The library study room is louder than usual. Two project groups sharing one space tends to have that effect.

Myung sits with his laptop open, already highlighting sections of an article.

Ju-Won pretends to review his notes.

Across from us sit Ha-Yoon and her group.

Do-Yun included.

The arrangement wasn’t accidental.

Ha-Yoon needed help with the music section of their project, Ju-Won wanted to meet Ha-Yoon outside of class, and Myung is happy to be receiving help from two of the top students in school.

A mutually beneficial collaboration.

Ha-Yoon sits between me and Ju-Won. Do-Yun sits across from her.

The conversation shifts naturally between the two groups. Myung discusses research sources. One of Ha-Yoon’s group members explains their historical references.

Meanwhile Ha-Yoon and Ju-Won quietly debate song choices, even though Ju-Won’s section isn’t even Music.

“People respond more emotionally to music they recognize,” Ha-Yoon says.

I continue writing notes.

But I can feel the tension beside me.

Every time Do-Yun speaks to Ha-Yoon, Ju-Won goes quiet.

When Ha-Yoon laughs at something Do-Yun says, Ju-Won taps his pen against the table a little harder.

Jealousy is a very loud emotion.

Even without my ability.

---

After about an hour people start packing their bags.

Ha-Yoon and Ju-Won volunteer to grab drinks from the vending machine.

That leaves me and Do-Yun alone at the table.

For a moment we work in silence.

Then he glances up.

“You explained the music section well earlier.”

I look up from my notes.

“Thank you.”

“You’re on the music scholarship, right?”

“Yes.”

He nods thoughtfully.

“That makes sense.”

I wait for the usual follow-up question, most people ask something dismissive.

Do-Yun doesn’t, instead he says, “You seem serious about it.”

“I am.”

“Good,” he says simply.

Then he goes back to packing his books.

Direct. Straightforward. Not cruel.

Just honest.

It’s… refreshing.

✩ ♬ ₊˚.𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Ju-Won and Ha-Yoon return a few minutes later carrying drinks.

The conversation resumes briefly before everyone decides it’s time to leave.

Outside the library a car waits near the curb.

Ju-Won’s driver.

He hesitates before getting in.

Then he glances at Ha-Yoon.

“I’ll message you later,” he says.

Ha-Yoon nods.

After the car disappears down the street we start walking home.

The evening air is cool.

Ha-Yoon walks quietly for a few minutes, then she suddenly grabs my arm.

“Nari.”

“Yes?”

Her cheeks are slightly pink.

“Ju-Won asked if I wanted to go to that book signing this weekend.”

I pretend to think about it.

“Did he?”

She nods quickly.

“It’s not really a date,” she adds quickly. “Just two people who like the same author meeting there.”

Of course, I’ve been mentioning the book signing all week to Ju-Won, hopeful he’d get the memo. I’m glad he did.

Her smile gives her away immediately.

“I see,” I say.

She looks down at the sidewalk, still blushing.

“Do you think that’s weird?”

“No.”

Not weird.

Mission progress.

Significant mission progress.