The next day -classroom-

"Next up is Jia's group, let's welcome them." All the students clapped, and mostly girls squealed infront of Ni-ki.

I was stood beside Ni-ki, but Aeri abruptly yet gently pushed me. Ni-ki noticed it and came and sat beside me. Aeri was badly embarrassed infront of the whole class.

We all began with our introduction, slowly diving into our presentation about World war II.

The whole time, when I was speaking through my peripheral vision, looking at me the whole time.

"Thank you." We all bowed down, at the end of our presentation.

All of them clapped, "Any questions?" Our professor told. Among all the students, Kim Erin raised her hand to ask us a question.

"It's for Kim Sunoo." Erin told, while Sunoo waited patiently for the query.

"Kim Sunoo, Do you like Jia?" All the class looked at him, waiting for the answer. "Erin, you shouldn't ask such questions." Professor replied.

Sunoo sighed then smiled, "I don't like her more than a friend. I just think she is pretty, nothing more or less."

I looked at Sunoo then smiled. I knew he liked me, but I'm happy he's finally moving on.

"Ni-ki, What about you, Do you like Jia?" Jay, Ni-ki's closest friend asked him.

He just laughed, "Maybe." He abruptly replied. The whole class made teasing sounds.

"Yes or No?" One of the girls asked.

"Maybe yes." He just laughed and shook of the awkwardness.

I eyed him, indicating what it was, while he bend down to match my height, "I'm just joking" he told, of course he was just joking. What was I even thinking.

"Class, behave" Our professor told, we all walked to our seats.

-

I just finished my lunch, and was about to place my utensils on the sink, before I leave to class but I was stopped by Aeri.

"Jia can we talk?" Aeri told, she's never this serious.

"Yeah, what is it?" I replied. "Privately."

We walked to an empty classroom and Aeri locked the door.

"Jia, you've always asked me, if I like Ni-ki or not. Right?" I hummed.

"Jia, I've liked Ni-ki ever since the first year of highschool when he first performed a dance, in schools summer festival. I've liked him ever since."

"When he's near you, he doesn't sees anyone and I don't like that, the way he is so touchy with you, and you don't even stop him."

"What happened in class, has made me realise that Ni-ki somewhere, deep down in his heart, he has feelings for you."

"And, before anything happens between you both, I want to stop you, to be near him." She spoke all the things buried down in her heart since a long time.

"What do you want me to do then?" With tears in my eyes, I asked him, knowing deep down, it's going to hurt me a lot. But Aeri is my Bestfriend, who was always there for me when Ni-ki wasn't even in my life.

"I want you to avoid him" She finally told, anger, and jealously yet kindness visible in her eyes.

I nodded, and she hugged me, tightly.