Sunlight coming through the big windows of Taehyung's Kim mansion, lighting up his dressing room. He stood in front of the mirror, buttoning his shirt quietly. Next to him, a row of watches lay neatly on the shelf. He looked at them for a moment, thinking carefully before picking one. Today was an important day.
His secretary, Choi Yeonjun, stood silently by the doorway, watching as Taehyung finally picked a classic black-faced watch with a silver strap.
"Today is the press conference," Yeonjun reminded him, his tone calm but cautious. "Are you ready?"
Taehyung nodded, his voice steady. "Yes, I am always ready."
Yeonjun hesitated before speaking again. "Are you sure… the things that happened in the past won't repeat?"
There was a beat of silence. Taehyung's fingers briefly froze on the clasp of his watch.
"It might," he admitted, locking eyes with Yeonjun in the mirror. "But we can't just sit back and let that person roam free. We still don't know who they are and what they want."
Yeonjun exhaled, .
"As you say. So I'll go and check all the arrangements for the press conference are done or not."
Taehyung with a calm nod
"Hmm… sure."
Taehyung walked over to the couch and sank into it, his eyes drifting up to the ceiling.
He raised one hand lazily in the air, then turned his wrist to glance at his watch.
"Still some time left," he murmured, his voice calm and distant.
Taehyung let out a quiet sigh and pushed himself off the couch. The room felt too still.
He wandered over to the window, parting the curtain with two fingers.
Rain was falling — gentle at first, then picking up, streaking the glass in slow, uneven lines.
He watched it for a moment, then. a faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Rain"
He muttered almost to himself.
[FLASHBACK – University Days, Around 6 PM)
The campus library was quieter than usual as Taehyung packed his notes into his bag. The sky outside had already turned a pale gray, hinting at rain. He stepped out of the library just as the first droplets began to fall.
He paused at the entrance, staring up at the sky with a dry chuckle.
"Wow… rain, seriously?"
He glanced around the empty courtyard.
"Yeonjun's already gone," he muttered. "And also… I can't see my driver anywhere."
His hand patted his coat pocket, then fell uselessly to his side.
"No umbrella either. Just perfect," he sighed, his gaze lingering on the rain that quickly began to pour down.
"I really hate rain," he muttered under his breath. "I don't even have my tablets with me now. If I get wet, I'll end up fainting for sure."
His phone buzzed.
It was Yeonjun. His voice came through, laced with tension.
"Where are you, Taehyung? Are you okay? It's raining! You don't have your tablets, do you? Wait, I'm at home now. I'll come there."
Taehyung let out a soft sigh, rolling his eyes but with a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"I'm fine, Yeonjun. Just get here when you can. I'll wait here."
From behind, a familiar voice chimed in with pride.
"Thank God I brought my umbrella. I'm so smart," Sooyaa said, holding it up like a trophy.
Taehyung turned his head, surprised. "Sooyaa? What are you doing in the library?"
She gave him a playful look. "Dancing there, "
Taehyung raised a brow, amused.
She grinned. "I was studying, duh. I was in a different section — the library's huge, you know. Didn't even notice you."
"Hmm… makes sense," he nodded.
Sooyaa glanced at the time. "Anyway, I should get going bye."
"Wait," Taehyung said, adjusting his bag. "Can you drop me off at the gate? Just till there."
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. Come on."
They stepped under the umbrella together. As they started walking, Sooyaa handed it to him. "You hold it. You're taller."
"Okay," he said simply, taking it.
But as they walked, taehyung titled the umbrella slightly toward her. Taehyung didn't even notice his shoulder was getting wet, yet he didn't move it.
He had forgotten how much he hated geting wet in the rain.
Sooyaa kept talking — light, cheerful, random little things. And Taehyung? He just listened quietly, his eyes occasionally drifting to her as the rain fell softly around them.
Mesmerized by her presence more than anything else.
As they reached neared the campus gate, a loud voice cut through the fading rain.
"Taehyung! I'm here—come on!"
Yeonjun had pulled up in his car, waving dramatically from the window.
Taehyung sighed under his breath. "Why does he always have to embarrass me like this…"
Just then, the rain stopped. The air stilled, and puddles shimmered under the streetlights. But Taehyung was still holding the umbrella above them.
Sooyaa glanced up. "Uh… the rain's stopped, ."
Taehyung blinked, as if snapping out of a trance. "Ah—yeah. Right." He closed the umbrella slowly. And says out of nowhere "Should we drop you?"
Sooyaa smiled, shaking her head. "No, I can manage. Thanks."
She gave him a casual wave and walked off her footsteps soft on the damp path.
Taehyung got into the car. Yeonjun looked at him and frowned.
"You're shoulders are wet," yeonjun said, reaching into the medical box. "Here—take your tablets, or you'll faint again."
Taehyung touched his shoulder, surprised. "Am I? Huh… didn't even realize." He chuckled faintly. "I didn't take any tablets… and I'm still standing."
Yeonjun stared at him for a second, then broke into a grin.
He didn't say anything right away, but his eyes softened with quiet joy.
For the first time in years… Taehyung hadn't flinched at the rain.
"I think… taehyung you finally overcome your childhood trauma."
Just then, his phone buzzed, pulling him (back to the present.)
Taehyung glanced at the screen — it was Yeonjun.
He answered.
"Taehyung, everything's ready.
The press conference will start after an hour? Where are you?"
Taehyung, adjusting his coat.
"I'm on the way."
END OF CHAPTER.
Author's Thought:
Flashbacks sometimes bring back more than just memories. they bring hidden joy too.
Taehyung once had a deep-rooted trauma of rain… but that day, with Sooyaa, he didn't even realize he was getting wet.
What changed? Maybe it was her presence...
But the reason behind his trauma of rain still remains a mystery.
And also who was the person Taehyung and Yeonjun were talking about?
who is the mysterious person they talking about?
The answer? Still hidden but not for
long.
To uncover the truth, stay tuned for the upcoming chapters.
And if you're enjoying the journey, don't forget to save it to your library.
^_^