At the same time outside Shui's University campus.
Shui's classes ended early today and as she walked out of the gates, she saw a car parked outside. She stiffened for a moment.
Is it Jun?
But to her surprise, it was Jin who waved at her.
Shui gave an enthusiastic smile and waved back. "Jin!"
"Hey."
"What are you doing here?"
"Actually…I wanted to talk to you about something, so I wondered if you would be free for a cup of coffee."
"Of course, I will. Do you even need to ask?"
She took a step when she tripped on her foot. Jin widened his eyes. "Careful."
He wrapped his arm around her waist and caught her. Her cheek bumped on his chest. His breath stopped in his throat, feeling her softness pressed against him. Even if it was as light as a feather, he heard his heart drumming faster.
Shui, too, was a bit numb for a moment. His fingertips on her waist made her cheeks slightly heat up. The sound of his heartbeat was confusing her, making her wonder if it was his or her own.
There was a moment of awkwardness between them, and Jin quickly distanced himself from her.
Shui quickly diffused the tension. "Hey, what is this silence for? You saved me there haha! What? Did you get enamored by my beauty perhaps?" She smirked.
Jin's gaze was fixed at her, and he smiled. "Bro Jun definitely is."
Her gaze ever so slightly flickered.
Jin then chuckled and flicked on her forehead. "What are you thinking so hard for?"
"Nothing."
"Let's go?"
"Hm."
They went to a nearby coffee house. Placing their order, Jin asked, "I saw you running around the campus. What were you doing?"
"Ah that…" she scratched her chin, "Doing my setup for assignments," she stuck out her tongue.
Jin laughed. "Seriously?"
"Hey, don't laugh, okay? The topic this time is difficult. I just want to get it over with."
"Why don't you ask bro then?"
Shui slightly bit her lip. "Of course. I will ask his help if my setup doesn't work. Forget about college stuff. Tell me, what do you want to talk about?"
Jin took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Alright, so…Bro Jian told me that he told you about a woman bro Jun is meeting."
He was anxious about Shui's reaction.
"Oh yeah. The twins did tell me this. Though it's hard to believe, they are sure they saw her coming out of Jun's condo."
"Did you talk to him about it?"
That made Shui slightly uncomfortable. "Not really. I wanted to, but...I didn't get time," she lied.
After Jun broke up with Shui, she wasn't sure how to approach him.
Jin blinked. "Didn't get time? You know how bro Jun is always waiting for your call or message."
She clasped her hands together. Jin noticed her nervousness and felt something was off. "Shui, is there something wrong?"
"No…nothing-"
"I don't think so. Please tell me. I wanted to talk to you because I didn't want you to misunderstand bro. But now I am feeling as if you are hiding something from me."
Shui didn't know how to say it. "I…"
"Shui, you are making me worry. Did you two fight again-"
"No! It's not a fight. I don't know how to disclose this. I haven't told anyone about it, not even to Mom."
He frowned. "About?"
Shui took a deep breath. "Jun…broke up with me."
—
Back at the library, the twins started their second plan of action. It was making advances on Ai. Both of them.
Jian openly began to show interest in Ai as he sat next to her. He continued with casual conversation, giving verbal and physical hints that he was interested in her. But he didn't make himself look pushy at all.
It was the second day, and they had already broken the ice with her. Jian would be more frank and unapproachable while Nian would keep his distance, occasionally joining their talk.
Then they saw Jun leaving for a break, and they sighed in relief.
Finally…
Inside the small pantry in the corridor where patrons took a coffee break, Jian hesitatingly approached Ai. "Hey. Can I talk to you about something?"
"Yes."
"Okay…so…" he coughed. "This is a bit embarrassing. I know you will think I am too hasty, but I…I think I…like you."
Ai blinked.
"I know, I know! We just met yesterday. It's hard to believe my words. I don't know if you believe in love at first sight, but it happened to me. I…I just…Can you think about it? I am fine starting out as friends too! If I feel something about it, I act upon it. That's my nature. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"No. I am fine. It's shocking indeed," Ai wore a serious expression. "But-"
"Please think about it just once! Th-Thanks!" He already left.
Ai was stunned.
Strange…
Nian chuckled and gave his brother a high-five. "That was perfect."
Jian winked. "It's your turn tomorrow."
Ai felt awkward going back when Jian had just confessed to her. So instead, she decided to head out for a walk.
Walking down the path, her mind was unable to grasp the situation.
Did he really fall for me? She wondered.
It was puzzling yet at the same time, she didn't know much about love at first sight. So, she couldn't comment on or disregard it.
To her, feelings weren't to be taken lightly.
She paused as she recognized Jun standing at a distance. She walked towards him and greeted him. "Hello."
But Jun didn't respond. He was staring hard at something and when Ai followed his gaze, she saw a coffee house opposite the road.
Why is he looking over there?
Then she recognized someone from inside the coffee house.
Isn't he…Jun's brother? Jin, right? The one who came to the library that day.
She slightly craned her neck and saw a woman sitting opposite him. Her back was facing her.
Ai looked back at Jun. "It's your brother-"
She stiffened upon seeing the chill in Jun's brown eyes that suddenly cast his gaze with a terrifying darkness. His fingers were tightly curled into his fist as if he would punch someone at any moment.
What is happening?