Classes were finally over, and I was more than ready to crash in my dorm. But just as I was about to settle in, my phone buzzed.
Hyunjin: Meet me at the study room.
Curious, I grabbed my things and made my way to our usual rendezvous spot, only to find him waiting by the staircase. The moment he saw me, he flashed that signature smile of his—the one that had an annoying habit of making me smile back without even thinking.
"You wanted to meet up? I didn't know we had a session today," I said, tilting my head.
Instead of answering, he descended the stairs and—before I could react—took my hand.
I swear, fireworks.
Without a word, he pulled me upstairs into the lecture room, stopping in front of a desk covered in books and study materials. My eyes landed on the covers—all Korean textbooks.
Confused, I turned to him.
"We're here to study for your TOPIK exam," he announced.
My eyes lit up. Wait... he planned this?
Before I could even ask why he was going out of his way to help me, he sat me down and dove straight into tutoring.
And honestly? He was a great teacher. He explained things so simply that even the dumbest person alive would've understood.
By the time we wrapped up, I had learned more in one session with him than in weeks of self-study. He even walked me back to my dorm, saying goodbye with that easygoing grin of his.
The moment I stepped into my room, Jessie was waiting.
Correction: Jessie was ready to interrogate me like a detective solving a murder case.
She gasped dramatically. "Wendy, you better not tell me you just came back from a study date with Hyunjin and didn't think to inform your best friend!"
I rolled my eyes, setting my bag down. "It wasn't a date, Jessie."
She smirked. "You're tutoring together, he walked you home, and let me guess—there was some eye contact involved?"
I hesitated.
Jessie squealed. "I knew it! Oh my gosh, was it like those K-dramas where he leans in all close, and your heart does that thing where—"
"Jessie!" I groaned, throwing a pillow at her.
She dodged, giggling. "Fine, fine! But seriously... are you sure you're not catching feelings?"
I sighed. "I can't catch feelings for him."
Jessie raised an eyebrow. "Can't? Or won't?"
I had no answer for that.
~🌻
The next few weeks flew by in a blur.
Hyunjin and I worked on our project, and on our free days, he helped me with my Korean lessons. Some days, we just hung out with Minho—though Seoyeon conveniently disappeared whenever I was around.
Honestly? Good riddance.
One afternoon, after consulting with a lecturer, Hyunjin and I decided to head to the basketball court.
That's when we stumbled upon a scene we never expected.
Jessie and Minho.
But they weren't hanging out.
No.
They were on each other's throats.
Hyunjin and I exchanged confused looks before approaching.
