The rumors spread faster than expected.
At first, they were whispers.
Then they became conversations.
And finally—
they became curiosity.
"Did you see Jin yesterday?"
"He talked back to Minjae like it was nothing."
"He doesn't act like an F-rank."
"Maybe he's hiding something?"
If Jin had heard all of it, he would've sighed.
Unfortunately for everyone else—
he heard everything.
He walked through the hallway calmly, hands in his pockets, expression relaxed.
I knew I should've acted more boring, he thought.
Being interesting is dangerous in this world.
As he entered the classroom, the atmosphere subtly shifted.
Some students looked at him differently now.
Not with pity.
Not with contempt.
But with uncertainty.
Jin smiled politely.
The uncertainty increased.
On the training field, Kang Minjae stood alone, practicing sword swings.
Each movement was sharp, precise, and powerful.
Students watched from afar, full of admiration.
Minjae stopped suddenly.
He felt it.
Someone approaching.
He turned his head.
Jin was walking toward the field casually, holding a bottle of water.
Minjae narrowed his eyes.
"You're not avoiding attention anymore," Minjae said.
Jin thought for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"I tried," he said lightly. "Attention just seems to like me."
Minjae stared at him.
Jin smiled gently.
Minjae clicked his tongue.
"People who hide their strength usually have a reason," Minjae said.
Jin tilted his head slightly.
"And people who notice too much," he replied,
"usually end up regretting it."
The air around them felt heavier.
Students nearby swallowed unconsciously.
Minjae's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Interesting," he said.
Jin nodded.
"I get that a lot," he replied calmly.
Inside his mind—
I should really start charging consultation fees.
Aira was not the type to get distracted easily.
That was what she believed.
Until Jin appeared in front of her again.
He stood near the training field, sunlight falling faintly across his face. His expression was calm, his posture relaxed, as if he didn't belong to the noisy world around him.
Aira watched him without realizing it.
Not because he was strong.
Not because he was special.
But because something about him felt… unfamiliar.
Jin suddenly turned his head.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade.
"…Do I have something on my face?" Jin asked lightly.
Aira blinked.
Her mind went blank for half a second.
"No," she replied quickly.
Her voice sounded normal.
Too normal.
Jin looked at her for a moment longer.
Then he smiled faintly.
"That's good," he said calmly.
"I thought I might look too handsome today."
For a second—
the air froze.
Students nearby stopped talking.
Even the wind felt slower.
Aira stared at him.
Her mind stopped working.
Then—
her cheeks warmed.
Slowly.
Almost imperceptibly.
But undeniably.
Jin noticed it.
And for the first time, his calm expression cracked slightly.
…Oh.
He hadn't expected that.
Aira turned her head instantly.
Her silver-black hair fell across her face, hiding her expression.
But her ears were red.
Very clearly red.
She clenched her fingers slightly.
What is wrong with him?
Her heartbeat felt strange.
Not fast.
Not slow.
Just… unfamiliar.
Jin looked away quietly.
He scratched his cheek lightly.
Okay. That was unnecessary.
Around them, students whispered.
But neither of them heard anything.
For a few seconds—
they existed in a world where only the two of them mattered.
And neither of them understood why.