Next Day – College Trouble
Jin Wook: "Mom, I'm leaving for college."
Mom: (Calling out from the kitchen)"Okay, take care, dear! And don't forget to eat on time!"
(Jin Wook waves and steps out, making his way to college. The sun is bright, the air crisp—but the moment he reaches the college gate, he's greeted by a dramatic sight.)
Jae Hoon: (Trembling, gripping Jin Wook's shoulders like it's the end of the world)"Jin… Do you know? There's BAD news!!"
Jin Wook: (Frowning)"What happened? Did someone die?"
Seojin: (Rolling his eyes before smacking Jae Hoon on the head)"Hey, don't exaggerate! It's just that semester exams start next Monday."
Jae Hoon: (Wailing, dramatically dropping to his knees)"SEE?! It is bad news!! I don't even know what to do!"
Jin Wook: (Deadpan)"I think… you should study?"
Seojin: (Crossing his arms)"You too. Don't forget your grades were a mess last semester. You should start studying properly from now on."
Jin Wook: (Sighs, rubbing the back of his neck)"Alright, alright. Let's study together."
Jae Hoon: (Tearfully grabbing their hands like they're comrades in battle)"Yes! Just let me pass, please!"
(Jin Wook lets out a small chuckle. Even in this life, some things never change—like Jae Hoon's eternal suffering when it comes to exams.)
Seojin: "Let's move to the classroom, or we'll be late. And thanks to you, I'll have to stand outside with Jae Hoon again."
Jae Hoon: (Shrugs with a smirk)"I don't think it's such a bad thing. I mean, imagine—our class rep standing outside in the morning? What a beautiful scene!"
Seojin: (Cracking his knuckles menacingly, eyes darkening)"Do you want a beating?"
Jae Hoon: (Instantly stiffens, waving his hands in surrender)"I was just kidding! Let's hurry to class, please!"
(Jin Wook shakes his head with an amused chuckle, watching his friends bicker like usual. Some things never change.)
Jae Hoon: "Let's grab a meal at the canteen."
Jin Wook: "Okay, let's go."
Seojin: "Yeah, I'm starving."
(The three head to the canteen, grab their meals, and settle at a table. As they eat, a girl suddenly approaches, holding a small envelope in her trembling hands.)
Girl: (Nervously extending the letter)"P-please read this!"
(Before Jin Wook can even react, she quickly turns around and rushes out of the canteen, meeting her friends outside. The moment she reaches them, she covers her face with both hands, flustered, and then—runs away.)
Jae Hoon: (Whistles, leaning back in his chair)"Oho, bro~ Another love letter?!"
Seojin: (Nods approvingly)"I think it's nice. Someone must really like you."
Jae Hoon: (Grinning mischievously)"So, tell me, how many girls are you juggling right now?"
Seojin: ".....????"
Jin Wook: (Sighing, rubbing his temples)"Stop spreading weird rumors. I don't have a single girlfriend, and I'm not interested in anyone here."
Jae Hoon: (Crosses arms, pretending to look serious)"Hmmm… You sure? Or could it be…"(Eyes widen dramatically, voice lowering to a whisper)"You're actually into guys?!"
(Seojin, mid-sip of water, immediately chokes and sprays it all over the table.)
Jin Wook: (Glares at Jae Hoon)"HEY! I am NOT like you—"
(After their dramatic back-and-forth, filled with teasing and over-the-top reactions, the three finally finish their meal and head back to class.)
Jae Hoon: (Stretching)"Ughh, lunch break is too short. I barely had time to enjoy my meal."
Seojin: (Rolling eyes)"Maybe if you spent less time acting like a clown, you'd have had more time to eat."
Jae Hoon: (Grinning)"Hey, laughter is essential for digestion, okay? Science!"
Jin Wook: (Deadpan)"Yeah, and failing your exams is essential for repeating a year."
Jae Hoon: (Gasping dramatically)"Bro, that was uncalled for!"
(Ignoring Jae Hoon's fake heartbreak, they head back to their classroom and take their seats. The afternoon lectures begin, with Jin Wook sitting quietly, his mind wandering back to something else… or rather, someone else.)
(The memory of that girl from the café lingers in his mind. Her forced smile, the sadness in her eyes, the way his heart had unexpectedly reacted to seeing her... It was the first time, after regressing, that something—no, someone—had truly caught his attention.)
(But why? And more importantly… who was she?)
Jin Wook: (Thinking to himself)"Tch. This is stupid. Why am I even thinking about her?"
(He shakes his head, refocusing on the lecture. However, deep down, he knows—this isn't the last time she'll cross his mind.)
Jae Hoon: "HEY, Seojin! When are you gonna tell him that you like him? If you keep waiting, it'll be too late!"
Seojin: (Flinches, then glares at Jae Hoon)"Shut up! Not so loud!"
Jae Hoon: (Grinning mischievously)"Come on, we both know it. You're totally in love with him."
Seojin: (Sighs, looking away)"I… I don't want to tell him right now. I don't want to ruin our friendship just because of my feelings."
Jae Hoon: (Scoffs)"Friendship? Please. That guy is as dense as a brick wall. If you don't say something, someone else will snatch him away."
Seojin: (Bites lip, hesitating)"I know… but what if he doesn't feel the same? What if everything changes?"
Jae Hoon: (Crosses arms, sighing dramatically)"You're overthinking it. Love is war! If you hesitate, you lose!"
Seojin: (Groans, burying face in hands)"Why are you like this…?"
(Meanwhile, completely oblivious to their conversation, Jin Wook is just sitting at his desk, staring at the clock, wondering when the lecture will finally end.)