The sun beat down mercilessly on the Seoul streets, a stark contrast to the air-conditioned comfort of Haemin's car. Inside, Sulbi, his best friend, was a whirlwind of excitement, her voice a constant chatterbox.
"And then, can you believe it, Haemin? I saw a shooting star! I made a wish, of course. I wished for...well, you know, the usual." She giggled, her eyes sparkling with the memory.
Jayhoon, seated beside Haemin, rolled his eyes dramatically, his face a picture of exaggerated exasperation. "Oh, please, spare us the details of your cosmic rendezvous, Sulbi. Your wishes are probably as mundane as your life."
Sulbi stuck out her tongue at Jayhoon. "You're just jealous, Jay. You probably wished for more hair."
Haemin, the silent observer, couldn't help but smile at the familiar banter. Their friendship was a well-oiled machine, with Sulbi's endless chatter, Jayhoon's deadpan humor, and his own quiet observations as the perfect components.
"And what did you wish for, wise Haemin?" Sulbi turned to him, her voice filled with curiosity.
Haemin shrugged, his gaze fixed on the road. "Nothing."
"Liar," Jayhoon scoffed. "Everyone wishes for something."
"Maybe I wished for an end to your incessant talking," Haemin replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Sulbi gasped dramatically. "Ouch, Haemin! That hurt."
They reached the university campus, a sprawling complex of buildings and students bustling with energy. The first day of college always held a mix of anticipation and dread, but for these three, it was more about reconnecting and navigating the new academic year.
As they walked towards the main building, Sulbi's eyes widened. "Oh my god, look at that guy! He's so hot!" She tugged at Haemin's arm, her voice filled with awe.
Haemin glanced in the direction she was pointing, his expression indifferent. "Is that so?"
Jayhoon snorted. "Sulbi, your definition of hot is questionable."
They continued walking, the conversation turning to their chosen courses and the professors they were eager to meet. It was a normal day, filled with ordinary conversations and shared laughter. Little did they know, this seemingly unremarkable start would soon be overshadowed by events that would change their lives forever.
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The lecture hall was a sea of unfamiliar faces, yet Haemin, Jayhoon, and Sulbi navigated their way to their usual spots with practiced ease. Haemin claimed his spot by the window, a solitary figure in the vast expanse of the room. Jayhoon, the eternal sidekick, settled beside him, while Sulbi, the social butterfly, perched herself on the row above.
The professor, a middle-aged man with a penchant for punctuality, strode into the room, a mountain of textbooks in tow. "Good morning, class," he began, his voice carrying over the murmur of students. "Before we start, we have a new student joining us today."
A hush fell over the room as everyone turned to the doorway. A girl, seemingly around their age, stood there, her head bowed in nervous anticipation. She was petite, with large, expressive eyes that hinted at a shy personality.
"Please introduce yourself, miss," the professor prompted.
The girl took a deep breath. "E-erhmm, my name is Lee Eunbi," she stammered, her voice barely audible.
"Okay, Miss Lee Eunbi," the professor said, nodding. "You can take a seat beside Miss Sulbi. Miss Sulbi, please raise your hand."
Sulbi, ever the social catalyst, jumped up with a wide grin. "Here I am, professor!"
As Eunbi made her way to the front, Haemin couldn't help but steal a glance at her. There was something about her that intrigued him, a vulnerability that was at odds with the confident facade she tried to put on.
TIME SKIP:
The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. As students began to pack their bags, four figures entered the classroom, their presence causing a ripple of excitement among the female population. Tall, with an aura of confidence, they stood out like beacons in the crowd. They were the campus heartthrobs, the Lee brothers: Ji-hoon, Min-soo, Hyun-woo, and Jun-ho.
The quartet made a beeline for Eunbi, their eyes locking onto her. Unlike the other girls who were swooning, Eunbi remained unfazed. She was more of a tomboy, her demeanor far removed from the typical coquette.
"Princess, let's go. Let me show you the cafeteria," Ji-hoon said, his voice carrying an authoritative tone.
Eunbi rolled her eyes. "I can find the cafeteria myself," she replied, her voice laced with indifference.
Min-soo, ever the peacemaker, stepped forward. "Come on, Eunbi, it's your first day. Let us be your guides." He reached out and grabbed her bag, swinging it over his shoulder with casual ease.
Before Eunbi could protest further, Ji-hoon turned to the remaining two. "You two, keep an eye on her," he ordered, his gaze hardening.
Hyun-woo and Jun-ho nodded, their eyes scanning the room, as if warding off potential threats. Jun-ho took Eunbi's hand, his grip firm. Eunbi didn't resist.
Sulbi, her jaw dropped in astonishment, couldn't believe what she was witnessing. Her deskmate was being escorted out by four of the campus' most sought-after men. A wave of envy washed over her, but she tried to mask it with a nonchalant expression.
Haemin, observing the scene with detached interest, felt a strange discomfort. Something about the entire situation rubbed him the wrong way. He shrugged it off, attributing his unease to the absurdity of the situation. After all, it wasn't like he cared. She wasn't his type.
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