The spring breeze carried the scent of cherry blossoms, but Han Soojin didn't notice. The faint glow of her phone illuminated her puzzled expression as she stared at the unexpected message from Minho:
"You're right. Our worlds are different. But I'd like to change that. Let me know if you ever need a partner for studying—or for proving everyone wrong."
She locked the screen and set her phone aside, determined to ignore him. Yet his words lingered, poking at the walls she had so carefully built around herself.
The next morning at school, Minho was already waiting near her locker, leaning casually against the wall as if he owned the place. His presence drew stares and murmurs, but he seemed oblivious.
"You're persistent," Soojin said without looking at him as she gathered her books.
"I prefer the term 'determined,'" he replied, his tone light but his eyes serious.
Soojin slammed her locker shut and turned to face him. "Listen, Lee Minho. I'm not interested in being part of whatever experiment you're running. Go back to your world, and I'll stay in mine."
Minho's smirk faded, replaced by a hint of frustration. "Why do you assume the worst about me?"
"Because I've seen how people like you treat people like me," she snapped. "I've worked too hard to let anyone, especially someone like you, derail me."
For a moment, Minho said nothing. Then, to her surprise, he stepped aside. "Fair enough. But if you ever change your mind, I'll be around."
That week, the school buzzed with anticipation for the upcoming Academic Decathlon, an annual event that showcased the school's brightest minds. For Soojin, it was a chance to prove herself—and to secure a scholarship for university.
When the team lists were posted, Soojin felt a mix of relief and dread. Her name was there, but so was Minho's.
"This must be some kind of joke," she muttered under her breath as she stared at the sheet.
"It's no joke," Minho's familiar voice said behind her. "Looks like we're partners."
"Great," she replied flatly, walking away.
The first team meeting was tense. Minho tried to offer ideas, but Soojin cut him off at every turn, determined to show she didn't need his help. The other team members, sensing the tension, kept their distance.
During a break, Minho cornered her. "What's your problem, Soojin? Do you think I'm not capable, or are you just too proud to work with me?"
Soojin glared at him. "I don't trust you. And I don't have the luxury of making mistakes. This competition is my chance at a better future. It's not a game for me."
Her words hit harder than she expected, and for the first time, Minho looked genuinely hurt.
"You think my life is easy?" he said quietly. "You think I don't have pressure, expectations? I'm here because I want to be, not because I have to be. Maybe that's something you should consider."
Later that evening, the two found themselves working late in the library, assigned to research together. The silence was heavy, punctuated only by the scratch of pens on paper.
Finally, Minho spoke. "Why are you so determined to push everyone away?"
Soojin sighed. "Because people always leave. It's easier not to let them in."
Minho's gaze softened. "Not everyone leaves. And not everyone's out to hurt you."
She looked at him, surprised by his sincerity. "Why are you even here, Minho? You could be anywhere else, with anyone else."
He smiled faintly. "Because for once, I'm not bored. You challenge me, Soojin. And I think you're worth the effort."
For a moment, neither said anything. The library felt quieter, the world smaller. In that brief exchange, a crack formed in the walls between them, though neither was ready to admit it.
The next few days saw subtle shifts in their dynamic. Soojin still maintained her distance, but she no longer dismissed Minho outright. Minho, for his part, began to see the world through her eyes—her struggles, her determination, and the weight of her dreams.
Meanwhile, Jung Yura, watching from the sidelines, grew increasingly irritated. Minho's interest in Soojin wasn't just a phase, and that infuriated her.
"Let's see how long she can handle the pressure," Yura muttered, a plan forming in her mind.
As the Academic Decathlon approached, tensions rose, but so did the fragile understanding between Minho and Soojin. Their worlds might have been different, but for the first time, it felt like they were standing on common ground.
Neither of them knew it yet, but the journey they had started would change them both in ways they never imagined. 🌌💬