"Eon-jin, are you sure you don't want to come home with us?" Hyo-jin asked as she adjusted her bag, glancing at her cousin with a small smile.
"No, it's okay," Eon-jin replied quickly. "I still need to pick up something from the faculty office."
"Alright, if you say so. Don't forget about Eomma's party later. In-sung and I will wait for you there."
"Yes, I'll come home after I'm done," she reassured her cousin with a nod.
Hyo-jin gave her a playful look before walking away, hand in hand with In-sung. Eon-jin watched them disappear into the distance, a faint smile on her lips. She adjusted her bag and turned toward the faculty building.
The halls were almost empty, the chatter of students replaced by the quiet hum of fluorescent lights. Most of her classmates had gone home, their day on campus finished. She walked briskly, her footsteps echoing down the corridor, until she reached the faculty office.
After collecting the papers she needed, Eon-jin paused just outside the office. She glanced at the stack in her hands. These papers were for a review session she would lead tomorrow—a responsibility she had taken on willingly. Being diligent and dependable had always been her way of coping, of filling her time and keeping her mind busy.
Graduating with a degree in Architecture from Yonsei University wasn't easy. The past five years had been demanding, with countless sleepless nights and endless deadlines. But for Eon-jin, it was more than just academics. It was about proving to herself that she could achieve something meaningful and making her mother proud. Now, with only two exams left, the end of her university journey was finally in sight.
For all those years, though, Eon-jin had avoided relationships. It wasn't that no one was interested—she had turned down more than a few suitors. Her reason was always the same.
A/N: Short Flashback
"Eon-jin, I got these for you," Hae-jun said, holding out a bright bouquet of flowers. His voice was full of nervous energy, but there was hope in his eyes.
Eon-jin sighed softly as she looked at the flowers, her face unreadable. "I told you already, Hae-jun. Stop giving me flowers," she said, her tone calm but firm.
"But why?" he asked, his voice rising slightly. "There's nothing wrong with me liking you. We're both single, so why can't I try?"
"I'm not single." she replied instantly, her hand moving to the chain around her neck. She pulled it out, revealing a simple silver ring that hung from it.
Hae-jun blinked, his expression shifting to confusion. "But Hyo-jin said you don't have a boyfriend."
"She's wrong." Eon-jin said plainly.
"Then where is he?" Hae-jun challenged, frustration creeping into his voice. "Why isn't he ever with you? Why don't you talk about him?"
Eon-jin stared at him, her gaze cold and unwavering. "That's none of your business. I don't have to explain myself to you. Don't bother me again, Hae-jun." she said firmly before walking away.
Behind her, Hae-jun stood frozen, the bouquet hanging limply in his hand.
-----
"Let me guess, you're trying to set me up on another blind date." Eon-jin said, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at Hyo-jin, who was sitting across from her.
Hyo-jin sighed dramatically, placing her coffee cup on the table. "Eon-jin, you need to open yourself up to the world outside of school. You can't just spend all your time studying and working. It's not healthy. You need someone, something, to make you happy. Don't you want to at least try?"
