He arrived early. Far too early. Just like he'd planned.

Around him, cliques were gathering—inexplicable, easy groups of students who already talked like they belonged. Ji-Hoon held his eyes down, acting like he was checking his phone despite no messages. The heaviness in his chest was familiar: a blend of hope, fear, and the quiet prayer that no one would make an effort to get close.

“Alright, everyone, please make your way to the amphitheater for the opening welcome!” a voice called out over the speaker system. The crowd shifted in a wave of motion. Ji-Hoon followed slowly, choosing a seat near the back as the noise swelled around him.

And the crowd held its breath.

He emerged onto the tiny outside stage, a presence that immediately commanded attention—not through power, but through being. A man with self-assured comfort about him: well-groomed black hair, sharp face broken through with a bright, warm smile, and an easy stance that proclaimed, I’ve done this before.

"Greetings, freshmen! I am Min-Soo, your student council president," he said, bowing slightly, which caused random cheering and laughter. "I know what you're thinking—'There's no way this guy is this handsome'. But trust me, I’m just here to get you through the insanity."

Ji-Hoon's lips practically twitch Min-Soo continued, pacing from side to side across the stage as if he was speaking in front of a clique of close friends. He teased about chow hall food, stiff professors, and that unwritten war over study room reservations. But beneath the humor, though, was something grounding about his tone—as if he genuinely cared.

Then, for an instant, Min-Soo looked across the room.

These crashed on Ji-Hoon.

It wasn't dramatic. It wasn't a shock of fate. It was a moment—still and brief—but Ji-Hoon experienced it. That flash of direct recognition, as if being fully seen after a long time.

He glanced away immediately, cursing himself for how his heart had responded.

Min-Soo didn't dwell. He changed gears, getting into a lecture about club week and campus maps. But Ji-Hoon's heartbeat refused to relax.

Once he finished speaking, the crowd started to scatter. Ji-Hoon stayed behind, allowing the rest to pass around him. He sat down on a shaded bench beneath a ginkgo tree, allowing the wind to ease his nerves.

He hardly even noticed Min-Soo passing by.

But Min-Soo saw him.

As he passed, he gave Ji-Hoon a casual nod. Nothing pushy. Just acknowledgment. Just. presence.

Ji-Hoon didn't nod either

He couldn't.

But as Min-Soo walked off down the path, Ji-Hoon let his eyes follow after for just a moment.

Not again, he told himself.

Don’t even think about it.