Min-hee hadn’t mentioned any names, but it was obvious who she meant. Jae-ha’s eyes widened.
“Ji-hyang said that?”
“Hey, don’t go blaming me. I didn’t say anything.”
Ji-hyang, still absorbed in picking her lunch, shot back instantly. Min-hee, who had started the whole thing, rushed to defend her.
“Come on, oppa. Even if Ji-hyang unni doesn’t say it, everyone knows already. The rumor’s all over campus. People see you and that guy from the PE department eating at a different place every day.”
“Yeah, yesterday you two were having coffee at the back gate café, right?”
“In a blue hoodie?”
“…Are you guys my stalkers or what?”
His suspicious tone sent laughter rippling through the room.
It wasn’t the first time Jae-ha’s friends seemed to know his recent movements without him saying a word or even seeing anyone. But lately, the reports had become oddly specific. Like someone had set up hidden cameras just to track him.
“So what’s that PE guy like in person? Is he really that handsome?”
Her eyes practically sparkled with anticipation.
“I’ve seen him. He’s insanely good-looking.”
That came not from Jae-ha, but one of the juniors. She’d once bumped into Hae-hyun by chance while following Jae-ha out to the bathroom, and the impression clearly stuck. She relayed it with the pride of a reporter breaking a scoop, drawing everyone in closer.
“No way, really?”
“So jealous.”
“Is he as handsome as Jae-ha oppa?”
“Pretty close.”
“Whoa.”
Gasps and squeals broke out like a live studio audience.
“But honestly, he’s kind of intimidating.”
“Yeah. That’s why people only look from a distance.”
“Get too close and his aura is just… overwhelming.”
Intimidating? Ju Hae-hyun? That had never once crossed Jae-ha’s mind. He blurted out before he could stop himself.
“What’s scary about him?”
“Maybe he’s different if you’re close? But I heard tons of people tried to get his number and got turned down.”
“They say he barely smiles.”
“And the guys he hangs with are all huge. It’s intimidating. PE students feel like another species.”
“Seriously. It’s like a whole other country.”
The whispering suddenly shifted, every eye sparkling at Jae-ha.
“Not meeting him today? I wanna see too.”
“Can we tag along next time? Just to get a look.”
“Please, please.”
Ridiculous.
“You just said he was scary.”
“Exactly. That’s why we wanna see him with you.”
“We’ll just peek, promise.”
The juniors said it with perfectly straight faces. Jae-ha just lifted a shoulder.
“Am I not enough for you guys?”
“Ah, oppa!”
“See? Seo Jae’s so full of himself.”
“Right? Exactly.”
They whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, but it didn’t faze him one bit. He was about to retort when—knock, knock—the door swung open.
“Hi, I’m here to see Jae-ha sunbae.”
A tall, striking face peeked in, and instantly the room froze. The easy banter from seconds ago died into stunned silence.
Every gaze turned toward Hae-hyun, standing there like he owned the place. Anyone else would’ve looked flustered under so much scrutiny, but he didn’t even blink. He scanned the room, spotted Jae-ha, and waved casually.
“Sunbae.”
“…You’re here already? That was fast.”
Pretending not to notice the heavy atmosphere, Jae-ha smiled warmly, grabbed his bag, and stood. He’d expected a call later, not a surprise visit straight to the department lounge. Bowing slightly to the room, he said,
“I’ll get going. See you guys later.”
A few murmured replies trickled back. Without rushing but without dragging his feet either, Jae-ha nudged Hae-hyun out the door.
The moment it closed and they’d taken a few steps, a loud commotion erupted behind them—the dam finally bursting after freeze tag.
“Sorry. Did you wait long?”
Indifference, at this point, was practically Hae-hyun’s superpower. He ignored the weight of everyone’s stares and just looked at Jae-ha with a faintly apologetic frown, muttering complaints about his coach.
“Didn’t wait long.”
“You must be starving. Let’s eat.”
He leaned close, brushing against him playfully. Seriously—how could anyone call this guy scary? Jae-ha chuckled and tapped his cup against Hae-hyun’s cheek. Beads of condensation dotted his skin.
“What’s that for? Are you mad at me?”
“No. Just ’cause you’re cute.”
The light tone made Hae-hyun blink, caught off guard. Jae-ha smiled lazily and walked on.
That broad frame pressed close again, brushing against him with every step. Jae-ha let him, walking side by side, savoring the subtle warmth of contact.
Lunch was Japanese curry at a new place one of Hae-hyun’s friends had recommended. The food was good, and Jae-ha finished quickly.
“Got plans later, sunbae?”
“Other than hanging out with you?”
Hae-hyun’s eyes lit up.
“Does that count as part of your schedule?”
“These days it keeps me busy enough.”
Joking, Jae-ha grinned. Hae-hyun laughed back—until the faint click of a camera shutter made Jae-ha’s head snap to the side.
At a nearby table, a girl hastily lowered her phone. Her friend scolded her in a whisper, both avoiding his gaze.
“……”
Strangers sneaking pictures wasn’t new, but every time, Jae-ha wondered what they even did with them.
“Want me to say something?” Hae-hyun asked. He looked unconcerned, as if the only reason he spoke was because he thought it might bother Jae-ha.
Jae-ha had already noticed: Hae-hyun simply didn’t care about the people around him. He wasn’t oblivious, just willfully indifferent.
Jae-ha himself wasn’t much different—used to attention, he barely paid it mind.
“It’s fine. It’s not like they caught me naked.”
Hae-hyun’s face scrunched up.
“What if someone did? Wait, don’t tell me that’s actually happened?”
Of course not.
“I did get offered a nude modeling gig once.”
“You what?”
His voice shot up, drawing curious glances. Jae-ha bit back a laugh.
“I said no. Too shy.”
“You? Shy?”
Hae-hyun gave him a look that screamed disbelief.
“Why, would you have wanted me to do it?”
“What kind of thing is that to say? Don’t even think about it. What if some creep got ahold of it?”
The lecture spilled out like a nagging parent. His eyes even flashed with worry, like he was genuinely afraid Jae-ha would run off to strip for some class.
For a second, Jae-ha considered explaining that real nude modeling was professional and respectful, but honestly, the offer he’d gotten had probably been shady. He dropped it.
“So you’re worried about me?”
He teased lightly, but Hae-hyun stayed serious.
“Sunbae, you don’t understand how dangerous people can be. You’ve been spoiled your whole life, that’s why.”
Who was he to talk? The most pampered puppy alive preaching about life’s dangers. Jae-ha half-listened, nodding lazily, which only made Hae-hyun flare up.
“Are you even listening?”
“Can I take your picture?”
“…What?”
The sharp glare vanished into wide-eyed surprise. Jae-ha smirked.
“Since someone took one of me, I figured I should take one too. Just one photo.”
Truthfully, he just wanted a picture of Hae-hyun. He pulled out his phone with practiced nonchalance. Hae-hyun looked baffled but didn’t resist. A nude was out of the question, but this he allowed.
Click. Even without trying, the photo came out stunning.
“Looks great. Mind if I post it?”
“On your account? Of me?”
“Don’t want me to?”
Hae-hyun blinked once, then shook his head.
“No, it’s fine.”
Satisfied, Jae-ha opened his SNS app. For the first time, he understood why his friends flooded their feeds with pet photos. Skimming past weeks of old notifications, he uploaded the picture. Likes poured in instantly, but he shut the app and turned back to Hae-hyun.
“Finished? Let’s go. Got somewhere to be?”
“No. Why?”
“Heading home.”
Plain as ever, he paid the bill and stepped into the blazing sun.
Walking down a quiet street, Jae-ha suddenly tugged Hae-hyun’s sleeve. A bicycle sped past where he’d been about to step.
“Why the hell are they riding so fast?”
He clicked his tongue and let go. The space between them widened again.
“Be careful. A PE student can’t afford injuries.”
But instead of moving on, Hae-hyun paused and gave him a strange look.
“Sunbae…”
“Hm?”
“…Never mind.”
What was that about? Jae-ha tilted his head, but when Hae-hyun just strode ahead, he let it drop. It wasn’t like he’d done anything wrong. He caught up quickly, lengthening his stride to walk beside him again.
A few blocks later, bright digital music spilled into the street. Turning his head, Jae-ha spotted an arcade up ahead. The thought came out of his mouth before he’d even processed it.
“Do you like arcades?”
“…Huh?”
The sudden question made Hae-hyun stop. Jae-ha’s lips curved into a mischievous grin.
“Wanna play a game before we go?”
