The next morning, Yuna's thoughts were already spiraling before she even reached the school gate.
She couldn't stop replaying the library incident in her mind.
Control yourself, Yuna… today you're sitting with Jihun. Don't make it awkward. Don't… think about the shelf falling, or him falling on you… breathe.
Her cheeks burned just remembering how calm he had looked when the books almost fell on her. Why isn't he embarrassed at all?
By the time she reached the school gate, she froze.
Jihun had already arrived, stepping out of his sleek black car like it was just another morning. A small crowd of students had gathered, mostly girls who were fans of the Elite Seven, whispering, taking photos, and hoping to catch his attention.
As he walked toward the school, a few bold girls approached.
"If you're free after school, maybe we could go to karaoke?" one asked, twirling her hair nervously.
Jihun smiled politely. "No, thank you."
Yuna blinked, utterly confused. Wait… he… said no?
He's calm. Polite. Not annoyed?
I thought he'd glare, or push them away… why is he acting so… normal?!
Before she could analyze it further, Minji suddenly tapped her shoulder.
"Yuna! Good morning!" Minji squealed.
"Ah! Minji! You scared me!" Yuna jumped slightly.
Minji held out a small, neatly wrapped gift. "I brought this for you!"
Yuna's heart warmed. Wow… even after everything, my friend is so thoughtful…
Before she could respond, Minji shouted, "It's for Haru!"
Yuna froze. Wait… Haru?
"I—I'm your friend! Why… why her?" Yuna asked, confused.
Minji blinked. "Her? What do you mean?"
Yuna realized the school didn't know Haru's real identity—that Haru was actually a girl. "…Nothing," she mumbled, stuffing the thought away.
Inside the classroom, chaos erupted. Girls from different sections swarmed Haru, asking for contact info, whispering, giggling, and swooning.
Minji quietly placed the gift on Haru's desk while Yuna watched, nearly frozen in shock. Haru glanced at her, smirked playfully, and went back to her seat. Yuna, cheeks burning, made her way to sit beside Jihun.
Why is she always so… calm? Yuna thought miserably. And why do I feel like I just lost my soul somewhere outside the classroom?
Suddenly, the classroom door opened again.
Choi Kyungmin, another member of the Elite Seven, walked in with that calm, confident aura. He approached Jihun.
"Park Haeun wants to see you," he said smoothly.
Gasps erupted. Students whispered excitedly.
Wow… two of the most powerful students calling each other privately? They must be dating!
Look at them… perfect together!
Their parents must be friends! They've known each other since childhood!
Yuna froze mid-thought. No… no, I know they're not dating. That's just… ridiculous.
Jihun didn't move. He didn't even flinch.
Kyungmin raised an eyebrow, surprised, and left. The class collectively gasped.
Then Park Haeun herself approached Jihun's desk. Calm, confident, and completely unbothered by the stares of dozens of students, she leaned slightly and said, "You're coming with me."
Jihun glanced up at her, shrugged subtly, and followed without protest.
Yuna's jaw dropped. Oh no… she didn't even let him answer Kyungmin. She just… took him. Just like that!
From her seat, Yuna watched in disbelief as the duo walked away. Her cheeks burned with a mix of awe, irritation, and embarrassment.
Why does everything at this school feel like a chaotic drama? Yuna thought, collapsing back into her chair.
Even as the morning continued, she couldn't stop thinking about the commotion at the gate, the whispers of the Elite Seven, and the so-called "prince war" that seemed to have just started.
Yuna slumped in her chair, trying to focus on the teacher's lecture, but her mind kept wandering back to the morning chaos.
Okay, calm down, Yuna, she muttered to herself. Park Haeun and Jihun are both Elite Seven members—they probably have some school work to do together. It's normal. Totally normal.
She forced herself to concentrate on the notebook in front of her, flipping pages with exaggerated focus.
Then… she heard it.
A few classmates behind her were whispering, just loud enough to catch her attention.
"…Did you see Park Haeun taking Jihun just now?"
"They would make such a perfect couple!"
"I mean, come on… she's gorgeous and he's… well, Jihun. Handsome, perfect, elite. They're meant to be!"
Yuna's ears burned. Her pen wobbled in her hand as she felt a sudden heat creeping up her neck.
What… what am I thinking about this? she scolded herself internally. Why is my heart… racing?
She pinched the bridge of her nose and leaned back in her chair.
No, no… it has nothing to do with me. Totally nothing. They're Elite Seven members doing… whatever they do. School business. That's it.
Still, she couldn't help but imagine the way Park Haeun had confidently approached Jihun, the way he had just calmly followed her, and how every student in the class had watched in awe.
Focus, Yuna. Focus. Breathe.
She took a deep breath, telling herself again that it was none of her concern. Jihun wasn't involved with anyone—she had witnessed it herself countless times—and Park Haeun? That was just her being her confident self.
Okay. Nothing to worry about. Really.
Yuna forced her eyes back to the front of the classroom, trying to drown out the whispers behind her. But deep down, she couldn't help thinking…
Why does it feel like my heart is betraying me?
Meanwhile, on the other side of the classroom, Jihun was quietly following Park Haeun as she led him toward a secluded corner near the teacher's desk.
"Jihun," Park Haeun said softly, leaning just slightly closer, her expression serious but her usual confident spark in her eyes. "So… when are you going to reply to my confession?"
Jihun froze for a second, adjusting his blazer calmly. "I already told you… I'm sorry. I can't return your feelings." His voice was calm, almost gentle, but firm.
At that exact moment, a group of students had wandered nearby, chatting quietly, but their ears picked up the conversation.
"Wait—did she just say confession?" one girl whispered.
"No way! That means they're dating, right?!" another squealed, eyes wide.
Within minutes, whispers traveled like wildfire. Students in the back, the middle, even those near the windows had caught snippets of the conversation.
"Park Haeun confessed to Jihun!"
"They're dating! Did you see how close they were?"
"Wow… Elite Seven couple alert!"
Yuna, still trying to calm herself, suddenly heard the whispers from behind her. Her jaw dropped. Wait… what?! Everyone is thinking they're dating?!
Her mind raced as the rumor spun faster and faster through the classroom.
Everyone is going to think they're a couple… and I have to sit next to him today! Yuna muttered under her breath, frustration rising. How is he acting like this is normal?!
She glanced at Jihun, who, completely oblivious to the chaos he had unintentionally caused, was already walking back to his seat with the same calm expression, his hands in his pockets. Park Haeun followed shortly behind, shrugging lightly as if nothing had happened.
Even Haru, who was sitting quietly at her desk, noticed the subtle tension. She gave Yuna a small, teasing smile but said nothing—she knew better than to interfere with Yuna's internal panic moments.
Meanwhile, the gossip mill was in full swing. Girls whispered to each other, some plotting ways to get close to Jihun, others discussing the "perfect match" of Jihun and Park Haeun.
Yuna clenched her fists. This is chaos… absolute chaos. And today, I don't even have investigation duty to distract me. I have to survive this entire day sitting next to him!
She tried to take a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on her notebook, but her eyes kept flicking toward Jihun. His composed, untouched-by-anything demeanor made her feel both relieved and more panicked at the same time.
How can someone be this calm after so much drama? she thought. Does he even realize what's happening?
And as she sat there, struggling to maintain composure, she realized one thing: the rumor train had started—and there was no stopping it.
Yuna sat in her seat, staring blankly at her notebook. Usually, she was the one chatting nonstop in class, teasing Jihun, making comments, laughing at his calm expressions, even starting small arguments just to get his reaction. But today… today she couldn't.
Okay, stay calm, Yuna, she told herself. Just act normal. Don't make eye contact. Don't say anything. Breathe.
Every time she glanced at Jihun, her stomach did a weird flip. His expression was… perfectly calm, as always. But now, with all the rumors swirling, even his calm looked intimidating.
"Yuna," he said suddenly, his voice cutting through her mental pep talk. Her heart jumped.
She slowly turned to face him.
"I'm not dating Park Haeun," he said, deadpan, then immediately stood up and walked toward the classroom door.
Yuna froze. Wait… what? He just said that to me?! Why?!
Her mind scrambled. Did he… tell me? Was that supposed to be private? Did he just… I mean… WHY WOULD HE SAY THAT TO ME?!
She stared at the back of his head as he disappeared down the corridor, her cheeks burning. Okay, okay, calm down. He's just clarifying. Nothing big. Breathe…
---
Meanwhile, in the corridor, Jihun walked briskly, hands in his pockets, trying to regain his composure.
What is happening to me? he thought, mentally slapping himself. Why did I even say that to Yuna? That was… unnecessary. Why did I even care?
He stopped for a moment, leaning slightly against the wall, covering his face with his hand. Ugh! My face is red! Why am I feeling embarrassed…? Why do I even care what she thinks?!
Students passed by, giving him curious glances, but he ignored them, though internally he was mortified.
And of course, she looked like she was about to explode in class when I said that. GREAT. Just great, Jihun. Way to make everything more awkward.
He took a deep breath and muttered under his breath: I am never speaking in front of her again. Never. Just… survive this day.
---
Back in the classroom, Yuna was replaying the scene over and over in her head.
He's not dating her… but why did he say that to me? Did he… care what I think? Did he… notice my face? Did he…? No, stop! Stop thinking, Yuna!
Her hand went to her notebook, pretending to take notes, but all she could see was Jihun walking away, his calm demeanor making her blush uncontrollably.
Okay, focus. Focus on something else. Anything else. Maybe the Scarlet Shadow investigation. Or… the next prank. Yeah, focus on that…
But of course, her thoughts kept drifting back to that single line: "I'm not dating Park Haeun."
---
Down the corridor, Jihun finally reached the restroom door and leaned against it, trying to steady his breathing.
Why did I even say that? Was that… over-explaining? Did I embarrass her? Why am I… red?
He buried his face in his hands again, whispering: God, this is so embarrassing. I can't believe I just said that. To her. Of all people. Perfect. Just perfect.
Meanwhile, back in the classroom, Yuna continued to struggle with her own thoughts, muttering: Why did he say that to me? Did he… like freak out about the rumors? Or… did he… oh no… stop, Yuna! Stop thinking!
The two of them were now separately drowning in embarrassment—but completely unaware that the other was doing the same thing.
And so, the rumor about Park Haeun and Jihun spread, Yuna tried to avoid Jihun, and Jihun wondered why he even cared what Yuna thought—all while their hearts silently raced in chaotic synchronization.