Hana learned very quickly that working with the student council was dangerous.
Not because of the work.
But because of Min-jae Park.
It was the third day of her punishment, and she was starting to notice things she shouldn't notice.
Like how he always arrived earlier than everyone else.
How he remembered where every document belonged.
How he pretended not to care, but quietly fixed every small mistake she made without pointing it out.
And how her heart reacted every time he spoke to her.
"Hana."
She looked up immediately. "Y-Yes?"
"You stapled these wrong."
Her face flushed. "S-Sorry! I'll redo them!"
He reached out and stopped her hand.
"It's fine," he said. "I'll fix it."
Their hands were close.
Too close.
Hana held her breath.
"Min-jae…" she said before she could stop herself.
He looked at her. "What is it?"
"Why are you… so nice to me?"
The question hung between them.
Min-jae's expression changed—just slightly.
"…I'm not nice," he said quietly. "I'm just doing my duty."
Hana smiled softly. "I don't think that's true."
Before he could respond, the door suddenly opened.
"President Park!"
A girl stepped inside.
She was beautiful.
Long hair, confident posture, perfect uniform.
Hana immediately felt out of place.
"I was looking for you," the girl said, her eyes briefly flicking toward Hana. "Who's this?"
"This is Hana," Min-jae replied calmly. "She's assisting us."
The girl smiled—but it didn't reach her eyes.
"I see," she said. "I'm Seo Yuri. Vice President."
Hana bowed politely. "N-Nice to meet you!"
Yuri's gaze lingered on Hana for a moment too long.
"President Park," Yuri continued, "the teachers asked for you. Alone."
Min-jae nodded. "I'll be right back."
As he left, Yuri turned fully toward Hana.
"You're getting close to him," she said flatly.
Hana blinked. "E-Eh?"
"Don't misunderstand," Yuri added, smiling sweetly. "Min-jae doesn't like distractions."
Hana's chest tightened.
"I'm not— I mean—"
Yuri leaned closer.
"Just remember your place."
And then she left.
That night, Hana couldn't sleep.
Her thoughts were a mess.
Am I bothering him?
Did I overthink everything?
The next day, she arrived late.
For the first time.
When she entered the student council room, Min-jae immediately looked up.
"You're late," he said.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
He stood up and walked toward her.
"Hana… did something happen?"
She shook her head. "N-No."
He studied her face for a long moment.
"…If someone made you uncomfortable," he said quietly, "tell me."
Her heart ached.
"I'm fine," she replied, forcing a smile.
Min-jae didn't look convinced.
Later that afternoon, as Hana left the school building, rain started to fall.
She didn't have an umbrella.
"Great…" she muttered.
"Here."
She turned.
Min-jae stood behind her, holding an umbrella.
"You'll catch a cold," he said.
"T-Thank you."
They walked together in silence.
Then, without warning, he stopped.
"Hana," he said.
"Yes?"
"…Do you regret working with the student council?"
She looked up at him.
"No," she answered honestly. "I don't."
He hesitated.
Then—
"I don't regret it either."
Her breath caught.
Before she could respond, a voice cut through the rain.
"Min-jae."
Seo Yuri stood a few steps away, watching them.
Her gaze dropped to the umbrella.
Then to Hana.
Then back to Min-jae.
Something unreadable flashed across her face.
"Hana," Min-jae said softly, "go ahead. I'll walk you tomorrow."
"O-Okay…"
As Hana walked away, she felt it.
This wasn't just a punishment anymore.
It was the beginning of something complicated.
Something fragile.
Something dangerous.
And she had no idea—
Who would get hurt first.