The next few days at Kiss Academy passed in a blur for Jiwon. She focused on settling into her new routine, trying to make sense of the overwhelming environment she had found herself in. Her classes were challenging but interesting, and though she was far from the top of the class, she found herself engaged in the subjects, especially when her teachers spoke with such passion.

But amid the whirlwind of schoolwork and new faces, one thing stood out—Minho.

He was everywhere. In the hallways, surrounded by a group of friends who laughed too loudly, played sports during lunch, and seemed to have no care in the world. Yet despite his popularity, Minho never seemed to notice Jiwon. Not until that one afternoon in the school library.

Jiwon had always found peace in the library. It was one of the few places on campus where she could escape the noise, the bustling crowds, and the pressure that seemed to hang in the air at Kiss Academy. The quiet was comforting. The smell of old books and polished wood always made her feel like she was in a world of her own, a place where no one expected anything from her.

She had just found a quiet corner, her nose buried in a novel, when she felt a shadow fall across the table.

She looked up, and there he was—Minho.

For a moment, Jiwon's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to approach her. She hadn't expected anyone to approach her, really.

Minho was holding two cups of coffee, a small smile playing on his lips. "Mind if I join you?"

Jiwon blinked, her mind racing. Was he talking to her? The quiet girl who kept to herself, the one who blended into the background? She quickly glanced around, but the library was mostly empty.

"Sure," she said, trying to sound calm, though her voice was softer than usual. She felt a strange mix of nerves and curiosity.

Minho sat down across from her, placing one of the coffee cups in front of her. "I thought you might like some," he said casually. "You're always here reading. I figured you'd need something to keep you going."

Jiwon was taken aback by how thoughtful his gesture was. She wasn't used to people being kind to her in such a direct, unassuming way.

"Thanks," she replied, her fingers brushing against his as she took the cup from the table. His touch, though brief, sent a small jolt through her, though she quickly tried to dismiss it.

"So," Minho continued, leaning back in his chair, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "what are you reading?"

Jiwon glanced down at her book, feeling a little embarrassed. "It's just a novel. Nothing special."

Minho smiled knowingly. "I think everything's special if it matters to you."

Jiwon was surprised by his words. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond, but then, something about him made her feel comfortable enough to speak. "It's just... I like escaping into books. It's easier than dealing with reality sometimes." She let out a soft laugh, as if trying to lighten the mood. "Especially at a place like Kiss Academy."

Minho raised an eyebrow. "Why? Isn't this place supposed to be exciting?"

"It is... I guess. It's just overwhelming. Everyone here seems to have their own world, their own place. And then there's me." Jiwon shrugged, trying to downplay her feelings. "Just trying to figure it all out."

There was a brief pause as Minho observed her. His gaze softened. "I get it," he said quietly. "Kiss Academy can be a lot to handle. But hey, that's why it's called Kiss—it's about finding your place, your rhythm... and sometimes, people."

Jiwon blinked. His words caught her off guard. There was something in his tone, a depth in the way he spoke that made her pause. Was he talking about himself? Was he trying to tell her something?

Before she could respond, Minho stood up, stretching slightly. "I've got to go meet someone. But I'll see you around, right?"

Jiwon nodded, still processing the unexpected conversation. "Yeah. Thanks for the coffee, Minho."

He gave her a smile, the corners of his mouth curving in a way that seemed to brighten the entire room. "Anytime," he said, and with that, he walked away.

Jiwon sat there for a few moments, staring at the cup of coffee in her hands, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

She hadn't expected Minho to be kind, to speak to her like that. In her mind, he was one of those effortlessly popular students—someone who had everything together and didn't even think twice about people like her. But the way he had spoken to her, the way he had made her feel... maybe there was more to him than the rumors and reputation.

Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something more than she had ever expected at Kiss Academy.

As she left the library that afternoon, she couldn't help but smile to herself. For the first time in a long while, Jiwon felt like maybe she wasn't so invisible after all.