Chapter 15 || "Professor Kim: A victim. A Survivor. A Saint." || BOOK 2 OF PHOENIX IN HIS ARMS.

 

The grand marble pillars of Phoenix Rigid University loomed above Jungkook as he stormed through the bustling corridors, his pace frantic and eyes scanning every classroom he passed. Students parted to the sides, confused by their usually composed vice president looking like he had run all the way from Seoul.

His breath came in sharp bursts, chest heaving under his black turtleneck. “Where are they?” he muttered, shoving open the door of a faculty lounge. Empty.

“Jimin! Soobin! Niki!” he called under his breath like a lost child in a shopping mall.

But there was no trace of them.

His boots echoed through the halls as he checked the staff room, the cafeteria, even the auditorium — but it was as if his three best friends had vanished off the face of the university.

He was nearly ready to scream when he caught a sudden breeze — and the faint sound of cheering.

His head snapped toward the university grounds, the massive open field just behind the main building. With a hopeful breath, he dashed toward it.

And there they were.

At first, all Jungkook could see was movement — three figures in university track pants and shirts, running in pained, ungraceful loops around the field, gasping for air and dragging their legs like soldiers after battle.

Jimin, flushed crimson, was wheezing dramatically.

Soobin looked like he was calculating how far his legs could go before giving up entirely.

Niki was somewhere between sprinting and limping, her ponytail whipping violently behind her as she gritted her teeth.

A small crowd of students stood off to the side, murmuring among themselves in confusion.

And on the sidelines, under the shaded spectator tent, sat four faculty members: Professor Hoseok, upright with crossed arms, Professor Jin, sipping a smoothie and laughing like a villain, Professor Yoongi, looking almost asleep with his arms folded.

“What in the actual—” Jungkook began, storming toward the group of professors.

Jin noticed him first and beamed. “Oh, you finally showed up. The reason behind today’s free entertainment.”

Jungkook blinked. “What?”

Jin patted the seat next to him but didn’t stop grinning. “Wait for it. They’re on their final round.”

Jungkook turned back to the track.

Sure enough, the three runners were dragging themselves over the finish line, barely upright. The moment they crossed the chalked line, all three collapsed on the grass — limbs sprawled, faces buried in the ground, groaning like zombies.

“Oww... My thighs are on fire,” Niki gasped, rolling onto her back.

“I think I pulled every muscle I’ve ever owned,” Soobin moaned dramatically.

“I saw the afterlife in round six,” Jimin said through the grass.

Jungkook, both worried and confused, rushed over. “What happened to you guys? And why are you running like you’re in the military? I have a serious problem—”

The three looked up at him simultaneously. Their eyes narrowed.

“Who are you?” Jimin said, squinting.

“I don’t think we know this man,” Soobin added, dragging himself to a sitting position.

Niki made a show of shielding her eyes like Jungkook was too bright to look at. “Kim Jungkook? Never heard of him.”

“What—what are you talking about?” Jungkook said, flabbergasted.

“Because of you,” Jimin said, pointing an accusing finger, “we were dragged into this ridiculous punishment.”

“Taehyung hyung caught us in the staff room today because of your little escape stunt to the club the other day,” Soobin added. “And guess what?”

“He said we clearly had too much energy to waste on useless things; he will help us know where to use it instead of wasting it on something as useless as getting drunk in a club.”

Niki finished. “So, ten laps. In front of the students to help us remember that it is not very professional to go to a club and get drunk like no tomorrow after being a professor at Phoenix.”

A wave of laughter erupted from Jin’s direction again. “Honestly, it was the best lunch break I’ve had all month. Thanks, Jungkook.”

Jungkook’s jaw dropped. “Wait, wait. He punished you because you took me there with you?!”

“Not fully. Half for supporting you when you decided to trick your bodyguard so your husband won't find out that you went to the club without telling him.” Jimin hissed dramatically. “We helped you, so we got the consequences.”

“And we even lost all the cool points we had with the students!” Niki added, throwing her hands in the air.

“Some kid asked me if I had heart issues mid-run,” Soobin grumbled.

“But—guys! I need your help!” Jungkook pleaded, “Forget about the past, help me with the present situation. I really messed up again. The three paused.

“...Oh no,” Jimin muttered.

Soobin tilted his head. “Did you again mix permanent hair colour in his shampoo?”

“With rainbow color or weird colour like dirty green and sad brown?” Niki added.

Jungkook shook his head as no rapidly.

“Whatever you did..... You’re doomed,” they all said in unison.

“But that’s why I need help!” Jungkook exclaimed. “Please. Let’s go inside. I’ll buy lunch. Or dinner. Or new shoes. Whatever!”

The three friends exchanged looks.

Jimin finally sighed. “Fine. But you owe us so many drinks.”

“And you’re paying for my next massage,” Soobin grunted as he got up with a wince.

“I want a month’s worth of free coffee,” Niki demanded, brushing dirt from her shirt.

Jungkook groaned, but nodded. “Fine, yes. Just—please save me.”

As they walked toward the building together, Professor Jin called out behind them, “Next time, Jungkook, bring popcorn. Your life is prime entertainment!”

And in the distance, across the field, Jungkook could swear he saw a tall figure in a long black coat watching him quietly from the administrative building.

Taehyung.

And he was calm and cold.

Jungkook again remembered what he did when he was in his headspace.

He was definitely going to find a way to melt Taehyung again.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR NEXT CHAPTER:

https://novelreadingislife.blogspot.com/2025/05/chapter-16-professor-kim-victim.html

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