𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐄 ||𝐊𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐭. 𝐏𝐉𝐌||

04. Taemin: A Newbie

PAST \\ JEON SIYA:

At my university in New York, it feels like the air is thick with privilege. It's a place where the children of the elite gather, where last names and bank accounts hold more weight than anything else.

The professors? They stick to their lectures and research, never getting involved in what goes on between students. It’s like they’re paid to look the other way, to let us sort out our own messes. And when things do get messy, it's rare that anyone in charge notices. The committee, principal, or dean—none of them will lift a finger unless something truly scandalous happens.

Here, everything’s a game. Bets are made on the most ridiculous things—who will win the next sports match, who’s going to hook up with whom, even who will fall from grace first. Ragging and bullying aren’t just tolerated; they’re part of the culture. It's all done with a smile, like it’s just a harmless joke, but underneath it, you can feel the tension. You have to laugh along or risk becoming the next target. It’s not too extreme, at least not on the surface, but you can’t help but wonder when it’ll cross the line. Or if it already has, and no one’s paying attention.

The morning felt like any other as I entered the lecture hall, but quickly noticed that the energy was different. The room buzzed with whispers and stolen glances, all centered around one person: the new student.

I had heard the rumors, but hadn't paid much attention—new students came and went. But this one, apparently, was different.

As I settled into my seat, I finally laid eyes on him.

Taemin.

Min Taemin.

His presence was striking, but it wasn’t just his confident demeanor that caught everyone’s attention.

It was his hair.

His hair was a deep, fiery red, the kind of red that made him impossible to ignore. It curled naturally, framing his sharp features and giving him an aura that was both magnetic and intimidating.

I found my gaze lingering on him, drawn to the way his hair contrasted with his pale skin and the intensity in his dark eyes.

The rest of the class seemed just as captivated. Whispers swirled around the room, the bets already starting—

who would be the first to catch his eye?

Who would he sleep with?

It was typical of the university’s social scene, and I usually found it all rather tiresome. But Taemin’s indifference set him apart. Even as he walked in, his expression was calm, almost bored, as if he couldn’t care less about the attention he was receiving.

My thoughts were interrupted as the lecture began, but it wasn’t long before something unexpected happened.

Ara, the most beautiful and confident girl in our year, suddenly stood up.

My eyes narrowed as I watched Ara. I have seen her pull stunts before, but this one was different.

Without a word, Ara began to remove her clothes. First, her jacket slipped off her shoulders, then her shirt, then her skirt. Piece by piece, she stood there in nothing but her underwear, her body fully exposed in front of the entire class.

Gasps echoed through the room, but my eyes were on Taemin.

She expected him to react, even just a glance. But to her surprise, Taemin didn’t flinch. He kept his eyes fixed on the front, completely ignoring Ara as if she wasn’t even there.