Snow and Ice || 태국

Music room

During lunch, Taehyung held up a registration form. He reminded Jungkook, "Didn't you say that you wanted to join a singing competition with me?"

Jungkook: "...??"

"Stop pretending. I heard you loud and clear the other day—you wanted to play the cello for me. Don't think I don't remember anything because I was tipsy." As he spoke, Taehyung held up his hand, his slender fingers making small twirling motions. The pen between his index and middle finger spun into a blur.

Jungkook got a little dizzy from watching it.

Taehyung said, "So, I'll fill in your name?"

Jungkook believed that Taehyung was subtly hinting at him to do his this favor.

Jungkook ultimately felt a little guilty over duping him recently. Therefore, now that Taehyung had a request to ask, he agreed without gloating. "Go ahead."

After filling in the form, Taehyung asked Jungkook, "When are we practicing?"

"We can take some time for this after lunch. What do you want to sing?"

"I think 'Watch the Moon Rise' which I sang the other day was pretty good."

"No."

"Oh, how about 'Love Confession'?"

"No."

"'Dimples'?"

Jungkook narrowed his eyes at him. "Why do you want to sing 'Dimples'?"

Taehyung felt that Jungkook was being quite strange. "Can't I simply like the song?"

"No."

Taehyung was flabbergasted. "Jungkook, do you even know how to play any of these songs?"

"Their tunes aren't suitable for the cello. Pick something more stirring."

Taehyung waved his hand. "I've finally seen the truth. Turns out that your cello skills aren't that impressive after all. Alright, just pick a song you know. I'm fine with whatever."

Jungkook picked "Wishing We Last Forever".

——

Taehyung booked a small music room located on the second floor of the faculty accommodation.

After lunch, Jungkook took his cello and followed Taehyung to the music room. When they were heading up, Jungkook saw him blink.

"What are you nervous about?" he asked.

"Who's nervous? Nonsense."

"You always blink when you're nervous. You've been like this since young." He uncharitably exposed him.

Taehyung rolled his eyes at him. "Sure, I'm going to be alone with the school god in the same classroom. Can I not be nervous?"

"I'm the one who should be nervous. I'm going to be alone with a rogue in the same classroom."

Taehyung did not fall for the bait. He fished out the key and unlocked the door with a flourish. "Head in."

Jungkook had not played the cello for some time. The dorm rooms were not soundproof and the sleep schedule of university students varied greatly. There was always someone sleeping at any time of the day.

Therefore, he would be a public nuisance no matter when he practiced.

He currently needed to practice a little before he could get back into the flow of playing.

As for how to coordinate with Taehyung... Jungkook did not believe that he could do so at all. Honestly speaking, there was a limit to his skills and he was powerless against Taehyung's impressively out-of-tune singing. It was already a testament to his willpower if he managed to not be led off tune by Taehyung.

While Jungkook practiced, Taehyung sat by the window and looked at him, one of his legs crossed flippantly over the other.

He was good-looking. Jungkook's jet-black brows were paired with a strong nose bridge. His full lips were a healthy, natural pink that made Taehyung thought of cherry blossoms.

His eyes were lowered and his body posture was tranquil. The music flowed from his fingers to the cello strings—solemn, weighted, and restrained. It called to mind a lonely autumn night accompanied solely by the aloof beauty of the moonlight.

Mesmerized by the tune, Taehyung listened with his chin propped on one hand. Jungkook glance up and saw him holding his chin with a silly smile on his face.

Jungkook thought, what an idiot.

The corners of his lips quirked subconsciously.

After he ran through the song once, Taehyung waved him over. "Jungkook, come here."

Jungkook was baffled. "What for?"

"Come here." Taehyung smiled mysteriously and continued beckoning.

Jungkook set down his cello and walked over. Taehyung patted the floor next to him. "Sit."

He sat down beside him.

The two of them sat on the floor with their backs facing the sun. Jungkook looked at their shadows on the floor which leaned closer to each other. In an unusually patient mood, he asked, "What are you up to?"

"Close your eyes, I want to show you something."

He shut his eyes obligingly.

He heard Taehyung rummage for something at the side. Then, Jungkook felt Taehyung grab his hand. With his eyes shut, his sense of touch was heightened. Taehyung's slender fingers circled his wrist, Taehyung's palm tightly pressed against his skin.

Jungkook was a little unaccustomed to the warmth of his hand and reflexively pulled back a little. However, he did not shake him off.

This was until he felt a hard, cool object in his hand.