Chapter Text
The alarm’s scream jolted Jin awake. Pain flared in his neck as he lifted his head from the table—he’d fallen asleep again while studying late. He trudged to the mirror and froze: both his reflection and his room were in total disarray.
His tiny room was stuffed with textbooks and plushies, leaving barely any space to move. Staring at himself, he felt like just another average guy—tousled curly hair, dark circles under his eyes. With a sigh, he headed to the dining room. Breakfast waited on the table, but his mother was gone again. Ever since his father died when Jin was one, she’d worked around the clock to give him a good life. He still wondered how she managed to send him to such prestigious schools—and now college. Glancing at his watch, he grabbed his bag and dashed off, determined not to be late.
At college, he slid into an empty seat and opened his book. A subtle buzz ran through the room as Jeon Jungkook entered, trailed by admirers. To everyone else, Jungkook was a prince; to Jin, just a spoiled rich kid who never had to earn anything. He ignored the commotion and kept reading.
The day passed uneventfully until Mr. Han’s class, where a two-person assignment awaited. Jin’s heart sank when he realized his partner was Jungkook. After class, he steeled himself and headed toward Jungkook—only to be intercepted by Ara, Jungkook’s girlfriend and the school’s self-appointed queen bee.
“Where do you think you’re going?” she hissed.
“To talk about the assignment.”
Ara laughed derisively. “You? Talk to Jungkook? Look at yourself. I can’t stand being near you.”
Before Jin could react, she poured a bottle of water over his head. “Now you smell a little better. Don’t bother Jungkook again. Do it yourself and put his name at the bottom.”
Water dripped down his face as he glanced at Jungkook, whose expression was unreadable. Jin bowed his head, managed a silent nod, and fled the room.
Back home, longing for some Mario Kart therapy, Jin opened the door to a shock: an elegant elderly woman seated in his living room. She rose and wrapped him in a warm hug. “My sweet grandson,” she gushed, “I’m so happy to see you again. You’ll be the perfect heir to our multinational company!”