Reach The Top (3) - Jjk

reach the top (3) - jjk

pairing(s): jungkook x reader; (brief) jin x reader

synopsis: when your volleyball team gets cut and your brother, who is recently enrolled to your rivalry school, needs you to help him attend his classes while he continues to pursue his rap career; while you try keeping your volleyball dream alive, by serving sweet revenge on those that didn't believe in you.

genre: crack, fluff, angst; strangers to lovers/roommates to lovers; university au.

warning(s): mature language/themes, gender role implications.

word count: ~3k

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

↳ main masterlist

↳ series masterlist

“How’s classes going?”

“Oh, you know,” You mumbled brushing your fake bangs out of your face, “It’s class.”

“I owe you a ton, for this. Thanks, sis.”

“Don’t mention it…” You trailed, holding the phone against your ear and shoulder as you finished a calculus equation, smiling in triumph when the question ends up being right.

“How’s volleyball? Did you girls figure out a way to get funding?”

You scoffed, “Yeah, something like that.”

“Well, that’s good right? You don’t sound so excited?”  

“No, I am, “ you sighed, “It’s just, hard yenno, not easy… being compared to your ex? Just tired of from practicing so much…”

Your very first try out was two days ago, you had never been so excited. You had been running every morning and practicing drills by yourself to prepare yourself for the battlefield that is the volleyball court. You were confident that you would have made the team—that was until you actually watched the starting line up play a game. You had gotten to the gym early, in hopes that you would be able to practice some more drills, but you were beaten by the starting line up.

Of course, Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung were part of the starting lineup. They were accompanied by Choi Beomgyu, who was the team’s designated Libero (who played extremely well, which was not what you were expecting from the boy that embodies the definition of sloth); along with a kid named Yeonjun who also played Middle block, and Taehyun who played right-side. You had always known Ridgecrest was prideful of their men’s volleyball team, but you were not expecting them to be this good…

“First off,” Your brother scoffs, “Fuck Seokjin, I don’t care that he’s older than me, he had no right to treat you like that… I hope they lose against Ridgecrest again! We all know that they’re so much better than our volleyball team anyways.”

It was true; you did know these boys were good. You had a taste of their talent at the annual homecoming games between Cypress and Ridgecrest, and because you were the star player’s girlfriend (at the time), you were obligated to attend.

“No, you’re right, Hobi,” You sighed, “I just hope we – I mean, Ridgecrest wins this time around… From what I’ve been hearing is that Jin and Namjoon have been getting service aces left and right… Which never happened before. I guess I’m just a little worried.”

“Dunno, maybe they’re on some black magic shit.”

“I’m serious, Hobi, I don’t think I – I mean Ridgecrest stands a chance, I’ve seen them and how they deal with serves, it takes them a bit to get used to it.” You sulked.

Hoseok tsked, “Have a little faith, Y/n.” You hear your brother sigh, “But if anyone can beat Cypress, and beat them bad, it’s Ridgecrest.”

“Damn,” You giggled, “America’s changing you already? You’re so positive!”

“Aiiish, you’re such a twerp! I’m a ray of sunshine, I’m always positive!”

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

“Are you sure you were an Ace?”

It has now been well over a week of practices, and while you thought you were getting better, it seemed that the starting line up of boys were getting just as good, just as fast. To say you were irritated was an understatement. You knew you had a disadvantage—being a female against ginormous boys definitely has it’s difficulties—but it didn’t help that you were endlessly being teased by Jimin; Taehyung and Jeongguk had their moments, but for the most part they just went along with the shorter man, laughing when he made a snide comment on your height.

“Do you ever get tired of being annoying?” You snarled, wiping the sweat off of your forehead, eyes glaring at the setter.

“Do you ever get tired of being annoying,” Jimin mocks, “As a matter of fact, I do not. Blehhhh.” Jimin pulls one of his cheeks down and sticks his tongue out at you, like the child he was.

You swear he reminds you of that one volleyball character on that one anime…

Tor-Torro? Oikama, was it? You couldn’t remember, but ironically enough—you were positive they played the same exact position.

“Can you stop tormenting the kid,” Taehyung swats Jimin’s head, earning a whiny Taehyung-ah, along with a pout.

“I’m not a kid!” You grunted out serving another ball over the net, that Beomgyu retrieved no problem. You tsked in annoyance and grabbed another.

“Your height could’ve fooled us.” Jeongguk snickers, easily serving a beautiful overhand serve, to which Beomgyu didn’t catch.

“Nice one, Kook!” Beomgyu utters out, eyeing the stary ball with a look of determination, “I’ll get the next one.”

“Do you boys ever get tired of, I don’t know, picking on me?”

“Nah.”

“You make it easy.”

“I barely pick on you, why am I being included?”

You could feel your blood boil as you toss up the ball, your feet quickly rushing forward to jump. As your feet left the ground, your body arches, coiling back and winding up for a hard hit. The adrenaline pumping through your veins echoed in your ears as the ball stops spinning for a brief moment, your arm making it’s way to strike the white ball. As your hand connects with the volleyball, like you always do, everything stilled.

Your eyes followed the quickness of the white ball, as it touches just the inside of the volleyball court, Beomgyu nowhere in sight, as you fall back to the ground, the sound of rubber hitting the floor harshly fills the quietness of the gym. Breathing heavily, cracking your neck to the side, your gaze drifts up to the libero; his eyes wide with shock, as he stared at the now stationary ball that sat behind the court, near the bleachers.

“Wh—”

“How?”

You turned around to see your three seniors staring gobsmacked at you. Feeling a sense of pride and confidence, you rolled your eyes.

“By the way,” You walked past them to grab another ball, “I did play Ace, and I was actually Cypress’s best.”

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

“Jeon and Jung!”

You groaned, today had already sucked; the fact that practice ran later than normal this morning (which, really sucked because now, not only could you feel the dry sweat sticking to your body, but you weren’t able to do your normal morning routine where you were able to hide in a shower stall just at the end of the hallway of your dorm room, but when you had gone to check, that bathroom was out of order) but now you were partnered with one of the boys that mocked you.

“Alright, pair up,” Your professor claps, “and say hello to your partner for the rest of the semester! I expect you all to be mature adults and ready to work on the upcoming labs—starting with the first one on Thursday! Please have your pre-labs done, along with having read the material so that you’re well prepared to start right at 2. Don’t forget to cite any work that isn’t your own. I will be docking off a mark for those that do not cite their work.”  

As your professor finished her speech, the chair beside you scraped noisily beside you, indicating your partner’s presence.

“Yeah, yeah,” Jeongguk grunts at your figure, “I’m not thrilled either, Chibi-chan.”

“Do you ever get tired of pestering me about my height?”

“No.”

“I’m not even that short!” You exclaimed throwing your head back in anguish.

“Hm,” Jeongguk hums, turning to face you and giving your slouched body a once over, “still shorter than me.” He shrugs.

Above all the people your professor could pair you up with. It seriously had to be this guy. Really? What had you done in your past life to deserve this? Did you murder someone?

“Whatever, Jeon,” You uttered out, “let’s just get through this term.”

“Kinda hard when my partner doesn’t want any of my help,” He sneers.

“We haven’t even started!”

“And?”

“And…” You mocked him, “how do you even know I don’t want your help if we haven’t even started the stupid lab, dumbo?”

“And this is why you’re single.”  

“What, just cuz I called you a name? Grow up, Jeon.”

“If you hadn’t noticed, I’ve been growing, you however, have not.”

“Quit pestering me, you gigantic muscle-bunny.”

“You did not compare me to a fucking rodent.”

“If the shoe fits!”

“You’re such a—”

“Knock it off!” Beomgyu snarls causing the two of you to stare wide eyed at the libero who threw his hood up to continue his nap.

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

“Again, Jung.” Coach Kai sighs, watching you miss another toss from Jimin.

You were drenched in sweat, body aching, and your feet was starting to swell in your shoes with the amount of jumping you had been doing. You didn’t want to admit it but it seemed that you just weren’t getting to the tosses fast enough.

The practice this morning had killed you. You were barely able to keep up with the boys this morning; after the full day of classes, how were they still so energetic?

It definitely didn’t help that Jeongguk was doing fuck all during the remainder of lab; you guys barely started the pre-lab and you had wanted to finish it before the weekend… Clearly that wasn’t happening—since you had a practice match at Nikoli this weekend. Coach Kai had bumped you up to their pinch server—the player that gets called to disrupt the flow of the match in hopes of favouring the players team for the rest of the game. You hadn’t ever been just a pinch server, but as long as you were a step closer to being a regular, you’d take it.

However, that’s easier said than done.

Jeongguk played annoyingly well. His line shots were are amazing. The amount of times during practice he’d get it perfectly on the line was annoying. He made hitting he ball look so effortless that you can’t help but watch him hit the ball. His blocks are insanely high, that you for sure would love to see him block one of Namjoon’s spikes. His serves… His serves were just as amazing… It’s no wonder he’s on the starting line up, he could do it all—better than you. He truly deserves the Ace title… but you’d never admit that out loud.

Taehyung’s blocks were no joke. From what you remembered from watching their games at Cypress, Taehyung and Jeongguk were considered the Iron Wall. One of the tallest blocks in the prefecture. It helped immensely that their verticals were much higher than the average verticals for their heights, but even so, their arms added onto the height. Their strategical blocking skills are the types of blockers you hated.

Back at Cypress the highest blockers in the prefecture for girls was, ironically, the girls team for Nikoli. You remembered losing to their team during your first year; this was the first game you had ever lost since coming onto the team. Euna played extremely well, getting the ball to you wherever you needed it; Somi receiving the ball each and every time… It had been you. You couldn’t get it past their blockers, you couldn’t find a way to slam the ball down on the other side of the court… You had always gotten shut out. That must’ve been the day you set out to become the best Ace in the prefecture. You worked on your shoulder mobility, becoming more fluid and flexible in your movements. You were thinking more rather than relying solely on instinct and intuition. You were determined to become the best; and the best is exactly what you became.

So, you can imagine how hard it is to start from the very bottom and work your way up. Especially with a new team.

Jimin’s sets are absolutely lethal; his precision on tossing the ball to his spikers were unmatched. He knew how to toss perfectly to his spikers—knowing the exact angle they want, and the perfect speed to get it to them. It hurt you to say it, but he was even better than Euna…

The only problem was that you’d never had this issue with Euna; her tosses were easy to hit, she made sure everyone was able to hit her tosses… Why was it so hard to hit Jimin’s?

“Jimin.” You huffed.

The setter turns to glance at you with his cat like eyes, “Hm?”

You sighed annoying, “Slow your toss when you pass to me.”

“Excuse me?”

The court was silent.

“I said,” You glanced up at him with tired eyes, “slow your tosses when you pass to me.”

“You want me… to slow my tosses?” Jimin hisses, “And why would I stoop to your level? I know my tosses are good.”

Furrowing your eyebrows, you crossed your arms, “I know your tosses are good—they’re great,” You huffed, “but, just slow them down for now. Let me get used to them.”

“And why should I fix my game play for someone who’s benched?”

Taehyung quickly puts out a hand between the two of you, “Hey, Chim, calm—”

“Cool it, Park.”

Your eyes widened when Jeongguk pushed through to where you and Jimin were, wiping off his sweat with a towel.

“Just give him a slower toss. It’s just a practice anyways, he’s not playing at homecoming.”

“Well, it’s my goal to.” You grunted, Coach Kai giving you a reassuring smile.

Coach Kai turns to Jimin, “Slow your tosses, Jimin. Let Jung get used to it, then pick up speed after, but for now respect his wishes; remember Park, it isn’t you that distinguishes how that ball goes over the net.”

Jimin’s cheeks turn a shade of pink as he bowed, uttering a got it coach, before turning around to continue a mock match with the rest of the team.

Coach Kai then turns to you, “You’ve got guts kid, telling Park to slow his toss the way you did.”

You shrugged, “I just want to play the best I can…”

“And about homecoming…” Coach pauses, “You could still make the starting line up if you show improvement. I’ve seen your receives and your blocks, you’ve got some crazy agility. You’ve also got monster serves… If you could find a way to fight mid-air better and be able to handle Jimin’s normal speed tosses… You could be the next Ace of Ridgecrest.”

You gave Coach Kai a toothy smile, “Got it coach!”

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

“Oi.”

You peered up at the familiar voice of your teammate. You all had just finished up practicing—waiting for everyone to get out of the locker rooms, you sat in the lobby so you all could walk to the cafeteria together.

“Don’t ever tell me what to do.” Jimin snarls, shoving past you, “This is the only time I’ll slow my tosses; either get better or keep the bench warm, Jung. I won’t toss to someone that can’t win.”

Your gaze drops as you stare at the ground, avoiding all eye contact to the blond setter. The dull ache in your chest seeps its way to the surface as you bite your lip to prevent it from quivering more.

“Remember your place Jung; you just got here; you’re benched. I don’t know how it was at Cypress, but here, to make demands like that? You’ve got to be good.” Jeongguk bites.

“You say you were an ace? How can you be an Ace when you can barely keep up with our team? When you’re able to make amazing plays like the rest of us, then maybe, you can make demands like that. But until then,” Jeongguk bumps your shoulder roughly, looking over his shoulder to glare at you, “you have no authority to ask any of us to jeopardize our plays to accommodate you.”

Refusing to look up, you could feel your eyes prickling with tears. You quickly wiped your eyes before feeling a hand upon your shoulder.

“Don’t listen to them,” Taehyung smiles gently, “you got really good in one practice, they’re just jealous… I think your soft serves can give us an advantage,” Taehyung nods his head in the direction of the rest of the team as he walks next to you.

“Not to mention you were able to hit Jimin’s tosses easier in the last half hour.”

“He’s a really good setter…” You whispered looking down at your feet.

“As he should be—he was the starting setter for All-Stars Korea.”

You stopped, “P-Park?” Taehyung nods, chuckling.

“Yeah—he had the opportunity to play last year in the 18 and under category,” Taehyung shrugs, “He’s really talented, he’s normally really perceptive when he sets, so he’s able to change his tosses based on who he’s setting to, but with you,” Taehyung moves to turn to face you, “he couldn’t tell your style of play. Communication is key when it comes to Jimin, he normally knows exactly the type of toss to give his spikers, but for some reason… He couldn’t pinpoint what tosses you could hit.”

Taehyung shrugs again, continuing towards the cafeteria, “Not that, that’s a bad thing, but…” Taehyung looks over his shoulder with a smirk, “that may be troublesome to opponents on the opposite side of the court.”

And then it clicks.

This was why you were so good; this is why you were the Ace. Euna and you have history, she’s been tossing to you since middle school—so she’s grown accustomed to your game play—to your decoy moves. She knows when you want the toss, and she knows how to lead the opponents into thinking someone else will hit her ball.

But this is Jimin—a genius setter, he knows the type of set to give his spikers before they even know the set they want, he knows the best toss to give them so that they can play at the utmost best to their abilities…

Jimin’s talent is to bring out everyone’s 100% effort, no matter what team he played on. And that’s scary.

The chills that ran down your spine thinking about how amazing Jimin actually is, was exciting… If you and him could communicate better with your decoy moves and his genius setting skills… You just might be able to beat Cypress in their homecoming game.

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

taglist: @parkinglot-nights, @kissyfacekoo, @ sunwooful, @coralmusicblaze, @dirarajgor, @jjkw-7, @jnk-pop, @ashes69, @naru7777777, @dreamamubarak, @sparklingocean, @taolucha, @moonchild1, @generouschildcolor

I finally edited lmao - if you've read this before, please take a quick read to see the changes! it'll make so much more sense with Fridays update!

reach the top [intro: summer] - jjk

pairing(s): jungkook x reader; (brief) jin x reader

synopsis: when your volleyball team gets cut and your brother, who is recently enrolled to your rivalry school, needs you to help him attend his classes while he continues to pursue his rap career; while you try keeping your volleyball dream alive, by serving sweet revenge on those that didn't believe in you.

genre: crack, fluff, angst; strangers to lovers/roommates to lovers; university au.

word count: ~0.5k

warning(s): none.

taglist: open

notes: hi all! here is a very short intro to the series, there's not much here, but a very small introduction to some of the characters. I hope you enjoy this little tidbit - I still don't have a release date for this one as I am still working on it - but do not fret, it shall be dropping as soon as I finish! until then, please enjoy ((:

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

↳ main masterlist

↳ series masterlist

You had woken up to a beautiful summer glow, the sky was filled with orange and yellow hues, with fluffy clouds gently rolling in the warm breeze. You had changed quickly into your practice gear, tossing your shin pads into your bag, before making your way downstairs to grab your smoothie before heading out to school.

You greeted your mother good morning, her usual scolding face when you tell her that you’ll be home late because of volleyball practice. Her snarky comments, that you’ve grown accustomed to, saying how “young women shouldn’t be bruising their beautiful skin by bumping a ball over a net” and “young women shouldn’t be as muscular as a man!” or “when I had twins I didn’t think you both would be into such thing.”, didn’t bother you anymore, as you smiled and walked out of the house.

It was nearing the end of summer and you had filled your time with working and playing round after round of volleyball with your school’s men’s team.

In fact, you were on your way there now.

As you parked in your regular spot at school, you sped your way through the halls towards the gym. The comforting sound of volleyballs hitting the floor and shouts of praises were echoing through the school.

“Jagiya!”

The tall man comes barreling towards you with a bright smile, opening his arms to envelope you in a warm, but sweaty, embrace.

Your nose scrunches smiling up at him, “Hello, you’re all so early!”

“Maybe if you woke up earlier, you wouldn’t be late.”

Your face scowls at a particular player – your least favorite of the bunch. He rolled his eyes at you before throwing up a ball to serve.

The man holding you turns you away to give you a sheepish smile, leaning down to capture your lips in a quick kiss.

Once he lets you go, you throw your bag to the ground, quickly putting on your shin pads and started for the court.

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

“You’re honestly way too good.”

The same man who embraced you says, chugging down some water.

“Jin,” You laugh, “you’re just saying that because I’m your girlfriend.”

“Absolutely not,” Jin says smacking his lips, “I wouldn’t say you’re incredible and that you’re guaranteed to get full endorsements from all the big brands to just anyone!” He turns towards you, “I promise you, this year, you’re going to get an amazing offer. The fact that you’re the best player the school has ever seen and having the highest grades in her class is enough to prove that you’re a stellar student-athlete; you being my girlfriend is just a bonus that I can flaunt.”

You leaned into kiss him sweetly, whispering a thank you.

You wished that in that moment, you knew better than to believe him.

══════ ∘◦❀◦∘ ══════

taglist: @parkinglot-nights, @kissyfacekoo, @sunwooful, @coralmusicblaze, @dirarajgor, @jjkw-7, @jnk-pop (those in bold I couldn't tag!)

late night thoughts:

I've been thinking about doing a txt side blog... I have a haikyuu one (lol) that I haven't done much writing for yet, but I kinda wanna do a txt one?

SPICY 'N SWEET MASTERPOST | JJK

PAIRING: Boxer Jungkook x shy ballerina Reader

SYNOPSIS:

Jeon Jungkook is the perfect guy… to piss off your parents. He’s buff, inked up and the definition of their worst nightmare but hey, when love comes knocking on your door there’s not much you can do. It’s not like you planned on falling for him… it just kind of happened, and honestly, you're not even mad about it. Not at all.

WORDS: 45k

——————————–♡———————————

Spicy 'N Sweet ★*☆♪ ɪɴᴛʀᴏ

Spicy ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 1

Sweet ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 2

Sugar ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 3

Sour ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 4

Salty ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 5

Sugar-coated ★*☆♪ ᴘᴀʀᴛ 6

I feel ATTACKED

and if he had a joint/cigarette between his fingers?

UHUHM?

KIM TAEHYUNG Pop Magazine September 2023 Issue