Episode 3: Classmate Rumors

At Haneul Arts University, gossip spread faster than wildfire. A single small event could turn into a full-blown campus sensation by lunchtime.

And today’s latest rumor?

Min Yoongi and Park Jimin had coffee together.

—

Jimin walked into his morning art class, feeling refreshed and happy. He had saved the last bit of his caramel hazelnut macchiato—the one Yoongi bought him yesterday—and was sipping it as he entered the classroom. The rich, sweet flavor made his morning ten times better.

He barely had time to sit down when his best friend, Kim Taehyung, plopped into the seat beside him.

Taehyung grinned. “Good morning, campus prince.”

Jimin frowned. “Huh? What are you talking about?”

Taehyung wiggled his eyebrows. “Oh, you haven’t heard?”

Jimin sighed, already sensing trouble. “Heard what?”

Taehyung leaned closer, lowering his voice. “People are saying Min Yoongi has a soft spot for you.”

Jimin choked on his drink. “What?!”

Taehyung laughed. “Oh yeah. Apparently, the fact that he bought you coffee is a huge deal.”

Jimin groaned, rubbing his temples. “It was an apology coffee! He spilled his drink on me, so he replaced it. That’s all.”

Taehyung smirked. “Mmm… but is it really?”

Jimin glared. “Taehyung.”

“Look,” Taehyung said, throwing his hands up, “I’m just saying—Yoongi doesn’t do things for people. He doesn’t talk to anyone unless it’s necessary. Yet, he bought you coffee and spent time with you?”

Jimin sighed. “You guys are reading too much into this.”

Taehyung grinned. “Maybe. But the entire campus disagrees.”

Jimin groaned and threw a paintbrush at him.

—

Meanwhile, over in the music department, Yoongi was having a very similar morning.

Sitting in the practice room, he was tuning his guitar when Kim Namjoon walked in, looking far too amused.

Yoongi glanced up. “What.”

Namjoon leaned against the piano, arms crossed. “So… I heard something interesting.”

Yoongi sighed. “Let me guess—some dumb rumor?”

Namjoon smirked. “Oh, it’s a great one. Apparently, you have a crush on Park Jimin.”

Yoongi froze mid-tune, fingers hovering over the strings.

Namjoon continued, grinning. “Word is, you’re soft for him.”

Yoongi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Unbelievable.”

Namjoon chuckled. “I mean, it’s kind of your fault. You never do favors for people, yet you bought him coffee. Of course people are going to talk.”

Yoongi rolled his eyes. “I spilled coffee on him. It was basic human decency.”

Namjoon shrugged. “Sure. But to the rest of campus? It’s basically a love story.”

Yoongi groaned, grabbing a pencil and throwing it at him.

—

By the time lunch rolled around, Jimin was tired of hearing about it.

As he walked toward the cafeteria, he could hear whispers and giggles from nearby students.

“Did you hear? Min Yoongi bought him coffee.”

“Do you think they’re secretly dating?”

“I heard Yoongi calls him mochi.”

Jimin groaned loudly, rubbing his temples. “This is getting ridiculous.”

Before he could escape, a familiar voice called his name.

“Mochi.”

Jimin whipped around, eyes widening. “Yoongi?! What are you doing here?”

Yoongi stood near the cafeteria entrance, holding his usual cup of black coffee. He looked mildly annoyed, probably already aware of the rumors.

He raised an eyebrow. “Why do you look surprised?”

Jimin grinned. “Because you’re a hermit. You don’t do cafeterias.”

Yoongi sighed. “Namjoon dragged me here.”

Jimin walked up to him, smirking. “Aww, did you miss me, cat-face human?”

Yoongi stared at him, looking unimpressed. “What did you just call me?”

Jimin giggled. “Cat-face human. You know, because you always look like a grumpy cat.”

Yoongi took a slow sip of his coffee, staring at Jimin like he was reconsidering his life choices.

“I regret buying you that drink.”

Jimin looped his arm around Yoongi’s shoulder, grinning. “Oh, come on, kitty. Don’t be like that.”

Yoongi shrugged him off immediately, sighing. “You’re impossible.”

Jimin laughed. “Relax. But seriously, you might want to clear things up. People actually think we’re dating.”

Yoongi choked on his coffee. “What?!”

Jimin nodded, enjoying this way too much. “Mmm-hmm. Apparently, buying someone coffee is a love confession.”

Yoongi groaned. “I hate people.”

Jimin patted his back. “There, there, kitty. You’ll survive.”

Yoongi shot him a glare. “Call me that one more time—”

Jimin skipped ahead toward the lunch line, waving. “Love you too, kitty~!”

Yoongi sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. “I’m never buying him coffee again.”┐⁠(⁠ ⁠˘⁠_⁠˘⁠)⁠┌

—

byeミ⁠●⁠﹏⁠☉⁠ミ

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