Chapter Sixty-four "Phoenix in His Arms"

 

The Truth in Pictures

As Taehyung connected his phone to the large screen that covered the full wall behind the podium, the entire hall fell silent. Anticipation hung heavy in the air, students and faculty alike holding their breath as they waited to see what their mysterious professor had to reveal.

The screen flickered before displaying the first image—a family picture. The faces of the parents were blurred, maintaining their anonymity, but two boys stood out clearly. One was a tiny boy, no older than five or six, with a bright bunny smile as he clung to the woman’s side. The other was a calm and composed boy, looking around twelve or thirteen, holding the man’s hand.

A murmur of curiosity spread across the hall as students examined the picture, trying to make sense of the reveal. Then, suddenly, a girl from the crowd shrieked in realization.

“Oh my god! It’s Professor Kim!”

The room erupted into hushed gasps, whispers rippling through the crowd as they looked back at Taehyung and then at the boy in the picture. The resemblance was undeniable—the sharp eyes, the poised posture.

“That’s right,” Taehyung’s deep voice confirmed smoothly. “That’s me.”

Before the murmurs could grow louder, the screen changed to the next picture.

This time, the photo was of the same two boys, but two years later. The older one—now more recognizable as a younger Taehyung—was seen pulling the younger boy’s ear, who had tears brimming in his big round eyes. Scattered books lay around them, suggesting some sort of mischief had taken place.

The students blinked at the scene before an amused voice broke the silence.

“Seems like Professor Kim was born a professor, not a kid,” Yoongi commented dryly from his seat.

The hall burst into laughter, even some of the other professors chuckling at the observation. Taehyung rolled his eyes but said nothing as the images continued.

The next photo was from two years later. Taehyung, now a teenager of around sixteen or seventeen, was reading a book in one hand while patting the head of the younger boy, who looked about ten, sleeping cutely against his side. The room collectively cooed at the heartwarming sight.

“Aww…”

“That’s adorable.”

“He looks so soft here,” someone whispered, clearly referring to Taehyung.

The pictures continued, showing moments through the years. A clear story of a relationship unfolding—an older brother who was always responsible and composed, and a younger one who was playful and mischievous.

Then came the final image.

This time, Taehyung looked almost the same as he did now—sharp features, an intimidating aura—but he was glaring angrily at an almost eighteen-year-old boy who was laughing his heart out. The reason for his amusement? Taehyung’s bright yellow-dyed hair.

The laughter in the hall grew louder as recognition finally hit everyone.

That boy—who had been in every single picture alongside Taehyung—was none other than Jungkook.

A stunned silence settled for a brief moment before the realization sank in.

“They’re brothers?” someone whispered in shock.

“They’ve known each other all this time?”

“Oh my god, they’re total opposites! Look at Jungkook—such a brat! And Professor Kim—so done with him already.”

“It was Jungkook all along…” a girl mumbled dreamily, sighing as she gazed at the pictures. She had been crushing on Jungkook ever since she first saw him on the basketball court. “He’s so cute in all these pictures…”

Taehyung let out a slow exhale as he turned to the crowd, his sharp gaze cutting through the lingering whispers.

“I don’t think I need to explain, I guess.” He tilted his head slightly, his lips curling in a smirk. “Meet my brat officially—Kim Jungkook.”

His smirk faded, and his posture straightened. His next words came out colder, more serious.

“Now, moving toward our next question—the most important one.” His voice dropped, sending a shiver down the room. “The one who drugged Niki and Jungkook.”

The entire hall went silent. No more whispers. No more murmurs.

The moment those words left Taehyung’s lips, the aura surrounding him darkened. The air in the room felt suffocating, the weight of his authority pressing down on everyone. His eyes held a storm—sharp, furious, and merciless.

If anyone in the hall knew something, they were surely regretting keeping quiet now.

No one dared to breathe too loudly, their gazes fixed on the professor who stood tall on the podium, his eyes dark with barely contained fury.

“I have already checked the hidden CCTV footage and know who the culprit is.” His voice, though calm, sent chills down everyone’s spine. His piercing gaze scanned the crowd, searching, waiting.

A few gasps rippled through the students, some gripping their seats, others casting uneasy glances around. The tension was thick, suffocating. Everyone wanted to know—who was it?

“You should not have played your dirty game in this university,” Taehyung continued, his voice unwavering. “Not only for what you did yesterday but for all the crimes you’ve committed throughout your life.”

Whispers erupted like wildfire, theories spreading, minds racing. Who was he talking about? Was it a student? A staff member? A professor?

Taehyung let the tension build before delivering his final warning. “Surrender yourself in the principal’s office today, and I will let your family survive.” His words were laced with an ominous promise, sending shivers down the spines of many.

“Otherwise,” his voice dropped, dangerously low, “I have all the proof regarding your father’s dirty business as well. I have gathered evidence of every crime, every dirty deal, and every betrayal. If you do not comply, I will hand it all over to the police today—and to the media.”

The entire hall fell into dead silence once again.

Whoever the culprit was, they had nowhere to run.

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