When class resumed, everyone kept talking about the win.
"OMG we have seven toppers in ONE class!"
"Imagine the group photo!"
The five boys sat together in the second boys' row — Jungkook, Taesung, Minjae, Ryo, and Sungmin.
They were laughing, pushing shoulders, discussing which frame would look best in the school magazine.
You were quietly eating the last bites of your lunch.
Your girl group was busy watching reels on someone's phone.
Suddenly, from outside the class, you heard your name.
"Y/n!"
You looked up. Jungkook was at the door, peeking inside.
The teacher had called all seven winners for the group photo, and the boys had already left. But you were still at your desk.
Jungkook spoke again, louder this time, voice a little impatient:
"Y/n! Come!"
Suzi rushed inside, panting.
"Y/n, ma'am is calling us! Come fast!"
You wiped your hands and stood up, grabbing your water bottle.
"I'm coming," you said softly.
Suzi nodded and ran back.
But Jungkook didn't leave.
He walked inside, came halfway to your desk, and called again:
"Please come. Ma'am is waiting."
You blinked at him.
This was the first time he had used "please" with you.
And the way he said your name… like he knew you would listen.
Your friends stared at him like he was a celebrity who just entered the room.
You tied your hair quickly and followed him.
He didn't walk ahead like he usually did.
He waited until you reached the door, then walked beside you.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just enough that you could feel his presence.
The Corridor Walk
The corridor felt longer than usual.
Jungkook was quiet, unusually quiet.
He kept glancing at you from the corner of his eye, checking if you were actually coming or planning to turn back.
When you fixed your hair, he slowed down a little.
"You should come fast," he murmured.
You replied, "I'm here only."
He hummed softly.
You could tell he was nervous — not for himself, but because ma'am had sent him specifically to bring you.
He didn't want to mess it up.
The Photo Arrangements
All seven of you reached the ground floor where the photos were taken.
The boys were already lined up on the right side, chatting loudly like they were the stars of the show.
The girls — just you and Suzi — stood awkwardly on the far left.
You were on the extreme left corner.
Ma'am looked at the arrangement and frowned.
"No, no. You two girls should stand in the middle. Come forward from the front."
So you walked around and came from the front of the group.
As you moved, you crossed in front of the boys' row.
And for exactly two seconds — you locked eyes with Jungkook.
It was an unexpected moment.
He didn't look away.
You didn't either.
His eyes scanned your face quickly — as if making sure you were okay before standing in the center.
Then you broke the eye contact and moved to your position.
Standing Between the Boys
Now the formation was:
Boy – Y/n – Suzi – Boy – Boy – Boy – Boy
You were standing right between Minjae and Taesung.
Minjae stood directly at your left.
And he kept staring.
Not in a creepy way…
but in a very obvious "trying to understand you" way.
Jungkook noticed.
He didn't say anything.
He didn't make a face.
But his jaw tightened a little.
He kept his eyes forward, but you could tell from the slight shift in his expression that he didn't like it.
The Photo Moment
The photographer said:
"Smile!"
Everyone smiled.
You smiled too, but your smile turned into a laugh when Suzi whispered something silly just before the click.
The boys on your right also burst out laughing.
And among those laughs, Jungkook's eyes flicked toward you again.
Just for one heartbeat.
He noticed your laugh.
He noticed how different you looked when you were relaxed.
Then the camera flashed.
After the Photo
Everyone began to disperse.
You adjusted your hair, laughing with the girls, feeling slightly flustered.
You didn't know why —
maybe because you were standing between boys for the first time,
or maybe because of that 2-second eye contact with Jungkook.
While walking back to the class, Suzi whispered:
"Y/n, did you see how Jungkook came to call you? He literally said your name like three times."
You shrugged.
"He was just doing what ma'am told."
But Suzi raised an eyebrow.
"Then why did he come himself the second time? He could've just shouted from outside."
You had no answer.
You glanced forward and saw Jungkook walking ahead with his group.
He didn't turn back.
But his shoulders seemed less tense now.
Like he was relieved you had come on time.
In the Classroom Again
When you reached the class, all the students asked:
"How was the photo?"
"Were you nervous?"
"Did the boys bother you?"
You sat in your seat, pretending to be normal.
But then…
Jungkook entered the classroom last.
For a fraction of a second, his eyes searched the room — and landed on you.
He didn't smile.
He didn't wave.
But he nodded.
A tiny, almost invisible nod.
Like a silent acknowledgement.
You nodded back before you could stop yourself.
And the moment felt heavier than the photograph itself.
The Afternoon Whisper
During the last period, Minjae leaned toward Jungkook and whispered (loud enough for you to overhear):
"Bro, today Y/n looked totally different in the photo. She was actually smiling."
Jungkook didn't look at him.
He simply replied:
"She always smiles. You just don't pay attention."
You froze.
Minjae smirked.
"Oh? And you do?"
Jungkook didn't answer.
He just looked down at his notebook…
but you saw the tips of his ears turn slightly red.
And that was the moment you realized—
He noticed you.
Maybe more than you ever realized.