𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗣 | ʸᵃⁿᵍ ʲᵘⁿᵍʷᵒⁿ

- 48 -

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EVERYONE GATHERED up their things, the sound of plastic plates clattering together as we all pitched in to clean up after a satisfying meal. It was a mix of laughter and chatter as we tossed our discarded plates into the trash, the remnants of our barbecue feast wafting into the evening air.

"Alright, time to head back to your cottages!" one of the teachers announced, her voice cutting through the cheerful din. "Tomorrow's a free day, so make sure you get plenty of rest!"

I exchanged excited glances with the girls, my heart fluttering at the thought of spending the entire day together. As we started to walk back, the cool evening breeze brushed against our skin, adding to the thrill of the moment. They walked me to my cottage first, our footsteps crunching on the gravel path.

"What should we do tomorrow?" Hyein asked, her hopeful eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"I heard there's a lake nearby. We should totally go swimming!" Danielle chimed in, her enthusiasm was infectious. A collective gasp escaped our lips, our faces lighting up with huge smiles and enthusiastic nods.

"We should invite the boys too," Hanni suggested, a mischievous smirk creeping onto her face as she looked at me.

My eyes widened at the thought of Jungwon joining us. A rush of warmth spread across my cheeks, and I quickly shook my head, trying to dismiss the fluttering feelings.

"Ah—unnie! I saw that! The look on your face!" Hyein teased, her shocked smile only making me blush more.

"Yah, I didn't make a look," I replied with a weary sigh, desperate to steer the conversation away from my obvious embarrassment. "That barbecue was really good, huh?" I laughed awkwardly, hoping to distract them.

The girls exchanged knowing sighs as we finally reached my cottage.

"See you guys tomorrow!" I said, smiling softly as we bid our farewells.

Once I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it, releasing a heavy sigh. 'How can I like Jungwon?' My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, swirling around like leaves caught in a gust of wind.

I tugged at my hair in frustration, kicking my feet against the ground. 'This isn't possible... right?' I thought, trying to convince myself. 'We're rivals... yeah...' But even as I considered this, I let out another heavy sigh, knowing deep down that wasn't the whole truth.

"I like Jungwon..." I muttered to myself, the realization hitting me like a freight train. I hugged my knees to my chest, burying my face against them, trying to hide the flurry of emotions coursing through me. Just then, I felt the door push slightly, a clear indication that someone was trying to get in. As I stood up and opened the door, I braced myself, knowing it was Jungwon. I quickly turned away to avoid eye contact, scuttling over to my suitcase to grab my pajamas.

"The barbecue was good, right?" Jungwon asked casually, his voice light as he stepped in and slipped off his shoes, placing them neatly on the shoe rack.

"Y-Yeah," I stammered, biting my lip afterward in embarrassment at my own awkwardness. I hurriedly grabbed my pajamas and dashed into the bathroom, desperate to change the subject and clear my mind.

Once I slipped into my soft, breathable pajamas, I splashed my face with cold water, hoping it would wash away the chaotic thoughts racing through my head. As I ran my brush through my hair, I heard a knock on the door.

"What are you doing in there?" Jungwon asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern. "I need to wash my face."

"Brushing my hair..." I muttered, trying to sound nonchalant. But before I could prepare myself, he turned the doorknob and walked in, shirtless.

My cheeks instantly flushed a deep crimson as I caught a glimpse of him in the mirror, and I quickly looked down at the sink, feeling my heart race. In my flustered state, I accidentally dropped my brush.

"Are you okay?" Jungwon asked, leaning over me to grab it. I couldn't help but notice the muscles in his arms flexing as he reached out, and I instinctively backed away, my ears burning with embarrassment.

"Jurin, what's up with you?..." Jungwon asked, a hint of confusion in his voice as he handed me my brush. He was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, and the light from the hallway cast a soft glow around him. I snatched it from him, avoiding his gaze, and bolted past him, trying to escape the surge of feelings bubbling within me.

I plopped down onto the bed, sitting at the edge and massaging my temples, trying to calm myself. 'Relax, Jurin... This isn't the first time you've seen him like that.' But it felt different this time. Now that I was fully aware of my feelings, every small interaction, every stolen glance, sent my heart racing.

I took a deep breath, attempting to steady my racing heart. 'It's just Jungwon,' I reminded myself. 'He's just a guy, a rival, and a friend. Nothing more.' But deep down, I knew the truth was more complicated than that.

After a moment of silence, I could hear Jungwon moving around in the small living area of our cottage, his footsteps light on the wooden floor as I was looking down at the ground. The sound made my heart skip again, and I couldn't help but picture him as he was—easygoing, confident, and annoyingly charming. I shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts that were making my cheeks heat up again.

"Ugh, get a grip, Jurin," I muttered to myself, standing up and pacing a bit. I had to get my head straight. I couldn't let myself get distracted by thoughts of him—not when we were rivals in the first place. That was supposed to be our dynamic. We were supposed to challenge each other, not... whatever this was.

As Jungwon walked out of the bathroom he spoke up. "You seem a little... off Jurin." He paused as he watched me avoid eye contact. "Are you alright?"

"Of course! I'm fine!" I replied a bit too quickly, almost tripping over my words as I looked up at him who was standing in front of the bed. "Just... tired from the barbecue, I guess." I tried to sound casual, but my heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.

"Right. Tired," he echoed, but the way he looked at me suggested he wasn't convinced. "If you need anything, just let me know. I'm right here."

His casual tone made my stomach flutter, and I nodded, forcing a smile. "Thanks, Jungwon. I appreciate it."

He gave me a soft smile before stepping back into the bathroom. I took a moment to collect myself before following him out. As I emerged from the bed to go to the kitchen, the scent of his shampoo and the faint hint of his cologne filled the air. It was intoxicating, and I had to remind myself to breathe normally, to play it cool.

+*___________*+
A\N

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