't help but be amazed at their resilience and determination. Their words were simple, yet brimming with courage and an unwavering spirit.

"I wanna build a big house for all my friends here someday," confided Ana, a girl known for her caring nature. "So that we never have to live apart again."

"That's a wonderful dream, Ana," you replied, touched by her selflessness. "I believe in you, and I know you can make it come true."

"I want to be a doctor when I grow up," said one of the older boys, with determination in his eyes. "I want to help people and make them feel better."

"That's a wonderful goal," you replied, smiling.

As Taehyung stepped out of the car, his gaze fell upon the scene before him. He watched you, unaware of his presence, as you smiled and laughed with the orphanage kids. It was the first time he had ever seen you genuinely happy, and a strange feeling stirred inside him.

It was a rare sight for him to witness a side of you that wasn't guarded or filtered through your tough exterior. The way you effortlessly connected with the children, bringing joy to their lives, struck a chord within him. He couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty of that moment, as your infectious smile radiated pure joy.

He whispered to himself, "Beautiful," as a small smile graced his lips. His words hung in the air, barely audible, but enough to make his mother raise an eyebrow in question. Taehyung, startled by his own unexpected reaction, managed to compose himself, hastily explaining that he was merely admiring the activities at the orphanage.

As the sun began to set, it was time to say goodbye. The kids hugged you tightly, their gratitude evident in their warm embraces.

"Thank you for spending time with us," one of the girls said, wiping away a tear. "We always have so much fun when you're here."

"It's my pleasure," you replied, feeling a lump in your throat. "You are all amazing, and I'm lucky to know each and every one of you."

You realized that spending time with these children had not only brought them happiness but had also filled a void in your own heart.

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As Taehyung came back from the orphanage, his mind was filled with memories of you. He couldn't shake off the image of you laughing and playing with the kids. It was like a reel playing constantly in his head – your smile, your kindness, and the way you selflessly shared snacks and chocolates with the children.

"What is it about her that captivates me so?"

He found himself involuntarily smiling at the thought of you. It was a strange feeling for him, one that he couldn't quite comprehend. You were the last person he expected to occupy his mind so vividly.

It was a stark contrast to how he knew you at university. The person he bullied, the one he teased and taunted without mercy. Yet, here he was, unable to shake the memory of your kindness and compassion.

"Why do I feel this way?"

How could someone he had deemed his target elicit such warmth and admiration? He tried to bury these feelings, dismissing them as momentary lapses in judgment. Yet, your image persisted, a puzzle he couldn't solve, a mystery that beckoned him closer.

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A week later,

You had been working tirelessly for the past week, juggling your new part-time job that required manual labor and managing your studies at university. It had been a hectic and exhausting schedule, leaving you yearning for some much-needed rest and solace.

Your outfit

Jimin stood confidently in front of Taehyung, a smirk playing on his lips. "You know, Taehyung, it looks like you're going easy on Y/n lately."

Taehyung's eyes darkened with anger as he clenched his fists. "What are you talking about, Jimin? There's nothing like that happening."

Jimin chuckled, clearly enjoying getting under Taehyung's skin. "Come on, man, we all see it. You used to be relentless, but now you're holding back. Seems like someone is feeling threatened."

Taehyung took a step forward, his voice low and dangerous. "Stay out of this, Jimin. This doesn't concern you."

Jimin crossed his arms, a challenging look in his eyes. "Prove it then. Next time you face her, show us all that you've still got what it takes to be the top?"

Taehyung's hands were shaking with pent-up rage, but he managed to compose himself before speaking again. "Fine, Jimin. You want a showdown? You'll get one."

--------------------------------

As you walked down the hallway towards your next class, lost in your thoughts about the upcoming test, a sudden icy shock made you gasp in surprise.

You shivered as the ice-cold water soaked through your clothes, causing a gasp to escape your lips. Taehyung stood there with a smirk on his face, clearly enjoying your discomfort.

"Having a rough morning, aren't we?" Taehyung taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

You clenched your fists in frustration, trying to keep your temper in check. "What's your problem? Why do you always have to be such a jerk?"

Taehyung chuckled, taking a step closer to you. "Oh, come on, it's just a bit of water. Can't you take a little joke?

You shot him a glare, feeling the icy water seeping into your shoes. "This isn't funny, Sunbae. You're always picking on me."

Taehyung's smirk widened as he crossed his arms. "Oh, come on, don't be so sensitive. It's just a little harmless fun."

Your anger bubbled to the surface as you faced Taehyung, his gaze challenging you. "It's not fun for me. You have no idea how much you're hurting me with your constant bullying."

Feeling defeated, you turned on your heels and walked away, the icy water dripping off you with each step. Taehyung's mocking laughter echoed in your ears, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth.

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As your classes end you trudged back to your dorm, the weight of fatigue was palpable, making it difficult to keep your eyes open.

But just when you thought the day couldn't get any worse, there he was - Taehyung. He blocked your path, a smug smirk playing on his face. You knew that facing him now would only result in further torment, so you made an attempt to walk past him, hoping to escape his clutches without any trouble.

However, Taehyung had other plans. With a swift movement, he grabbed you by the waist, his grip tightening as he pulled you closer to him.

Panic surged through your veins as you struggled to break free, your tired body lacking the strength to resist his force. You weakly struggled to free yourself from his grasp, but suddenly, the world started to spin around you, and everything went dark. Taehyung's hold tighten on you as he felt you lost your balance.

"Hey, wake up! Are you alright?" he implored, his voice laced with worry. But there was no response, except for the rhythmic rise and fall of your chest, indicating that you were alive.

It was then that he noticed the burning heat radiating from your body. His concern deepened as he realized you were running a high fever. Placing his hand on your forehead, he whispered, "Hang in there, just a little longer."

Struggling to comprehend the sudden turn of events, Taehyung's stern demeanor crumbled. The weight of guilt washed over him, knowing that his actions had unknowingly contributed to your deteriorating health.

----------------------------

When you came to your senses, you found yourself in an unfamiliar setting. It was a dimly lit room. Taehyung sat across from you.

"Finally awake, are we?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

Confusion and fear enveloped your mind as you struggled to recollect what had happened. "What... what is going on? Why am I here?" you managed to stammer.

As you struggled to sit up, Taehyung immediately jumped into action, grabbing a glass of water from the nearby table and offering it to you. "You fainted in front of me," he explained hesitantly, his voice softer than you ever remembered. "I brought you to my home."

You nodded weakly, acknowledging his effort despite your reservations about him. As you sipped the cool water, you couldn't help but see a different side of Taehyung.

You saw the time displayed on your alarm clock and your eyes widened in shock. Panic washed over you as you realized you were already running late for your part-time job. You shot up from your bed, ready to rush out the door, when suddenly Taehyung grabbed your wrist.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Taehyung asked, his grip on your wrist tightening.

"I'm already late! Let me go!" you replied, trying to free yourself from his hold, but it was no use. Taehyung was much stronger than he appeared.

"Late? Oh no, we can't have that, can we?" Taehyung said. With a sudden pull, he effortlessly made you fall back onto the bed, hovering over you and effectively restraining your attempts to escape.

"Sunbae, this isn't funny!" you protested, your voice a mixture of frustration and

You couldn't help but feel a flutter in your chest at his closeness, despite the urgency of the situation. His captivating gaze held yours as he continued to hold you down, his playful demeanor now intertwined with a genuine concern.

His hand gently touched your forehead, feeling the warmth radiating off your feverish skin. Concern filled his eyes as he hesitated, contemplating whether to let go or not.

"Please, Sunbae," you pleaded, your voice barely a whisper. "I've already lost one job because of you, and I can't afford to lose another."

His grip tightened, but his gaze softened in an unexpected moment of sympathy. "You're sick," he stated matter-of-factly. "You have a fever. Going to work in this condition would only worsen your health."

You scoffed, refusing to let his concern soften your resolve. "I can't afford to think about my health right now, not with bills piling up and responsibilities weighing me down. I need this job. I can't afford to lose another one."

Taehyung's hand subconsciously reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. "No," he stated firmly, his voice surprisingly unwavering. "I won't let you go out when you're sick. I'll find a way to cover for you."

"But if I don't go, the boss will fire me," you sobbed, your voice filled with desperation.

Taehyung let out a frustrated sigh, his hand gently wiping away your tears. In that moment, his tough exterior softened, revealing a glimmer of understanding and remorse.

"I promise, you won't lose your job," he assured you in a surprisingly gentle tone. "Just rest and take care of yourself."

You were skeptical, your previous experiences with Taehyung clouding your judgement. "But how can I trust you? What if I get fired? What if they replace me?" you questioned, your voice trembling with both frustration and fear.

His expression turned serious as he held onto you tightly, refusing to let you move an inch. "Listen to me," he began, his voice firm yet gentle. "I may have made mistakes in the past, but I won't let anything bad happen to you, and that includes losing your job."

You hesitated, unsure whether you could trust Taehyung's words. After all, he had tormented you for so long. But there was something different in his eyes, a sincerity that surprised you. Maybe, just maybe, he genuinely cared.

Reluctantly, you nodded, realizing that you needed to prioritize your health. "Okay," you whispered. "But please, at least drop me back at my dorm. I don't want to impose on you any further."

Taehyung's expression turned stern, and he shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "You're not fit to go anywhere right now. I'll stay with you, make sure you're okay."

Confusion mixed with appreciation as you looked at him. "Why are you doing this?" you asked, unable to hide your curiosity.

"Trust me, would you?"

"Okay," you whispered, your voice barely audible. Helping you sit up, he tucked you back into bed, making sure you were comfortable.

"And call me Taehyung."

"But-"

He glared at you, so you nodded your head at him. As you drifted off to sleep, Taehyung remained by your side, watching over you protectively.

--------------------------------

As you stirred awake from a much-needed sleep, you felt a little more refreshed than the night before. Looking over to Taehyung who was sleeping on the couch. Steeling yourself, you cleared your throat, causing Taehyung to stir awake. His eyes fluttered open, and he blinked a few times before focusing on you.

"Hey," you said, your voice surprisingly calm. "I'm actually feeling better now. Would you mind dropping me back to my dorm?"

Taehyung looked at you, his expression unreadable for a moment before he nodded. "Yeah, sure. I can do that."

The car ride was awkwardly silent at first, neither of you quite sure what to say. The tension in the air was palpable, a stark contrast to the usual hostility between you.

"So, um, thanks for this," you finally spoke up, breaking the silence.

Taehyung shrugged, his eyes on the road. "It's no big deal."

Finally, as you reached your dorm, you turned to him. "Thanks for the ride," you said, mustering up a small smile.

He nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "No problem. Take care of yourself."

And with that, he drove off, leaving you standing there, musing about the unexpected turn of events.

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