since I met you ♡

1

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Chapter 1: First Encounters

Beomgyu strolled into the campus building, a bright smile lighting up his face. His golden-brown hair fell messily across his forehead, but it suited him—the carefree, funny guy who could charm anyone with just a glance. The halls buzzed with the usual morning energy, but there was a noticeable shift in the air when Beomgyu arrived. Some people called out to him, others smiled in his direction, and he waved back casually. The sunshine of the school—that’s what they called him.

But behind the dazzling smiles and light banter, Beomgyu was something else entirely. His inner thoughts were a stream of judgments, sass, and side-eye glances at the world around him. Ugh, seriously, who wears that? His eyes flicked over to a student in an outfit that looked like it had been picked from a thrift store's clearance bin. Beomgyu hid a smirk, giving them a cheerful wave. Poor soul.

He dropped into his usual spot in the corner of the student lounge, where Yeonjun and Hueningkai were already waiting. Yeonjun, the older of the group and his closest friend, glanced up from his phone and grinned.

“Finally! Thought you were gonna ghost us again,” Yeonjun teased, tossing his phone on the table.

Beomgyu shrugged, pulling out his own phone to check his messages. “What can I say? I’m in high demand.”

Hueningkai, their youngest friend, let out a small laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, right. You were probably staring in the mirror for half an hour.”

Beomgyu snorted, flicking a piece of bread from his sandwich at Hueningkai. “Like you’re one to talk. You look like you just rolled out of bed.”

As they settled into their usual back-and-forth banter, the door to the lounge opened, and a noticeable hush fell over the room. Beomgyu’s sharp eyes flicked toward the entrance, and there he was—Kang Taehyun.

Everyone knew who Taehyun was. He wasn’t just a student; he was a legend on campus. Girls threw themselves at him, and half the guys wanted to be him. His reputation as a "playboy" was infamous, and so was his sharp tongue. He was tall, with striking eyes that seemed to pierce through anyone who dared cross him. Cold, mean, sarcastic—everything Beomgyu wasn’t.

Beomgyu’s smile faltered slightly as Taehyun strolled in, flanked by Soobin and Heeseung, his usual crew. They moved like they owned the place, and honestly, maybe they did. Beomgyu narrowed his eyes, feeling his bratty side rise to the surface.

“What’s with the dramatic entrance? Think he’s in some kind of movie or something,” Beomgyu muttered under his breath, but Yeonjun caught it and smirked.

“Jealous much?” Yeonjun whispered back, nudging Beomgyu’s shoulder.

“Me? Jealous?” Beomgyu raised an eyebrow, folding his arms. “Of that? Please.”

As if on cue, Taehyun’s gaze slid over to their table, locking eyes with Beomgyu for a split second. It wasn’t long, but it was enough for Beomgyu to feel a chill run down his spine. There was something about Taehyun’s eyes—cold and unreadable, as if he could see right through him.

But Beomgyu wasn’t one to back down. He returned the stare, arching a brow in challenge. Bring it, hotshot.

Taehyun’s lips twitched ever so slightly, almost like a smirk, before he turned away, continuing his stroll through the lounge. Beomgyu watched him go, his mind already spinning with a million sarcastic remarks he could’ve thrown at the guy. But this wasn’t the time. He’ll slip up. They always do.

“Don’t mind him,” Hueningkai said softly, sensing the tension. “He’s not worth it.”

“Who says I’m minding him?” Beomgyu flashed a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m just… observing.”

Yeonjun raised a brow, but let it go, knowing better than to push Beomgyu when he was in one of his moods. Instead, they fell back into their usual routine, chatting and laughing as the morning dragged on.

But Beomgyu’s mind wasn’t fully in it. He kept glancing toward the door, toward where Taehyun had disappeared. There was something about that guy that bothered him. Something more than just the cocky attitude or the playboy reputation.

Maybe it was the way Taehyun had looked at him—as if Beomgyu was some sort of puzzle he couldn’t figure out.

And Beomgyu hated puzzles.

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