Chapter 2 - Golden Boy

Golden Boy

The headmaster's office was the kind of place that smelled like old money and even older pride. Mahogany shelves, spotless windows, and a wide desk polished so well you could see your reflection and every flaw.

Park Y/n stepped inside, cold and composed. Her shoes made no sound against the marble floor, unlike the loud clack behind her.

Kim Taehyung had arrived.

Dressed in a slightly loosened school uniform with his blazer hanging lazily over his shoulder, he walked like the world owed him something and was too afraid to deny it.

Their eyes met. He smirked.

"Still chasing my tail, Park?" he said, sliding into the leather seat across from her like he owned the room.

Y/n didn't flinch. "One day, I'll cut it off."

"Violent. Cute."

The door shut behind them. Headmaster Jang, a thin, stern man with no tolerance for drama, adjusted his glasses and looked at them like they were twin headaches.

"Let's keep this brief," he said. "Both of your families will be sponsoring the upcoming school charity gala. Naturally, you two will represent the senior class as co-heads."

Y/n blinked. "Excuse me?"

Taehyung leaned back, arms crossed behind his head. "Of course."

The headmaster glanced at Y/n. "Your parents have already agreed. You'll be leading the presentation, handling media inquiries, and planning the student segment together."

Y/n stared at the wall behind him, counting the seconds until she could explode in private.

"That'll be all," Headmaster Jang added before turning back to his paperwork.

Outside the office, Y/n stormed down the hallway, Taehyung keeping pace with his usual infuriating calm.

"Did you know about this?" she hissed.

"I heard something last night," he said with a shrug. "Didn't think it mattered."

"Of course it matters!" she snapped. "Now I'm stuck pretending to get along with you in front of cameras."

He stopped walking, causing her to halt too. For once, he wasn't teasing.

"You think this is fun for me?" he said quietly.

Y/n blinked. "Isn't it?"

Taehyung glanced away. "You don't know a damn thing about me."

Before she could respond, he was already walking off, the playful arrogance returning with every step.

Y/n clenched her fists. "I don't want to."That night, at the Kim family estate, laughter echoed through the dining hall. But none of it came from Taehyung.

He sat across from his parents, untouched food on his plate.

"Taehyung," his father said, "I expect you to make a good impression during the charity gala. Your brother would've handled it perfectly."

A cold silence fell.

Taehyung's mother didn't look up. "At least he wouldn't have been a disappointment."

He stood slowly, pushing back his chair without a word, and left the room.

Outside in the darkened hallway, he stopped by a large framed photo of his older brother Kim Taehyun. Strong. Smiling. Gone.

"You always knew what to say," Taehyung whispered. "I just say the wrong things."

He exhaled, jaw clenched.

Top 1. It was never a trophy. It was a punishment.