The morning sun streamed through Jisoo's window, painting squares of light across his room. Today, a different kind of anticipation crackled in the air – the excitement of meeting Suji. He pulled himself out of bed with a wider grin than usual, her smile being his fuel for the day.

Unlike yesterday's casual attire, today demanded his Seonghwa Academy uniform. The crisp red button-up boasted the gleaming golden schools crest, a symbol that felt heavier than usual this morning. He shrugged on the red blazer, the gold trim catching the sunlight. The red tie with diagonal stripes of white and gold was meticulously knotted, a touch of rebellion in its perfect symmetry.

A quick peck on his mom's cheek and a playful tap on his dad's shoulder later, Jisoo was out the door. The crisp air invigorated him as he descended the apartment building stairs, a spring in his step that rivaled his anticipation for Suji.

Just outside the building, a familiar figure leaned against a light post. It was Nari, her long black hair cascading down her back in a neat braid. The red uniform clung to her slender frame, the gold buttons catching the sunlight. But where was her usual bright smile? Today, her lips were set in a thin line, her gaze distant.

"Jisoo," she said, her voice flat. "Took you long enough."

"Hey, Nari. Sorry, you know the drill – fashionably late," Jisoo replied, his smile faltering slightly under her scrutiny.

They started walking, a heavy silence settling between them. Nari, unlike her usual chatty self, seemed lost in thought. Jisoo stole a glance at her, a knot of unease forming in his stomach.

"So," Nari finally began, her voice barely a whisper, "how are things with… Bae Suji?"

Jisoo's smile returned, brighter this time. "Great."

Nari didn't respond, just kept walking, her steps quick and purposeful. Jisoo frowned, the knot in his stomach tightening. Nari's behavior was unlike anything he'd seen before.

"Nari, is something wrong?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Nari stopped abruptly, forcing Jisoo to do the same. She turned to face him, her eyes filled with a strange mix of frustration and… something else? Was that longing?

"Jisoo," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "don't you ever… don't you ever get tired of chasing after someone who doesn't see you the way you see them?"

Jisoo's heart skipped a beat. What was she talking about? Suji adored him – he knew it. Confusion clouded his features.

"Nari, I—"

Nari cut him off, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. "Never mind," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "It doesn't matter. Forget I said anything."

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Before Jisoo could decipher her cryptic words, she brushed past him, her red uniform skirt swirling around her legs as she disappeared down the street, leaving Jisoo standing there, bewildered and strangely heartbroken.

Kyung Jisoo finally made it to the lane leading to the school's entrance. The imposing gates of Seonghwa Academy loomed ahead, their intricate ironwork framing the emblem of the gold phoenix. The school itself was a blend of traditional and modern architecture, with sleek glass buildings standing alongside historical stone structures adorned with ivy. Manicured gardens and cherry blossom trees lined the pathways, their leaves rustling softly in the morning breeze.

As Jisoo navigated through the crowd of students, he spotted Bae Suji, her radiant smile lighting up his day. She stood with their three friends: Hyunwoo, the joker of the group; Hyejin, a quiet girl with an artistic flair; and Akiko, a Japanese girl known for her impeccable Korean and thoughtful demeanor.

Jisoo's eyes were drawn to Akiko, who was holding a long item wrapped in cloth. Curiosity piqued, he asked, "Akiko, what's that?"

Akiko adjusted her grip and replied in her near-perfect Korean, "It's a katana. On my way to school, I passed by the sword polishing area. They were closing up for a while and won't be back soon, so I decided to bring it to school and give it to our kendo instructor for safekeeping."

Hyunwoo raised an eyebrow, his mischievous grin faltering. "You know weapons aren't allowed on campus, right?"

Akiko nodded, her expression earnest. "I know, but it was the only option. I didn't want to leave it unattended."

Jisoo quickly interjected, "Akiko, you better hurry up and find the instructor. We don't want any trouble."

Akiko nodded again and hurried off towards the kendo dojo. Just as she disappeared into the building, a sleek black car pulled up at the entrance of the school gate. Out stepped a male student, his presence immediately commanding attention. He was tall and carried himself with a quiet confidence, walking past everyone without a word.

That's Jinhyuk, Jisoo thought to himself, watching intently. He's the best kendo practitioner in the school. Won the national championship last year. They say he's unbeatable. I heard he practices for hours every day, even before and after school. Top of his class, too. Quite the all-rounder.

As Jinhyuk walked by, his gaze remained focused, seemingly oblivious to the admiring and curious looks from his fellow students. Jisoo couldn't help but feel a mix of respect and curiosity. Today was shaping up to be more interesting than he had anticipated.

The final school bell echoed through the hallway, a welcome punctuation to the symphony of pre-class chatter. Jisoo trailed Suji and the others into the classroom, his head still spinning from Nari's cryptic words. The air crackled with a chaotic energy – the kind that only existed in the moments before the teacher arrived.

Seung Min, the class president and resident bookworm, perched on his desk, nose buried in a hefty history tome. A furrow etched itself between his brows, mirroring the one unconsciously forming on Jisoo's own forehead. Park Hyejin, the aspiring artist, sketched furiously in her notebook, her brow furrowed in a different kind of concentration, the kind born of pure artistic vision. Hyunwoo, the resident clown, stood amidst a gaggle of students, his arms flailing wildly as he recounted some outlandish tale, punctuated by gasps and guffaws.

Just as Jisoo settled into his seat, a hush fell over the room. The door creaked open, and Hwang Jin, notorious for his icy demeanor and rumored past, slunk into the classroom. Jisoo felt a shiver crawl up his spine. Towering over everyone, Jin's every movement exuded a quiet menace. His storm-cloud eyes scanned the room, lingering for a moment on Jisoo before flitting away. Jisoo found himself holding his breath, the air suddenly thick with unspoken tension.

Then came Chaeyoung. Usually bubbly and energetic, she slumped into her seat next to Jisoo, a worn leather jacket draped over her shoulders. Her usually vibrant eyes were dull, weighed down by exhaustion. Jisoo, concerned, nudged her with his elbow. "Hey, you okay?" he mouthed silently. Chaeyoung simply shrugged, burying herself deeper into her jacket.

Across the aisle, Minjun, the self-proclaimed "School's informat," sat hunched over his desk, rapidly scribbling notes in a worn notebook. His ears perked up at the hushed whispers surrounding Jin's arrival. A sly grin spread across his face – nothing ever escaped Minjun's watchful eye. His gaze flicked towards Jisoo, a knowing glint in his eyes. Jisoo shifted uncomfortably under Minjun's scrutiny.

The chatter resumed, albeit in a more subdued tone. Jisoo, however, couldn't shake the feeling of unease that clung to him like a second skin. Nari's words echoed in his mind, their meaning twisting and turning like a puzzle refusing to be solved. A glance at Suji, her face alight with anticipation, offered a temporary reprieve from the swirling vortex of his thoughts.

As Jisoo's thoughts swirled, lost in Nari's words and his own confusion, Yoon Ah-rim burst into the classroom, her presence electrifying the air. She slammed her bag onto her desk, her piercing green eyes sparkling with mischief. With a defiant glance around the room, she pulled out a cigarette lighter and began to flip it open and closed, the metallic clicks echoing through the room.

The sudden disruption shattered Jisoo's reverie, and he felt himself being pulled back to reality. Ah-rim's carefree spirit was a stark contrast to his turmoil, and he felt a strange sense of clarity wash over him as he watched her.