SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
I fell for an obvious provocation.
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His expression was so infuriating that I almost punched him.
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I agreed out of anger, but there was no way my classmates would participate in such a stupid thing.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘A courage test?’ That’s something elementary school kids do.
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It was clear from the beginning that no one would be interested in such childish games.
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‘We’re all grown up; there’s no way.’
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Expecting it to fizzle out, I sat at my desk, killing time.
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***
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Ding-dong―daeng―dong.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
As soon as the break bell rang, Jinyoung started moving between the boys like he had a strategy prepared, talking to them relentlessly.
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“Persuade them all you want. Who would even agree to this?”
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Just as I was certain it wouldn’t work:
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“Hey, Sang-hyuk.”
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“What?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Don’t you feel lonely these days?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“What are you talking about?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Ah, just listen. Do you know about the suspension bridge effect?”
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Sang-hyuk gave Jinyoung an annoyed look.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“They say when your heart races in a scary situation, you might mistake it for romantic feelings. It’s a psychologically proven theory.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“So?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“This is the perfect opportunity. During the courage test, you can get closer to the girls.”
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Hearing Jinyoung’s words, Sang-hyuk scoffed.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“As if the girls would participate.”
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“They will. Even Kim Dohyun agreed to do it.”
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At that moment, Sang-hyuk’s expression changed.
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“She did?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Yup. Pretty much all the girls are in.”
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That bastard.
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He casually used my name as bait.
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‘That brain of his…’
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He’s destined to excel in scams someday.
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In just 30 seconds, one was hooked.
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After that, Jinyoung, with his sly tongue, began convincing the other boys one by one.
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***
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Hey, Minho.”
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“What?”
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“Don’t you want to experience love?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“…What nonsense is this?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“If you miss this chance, you’ll stay single forever.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Not interested.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Dohyun is doing it, and so are the girls.”
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“…Really?”
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It wasn’t long before all the boys were on board.
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“Why is this working? You idiots.”
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“Make sure you never cosign for them in the future.”
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Now they were even getting excited amongst themselves, scheming about how the courage test would bring some romantic summer night vibes.
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And they were doing all of this at my desk.
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***
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“There’s a problem. The numbers don’t match.”
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One of them pointed it out.
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“There are 20 boys in the class but only 17 girls.”
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The atmosphere fell silent.
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“Does that mean three guys are automatically out?”
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Murmurs erupted from every corner.
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As if he had foreseen this situation, Jinyoung smiled confidently.
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“Decide by drawing lots. If you’re scared, you’re out.”
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“Deal.”
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“If anyone messes with the draw, I’ll break their fingers.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
These guys.
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They really just wanted to do it.
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As soon as Jinyoung finished convincing all the boys, he turned to the girls.
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I shook my head.
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‘There’s no way the girls will agree.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
The boys might have been swayed by Jinyoung’s “suspension bridge effect” theory, but the girls would be different.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
If they didn’t agree, the boys would back out too.
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What a dumb move.
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A checkmate.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Their reaction was obvious.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“This is so childish, isn’t it?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“We’re too old for this kind of thing.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Are we elementary schoolers?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘See?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
I crossed my arms and watched the scene unfold.
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There was no way the girls, who barely had enough time to take Instagram-worthy pictures at cafés after school, would waste it on a courage test.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
But Jinyoung remained unfazed by their reactions.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“You’ll regret it later.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Whatever. Go play with the idiots.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Hey, Hye-jin, karaoke after school?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Sure.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
At that moment, Jinyoung’s lips curled into a sly smile.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Kim Dohyun is participating, though. Too bad for you.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“What?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
The atmosphere shifted in an instant.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Kim Dohyun?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Dohyun is?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Isn’t that kind of thing not her style?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
The murmur among the girls grew louder.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Well, she didn’t seem interested, so I’ll just ask someone else. Take care~”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jinyoung turned away with a nonchalant expression.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Then came the hurried shouts.
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“Wait a second! Are you saying we could partner with Dohyun?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Yup. We’ll decide by drawing lots.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Then I’ll do it!”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Me too!”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
I stared at Jinyoung in disbelief.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘That bastard. He’s using my name again?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
And he lied to the boys about already convincing the girls.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
When our eyes met, Jinyoung flinched slightly but then boldly flashed a cocky grin.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
His attitude screamed, “What are you gonna do about it?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Because Kim Dohyun is doing it? You won’t get a chance like this again.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“But won’t it be scary?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“It’s fine since it’s a team of two.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“With Dohyun… hehe…”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Then it’s decided. All the girls are participating.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Wait, I haven’t―”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Someone tried to object, but the atmosphere already seemed set in stone.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Jinyoung raised his hand confidently, like a general who was sure of victory.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Alright then! We’ll draw lots during lunch, so look forward to it.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
I grabbed my head in frustration.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘This is really happening…’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
From the girls’ group, whispers of “Could I end up paired with Dohyun?” were heard now and then.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Feeling a headache coming on, I instinctively pressed my forehead.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
***
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Seo Yuna, sitting by the classroom window, quietly sighed as she stared outside.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Lately, like a madwoman, she had been constantly drawing attention to herself, and now, for no reason, Kim Dohyun was getting dragged into all of this.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Choi Gihoon, you bastard.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
While she muttered curses internally, she could hear the boys chatting noisily.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
They were talking about a ghost story involving strange sounds coming from a shrine.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘A courage test? How childish.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
This wasn’t the first time weird rumors and ghost stories had circulated at the academy.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Yet, they were getting all excited about it.
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‘Ghosts? As if those exist. Idiots.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Crossing her arms, she shook her head.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
She vowed to never take part in such a silly prank.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
But then.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Kim Dohyun is doing it too.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Yuna instinctively whipped her head around.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Kim Dohyun?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
She thought she must have misheard.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
But her classmates were already talking and laughing, taking Dohyun’s participation as a fact.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
And since the one who said it was Jinyoung, who was always with Dohyun, it was unlikely to be a lie.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Surprising… I thought he’d hate this kind of thing.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Yuna bit her lip and turned her gaze back to the window.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Dohyun was usually calm and reserved.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
While he occasionally played along with jokes, he didn’t seem like the type to get swept up in the moment.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Someone like him participating in such a childish prank?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘No way…’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Yuna thought about it deeply.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Is it because of Jinyoung?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
It must have been because his constant companion dragged him into it.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Of course…’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
She forced herself to that conclusion, but the girls’ reactions continued to irritate her.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Kyaa, if I pair with Dohyun, I’d feel so safe!”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Should I act scared and hold his arm?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“No, I’d snuggle right into his arms.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“If I pair with him, should I wear my ‘victory’ underwear today?”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Pfft, you’re insane!”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Snap.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
A surge of anger rose within her, like a fire igniting from her core.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘What are they even saying?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Her shoulders began to feel stiff.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Unbidden, an unpleasant image formed in her mind.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
A dark place where Kim Dohyun was walking hand in hand with another girl.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Don’t worry. I’m here.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Dohyun…”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Shh, my cute little bird.”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
As the girl, scared, buried herself into his chest, Dohyun gently held her.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Argh, this is so annoying!’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Yuna couldn’t even understand why she was having these thoughts.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Why do I care? This is crazy.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
It wasn’t her concern.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Even if that scenario did happen, it wasn’t something she needed to care about.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘But why?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Why did it bother her so much?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Why did her chest feel tight every time she imagined it?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘This is so frustrating…’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
The thought made her mood even worse.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
She had always kept a proper distance from Kim Dohyun.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Too distant to call him a friend, yet too close to call him just an acquaintance.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
But now, the idea of other girls suddenly closing that gap was intolerable.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
At that moment, Jinyoung’s voice filled the classroom.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Then it’s settled. All the girls are participating!”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Yuna almost stood up from her seat.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘What?’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Initially, the girls had said no.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
But the moment Kim Dohyun’s name was mentioned, everything had changed.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
“Wait a second―”
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
She tried to object, but her voice was drowned out by the classroom’s laughter.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Clenching her fists, she gritted her teeth.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘This isn’t right…’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Her gaze naturally drifted toward Dohyun.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
He was sitting quietly, watching the others.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
His indifferent expression was so frustrating.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘Kim Dohyun, you’re the problem here.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Blaming him for no reason, she still felt a strange discomfort in her chest, like something was stuck in her throat.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
The helpless feeling left her restless.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
Yuna bitterly looked back out the window.
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
‘…Fine, I’ll join in on this childish prank too.’
SpecialCharactersAndSymbols!@#$%^&*()_-+=[]{}|;:\"'<>,.?/
***
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By lunchtime, the classroom buzzed with excitement.
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Jinyoung stood at the teacher’s desk, shaking a box filled with papers.
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“Alright, let’s start the draw! No complaining about your partner!”
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Among the girls, a strange tension filled the air.
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“Kim Dohyun… please…”
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“God, Buddha, anyone…”
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Some girls were laughing and chatting as if trying to hide their nervousness.
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“If you pair with a gorilla like you, everyone will run away!”
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“What? You want to die?!”
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Amidst the lively chaos, my name was finally called.
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“Kim Dohyun.”
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All eyes turned toward me.
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“Guys, I’m not that great.”
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This is too much pressure.
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The unpicked girls lit up with anticipation, their eyes sparkling.
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Jinyoung, smirking, pulled out the next slip of paper.
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“Kim Dohyun’s partner is… Seo Yuna. Congratulations!”
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“What? Redraw! This is rigged!”
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“Yuna again? How does this make sense?!”
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Groans of protest erupted from all around.
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Beside me, I heard a quiet gasp.
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I glanced at Yuna.
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‘I thought she wouldn’t be interested in this kind of thing.’
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‘I couldn’t understand why she had joined.’
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“You decided to participate?”
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Avoiding my gaze, Yuna muttered irritably.
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“Why? Am I not allowed to?”
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Her tone was sharper than usual.
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‘Had I done something to upset her?’
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“It’s not that. It’s just unexpected.”
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“I just… Everyone else was doing it.”
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Shrugging, I replied, “Alright. Let’s get along then.”
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I tried to lighten the mood, but Yuna glared at me, her cheeks puffing slightly.
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“But, um…”
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“What?”
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“You know…”
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“Stop stalling and just say it.”
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“Are you… not happy about being my partner? Would you rather pair with someone else? Not that it matters. Just asking since you don’t seem close to anyone.”
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‘Hmm… Honestly, Seo Yuna?’
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She’s pretty and has a good personality.
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‘Being her partner sounds like a win to me.’
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“Not really, I don’t mind.”
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Her eyes widened at my answer, then she quickly turned her head away.
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‘What’s with her? She’s the one who asked.’
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