Nam Yejun sat in the pristine classroom, scribbling neatly into his notebook. The weight of responsibility was enormous, he thought, glancing at his perfectly color-coded page. If my notes don't save the class average, who else will? As the class president, his notes were legendary—diligent, color-coded, and a shining beacon of academic hope for his classmates. His blue hair caught the sunlight streaming in through the window as he adjusted his glasses, squinting slightly to make sure his handwriting was perfectly aligned. Next to him, Han Noah, his best friend, was sneakily sipping from a tumbler filled with something that suspiciously resembled chicken juice.

"Yeah, buddy!" Noah whispered triumphantly, flexing his bicep for no apparent reason. He then struck another ridiculous pose, pretending to hold up the ceiling like a weightlifter. "This school can't contain my gains!" he muttered, shooting a wink at a completely uninterested Yejun. Yejun rolled his eyes but couldn't help grinning.

The classroom buzzed with chatter as the lunch bell rang. Yejun stretched, pulling out his trusty lip balm for a quick swipe. That's when Yu Hamin, his tall, first-year adoptive brother, strolled over, towering above everyone else.

"Son!" Yejun exclaimed, throwing his arms wide open.

Hamin sighed, dodging the embrace with practiced ease. "Classes are fine, Dad, no one's bullying me. Stop hovering."

Noah smirked. "Better give him space, Yejun. You're like a helicopter parent."

"I am not!" Yejun huffed indignantly but backed off nonetheless.

As the trio bantered, Do Eunho and Chae Bamby, their second-year friends, joined them. Bamby popped a lollipop into his mouth, scowling as Eunho teased him about his inability to finish yesterday's English homework.

"Ya, Do Eunho, one more word and I'm shoving this lollipop up your—"

"Language, Chae Bamby," Yejun cut in sternly, though his lip twitched with amusement.

The conversation came to an abrupt halt when Noah rummaged through Yejun's locker during lunch, looking for snacks—and pulled out an envelope.

"Oh? What's this?" Noah waved it in the air. "A love letter? For Yejun? Finally, someone's recognized his nerdy charm."

"Give it here!" Yejun snatched the letter from Noah, his eyes wide with anticipation and glee, as if the universe had finally acknowledged his existence. "Aww, Yejun, you're blushing!" Noah teased, earning a glare as Yejun clutched the letter tighter, muttering something about intellectual appeal and perfect handwriting. A love letter for me? he thought, his heart racing. Of course! It was only a matter of time before someone noticed my charm, my intellect, my perfectly color-coded notes… He clutched the envelope to his chest like it was the last limited-edition lip balm on Earth. "A love letter for me?" he gasped, clutching it to his chest like it was the last limited-edition lip balm on Earth.

Everyone crowded around him as he carefully unfolded the paper. Yejun's blue eyes widened as he read the contents aloud:

"Nam Yejun. Meet me on the rooftop after school. Don't be late. We need to settle this once and for all."

The group fell silent. Bamby's snort broke the tension.

"Pfft! That's not a love letter. That's a death threat."

"What?!" Yejun nearly dropped the paper. "Who's trying to fight me? I'm terrible at fighting! And—" he lowered his voice, "I'm asthmatic!"

"You're toast," Eunho said with mock sympathy, earning a glare from Yejun. "But don't worry. Bamby's got this."

"Wait, what?" Bamby's eyes narrowed. "Why do I have to go?"

"Because you can fight," Eunho said matter-of-factly. "And you're a delinquent. You'll blend right in with whoever wrote this."

Bamby tsked, crossing his arms. "I'm flattered," he mocked, "but you can fight too, so can Hamin."

"I'm too lazy," Eunho added with a shrug, stealing Bamby's lollipop and popping it into his mouth instead.

Yejun shot to his feet. "AND MY PRECIOUS SON CAN'T GO!" Yejun dramatically threw himself in front of Hamin as if shielding him from an imaginary attack, arms spread wide. "Over my dead body!"

Hamin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Please stop calling me that."

Despite his protests, Bamby found himself on the rooftop after school, grumbling under his breath. He clutched a lollipop in one hand like it was his good luck charm. The wind rustled, and the door to the rooftop creaked open.

Chihiru stepped out, her long, dark hair framing her face like a shadow. Her sharp, almost predatory gaze cut through the air, and the faint smirk on her lips made her look like the lead in a gangster film. She exuded a nonchalant confidence that sent a chill down Bamby's spine, though her heart was quietly racing.

"You're not Nam Yejun," she said, tilting her head. Her sharp gaze pinned Bamby in place. Bamby blinked, confused and slightly annoyed. Meanwhile, Chihiru's thoughts spiraled. Ah, he must be too shy to come up, she thought, her cheeks warming at the idea. How cute. The class president is too precious to handle this face-to-face! He's probably pacing in some quiet corner, clutching his inhaler and fretting about making eye contact with me. What an angel.

Bamby frowned harder as he stared at her. His thoughts spiraled wildly. What the hell did Yejun do? Did he insult her cat? Steal her lunch? Or maybe he's secretly some kind of mastermind pulling strings behind the scenes? Nah, he's way too dorky for that… or is he?

Chihiru raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "Fight? I never said I wanted to fight him."

Bamby waved the letter in her face, his frustration bubbling over. "This is a threat if I've ever seen one! If this isn't about a fight, then what is it about?"

Bamby sighed, dripping with annoyance. "What did Yejun even do to you? Did he steal your lunch money or something? Anyway, I don't fight girls, so if that's what you're looking for, we're done here."

Chihiru crossed her arms, her expression unimpressed. "You don't fight girls? That's cute. I don't need you to fight me."

Bamby hesitated, suddenly feeling like the ground beneath him was less stable. Chihiru was the same height as him, but the sheer intensity of her presence made her feel ten feet tall. He tried to hold his ground. "Then what is this? Why are you calling him out?"

She didn't bother replying, instead she smirked which sent sent a shiver down Bamby's spine. "Maybe the letter didn't make it to him. I guess I'll just try again. But don't worry—I'll make it clearer next time."

Bamby watched, dumbfounded, as she brushed past him, leaving him rooted to the spot. "Yejun's doomed," he muttered under his breath, gripping his lollipop tighter. He took one last look at the rooftop and sighed heavily. "No way he survives this."

Meanwhile, back in the classroom, Yejun paced nervously while the rest of the group lounged around. Noah was sipping his chicken juice with exaggerated calmness, Hamin was scrolling on his phone, and Eunho was flipping through a notebook, pretending to be unbothered.

Yejun spun toward them, clutching his inhaler. "Do you think Bamby's dead?"

Noah snorted into his tumbler. "He's not dead. Probably just crying."

"Crying?" Yejun's eyes widened. "Did they break his legs? Or—or—make him eat something spicy? You know he can't handle spice!"

Hamin sighed and didn't look up from his phone. "He's probably fine. Stop panicking."

Eunho smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Unless whoever sent the letter is using him to send a message. You know, like throwing his body through the window or something."

Yejun paled, clutching the desk for support. "What kind of monster sends a message like that?!"

Noah grinned, slapping Yejun on the back. "Relax, Yejun. If Bamby's alive, he'll tell us. If he's not… well, it's been nice knowing him."

Chapter 2: Love, Letters, and Smiles

The tension in the classroom was palpable as Bamby sauntered back, lollipop in his mouth, and plopped into his seat. Everyone stared at him expectantly. Yejun clutched his inhaler, the other hand gripping the desk.

"Well?" Eunho prompted, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Who sent the letter?"

Bamby swirled the lollipop in his mouth dramatically before pulling it out, leaning back in his chair with a smug grin. "Chihiru Fujioka," he announced, pausing for effect like a detective unveiling a culprit. Noah gasped mockingly, clutching his chest like he'd been mortally wounded. "No way! The Chihiru Fujioka?" Eunho even dropped his pen for added effect, though his smirk betrayed his amusement. "Should we applaud?" he quipped, earning a playful glare from Bamby.

Eunho raised an eyebrow. "You're enjoying this a little too much," he muttered, smirking as Bamby twirled the lollipop like a trophy.

Yejun's jaw dropped. "What?! What did I do to her?"

Bamby shrugged. "I was gonna ask you the same thing. She seemed pretty dead set on finding you."

Noah burst out laughing. "Red Eyes over here probably cheated her out of something! Did you deny her a bathroom pass or something?"

Yejun shot him a glare but quickly turned pale. His mind raced before landing on a terrifying thought. "Kang Haejoon!" he exclaimed, slamming his hand on the desk. "She's his friend, isn't she? I caught him cheating and got him in trouble! She's here for revenge!"

Eunho smirked, clearly enjoying Yejun's unraveling nerves. "Yeah, because revenge always starts with rooftop meetings and mysterious letters. Makes perfect sense."

Flashback: The Moment It Happened

Chihiru hadn't meant to fall for Nam Yejun. She'd been walking back to class after sneaking a smoke in the stairwell when the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the sterile school air caught her attention. She spotted him leaning against the wall, his glasses slightly askew, catching his breath.

His labored breathing echoed softly in the empty corridor, a stark contrast to the quiet authority in his posture. In one hand, he held an inhaler; in the other, a neatly packed lunchbox he was about to return to its rightful owner. Despite his obvious exhaustion, he smiled gently as he handed the lunch over.

"Eat properly, okay?" he said, ruffling the younger student's hair before walking away.

Chihiru froze, her cigarette forgotten. Her heart did something strange—a skip, a leap, something dramatic enough to leave her bewildered. What is this? A heart attack? No, I'd be dead already. Is this… love? Oh god, it's love, isn't it? She quickly ducked back into the stairwell before he could notice her staring, clutching her chest like it might explode.

At the Fujioka Household

Chihiru's mom cracked open another beer at the kitchen table, eyeing her daughter who sat across from her, deep in thought.

"Alright, what's eating you up?" her mom asked, grinning lazily.

Chihiru looked up, hesitating. Could she really ask her mom for love advice? Her mom was… well, a little too good at this sort of thing. The kind of woman who had men tripping over themselves to buy her another drink. But maybe that's what Chihiru needed.

"Mom," she started, her fingers fumbling nervously with the wrapper of her lollipop. She hesitated, staring at the table for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she finally blurted out, "How do you… you know, tell someone you like them?"

Her mom let out a bark of laughter, slapping the table. "You're adorable! My daughter, asking for love advice? Oh, this is rich." Chihiru's face burned as she groaned, burying her head in her arms. "Why did I even ask? You're impossible," she muttered, though her mom's laughter only grew louder.

Her mom wiped a tear of mirth from her eye. "Alright, alright. But first, tell me this… is this guy a bum? Because if he's anything like your deadbeat dad…"

"He's not a bum!" Chihiru cut her off, a little too quickly. "He's… he's the class president."

Her mom whistled. "Ooh, fancy. A class prez, huh? Well, good. At least he's got ambition."

Chihiru leaned forward. "So? What should I do?"

Her mom took a long sip of her beer, then set it down with a decisive thud. "Be direct. Walk right up to him and say, 'Hey, I like you.' That's the Fujioka way."

Chihiru frowned, unsure. "What if he… doesn't like me back?"

Her mom shrugged. "Then you move on. But at least you won't be wasting time writing creepy letters."

Chihiru sighed but nodded. "Alright. I'll do it."

The Next Day: Operation Smile

Chihiru's plan was simple: start small. Smiles were harmless, right? Smiles are a universal language, she told herself. This is how wars end and friendships start. Smiles are my secret weapon. Who could resist?

She waited for Yejun in the hallway, arms crossed, leaning casually against a locker. As soon as she spotted him, she flashed her brightest smile.

Yejun saw her and immediately looked away, clutching his books tighter. He picked up his pace, muttering something under his breath. Chihiru blinked. He's shy. That's so cute.

But her patience wore thin as the day went on. Every time she tried to approach Yejun, he found an excuse to escape.

"Hey, Nam Yejun!" she called during break, only for him to frantically wave and yell back, "Sorry! I promised Noah I'd help him…uh…organize his gym bag!" He sprinted off before she could say another word.

Later, in the hallway, she cornered him near the vending machines. "Yejun, do you have a second?"

He froze, eyes darting around like a trapped animal. "Oh no! My lip balm! I left it in my locker!" And just like that, he bolted.

By the end of the day, Chihiru was fuming. Why is he avoiding me? Is this his idea of playing hard to get? She clenched her fists and stopped in her tracks, formulating a plan. Alright, Fujioka, think. What's the best way to corner a class president? The library? Too public. A surprise attack near the staff room? Too risky.

Her eyes narrowed. The rooftop. It's perfect. No witnesses. No escape. She clenched her fists, stomping dramatically down the hallway. I don't have time for these games! I'm a Fujioka! Smiles are my weapon, and determination is my middle name! If he thinks he can run forever, he's got another thing coming.

At the Cafeteria: The Great Escape Chronicles

Yejun, Noah, Eunho, and Bamby sat at their usual table, the lunchtime buzz filling the air. Yejun stirred his soup absentmindedly, his eyes darting toward every entrance.

"You look like a hunted man," Eunho said, not even looking up from his book.

"I am!" Yejun hissed. "She's everywhere. Everywhere!"

Bamby snickered, tossing a piece of bread at Noah. "You're acting like she's some kind of villain from an action movie. What's she doing? Hiding in the shadows with a sinister laugh?"

"Worse," Yejun whispered, clutching his spoon. "She's smiling."

Noah dropped his chopsticks dramatically. "Not a smile! Say it isn't so!"

Eunho feigned a shiver. "That's it. We need a restraining order."

Bamby snorted. "Quick, call the Smile Police. We've got a dangerous one on our hands."

Noah choked on his chicken juice, sputtering, and slammed the table as he tried to catch his breath. A splash of chicken juice arced through the air, landing squarely on Bamby's sleeve. "Wait, wait, wait. She's… smiling? That's what's got you acting like this?" Bamby yelped, flicking his arm dramatically. "Seriously, Noah? Can't you keep your gym juice contained?"

Yejun leaned in, his face pale. "Not just any smile. It's… unsettling. Like she's plotting my doom."

Eunho finally glanced up, his expression dry. "Or, maybe… and hear me out here… she's just being nice."

"Impossible," Yejun said firmly. "Nobody smiles at me like that unless they're up to something."

Bamby rolled his eyes. "Yeah, like handing you a death sentence disguised as a love letter. Oh wait… that already happened." He snorted, shaking his head. "Honestly, I didn't think you had it in you to inspire such strong emotions, Yejun. Whether it's love or hate, it's kind of impressive."

Noah leaned back in his chair, laughing. "You've got to admit, Red Eyes, she's persistent. I've never seen anyone try so hard to talk to you."

"Persistent isn't the word. She's relentless," Yejun muttered. He buried his head in his hands. "I'm going to have to transfer schools. That's the only solution."

Eunho snorted, flipping a page in his book. "Or you could just talk to her."

Yejun's head snapped up, horrified. "Are you insane?! She'd… she'd probably… I don't know! Smile more!"

The group burst out laughing as Yejun groaned, sinking further into his seat. The laughter didn't help his nerves, but at least it drowned out the sound of his racing heartbeat.

Chapter 3: The Brother-In-Law Plan

After a week of failed attempts to talk to Yejun, Chihiru sat in her room, chewing on a lollipop and brainstorming her next move. Her plan to corner Yejun at school had backfired spectacularly. He was slippery—like trying to catch smoke with her bare hands. But Chihiru Fujioka was nothing if not resourceful.

If I can't get to Yejun directly, she thought, I'll start with his family.

Her eyes lit up as she remembered something crucial: Yejun's adoptive brother, Yu Hamin. They both trained at the same taekwondo dojang. What better way to connect with my future brother-in-law?

She grinned, her delulu tendencies kicking into overdrive. This will bring me closer to Yejun. It's practically fate!

At the Dojang

Hamin raised an eyebrow as Chihiru walked into the dojang with an unusually determined expression. Her usual aura of nonchalance was replaced by something unsettling. She offered him a wide, off-putting smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, the kind of smile that made you wonder if you owed someone money. Her presence was oddly intimidating, like she had a plan, and Hamin wasn't sure he wanted to know what it was.

"You good?" Hamin asked, adjusting his dobok.

"Perfectly fine," Chihiru said, leaning against the wall with a sharp grin that made Hamin take half a step back. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing in a way that felt a little too focused. "So… you're Yejun's brother, huh?"

Hamin blinked. "Yeah? Why?"

"No reason," she said quickly. "Just… he talks about you a lot."

"He does?" Hamin's skeptical tone made it clear he didn't buy that for a second. "What do you want?"

"What? Can't a girl be friendly?" Chihiru huffed, crossing her arms. This isn't going as smoothly as I thought, she mused. But she wasn't about to give up.

By the end of practice, Hamin was thoroughly confused. Chihiru had spent the entire session oscillating between unnerving grins and awkward attempts at conversation. She asked him if Yejun liked specific kinds of tea, only to laugh nervously and change the subject to whether or not Yejun had ever won any awards.

At one point, she tripped over a mat while pretending to stretch, turning bright red before quickly recovering with a forced, unsettling smile. The whole thing felt more like an interrogation gone wrong than a casual chat. Her questions barely made sense, and her overly enthusiastic laugh at her own jokes only added to the strangeness. At one point, she even offered to spar with him, flashing another one of those sharp smiles that made Hamin feel like he'd somehow already lost. Hamin wisely declined. As the evening wrapped up, she gave him a firm clap on the shoulder.

"You're a good kid, Hamin," she said solemnly. "Take care of yourself."

Hamin stared after her as she left, muttering, "What just happened?"

Yejun Finds Out

The next morning, Yejun walked into the kitchen to find Hamin poking at his cereal, looking deeply unsettled.

"What's wrong?" Yejun asked, grabbing his trusty lip balm from the counter.

Hamin glanced up. "Do you know Chihiru Fujioka?"

Yejun froze mid-application. "Why? What did she do?"

"Nothing… I think?" Hamin frowned. "She was weirdly friendly yesterday at the dojang. Kept asking about you."

Yejun's blood ran cold. She's targeting Hamin now? Is nothing sacred? He bolted out of the kitchen, his panic overriding his usual caution. This ends now.

The Confrontation

Chihiru was leaning against a locker, scrolling through her phone, trying to calm the fluttering in her chest. Why is he walking toward me? What do I do? Act casual. No, too casual! Stop holding your breath. Smile? No, not that smile… Her thoughts spiraled into chaos as Yejun appeared out of nowhere, looking equal parts furious and panicked.

"Leave him alone!" Yejun blurted, breaking through her scattered thoughts and startling her so much she nearly dropped her phone. He's so close, she thought, her nerves twisting into knots. Does he always look this intense?

"Huh?" Chihiru blinked at him, genuinely confused.

"Hamin," Yejun clarified, stepping closer, his voice unusually firm. "If you're trying to get to me, you don't have to go through him. Just… deal with me directly, okay?"

Chihiru's heart skipped a beat. He's so protective of his brother, she thought, her delulu tendencies firing on all cylinders. Could it be… he's worried I'll like Hamin more than him? Her grin widened at the thought.

"I don't have a grudge against you," she said innocently.

"Then why are you suddenly buddying up with my brother?" Yejun demanded, his tone suspicious but laced with confusion. "What exactly are you trying to pull?"

Chihiru couldn't help herself anymore. She leaned forward slightly, smirking. "Why, Prez… are you jealous?"

Yejun spluttered, his face turning bright red. "W-what?! No! Of course not!"

But Chihiru wasn't listening. She was too busy reveling in her delusional victory. He's totally jealous. This is progress! she thought triumphantly.

"Don't worry," she said sweetly. "I'll leave Hamin alone. My business is with you, after all."

Yejun didn't know whether to be relieved or more terrified. He adjusted his glasses nervously, backing away. "Good. Just… stay away from him."

As he turned and hurried down the hall, Chihiru watched him go, her smirk widening. "See you soon, Prez," she called after him.

Yejun's pace quickened, and Chihiru let out a satisfied sigh. Step one: success.

Unbeknownst to either of them, Bamby had rounded the corner just in time to catch the tail end of their exchange. His lollipop nearly fell out of his mouth as he froze, watching Yejun retreat like his life depended on it.

Moments later, Bamby strolled into the classroom where Yejun had taken refuge, leaning casually against the desk. "Alright, spill. What was that about? Did she challenge you to a duel, threaten Hamin, or promise to haunt your dreams?"

Yejun groaned, burying his head in his arms. "She's targeting Hamin now! Can you believe it? Hamin! She's probably plotting his downfall as we speak."

Bamby raised an eyebrow, his lollipop hovering near his mouth. "Uh-huh. And you told her to leave him alone because…?"

"Because she needs to deal with me directly!" Yejun shot back, sitting up. "She's been avoiding me all week just to get to him. It's unacceptable!"

Bamby snorted. "Yeah, sure. That's definitely what's happening here. You know what you need? A peace treaty. Get her some snacks, wave a white flag, and maybe she'll stop targeting your family."

Noah, who had just walked in, raised an eyebrow. "Or you could avoid all lockers for the rest of the semester. That's where ambushes happen. Basic war strategy."

Yejun groaned, burying his face deeper into his arms. "You two are useless."

"Hey, we're just trying to keep you alive," Bamby said, grinning as he tapped his lollipop against the desk. "You don't know how far she'll go."

"An amusement park?" Yejun asked, staring at Noah like he'd just suggested climbing Mount Everest.

"Yes, Prez," Noah replied, clapping him on the back. "You need to loosen up, and this is the perfect way to do it."

"Loosen up?" Bamby muttered, frowning. "You're dragging him to a place with roller coasters and overpriced food. That's hardly relaxing."

"We're not just going for the rides," Eunho added with a smirk. "The haunted house is the main event."

Yejun paled instantly. "Haunted house? No way! Count me out." His mind raced, conjuring every horror movie scenario imaginable. Why would anyone willingly walk into a death trap? What if someone grabs me? What if they don't let me leave? He gripped his inhaler like a lifeline, glancing at the group with wide, panicked eyes. "This is madness!"

Hamin raised an eyebrow. "Come on, hyung. Don't be a baby. It's just actors in costumes."

"Actors in costumes who jump out of the dark and grab you!" Yejun retorted, clutching his inhaler. "Why would I subject myself to that?"

"Because," Noah said, pulling Yejun toward the park gates, "you need this. Trust me."

The group stood outside the haunted house, staring at the ominous building. Its peeling paint and dimly lit windows looked straight out of a horror movie.

"Alright, we're splitting up," Noah declared. "Me and Hamin will go together. Bamby, Eunho, and Yejun, you're a team."

"Lucky us," Bamby grumbled, his arms crossed. "The two scaredy cats and Mr. Unbothered."

"You'll be fine," Noah teased, patting Bamby on the head before leading Hamin toward another attraction.

Inside, the haunted house was pitch black, the air thick with the smell of damp wood and an eerie silence broken only by the faint creak of the floorboards. Dim, red lights flickered sporadically, casting grotesque shadows on the peeling walls. Cobwebs hung in thick strands across the corners, swaying slightly as if touched by invisible hands. As soon as they stepped in, Yejun clutched Bamby's arm, his grip like a vice.

"Don't leave me," he whispered, his voice trembling.

"Who's leaving?" Bamby snapped. "I'm not dying alone in here."

Eunho chuckled, clearly amused as he took the lead. "You two are embarrassing."

Chihiru adjusted her mask and slipped into the shadows, her hands gripping the edges of her costume as her heart raced. What if I mess this up? What if he doesn't even notice me? No, focus. This is my chance! She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, her excitement battling with her jitters. She'd been doing this job long enough to know exactly when to pounce, but the idea of scaring Yejun made her more nervous than she cared to admit. She'd been doing this job long enough to know exactly when to pounce. But as the next group entered her section, her heart skipped a beat.

Yejun?! She blinked, peeking out of her hiding spot. Sure enough, it was him, clinging to Bamby like his life depended on it. Her heart fluttered. This is my chance.

She stepped out of hiding, her movements slow and deliberate. Bamby saw her first. "Holy sh—!" he yelled, stumbling backward and clutching Yejun for support.

Yejun turned just in time to see her lunge toward them, and his scream was so high-pitched it could shatter glass. "Nope! Nope! Nope!" he cried, bolting in the opposite direction, leaving Bamby and Eunho behind.

Chihiru chased after him, her costume trailing behind as she tried to keep up. "Wait, Yejun!" she called, dropping her character for a moment. Yejun, however, didn't so much as glance back. He was running like his life depended on it, arms flailing and occasionally letting out panicked squeaks. He turned a corner too sharply, nearly tripping over a stray prop skeleton. "Nope, nope, nope!" he shouted, as if the words would protect him.

Chihiru, on the other hand, wasn't faring much better. "Yejun, wait! It's just me!" she tried again, dodging a cobweb and narrowly avoiding bumping into a fake gravestone. She finally gained some ground but only in time to see him barrel through another set of curtains, letting out a yelp as a dangling spider brushed against his face. "Why does it have to be spiders!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the corridors.

As she slowed to a stop, something on the floor caught her eye. His phone. She picked it up, calling after him again, but he was long gone.

"Nice work," came a voice from behind her. Chihiru whirled around, fists raised instinctively, only to find Eunho leaning casually against the wall, an amused smirk on his face.

""Oh, it's you," she muttered, lowering her hands. They'd spoken a few times before, back when they were both sneaking around school grounds for a smoke. Those moments had been brief but strangely memorable. Chihiru recalled Eunho's dry wit as he teased her about her choice of cigarettes, while he'd found her sharp comebacks unexpectedly amusing. Their exchanges had always felt more like a sparring match than a conversation, a familiarity that lingered now.

"You work here?" Eunho asked, his tone laced with amusement. "That's unexpected."

Chihiru scowled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Eunho shrugged, his smirk widening. "Nothing. Just… interesting."

Before she could retort, his eyes fell on the phone in her hand. "Is that Yejun's?"

Chihiru blinked, pulled out of her thoughts. "Yeah," she said, shoving it into his hands. "Give it to him for me."

"Sure," Eunho replied, slipping the phone into his pocket. "But why don't you give it to him yourself?"

"Just don't tell him you saw me, or that I work here," she snapped, turning away before he could press further. "Got it?"

Eunho raised an eyebrow, watching her retreating figure. "Got it," he called after her, clearly amused. None of the others realized she works here, he thought, shaking his head. And she's desperate to keep it that way. Interesting. First the smoking, now this? What's her deal with Yejun anyway? Despite himself, he found her antics strangely entertaining.

Just as she slipped back into her role, she saw Bamby wandering alone, looking around frantically. "F, why the hell is this place a labyrinth?" he muttered under his breath, his eyes darting around like a trapped animal. Is this place endless? he thought, panic creeping in. I'm going to starve in here. They'll find my bones in some dark corner next year, and Eunho will laugh at my ghost. Chihiru's lips curled into a mischievous grin. Perfect. She still hadn't forgotten the rooftop incident—how he had shown up instead of Yejun, derailing her carefully planned confession. Let's call this payback.

With a well-timed jump scare, she sent Bamby stumbling backward, screaming every curse in the book. "What the hell?!" he bellowed, clutching his chest as she disappeared back into the shadows, her laughter echoing around him.

Eunho caught up to him moments later, struggling to contain his laughter. "Having fun?"

"Fun?" Bamby snapped, still heaving. "This place is cursed. And that last one? She's terrifying."

Eunho smirked. "Yeah. Interesting, huh?"

Chihiru leaned against the back wall of her section, trying to steady her breathing. The sound of approaching footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Looking up, she spotted Kang Haejoon, one of her coworkers at the haunted house. His sharp eyes took in her slouched position and the mask in her lap.

"I take it you know Yejun's here, and it didn't go well?" he asked, leaning casually against the wall.

Chihiru sighed, rubbing her temples. "You could say that."

Haejoon smirked, his tone teasing. "Let me guess, you scared him so bad he ran for the hills?"

She shot him a look but didn't deny it. "Why are you here, anyway? Shouldn't you be working?"

"I was about to," he said, shrugging. "But I saw him outside with his friends and figured you'd have noticed by now. Didn't expect to find you like this, though."

They weren't exactly friends, but their interactions had always been… interesting. Haejoon had discovered her usual smoking spot during one of his own covert breaks and found her occupying it. She'd been annoyed at first, but he'd quickly figured out her weakness for sarcasm and turned their encounters into a game. Over time, their shared habit led to occasional conversations. It wasn't much, but it was enough for him to notice her lingering gazes at Yejun during school hours.

"You're really hung up on him, huh?" he asked, not unkindly. "You practically grilled me about him back when we were seatmates."

Chihiru groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Don't remind me."

Haejoon chuckled. "Well, for what it's worth, you've got guts. Not many people would chase Yejun into a haunted house just to get his attention."

She peeked up at him, her face flushed. "I didn't plan for it to go this badly."

"You'll figure it out," Haejoon said, giving her a rare, genuine smile. "You always do."

Chihiru snorted, the corners of her lips twitching up despite herself. "You know, for someone with a scary reputation, you're kind of a big teddy bear."

Haejoon raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "A teddy bear?"

"Yeah," she said, smirking now. "Big, intimidating, doesn't smile much, but deep down, you're just a softie."

He rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Don't let that get around. I have a rep to maintain."

"Your secret's safe with me," she teased, standing up and brushing the dust off her pants. "For now."

Outside the haunted house, Yejun paced back and forth, his hands clutching his head. "I lost my phone! How could I lose my phone?!"

Noah tried to calm him, holding back a laugh. "Relax, Prez. It's probably somewhere inside. We'll find it."

"Somewhere inside?" Yejun exclaimed, looking horrified. "That place is a maze of terror! It could be anywhere!"

"Maybe the ghosts have it," Bamby muttered sarcastically, still catching his breath. "They're probably texting their ghost friends right now."

Before Yejun could spiral further, Eunho sauntered over, holding up the missing phone. "Looking for this?"

Yejun's eyes lit up. "My phone! Where did you find it?"

Eunho shrugged, handing it over. "Let's just say someone wanted to make sure it got back to you." He couldn't help but smirk as he glanced back toward the haunted house. Chihiru's antics make way too much sense now, he thought, piecing together her behavior. First the letter, now this? She's definitely into him. This is going to be interesting.

Yejun frowned, inspecting the phone for damage. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing important," Eunho said with a sly smile. He glanced back toward the haunted house and added under his breath, "For now."

Chapter 5: A Study in Misunderstandings

Chihiru stared at the paper in front of her, her face twisted in annoyance. A bold, red "35%" mocked her from the top of the math exam. Her stomach churned with embarrassment. Why did it have to be this bad? she thought, slumping further into her chair. What's Yejun going to think when he sees this? He probably already thinks I'm an idiot. She groaned, slumping in her chair. "Why do numbers hate me?" she muttered under her breath. I need a cigarette so bad, she thought, eyeing the clock and counting the seconds until she could bolt to her secret smoking spot. Math is bad, but withdrawal? Worse.

The teacher, Mrs. Park, cleared her throat, snapping Chihiru out of her misery. "Miss Fujioka, stay back after class. We need to discuss your grades."

As the bell rang and students filed out, Chihiru reluctantly approached Mrs. Park's desk. "Look, I know it's bad, but—"

Mrs. Park held up a hand. "It's not just bad. It's abysmal."

Chihiru flinched. "Thanks for sugarcoating it."

Mrs. Park sighed. "This isn't about sugarcoating. It's about getting you back on track. You're capable of much more, and I'm assigning Nam Yejun to tutor you. He's an excellent student and the class president."

Chihiru blinked. "Yejun? The class prez?"

"Yes. Don't argue," Mrs. Park said firmly. "This is non-negotiable."

After the classroom emptied, Mrs. Park found Yejun packing up his things. "Yejun, a word?"

"Yes, ma'am?" he asked, pushing his glasses up his nose.

"I need you to tutor Chihiru Fujioka," she said.

Yejun's eyes widened. "T-tutor? Her?"

Mrs. Park nodded. "You're one of our top students, and she needs your help. I'm counting on you."

Yejun swallowed hard. "O-okay. I'll do my best."

Yejun spent the rest of the day mentally preparing himself. As the final bell rang, he took a deep breath and approached Chihiru's desk. She's just a student who needs help, he told himself. It's not like she's going to bite.

"Uh, Fujioka?" he said hesitantly.

Chihiru looked up, startled. Her heart did a flip, but she quickly masked it with her usual demeanor. Why is he talking to me? Say something! Instead, she smiled—or at least, she thought she did. The result was a lopsided smirk that made Yejun freeze.

"I… uh, the tutoring," he stammered, adjusting his glasses. "Where do you want to study together?"

Chihiru's mind raced. The library? No, too public. This is my chance to confess and clear the air about Hamin. "Your home," she blurted out.

Yejun nearly dropped his notebook. "W-what?"

"I said your home," she repeated, crossing her arms. "My place won't work." If my mom finds out, she'll probably try to talk and say something totally humiliating. Trust me, it's better this way.

Yejun's mind spiraled. My home? What is she planning? He nodded reluctantly. "O-okay. My house it is."

That evening, as Chihiru grabbed her bag to leave, her mom called out from the kitchen. "Where are you going?"

"Yejun's house," Chihiru replied casually.

Her mom dropped her beer can. "What! The class prez?"

"Yeah," Chihiru said, raising an eyebrow at her mom's reaction.

Her mom bolted to her room, returning with a handful of small packets. "Better safe than sorry!" she declared, waving condoms in the air.

Chihiru's face turned beet red. "MOM! What the hell?"

Ignoring her, her mom stuffed them into Chihiru's bag. "Girl, you're young. Back in my day—"

"Stop!" Chihiru cut her off, mortified. "Oh my god, Mom, you're making it worse."

Her mom winked. "Is he rich?"

Chihiru sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "He's loaded."

Her mom grinned. "Cuff him."

Chihiru swung her leg over her motorcycle and revved the engine. Her mom leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a mix of pride and amusement. "Don't scare him too much, Chihiru."

"I won't," Chihiru muttered, still flushed from the earlier exchange.

As she sped off, her mom chuckled to herself. "Atta girl."

When Chihiru pulled up outside Yejun's house, the sight of her sleek motorcycle caught his attention through the window. His jaw dropped. "She rides a motorcycle?"

Hamin, lounging on the couch, looked over. "What's the big deal?"

"It's… impressive," Yejun muttered, adjusting his glasses.

The doorbell rang, and Yejun opened the door to find Chihiru standing there, looking as nonchalant as ever. "Hi, Prez," she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

"M-make yourself at home," Yejun stammered, stepping aside as she strode in.

"Yo," Hamin greeted from the couch. "Didn't think I'd see you here."

"You're in my taekwondo class," Chihiru said, raising an eyebrow at him.

Hamin glanced at her with mild curiosity. "Didn't expect to see you here outside of Taekwondo. You actually showing up makes me think this might be serious."

Chihiru shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "I'm here to study. Don't overthink it."

Yejun sighed. This is going to be a long day. He could almost picture himself as a knight heading into battle, armed only with a notebook and a fragile sense of patience, facing the ferocious dragon that was Chihiru Fujioka.

When Chihiru stepped into the pristine living room, her eyes widened in awe. The luxurious furniture, sparkling windows, and polished floors screamed wealth. Nam Yejun truly is from a different class, she thought, her gaze lingering on a crystal vase perched on a marble table. "Your house is... something," she muttered, trying to sound casual but failing.

"Thanks, I guess," Yejun replied nervously. "Let's head to the study room."

Chihiru blinked. "The study room?" Disappointment flickered across her face. Ugh, what a missed opportunity. I wanted to see his room. Isn't that where people study in dramas? She sighed but followed him.*

"Yeah," Yejun said, already leading the way. "It's quieter there."

The study was just as immaculate as the rest of the house, with towering bookshelves and a neatly organized desk. Yejun gestured for her to sit while he pulled out her math test. "Let's start by going over this," he said, adjusting his glasses. "I need to see what kind of mistakes you're making."

Chihiru groaned internally as he pointed at the bold red "35%" on the paper. "This is... worse than Bamby," he muttered under his breath.

Her face burned. "Hey! Don't compare me to Bamby! At least I'm trying. Numbers just don't like me, okay?"

Yejun raised an eyebrow but didn't retort. Instead, he began explaining the first question she had gotten wrong. As he spoke, Chihiru found herself distracted. Despite his slightly awkward demeanor, he was focused and patient, qualities she didn't have.

"Are you listening?" Yejun asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Yeah, yeah," she said quickly, leaning forward. "So I just move this here, right?"

"No," he corrected, sighing. "You're skipping a step. Here, let me show you." He grabbed a pen and leaned over her shoulder. "This is how it's done."

Chihiru froze as his presence loomed behind her. Why is he so close? Does he always lean in like this when tutoring? Oh no, I can literally feel him breathing. Her hands gripped the edges of her notebook tightly. Don't pass out, don't pass out! This isn't a romance drama, it's math! Focus, you idiot! She could feel the warmth of his breath, and her face grew hotter with each passing second. Focus, Chihiru! You're supposed to be learning, not overheating! "You get it now?" Yejun asked, his voice close to her ear.

She turned her head slightly to answer, only to realize how close they had gotten. Their noses were almost touching.

Yejun froze, his eyes wide as he immediately backed off, nearly tripping over his chair in the process. "S-sorry!"

Chihiru's face was equally red as she stammered, "Y-yeah, I get it now."

The room fell into an awkward silence, both of them avoiding eye contact as they tried to refocus on the task at hand. The silence, however, was short-lived.

Chihiru finally stood, fidgeting awkwardly. "Where's the bathroom?" she asked, her voice unsteady.

Yejun pointed toward the hallway. "It's the second door on the left."

As Chihiru began to walk out, her sling bag caught on the back of her chair. "Wait, let me help," Yejun said, reaching out to untangle the strap. Somehow, in their clumsy attempts, they both stumbled. Chihiru fell backward, landing flat on the floor, while Yejun fell forward onto his palms and knees, hovering just above her.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. But before either of them could react, the contents of Chihiru's bag spilled across the floor—including the countless condoms her mother had stuffed inside. The colorful packets scattered everywhere, shining like damning evidence under the study room light.

Chihiru's face turned crimson. "Oh my god," she whispered, mortified.

Yejun looked equally horrified, his glasses sliding slightly down his nose as he took in the scene. "W-what…?" His brain scrambled for an explanation. Is this why she's been acting so weird? Did she… expect this? He gulped, the XL labels on the condoms flashing in his vision.

As if the situation couldn't get worse, the door to the study creaked open. Hamin stood there, his jaw dropping as he took in the tableau: his brother hovering over Chihiru, surrounded by an incriminating amount of XL Magnum condoms.

Hamin blinked, then slowly closed the door. Outside, he leaned against the wall, muttering to himself. "Are they… dating?" His thoughts spiraled further. *Do I even know my brother anymore? * His thoughts spiraled further. Wait, those condoms… were they Yejun's? He really is Red Eyes?! How does he even need that many?! Hamin shook his head in disbelief, utterly stunned by this shocking new revelation about his brother.

Inside, Chihiru scrambled to her feet, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for words, but none came. She couldn't bring herself to touch the scattered condoms. Mortified beyond belief, she bolted out of the room, leaving the incriminating items behind without a backward glance.

Before Yejun could say anything, she bolted out of the study, zoomed past a bewildered Hamin, and dashed out the front door. Hamin stood frozen for a moment, his mind racing. She just bolted like she was escaping a crime scene. What the hell did I just witness? He rubbed his eyes, half-expecting to wake up from a bizarre dream. "Is this what dating looks like?" he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. Hamin, still leaning against the wall, blinked as she zipped past. He shook his head. She hopped on her motorcycle and sped off, her entire body flushed with embarrassment.

Yejun sat on the floor, still processing. He glanced at the remaining condom packets scattered around him and groaned, burying his face in his hands. "What just happened?" His mind spiraled. Does she always carry these? Did she think…? No, no, there's no way she planned this. Right? He pinched the bridge of his nose, his cheeks still flushed. And why XL? I'm flattered but… How am I supposed to tutor her after this?!

Chapter 6: Clearing the Air

After the condom fiasco, Hamin found himself looking at his brother differently. Sitting across from Yejun at breakfast the next day, he squinted at him suspiciously.

"What?" Yejun asked, shifting uncomfortably under Hamin's gaze.

Hamin leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "I just didn't think you were that kind of guy, hyung."

Yejun froze, nearly choking on his toast. "What are you talking about?"

"You know," Hamin said, smirking. "Red Eyes strikes again."

Yejun groaned internally. He didn't correct the misunderstanding; he figured Chihiru would be mortified if he revealed the truth. Instead, he cleared his throat and replied, "Just… drop it."

Hamin chuckled, leaning back. "Dirty dog," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, Chihiru was utterly mortified. Sitting at the kitchen table with her head in her hands, she groaned loudly. Her mom, beer in hand, couldn't contain her laughter.

"And then the condoms just spilled out everywhere?" her mom wheezed, clutching her stomach. "Oh, honey, that's priceless!"

"MOM!" Chihiru shouted, her face turning beet red. "Why did you put them in my bag? And why so many?!"

Her mom wiped tears from her eyes, trying to compose herself. "Better safe than sorry! Besides, it's not like you used them." She winked. "Yet."

Chihiru buried her face in her hands, groaning. "You're the worst."

Ironically, it was Chihiru who ended up avoiding Yejun after the incident. Whenever she spotted him in the hallways, she'd turn and run the other way. She even started skipping class just to avoid seeing him.

During one of her smoking breaks behind the gym, she thought she was alone. Lighting her cigarette, she exhaled a puff of smoke when a voice made her jump.

"So, you like Yejun, huh?" Eunho's calm tone came from the shadows.

She choked on her cigarette, coughing violently. "Do you have to creep up on me every time?!" she demanded, her cheeks blazing.

Eunho emerged from the shadows, smirking. "Am I right, though?"

"No!" she shouted, turning away. "And stop saying stuff like that!"

Eunho laughed, leaning casually against the wall. "Your reaction says otherwise. Don't worry, it's kind of cute."

Chihiru groaned. "Leave me alone."

Later that day, Chihiru's luck ran out. As she turned the corner near the school's back gate, she nearly bumped into Yejun. She froze, caught like a deer in headlights.

"Fujioka," Yejun said, adjusting his glasses. "Can we talk?"

She panicked. "I swear I wasn't planning anything weird! My mom put them in my bag because I was going to your house, and you happen to be a dude, and—"

Yejun raised his hands, his face red but calm. "It's okay. I figured that might've been the case."

Chihiru stopped mid-ramble, blinking at him. "You… did?"

He coughed awkwardly. "Yeah. And don't worry, I didn't say anything to anyone. Well, uh… Hamin thinks they were mine, so… you're in the clear."

Chihiru stared at him, her heart skipping a beat. How is he so sweet? she thought.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Yejun handed her a small, suspicious bag. "Uh, I thought you might need these back," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

She peeked inside, instantly recognizing the XL Magnum condoms. Mortified, she snatched the bag and shoved it into her backpack. "Let's just… forget this ever happened."

Yejun nodded quickly. "Agreed."

They stood in silence for a moment before the absurdity of the situation hit them. Both burst into laughter, the tension breaking as they doubled over.

From that day on, their interactions became less awkward. They found themselves talking more, sometimes even joking with each other. Though the memory of the condom incident lingered, it became a shared secret that brought them closer in an unexpected way.