Two Worlds, One Heart

The scent of polished wood and expensive perfume lingers in the air as Seo-yeon steps out of the principal's office. The door clicks shut behind her, sealing away the conversation that marked her official welcome to Daehan Academy.

She exhales slowly, gripping the strap of her bag a little tighter. This is it-the beginning of something entirely different from the life she has always known.

Beside her, Yoo Seo-jin walks with effortless grace, her expression calm yet friendly. "So, how do you feel?" she asks, leading the way down the pristine, sunlit hallway.

Seo-yeon hesitates. "It still feels... unreal."

Daehan Academy is more than just a prestigious school-it is a world of its own. The floors gleam like glass, reflecting the golden chandeliers hanging from high, intricate ceilings. Towering windows allow the sunlight to spill in, illuminating the marble pillars lining the halls.

Every student who passes by looks effortlessly refined, their tailored uniforms pristine, their confident strides exuding wealth and privilege.

Seo-yeon adjusts her glasses, instinctively straightening her posture. The air here carries an unspoken weight-one of expectation, exclusivity, and silent judgment. Compared to them, she feels like a misplaced piece in an otherwise flawless picture.

As they walk, Seo-jin points out different sections of the school-the grand library, the student lounge, the elite council chambers. "Most students here come from well-known families," she explains. "Business moguls, politicians, celebrities... That's why things can feel a little-" She pauses, searching for the right word.

"Unwelcoming?" Seo-yeon finishes, glancing at a pair of girls who whisper to each other the moment she passes.

Seo-jin gives a small smile. "Let's just say some students don't take kindly to outsiders."

Seo-yeon nods. She has already expected this. It is one thing to earn a place in this school through sheer academic merit; it is another to be accepted socially. And judging by the stares she is already receiving, she can tell which battle will be harder to win.

Just then, a burst of laughter echoes down the hall. Seo-yeon's attention flickers toward a particular group of students lounging near the lockers.

They stand out-not just because of their striking appearances, but because of the effortless authority they carry.

At the center of the group is a tall boy leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, his sharp eyes following Seo-yeon's every move.

Unlike the others, he isn't amused or indifferent-he is calculating.

Yoo Tae-gun.

Seo-yeon doesn't know him yet, but he has already taken note of her.

His fingers tap idly against his arm, his expression unreadable. But the moment the principal had spoken highly of the school's new scholarship student, something had settled in his chest-an irritation that simmered just beneath the surface.

Another so-called "genius." Another self-righteous scholar who thinks she's better than the rest.

The way she carries herself-the way the principal spoke about her-it all irritates him.

Seo-yeon feels the weight of his gaze but doesn't react. Instead, she simply continues walking, keeping her expression composed.

A few steps away, Jung Min-ha stands with her entourage, flipping her hair as she subtly observes the new girl.

A scholarship student? Interesting.

She smirks slightly, already planning how to make things fun.

Seo-yeon, oblivious to their thoughts, simply focuses on following Seo-jin to class.

The hallway stretches ahead, vast and unfamiliar. Seo-yeon keeps pace beside Seo-jin, who continues explaining the school's structure. "Our classroom will be in the east wing, just ahead-"

Seo-yeon turns the corner-

And collides into something-or rather, someone.

The impact knocks her glasses askew, books slipping from her hands as pages scatter across the pristine floor.

Her breath catches slightly as her fingers scramble to adjust her frames, heart pounding from the unexpected contact.

For a moment, the hallway is silent.

Seo-yeon inhales sharply, reaching down to gather her things-

But before the last book can touch the ground, a hand flashes out, catching it smoothly.

"Well," a voice-smooth, amused-drawls, "that's one way to introduce yourself."

She looks up.

And finds herself staring straight into his eyes.

Kang Joon-suk.

The lazy smirk on his lips, the way he tilts his head ever so slightly-it is the kind of expression that has likely made countless girls' hearts race before.

His two friends, Son Hyun-woo and Park Ji-hoon, snicker in the background, watching the scene unfold with interest.

Seo-yeon, however, is far from impressed.

She exhales slowly, finishing gathering her books before standing.

Joon-suk, still holding the book he caught, turns it over in his hand, inspecting it briefly before handing it to her-smooth, unhurried.

"You should watch where you're going," he says, his voice as effortless as his movements.

Seo-yeon takes the book, her fingers brushing against the cover, still cool from his touch.

Her heartbeat is steady-but there's an awareness now, a faint hum of tension beneath her skin. Not because of him, but because of everything-the weight of the stares, the amusement in his voice, the unspoken challenge in his gaze.

His presence is suffocatingly effortless, like he is completely in control of this moment.

Seo-yeon tightens her grip on the book, her jaw setting.

She refuses to let him dictate the pace.

Lifting her gaze, she meets his eyes-unflinching, steady.

"I don't have time for guys who think everything's a game."

Joon-suk stills, the smirk wavering for just a fraction of a second.

Behind him, Hyun-woo and Ji-hoon let out exaggerated "ooohs," thoroughly entertained by her unexpected indifference. Seo-jin, watching from the side, presses her lips together to suppress a smile.

Seo-yeon tightens her grip on the book in her hands, her fingers pressing into the cover. Her heart isn't racing, but there's a strange, unfamiliar pull in her chest-something between irritation and something else she refuses to name.

The air feels warmer now, or maybe it's just the way his gaze lingers-steady, assessing, waiting for something she won't give.

She exhales through her nose, steadying herself.

Then, without so much as another glance, she turns and walks away.

Seo-jin follows, throwing Joon-suk a knowing look as she passes.

Joon-suk stands there for a moment, watching Seo-yeon's retreating figure, his smirk faltering ever so slightly.

He has been dismissed before-but never like this.

Most girls stumble, fluster, try to leave an impression. Seo-yeon? She didn't even look back.

That stirs something in him. A flicker of intrigue.

A teasing voice breaks the silence.

"Wow, Joon-suk, are you losing your touch?"

Behind him, Hyun-woo and Ji-hoon chuckle, nudging him playfully.

Joon-suk blinks once, then laughs it off. "As if."

Still, as his gaze lingers on the girl disappearing down the hall, his fingers idly trace the air where the book had been.

Huh.

Interesting.

But as Seo-yeon walks away, she feels it too.

Each step is measured, each breath controlled...

Seo-jin doesn't speak either, but there's an amused glint in her eyes, like she wants to say something but holds back.

The hallway ahead stretches toward their classroom, vast and gleaming under the morning light.

Seo-yeon exhales slowly. Her fingers, still gripping the book, loosen just slightly.

She's fine.

It was just an interaction-nothing more.

But the weight of his gaze lingers, like a whisper she refuses to acknowledge.

She clenches her jaw, shakes it off.

She has bigger things to focus on.

Or so she tells herself.