There were a lot of things I could tolerate in life.
Lukewarm coffee. Last minute group projects. Even the occasional humiliating stumble on campus stairs.
But Jeong Minho breathing the same air as me? That was testing the very limits of human endurance.
I stalked through the hallways of Hanyang University like a man on a mission. Head down, eyes sharp, books clutched tightly against my chest. If there was a record for avoiding annoying people, I would have broken it by now.
Except fate, apparently, was a comedian.
As I reached the entrance of the student center, I heard a familiar voice call out behind me.
"Yah, Haru sunbae!"
I stiffened.
Of course it was him.
I glanced over my shoulder and there he was. Minho. Waving like we were old friends who shared secret jokes and late night ramen sessions. His dark hair was messily perfect, his black eyes sparkling with mischief that made my blood pressure rise to dangerous levels.
Ignoring him would have been the smarter move.
But no, like an idiot, I stopped.
"What," I said flatly.
He jogged up to me, falling into step as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"You left your pen in the lecture hall," he said, holding it out like some peace offering.
My pen.
Bright blue with a little bear charm dangling from it. A gift from my younger sister.
I snatched it out of his hand.
"Thanks," I muttered.
"No problem, Princess," he said smoothly.
There it was again. That stupid nickname.
I gritted my teeth and walked faster. Minho kept up easily, hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket, his long legs making my rushed steps look ridiculous.
"Are you following me now?" I snapped.
He grinned. "Maybe."
I nearly tripped over my own feet.
"You are unbelievable," I muttered.
"Thanks. I try."
I veered off toward the library, praying he would get bored and leave. But no. He followed me all the way to the entrance, still wearing that infuriating smirk.
"You know," he said casually, "there is a campus event coming up this weekend. Drama club performance and all that. Are you going?"
I stiffened.
Drama club was my domain. My escape from people like him.
"I am performing," I said grudgingly. "So obviously yes."
His eyes lit up with interest.
"Really? Then I will definitely be there."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Why? Planning to heckle me from the audience?"
He laughed, a low warm sound that made something stupid flutter in my chest.
"No. I am planning to admire you, of course," he said with mock seriousness.
I choked on air.
"Go admire a wall," I snapped, stomping into the library.
Behind me, I heard his laughter echo like some victory song.
The rest of the week passed like a blur.
Classes. Rehearsals. Avoiding Minho like my life depended on it.
Except the idiot was everywhere.
In the cafeteria line.
In the library aisles.
Even randomly sitting under the tree near the drama club building as if he had nothing better to do.
Every time I turned around, there he was. Smiling. Teasing. Watching.
By Friday night, I was ready to scream.
The drama club event was scheduled for Saturday evening and I was starring in a short play. A romantic tragedy, of all things. Perfect. Just what I needed while dealing with my real life tragedy named Jeong Minho.
"Relax," Seojin said, throwing an arm around my shoulders as we finished the last rehearsal.
"You are killing it, Haru. Seriously. Even Minji noona was crying during your last scene."
I sighed, slumping against him.
"I am not worried about the performance. I am worried about a certain someone showing up and ruining my night."
Seojin laughed.
"You mean Minho?"
I scowled. "Do not say his name. You will summon him like a demon."
Seojin snickered.
"Honestly, Haru, I think you are the one obsessed here. He probably does not even think about you that much."
I glared at him.
"Do you even go to this school? He haunts me like a ghost with unfinished business."
Seojin laughed harder, nearly doubling over.
I left him there and headed back to my dorm room, mentally preparing myself for tomorrow.
It was just one night.
One performance.
I could handle it.
Or so I thought.
Saturday evening arrived faster than expected.
The campus auditorium buzzed with excitement. Students in formal uniforms, professors in neat suits, families with proud smiles. The smell of flowers and fresh paper programs filled the air.
Backstage, the drama club was a mess of nerves and final touch ups.
I adjusted my costume in the mirror, trying to steady my breathing.
You can do this, Haru. Focus.
Minji noona patted my shoulder encouragingly.
"You look amazing, Haru. Just remember the emotions. Feel them. Do not think too much."
I nodded, swallowing hard.
The lights dimmed.
The curtain rose.
And the play began.
On stage, everything felt magical. The words I memorized poured out effortlessly. The audience disappeared into shadows. My co-actors moved like extensions of my own emotions.
I was doing it. I was really doing it.
Until I saw him.
Sitting right in the middle row.
Jeong Minho.
Arms crossed, eyes locked on me like there was no one else in the world.
I nearly stumbled over my next line.
I tore my gaze away and forced myself to focus.
This is fine. Ignore him. Pretend he is a piece of furniture.
I delivered my lines with as much passion as I could muster, throwing myself into the tragic ending where my character confessed his love too late.
The applause was thunderous when the curtain finally fell.
I bowed stiffly and rushed off stage, my heart pounding for a completely different reason now.
Minho had seen it all.
And worst of all, he had seen me vulnerable.
After the performance, the courtyard outside the auditorium was packed with people congratulating the performers.
I was doing my best to blend into the background, sipping juice from a plastic cup, when a shadow fell across me.
I looked up.
Minho.
Of course.
He looked infuriatingly good in a simple black jacket and jeans, hands tucked into his pockets like he owned the entire planet.
"Nice performance, Princess," he said, voice low.
"Thanks," I muttered, scanning the crowd for Seojin. Anyone. A lifeline.
But Minho stepped closer, invading my space like he had every right to be there.
"You were incredible," he said, more seriously this time.
I blinked.
Was he being genuine?
No teasing? No stupid smirk?
He looked down at me, dark eyes intense.
"Seriously, Sunbae. You were... breathtaking."
I swallowed hard, the compliment hitting me harder than it should have.
"I am sure you say that to everyone," I said stiffly.
He shook his head, a small amused smile playing at his lips.
"Only to you."
My heart stuttered in my chest.
I needed to leave. I needed air. I needed to not stand here like an idiot blushing at Jeong Minho of all people.
"I have to go," I blurted out, pushing past him.
I barely made it a few steps before he called out.
"Sunbae."
I stopped but did not turn around.
"What," I said quietly.
There was a pause.
Then he said, in a voice too serious for his usual teasing,
"Go on a date with me."
The words hit me like a punch.
I spun around, wide eyed.
He stood there, hands still in his pockets, looking calm like he had just asked for the time.
I opened my mouth to respond but no words came out.
"Think about it," he said, flashing a small smile before disappearing into the crowd.
I stood frozen under the fairy lights, the world spinning around me.
Jeong Minho just asked me out.
And for the first time, I realized maybe I was in way more trouble than I thought.