James moved without asking.
He stepped closer and slipped into the space beside Hazel, leaving her seated between him and Daniel.
Daniel blinked. "Hey what are you doing? I was here first."
Edward laughed. "Daniel's drunk."
James ignored him and looked straight at Hazel.
"I'm sorry, but… are you single?"
Hazel answered immediately. "No."
Daniel scoffed under his breath.
"Oh," James said lightly. "That's great. Is he in this school?"
Hazel's eyes narrowed just a little. "Why do you want to know?"
James smiled. "You're the feisty type, huh? I'm just curious."
Daniel leaned closer. "Cut him some slack. His girlfriend just broke up with him."
Mat muttered, barely audible, "Other way around."
Hazel looked at James again. "Can I not answer that?"
James raised his hands. "Totally fine." Then, without missing a beat, "Do you mind if I get your contact?"
Daniel immediately added, "Me too."
Hazel laughed softly and handed her phone over. Both of them saved their numbers.
A while later, Hazel stood. "I should go home."
"I'll take you," James said at once.
She shook her head. "Ah… no, you don't have to."
"But I insist."
After a brief hesitation, Hazel nodded.
The ride was quiet. City lights slid across the windows, and the tension between them sat heavy in the air.
When they reached her place, Hazel bowed slightly. "Thank you, sunbae."
She turned to leave.
"Hazel."
She stopped.
James stepped closer and gently straightened the collar of her jacket.
Hazel's eyes widened. "Why are you doing that?"
He pulled his hand back, suddenly aware of himself.
"Sorry," he said. "You're just… too cute."
Hazel didn't know what to say. She turned and walked toward her door without another word.
Behind her, James watched her go.
A slow, unreadable smile curved across his lips.
Then he turned away, already planning his next move.
That night, James didn't go home alone.
Another unfamiliar woman followed him inside. Laughter, music, and careless warmth filled the room until a knock interrupted everything.
James opened the door halfway.
"Morgan?" he frowned. "What are you doing here? I have a guest."
Morgan's eyes slid past him, noticing the woman behind.
"I know. I just came to tell you I'll be away for five days."
James nodded. "Alright. Now go."
Morgan didn't move. "But… who is she? I didn't know you had a girlfriend."
James's expression hardened. "She's not my girlfriend. Why are you looking at me like that?"
Morgan sighed. "I just want to see your real girlfriend one day. And I hope it's soon."
James closed the door quickly. "Bye, Mom."
The next day at school, James walked straight into Hazel's department.
Every head turned. Girls whispered. Phones lifted. But James didn't see anyone else—only Hazel.
She greeted him with her usual gentle smile, then walked past him.
Her smile was soft, natural, almost unreal. Like something that didn't belong in a place like this.
Even in the cafeteria, James followed her and dropped into the seat across from her.
Hazel looked up. "Oh… hi, sunbae."
"Having fun?" James asked.
She blinked. "Ah no. I'm eating."
James smirked. "I messaged you. You didn't reply."
Hazel frowned. "You did?"
He turned his phone so she could see.
"Check. I've sent a lot. You've been avoiding me."No, I wasn't
Her phone rang.
Hazel glanced at the screen, then stood quickly.
"I'm sorry, I have to take this."
She left, barely touching her food.
James watched her go, jaw tightening.
Mat slid into the seat beside him. "We saw that. Not easy finding prey, huh?"
Daniel scoffed. "I can't believe you're chasing Hazel. I approached her first."
James didn't look away from the doorway.
"Relax. I'll let you have a taste after I do."
Edward shook his head. "How about you stop? She's not going to fall for your games.