As the day dragged on, Jungkook couldn't shake the growing sense of frustration gnawing at him. Whether it was the morning class or the afternoon session, it seemed like no matter how hard he tried, the students just wouldn't take him seriously. Their flirtatious comments and teasing only deepened his doubts, making him question whether he was cut out for teaching after all. By the time he finished his last class, he was thoroughly dejected.

The sun had set, and Seokjin was waiting in the parking lot, leaning casually against Jungkook's car. His familiar smile was a welcome sight. "Hey! You still up for that dinner?" Seokjin asked, giving Jungkook a playful nudge.

Jungkook forced a smile, the fatigue evident in his eyes. "Yeah, I could use a good meal."

"Great! But first, I need to pick up my car from the shop. It's finally been repaired," Seokjin said, his voice carrying its usual lightness. "Mind giving me a lift there?"

"No problem, sunbaenim," Jungkook replied, welcoming the distraction from his troubled thoughts.

They climbed into Jungkook's car, and Seokjin, ever the chatterbox, immediately launched into a lively discussion about everything and nothing—his latest cooking experiments, the students' absurd antics, the latest gossip around the college, and a story about how one student tried to bake a cake in a microwave. Seokjin's banter was like a balm to Jungkook's frazzled nerves. The younger man found himself chuckling along, the tightness in his chest easing with each passing minute.

Once they arrived at the car shop, Seokjin practically beamed as he retrieved his vehicle—a sleek, polished sedan that he couldn't help but admire like it was a prized possession. "Ah, there she is," he said, patting the hood with exaggerated affection. "Isn't she beautiful? Almost as gorgeous as me."

Jungkook laughed, feeling lighter already. "Definitely up there, sunbaenim. She's lucky to have you."

"Damn right she is! But only 'up there'? I guess I need to teach you the art of flattery, Fine Arts instructor Jeon Jungkook," Seokjin teased with a wink.

Jungkook shook his head, smiling. "Maybe I'll learn from the best."

"Now, how about we reward ourselves with some BBQ? My treat." Seokjin suggested, eager to show his appreciation.

Jungkook hesitated, feeling awkward about being treated, but Seokjin insisted. They both got into their respective cars. Soon, they were driving in tandem to a nearby BBQ restaurant.

The mouthwatering aroma of grilling meat greeted them as they stepped inside, settling into a booth. Seokjin immediately took charge of the grill, flipping the meat with practiced ease while Jungkook watched in silence, his earlier worries starting to creep back in.

"So, what's been bothering you?" Seokjin asked, noticing the distant look in Jungkook's eyes. His tone was gentle, cutting through the clatter of the restaurant with ease.

Jungkook hesitated, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his napkin. "I just... I'm starting to wonder if teaching is really for me, sunbaenim."

Seokjin paused, his usually playful demeanor softening into genuine concern. He set down his chopsticks and leaned forward slightly, focusing his full attention on Jungkook. "What do you mean? You're a great teacher, Jungkook. And incredibly talented in art."

Jungkook sighed, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. "But what's the point if nobody listens? It doesn't feel like I'm a great teacher. I'm losing confidence, sunbaenim. No matter what I do, the students won't take me seriously. Every day, it's the same thing—they joke, they flirt, and they don't listen. It's a struggle just to get through a lesson. I'm starting to think... maybe I'm not cut out for this."

Seokjin's brow furrowed as he listened, his heart going out to Jungkook. He could see the exhaustion in his friend's eyes, the toll that constant doubt and insecurity had taken on him. Gently, Seokjin placed some cooked meat onto Jungkook's plate, his expression turning thoughtful as he tried to find the right words to comfort him.

"Jungkook-ah, it's only been a few months. Teaching isn't easy, especially when you're so young and, well, as ridiculously good-looking as you are." He offered a small, teasing smile, hoping to lighten the heavy atmosphere just a bit. "But seriously, you're one of the most dedicated people I know. The fact that you care this much already says a lot about you as a teacher."

"Thank you... But what if it's still not enough?" Jungkook's voice wavered, his doubts spilling over like a dam that had finally broken. "I've tried asserting myself, connecting with them, but it feels like I'm just talking to walls. I really don't know how to get them to respect me and take my lessons seriously. I'm doing everything I can, but it's like nothing I do matters."

Seokjin leaned back, tapping his chin in thought. He could see how deeply this was affecting Jungkook, and it pained him to see his friend struggling like this. "Look, every teacher struggles at first. It's like learning to cook—sometimes your first dish is a disaster, but you don't give up. You just keep trying until you get it right. And you, my friend, are still working on your first dish."

Jungkook couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips at Seokjin's metaphor. "So, you're saying I'm like a burnt pancake right now?"

Seokjin grinned, nodding. "Exactly. But even a burnt pancake can still be saved with the right syrup—or in this case, with the right approach. You're still figuring out your style, your rhythm. You will find your own way to garner the respect you deserve. Give it time, and don't be so hard on yourself. Did you try anything different in your lessons today?"

Jungkook nodded, absentmindedly poking at the meat on his plate. "I tried being more assertive today. I told the students that I'm there to teach, not to be flirted with, and asked them to stop making those kinds of jokes. But I'm not sure it made any difference. They still see me as the young, inexperienced teacher who's easy to push around."

"It might not show right away," Seokjin said, his tone gentle yet firm. "But the fact that you're trying means you're already growing. Progress is slow, but it's still progress. You're not failing at your job, Jungkook. You're just finding your way, and that's perfectly okay. You're doing better than you think."

Jungkook smiled gratefully, the weight of Seokjin's encouraging words helping to lift some burden off his shoulders. "I hope you're right."

"Of course I'm right. I'm Seokjin, after all." He flashed his signature grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Besides, if you quit, who's going to appreciate my jokes? The other Kim would just call me into his office to lecture me for hours."

Jungkook chuckled, feeling a bit lighter from the way Seokjin openly joked about their strict principal. "I guess that's reason enough to keep going."

Seokjin smiled, satisfied that he had managed to lift Jungkook's spirits, even if just a little. As they continued eating, Seokjin kept the conversation light, steering it away from work and focusing on more trivial matters, trying to give Jungkook a much-needed mental break.

After dinner, Seokjin leaned back in his seat, patting his stomach with a groan. "I think I overdid it. Again. Ate too much during lunch, and now this. I'm going to need to stop by the convenience store for some indigestion medicine."

"I saw one outside right at the corner." Jungkook said, feeling a bit better after the meal.

"Let's walk there. The fresh air might help, both of us," Seokjin replied, getting up from the table. He went to pay for the meal, and soon they were stepping outside into the cool night air, walking toward the convenience store together.

"I'll be right back," Seokjin said, pointing toward the store as he headed inside.

Jungkook waited outside, letting the cool night breeze wash over him. The sky had darkened considerably, and a few stars were beginning to peek through the clouds.

However, that sense of peace was abruptly shattered by a sharp voice cutting through the quiet night, drawing Jungkook's attention immediately. It was a man's voice, angry and loud, coming from the small park nearby. The voice sounded disturbingly familiar.

Curiosity and a sense of unease stirred within him. He cautiously moved toward the sound, his heart thudding in his chest. As he approached the park, the scene before him came into view under the flickering light of a streetlamp: Yoongi, his face contorted in anger, was gripping Sora's arm as he scolded her.

"You think I wouldn't notice? The way he's smiling at you—he's obviously flirting! Why did you even give him the chance?" Yoongi's voice was low and dangerous, his jealousy turning into something dark.

Sora flinched, her voice trembling as she tried to explain, her words stumbling over themselves in her fear. "Y-Yoongi, he was just giving me my change back."

"Don't lie!" Yoongi snapped, his grip on her arm tightening painfully as his eyes blazed with fury. "Why would he smile like that? You think you can just talk to anyone? I've told you before, leave the talking to me! If it's a guy at the cashier, just turn around and head out of the store! Why did you even stay and talk to him? You're mine, Sora. Mine!"

Sora's eyes filled with tears as she tried to apologize, her voice barely audible as she choked on her words. "I'm sorry... I-I just wanted to get you something warm to drink... I-I didn't mean to upset you..."

But Yoongi wasn't listening. His anger had consumed him, and his grip on her arm remained tight, causing her to wince in pain. Sora let out a small, desperate plea, her voice breaking under the pressure. "It hurts, Yoongi!... Let go of me, p-please..."

Jungkook's heart raced as he watched the scene unfold, his breath catching in his throat. He couldn't believe he had stumbled into this situation again, two days in a row. But this time, he knew he couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Summoning all his courage, he stepped forward and grabbed Yoongi's wrist, using his strength to pull it away from Sora's arm.

"Didn't you hear her? You're hurting her." Jungkook said, his voice steady despite the tremor of anxiety running through him. His heart raced, adrenaline coursing through his veins, but his resolve was unwavering as he met Yoongi's cold gaze head-on, refusing to back down.

Yoongi's eyes narrowed as he yanked his wrist back from Jungkook's grasp, clearly not pleased with the sudden interruption. "Who the fuck are you?" he spat, stepping closer to Jungkook, his voice seething with anger. "This is between us, none of your business."

Jungkook stood his ground, his pulse quickening but his determination solid. "I'm making it my business. You can't hurt someone else like that."

Sora felt a wave of relief wash over her the moment she saw Jungkook. Unconsciously, she took a small step closer, seeking refuge behind his protective frame. Her entire body trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. The man before her now, with his harsh grip and burning jealousy, was like a stranger, someone she barely recognized.

They come for what started as a perfect date. Yoongi had been kind and attentive, holding Sora's hand with a small smile that made her heart flutter. But the mood shifted abruptly when he stepped out of the restroom and spotted Sora at the counter, accepting change from a male cashier who was smiling at her. Though Yoongi had asked her to wait outside, she had gone into the store and even talked to the cashier. In an instant, jealousy clouded Yoongi's mind. He had grabbed Sora's hand, his grip tight and unyielding, pulling her out of the store and into the nearby park to confront her.

Yoongi sneered, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Jungkook with thinly veiled contempt. "You think you can just step in like some hero? You have no idea what's going on. That girl behind you—she's my fucking girlfriend. Are you trying to steal her away? I'm warning you, fuck off while I'm still asking nicely." His voice dripped with possessiveness, each word a twisted claim of ownership.

Jungkook felt a surge of anger flare up in his chest, but he forced himself to stay composed, knowing the situation required calm rather than confrontation. His voice, though steady, carried the weight of his conviction. "I don't need to know everything to recognize when something is wrong," he said, his gaze locked onto Yoongi's. "You're hurting her, and that's never okay. She isn't something to possess—she's a person, with her own choices and autonomy. She doesn't belong to anyone but herself."

As Jungkook stood between Sora and Yoongi, his words cutting through the tension like a blade, Sora felt a sharp pang in her chest. Jungkook's words, 'She doesn't belong to anyone but herself,' echoed in her mind, reverberating with a painful truth she hadn't fully acknowledged until now.

For so long, she had allowed Yoongi to dictate her every move, his possessiveness wrapping around her like chains. The realization hit her hard—she had fallen so deeply into this controlling relationship that she'd started to forget what it felt like to make her own decisions, to have her own freedom.

She had once believed Yoongi's protectiveness was a sign of love, that his jealousy meant he cared. But now, standing behind Jungkook, trembling and on the verge of tears, Sora began to doubt her belief.

Yoongi's voice snapped Sora out of her daze, jolting her back to the harsh reality before her. "Mind your own damn business," Yoongi hissed, his eyes narrowing at Jungkook as he took another menacing step forward. The space between them seemed to shrink with every breath he took, the air around them heavy with tension. "I'm just trying to talk to my girlfriend. Sora, come here."

His tone was sharp, commanding-so familiar that it sent a shiver down Sora's spine. She had heard that voice so many times before, a voice that left no room for argument, no space for her own thoughts or feelings. But now, standing behind Jungkook, the command didn't seem to hold the same power it once did.

For a fleeting moment, Sora's instinct was to obey, to step forward and fall back into the familiar pattern she had always known. The command in Yoongi's voice was like a chain, pulling her back to him, to the safety of what she had came to accept as her reality. But as Jungkook turned back to look at her, concern etched in his features, something deep inside her stirred—something that refused to let her move.

Sora's feet remained rooted to the ground. Jungkook's gaze, steady and reassuring, was like a lifeline, holding her steady amidst the storm of emotions crashing within her. That simple act of turning to her, acknowledging her, made her realize she didn't have to follow the path she had been forced down for so long.

"Park Sora, I said come here—" Yoongi's voice was sharp with anger, each word like a lash. But before he could finish, Seokjin approached, a small paper bag in hand. His playful demeanor was replaced with a look of mild confusion as he took in the tense scene before him.

"Jungkook-ah, I've been looking for you. What's going on here?" Seokjin's voice was light, almost casual, but there was an undercurrent of concern that Jungkook instantly picked up on.

Jungkook remained silent for a moment, his gaze flicking between Yoongi and Sora. Sora's face was pale, her body trembling as she stood behind Jungkook, trying to shrink away from Yoongi's furious glare.

Seokjin glanced at Sora, his expression softening as he noticed her distress. Then his gaze shifted to Yoongi, narrowing slightly as he sensed the hostility radiating from the man.

"Hey," Seokjin said, stepping closer, his voice calm but firm. "Is there a problem here?"

Yoongi's eyes darted to Seokjin, sizing him up, before returning to Jungkook. "Who's this now? Another one of your white knights, Sora? I was just talking to my girlfriend. I don't see how it's any of your business." His tone was defensive, laced with barely-contained anger.

"It became my business the moment my friend is involved," Seokjin replied, his voice still even. He then looked at Jungkook and added with a hint of a smile, "Besides, this guy here has a black belt in Taekwondo. You really want to take this further?"

Jungkook shot Seokjin a quick, surprised glance, but said nothing. His focus remained on Yoongi. The mention of Jungkook's martial arts background seemed to catch Yoongi off guard, his anger flickering with uncertainty for just a moment.

Yoongi's expression hardened as he took a step back, realizing the situation was slipping from his control. His eyes narrowed, locking onto Sora with a cold, piercing glare. "Park Sora," he spat her name, his voice dripping with bitter disappointment. "I can't believe you're hiding behind these guys instead of standing by me. It breaks my heart to see you there. I thought you loved me. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe you don't love me as much as I love you."

His words were laced with venom, each one carefully crafted to twist the knife deeper into her heart. Yoongi knew exactly how to hurt her, how to make her feel small, guilty, and ashamed. His manipulation was as calculated as it was cruel, playing on her emotions, making her question everything she felt.

Sora's breath hitched as Yoongi's words cut through her like a knife. The tears she had been desperately holding back finally spilled over, cascading down her cheeks as a painful knot tightened in her throat. The emotional turmoil inside her left her feeling defeated, almost ready to apologize, to do anything to mend the shattered pieces of their relationship. But before she could muster the words, Yoongi turned on his heel, his anger still radiating off him as he stalked off into the night. His footsteps echoed eerily in the quiet, growing fainter until they vanished altogether, leaving her there in the cold, her heart aching with a hollow sadness.

Jungkook turned around to see tears streaming down her face. His heart ached for her, but he was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say to comfort her. She stirred a protective instinct within him, but he didn't know how to bridge the gap between them, how to offer solace when the pain she felt was so clearly tied to someone else.

Seokjin, noticing the heavy silence that had settled over them, decided to step in. He wasn't one to let a somber mood linger, and in his typical fashion, he attempted to lighten the atmosphere.

Seokjin began with his tone deliberately upbeat, "I always say that the best way to get rid of a boyfriend like that is with a frying pan. Non-stick, preferably."

But his joke fell flat, the usual sparkle in his eyes dimming as he saw that Sora's sobs didn't lessen. Even Jungkook couldn't muster a smile in response. He frowned slightly, realizing that humor wasn't going to be enough this time.

Seokjin glanced at Jungkook, his expression softening into something more serious. "Maybe we should get her home safely. She needs to rest and... just get away from all this for a bit."

Jungkook nodded, still looking at Sora with concern etched on his face. "Yeah. I'll take her home," he said quietly. He then noticed Seokjin's eyebrows raise with a teasing smile, so he quickly added, "she's actually my student."

Seokjin's eyes widened in genuine surprise, "What? She's your student? What are the odds?"

Jungkook sighed wearily and nodded. Seokjin gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Alright, since she's your student, it's best if you handle this. Take care of yourself and your student, drive safely. I'll see you around tomorrow."

"Thank you, sunbaenim. See you tomorrow." Jungkook waved as he watched Seokjin get into his car and drive away. Turning back to Sora, he opened the passenger door for her and said gently, "Let's get you home."