Rina lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling of her dorm room.
The moonlight filtered through the window, casting pale shadows across her face.
Her chest still felt tight—not from injury.
From confusion.
---
Flashback – Minutes After the Duel
"You should rest," Jinhyuk had said as he carried her to the infirmary.
She tried to swat him away, but her arm barely moved. "Don't… act like you care."
"I don't," he said flatly. "But I don't like seeing wasted potential either."
Rina hated how that stung more than it should've.
---
Now
She curled up slightly, hugging her knees.
> [Mental State: Unsettled]
[Thought Loop: 17 Times]
[System Suggestion: Drink Water or Acknowledge Jealousy]
She glared at the floating message and dismissed it with a flick.
"Stupid system."
But it wasn't wrong.
---
Rina's Thoughts
Why does he hide his strength like that?
Why does he walk around like a nobody… while crushing people like Jiyeon and me without trying?
She remembered his touch. Gentle, precise. The way he caught her without flinching.
Her cheeks flushed, and she turned her face into the pillow.
"…Ugh. What's wrong with me?"
---
She Opened Her Status Panel
> [Name: Rina Seo]
[Rank: S]
[Mental Discipline: 90% → 78%]
[Emotion Tracking: Envy / Attraction / Frustration]
She stared at the last word.
Then slammed the panel shut.
"…Tch. Fine. If you're that strong, Kang Jinhyuk…"
"Then I'll figure you out."
She sat up, eyes glowing faintly blue.
"But I won't fall for someone just because he's strong."
She didn't believe herself.
---