The school was alive with noise—students laughing, gossiping, rushing through corridors like nothing in the world could ever go wrong.
But for Kim Taehyung, everything felt… distant.
Like he was watching life from far away.
Night Before
Taehyung sat on the floor of his room, his back resting against the bed. The lights were off. Only the faint glow of his phone lit his face.
On the screen—
YN's picture.
His fingers gently traced her face on the screen, as if afraid she might disappear.
Taehyung (whispering): "Just once… could you have looked at me like that?"
Tears slipped down silently.
He didn't wipe them.
Taehyung: "I tried so hard… to be enough."
His voice broke.
Taehyung: "But I was never the one you chose."
His grip tightened slightly around the phone.
Taehyung: "And now… I have to belong to someone else."
He let out a hollow laugh.
Taehyung: "How funny is that…? The person who loved you the most… ends up with someone he doesn't even know."
He closed his eyes.
But memories flooded in—
Her smile.
Her laughter.
Her voice calling his name.
Taehyung (voice shaking): "I should hate you… I really should…"
A tear rolled down to his lips.
Taehyung: "But I can't… because you're the only reason I ever felt alive."
Morning – Hallway
YN walked calmly, unaware of the storm inside someone walking toward her.
Suddenly—
She was pulled back.
Her back hit the wall.
Taehyung stood there, his hand pressed beside her head, trapping her.
But today… something was different.
His eyes.
They looked tired.
Empty.
Taehyung (soft but teasing): "Where are you running off to?"
YN: "Nowhere…"
Taehyung leaned closer, studying her face carefully.
As if trying to memorize every detail.
Taehyung: "Hmm… really?"
A pause.
His voice dropped.
Taehyung: "Or are you going to him again?"
YN frowned.
YN: "Why do you care?"
That question hit him harder than anything.
But he smiled.
Taehyung: "Because annoying you is my job."
A small silence.
Taehyung (quietly): "But don't worry… I'll resign soon."
YN blinked.
YN: "What does that even mean?"
Taehyung stepped back quickly.
Taehyung: "Nothing. Let's go."
He turned away before she could see the pain in his eyes.
Classroom
Taehyung entered.
And just like always—
His eyes searched for her.
Found her.
YN was sitting beside Suho.
Laughing.
Again.
Always laughing… with him.
Taehyung stood at the door for a moment longer than necessary.
Taehyung (thinking): If I just stand here… maybe time will stop.
But it didn't.
It never did.
He walked to his seat slowly.
Sat down.
And watched.
Suho leaned closer to YN.
Suho: "You didn't reply to my message last night."
YN: "I fell asleep."
Suho smirked slightly.
Suho: "Or you ignored me?"
YN: "Why would I do that?"
They both laughed.
Taehyung looked down at his desk.
His phone screen lit up.
No messages.
He turned it off again.
Taehyung (thinking): You don't even text me anymore…
Taehyung's POV
You will be happy without me, YN…
His gaze softened.
Because you never loved me.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Never me.
His fingers dug into his palm.
Maybe… in another life…
His breathing slowed.
You'll choose me.
Break Time – Balcony
Taehyung stood alone, leaning against the railing.
The wind brushed against his hair.
But he didn't feel it.
Footsteps.
He didn't turn.
He already knew.
YN: "Why are you standing here alone?"
Taehyung smiled faintly.
Taehyung: "Just needed some fresh air."
YN: "You've been acting weird today."
He looked at her.
Really looked at her.
Taehyung: "If I disappear one day… will you notice?"
YN froze.
YN: "What kind of question is that?"
Taehyung chuckled softly.
Taehyung: "Relax. I'm joking."
YN: "That's not funny."
Taehyung looked away.
Taehyung: "Yeah… I know."
A moment of silence passed.
YN: "Let's go back. Class will start."
Taehyung nodded.
But didn't move immediately.
Taehyung (thinking): Stay a little longer…
But she had already turned away.
And he followed.
Like always.
Evening – Hidden Conversation
Lee Tina: "Yunah… did you leak YN's bare face?"
Jung Yunah: "Yes."
Lee Tina (smirking): "Good. Now Suho will only be mine."
Jung Yunah's eyes darkened.
Jung Yunah: "And Taehyung… will only be mine."
Her tone wasn't playful.
It was possessive.
Obsessive.
Free Lesson – Classroom
The class turned noisy again.
A game started.
"Lie detector!"
Taehyung wasn't interested.
Until—
Classmate: "Taehyung! Your turn!"
He sighed.
Placed his hand on the machine.
But his eyes…
They moved again.
To YN.
She was leaning slightly toward Suho.
Their shoulders touching.
Close.
Too close.
Taehyung looked away quickly.
Suho stepped forward.
Suho: "I'll ask."
Taehyung: "Go ahead."
Suho smiled slightly.
Suho: "Love… or friendship?"
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Taehyung didn't even blink.
Taehyung: "Love."
Beep.
Truth.
Whispers filled the room.
Suho scoffed.
Suho: "As expected…"
Taehyung's POV
Of course it's love.
His eyes slowly lifted.
Found her again.
Because my heart…
She was smiling at Suho.
Not him.
Never learned how to choose anything else.
His chest tightened painfully.
Even if it hurts…
His fingers trembled.
Even if it breaks me…
His lips formed a faint smile.
I will always choose you.
The game continued.
Laughter returned.
But Taehyung sat still.
Silent.
His world was ending quietly—
While everyone else kept living.
He looked at YN one last time.
Taehyung (thinking): Memorize this…
Her smile.
Her voice.
Her happiness.
Because very soon—
He would no longer have the right to stand beside her.
And this time…
He wouldn't come back.