At the beginning of her first year of college, Hana arrived in the city with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. Summer still lingered in the air when she moved into her dorm, leaving behind her old life and stepping into something entirely new. Luckily, she had one familiar face here — her childhood friend, Gemmy.
On her very first evening, while Hana was still arranging her belongings, Gemmy burst into the room looking anxious.
"Please help me," she begged, clasping her hands dramatically.
Hana raised an eyebrow. "What did you do this time?"
"I have a blind date tomorrow… and I don't want to go. Can you go in my place and reject him for me?"
Hana stared at her in disbelief. "What? Why me? And how am I supposed to reject someone I don't even know?"
"Because you're my only friend here," Gemmy said desperately. "He doesn't even have my photo. Just say anything you want and reject him. Please… just this once."
Hana sighed, defeated by Gemmy's pleading eyes. "Fine. Only this once."
The next day, Hana sat at the café table, nervously tapping her fingers. Gemmy had sent her every detail she knew about the guy. Hana even turned on her phone recorder — proof of mission success, she had decided.
A few minutes later, a tall, strikingly handsome boy approached her table.
"Hi," he said calmly. "I'm Joonwaa. I'm nineteen."
Hana forced a polite smile. "Gemmy."
He sat down, confident and composed. For a moment, she almost forgot her task. Almost.
Then she cleared her throat.
"You don't look that good," she said bluntly. "And… you're not my type."
Joonwaa blinked, stunned. "What? I'm not looking good?"
"No," she replied casually.
"…Then what is your type?"
"That's none of your business," she said, standing up. "I reject you. Bye. Oh — and I already have a boyfriend."
Before he could respond, she hurried out of the café and ran straight back to the dorm.
Gemmy was waiting eagerly. "What happened? Tell me everything!"
Hana handed her the recording. After listening, Gemmy squealed in delight.
"Thank you! I'm treating you today!"
The next morning was their first official day of college.
As they entered campus, a crowd had gathered around someone. Curious, Gemmy pushed forward — and froze.
"Wow…" she whispered dreamily. "He's so handsome… I'm already in love."
The boy noticed Hana standing nearby and walked straight toward her.
"You again?" he said with a smirk. "What a coincidence."
Gemmy looked between them in confusion. "Wait… you two know each other?"
"I'm Gemmy, by the way," she added quickly.
Joonwaa turned toward her — and his eyes widened slightly. "You're… Gemmy?"
She blinked. "Yes… and this is Hana, my best friend."
He looked from one to the other, realization dawning. "So that's why."
He smiled faintly. "I'm Joonwoo."
Gemmy gasped in shock. "You're Joonwoo?!"
Hana grabbed her arm quickly. "We're late for class. Let's go."
They rushed away — though Gemmy's mind was spinning.
Inside the classroom, Gemmy leaned closer to Hana, whispering excitedly.
"You met him in just two days? Don't tell me… he was my blind date!"
"Of course he was," Hana replied calmly. "And now he knows who I really am."
Gemmy jumped up dramatically. "I'm going home to tell my parents my answer is YES!"
"Wait—!" Hana called, but Gemmy was already gone.
Just then, the lecturer entered with Joonwoo.
"This is Joonwoo," the professor announced. "A brilliant student and top scorer from his previous school."
Joonwoo walked straight toward Hana's row… and took the empty seat beside her.
He leaned slightly closer.
"So," he said quietly, "you fooled me. And you said I wasn't good-looking… and not your type."
Hana stiffened.
He smirked. "Let me tell you something. You're not my type either."
Hana turned to him sharply, eyes wide with shock — then narrowed them.
"Well, mister," she snapped softly, "I don't want you either."
They turned away from each other at the same moment — but neither could ignore the strange spark that had already begun between them.
And so… their rivalry began.