Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲 | her personal space

Book 1, Chapter 12
𝖧𝖾𝗋 𝖯𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗅 𝖲𝗉𝖺𝖼𝖾

With each critical point the professor emphasized, Jisu’s pen danced effortlessly across her notebook, capturing every essential detail of the two-hour lecture. As the session concluded with a courteous farewell from the lecturer, the familiar post-class routine commenced.

“Jisu, did you catch all that?” The inevitable question came her way, one she had grown accustomed to over time, though it occasionally tested her patience.

“Yep,” she responded, her smile unfaltering.

“But how exactly?” It wasn’t just one curious classmateㅡanother voice joined in, revealing a shared sense of confusion among her peers. “Honestly, his teaching style completely flies over my head too,” admitted another, inching closer. Before long, Jisu found herself surrounded, inadvertently shielding Ryujin from the crowd’s view.

“Alright, everyone, hold up,” Jisu laughed, raising her hands to bring some order to the chaos. “Let’s spread out a bit, okay?” Her suggestion was quickly heeded, the group backing away to ease the congestion. Jisu couldn’t help but spare a glance for Ryujin, who despised crowded spaces. She knew Ryujin was probably struggling to keep her composure amidst the throng of students now separating them.

“Just tune him out,” Jisu advised, sparking a wave of shocked expressions. “Whoa, waitㅡdon’t misunderstand!” she quickly clarified, laughing off their puzzled looks. “Here’s the trick: ignore his voice and skip his confusing explanations. Focus on whatever he writes on the board. Let the written content guide you, not his rambling lectures.” Jisu laid out her strategy with confidence, intending to wrap up her impromptu advice session. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she snapped her fingers. “Oh, and be sure to pick up on those random nuggets of useful info he drops,” she added, closing her tips with a trademark, dazzling smile. Her classmates showered her with praise, patting her on the back and playfully ruffling her hair before finally dispersing.

The room quieted, leaving just Jisu and Ryujin.

Ryujin was the first to break the silence. “Have you always been like this?”

“Been what?” Jisu asked, brow furrowing in confusion.

“That,” Ryujin gestured vaguely toward the door, “friendly and... bubbly.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s just part of who I am,” Jisu shrugged, her tone light. “Oh, and I’m sorry about earlier. That whole scene is pretty much a regular occurrence.”

Ryujin’s expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes as she confessed, “Honestly, I almost punched the guy standing in front of me.” Her gaze stayed locked on Jisu, who blinked in surprise.

“Good thing you didn’t,” Jisu replied with a nervous chuckle.

“Yeah, didn’t want to blow our cover,” Ryujin said, a rare hint of amusement coloring her tone. “Plus, I wouldn’t want to damage your reputation.”

Jisu resisted the urge to tease her, recognizing the concern hidden beneath Ryujin’s aloof demeanor.

“Let’s grab something to eat,” Jisu suggested, standing up and stretching her arms.