AUTHOR'S POV-

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting warm, golden hues over the university campus as students wandered around, lost in their own worlds of assignments, projects, and dreams. Y/n walked alongside Jungkook, their footsteps in sync, and for a moment, she forgot the world around them, simply enjoying his presence.

"Can you believe it, Jungkook?" Y/n asked, her voice tinged with both excitement and nostalgia. "We're in our final year. It feels like just yesterday we were scrambling to find our classes on the first day."

Jungkook chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, I remember you were completely lost that day. You almost walked into the senior professor's lecture hall. I had to literally drag you out before you embarrassed yourself."

Y/n laughed, nudging him playfully. "I knew where I was going! You were the one who was completely clueless, remember?"

Jungkook smirked, his eyes twinkling. "Alright, maybe a little. But I didn't expect you to become this attached to me," he teased, a casual smile on his face, oblivious to the subtle blush that crept up Y/n's cheeks.

Y/n smiled softly, casting a quick, sidelong glance at Jungkook as they strolled under the golden leaves. She tried to keep her admiration subtle, but moments like this made it impossible. His carefree laughter, the way his hair fell across his eyes, his genuine kindness—everything about him made her heartbeat just a little faster. She couldn't remember exactly when her feelings had shifted from friendship to something more, but now, she cherished these small moments, even if they were fleeting and one-sided.

"Time really does fly, huh?" she said quietly, half to herself.

Jungkook looked over at her, nodding thoughtfully. "It does. I guess it's because we're always so busy with assignments and deadlines. Before you know it, graduation will be here, and then... who knows?"

Y/n bit her lip, the thought of an uncertain future causing a pang of worry to settle in her chest. She couldn't imagine a world without Jungkook by her side. He was her closest friend, her confidant, the one person who truly understood her. But she knew that once university ended, their lives would likely go in different directions. Jungkook, ever hardworking and driven, had big dreams, but she also knew he was painfully aware of the social gap between them—a gap he never let her forget, even if unintentionally.

"Yeah... who knows," Y/n murmured, her voice tinged with an emotion she quickly buried.

They walked in comfortable silence, savoring the final stretch of their day together, until they reached the gates of the university.

"See you tomorrow?" Jungkook asked, giving her a warm smile that left her heart fluttering.

"Of course," Y/n replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'll bring the notes for our project. Don't think I'm doing all the work, though!"

Jungkook laughed, nodding in mock seriousness. "Wouldn't dream of it, Y/n."

As she watched him walk away, Y/n took a deep breath, clutching her bag tightly. She wished he could see her the way she saw him, but she knew he didn't. He valued their friendship, and for now, that would have to be enough.

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When Y/n arrived home, she was greeted by the familiar sight of her family's grand estate, a sprawling mansion that felt both comforting and daunting. She slipped off her shoes in the entryway, her footsteps echoing lightly as she made her way down the hall. Her mother, an elegant woman with an air of grace and authority, was sitting in the living room, reading.

"Mom!" Y/n called, her voice brightening as she entered the room. She loved these moments of catching up with her mother, sharing little details about her day.

Her mother looked up, smiling warmly. "There's my girl. How was university today?"

"It was good! Busy, but good," Y/n replied, plopping down on the couch beside her mother. "Jungkook and I were just talking about how fast time flies. Can you believe it, Mom? This is our last year."

Her mother's eyes softened as she studied her daughter. "It feels like just yesterday I was dropping you off at school for the first time. Now here you are, all grown up."

Y/n laughed, brushing it off. "I still feel like that little kid sometimes, honestly. But university... it's been amazing. And Jungkook's been there through everything. I'm really lucky to have him as my friend."

There was a pause, her mother's expression shifting slightly, though she kept her tone light. "Jungkook is a nice boy, Y/n. He's always been very kind and respectful. But... well, you know what I mean, don't you?"

Y/n stiffened, though she tried to keep her smile in place. She knew her mother's perspective—kind-hearted though she was, her mother was very aware of social status and image. To her, Jungkook was a lovely friend for her daughter, but nothing more.

"Of course, Mom," Y/n replied quietly. "Jungkook and I are best friends. That's all."

Her mother seemed satisfied, nodding approvingly. "Good. I just want what's best for you, Y/n. You know how proud we are of you and the bright future you have ahead."

Y/n forced a smile, but as she sat there, the weight of her hidden feelings felt even heavier.

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The soft hum of activity filled the KTH Enterprises office as the day wore on. Sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over the expansive office that overlooked the bustling city. At the center of it all sat Taehyung, his gaze focused, brow furrowed slightly as he reviewed a stack of documents on his desk.

Kim Taehyung had built a reputation for himself in the corporate world—not just for his sharp business acumen, but for his balanced approach to leadership. Known for his kind and fair treatment of employees, he was deeply respected, admired for the unwavering focus and discipline he brought to his role as CEO. But beneath his gentle exterior was a man who expected nothing less than perfection. When it came to work, Taehyung was strict, almost relentless, pushing both himself and his team to exceed their limits. His employees knew him as the kind of leader who noticed every detail and would not tolerate carelessness, but he rewarded loyalty and hard work generously, creating an atmosphere of dedication and mutual respect.

As he reviewed reports and budget sheets, a gentle knock sounded on his door. Without looking up, he responded with a calm, "Come in."

His assistant, Mrs. Lee, stepped inside, clutching a tablet. She had been with him since the company's early days, and he trusted her like no one else.

"Mr. Kim," she said, "I wanted to update you on the new project. The team has prepared a summary of the progress, and we're on schedule for the presentation next week."

Taehyung nodded, setting the documents aside. "Thank you, Mrs. Lee. I'll review the summary later tonight," he said, his tone as steady as ever. "Let the team know I expect their best work on this one. We need to set the bar high."

"Yes, sir," Mrs. Lee replied, a hint of pride in her eyes. She was one of the many who admired Taehyung—not just for his success but for the quiet strength he projected, a strength she knew came from a difficult past.

As Mrs. Lee left, Taehyung leaned back in his chair, momentarily glancing out at the cityscape. On the surface, his life was a portrait of success. At just 27, he was already at the top of his game, having taken KTH Enterprises to unprecedented heights. The company, originally a modest venture started by his grandfather, had blossomed under his leadership, branching into multiple sectors and becoming one of the most respected firms in the industry.

But his success hadn't come easily. Taehyung's mind wandered back, as it sometimes did in these quiet moments, to his childhood. When he was just seven years old, his parents had separated. The memory was a painful blur, a mix of whispered arguments and slammed doors. His mother had moved abroad, and his father had left him in the care of his grandfather. At the time, Taehyung hadn't understood why his family had fallen apart, but he remembered the profound loneliness that had settled over him, the sting of abandonment he had buried deep inside.

Yet, if there was one silver lining to those turbulent years, it was his grandfather. A dignified man with a warm heart and an unbreakable will, his grandfather had raised him with love and discipline. He instilled in Taehyung the values that now shaped him as a man: resilience, integrity, and an unwavering work ethic. The elder Kim had been both a parent and mentor, nurturing Taehyung's strengths while supporting him through the painful absence of his parents. It was his grandfather who had inspired Taehyung's dedication to KTH Enterprises, a company the old man had poured his life into.

A soft ping from his phone pulled him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from his grandfather:

"Don't work too late, Taehyung. There's more to life than just work, remember."

Taehyung smiled slightly, typing a quick reply: "I know, Grandfather. I'll be home soon."

Just as he set his phone down, the door to his office opened once more, this time without a knock. A younger employee—new to the company and clearly nervous—stood in the doorway, holding a file.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kim, I just... I wanted to give you these reports," the young man stammered, looking as though he had immediately regretted his lack of courtesy.

Taehyung studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. "Thank you for bringing it directly. In the future, though, make sure to knock. Respect for boundaries is important here."

The young man visibly relaxed, nodding gratefully. "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

After the employee had gone, Taehyung shook his head slightly. He remembered being that young once, nervous and desperate to prove himself. The thought reminded him of the countless nights he had spent working late, sacrificing sleep and comfort to make his mark in the corporate world.

As evening settled in, Taehyung gathered his things, preparing to head home. Despite the success, the recognition, and the sense of accomplishment that came with his position, there was always an emptiness that lingered in the quiet moments—a quiet longing for something he couldn't quite define. He had everything he could want, yet he was keenly aware that a part of him was still searching, though he wasn't sure for what.

After exchanging a few goodnights with his staff, he made his way out of the office building, greeted by the cool evening breeze as he stepped outside. His car was already waiting, but he took a moment to look up at the sky, the city lights glowing around him. He couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation in that moment, as though he were looking at the world from a distance, somehow apart from it all.

The ride home was quiet, and when he arrived at his grandfather's house—a stately mansion filled with warmth and memories—he felt a sense of peace settle over him. He found his grandfather in the study, reading by the fireplace, his eyes lighting up when he saw Taehyung enter.

"There's my hardworking grandson," his grandfather said warmly, setting his book aside. "Come sit. Tell me about your day."

Taehyung settled down beside him, feeling the weight of the day's work fade. "It was busy as usual, but everything's on track," he said, his tone softening. "The new project is coming along well. The team is motivated."

His grandfather nodded approvingly. "That's good to hear. But remember, Taehyung, success isn't just about how high you can build something. It's about what you can bring to those around you."

Taehyung nodded thoughtfully, his grandfather's words echoing in his mind. Despite his achievements, his grandfather's reminder grounded him, reminding him that there was still more to strive for—not just in work, but in life.

As they sat together, sharing stories and laughter, Taehyung realized once again that it was in these quiet, unguarded moments that he felt most whole. And though he didn't know what lay ahead, he felt a strange sense of anticipation, as though something was waiting just beyond the horizon, something that would change everything.

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