The Library Showdown
I arrived fifteen minutes early to stake out the best study table—far from the noisy freshmen, close to the coffee cart. Strategic.
Haewon arrived twenty minutes late, flanked by two bodyguards who looked like they bench-pressed sedans for fun.
"You brought muscle to a library?" I whispered as she sat down.
She adjusted her designer glasses (purely for show—they had no lenses). "They're for crowd control."
I eyed the empty study area. "What crowd? The ghost of Shakespeare?"
One bodyguard cracked his knuckles. I decided to drop it.
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Highlighters and Hostility
Two hours in, I discovered three things about Yoon Haewon:
1. She couldn't take notes without using six different highlighters.
2. She highlighted entire textbook pages like they were holy scriptures.
3. She hissed when frustrated, like an angry kitten.
"Stop defacing the book," I said, prying a neon pink highlighter from her grip.
She yanked it back. "It's color-coded."
"That's not coding. That's vandalism."
She retaliated by stealing my pen. War was declared.
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The Rumor Mill Churns
Mid-argument, a voice cut in: "Dojin? Who's your… friend?"
I turned to see Lee Minjae, my study buddy from Economics—and the only guy on campus who could make sweatpants look stylish.
Haewon sized him up in 0.2 seconds. "Are you my new partner? Please say yes."
Minjae laughed. "Sorry, I'm just here to—"
"—borrow my notes," I cut in, shoving him toward the stacks. "We'll catch up later."
When I returned, Haewon was smirking. "Aw. Is someone jealous?"
I scoffed. "Of what? Your ability to flirt with anything that breathes?"
She twirled a highlighter. "Admit it. You're territorial."
"I'm allergic to nonsense. Now focus—we have a project due."
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The Chaebol Complication
As we packed up, Haewon's phone buzzed. Her face darkened.
"What's wrong? Run out of gold leaf for your latte?"
She ignored the jab. "My father's favorite—Park Joonho—is visiting campus tomorrow."
"Let me guess. Arrogant, rich, and your future husband?"
She stiffened. Bingo.
I whistled. "Wow. And here I thought I was your biggest problem."
For once, she didn't snap back.
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The Unexpected Truce
At the café later, I slid her a latte—no foam, extra hot—before she could order.
She stared at it. "...Is this poisoned?"
"Yep. Slow-acting. You'll collapse right before the project presentation."
A laugh escaped her—genuine, not her usual scoff. "Jerk."
We drank in silence. Tomorrow, Park Joonho would arrive. Tonight? We had an unspoken ceasefire.
(For now.)
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Next Chapter Teaser:
- Park Joonho arrives (Spoiler: He's worse than Dojin imagined)
- A bet is made ("If I make her laugh, you quit the café.")
- Bodyguards vs. Baristas (The showdown no one asked for)