The sun streamed through the windows of the lecture hall, illuminating the polished wood tables and sleek metal chairs. Kim sat in the back row, his pen hovering above his notebook. Yet, for the first time since arriving at the university, he wasn’t focused on taking notes or absorbing every detail of the lecture. His mind wandered, returning again and again to the brief encounter with the girl at the club fair.
Her face, framed by long, dark hair and illuminated by a confident smile, was etched into his memory. He had been surrounded by hundreds of students in the bustling crowd that day, yet she stood out like a beacon. The clarity of her image unsettled him. Kim had always prided himself on his discipline and ability to compartmentalize his emotions, but this was new.
He let out a soft sigh, his pen finally moving to jot down the professor’s last sentence. “Pull yourself together,” he muttered under his breath.
Kim wasn’t used to this. Having attended an all-boys high school in his hometown, he had little experience interacting with girls his age. His life had always been about responsibility—balancing school, part-time jobs, and helping his family. There had been no time for idle thoughts or frivolous distractions. Yet, here he was, distracted beyond measure by a fleeting encounter with someone whose name he didn’t even know.
For the first time, Kim began to wonder what it was about her that lingered in his mind. Was it her beauty? That seemed too shallow an explanation, though he couldn’t deny that she was striking. Perhaps it was her composure—the way she carried herself with a quiet confidence that stood in stark contrast to the chaos of the crowd. Or was it something else entirely, something unspoken that had passed between them in that fleeting moment?
His thoughts spiraled further into unfamiliar territory. Who was she? Was she a fellow scholarship student, someone navigating the same challenges he was? Or was she one of the wealthy elites who seemed to glide effortlessly through the university’s corridors?
The latter thought brought a wave of unease. The university was careful to present an image of equality—uniforms were mandatory, and ID cards bore no distinguishing marks. But anyone paying attention could see the subtle differences. The way some students dressed, the high-end gadgets they carried, and the ease with which they moved through campus all hinted at privilege. Kim feared that if she belonged to that circle, their encounter might have unintentionally offended someone with influence, potentially jeopardizing his already precarious position.
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Lost in these musings, Kim didn’t notice Seo-joon’s arrival until his friend slid into the seat beside him with a loud thud, breaking the silence of Kim’s thoughts.
“Earth to Kim!” Seo said, waving a hand in front of his face. “You’ve been staring at that notebook for ten minutes, and the page is still blank. Did the professor’s lecture put you in a trance?”
Kim blinked and looked at his notebook, realizing he had written nothing coherent. He quickly closed it and turned to Seo. “Nothing. Just... thinking about things,” he said, trying to sound casual.
Seo wasn’t buying it. His sharp eyes narrowed, and a mischievous grin spread across his face. “Let me guess,” he said, leaning closer. “You’re thinking about her, aren’t you? The girl from yesterday.”
Kim stiffened, his reaction confirming Seo’s suspicion. Seo let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying himself. “I knew it! You’ve been acting strange ever since you bumped into her. Who knew the stoic Kim could get flustered so easily?”
“It’s not like that,” Kim protested, though his voice lacked conviction. “I’m just... curious, that’s all. I don’t even know her name.”
“Curious, huh?” Seo said, his grin widening. “Curious enough to stare off into space during a lecture and forget to take notes? That’s more than just curiosity, my friend.”
Kim sighed, knowing he couldn’t win this argument. Seo had an uncanny ability to read him like an open book. Still, there was something reassuring about his friend’s teasing. It brought a sense of normalcy to what had otherwise been a confusing and disorienting day.
“Fine,” Kim admitted. “I was thinking about her. But only because I’m worried she might be one of the elites. If I accidentally offended her, it could cause problems.”
Seo raised an eyebrow. “Offended her? How? By bumping into her in a crowded fair? Relax, Kim. She didn’t look offended—she smiled, remember? You’re overthinking this.”
Kim nodded, though his mind was far from settled. Seo’s logic was sound, but the fear of inadvertently crossing someone powerful lingered. He knew how fragile his position was. One wrong move, one complaint from the wrong person, and his scholarship could be at risk.
Still, a part of him clung to the memory of her smile. It had been genuine, not the forced politeness he often saw from the wealthier students. Perhaps she wasn’t someone he needed to fear after all.
Seo, sensing that Kim wasn’t entirely convinced, gave him a reassuring pat on the back. “Look, if she’s as interesting as you make her out to be, maybe you’ll see her again. And if you do, just talk to her. Worst-case scenario, she’s one of the elites and brushes you off. Best case? She’s as curious about you as you are about her.”
Kim managed a small smile. “Maybe.”
For now, he resolved to push the thoughts aside and focus on the tasks ahead. But deep down, he knew Seo was right. If their paths crossed again, he would need to muster the courage to find out more.