04

10 Years Later

One night, Taehyung's car breaks down unexpectedly. Stranded and unable to reach help because his phone isn't working, he begins to panic. Just as he starts losing hope, another car pulls up beside him. A kind man, Park Bo-gum, offers him a ride.

As they drive, they talk casually, getting to know each other a bit.

Tae: "Thank you so much for the lift, Mr..."

Bo-gum: "Park. Park Bo-gum."

Tae: "Thank you, Mr. Park. I'm Kim Taehyung."

Bo-gum: "It's a very beautiful name, just like you, Taehyung. Nice to meet you."

Tae (smiling): "Nice to meet you too. Thank you again."

Bo-gum (smiling back): "It's nothing. This is just what I do."

As they part ways, Taehyung begins to leave.

Tae: "I should go now. Bye."

Bo-gum (to himself, darkly): "Goodbye. Finally, I found you... Princess."

Author's Perspective:

As Taehyung walks away from the scene, a sudden and eerie shift occurs. The air grows heavier, and the stillness of the night is broken by a strange, dark energy. Mysterious black smoke begins to swirl around Bo-gum's car, rising from the ground like a shadowy cloud. The smoke moves with an almost sentient purpose, gathering closer and closer to the vehicle. It coils and slithers, darkening the air, and making the car shake violently.

Bo-gum, startled by the unnatural force, grips the steering wheel tightly, his heart racing. He tries to calm himself, but the strange sensation makes him uneasy, as though something is watching him. The smoke continues to grow thicker, swirling in a menacing dance around the car. His hands tremble as he starts the engine, quickly pulling away from the spot, his instincts telling him to leave before things get worse. He feels an ominous presence—something unnatural, something dark.

As the car accelerates, the smoke begins to take a more tangible form. It rises like a towering shadow, now with a clear direction: it is following him. But then, suddenly, a voice emerges from the dark smoke, low and haunting, speaking directly to Bo-gum as though it knows him.

The voice sneers, filled with malicious intent: "No one else can reach him but us. He belongs to us. You have no place in his world. He is ours, and only ours. You will never have him."

The shadow seems to take on an even darker hue, swirling more aggressively, as if trying to get closer to Taehyung, to claim him. The voice continues, now with a smirk, cold and mocking: "You may try, but you will never take him from us. He is ours. Only ours."

Bo-gum feels a cold shiver run down his spine, his thoughts becoming clouded with confusion. What does this mean? Who is the voice? And why is it so fixated on Taehyung? It feels as if the dark presence is more than just a force—it's a threat.

The smoke dissipates as quickly as it came, but the chill in the air lingers. Bo-gum's breath catches in his throat as he speeds off into the night, trying to shake off the strange encounter, but the words echo in his mind, lingering like a curse. The darkness is real, and Taehyung is somehow at the center of it.

At the Party

A lively hum of conversation and music fills the air, but Jimin stands off to the side, his face clouded with worry as he watches the door. Kai, noticing his friend's downcast expression, approaches him and places a hand on his shoulder.

Kai: "Hey, what's wrong, Jimin?" His tone is light, but there's genuine concern in his eyes.

Jimin sighs heavily, glancing around at their friends who all seem to share the same worry. Seo-Joon steps up beside them, his brows knitted in a frown.

Seo-Joon (frowning): "It's not just him, Kai. We're all worried. Taehyung still hasn't shown up." His voice is tense, and his gaze flickers toward the entrance anxiously. "Mr. Kim Namjoon is probably getting concerned too."

Kai raises an eyebrow, his expression more relaxed. He pulls out his phone and glances at the screen as if expecting a message from Taehyung.

Kai (casually): "Did you guys try calling him?"

Seo-Joon lets out a small, frustrated sigh, crossing his arms.

Seo-Joon: "Of course we did, but his phone isn't working. We've been trying for the past hour." There's a hint of irritation in his voice, and he exchanges a look with Jimin.

Kai (shrugging): "He's probably just delayed or his phone battery died. It's not the first time that's happened." Kai's voice is calm, his carefree attitude contrasting sharply with the worry on his friends' faces. "No need to worry so much."

Jimin (frustrated): "Kai, this isn't like Taehyung. We've been standing here worried sick, and you're just acting so casual about it!" His voice is tinged with irritation, his eyes narrowing as he looks at Kai.

Kai raises his hands in defense, his expression softening as he sees how truly worried they are. "I get it, I get it. But Tae can take care of himself. He's probably on his way, or maybe he just got a bit held up."

Seo-Joon sighs, glancing at Jimin and then back at Kai. "I know he's capable, but Taehyung wouldn't just forget to show up." His voice reflects a lingering worry, though he tries to keep it light.

The three of them stand there in silence for a moment, each lost in their thoughts and worries. Jimin looks back at the door again, his face still lined with concern.

Just as he's about to say something else, the door opens—and in walks Taehyung, looking effortlessly composed, with a slight smile on his lips as he glances around. His presence instantly shifts the mood, a quiet confidence in his stride. His friends' faces light up as they realize he's finally arrived.

Taehyung’s Look & Explanation

Taehyung is dressed casually, but even in simple clothes, he exudes an undeniable elegance. His hair is perfectly styled, and his eyes shine with a mysterious glint. The soft light in the room seems to highlight the sharpness of his features, his high cheekbones and soft jawline adding to the ethereal aura he carries.

As soon as his friends notice him, they immediately ask, "Where have you been, Taehyung? And why didn't you reach out to us?"

Tae (explaining): "My car broke down on the way here, so I had to hitch a ride to get here." His tone is casual, almost as if the incident wasn't a big deal, but his friends feel otherwise.

Jimin (scolding): "Tae, you should have called us. We were all so worried! What if something had happened to you?"

Tae (smiling): "I'm fine, Jimin. There's no need to get worked up over something as small as a car problem."

Seo-Joon breathes a sigh of relief. "Now that you're here, let's just forget about it and enjoy the party."

Kai grins. "Exactly! Now that you're here, it's going to be a great night!"

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