They were hugging each other, feeling a sense of peace in each other's arms. Taehyung snuggled into her neck, sending goosebumps across her body. After a long embrace, they parted, and YN looked away, her cheeks flushing red-a sight that didn't go unnoticed by Taehyung, who chuckled to himself. YN wasn't ready to meet his gaze just yet.

"YN," he called softly.

She looked up, her heartbeat quickening. Whenever he said her name, something inside her stirred. Taehyung pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, showing it to her. YN, initially confused by his expression, soon understood what he meant. She smiled and took the cigarette from his hand, which puzzled him. In return, she pulled a chocolate from her pocket and placed it in his hand, smiling at him. His heart fluttered at the sight of her smile. He nodded, accepting the chocolate with a grin.

"I'm leaving..." she said, turning to run away while hiding her flushed face. Taehyung chuckled as he watched her go, glancing at the chocolate.

"Silly girl..." he laughed.

As a thought struck him, he pondered, *Isn't she similar to a strawberry?* He realised that her words and the chocolate exchange reminded him of the treats he had received over the past two years.

"I'm curious now," he said to himself, then walked away.

Time skips

Taehyung lay in bed, trying to sleep but unable to. YN's words and face kept replaying in his mind. He got up and walked to the balcony, gazing at the moon while recalling the day's events. He thought about how she talked, the way she cared for him, and how she looked at him while they spoke. The memory of their hug, the chocolate, her smile-all made his heart swell. He smiled shyly to himself.

She was the first girl he had hugged willingly. She was the first one to make him feel different, the first to care for him after his mother. She was the one he wanted to admire, the one whose presence calmed his anger. No one dared to confront him or stop him from smoking, but she had. Strange as it was, he didn't feel anger; instead, he liked it.

"You know how difficult this is? Rapunzel, you've changed me," he chuckled. "Look at me, I'm sleepless tonight. And guess what? I can't even smoke. I thought you were fading away from my mind, but I guess I was wrong."

He mumbled to himself before scrolling through his phone for a while.

On the other hand, YN closed her eyes to sleep but found herself wide awake, glancing at Ema and Soha, who were sleeping peacefully. She checked the clock-it was 4 AM. She sighed.

*What's happening to me? Ugh, why can't I sleep?*

She rolled around on the bed, her mind consumed with thoughts of Taehyung.

*He's really been nice. What could be the reason? He didn't get angry when I fell on him; he didn't mind when I mentioned the cigarette. What's going on? But this side of him is really impressive.*

She smiled at the thought.

*He didn't even praise me for my tennis match,* she pouted. *Am I overreacting? But I really wanted that. Anyway, forget it. I need to sleep; tomorrow is a big and important day. If I'm late, I'm in trouble.*

She settled onto the couch, hugging a pillow with his picture on it.

"Good night, my love," she said shyly, gazing at his picture before finally closing her eyes.

Next day.

Soha and Ema woke up to find YN sleeping on the couch, hugging her pillow.

Soha: "Look, she's completely unaware of the time and still asleep."

Ema peeled back the pillow and found a photo of Taehyung on it. She chuckled and said, "Silly girl. Looks like she didn't sleep at all last night. Just look at how tightly she's hugging his photo."

Soha laughed, "This girl is madly in love."

Ema replied, "I wish they would end up together soon, Unnie."

Soha responded, "I always wish for that for my baby sister. Her happiness is my happiness."

Just then, YN stirred and opened her eyes. Seeing them, she quickly sat up, panicking.

YN: "Oh God! What time is it? I'm going to be late! He told me to come early. Oh no, I slept too long-"

Soha calmed her down, "Relax, YN! It's only 7."

YN: "WHAT? 7? Unnie, why didn't you wake me?"

Ema said, "Okay, just calm down and get ready."

YN nodded but then noticed the pillow and looked at them, smiling awkwardly before leaving while still holding the pillow. Soha and Ema chuckled.

**Time Skip**

YN hurriedly arrived, and Ema went to park the car. When YN got out, she saw the professor waiting for her.

YN: "I totally forgot about the speech!"

The professor approached her, saying, "YN, did you prepare your welcome speech?"

YN: "Um, yes, sir."

Professor: "Good. I don't want any silly mistakes. Remember, the founder of the college, Mr. Kim, and his mother are also coming."

YN: "Don't worry, sir. I'm ready."

Professor: "Good. Until then, revise it again."

YN nodded and walked toward the campus, where she found Taehyung and his friends instructing the players. She quickly approached them, and when Taehyung looked at her, she gulped.

YN: "Um, sorry, Sunbae, I'm late."

Wooshik replied, "That's fine, YN. Come on."

Jimin added, "Everyone got their team outfits; yours is still missing."

YN nodded, "Yes, Oppa."

Taehyung addressed everyone, "So, did you all understand what I said?" *His tone was cold.*

Teammates replied in unison, "Yes!"

Taehyung then approached YN and said, "I gave your outfit to Ema. You should check it."

YN nodded.

Taehyung continued, "You didn't tell me you were going to deliver the welcome speech?"

YN replied, "Um, yeah, I'm sorry, Sunbae."

Taehyung nodded, "Okay, fine."

YN was about to leave when he stopped her.

Taehyung: "Wait!"

She turned to look at him, waiting for him to continue.

Taehyung: "Um, are you okay?"

His voice carried concern, and YN looked surprised but nodded.

YN: "I'm fine, Sunbae." *She flashed a small smile.*

Taehyung: *Nodding* "Are you sure?"

YN: "Yes, Sunbae." *She smiled again.*

He nodded, and she left.

Taehyung muttered, "Aish, what's wrong? She doesn't look okay. Silly girl."

He mumbled to himself as he left.

---

YN changed into a beautiful skirt since she had to deliver the welcome speech. She rehearsed her speech when Ema came running in.

Ema: "YN-ah! I've been searching for you! Where were you?"

YN: "Sorry, I was changing."

Ema replied, "Okay, fine. Have breakfast first. You didn't eat anything."

Ema opened a box and was about to feed YN, but the professor called for her.

YN: "Ema, I'll eat later. The professor is waiting."

Ema insisted, "At least have one bite."

YN replied, "Afterward."

With that, she left the room.
Ema: she didn't eat anything from morning.

The function began with the college welcoming Mr. Kim and his mother, who settled themselves on the stage. Taehyung and his friends stood in front of the stage, his grandmother smiling at him. He blew her a flying kiss, and she chuckled. Then, the correspondent came up to deliver the opening speech.

Next was YN's turn to speak. They introduced her, and Taehyung's breath hitched when he saw her. She looked beautiful. He stared at her without blinking; she wore an off-white dress that fell above her knees, and her hair cascaded down, held back by a bow clip. She truly looked like an angel.

Taehyung mumbled, "Breathtaking" still captivated by her beauty.

As she approached the microphone, YN bowed to the guests and stood ready to deliver her speech. Her eyes fell on Ema, who looked at her proudly, and she smiled before confidently sharing her words. Taehyung listened intently, a level of focus that shocked his friends. This was the same person who usually avoided crowds and got annoyed by speeches-but here he was, fully admiring her. He glanced at his grandmother, who was smiling at YN, and noticed Mr. Kim listening carefully, chuckling at the scene.

During her speech, YN caught Taehyung's eye, and a shy smile appeared on her lips. She quickly looked away, causing him to laugh at her reaction.

After completing her speech, she bowed again and left the stage to applause. Taehyung watched her disappearing figure with a sigh.

After that, the other activities commenced, and Taehyung left. Meanwhile, YN changed into her sports outfit as she prepared for an upcoming marathon. At the professor's request, she was backstage checking the final names on the list. As she was writing, Taehyung entered the room and found her focused on her work. He sighed softly.

Taehyung asked, "So, are you ready?"

YN replied, "Yes, sunbae. The professor just told me to check the list."

He nodded, taking the book from her hands, surprising her. He pulled a box from his carry bag and said, "You didn't eat breakfast. Come on, eat this." His calm demeanour made her heart flutter. She looked at him, biting her lower lip.

"I'll-" she started to say.

"We have plenty of time, and they can wait for you," he interjected.

"I'll eat late-"

"Are you going to eat, or should I feed you?" His deep voice caused YN to gasp. She shook her head and opened the box, her eyes lighting up at the meal inside. He chuckled as she began to eat.

Taehyung smiled slightly as he noticed a scrunchie in her hand. He moved closer, gently taking the scrunchie from her. She flinched and looked up at him.

"Calm down," he reassured her, and she nodded.

He stood behind her, and his next action made her heart race. He gently combed her hair back, noting that it was loose. "You can't run with your hair down, can you?" he said in a deep voice that sent shivers down her spine. He gently tied her hair into a ponytail, admiring her long, silky locks. YN felt as if her heart was about to race alongside the marathon. She could only blink as she absorbed his every action.

Once he finished, he tucked some stray hairs behind her ear and moved in front of her. Their eyes met, and she couldn't help but look down, trying to calm her racing heart.

[Why I'm  blushing? 😭😭]

He chuckled and stepped back, clearly enjoying her reaction. He knows what he did and he also wants to do it.

"Th-thank you," YN stuttered, still unable to look at him after what he had just done. She bit her lips and fidgeted with her fingers. He brushed off her gratitude, stepping closer once more.

"YN," he called, and she looked up slowly but then quickly averted her gaze again.

"Look at me," he said calmly. YN felt nervous as she met his gaze, which seemed to convey something she couldn't quite decipher. Maintaining eye contact was difficult for her.

[What is Taehyung going to say?]

To be continued..

Love from tatamic ❤️‍🩹

______________

So guys I tried to update yesterday but couldn't. Double update!! Okay now it'll take some time for next chapter. I'm busy now.. please try to understand and thank you for your lovely response and comments. I love you all. Keep supporting and I'm having fun while reading comments. 💗💗💗