Hearts Entwined || PpoToz

CHAPTER 30

NO ONE POV

The buzz of the upcoming CSAT exams filled the air. Months had passed, and the pressure on the seniors was immense. Everywhere Seoyeon looked, classmates huddled over textbooks, cramming formulas and literature notes into their heads. Even their usual group had shifted gears, trading in banter for serious study sessions.

Today was no different. Seoyeon had made plans to meet her friends at the library for yet another intense study group. Even Yubin and Mayu, who were a year younger and not facing the same high-stakes exam, joined in for the camaraderie—and perhaps some last-minute tips for their future.

As Seoyeon hurried down the hallway toward the library, her thoughts were occupied with the weight of upcoming tests. She knew Yooyeon would be there, too, working as hard as always. Even with the rivalry still flickering between them, these study sessions had brought a certain ease to their interactions.

But as she turned the corner, she suddenly froze.

There, in the middle of the hallway, Yooyeon stood, talking to a girl Seoyeon had never seen before. The girl had the air of a junior—probably Yubin and Mayu’s classmate. Yooyeon wore a polite smile, but there was something about her posture that made Seoyeon’s stomach twist. She knew Yooyeon well enough to sense the discomfort behind that smile.

Seoyeon’s jaw clenched as she watched the girl laugh and lean a little too close.

Before she even realized it, Seoyeon’s feet carried her forward, her anger bubbling up with every step. She didn’t say a word as she reached them, her eyes locking onto Yooyeon’s. Without hesitation, she grabbed Yooyeon’s hand, pulling her away from the conversation.

“Let’s go,” Seoyeon muttered sharply, already dragging Yooyeon toward the library.

Yooyeon blinked, a mixture of surprise and confusion flashing across her face. “Seoyeon, what—”

Seoyeon ignored her. Her grip on Yooyeon’s hand tightened, a silent claim that she wasn’t about to let anyone else have even a second of her time. When they reached the library doors, Seoyeon slowed her pace, but she didn’t let go. Instead, she looped her arm around Yooyeon’s, pulling her even closer.

Yooyeon’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t protest. She simply let Seoyeon’s warmth engulf her as they walked together.

As they entered the library, Seoyeon couldn’t resist one last look over her shoulder. The girl was still standing there in the hallway, watching them with wide eyes. Seoyeon met her gaze head-on, her glare cold and unforgiving. She didn’t need to say anything—the message was clear enough.

Yooyeon was hers.

As they stepped into the quiet library, Seoyeon and Yooyeon spotted their group already gathered at a large table by the window. Textbooks, notebooks, and highlighters were scattered across the surface as their friends concentrated on their studies. The air was thick with focus, the tension of the upcoming exams evident in everyone's furrowed brows.

Seoyeon led Yooyeon toward the group, still holding her arm. But before they could settle into their seats, Nakyoung looked up from her notes and spotted them. Her eyes immediately gleamed with mischief.

"Well, well, well," Nakyoung said, loud enough for everyone at the table to hear. "What do we have here? Seoyeon dragging Yooyeon around like a jealous girlfriend?"

At once, all eyes turned to them. Xinyu raised an eyebrow in amusement, and Sohyun exchanged a knowing glance with Nakyoung. A smirk slowly spread across Sohyun's face as she leaned back in her chair, clearly enjoying the unfolding scene.