TANTIANA UNIVERSITY | RED

CHAPTER 2: COLLIDING FATES

"Do you want a tour?" Jeno asked, his voice low and calm as they strolled through the corridor. "We can call those Shin cousins."

Donghyuck smirked. "What, planning to make a move on them already? You and Mark really don't waste time, do you?"

"Mark's got his sights on one of them," Jeno admitted with a small shrug.

"Let me guess," Donghyuck said, rolling his eyes. "That Shin Ryujin? She's exactly his type."

"Got it in one," Jeno chuckled.

The class buzzed with a low hum of activity until the professor's voice cut through.

"How about we call on one of our new students this time? Lee Donghyuck-ssi, could you read the third example scenario and share your judgment with us?"

All heads turned toward Donghyuck, their curious gazes laced with anticipation.

Donghyuck stood confidently, picking up his book and ignoring the whispers buzzing around him. This wasn't new to him. He wasn't annoyed by the attention—it was something he thrived on.

With a steady voice, he read the scenario and delivered a sharp, concise judgment. The professor nodded approvingly, and Donghyuck returned to his seat, basking in the small swell of pride.

"Happy now?" Jeno whispered, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Donghyuck leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "This university isn't so bad after all."

"Sure, as long as you get to steal the spotlight," Jeno quipped, rolling his eyes.

By lunch, the cousins had made a name for themselves, their presence sparking conversations throughout the campus. At the cafeteria, they gathered, their easy camaraderie drawing attention from nearby tables.

"Finally," Ryujin said, raising an eyebrow as Gayoon joined them. "I thought you were skipping your duties as our welcoming committee."

Gayoon sighed dramatically, setting down her tray. "Not skipping, just recovering. I was at a wedding reception last night—one of Renjun and Chenle's cousins. Chenle dragged me along as his plus-one, and I might've had a bit too much at the after-party."

Yuna gawked. "You went to a party and didn't tell us?"

"It wasn't a party; it was a reception," Gayoon corrected. "Anyway, I'm pretty sure I saw one of the Lees there. Making out with the bride's sister, of all people."

Ryujin choked on her drink, and Yuna's jaw dropped.

"Who?" Ryujin asked, wiping her mouth.

Gayoon squinted as if trying to recall. "Tan skin, playful smile..."

"Lee Donghyuck," Ryujin said without missing a beat. "He's in Law."

Yuna blushed faintly. "He's... kind of attractive."

Gayoon shrugged. "Yeah, that's him. But really, the bride's sister? And he's supposed to be a future lawyer."

Ryujin smirked. "Even future lawyers need their fun, I guess." Her eyes flicked to a figure approaching their table. "Speaking of..."

Gayoon, oblivious, stood up to leave but stumbled, her tray slipping from her hands. The loud clatter of utensils on the tiled floor silenced the cafeteria, drawing all eyes to her.

"Ah, shit," she muttered, crouching to pick up the mess.

"Are you the other Shin?" a familiar voice asked sharply.

She looked up, startled, meeting Donghyuck's curious gaze.

"Yes," she replied cautiously, standing upright. "Why?"

"My cousins and I could use a proper tour. Think you can help?"

For a moment, their eyes locked. A strange, electric tension coursed through her, making her skin tingle.

Gayoon shook off the odd sensation and stepped back. "Ryujin and Yuna can help you with that," she said, brushing imaginary dust off her skirt. "I have other priorities."

"So we're not a priority?" Donghyuck teased, raising an eyebrow.

"That's not what I meant," she said quickly. "I just have advance readings to finish, and if I don't do them now, I'll regret it later. Anyway—" She placed a hand on his shoulder, a polite smile curving her lips. "Welcome to Tantiana University, Lee Donghyuck-ssi."

Before he could respond, Gayoon turned and walked away.

The moment her hand left his shoulder, Donghyuck felt a sharp, almost burning pain on his wrist. He winced, tugging at his watch and rolling up his sleeve.

His tattoo—usually faint and barely noticeable—now glowed a vivid green, more pronounced than it had ever been. His eyes widened in disbelief as realization hit him like a freight train.

He snapped his head toward Gayoon, who was already disappearing out of the cafeteria doors, her pace hurried. Without thinking, he bolted after her, leaving his tray and his stunned cousins behind.

Ryujin and Yuna exchanged shocked glances as the cafeteria erupted into murmurs.

"Did you see that?" Yuna whispered, her voice trembling with excitement.

"They touched," Ryujin said, piecing it together. "And then his tattoo lit up."

"Which means..."

"They're soulmates," Ryujin finished, a sly smile spreading across her face.

"Damn." Yuna grinned. "This is going to get interesting."

oh yes they finally met, suck your words lee donghyuck