Later that day, underneath the sprawling willow tree, the afternoon hums with a lazy rhythm of nature, and a few students scattered around the garden. Lost in your books, you become unaware of the unfolding drama nearby.
Seungkwan's sharp eyes catch sight of a lady wearing a soft, oversized cashmere sweater, high-waist trousers, and minimalist leather loafers—a perfect balance between being relaxed and looking put-together.
His gaze darts to her, and his hand hesitates mid-air, unsure whether to nudge Wonwoo or not. He finally taps his shoulder, the motion too quick and obvious, yet, it's not enough to rouse the man from his deep slumber.
"Wonwoo. Hey," Seungkwan whispers, nudging him harder, only to fail again.
Mingyu, oblivious to Seungkwan's growing frustration, just shifts his weight lazily on his side, his eyes half-lidded in boredom. "Uh! Can you shut up for real now?"
The air around them remains comfortably lazy, but then, the unmistakable sound of her voice breaks through, waking everyone up in an instant.
"Oh, so you're still alive! I genuinely thought you were dead or something."
Wonwoo doesn't flinch. Though smooth as ever, he carries that familiar edge only she can fully understand. "What do you want, Camille?"
Her lips curl into a smirk, the frosty tone still clinging to her words. "Nothing really. Just checking whether I'm actually seeing you, not a ghost!"
Trying not to laugh at the growing tension, Seungkwan punches Dino, who yelps in pain. "The fuck is wrong with you?" Dino whispers, rubbing his arm as he glares at Seungkwan.
Dino's sudden scream pulls your focus away from the book. You lift your eyes, blinking in surprise, and your gaze falls on the group in the distance.
"Interesting," you comment, amused by the sight.
The silence grows unbearably thick as Camille and Wonwoo lock eyes, equaling each other's insanity. But then, her phone rings followed by a flash of a warmness in her eyes.
Wonwoo, ever the observant one, catches that subtle shift in her expression. His steely eyes narrow as he watches her carefully, trying to piece together who the caller might be. His mind immediately races through possibilities.
"Hello?" Camille flips her hair, casually answering the call with a tone that betrays nothing. "Hey, Felix. What's up?"
The sight of Camille speaking so casually, so lightheartedly to Felix—her voice bright, almost jovial—ignites a flare in Wonwoo's chest. His jaw tightens, and you see him mouthing "Fuck!"
Before he even realizes it, his hand shoots out, grabs her phone with surprising force, and puts it in his pocket.
"Hey!" Camille's voice cracks with a sharp edge, almost sputtering with disbelief. "What's that for?"
Wonwoo shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly, trying to mask the rapid beat of his heart. "You're being too loud. It's annoying! If you wanna flirt, at least be discreet."
Camille's expression hardens—her eyes flash with disbelief. "Flirt?" she snaps. "Seriously? Do you hear yourself now?"
Wonwoo, calm as ever, doesn't respond right away, and his silence only fuels her frustration.
"Hah! I'm a flirt now, is it?" Camille laughs bitterly, shaking her head. "But it's fine for you to call your so-called childhood friend, right?" Her voice drips with disdain, her gaze sharp and challenging.
Wonwoo blinks, his mind momentarily thrown off balance. The question catches him off guard, and for a second, he's confused. "What the fuck are you talking about?" he asks, devoid of the usual calm control.
Her lips curl with bitterness. "Oh, c'mon! Your childhood friend, Haneul. Remember? The one you always call when you need someone. We both know that she sees you as more than a friend."
You can see his lips twitch, suppressing a smile. He obviously knows that Camille is hurt and jealous. "Is that the reason why you kept ignoring me?"
"Unbelievable!" you mutter to yourself, unable to contain a sardonic chuckle. "They act like they're too cool—like they're untouchable, but the truth? They're both just begging for attention from their women. How delightfully ironic!"
Wonwoo stands, towering over her, but she doesn't cower. "Clearly, you're reading things the wrong way. Enough already." His voice is firm, yet gentle at the same time.
Camille's eyebrows raise slightly, her tone filled with sarcasm. "So it's me again who's misunderstanding this whole situation." Her voice rises in anger now. "I'm not stupid nor am I blind, Wonwoo."
Seungkwan, unable to resist, whispers loud enough for everyone to hear, "I can smell jealousy, pride—whatever this is, it's totally romantic." The smirk on his face, added to his sarcastic remark, is enough to make Dino laugh.
Mingyu, on the other hand, still looks utterly uninterested, while flipping through a magazine.
Wonwoo turns around, about to walk away. Camille snaps, "You really think you can just walk away whenever it gets difficult?"
Wonwoo looks at her and lets out a defeated sigh, "Maybe..."
Her eyes flicker for just a second, but she quickly masks it. "Then maybe we're done here."
Then, with one last sharp look, Camille turns and walks away, leaving him standing there with only the echo of her words ringing in his ears.
Seungkwan, sensing the end of the drama, leans back, his usual teasing grin still present. "Another one for the Wonwoo-Camille file, huh? Though I've seen this drama a million times before, it never fails to amuse me."
Mingyu, without even looking up from his magazine, mutters dryly, "Let's just act surprised when they announce they're back... again."
Dino's expensive laughter ripples in the school's green space.
As she passes by, Camille shoots you a sharp glare. She knows you've been watching the whole spectacle unfold, and you're the closest thing to a scapegoat in her line of fire. "I hope you enjoyed the spectacle!"
Whoa! Chill! I already have 13 men hating on me. I don't need more.
You quickly lock eyes with Dino, who's sitting just a few feet away. "Why is it you again? Are you a stalker or something?"
You press your lips together, resisting the urge to snap. "Last I checked, this is a public space. Plus, I'm too busy to get involved in your lives!"
Dino leans back, unimpressed. "Easy there. Don't get all high and mighty with me—I'm not Joshua or Seungcheol who can give you a slack. Know your place!"
You're stunned into silence, Mingyu scoffs without looking up. "Honestly, why even waste your breath on her?"
Then, for the first time, he puts down the magazine and looks at you in the eyes. "You must've felt honored—we're giving you our precious time."
You wince, watching their backs disappear behind the veil of ivy draping over the portal to their own world.
Just as you're catching your breath, a familiar silhouette steps into view—and your stomach drops. "Not again," you mutter through clenched teeth.
But this time, he's not alone.
Beside him stands a woman who looks like she walked out of a dream—effortless poise.
"Hi, you must be Aurora. I'm Nikki," she says smoothly, extending a hand with the grace of someone who knows she never has to try too hard. You take it, hesitantly, your own hand embarrassingly clammy against hers.
What the fuck! Even her smile is perfect. This is so unfair.
Your eyes drop to where their fingers are laced together, intimate, like a statement. Jun catches the look on your face and raises a brow.
"I'm here to remind you about the party," he says flatly.
Right. The party. How could I forget—he's one of them.
"Uhm… I have homework. And really, why would someone like me be at your golden-circle party? I'm sure there are others—more… your type."
Nikki lets out a light, melodic laugh, but there's a glint in her eyes now—something unreadable.
You start to shake your head. "I really don't think—"
Nikki chuckles, clearly amused by your resistance, then glances at Jun with a fond smile. "Ah, now I see why you wanted me here, babe."
"She's strong-willed... like you," he says, his voice carrying the comfortable cadence of someone who's said a thousand similar things before. "No one could understand her better."
Oh, please. Stop flaunting your love in front of me.
She reaches for your hand, her touch light but sincere. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. But I think you'll have fun, and I'd love to have someone...normal. You know, someone without pretense."
You pause—caught off guard by her honesty and kindness—no condescension, no hidden edge. You instinctively look at your boring outfit.
"Seriously, you're pretty," she adds, already sensing what's in your mind. "But sometimes, a little magic on the outside can help you see what's always been there. Let's show those assholes how beautiful you are tonight!"
There's something almost mesmerizing about Nikki—her optimism isn't forced; it's effortless, genuine, and somehow… disarming.
Before you know it, you're moving—following her steps without question as she gently tugs your hand, leading you toward her dorm.
Yet, unbeknownst to you, a shadow observing from a distance grins in triumph.