CHAPTER 41 TO 47 : Phoenix in his arms

 

Chapter Forty-One: The Morning Discovery

Mrs. Kim stretched as she woke up, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. With a yawn, she sat up, already knowing that the kids had probably overslept again. If Taehyung woke up first and found them still lazing around, they’d be in deep trouble.

Determined to prevent another round of punishments, she got up and decided to wake them herself. She first checked the guest rooms where the kids were supposed to be staying, but to her surprise, they were all empty.

She frowned. Where did these brats go?

A thought crossed her mind, and she smiled knowingly. Maybe they all ended up in Kookie’s room.

With quiet steps, she made her way to Jungkook’s room and slowly opened the door. Just as she had suspected, the kids were all piled in there. Niki was curled up on the sofa, and Jimin and Soobin were sprawled across Jungkook’s bed, tangled in blankets like they had fought a war in their sleep.

But something was missing.

Her brows furrowed. “Where’s Kookie?”

At the sound of her voice, the three slowly began stirring, groaning in protest. Jimin rubbed his eyes sleepily. “He went to the devil’s room last night…” he mumbled, still half-asleep.

Soobin stretched. “Yeah… but he never came back.”

Mrs. Kim’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. Oh, really?

She gestured for them to follow her, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Come with me. I have something to show you and will not believe your eyes.”

Curious and still groggy, the kids followed her down the hall. She tiptoed toward Taehyung’s room and slowly pushed the door open, motioning for them to stay quiet.

What they saw inside made their jaws drop.

There, on Taehyung’s bed, was their terrifyingly strict professor—completely wrapped around Jungkook.

Jungkook was snugly nestled against Taehyung’s chest, his face buried in his shoulder. Taehyung’s arm was securely wrapped around Jungkook’s waist, holding him in place as if he belonged there. The sight was so… unbelievable.

Jimin’s eyes were as wide as saucers. “No way.”

Niki’s mouth fell open. “What in the—”

Soobin slapped a hand over his own mouth to keep from making any noise. The Taehyung they knew despised unnecessary physical contact. And yet, here he was, looking the most peaceful they had ever seen him, hugging Jungkook like he was the most precious thing in the world.

Mrs. Kim took out her phone, quickly snapping a few pictures with a smirk. “This… is adorable.”

She turned to the still-stunned kids and grinned. “Believe it or not, this is exactly how we first met Kookie when he was six.”

Jimin finally managed to find his voice. “W-Wait. What?”

Mrs. Kim chuckled and gestured for them to follow her out before they accidentally woke the sleeping duo. Once back in the living room, she pulled out an old album from the shelf and flipped it open.

The kids leaned in, their curiosity piqued.

The first picture she pointed to showed a much younger Taehyung, no older than thirteen, with a tiny six-year-old Jungkook sleeping soundly on his lap. The next was of Taehyung looking mildly annoyed but still holding a sleeping Jungkook protectively in his arms. Then another—this time, Taehyung had fallen asleep, and Jungkook had curled up against him naturally, as if it were second nature.

“There are so many of these,” Mrs. Kim said with a fond sigh. “Taehyung used to hate physical contact. He’d never let anyone—not even us—hug him too much. But with Kookie?” She turned a page, revealing yet another picture of the two boys cuddled together. “He was always different.”

Niki shook her head in disbelief. “And here I thought Taehyung -hyung was a heartless demon.”

Soobin nodded. “Yeah… but apparently, he has a soft spot.”

Jimin chuckled, crossing his arms. “More like a soft brat named Jungkook.”

Mrs. Kim smirked. “Exactly.”

She looked at them with a knowing gaze. “You guys should go back to sleep. If Jungkook went to cancel your punishment, then it’s definitely cancelled.”

The three let out a collective sigh of relief, sending silent thanks to their youngest friend before shuffling back toward their rooms, the morning’s revelation still fresh in their minds.

They all looked back at the hallway leading to Taehyung’s room, their minds still struggling to process what they had just seen.

One thing was certain—their professor was not as cold-hearted as he pretended to be.

 

 

Chapter Forty-Two: Morning Tension

 

The room was quiet, the soft glow of the morning sun slipping through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the two figures nestled in the large bed. Jungkook stirred, a sleepy hum escaping his lips as his body shifted slightly. His eyes fluttered open lazily, still heavy with sleep, but soon, a small, content smile stretched across his lips.

Taehyung was beside him, still asleep.

Jungkook took a deep breath, his gaze tracing the sharp yet delicate features of the man lying next to him. The usual strictness was absent from Taehyung’s face; instead, there was a rare serenity, a calmness that made Jungkook’s heart skip a beat. The morning light danced along his smooth skin, his slightly tousled hair making him look even more breathtaking.

Jungkook couldn’t help but admire him. His fingers twitched with the temptation to reach out and brush the strands of hair from Taehyung’s forehead. His lips parted slightly as he leaned forward, eyes locked onto Taehyung’s soft lips, lost in a daze, completely entranced.

Just as he was about to close the distance, Taehyung’s eyelids fluttered open.

The moment their eyes met, Jungkook froze.

Before he could react, a smirk curled on Taehyung’s lips, and in a swift motion, their positions were reversed. Jungkook gasped as his back hit the mattress, Taehyung’s weight pressing down on him, strong hands pinning his wrists above his head. The air between them turned thick, heavy with unspoken tension as Taehyung loomed over him, his dark eyes locking Jungkook in place.

“You shouldn’t start something you can’t take responsibility for,” Taehyung murmured, his voice deep and husky from sleep.

Jungkook’s entire face turned crimson. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but his brain had officially shut down. His lips moved, but no words came out—just a strangled noise of pure embarrassment.

Taehyung chuckled, clearly amused, before rolling off of him effortlessly. Without another word, he disappeared into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him with an air of finality.

Jungkook groaned, gripping his pillow and violently smacking himself with it. “What the hell was I about to do?!” he whispered harshly, his face buried in the fabric. “Am I insane?! I almost kis—” He stopped, shaking his head aggressively before burying himself deeper into the mattress.

Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Taehyung exhaled slowly, leaning against the counter as he raked a hand through his messy hair. His chest rose and fell with deep, controlled breaths, but the growing problem in his lower half had him gritting his teeth.

“That brat…” he muttered, running a hand down his face.

He stepped under the shower, letting the cold water hit him in an attempt to regain his composure. But the memory of Jungkook's flushed face, his parted lips, and the way he eyes had practically been begging to kiss him lingered in his mind, refusing to be washed away.

Jungkook had no idea what he had almost done.

And worse—he had no idea what effect he had on Taehyung.

After some time, Taehyung stepped out of the bathroom, a towel loosely wrapped around his waist. He ran a hand through his wet hair, water droplets trailing down his toned chest. What he didn’t expect was to still find Jungkook in the room.

Jungkook, who had managed to calm himself down earlier, immediately turned red again. But his eyes were fixed—stuck—on Taehyung’s mouthwatering physique. Sure, he himself had a great body, but damn—Taehyung looked like some model stepping out of a shower commercial and don’t even ask about that v line going inside the loosely tied towel.

Does he always smell this good?

Taehyung smirked as he walked toward his closet, taking his time selecting a suit for the day. His voice was casual, yet laced with amusement when he finally spoke.

“Baby, should I throw the towel as well?”

Jungkook barely processed the words before his brain completely shut down.

That was enough for him to shoot up from the bed, his face burning, and bolt out of the room like his life depended on it. He could still hear Taehyung’s amused chuckle behind him as he ran down the hallway, determined to bury himself somewhere for the rest of the day.

 

 

 

Chapter Forty-Three: Breakfast Antics

The breakfast table was set, the rich aroma of fresh toast, eggs, and coffee filling the dining hall. Unlike Taehyung and the Kim couple, who were already dressed and fully prepared for the day, the four brats—Jungkook, Jimin, Soobin, and Niki—were still in their pajamas. Their hair was a mess, their eyes barely open, and they looked like they had just fought a war in their sleep.

They slumped into their chairs, letting out tired groans as they lazily picked at their food. The exhaustion from the past few days still lingered in their bones, but at least they were free from any morning torture.

Taehyung, sitting across from them, took a slow sip of his coffee, his sharp eyes scanning the table before he finally spoke, his voice calm and collected.

“I’ve decided to dismiss the rest of your punishment.”

A beat of silence followed. The words took a moment to register in their half-asleep minds.

“Wait—WHAT?!” Jimin suddenly shrieked, nearly knocking over his glass of juice.

Soobin gasped dramatically, eyes wide with disbelief. “We’re free?! Just like that?”

Niki, still processing, blinked before throwing her hands up in the air. “Finally! I thought we were going to die young!”

The three cheered, celebrating their unexpected freedom, but amidst their joy, one person remained silent—Jungkook.

While his friends rejoiced, Jungkook seemed lost in his own world, absentmindedly poking at his food instead of reacting.

Taehyung’s sharp gaze flickered toward him, taking in the unusual behavior. He raised an eyebrow. “Are you sad that I canceled your punishment?” he asked, voice laced with amusement.

Jungkook, who had been deep in thought, immediately choked on his toast. He coughed violently, his eyes watering as he reached for his glass of water.

Soobin quickly patted his back while Jimin and Niki giggled beside him. Jungkook, still red-faced, barely managed to nod, his voice coming out weak. “N-No, I’m happy.” But he kept his gaze glued to his plate, refusing to make eye contact.

Mrs. Kim, ever observant, frowned slightly. “kookie, sweetheart, are you feeling unwell? You’re so quiet today.” She tilted her head. “Did Taehyung said something to make you angry?”

Jungkook rapidly shook his head, his entire body stiff. “No! I-It’s nothing!”

Mrs. Kim, watching the exchange, raised an eyebrow and exchanged a knowing glance with his husband who asked. “Are you sure? You’re acting a little… off.”

Taehyung smirked behind his coffee cup before setting it down. Then, with an innocent voice, he said, “Why don’t you tell your momma and dada what I said to you this morning? or what you did this morning?”

Jungkook’s entire world stopped.

His face turned a deep shade of red, his eyes widening in absolute horror.

How could he?!

How could he possibly tell them what happened in the morning?!

He gripped his fork tightly, his voice coming out as a whiny, embarrassed mumble. “Momma… Dada… your son is teasing me…”

Mrs. Kim blinked before breaking into laughter, while Mr. Kim smirked knowingly. Jimin, Soobin, and Niki looked between them, their curiosity growing.

“Oh?” Mrs. Kim smiled playfully. “Now I’m really curious. What exactly happened this morning?”

Jungkook groaned, burying his face in his hands, while Taehyung simply smirked, knowing he had won this round.

Just when Jungkook thought he could escape, his hyung leisurely leaned back in his chair and began, “Well, this morning you little innocent baby kookie a—”

Jungkook didn’t even let him finish. He shot up from his seat, lunging across the table as he slapped a hand over Taehyung’s mouth. His heart pounded in his chest as he practically begged, “Hyung! Don’t! Please! I’ll do anything—just don’t tell them!”

Taehyung’s eyes twinkled with amusement, and after a moment of silent contemplation, he sighed dramatically. “Fine,” he hummed, his smirk only widening. “I won’t say a word. But you owe me.”

Jungkook gulped, knowing that whatever Taehyung had planned wouldn’t be easy. Still, it was better than dying of embarrassment.

Satisfied, Taehyung stood from his seat, stretching lazily. “Well then, don’t be late for university.” With that, he turned on his heel and left, leaving Jungkook to drop back into his chair, groaning in defeat as his friends stared at him with wide, intrigued eyes.

“Oh, we are so getting that story out of you later,” Jimin whispered with a smirk, making Jungkook whine even more.

 

 

 

Chapter Forty-Four: Rooftop Confessions

The rooftop of Phoenix Ridge University was a secluded spot, a perfect place for hushed conversations and well-kept secrets. The wind was gentle, carrying the scent of the freshly bloomed flowers from the gardens below. The sky stretched endlessly above them, yet the weight of anticipation among the four friends made the space feel smaller, more intimate.

Jungkook sat cross-legged, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his blazer as Jimin, Soobin, and Niki sat in front of him, eyes burning with curiosity. They had dragged him here the moment lunch break started, unwilling to risk anyone overhearing in the cafeteria.

“Come on, Kookie, spill it! You can’t just say something like that at breakfast and expect us not to ask,” Jimin whined, nudging Jungkook’s knee.

Soobin nodded. “Yeah, you’ve been keeping something from us, haven’t you? Out with it!”

Niki leaned forward, practically vibrating with excitement. “Is it about Professor hyung? Are you finally admitting you two have something going on?!”

Jungkook sighed deeply, rubbing his face. “I knew bringing this up was a bad idea…”

“Nope! You’re not escaping this,” Jimin grinned. “We’re your best friends! You can trust us.”

Jungkook bit his lip, debating for a moment before finally exhaling. “Fine… but this stays between us, okay? No one else can know.”

The three nodded in unison, serious for once.

Jungkook took a deep breath, his voice quieter than before. “There’s something about me that no one else knows. Not even the professors who were at my house during our punishment. Only our family knows the truth.”

Jimin, Soobin, and Niki exchanged glances, the intrigue growing deeper.

Jungkook stared at the ground as he spoke. “I wasn’t born as Kim Jungkook… I was born Jeon Jungkook.”

The air around them seemed to still, confusion flashing across their faces.

Jungkook continued, his voice steady but filled with emotions. “When Taehyung hyung brought me home, our parents tried to find my real family. After some investigation, they discovered that my parents were killed by some goons. They let me go because I was just six. I had nowhere to go… but Hyung found me.”

Jimin’s face fell, and Soobin clenched his fists. Niki, who usually had a snarky remark ready, was silent for once.

“At first, Momma and Dada wanted to adopt me, but Hyung refused to accept me as his brother,” Jungkook continued, a small smile on his lips. “So they changed my name on documents from Jeon Jungkook to Kim Jungkook and took my custody as distant relatives because no one else was there to take my custody.”

Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head. “Momma and Dada loved me so much… they never wanted to let me go. Neither did Hyung. When I turned fourteen, I realized I was gay, and I was terrified to tell them. But when I did… they cried happy tears instead of rejecting me.”

Jimin gasped softly. “They were happy?”

Jungkook nodded. “Momma and Dada were worried that Hyung would never accept anyone else as his life partner if not me. He never cared about anyone but me, and they feared I wouldn’t feel the same way. But when they found out I liked men, they were relieved because it meant I might actually consider Hyung one day.”

Soobin’s eyes widened. “Wait… are you saying…”

Jungkook nodded, his face turning slightly red. “When I turned eighteen, they asked me if I would marry Taehyung hyung. And honestly? I had no reason to say no. I knew I could never find someone better than him.”

Silence filled the rooftop as his friends processed the shocking revelation.

Jungkook continued, his voice soft, “Hyung never said he wanted me as his partner, but when Momma and Dada asked him… he accepted. A week after my eighteenth birthday, we got married in a private ceremony. Just me, Hyung, Momma, and Dada.”

Niki’s jaw dropped. “YOU’RE MARRIED?!”

Jungkook flinched. “Shhh! Keep it down!”

Jimin covered his mouth in shock, and Soobin looked equally flabbergasted.

Jungkook sighed. “You three are the first people outside of my family to know the truth. Everyone else—including all the professors who stayed at my house during our punishment—think we’re cousins. We decided to keep it a secret because I am too young to get married and can get bullied in university for it.”

A moment of silence passed before Jimin let out a long, dramatic gasp. “Oh. My. God. I need a moment.”

Soobin shook his head, running a hand through his hair. “This is insane. I mean, I knew you two had something going on, but this? This is huge.”

Niki, still in shock, blinked at Jungkook. “Wait, so… does that mean Professor hyung actually likes you? Like, romantically?”

Jungkook turned even redder. “I— I don’t know… I mean, he agreed to marry me, but he never outright said—”

“Oh, please,” Jimin scoffed, cutting him off. “Have you SEEN the way he looks at you? That man is OBSESSED with you.”

Jungkook buried his face in his hands, groaning. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you guys.”

Soobin grinned. “Well, too bad. We know now.”

Niki smirked. “And we’re gonna have SO much fun with this information.”

Jungkook groaned again, already regretting everything.

Jimin leaned in, wiggling his eyebrows. “Sooo… tell us. How is it being married to our scary, hot professor?”

Soobin smirked. “And what exactly happened this morning? You were so red at breakfast. Did something… happen? Like… kissing? Or maybe more?”

Jungkook let out a suffering whimper. This was going to be a long lunch break.

 

 

Chapter Forty-Five: Freshers' Party Plans

After their rooftop conversation, Jungkook and his friends made their way back to the cafeteria. The large hall buzzed with excitement, students chattering animatedly about the upcoming freshers' party. The energy in the air was palpable, and it was clear that everyone was looking forward to the event.

As they settled at their regular table, grabbing whatever light food was left since lunch was nearly over, they overheard bits of conversation from nearby tables.

"Did you find a plus one yet?" one student asked another.

"No, but I have my eye on someone. Hoping they say yes."

"I heard the seniors are going all out this year. It’s going to be huge!"

Before they could comment on it, Kai approached their table, balancing his almost-finished lunch tray. His eyes were bright with excitement as he plopped down beside them.

"Hey guys! Have you heard about the freshers' party? It's in two days, and every student needs a plus one," Kai announced eagerly.

Jungkook exchanged glances with his friends before nodding. "Yeah, we just heard people talking about it."

Kai smiled. "Well, in that case… Jungkook, will you be my plus one?"

Jungkook blinked, caught off guard by the sudden invitation. He gave Kai a small apologetic smile. "Ah, sorry, Kai. In every event like this, Niki has always been my plus one. I’d prefer to keep it the same here too."

Kai's expression faltered for a brief moment before he forced a laugh. "Oh, I see… That makes sense, I guess. No worries."

Jimin and Soobin exchanged knowing looks before Jimin piped up. "Well, I guess that means Soobin and I are going together then."

Soobin smirked. "Looks like it."

Kai’s mood visibly darkened, though he tried to mask it. "Right… well, I should go return my tray. See you guys later."

With that, he stood up abruptly and walked away without another word, leaving an awkward silence in his wake.

Niki leaned back in his seat, raising an eyebrow. "Well, that was dramatic."

Jungkook sighed. "I didn’t mean to upset him, but I wasn’t going to change my decision either."

Jimin nodded in agreement. "You don’t have to explain yourself, Kookie. You made a choice, and that’s that."

Soobin grinned. "Besides, we have better things to focus on—like what we’re going to wear."

Jungkook perked up at that. "Oh yeah, we should go shopping together! What about after lunch? Do you guys have any important lectures ahead?"

The others thought for a moment before Niki shrugged. "Not really. Since our detention is also canceled, we’re free to go."

Jimin nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, let’s go!"

Jungkook smiled but then remembered something. "Wait here, I need to get my card from Hyung."

Soobin tilted his head. "Don’t you have your own?"

Jungkook sighed dramatically. "I do, but my monthly allowance is almost over, and my Hyung keeps my main card. He says I’m too immature to handle my own black card and worries that if I ever get angry at someone, I might hire goons to deal with them using that money."

Niki burst out laughing. "Honestly? That sounds exactly like something you’d do."

Jungkook pouted. "I would not!"

Jimin and Soobin exchanged amused glances before Soobin patted Jungkook’s shoulder. "Go get your card, Kookie. We’ll wait for you."

With that, Jungkook got up and made his way toward Taehyung’s office. His steps were quick, not wanting to keep his friends waiting for too long. However, as soon as he pushed open the door without knocking, his blood boiled at the scene before him.

Excitement and plans for the party were instantly forgotten as his fists clenched at his sides.

 

"HOW DARE YOU ENTER INSIDE WITHOUT ASKING FOR PERMISSION?"

Chapter Forty-Six: Unwanted Intrusion

The sharp voice of Professor Jenny was the first thing Jungkook heard, and when he focused on the scene in front of him, his anger only deepened.

She was wearing a revealing outfit, her cleavage fully exposed as she bent over his hyung. Taehyung, on the other hand, looked both irritated and uncomfortable. His thin white shirt had three buttons undone, revealing his toned chest.

His blazer was lazily draped over the back of his chair, and his sleeves were rolled up. A light sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead and neck, no doubt from the workload he had been dealing with.

Jenny’s hand was on Taehyung’s shirt, dabbing a tissue against a small stain as if she were doing him some great favor. Her other hand rested dangerously close to his shoulder, fingers brushing against the fabric in a way that made Jungkook’s stomach churn.

Taehyung was leaning slightly away from her, visibly trying to keep his distance, but she was persistent.

Jungkook’s eyes darted toward the table. A half-empty cup of coffee sat abandoned, its contents clearly the source of the stain. Next to it, Taehyung’s tie lay discarded, further fueling Jungkook’s rage.

This bitch.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides. He had seen enough.

Before he could even open his mouth, Jenny turned to him sharply, her face twisting into an annoyed scowl.

"What do you think you're doing, barging into a professor’s office like this? There are rules, Kim Jungkook! You can't just waltz in here without knocking!" she snapped, her voice laced with irritation.

Jungkook barely even registered her words, his gaze locked onto Taehyung, who was now rubbing his temple as if he were fighting off a headache.

"Professor Kim," Jungkook called, his voice eerily calm despite the storm brewing inside him.

Taehyung finally looked up, his expression unreadable. "What do you need, Jungkook?" he asked, his voice neutral, but Jungkook didn’t miss the subtle relief in his eyes—relief that he was no longer alone with Jenny.

Jenny scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "He needs to learn some manners, that's what. Honestly, the audacity—"

Jungkook cut her off with a glare so sharp she faltered mid-sentence. "I need to ask something from Professor Kim. Is there something wrong, Professor Jenny?" His voice left no room for argument.

Jenny opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Taehyung spoke. "Miss Jenny, I think that's enough. You should get back to your work," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for protest.

Jenny hesitated, clearly not wanting to leave, but under Taehyung’s hard gaze, she had no choice. Huffing in frustration, she picked up her bag and strutted out of the office, making sure to brush past Jungkook with an air of superiority.

The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Jungkook exhaled sharply, trying to contain his anger. "What the hell was that?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Taehyung sighed, leaning back in his chair. "An unnecessary headache. Do you need something?"

Jungkook crossed his arms, clearly seething but not wanting to lash out at his hyung. "I need my card."

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, sensing Jungkook’s tense mood, but he nodded and reached for his wallet on the desk. He pulled out the black card and held it out.

Jungkook strode forward and took it without another word, his fingers brushing against Taehyung’s for the briefest moment. He turned on his heel and walked straight out of the office, not once looking back.

Taehyung let out a frustrated sigh as he watched Jungkook leave. He could feel the anger radiating off him, and he knew this wasn’t over. Running a hand through his hair, he cursed under his breath.

He needed to fix this before Jungkook did something reckless.

 

 

Chapter Forty-Seven: A Luxurious Detour

Jungkook slid into the backseat of his sleek black car, his jaw still tense from the encounter in Taehyung’s office. Without missing a beat, he signaled his driver.

"Take us to Luxe Lane."

His friends, who had just settled into the seats beside him, practically choked on their own breaths.

"Luxe Lane?" Soobin echoed, wide-eyed. "Jungkook, do you know where you're sending us? We might have to sell our homes just to afford a single outfit there!"

Jimin nodded fervently. "That place is where celebrities and CEOs shop! Even stepping inside feels like a crime against our bank accounts."

Niki, usually the least concerned about money matters, let out a low whistle. "I mean, I’m all for shopping, but isn’t there a place that won’t require us to sell a kidney?"

Jungkook, still brooding over what had happened earlier, rolled his eyes at their dramatics. "Relax, guys. Luxe Lane belongs to our family. You can buy whatever you want. I’ll take care of everything."

His friends gawked at him in disbelief. "What?" Jimin finally spluttered. "What do you mean it belongs to your family? Are you serious right now?"

Jungkook shrugged nonchalantly. "It’s one of the businesses under our name. We own most of the brands there. So, no, you don’t have to worry about the prices. Just pick what you like, and I’ll handle it."

Niki’s mouth fell open. "Damn. And here I thought you just had a fancy black card. Turns out you own the whole damn shopping district."

Soobin crossed his arms, still skeptical. "Are you sure, though? Won’t your hyung get mad at you for spending so much?"

Jungkook scoffed. "Trust me, if hyung gets mad at me for anything today, it won’t be for shopping. Now, just enjoy, okay?"

His friends exchanged glances before nodding in unison, the excitement slowly overriding their disbelief.

The moment they reached Luxe Lane, their reactions were priceless. Niki was the first to jump out of the car, her eyes practically sparkling as she took in the extravagant designer stores lining the streets. Jimin let out an excited gasp, spinning around to take everything in, while Soobin looked almost hesitant to even step forward.

"This feels illegal," Soobin muttered. "Are we really allowed to shop here?"

Jungkook laughed, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "Not only are we allowed, but you’re going to walk out of here with the best outfits possible. So, stop acting like peasants and start picking out what you like."

Jimin practically sprinted toward a high-end boutique, dragging Niki with him. Soobin hesitated for a second longer before finally following, muttering something about how he still couldn’t believe this was happening.

Once inside, they were greeted with a luxurious atmosphere—chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, plush carpets underfoot, and elegant displays of clothing arranged to perfection. The staff immediately recognized Jungkook and greeted him with deep bows before leading them inside to the VIP section, where the newest collections were showcased.

The four of them quickly got lost in the excitement of trying on outfits. Jimin and Niki picked out bold, trendy pieces, while Soobin tried to stick to more sophisticated yet stylish choices. Jungkook, on the other hand, went straight for the most expensive and daring pieces he could find, not caring about the price tag at all.

Hours passed as they piled up bags upon bags of clothes, shoes, and accessories. Jimin picked a tight, glittering black outfit that looked like it belonged on a runway. Niki chose something edgier, while Soobin, after much hesitation, went for a sleek, fitted suit that made him look effortlessly cool. Jungkook, of course, made sure to select only the most extravagant pieces, including a dangerously low-cut shirt that had Jimin wiggling his eyebrows at him.

Just when they thought they had shopped enough, Niki's eyes landed on a store further down the lane. Her lips curled into a mischievous smirk as he pointed at the sign above it.

"Victoria’s Secret?" Jimin read aloud, before turning to Jungkook with a teasing grin. "Oh, we’re definitely going in there."

Jungkook’s face immediately turned red. "Why would we—"

"No excuses!" Soobin cut him off, pushing him toward the entrance. "You said we could buy whatever we wanted, right? Well, we want to see what Victoria’s been keeping secret."

Jungkook groaned, knowing he had no way out of this one. With his friends practically dragging him inside, he could only hope hyung never found out about this part of the shopping trip.

As soon as they stepped in, the overwhelming scent of vanilla and floral perfumes hit them. The store was filled with delicate lace, silky robes, and mannequins dressed in scandalously beautiful lingerie. Jimin immediately grabbed a sheer black bodysuit and held it up.

"Kookie, I think this would look great on you," he teased, winking.

Jungkook groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Can you guys not?"

Niki snickered, running her fingers over a silk robe. "Oh, come on. Hyung might like it. Imagine the look on his face if you wore something like this."

Jungkook turned even redder. "I swear, if you guys keep talking, I’m leaving."

"No, no, stay!" Soobin laughed. "We should at least get something for our freshers' party. It doesn’t have to be lingerie, but accessories wouldn’t hurt."

Jimin, still giggling, picked out a few lace gloves and fancy chokers. Niki, not wanting to be left out, found a silk skirt that looked suspiciously like something out of a romance drama. Jungkook, against his better judgment, ended up grabbing a simple but elegant satin robe that was comfortable yet undeniably luxurious.

While Jungkook was distracted looking at jewelry, Niki, Jimin, and Soobin quickly gathered the most revealing and scandalous pieces they could find. With hushed giggles, they handed the items to a staff member, instructing them to pack the lingerie with Jungkook’s other shopping bags. By the time Jungkook rejoined them, they were all acting suspiciously innocent.

"Find something good?" Jimin asked, barely suppressing a smirk.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow but nodded, completely unaware of what they had just done. "Yeah. Let’s go before you guys come up with more ridiculous ideas."

As they walked out of the store, bags in hand, Jimin threw an arm around Jungkook's shoulder. "You survived, Kookie. But we’ll never forget that blush on your face."

Jungkook sighed, knowing he’d never hear the end of this. But deep down, he had to admit—it had been a fun shopping trip.

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https://novelreadingislife.blogspot.com/2025/03/chapter-forty-eight.html

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