Kyung-jun and Minji special bonus chapter
Minji & Kyung-jun

Minji had always been quiet.

It wasn’t because she was shy—well, maybe a little—but mostly because she liked watching people rather than talking.

And lately, she had been watching Kyung-jun.

Ever since he transferred to their school, he had this way of pulling attention without even trying.

Boys wanted to be him. Girls wanted to be with him.

And yet, he barely seemed to care.

He was effortlessly cool, and completely unreachable.

So when she was paired with him for the project, Minji thought her heart might explode.

—

The library was quiet except for the occasional sound of pages turning.

Minji sat across from Kyung-jun, twirling her pen in her fingers, trying to focus on the notes in front of her.

He, on the other hand, was completely relaxed, leaning back in his chair, stretching his arms with a lazy smirk.

“We’ve been here for an hour,” Kyung-jun sighed, “and you haven’t said a word to me.”

Minji froze.

Her cheeks flushed.

“I—I just don’t talk much.”

Kyung-jun raised an eyebrow. “Not even to your friends?”

Minji hesitated. “They talk enough for me.”

Kyung-jun chuckled.

“I bet,” he muttered, shaking his head.

Then, without warning—

He leaned forward, elbows on the table, chin resting on his hand.

“So, tell me,” he said, his eyes locked onto hers, “why do you always look at me like that?”

Minji’s heart stopped.

Her grip on her pen tightened.

He noticed?

She looked away immediately, her face burning. “I-I don’t look at you like anything.”

Kyung-jun smirked. “Yeah? Because every time I turn my head, you’re staring.”

Minji wanted to die.

She shook her head quickly. “I—! I was just—! It’s not like that!”

Kyung-jun laughed, leaning back again.

“You’re cute when you panic,” he said casually.

Minji swore she almost stopped breathing.

What was she supposed to say to that?!

By the time they finished at the library, the sky had turned a soft orange.

Minji packed her books into her bag, trying not to make eye contact.

“Hey,” Kyung-jun called.

She looked up.

“I’ll walk you home.”

Minji blinked, stunned.

“You… don’t have to,” she said quickly. “I’m fine.”

Kyung-jun rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. But I’m walking the same way anyway, so let’s go.”

Minji bit her lip but nodded, heart racing.

They walked side by side, the late afternoon breeze making her uniform skirt sway slightly.

It was quiet at first.

Then, Kyung-jun glanced at her. “So, what’s your deal?”

Minji tilted her head. “Huh?”

“You’re quiet. You keep to yourself. But you hang around people like Na Kyung and Mina.”

Minji smiled a little.

“They’re nice to me,” she said softly.

Kyung-jun hummed.

“Yeah, I can see that. But I don’t think you’re as fragile as you act.”

Minji looked up at him, surprised.

“I don’t act fragile…”

Kyung-jun smirked. “You sure? You’ve been blushing since the second I sat down.”

Minji groaned, covering her face.

Why was he like this?!

Kyung-jun laughed.

“I’m messing with you, relax.”

They walked a little further, the sky darkening.

Then, out of nowhere, Kyung-jun spoke again.

“You’re different from the other girls here,” he said.

Minji looked up.

“Different… how?”

Kyung-jun shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“You don’t try too hard. You don’t act fake. And you don’t throw yourself at me like the rest of them.”

Minji stopped walking.

She turned to him, tilting her head.

“…Do you hate that?”

Kyung-jun blinked.

Then, for the first time, his usual cocky smirk faded slightly.

“…No,” he said honestly.

“I think I like it.”

Minji’s heart skipped a beat.

They stopped at a street corner, the only light coming from the dim glow of a flickering streetlamp.

Minji felt nervous, but also… warm.

Kyung-jun watched her for a moment before speaking again.

“You’re kinda weird, you know?”

Minji pouted. “That’s rude.”

Kyung-jun grinned.

“But I like weird.”

Minji opened her mouth to respond, but then—

He reached out and gently flicked her forehead.

“Go inside,” he said, nodding toward her apartment building.

Minji rubbed her forehead, pouting again.

“You’re annoying.”

Kyung-jun chuckled.

“I know.”

But as Minji stepped back toward her door, she felt his gaze linger.

And maybe—

Just maybe—

She didn’t mind that at all.

—To be continued…