The basketball court buzzed with energy, filled with the sound of cheers, conversations, and the occasional screech of sneakers against polished wood. The stands were packed with students holding colorful banners and posters, some emblazoned with the names of their favorite players, others featuring bold encouragements like "Go Team!" or "Victory is Ours!" The anticipation was palpable as the players warmed up on the court, some practicing shots while others stretched and jogged to loosen up.
In the crowd, Taehyung and Jimin had found seats near the center, offering a perfect view of the action. Jimin, dressed in a simple white t-shirt with blue stripes and skin-toned knee-length shorts, sat with his arms crossed, his lips slightly pursed in discontent. Beside him, Taehyung looked completely at ease, his brown t-shirt with black stripes and matching brown formal pants giving him a polished yet casual appearance.
Jimin leaned toward Taehyung, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "You're not lying to me, right? This isn't some elaborate trick to prove me wrong just because I teased you?"
Taehyung chuckled softly, shaking his head as he followed Jimin's gaze toward the court. Gyungho stood there in a white jersey, talking animatedly with his ever-present shadows, Siwoo and Yejoon.
"I swear, Mimi," Taehyung said with a small, reassuring smile. "I don't like him anymore."
Jimin raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, but before he could say more, Taehyung added, "It's over. Completely."
On the court, Yejoon nudged Gyungho, tilting his head toward the crowd. "Isn't that Taehyung?" he said with a smirk. "I knew it. He couldn't keep up that act for long."
Siwoo joined in, his voice laced with mockery. "Look at him, brother. He came to cheer you on, just like old times."
Gyungho's lips curled into a smug smirk as his eyes landed on Taehyung. "Of course he did," he said confidently, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "By the end of the game, I bet he'll come running over to hand me a water bottle."
Meanwhile, in the stands, Jimin leaned closer to Taehyung, his expression softening slightly as he glanced at Gyungho. "It's good that you stopped chasing him," he said, his voice serious. "He was the worst, Tae. Always standing by and watching while his little minions bullied you."
Taehyung nodded, his tone firm. "Don't worry, Mimi. I won't be stupid like that again."
Just then, the court erupted with activity as the players started lining up for their team introductions. Amid the hustle, Taehyung spotted Jungkook on the court. He waved enthusiastically, his face lighting up with a warm smile.
Jungkook, already radiating energy, looked over and immediately broke into a huge bunny grin. His face brightened even more as he waved back at Taehyung, his joy evident and uncontainable.
From across the court, Gyungho's smirk faltered. His gaze followed the silent exchange between Taehyung and Jungkook, and his previously smug demeanor gave way to something sharper, more annoyed. His brows furrowed slightly as he watched Jungkook bask in Taehyung's attention.
Siwoo, noticing Gyungho's shift in expression, glanced in the same direction. "Wait... are they close?" he murmured, half to himself.
Yejoon squinted at the interaction, then scoffed. "Did he actually move on... to Jungkook?"
Siwoo shot him a sharp look, his expression stern. "Yejoon," he said in a low, warning tone. "Cut it out. You're overstepping."
Yejoon opened his mouth to retort but quickly thought better of it, falling silent under Siwoo's glare. Gyungho, however, didn't join their hushed bickering. His jaw was clenched, his eyes fixed on Jungkook with an intensity that spoke volumes. He didn't say a word, but the tension radiating from him was unmistakable.
On the court, Jungkook, oblivious to the scornful glances being cast his way, was too focused on the sight of Taehyung smiling and waving at him. His expression softened into a pure and radiant bunny smile, his hand raised to wave back enthusiastically. The simplicity of the moment seemed to brighten his entire demeanor.
That's when Mingyu and Yugyeom sidled up to him with teasing grins plastered on their faces. Mingyu nudged Jungkook with his elbow, while Yugyeom leaned closer, barely suppressing his laughter.
Mingyu smirked, his voice playful yet pointed. "Ah, so this is why our dear Jungkookie has been in such a good mood today."
Yugyeom chimed in, his grin widening as he gestured subtly toward the stands where Taehyung sat. "Turns out the secret to your excitement is your precious sweetheart cheering you on."
Jungkook rolled his eyes, though the unmistakable smile on his face betrayed how unbothered he truly was. "Get lost, both of you," he said, his voice tinged with mock annoyance.
But neither Mingyu nor Yugyeom was deterred. Mingyu leaned in closer, his tone dripping with exaggerated sympathy. "No need to be shy, Jungkook. You've been caught red-handed. Just admit itâour superstar's got himself a special fan."
Yugyeom added with a chuckle, "Special fan? More like his personal cheerleader. Look at that smile on his face!"
Jungkook finally turned to face them, shaking his head in exasperation but unable to wipe the grin off his lips. "You two are insufferable," he muttered, swatting playfully at Yugyeom before turning his attention back toward the stands.
The teasing didn't bother him one bit. In fact, it only added to his good mood. After all, he couldn't deny itâseeing Taehyung there, cheering for him, made everything else fade into the background.
The basketball court erupted into cheers as the players from both teams took their positions on the court. The referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the game. Jungkook, the captain of his team, stood confidently at the center, his sharp gaze fixed on the ball. Across from him, Gyungho, the opposing captain, wore a similar expression of determinationâbut his eyes kept wandering toward the stands, where Taehyung sat.
Taehyung's cheerful smile, directed entirely at Jungkook, was like a constant, nagging distraction for Gyungho. Every time the crowd roared or Taehyung clapped, Gyungho's focus wavered. He watched in irritation as Jungkook responded to Taehyung's cheers with his signature bunny smile, which only seemed to make Taehyung cheer louder.
"Gyungho! Snap out of it!" Siwoo barked as the ball slipped past Gyungho's grasp and landed in Jungkook's hands. Jungkook, wasting no time, weaved skillfully through the defenders and scored the first basket, earning a wave of applause from the crowd and an even louder cheer from Taehyung.
Siwoo jogged up to Gyungho during a brief pause, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Brother, don't let this get to you. Focus."
The game resumed, and while Gyungho tried to shake off the distraction, his performance remained uneven. Jungkook, on the other hand, was unstoppable. He darted across the court with an effortless grace, scoring baskets and setting up plays for his teammates with precision. His focus was unwavering, fueled by the constant cheers from Taehyung.
As the final minutes ticked away, the intensity of the game reached its peak. Gyungho's team fought hard to close the gap, but Jungkook's team maintained their lead. The score was neck and neck, with Jungkook's team ahead by just three points.
In the last thirty seconds, Jungkook seized an opportunity. Dribbling past two defenders, he leaped for a three-point shot. The ball soared through the air, and the crowd held their breath. It sank perfectly into the hoop, sealing the game with a six-point lead.
The buzzer blared, marking the end of the match. Jungkook's team erupted into celebration, the players crowding around him in excitement. Jungkook, ever the composed leader, exchanged handshakes and congratulatory pats with his teammates, though his gaze flickered toward the stands.