Taehyung was standing in front of Namjoon's office after asking around the other staffs at the front desk for the particular dark purple hair lecturer.

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"Hello? Sir? May I come in?"

Tae knocked and seek for permission, right hand on the knob, ready to turn it open.

"Yea, come in."

Taehyung made his way in after receiving the answer from Namjoon.

"Come in Tae, sit down."

Namjoon gestured the empty chair in front of the table, motioning his student to take a seat.

"Thank you, sir, is there anything that I can help you with?"

The brown head was clueless on his meeting with Namjoon as he can't recall anything about himself that possibly could have triggered the need for the lecturer to seek his help.

"Yes, Taehyung. I was actually looking through some Year 1 Medical student's work and I must say I am very impressed with your academic records."

Taehyung is not a stranger to compliments, he often receives them regards to his looks, his personality as well as for his academic ability.

"Oh, thanks, sir. What is about that I can perhaps help you? I can't quite understand why would you want to meet me."

"Well Taehyung, I know you have sat in some of my free lectures before. Mainly whenever I go into the topic of surgical. Is it something you're interested in?"

Namjoon said, sounding very impressed on the A-star student right in front of him.

"Well, I am...I actually learned a lot when I sat in your classes."

Namjoon nodded and agreed that Taehyung did seem quite advanced in his studies and progress where he can easily grasp year 2 advanced medical syllabus with ease.

"But sir, why would you need me here today?"

"You're also a very curious person I see." Namjoon smiled widely at the younger in front of him, showing the two dents forming on either of his cheeks.

Taehyung blushed slightly seeing the sight in front of him. He was feeling giddy being complemented by Namjoon.

The brown head even thought how would it be possible for someone who is relatively young like Namjoon, tall, handsome and full of charisma to be a lecturer for surgical studies. This man must have been a genius during his Uni days.

"So Taehyung, I am running a research study on my own about cardiac surgery on infants, it's in a very preliminary stage, I wonder if you would like to join my research team?"

Taehyung to say looked dumbfounded by the offer would be an understatement.

Barely, I repeat barely, any Year 1 student will be accepted into the research team in their medical school due to the experience and knowledge discrepancies.

Never would have Taehyung thought he would be personally invited by his lecturer to join his team, bearing in mind that he himself is only a Year 1 Medical student.

"Me? Your team?"

Namjoon nodded, enjoying the shocked expression on Taehyung.

"B-but sir, I am only year 1."

"That did not stop you from learning and doing your best Tae, I need people who are self-disciplined, hard-working and most importantly have the hunger to learn."

Taehyung slouched back in his seat, trying to hide his excitement and also think it through if he will be able to manage his schedules. He is a smart one, but it does not stop his fear of being overly committed.

"If you're worried about your schedule then let me assure you that I can pass you some light readings and gradually we can work on the responsibilities."

Taehyung smiled after a long time battling with his own internal thoughts. He felt relieved and already at ease even before he could give his answer.

"So? Is that a Yes? You're smiling like you have won a lottery."

Namjoon chuckled seeing Taehyung's innocent smile.

"Yes sir! I would love to! I'm so grateful for the offer and I promise I will be valuable to you and the team."

"Well, for now just be valuable to me. That's enough." said Namjoon.

"Um? So the team?"

"You're the first onboard Taehyung. It will be only you and me for now. As I said, it's still on a preliminary stage, I will recruit as I go."

Taehyung nodded. He understands that a research team takes time to form, but never the less he is glad he is the first to be picked.

"Thanks again sir for the offer. Let me know when do you want to discuss the content and I will be there."

"Sure, maybe you can drop me your number? It's easier than sending emails."

The brown head nodded and gladly exchanged his number with the older. Taehyung bowed respectfully as he neatly closed the office door, hopped his way to share the good news with Jimin.

.

As Taehyung was reaching his vehicle, he was surprised to see Jungkook instead of Jimin leaning against his car.

"Uh, Kooks? Where is Jimin?"

Tae asked as he specifically sent a message to Jimin before departing Namjoon's office earlier to meet him at the parking lot so they can head back together.

"He is out with Yoongi."

Taehyung pouted and checked his phone to see if he received any notification from Jimin about that. When he noticed it was empty, he looked up at Jungkook again.

"But no messages though."

"Are you doubting me Tae?" Jungkook said as he stood straight, arms crossed.

"Oh no! It's just weird he keeps disappearing on me lately. I had a piece of amazing news to share with him."

Jungkook frowned. Amazing news? And the Pure Soul did not think about telling that to him first? It means Jungkook is still not the number one person on Tae's list.

Oh, how it infuriated the demon prince further to think Jimin holds a more important position in Tae's heart.

"Um, Tae? Actually, do you mind to drop me at my place?"

"Sure. But where is your bike? I thought you had it earlier?"

"I did not. You must have mistaken it, I did not ride my bike today. It went to repair."

Taehyung nodded and unlocked his car, allowing the raven head to take his seat. This will be the first time he is driving them both, and Taehyung started to feel the jitters. Being in a closed space with the man he likes sending his hormones down south.

"I have an idea! What if we hang out at your place again?" Jungkook suggested.

The raven head had a plan. His plan involves Yoongi bringing Jimin back to his home and keep the blond there until Jungkook finish what he started.

"My home? Sure. What do you wanna do?"

Tae asked as he settled in, seatbelt buckled, the engine started.

"Um, maybe we can just hang? I don't know. I just feel like spending some time with you, alone."

Jungkook used his right hand to caress the brown head's knuckle as Taehyung shifted the gear to D.

"S-sure, w-we can."

Taehyung stuttering was a clear indication to Jungkook that he still has an effect on the Pure Soul and it's getting more intense. Good for him, it means manipulating and working his way into Taehyung will not be troublesome anymore.

"Off we go then!"

Jungkook turns his mood all cheerful and bubbly, cracking one or two jokes along the way making the brown head jumping into crazy laughter.

.

"I swear Jungkook, your jokes are so lame!"

Taehyung said as he unlocked the front door with the raven head trailing behind his back.

"But you still laughed though!"

"Alright, come on now, don't get too sulky. I can say it's a little funny as well."

Taehyung patted the raven head's cheek softly as he opened the front door wide for them both to enter together.

"Mom? Dad?"

Taehyung called, expecting his parents to be either in the kitchen or upstairs. To his surprise, the house was eerily quiet.

"Are they home?" Jungkook asked.

"Not sure Kooks looks like it's empty in here. Let me check."

Taehyung dropped his things at the couch nearby as he took a run around the house, trying to locate his parents. He saw his dad's car was parked at the porch but no sign of his dad in the house.

After a wild run around the house including upper floor, Taehyung joined Jungkook at the living room where the raven head was seated obediently.

"I think they went out. Let me check the garage."

Taehyung took a peek and he noticed his Mom's white Benz is out of sight.

"I guess they went out in Mom's car, but it's weird they didn't inform me."

"Did you try calling them?" Jungkook said as he made himself comfortable in the couch.

Taehyung sighed and facepalmed for his own stupidity for not checking his phone earlier. He took his phone out and noticed the battery was drained and his phone was turned off.

"It's dead. The battery is gone."

Taehyung quickly rummaged through his bag and found a power bank, slotted the cable in and waited for a couple of minutes before restarting his phone. It did not restart, only a faint orange light blinking at the top right corner, indicating the power was insufficient.

"I think I need a new phone, I swear it was 78% earlier when we left school."

Jungkook smirked when he saw the brown head smacked the phone in his own palms, blaming the phone when in fact it was Jungkook who did his little devil's trick to drain the phone's battery.

"Now how do I know where they went?"

Taehyung threw his phone and power bank aside, hands on his hip, looking at the raven head, trying to figure it out.

"Um, maybe try looking around and see if they left any notes? Just in case?"

Taehyung nodded and went straight to the kitchen. He knows his mother loves to leave small notes to notify him as she knew Taehyung will barge into the kitchen first thing whenever he reaches home.

"LOOK! KOOKS! A NOTE."

The brown head yelled from the kitchen.

"Of coz there is a note. I made sure of it." Jungkook whispered to himself before answering Taehyung while making his way to the kitchen as well.

"See! I told ya Aunt Myra will leave something for you."

Jungkook joined Tae by the kitchen island as the brown head was holding onto a piece of Post It notes.

"Dear Taebear,

Dad and I will be going down to visit Aunt Joey for a couple of days. It's a short drive out of town, so please take care. We will be back soon.

Love, Mom and Dad."

"That's weird, why are they visiting Aunt Joey? She is pregnant and due any day now. It's not a good time to visit." Tae said a little relieved he now knows where his parents went.

"Maybe that is why? She probably delivered?" Jungkook leaned towards the island, elbows supporting his chin as he looked at Tae.

"Aunt Joey didn't text me though..."

Jungkook was getting irritated with Taehyung's curious mind. The raven head could have come up with a better excuse but he was running low on time and found out about Taehyung having an aunt named Joey so he used it as a bait.

"Tae, sweetheart, I am sure your parents will explain when they come back. Don't worry about it."

Taehyung nodded. He doesn't even know why is he feeling very uneasy about this. His inner heart keeps stirring him with confusion and anxiety, like something bad is bound to happen.

"Yea...I guess..."

"So, wanna watch a movie?"

Jungkook asked, batting his eyelashes, still leaned over the island, waiting for Taehyung to reply.

The brown head chuckled at the adorable sight in front of him and agreed right away heading to Tae's room where he has conveniently received a home theatre TV as part of his last year's birthday gift.

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Longest chapter in the book thus far.
Be prepared for the next one.
I'm sure you've waited for it long enough.