Autumn Calculus

Ch.16.

Eun-ji didn’t know how it happened, but her once quiet and predictable routine was now filled with vibrant chaos. Between study sessions, tutoring, and impromptu hangouts with Ji-hoon and his ever-growing circle of friends, her days were fuller than ever.

Today, she found herself on the university’s outdoor basketball court, of all places. Ji-hoon had dragged her along to watch a casual game between Seo-jun, a few engineering students, and some underclassmen Ji-hoon apparently “mentored” (though it seemed more like he just gave them unsolicited advice).

“Why am I here again?” Eun-ji asked as she sat on the bleachers, clutching a cup of hot tea against the crisp autumn air.

“To support your friends,” Ji-hoon said, plopping down beside her. He adjusted his hoodie and waved dramatically toward the players. “Look, Seo-jun’s already trying to be MVP.”

Seo-jun, who was surprisingly coordinated for someone Eun-ji thought of as a quiet nerd, scored a clean three-pointer and waved back at them.

“Does he always play this well?” Eun-ji asked, genuinely impressed.

Ji-hoon nodded. “He’s decent. But don’t tell him that. It’ll go straight to his head.”

Before Eun-ji could respond, a ball flew in their direction, landing just a few feet away.

“Eun-ji! Ji-hoon! Join us!” Soo-bin called from the court, waving enthusiastically.

Eun-ji froze. “Oh, no. I don’t play basketball.”

Ji-hoon grinned mischievously. “Guess there’s a first time for everything.”

Before she could protest, Ji-hoon had grabbed her tea and tugged her onto the court.

---

As expected, Eun-ji was terrible at basketball. She fumbled passes, missed every shot, and tripped over her own feet more times than she cared to admit.

“You’re doing great!” Soo-bin encouraged, though Eun-ji was pretty sure the other girl was just being polite.

Ji-hoon, meanwhile, seemed to take immense pleasure in teasing her every chance he got. “Eun-ji, that was supposed to go in the hoop, not over the fence!”

She glared at him, red-faced but secretly laughing. “I’d like to see you do better!”

“Challenge accepted,” Ji-hoon said, grabbing the ball and effortlessly scoring a layup.

Eun-ji rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. Despite her lack of skill, she found herself enjoying the game. The laughter, the playful banter, and the way everyone cheered each other on—it was different from anything she’d experienced before.

---

After the game, the group sprawled out on the court, passing around water bottles and snacks. The setting sun bathed the campus in golden light, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.

“Who knew Eun-ji had such hidden talents?” Seo-jun teased, earning a mock glare from her.

“I wouldn’t call them ‘talents,’” she said, brushing a stray leaf off her sweater.

“Hey, you showed up, and that’s what matters,” Soo-bin said brightly. “You’re officially part of the gang now.”

“The gang?” Eun-ji echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Ji-hoon grinned. “Yep. Welcome to the Ji-hoon Fan Club. Membership is mandatory.”

She snorted. “I’ll pass, thanks.”

“Too late. No refunds,” he replied, leaning back on his hands with a smug look.

---

As the group dispersed, Ji-hoon and Eun-ji walked back toward the dorms together. The air was crisp and cool, and the faint scent of woodsmoke lingered in the breeze.

“You had fun today, admit it,” Ji-hoon said, glancing at her.

Eun-ji hesitated but finally nodded. “Yeah, I did. Thanks for dragging me along.”

He grinned. “Anytime. You’re not as scary as you look, you know.”

“Gee, thanks,” she said dryly, but her tone was light.

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of the campus evening wrapping around them. For the first time in a long time, Eun-ji felt like she belonged.

“You know,” Ji-hoon said suddenly, his voice softer than usual. “You’ve been smiling a lot more lately.”

She glanced at him, surprised. “I didn’t realize.”

“It suits you,” he said simply, his eyes meeting hers for a brief moment before he looked away, scratching the back of his neck.

Eun-ji felt her cheeks warm, but she quickly shook it off. “Don’t get used to it.”

Ji-hoon laughed. “Too late.”

As they reached the dorms, Eun-ji paused before heading inside. “Hey, Ji-hoon?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks. For everything.”

He gave her a lopsided smile. “What are friends for?”

Eun-ji nodded, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.

And as she climbed the stairs to her room, she couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, this chaotic, heartwarming mess of new friends and experiences was exactly what she needed.