ENHYEOK POV
"Shin Ara, do you want to go to the amusement park with me?.
I turn my head.
Baek Jiho
What the—
Isn't that what he just offered to Seo Jiah?
Ara's standing near the lockers with her friends, surprised laugh slipping out, hand flying up to her mouth like this is something straight out of a drama. Jiho's smiling, polite, gentle, that same careful expression he always wears like armor. People slow down. Pretend not to listen. Absolutely listen.
So that's the game.
I look away first.
Whatever it is, it's not my business. It doesn't need to be. Seo Jiah looks happy. That glow doesn't come easy, not for her. If he's giving her something to smile about—even temporarily—then good. Why would I care about how he plays his cards? Why would I care about them?
Minseok hands me a canned coffee and starts talking like he always does when his mouth outruns his brain.
"You know," he says casually, popping his drink open, "in our class, Seo Jiah is the pretty one. But she's dumb. Like actually dumb. Always chasing Jiho, that's why she's a zero."
I don't react.
I take a sip. Bitter. Cheap. Warm.
He waits for a response. Doesn't get one.
A few seconds pass and he laughs awkwardly, filling the silence.
"You wanna go to the arcade after school?" I ask, voice flat.
He grins instantly. "Of course. I'm in."
"Then I'll let Areum know," I say.
His grin shifts. "Ohhh. She's coming too?"
I nod once.
He chuckles like he's just been given confirmation of a theory he didn't say out loud. "Nice."
We head back in.
The classroom noise hits all at once. Chairs scraping. Someone arguing about homework. Haerin still half-laughing, half-whispering with Bora near the front. Seo Jiah is already seated when I reach my desk.
She's glowing.
There's no other word for it. Not makeup. Not lighting. Just that stupid lightness in her posture, the way she's tapping her pen against her notebook like the world suddenly got a little kinder. It looks fragile. Like it could shatter if someone breathed wrong.
I sit down.
She doesn't look at me. Too busy smiling to herself.
If she knew he just offered the same thing to Shin Ara, what would that smile do?
Would it crack? Would it disappear quietly, like it always does with her? Or would she laugh it off, act like it doesn't matter, like she hasn't been trained by rejection to expect less?
Cruel, isn't it.
Offering something meaningless to one person while the other holds it like it's everything.
I don't look at her again.
I don't say anything.
I just hope—briefly, distantly—that one day she figures out her own worth without waiting for someone like Baek Jiho to hand it to her.
________
JIAH POV
My notebook is open but blank, pen hovering like I'm about to write something important instead of spiraling about outfits like a menace. What do people even wear to amusement parks? Cute but not trying-too-hard cute. Effortless. Like I woke up pretty and fun and didn't overthink this for three hours.
Should I buy something new?
Probably.
Definitely.
Because if I show up in my usual hoodie and sneakers, that screams best friend energy, not girl you asked out. But if I dress up too much, then it's embarrassing. Like wow, she really waited six rejections just to overdress for the seventh attempt.
God.
I tap my pen against the page. Jeans? Skirt? Dress? What if I trip? What if I sweat? Roller coasters are a scam designed to expose weakness. Also, my hair never behaves when it matters.
I'm mentally budgeting a whole new outfit when—
Scrape.
A chair pulls back beside me.
Enhyeok sits down like gravity personally invited him. I barely register it. Not because I'm being mature or anything. I'm just busy picturing myself under bright lights next to Jiho, holding a stupid balloon I pretend I didn't want.
Tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow I'll say yes.
If I say yes today, it feels too easy. Like I've been waiting at the door with shoes on. Which I have. Everyone knows I have. I know I have. My dignity left the chat a long time ago.
And still.
How do I have the audacity to go on a date with a boy who rejected me six times?
Publicly.
Repeatedly.
Like some kind of emotional cardio.
People already think I have no shame. I do. I just… don't care enough to protect it when it comes to Jiho. That's the truth. I want him. I've wanted him. I'll keep wanting him even if it makes me look stupid.
I sigh and rest my chin on my hand.
Then Haerin appears out of nowhere and slides into the chair in front of me, spinning around like this is a talk show. Bora drops into Minseok's seat backward, arms crossed over the chair, eyes sparkling.
"So," Bora says. "You're going on a date. We should celebrate."
I blink. "Celebrate… what. My survival?"
"Tonight," she continues. "karoke."
"Celebration in the karoke?" I ask. "For what. Me not fainting?"
Bora grins. "Why not? We'll get a private room. Food. Music. Vibes."
Haerin nods seriously. "If you say no, we'll drag you."
I stare at them for a second, then laugh. "I won't say no today."
They cheer quietly but violently, hands clapping each other's arms like they won something.
"You guys are so loud," a voice cuts in. Flat. Unimpressed. "It's annoying."
Enhyeok.
All three of us roll our eyes at the exact same time. It's kind of impressive.
"Put your earpods in," Bora says sweetly.
He looks at her.
Just looks.
That cold, blank stare that says choose your next move carefully.
Bora freezes, then flashes an awkward grin. "Haha. Just kidding." She stands up immediately and retreats to her seat.
Haerin shoots him a look, turns back around, and faces forward like he no longer exists.
I glance at Enhyeok and mouth, rude.
He doesn't react.
Not even a blink.
Fine.
Whatever.
I turn back to my notebook, heart still buzzing, thoughts already drifting back to rides and lights and Jiho's smile, and let myself smile again.
----------
School drags the rest of the day like it's personally offended by my happiness.
By the time the last bell rings, Bora already has her bag on, jacket halfway zipped, bouncing on the balls of her feet like a hyper puppy. Haerin packs calmly, precise, like this is a scheduled event on her planner and not a spontaneous celebration of my upcoming date.
We head out together, the air cold enough to sting but not enough to kill the mood.
"So," Bora says, swinging her bag. "Field trip rumors are getting louder."
Haerin hums. "They said it might be overnight."
I perk up. "Overnight where?"
"Some countryside place," Bora says. "Cabins. Group activities. Campfire."
I squint. "That sounds illegal."
Bora laughs. "Right? They're probably still deciding. Parents are already fighting in the group chat."
We reach the karaoke building, neon lights flickering like they're barely holding on. Inside smells like cheap sanitizer and fried food. The hallway is narrow, walls lined with posters of idols from three generations ago.
Bora goes straight to the counter. "Three people. One room."
The ajumma nods and points down the hallway. "Check the rooms. If one's open, go in."
We wander, peeking through half-open doors. Loud voices. Bad singing. Someone screaming rap lyrics with their whole chest.
"Nope," Bora says, shutting one. "That one smells like regret."
Another door. Full.
Another. Too loud.
We keep walking until Bora stops suddenly.
She reaches for a door handle.
Opens it.
Then freezes.
Like actually freezes. Hand still on the handle. Body locked.
"Bora?" I say. "What. Is it haunted."
She doesn't answer.
Haerin leans forward. "Is someone—"
I step closer and look inside.
Taehyung is sprawled on one couch, mic in hand, yelling lyrics completely off-beat. Minseok is beside him, laughing so hard he's bent forward. Jiyun is filming them on his phone.
And then my eyes slide right.
Enhyeok is sitting there.
Relaxed. One arm draped over the back of the couch. Legs crossed like he owns the room.
And next to him—
Park Areum.