Not Just Academic Rivals || Yang Jungwon x Female Reader

♡Chapter 14♡

— Jia's POV —

I opened the door of the cafe, eager to meet Aera. She messaged me saying that she used my tactic on my crush, and as payment, she was going to tell me who her crush is! I rushed in, ready to help her with her love life.

"Aera unnie! I'm here! Tell me your crush!" I shouted, calling the girl.

She emerged from behind a stack of boxes. "Great! But that was a bait for you to come extra early and help me unload the new stocks!" She giggled.

I pouted, my shoulders dropping in dismay. "Hey! That's not funny. You have to tell me after work, or else I won't help you." I said, walking over to her and counting the boxes. 10 boxes.

Aera pursed her lips. "But- ugh. Fine." She agreed, putting down the blade that she was using to cut the boxes open.

"Yes! Okay, I'll help you now." I bent down and ripped the tape off, opening the box. "Ooh! New appliances?"

"Yeah, boss said the ones here were getting old." Aera replied, taking out a coffee maker.

"Well, this is a lot, so I'll call Jake!" I offered, grabbing my phone and calling his number.

* * *

Okay, this is the time to use my own advice. I looked at Jake, walking over to him when Aera was in the bathroom.

"Hey Jake! I'm curious. What's your ideal type?" I asked casually.

Jake chuckled. "That's funny. Is that a trend to ask people these days? Aera asked me that yesterday. Then she told me her type."

My smile faded. "Oh! Umm, yeah. It's kind of trending right now."

"Well maybe I should check up on social media more often. Anyways, my ideal type is-"

"No, it's okay. I'll just ask Aera, because I think customers are coming." I quickly improvised, pointing to the doors of the cafe, where a couple was eyeing the cafe.

He nodded, going to the cashier as I looked down. Was Jake, Aera's crush? That can't be. Who wouldn't like Aera? She would get to Jake before me.

Nah, it's probably not. Maybe she really is just curious. Or maybe she was practicing? Yeah she was.

But I knew that I was just fooling myself.

* * *

Aera ran up to me as soon as Jake went outside to answer a business call.

"Jia! I'm telling you who my crush is!" She smiled. I forced a smile, hoping that it wasn't Jake. "It's . . . Jake!" She revealed.

I felt a small piece of my heart shatter as I smiled, pretending to be excited. "Really!? That's great!"

"I know right!? And I think he likes me back!" She squealed.

"That's really nice, but I have to go now, I have to prepare for a test." I lied. "See you tomorrow!" I paused. "Don't forget to tell me about what happens! I'll give you and Jake some alone time." I winked, trying hard not to sound too forced.

"See you Jia! Bye!"

I quickly ran out of the cafe, my smile completely disappearing. I want Aera unnie to be happy, but . . . I want to be happy too. But it's going to be my fault if he doesn't become mine, because what work was I doing? And I'm the opposite of Jake's ideal type. His ideal type was exactly Aera. Maybe I can just be happy for them next time.

— The next day —

I sighed when I saw a crowd of people in the hallway, blocking the way. "Excuse me people! Why are you guys in the hallway!?" I asked annoyedly over the noise. I was late for class, and so were these students. The boy closest to me looked at me.