The Fancy Enemy
Park Joonho walked onto campus like he owned it. His suit probably cost more than my whole year's rent. Girls giggled as he passed. Teachers smiled extra wide. Even the school security guard bowed a little.
Then he saw us.
"Haewon," he said smoothly, ignoring me completely. "You're looking... simple today."
I almost spit out my coffee. Haewon, wearing clothes worth more than my scooter, looked ready to punch him.
Joonho finally noticed me. "And you are?"
"Her study partner," I said. "We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays when she's not busy being rich."
Haewon kicked me under the table.
---
The Dangerous Offer
Joonho didn't leave. He sat down without asking and started flipping through our project notes.
"This is... cute," he said, like he was talking to children. "But my company's interns could do better."
I saw Haewon's hands clench.
Then Joonho dropped his bomb: "Our fathers want us to announce our engagement at the company party next month."
Haewon's pen broke in her hand.
I couldn't resist: "Wow. Nothing says romance like a business deal with fancy snacks."
Joonho gave me a cold smile. "How adorable. Does your part-time job pay enough for such big words?"
Before I could reply, Haewon stood up suddenly. "Dojin. Let's go."
As we walked away, Joonho called after us: "She'll get bored of playing poor soon enough!"
---
The Roof Top Talk
Haewon paced back and forth on the school roof like an angry cat. "I can't stand him!"
"But you'll marry him, right?" I asked. "For the family business or whatever."
She turned sharply. "You think I don't have a choice?"
"I think you've never had to fight for anything," I said. "Money always fixed your problems. But it can't fix this."
She stared at me for a long moment. Then—
"Make me laugh."
"What?"
"Before sunset today," she said. "If you can make me laugh, I'll say no to Joonho at the party. If you fail... you quit your café job."
I blinked. "You're joking."
She crossed her arms. "Scared, poor boy?"
---
The Funny Challenge
Back in the library, I tried everything:
Me: "Why did the rich man cross the road?"
Her: Blank stare.
Me: "To buy the other side!"
Her: "That's not even—"
Then I showed her a video. It was the campus stray cat getting stuck in a Yoon Corp banner. Her lips twitched.
The next clip showed the cat peeing on Joonho's fancy car.
She snorted. Then quickly covered her mouth.
"That counts!" I cheered.
Haewon tried to stay angry. "...Fine. But if you tell anyone—"
"My mouth is shut," I promised. "Unless Joonho pays me. Then I'll talk very loudly."
---
The Bodyguard Problem
By evening, Haewon's bodyguards were watching me at work.
Minjae whispered: "Why are those scary guys staring at you?"
I sipped my coffee calmly. "They're my biggest fans."
One bodyguard cracked his knuckles. I drank faster.
---
Next Time:
- Preparing for the big party (Dojin vs. Fancy Clothes)
- Joonho fights back ("Let's see how he handles real work.")
- An almost-kiss (Totally by accident!)