Exchange student - one year ᵗᵃᵉᵏᵒᵒᵏ

17

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It didn't take long for Taehyung to attract all the attention in the hall. Some of the girls boldly stepped forward to introduce themselves, while others whispered secretly, which resulted in him receiving only disparaging looks from the men.
When the lecturer finally entered the lecture hall, everyone suddenly fell silent and took their seats. "Good morning, class. Today we're going to talk about the mechanisms of action of antibiotics," the older lecturer began immediately, his voice calm but authoritative as he stood behind his desk. His gaze slid across the rows as he waited for the students to fall silent and he had their full attention to continue.
Taehyung leaned back and relaxed in his chair while Jungkook nervously shook his leg next to him. There was just so much to learn in medical school. It was a labyrinth of anatomy, physiology, microbiology through to clinical subjects such as internal medicine, surgery and much more, which was definitely too much for the blond and seemed to overwhelm him.

With every passing minute, Jungkook felt the urge to simply give up his studies. "Well, now that everyone's ready, let's start with something simple," the lecturer began. But none of this felt easy to Jungkook. "One important point is that all antibiotics are bactericidal, which means they kill bacteria." Taehyung's eyes twitched involuntarily at this statement, as he was immediately disturbed that the lecturer had already made a mistake in his first sentence.
"Sorry, Professor, but that's not quite correct," Taehyung interrupted, and suddenly all eyes in the room seemed to be on him, including Jungkook's surprised eyes. "There are some antibiotics that are bacteriostatic, inhibiting the growth of bacteria instead of killing them immediately."
The older lecturer raised his eyebrow and scrutinized his new student with a critical look. His authority seemed to be questioned, and he deeply disliked that. "In most clinical situations where we use antibiotics, we aim to eliminate the bacterial infection immediately. That's why I focused on the bactericidal effect, which is true in most cases," the lecturer defended himself with an aura that was literally palpable. His look betrayed his dissatisfaction that a new student was lecturing him. He was known for the fact that no one contradicted him and he was very strict, which is why he never got backtalk from his students.

Taehyung was not intimidated and continued calmly: "That may be true, but it should be important to mention the exceptions instead of giving the impression that all antibiotics work equally." His words were calm but firm and there was a hint of know-it-all in his voice. "There are certain situations where bacteriostatic antibiotics should be preferred, especially in patients with a weakened immune system. In these patients, the use of bactericidal antibiotics can lead to a rapid increase in toxic bacterial products as the bacteria are killed too quickly. This can cause an excessive immune response and lead to serious complications, including a potentially life-threatening condition known as septic shock."
The tension in the room was palpable as Taehyung made his argument. Some of the other students nodded in agreement as the lecturer pressed his lips together, his authority challenged and it was clear he didn't take kindly to it. "It's still important to understand this general rule," the lecturer insisted, his voice sharper now and a hint of defense in it.
Taehyung refused to be put off and continued with his argument: "It's not just about rules, Professor," he said calmly, but emphatically. "It's about the responsibility to convey correct information that can affect people's lives. A generalized teaching can have serious consequences. Or are you responsible if a student administers the wrong medication due to incorrect teaching and causes harm because you teach it incorrectly?"

Jungkook looked at his roommate with wide eyes and was more than just surprised. On the one hand because he possessed such knowledge that Jungkook had never known about before and on the other hand because he had just made himself unpopular with the most hated lecturer and contradicted him. "Well, I appreciate your point, but for the purposes of this lecture, I want to keep things simple and focus on the basic principles. It's important that you understand that most antibiotics kill bacteria to fight infections," the lecturer replied coolly, not addressing Taehyung's question.
The dark-haired man rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue before replying, "With all due respect, you don't deserve that from me, but I think it's important to give students the full picture, including the exceptions, and not leave out half of it," Taehyung replied, his tone slightly sarcastic.
Taehyung and the lecturer stared at each other, and Jungkook could have sworn that flashbulbs flashed back and forth between them. "It seems we have a difference of opinion here. Let's delve into the topic at a later time. We can also talk about it after the lecture. Now, however, we should move on to the next topic," the lecturer decided, averting his eyes from Taehyung.
"By the way," he continued, turning his gaze back to Taehyung, "you're the new guy I was told about. What's your name?" Taehyung shook his head at the professor's behavior, but replied politely, "Kim Taehyung." The lecturer nodded briefly and introduced himself as "Shepperd" before moving on to the next topic.

It was a similar story until around the lunch break. Again and again, Taehyung came across statements from the lecturer that he didn't like at all, as he made false statements or simply didn't mention the most important things. "Unbelievable, how could that old bastard become a professor?" grumbled Taehyung after the lecturer left the room. "I don't want to be rescued by him if my life is in danger."
Jungkook swallowed hard as he listened to Taehyung speak his thoughts out loud. "You really know a lot Taehyung," Jungkook broke the silence, his tone cautious, almost reverent. "A lot? Isn't that something like general knowledge if you want to study medicine?" the dark-haired man asked somewhat irritably, as the old man was really getting on his nerves.
Jungkook smiled faintly at Taehyung's reaction. "Not for everyone and not everyone disagrees with him as easily as you did," he explained softly, his words laced with a hint of admiration for his roommate. "If you don't know the answers, there's nothing to disagree with..." grumbled Taehyung further.
The blonde stood up and stretched a little, asking, "Are you hungry too?" But instead of answering, Taehyung also got up from his chair and nodded silently in response.

So they went to the canteen together. They left the main building and strolled to the neighboring building where the canteen was located. On the way there, there was silence between the two, simply because both Jungkook and Taehyung didn't know how to talk to each other, or about what.
Halfway there, Jungkook suddenly heard his name being called behind him, causing him to turn around. At first, he thought it was Jimin, but when he saw who was walking towards him, his eyes widened in surprise. Taehyung also turned around to see who was there.
Jungkook was speechless with surprise, still staring at his ex-boyfriend in surprise. "Luckily... I had the times of your lunch break right in my head," Taemin grinned after catching his breath as he came running towards the blond. "What... are you doing here?" he finally managed to get out, a hint of confusion in his voice as his eyes flitted back and forth between Taemin and Taehyung, unsure of how to deal with this unexpected situation.
Taemin smiled charmingly, a smile that made Jungkook's heart beat faster even then. "I wanted to talk to you. I was nearby and thought I'd stop by instead of calling you," the black-haired man with blonde highlights explained, his words gentle yet firm, just like before when he could wrap Jungkook around his finger with ease.
Taehyung watched the scene with an expression that Jungkook couldn't quite interpret. Was it mistrust, curiosity or something else entirely? Jungkook kept glancing at his roommate before turning completely to his exchange partner. "The canteen is back there. Go ahead, I'll be right behind you," said the blond and then turned back to his ex, his heart pounding restlessly in his chest.

He grabbed Taemin's hand and dragged him around the next corner to hide. "You can't just come here," the blond scolded, slightly unsettled. "Jimin goes to college here too, he'd kill me if he saw me with you!"
But Jungkook's ex-boyfriend just smiled and asked: "Who was the other man? Your new one?" Jungkook drew in a sharp breath and shook his head. "No!" he said louder than intended. "He's doing a year abroad and is staying with my family. As if I'd be with such an asshole. Only today is his first day and I'm showing him around a bit." Jungkook grumbled as he made a statement as if he had to justify himself to his ex.
But to divert from the topic, the blond immediately asked, "So, what do you want? Why did you come here?"
Taemin immediately grabbed both of the shorter man's hands and clasped them. "I want to go on a date with you, Jungkook," Taemin immediately explained as he gently squeezed the blond's hands.

Jungkook's heart hammered almost painfully against his ribs as Taemin gripped his hands tightly. A tingling shiver ran down his spine as he felt the familiar, warm touch of his ex-boyfriend, a feeling that triggered a mixture of longing and uncertainty in him.
"A date?" Jungkook breathed, his gaze caught by Taemin's eyes, which seemed to promise a whole world of possibilities.
His heartbeat quickened and he struggled to organize his thoughts as a flood of emotions overwhelmed him: Doubt, hope, longing, all at once.
A date with Taemin? The idea was both exhilarating and frightening.
Was it possible that they could get another chance?
After all the months, after all the heartache he had been through?
A small spark of hope spread through him, but at the same time there was also the fear of another disappointment and being hurt again.
Was he ready to embark on this rollercoaster of emotions that Taemin brought with him again? A question he could not answer lightly, because there was also a longing inside him, a longing for what could have been, for a second chance that he had perhaps always secretly wanted without admitting it to himself.

Taemin's gentle nod and the serious expression in his eyes made Jungkook hesitate. "Yes, Jungkook. I want to go on a date with you. I'm sure we can do better this time," Taemin said with a voice full of conviction and hope. A tentative smile played around Jungkook's lips, accompanied by a soft sigh. "I don't know," the blond mumbled uncertainly as he tried to process Taemin's words.
The memories of their time together flickered before his inner eye: the laughter, the tears, the countless hours they had spent together. Despite all the pain of the past, Jungkook longed for the good times, for the closeness they had once shared.
Taemin lifted her hands slightly and breathed a soft kiss on the back of Jungkook's hand. "Come on Jungkookie. It would make me really happy," Taemin confessed softly. "And if it gets too much, you can just leave. I won't be angry, I promise."

Jungkook bit his lower lip as he stared at their linked hands. Finally, he nodded hesitantly. "Okay. I guess... one is fine," Jungkook mumbled uncertainly, looking at Taemin.
After all, it would only be a date. Nothing would happen, right?

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