Hyunjin and I went back to being strangers.
He didn't look my way, and as much as it hurt, I didn't look his either. We moved like ghosts through the same halls, orbiting each other in a silence so loud it hurt. We were doing a great job avoiding each other... until the universe decided to ruin it.
It started with a morning lecture. A list was read aloud: a group of selected students were being summoned to the principal's office. I blinked when I heard my name. And then I stopped breathing when I heard his.
Turns out, the project Hyunjin and I submitted had ranked the highest in the sports science department — and we were to represent the university at a convention in Japan. A dream come true, sure. Only this dream came with a twist: my project partner practically hated me.
At the cafeteria later, Jessie was losing her mind with excitement — enough for both of us. A few tables away, Seoyeon and Minho were with Hyunjin. The moment Seoyeon heard we were traveling together, her smile faltered like a glitch in her perfect porcelain mask.
Minho eventually walked over and sat with us, his smile soft.
"Congratulations," he said to me, eyes kind. "You deserve it. You've worked hard."
"Thanks," I replied, managing a small smile. I glanced at Jessie and noticed how her face lit up when he sat down. When had that started? Somewhere in the chaos, they'd grown closer — and I was grateful he had someone.
Friday came too fast. Jessie and Seojun accompanied me to the airport; Hyunjin arrived with Minho and Seoyeon clinging to him like a magnetized doll. She smiled and giggled, always touching him, staking her claim like I wasn't there.
I looked away before I said something I'd regret.
We boarded. And hours later, touched down in Tokyo.
I was assigned to room with a bubbly girl named Lia who talked more than Jessie ever did, which was... impressive. She was a welcome distraction, pulling my thoughts from the gnawing ache in my chest.
The next morning, all delegates met for breakfast and a quick breakdown of how the event would run. Afterward, we had to rehearse — in our pairs.
Which meant one thing: I had to be alone with Hyunjin.
We ended up in his room — because, of course, he didn't have a roommate. The place was sleek and modern, and we found ourselves on the balcony going over our notes. Despite the tension, we worked like professionals.
For a while, we were just two scholars with a project to present.
Then the wind shifted. A cool breeze swept through, scattering our papers and tugging my hair into my face. I reached up to brush the strands away—
But Hyunjin's hand caught mine.
Startled, I froze. He was close. Too close. His fingers still wrapped around mine. I looked up — and found his eyes already on me. Something unspoken passed between us, thick and electric, the kind of silence that screamed.
We didn't speak.
We didn't have to.
We leaned in at the same time.
When our lips met, it wasn't soft. It wasn't sweet.
It was desperate.
Hyunjin kissed me like a man starved — like he'd been dying to touch me and hated himself for it. His mouth was hot against mine, his hand moving to the back of my neck, pulling me closer, deeper. I gasped against his lips, and he used it to his advantage, deepening the kiss until my knees buckled.
