"Beneath Their Names"_TAEKOOK_ NAMJIN_ YOONMIN.... JackHope...
Chapter 3: The Crowned Ones Arrive
The gates of Haneul University were wide open, sunlight gleaming off their gold trim like a silent fanfare. The first day of college had arrived, and the campus was already buzzing with new energy. Students flooded the pathways, balancing tote bags, coffee cups, and high hopes, as upperclassmen shouted directions to lecture halls and lost freshmen scurried around trying to blend in.
Among the crowd, Taehyung and Jimin stood near the fountain at the entrance plaza—two first-years hoping to remain invisible.
Or at least, Taehyung hoped to.
Jimin, not so much.
Park Jimin
“Okay, okay, don’t freak out,” Jimin said quickly, tugging on Taehyung’s sleeve. “They’re here.”
Kim Taehyung
Taehyung turned, already knowing who “they” meant. His heartbeat quickened.
“Who?” he asked anyway, playing dumb as he adjusted the strap of his beige canvas bag.
Park Jimin
Jimin snorted. “Please. You know exactly who. The Three Princes.”
The moment the words left his mouth, the atmosphere changed—just as it always did when they arrived.
First came Kim Namjoon, tall and calm, his signature navy coat fluttering behind him as if it were part of a royal uniform. His silver-rimmed glasses sat perfectly on the bridge of his nose, and his expression was unreadable—focused, precise, and intimidatingly intelligent.
Beside him, Min Yoongi trailed with his usual slouch, hands buried deep in the pockets of his dark jacket. Earbuds in, hoodie half-up, and a face that looked like he hadn't smiled in weeks. But somehow, he carried a kind of quiet gravity that made everyone look twice.
And in the middle—leading them like a shadowed sun—was Jeon Jungkook.
He walked with the kind of authority that wasn’t learned but inherited. His black varsity jacket, trimmed with deep crimson, clung to his tall frame as his gaze swept lazily over the crowd. Dark eyes. Sharp jaw. Every step purposeful. Every movement silent and powerful.
Park Jimin
“God,” Jimin whispered, practically swooning. “How does someone make walking look expensive?”
Taehyung didn’t answer.
His eyes were locked on Jungkook.
He had seen him before—on the news, in whispered conversations between their family staff, in photos from charity events he wasn’t allowed to attend. The only son of Jeon Iu and Jeon Jong Suk, owners of the largest conglomerate in Asia. Untouchable. Icy. Brilliant. Dangerous.
And here he was, walking into their college campus like he owned it. Which, arguably, he kind of did.
Kim Taehyung
“He looks like a movie character,” Taehyung murmured, his voice barely audible.
Park Jimin
Jimin turned to him with a knowing smirk. “You’re staring again.”
Park Jimin
“You totally are.”
Kim Taehyung
“Shut up,” Taehyung muttered, cheeks turning pink. He looked away quickly. “Besides, I’m not the one drooling every time Min Yoongi breathes.”
Park Jimin
Jimin gasped. “Okay, first of all, I’m admiring him artistically. Like—look at his vibe. That’s a man with trauma. I want to heal him.”
Kim Taehyung
“Or add to it,” Taehyung teased.
Park Jimin
“You’re one to talk,” Jimin shot back, grinning. “You’ve had a crush on Jeon Jungkook since you were what—sixteen?”
Kim Taehyung
“Fifteen,” Taehyung corrected automatically, then winced. “I mean—no, I haven’t.”
Kim Taehyung
Taehyung sighed. “Can we please just get to class without embarrassing ourselves?”
Park Jimin
“Sure,” Jimin shrugged, flipping his hair dramatically. “As long as you don’t faint when Jeon Jungkook breathes near you.”
Taehyung gave him a gentle shove, laughing under his breath.
They made their way slowly through the courtyard, trying not to draw attention, though both of them turned back—just once—to catch one last glimpse of the trio.
Taehyung’s gaze lingered on Jungkook, who had just finished speaking with someone from the basketball team. For a second, their eyes met again.
Or at least, it felt like they did.
But then the moment passed.
Jungkook turned, disappearing into the main hall with the others in tow.
Park Jimin
Jimin looped his arm through Taehyung’s. “College is going to be fun, huh?”
Kim Taehyung
Taehyung nodded, heart still racing. “Yeah. Fun.”
Jungkook, hands in his pockets, walks slightly ahead. His black varsity jacket flutters a bit in the breeze. Namjoon walks with that calm, calculating presence of his, adjusting his glasses. Yoongi trails behind them with headphones around his neck and an unreadable expression on his face.
Kim Namjoon
(glancing at the crowd up ahead)
Looks like the freshmen are already swarming the courtyard. It's louder than usual.
Min Yoongi
(low and unimpressed)
It's always loud. But I guess first day hype is still a thing for kids.
Jeon Jungkook
(calm, a little disinterested)
Let them have their moment. They'll find out soon enough that this place isn’t all glitter and rankings.
Min Yoongi
Says the guy who’s probably on every bulletin board and sports column in this building.
Kim Namjoon
And every club wants him as their "model athlete." Again.
(smirks)
You sure you don’t wanna be student council vice this year?
Jeon Jungkook
No.
(flatly)
I already deal with enough people asking for things.
Min Yoongi
Can confirm. Half of them can’t even look him in the eye.
Kim Namjoon
(chuckling softly)
It’s not your fault you’re terrifying, Jungkook.
Jeon Jungkook
(expression unreadable)
I’m not terrifying. I just don’t like wasting time.
Min Yoongi
Right. That’s totally what you told the guy from the debate club last semester when you shut the door in his face.
Jeon Jungkook
He knocked during practice.
Kim Namjoon
Anyway... new year. New students. New chaos.
(glances at the fountain plaza)
Think anyone interesting showed up this year?
Min Yoongi
Doubt it. Same spoiled kids with different surnames.
Jeon Jungkook
(He pauses briefly, glancing at the crowd just as a pair of wide eyes—soft, curious—meet his from somewhere near the fountain. Jungkook stares a second too long, but then looks away just as fast.)
Min Yoongi
You see someone?
Jeon Jungkook
...No. Let's go. We’re gonna be late.
Kim Namjoon
(teasingly)
Jeon Jungkook? Worried about punctuality?
Jeon Jungkook
I just don’t like wasting time.
(They step forward again, the crowd parting naturally as they pass. The silence around them isn’t fear—it’s awe.)
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