Chapter One — The Boy Beneath the Moon
The university campus was almost empty when Taehyung stepped outside.
It was past midnight.
The library lights were still glowing behind him, but he had finally given up on studying. His notebook was filled with unfinished sketches, random thoughts, and one sentence he had written three times without knowing why.
Some people look happiest when nobody is watching.
He closed the notebook.
The night air was cold.
Taehyung walked toward the old garden behind the arts building, the place where he usually went when the world became too loud.
He sat beneath a large tree and looked up.
The moon was bright.
Alone.
Beautiful.
He smiled faintly.
Lucky moon, he whispered. Nobody expects anything from you.
You talk to the moon?
Taehyung froze.
He turned around.
A boy was standing a few steps away.
Black hoodie. Dark hair. A backpack hanging from one shoulder.
Jeon Jungkook.
The new student.
Taehyung had seen him around campus before, but they had never spoken.
What are you doing here? Taehyung asked.
Jungkook shrugged.
Walking.
At midnight?
Apparently.
Taehyung raised an eyebrow.
Jungkook smiled.
And apparently, I’m not the only one who does strange things at midnight.
Taehyung tried not to smile.
He failed.
Jungkook noticed.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Jungkook sat beneath the tree, leaving a comfortable distance between them.
You come here often? he asked.
Sometimes.
When you’re sad?
Taehyung looked at him.
No.
Jungkook waited.
Taehyung looked back at the moon.
When I’m tired of pretending I’m not.
Something in Jungkook’s expression changed.
He understood.
Maybe too well.
You don’t have to pretend around me, he said quietly.
Taehyung looked at him again.
It was strange.
They barely knew each other.
Yet somehow, those words felt safer than they should have.
The next morning, Taehyung walked into photography class five minutes late.
Professor Kim stood beside the projector.
Since everyone is finally here, I’ll announce your semester project.
Taehyung took his usual seat.
Pairs.
A collective groan filled the classroom.
Professor Kim began reading names.
Kim Taehyung…
Taehyung looked up.
and Jeon Jungkook.
His eyes immediately found Jungkook across the room.
Jungkook smiled.
Taehyung sighed.
This is going to be a disaster.
Jungkook walked over and dropped into the chair beside him.
Why?
Because I work alone.
So do I.
Then we’re already fighting.
Jungkook laughed.
You’re interesting.
And you’re annoying.
Good start.
Taehyung rolled his eyes.
But when Jungkook wasn’t looking, he smiled.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But that little photography project would change everything.
It would introduce them to each other’s secrets.
Their fears.
Their dreams.
Their families.
Their scars.
And eventually—
their hearts.
Because sometimes love doesn’t arrive dramatically.
Sometimes it begins quietly.
With two strangers sitting beneath the same moon.
And one simple conversation neither of them will ever forget.
