Y/n had spent the day trying, unsuccessfully, to keep her thoughts from drifting to him—Mr. Kim, or Taehyung, what to call him. She decided to stick with the more formal "Mr. Kim" to keep her distance, though her mind betrayed her resolve. He lingered there, a presence that refused to be ignored, not over the weekend and certainly not now.

“You’re going insane,” she muttered under her breath as she found herself at the threshold of his classroom at the end of the day. Her new role as his teacher’s assistant had begun only this week, and yet here she was, debating whether to step inside.

The door swung open just as her thoughts swirled, and there he was, smiling like the sun breaking through storm clouds.

“Well, someone’s happy,” she thought, forcing a polite smile as she stepped inside. The door clicked shut behind her, and the quiet that followed was suffocating, almost eerie.

“Y/n, please arrange the books in the storeroom,” he said, his tone light but the smirk on his face teasing. She wanted to protest but decided against it. With a resigned sigh, she went about the task, letting her thoughts drift.

This place—this school, with its cliques, gossip, and petty rivalries—felt like a cage. She often felt like she didn’t belong, like a square peg in a world of round holes. And yet, sometimes, an inexplicable yearning to fit in would flicker within her, only to vanish just as quickly. In those moments, she was grateful for  Jisoo, her best friend—the one person who understood her, who shared her desire to be different, to be free.

Her musings were interrupted by the door creaking open. Mr. Kim peered inside, his presence filling the small space.

“I see you’ve made good progress. You can leave whenever you’re ready,” he said. His gaze lingered, and Y/n found herself staring back until he stepped closer, snapping his fingers to pull her from her reverie.

“Lost in thought again,” he teased softly before pressing a light kiss to her forehead. It was a gesture that had become oddly routine, one she didn’t understand but didn’t resist. She smiled faintly and left the room, her heart heavier than it should have been.

At home, exhaustion—both emotional and physical—washed over her. Seeking solace, she ventured into the Woods, hoping the quiet would clear her mind. The moon hung high, casting a silver glow over the dense trees. She wandered until she found a clearing and sat, surrounded by the stillness of the night.

The solitude was a balm, but her thoughts betrayed her once more, circling back to him. How could one person occupy her mind so completely? The rustle of leaves broke her reverie, and her body tensed as a figure emerged from the shadows.

A wolf stepped into the clearing, its eyes locked on hers. Fear gripped her, freezing her in place as her heart thundered in her chest. The creature moved closer, its gaze unwavering. She should have run, but her feet refused to obey.

The moment stretched endlessly until, inexplicably, the wolf stopped, simply observing her. Then, as quickly as it appeared, it retreated into the shadows, leaving her breathless and bewildered.

“Y/n,” a voice called, startling her. She turned to find Mr. Kim stepping into the clearing, his expression unreadable.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice sharper than intended.

“I could ask you the same thing,” he replied with a smirk, his eyes glinting with amusement.

“I asked first,” she countered, crossing her arms.

“I was out for a walk. Satisfied?” he teased, the smirk softening into a genuine smile.

“Pretty much,” she murmured, unsure of herself.

“Let me walk you home,” he offered, his tone sincere.

The journey back was quiet, punctuated by fleeting glances and soft smiles. When they reached her door, she turned to thank him.

“Thank you, Mr. Kim.”

“It’s Taehyung, Y/n,” he corrected gently.

“Thank you, Taehyung,” she said, the name feeling strange on her lips. His smile brightened, and for a moment, the world seemed lighter.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said before turning toward his house next door.

She lingered, watching him until he disappeared inside, his door clicking shut. Only then did she step into her own home, her mind still spinning from the evening’s events and the enigma that was Kim Taehyung.

Cover credit: thvfiqz