Yoon Shik woke just before dawn to find her sleeping mat next to the door, and Jae Shin sleeping between her and Sun Joon. Since Jae Shin had placed his mat right next to hers, she got an up-close and personal view of his handsome face relaxed in sleep. He looked absolutely delicious with his robe half opened to reveal his bare chest rising and falling. Unable to stop herself, she reached out and brushed a lock of hair off of his forehead.

Light a snake striking, he caught her hand and as his eyes flew open.

She swallowed audibly, breath coming in gentle pants.

He responded by gently rubbing the sensitive skin of her wrist with his thumb in rhythmic, warming circles. He pulled her hand to rest against his heated chest, right over his heart.

At first, Yoon Shik was very aware of Sun Joon sleeping only a scant distance away, but when Jae Shin released her hand, captured her hip, and slid their bodies together, she forgot everything but the feeling of his body pressed against hers. He lifted himself onto his elbow and studied her with dark, fathomless eyes. Leaning down, he touched his lips to hers with a tenderness bordering on reverence.

"I'm sorry," he breathed onto her mouth in the barest of whispers.

She accepted his apology by tracing the seam of his lips with her tongue, causing him to stifle a groan of pleasure. He slanted his mouth across hers and deepened the kiss.

A loud snore rent the air and the lovers separated with lightning speed. Sun Joon tossed in his sleep but quickly resumed his noisy, yet even breathing.

Jae Shin smiled ruefully at Yoon Shik, once again facing each other on their own mats.

****

"I hate exercising. Sweating is so disgusting!" Yong Ha groused, dragging his feet towards the field hockey pitch. "Not to mention, I'm terrible at sports."

Yoon Shik gave him a friendly pat on the back. "Don't worry, senior. I'm new to sports as well." She turned a dazzling smile on the two men behind her. "But I'm sure Lee Sun Joon and Moon Jae Shin will be the best teachers we've ever had."

Sun Joon nearly tripped over his own feet, but Jae Shin just returned her smile.

"Scholars! Over here, please. Line up!" Shouted Professor Choi. He began counting the scholars by twos. "Over here. You, over there. You over here."

He reached the Jalgeum Quartet and Jae Shin carefully slid next to Yoon Shik. But Professor Choi's sharp eyes notice. "Oh, no! Goo Yong Ha and Moon Jae Shin will be on that team over there. Kim Yoon Shik, you and Lee Sun Joon will be partners on the other team," he announces, glaring at Jae Shin and muttering about cheaters.

Sun Joon beamed down at Yoon Shik while a furious Jae Shin is led away by a pleased Yong Ha.

"I guess you'll have to show me what to do," Yoon Shik says, watching Jae Shin depart.

"You will learn quickly through my methods, Kim Yoon Shik." He promised, handing her a curved stick. "Just stick close to me and you will do well."

The two teams began with stretches and calisthenics on opposite sides of the pitch. After that, they progressed to short drills using their sticks. Yoon Shik found the stick awkward to hold and failed to perform the drills successfully. Sun Joon pulled her slightly away from the team.

"Hold the stick like this," he said, bending over and gripping his stick tightly.

Yoon Shik tried to mimic his stance but failed. She gave him a woeful look.

"Like this," he admonished, coming around behind her. He wrapped his arms around hers and guided her hands to the correct position on the stick.

From across the pitch, Jae Shin saw Sun Joon pressing his body against Yoon Shik's. "That son of a-" he roared, throwing down his stick and starting towards the pair.

Yong Ha threw himself in front of Jae Shin. "Gul Oh! Get a hold of yourself! If you react like a crazy man, everyone's going to know something's up with Yoon Shik. You have to protect her secret!"

Jae Shin growled in frustration and raked a hand through his hair. Sun Joon was no longer touching her, but the image was burned into Jae Shin's retinas, making him see nothing but red.

"I'm going to kill him," Jae Shin said vehemently, body vibrating with anger.

Yong Ha, despite his pen chance for drama, knew this was one of those times when he needed to step in. "No, no. Have you seen prison robes? They're awful. No style at all." He whirled Jae Shin around so he couldn't see Yoon Shik. "How about I buy you and your lady a night alone tonight? How does that sound?"

Slightly mollified, Jae Shin's body begins to relax. "Completely alone? Until dawn?"

"Of course."

"How?" Jae Shin asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

His friend looks affronted. "As if you have to ask. I'm Goo Yong Ha!"

****

Sun Joon watched in approval as Yoon Shik hit the ball into the goal. She grinned and jogged up to him, slightly out of breath. "I did it!"

He grinned back, feeling butterflies whirling in his stomach. "You did well."

You're so beautiful, he thinks, losing himself in her big doe eyes. He felt a tingle down his spine and glanced across the pitch to see Jae Shin glaring daggers at him. Squaring his shoulders, he moved closer to an oblivious Yoon Shik and stared right back at Jae Shin.

I know you like her, Gul Oh. But you can't have her. She's mine. Sun Joon's thoughts are broadcast across the pitch loud and clear.

Jae Shin's mouth tightened. The battle was on.

****

"Let's have a drink!" Yong Ha suggested as the Quartet exited the hockey pitch at dusk.

Sun Joon shook his head. "No, senior. Yoon Shik and I have much studying to accomplish."

Jae Shin bit back a nasty comment as Yong Ha elbowed him in the ribs. "It's Friday! You don't have any boring studying to do, do you Daemul?"

"Well, I…" she looked up at Sun Joon sheepishly. "I wasn't planning on studying tonight."

"Then it's settled!" Yong Ha chortled, ignoring Sun Joon's frown. "Let's go, boys!"

They found an outdoor table at Yong Ha's favorite watering hole and ordered lots of makkeoli and anju. Though he was sitting on the same side of the table as Yoon Shik, Sun Joon was still moping when the drinks arrived and Yong Ha proposed a toast. "To fellow scholars enjoying liquor!"

About to take a healthy swig of his drink, Yong Ha suddenly stopped and pointed behind Sun Joon. "Is that Professor Choi!?"

"The Professor?" Sun Joon squawked and turned around, squinting into the darkness. Yoon Shik raised a brow but turned around as well.

Yong Ha quickly poured the powdery contents of a small bag into Sun Joon's cup.

"I don't see him," Sun Joon said, facing the table again.

"I must have been mistaken," Yong Ha shrugged. "Drink up, everybody!"

Thirty minutes passed and, without warning, Sun Joon slumped onto the table. Yoon Shik frowned and shook her roommate without success. "Lee Sun Joon? Are you okay?"

Yong Ha shook his head sadly. "He's never been good at holding his liquor."

She frowned again and looked at the meager amount of liquor on the table. "But he didn't drink that much."

"Probably just tired," Jae Shin said in his lazy drawl.

"I guess so," she replied, finishing her cup of makkeoli.

Yong Ha stood up and stretched. "Well, I'm pretty beat from the horrible sport we played today. Not to mention, I better get our friend here back to the dorms before I end up like him!"

Yoon Shik rose. "We can go together, senior."

He shooed her away. "No, no. You and Gul Oh enjoy each other's company. Good night!"

Jae Shin hid a smile as Yoon Shik turned to him with a blush staining her cheeks. "It seems we're all alone tonight. What should we do?"

He leaned forward on his elbows, looking deep into her sparkling eyes. "How about a swim?"