The teacher entered the class with the question papers.
"Settle down. We'll start with MCQs first."
While reading the 5th question, you felt confused and raised your hand:
"Ma'am… please repeat the MCQ."
Everyone turned toward you.
Ma'am repeated kindly.
But after finishing all the questions, you again said:
"Ma'am… please repeat that MCQ once more…"
The whole class burst into giggles.
Even Jungkook laughed quietly, hiding his smile behind his pen.
But his eyes looked… soft. Not mocking. Just amused by your cuteness.
You felt embarrassed but tried to stay calm.
When Ma'am was checking your copy, you turned your head and accidentally caught Jungkook writing something quickly—even though Ma'am had asked for answer sheets.
The moment he saw your eyes on him, Jungkook froze.
He lowered his face and pretended to write slowly.
He didn't look up, but you could feel his eyes watching you from the corner.
You weren't even looking at him intentionally—your mind was somewhere else.
You were thinking:
"Why did he laugh? Did he think I was dumb?"
But then Jungkook suddenly shifted his gaze fully toward you.
Expressionless.
Just looking.
You looked back.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Then you immediately turned away, pretending to read the board.
Your heart didn't beat faster romantically—just confusion.
AFTER TEST – THE CONFRONTATION
When test ended, you approached him calmly.
"Jungkook… it's nothing. I wasn't staring at you purposely. I was thinking of something else. Don't misunderstand."
He blinked twice, surprised.
"I didn't misunderstand anything," he said quietly.
"But when ma'am asked for copies, why did you say yes on my behalf? I wasn't ready."
You raised an eyebrow.
"I said yes because I thought you were ready. You're a topper too. You could've spoken up."
Jungkook scratched the back of his neck.
"I said it casually… didn't know ma'am would take it seriously."
"So did I," you replied calmly.
"I even told ma'am earlier to take my copy last. What else could I do?"
There was a tiny silence.
Then you asked:
"What was the answer to question 12?"
Jungkook: "I… don't know."
You: "Okay then, I also don't know. So both of us lost 1 mark."
Both of you exchanged a small awkward smile.
CHECKING ANSWER SHEETS TOGETHER
Ma'am called you:
"Y/n! Collect all the copies and arrange them in separate rows. Jungkook will help you."
The whole class was sitting in the corridor.
You and Jungkook entered the classroom with a pile of answer sheets.
You placed papers on the desk in rows.
He stood beside you arranging names.
You weren't angry—just calmly annoyed.
"Next time, don't answer randomly," you said softly.
"Okay okay," Jungkook replied with a half smile.
"But you also don't stare at me suddenly like that. It scared me."
You rolled your eyes:
"I told you I wasn't staring."
He smirked faintly.
SOL HEE ENTERS
After a while, Sol Hee walked in and sat beside you.
"I'll help you check MCQs," she said happily.
Jungkook looked at her and nodded lightly.
Taesung entered too and sat next to Jungkook.
You noticed Jungkook leaning sideways toward Sol Hee as she checked copies.
And your stomach twisted.
Not romantic jealousy—just that uncomfortable, burning annoyance.
"Why is he acting friendly with her suddenly?
Why is SHE acting extra helpful today?"
Then Jungkook came to you with a question paper in his hand.
"Y/n… please check answer number 14 for me? I forgot."
You didn't even look up.
"No. I won't."
He leaned slightly and said softly:
"Please? Just once?"
You glared.
He smiled… trying to melt your irritation.
You still refused.
So Sol Hee took the paper from his hand:
"I'll check it!"
You stared at her internally:
"Why is she going so close to him unnecessarily?"
You were irritated—not because you liked him romantically,
but because it felt like she was doing it to show off.
She checked quickly and handed it to him with a bright smile.
Jungkook nodded politely and went back.
Then YOU collected all checked copies and took them to ma'am yourself.
THE JEALOUSY GROWS
When you walked back, you saw Sol Hee talking to Jungkook again—too close.
You felt a strange heaviness inside.
"Is this why he stood next to her in the group photo?
Does he like her because she's more open?
Because she's friendly and loud?"
Your heart didn't hurt romantically…
it hurt because you felt replaced.
Like the spotlight shifted from you to her.
And you hated that feeling.
You looked away quickly, pretending to be busy with papers.
But deep inside, a silent war was beginning…
Between what you felt
and what you refused to admit.
You entered class with Sol Hee, talking about assignments.
Jungkook was already in his seat, arranging notebooks.
Your desk was right beside his—same row, same bench cluster.
He saw you coming and lifted his head slightly, ready to say something like:
"Good morning—"
But at the exact moment, someone from behind called:
"Y/n! Give me your register!"
You turned your whole body toward that friend.
You didn't see Jungkook.
Didn't hear him.
Didn't notice his half-raised hand.
You were busy searching through your bag.
To everyone else, it looked like you purposely ignored him.
Jungkook's expression went blank for 2 seconds—and then he slowly kept his pen down.
Taesung nudged him.
"You were going to say something?"
Jungkook forced a small shrug.
"No… she's busy."
He looked away, but his jaw tightened for a moment.
THE ARGUMENT BEGINS
Class started.
The teacher gave a difficult case-study question.
"Students, discuss with your row partner."
Everyone turned to their partners.
You turned toward Sol Hee.
Jungkook turned toward you.
And both of you spoke at the same time:
You: "Sol Hee, question 3—"
Jungkook: "Y/n listen—"
You froze.
Jungkook froze.
Sol Hee looked between you two like a tennis referee.
There was a painful few seconds of silence.
Then Jungkook spoke coldly:
"You can talk first."
You replied politely but equally cold:
"No, you can say whatever you were trying to say."
Your tone was calm… but sharp.
His tone was soft… but stiff.
Everyone turned their heads, waiting for drama.
Jungkook sighed.
"I just asked if we could divide the answers. But it's fine. You do whatever you want."
You narrowed your eyes.
"I didn't even hear you earlier. Don't assume things."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You ignored me. Everyone saw."
You blinked—confused.
"I didn't ignore you! Someone asked for my register!"
"So your friends come first, I guess," Jungkook muttered quietly.
Your head snapped up.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
The class went silent again.
Taesung and Sol Hee exchanged a look like:
"Here we go again."
THE QUARREL BECOMES PUBLIC
Teacher noticed the tension.
"Y/n, Jungkook. What happened?"
You spoke calmly:
"Ma'am, nothing. He assumed something incorrectly."
Jungkook replied immediately:
"No ma'am, she is twisting it."
You stared at him.
"Excuse me? I didn't twist anything."
Jungkook looked at the teacher.
"She purposely didn't respond when I called her."
You replied firmly:
"I DIDN'T HEAR YOU. And if I did, why would I ignore you? For fun?"
Jungkook crossed his arms.
"You tell me."
Your eyes widened in disbelief.
"Why are you behaving like this? I didn't do anything."
Students around began whispering:
"They fight everyday…"
"Swear they act like enemies…"
"They argue like siblings."
"No, like rivals!"
"Last bench is more peaceful than these two."
Teacher rubbed her forehead.
"Both of you stop. Now."
You both fell silent but kept glaring at each other.
GROUP DISCUSSION CONTINUES
Teacher moved away.
Sol Hee and Taesung sat quietly between you two.
You took a deep breath.
"Jungkook, I wasn't ignoring you. It was accidental. Why can't you understand?"
He looked away.
"I understood. That I don't matter."
You blinked again—this boy was unbelievable.
"You're being dramatic," you muttered.
He turned back sharply.
"I'm being what?"
You repeated, clearer:
"Dramatic."
Taesung whispered to him:
"Bro, she didn't do it intentionally."
But Jungkook was already irritated.
"I just said good morning. Is that a crime?"
You replied slowly:
"I didn't hear you."
He stared at you for a long second.
Then he said quietly, but seriously:
"Next time, at least look around before you ignore someone."
You straightened your back.
"Next time, speak louder so I can hear."
He scoffed softly.
"Oh, now it's my fault."
You rolled your eyes.
"Maybe communicate properly instead of assuming everything."
"Maybe be aware instead of being surrounded by your group all the time."
You froze.
That hit you personally.
You stood up a little straighter.
"My group doesn't control me."
Jungkook replied bluntly:
"Obviously. You just only listen to them."
Your eyes flashed.
"Say that again."
He raised his eyebrows, challenging.
"You heard me."
Sol Hee jumped between:
"STOP! Both of you! Teacher is watching!"
You and Jungkook immediately looked away, not wanting another scolding.