What will happen when the principal's granddaughter has to disguise herself as a boy in an elite all-boys school and face a triple threat from three boys who quickly see through her mask?
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The late afternoon sun cast dappled shadows through the trees as Hana leaned against the back of the dormitory, seeking a moment of solace. She curled her knees under her, feeling the rough bark against her back, and closed her eyes, letting out a quiet sigh.
Did she ever expect to be exposed so soon?
Certainly not within the first few days. Her plan had been to blend in seamlessly for at least a couple of weeks. The thought of returning home, to that empty house filled her with a familiar, gnawing anxiety.
No, she wasn't ready to give up this newfound freedom.
Her moment of reflection was interrupted by Jungwon's voice, and she jolted upright, banging her elbow against the tree trunk in the process.
"Hey, sleepyhead," Jungwon greeted her with a calm demeanor, settling down next to her.
"Oww," Hana muttered, rubbing her funny bone and shooting him a sideways glance. "What are you doing here?"
"You looked like you could use some company," Jungwon replied, his smile gentle, dimples forming on his cheeks.
Hana sighed, admitting, "I was just taking a nap."
"No, you were deep in thought," Jungwon observed quietly, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
Hana raised an eyebrow, surprised by his insight. Had he noticed something during her brief moments out of disguise?
"How could you tell?" she asked, her voice pitched slightly deeper than usual.
"You had that distant look in your eyes," Jungwon explained, his voice soft. "Plus, you wrinkle your nose when you're thinking."
She fell silent, absorbing his words. They sat together in companionable silence for a while before Jungwon spoke again, his eyes now focused intently on her.
"So, what were you thinking about?" he asked, his gaze searching.
Hana hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I was thinking about... being exposed at this academy."
"But we promised not to tell anyone," Jungwon reassured her, gesturing towards himself. "You just have to be more careful."
He was right. She needed to stop dwelling on the potential risks and focus on staying hidden. Live in the moment—something she wasn't accustomed to doing.
"What are you worried about?" Jungwon pressed gently, leaning closer so their shoulders touched. "Ni-ki?"
Hana chuckled softly. "No, he's the least of my concerns right now."
