Chapter 3

Later That Day – Second Lecture: Professor Kim Taehyung's Class

The energy in the room shifted before he even entered.

Students sat upright, nervous hands fidgeting with pens and papers. Everyone knew when Professor Kim Taehyung was scheduled to teach — and they knew better than to test his patience.

The door opened with a soft click, and in walked Taehyung. Tall, composed, and dressed in a sharp black suit, his expression unreadable but heavy with a storm behind his eyes.

Y/N felt her stomach twist. She could tell something was off. His jaw was tense, brows slightly furrowed. He hadn't even spared the class his usual cold "Good morning." That was a warning sign in itself.

He placed a stack of test reports on the desk with a firm thud.

"The results were unacceptable," he began, voice low but filled with quiet rage. "Only 70% of you passed. That means 30% failed. If you're one of them, you should seriously reconsider your priorities."

His sharp eyes scanned the room like a hawk.

Y/N felt her heart thump wildly. Please don't say my name. Please don't—

"Kim Y/N."

Her name rang through the silence like a slap. Heads turned toward her.

Y/N froze. "Y-Yes, Professor?"

His eyes narrowed on her. Cold. Disappointed. "You failed. Again. How many chances do you expect me to give you before I treat you like everyone else?"

Y/N's lips parted, but she couldn't form words. Her chest tightened. She couldn't even look up.

Kate placed a hand on hers under the desk, but Y/N didn't respond. The sting of his words hurt more than she expected — and she didn't understand why.

Just then, the silence was broken by a too-sweet voice.

"But Professor Kim... maybe she was just distracted?" Lia said, standing up from her seat with a flirtatious smile. She flipped her hair and slowly walked toward the front. "I mean, not all of us can be as smart as you."

The whole class held its breath.

Taehyung slowly looked up from the papers, gaze icy and expression unreadable. "Miss Lia, was that your idea of helpful input or just another failed attempt to flirt with your professor?"

The room went dead silent. Lia's face froze.

"I don't care who you think you are, or what you think your charm can accomplish," he continued, voice like a blade. "This is a university. Not your personal dating pool."

Y/N blinked, surprised by how harsh he was even with Lia. She didn't know why, but a strange feeling twisted in her chest — like she was both relieved and... affected.

Taehyung didn't stop there. "If you spent half as much time studying as you do trying to gain my attention, maybe your grade wouldn't be sitting at the bottom of this pile."

Lia, embarrassed and fuming, returned to her seat without another word.

Taehyung exhaled sharply, clearly trying to contain his temper. His eyes flicked back to Y/N — briefly, just for a second. Something soft was there, just for a flicker, before it disappeared again behind his mask.

"Class is dismissed for today. Those who failed, see me in my office by 4 PM. No excuses."

As he left the room, his long coat trailing behind him, Y/N's heart pounded.

She didn't understand why his disappointment hurt more than the bad grade itself.

And she definitely didn't understand the warm ache in her chest when he scolded Lia.

4:00 PM – Professor Kim Taehyung's Office

The hallway outside Taehyung's office was dead silent.

A group of students stood anxiously in front of the large wooden door, barely able to breathe. No one dared to speak. The fear was real. Everyone had heard the rumors — that Professor Kim was a devil when it came to discipline. He didn't believe in warnings. Only consequences.

Y/N stood among them, fingers trembling, clutching her notebook to her chest. Her heart was pounding against her ribs like a drum. She could barely swallow.

Why didn't I study? Why did I stay up watching that drama? she cursed herself quietly.

The door creaked open.

Taehyung stood there, sleeves rolled up, eyes bloodshot from a long day — his expression ice-cold. In one hand, he held a thin wooden cane. His gaze swept over the students like fire.

"Inside. Now."

They moved quickly, lining up in front of his desk like soldiers awaiting judgment.

"Stand straight," he snapped. "Hands behind your backs. Eyes forward."

No one dared move. Even the usually loud-mouthed guy in class was trembling.

Taehyung slowly walked in front of the line, cane tapping lightly against his palm with each step. His voice was dangerously calm. "You think this is a joke? Failing after being given everything? My lectures, the notes, reviews — and this is how you thank me?"

He stopped in front of Y/N. She could feel the heat of his presence, though he hadn't even looked directly at her yet. Her hands were shaking behind her back. Her lips trembled slightly. Her head lowered instinctively, afraid he'd see the guilt on her face.

Taehyung's gaze lingered on her. His chest tightened — She's scared. And not just of the punishment. Of him.

He gritted his teeth, looking away.

"You," he pointed to the first student. "Step forward."

One by one, he scolded and punished them.

HIT!! HIT!! HIT!! HIT!!

The cane would slam against the shoulders or the thighs causing burn of hit , just enough to send a shock through their spines. He used fear as his weapon — and it worked.

Y/N watched every punishment, heart sinking deeper.

When it was finally her turn, she stepped forward, legs stiff. Taehyung's eyes met hers for the first time up close. Her big, tear-filled eyes stared at him. Her lip quivered.

He didn't say anything at first. The room was silent.

Then slowly, his fingers tightened around the cane — but he didn't raise it.

"You too?" he said quietly, almost bitterly. "You, out of all people?"

"I... I'm sorry, op..i .mean..pro..Professor..—" Y/N blurted, before realizing what she'd said.

Gasps filled the room. A few students blinked in confusion.

Taehyung's eyes narrowed. "Everyone, out."

No one questioned him. The room emptied in seconds.

Once it was just the two of them, he walked toward her, his expression still unreadable.

"You called me oppa here," he said quietly.

Y/N's face flushed. "I-I didn't mean to... it just slipped—"

"You think this is a game, Y/N?" His voice cracked slightly, filled with frustration. "You failed. You lied. You think I scold these kids because I enjoy it? I'm hard on them because no one was hard on us when we needed it."

Tears welled in her eyes. "I didn't mean to disappoint you... I just..."

Taehyung stared at her for a long moment, then placed the cane on the desk and looked away, voice tired. "You think it doesn't break me seeing you scared of me?"

Y/N's lips parted slightly, stunned.

He ran a hand through his hair, suddenly looking much older, much more exhausted.

"You're dismissed," he finally said, without turning back.

But as she reached the door, he added softly, "Don't make me choose between being your brother... or your professor. Because if you keep failing, I won't go easy next time. Understood?"

She nodded quickly, wiping her tears.

"Yes, Professor Kim."

And with that, she left — shaken, confused, but with a heart aching in a way she didn't quite understand.

Author:

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