The cafeteria was louder than usual—
Not because of food—
But because of them.
---
At one table—
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Harin and Kyungmin sat together.
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Across the cafeteria—
At another table—
Yuna, Jihun, and Minji were watching closely.
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Minji leaned forward—
Excited.
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"…They actually look real…"
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Yuna smirked slightly,
"…Better than expected."
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Jihun added calmly,
"…Too real."
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Back at their table—
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Whispers surrounded them.
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"…They really look like a couple…"
"…So cute…"
"…Never expected this…"
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Kyungmin tried to stay calm—
But inside—
---
"…Everyone is staring…"
"…Why is everyone staring…"
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Harin, on the other hand—
Looked completely natural.
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"…Eat."
She said casually.
---
Kyungmin blinked,
"…Yes… okay…"
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Suddenly—
A group of girls approached their table.
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"…Prince Kyungmin…"
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They looked at Harin—
Then back at him—
---
"…We never expected this…"
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A pause—
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"…That you would date the OTHER prince."
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Kyungmin paused for a second—
Then smiled slightly—
That smooth, charming smile.
---
"…What can I say?"
---
A small lean forward—
---
"…Even princes have their choices."
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The girls blushed instantly.
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"…AHH—HE'S STILL FLIRTING—"
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From far—
Minji almost slammed the table.
---
"…DID YOU SEE THAT—"
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Yuna chuckled softly.
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Back at the table—
---
Before the moment could go further—
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Harin suddenly leaned slightly closer to Kyungmin—
Resting her chin lightly on her hand—
Looking at the girls.
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"…But now…"
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A pause—
Cute but firm—
---
"…He's taken."
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Silence.
---
The girls froze.
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Then—
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"…AHH—SHE'S SO CUTE—"
"…Okay okay we understand—"
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They giggled—
And walked away.
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Kyungmin blinked.
---
"…That worked…"
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Harin sat back normally—
As if nothing happened.
---
Then she looked at him—
Slightly teasing.
---
"…I didn't know you can flirt."
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Kyungmin smirked,
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"…That's why I'm the prince."
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Harin raised an eyebrow.
---
"…But for now…"
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A pause—
Leaning slightly forward—
---
"…You're my boyfriend."
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Kyungmin froze for a second.
---
"…So stop flirting."
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Another pause—
---
"…Or at least…"
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She looked straight at him—
---
"…Why don't you do it with me?"
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Kyungmin's brain stopped.
---
"…WITH HER???"
---
He coughed lightly.
---
"…I don't flirt with my friends."
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A pause.
---
Harin looked at him—
Curious.
---
"…Oh really?"
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Kyungmin looked away slightly—
Trying to stay calm.
---
"…Yeah…"
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But inside—
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"…How can I flirt…"
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A pause—
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"…With the person I actually like…"
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From across the cafeteria—
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Minji whispered loudly,
"…Something is happening…"
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Yuna smiled faintly.
---
"…It already is."
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Jihun watched quietly—
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"…This 'act'…"
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A pause—
---
"…Won't stay fake for long."
After lunch—
The "act" continued.
---
In class—
In corridors—
Everywhere.
---
Kyungmin and Harin—
Together.
---
Walking side by side—
Talking—
Even sitting closer than before.
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Students couldn't stop whispering.
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"…They're ALWAYS together now…"
"…This is definitely real…"
"…They look so good together…"
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From a distance—
Minji whispered dramatically,
"…They are overacting now…"
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Yuna smirked,
"…Or maybe not acting anymore."
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Jihun stayed silent—
Just watching.
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Later—
In the corridor—
---
Kyungmin and Harin were walking down the stairs.
---
Harin was slightly ahead—
Talking casually—
---
"…This is actually tiring…"
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Kyungmin replied,
"…You said you'd handle it—"
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Suddenly—
---
Her foot slipped.
---
"…Ah—"
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Time slowed.
---
Harin lost her balance—
Falling forward—
---
But before she could fall—
---
Kyungmin grabbed her.
---
Pulling her toward him—
---
"…Careful!"
---
He held her tightly—
Stopping her fall.
---
But—
---
He lost his own balance slightly—
---
"…Ah—"
---
He stumbled—
Hitting his hand against the railing.
---
A sharp scratch formed.
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Silence.
---
Harin's eyes widened.
---
"…You're hurt—"
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Kyungmin looked at his hand—
A small cut—
---
"…It's nothing—"
---
Harin frowned.
---
"…We're going to the infirmary."
---
Before he could argue—
She pulled him.
---
—
In the infirmary—
---
Kyungmin sat on the bed—
While Harin cleaned his wound.
---
Carefully.
---
Gently.
---
"…You didn't have to go that far."
---
She said quietly.
---
"…We're just pretending after all."
---
Kyungmin looked at her—
For a moment—
Silent.
---
Then—
He smiled slightly.
---
"…How can I let the person I like get hurt?"
---
Harin froze.
---
"…What…?"
---
Kyungmin continued—
Light tone—
Almost teasing—
---
"…Or how can I let the most gorgeous person I know get hurt?"
---
A pause.
---
"…Right?"
---
Harin's face turned slightly red.
---
"…You—"
---
She looked away.
---
"…Don't say things like that so casually…"
---
Kyungmin tilted his head.
---
"…Why?"
---
He leaned slightly closer—
Looking at her face.
---
"…Wait…"
---
A small smirk—
---
"…Do you have a fever?"
---
Harin immediately stood up.
---
"…I'm fine!"
---
Too fast.
Too defensive.
---
Kyungmin chuckled softly.
---
"…You're red."
---
Harin grabbed her bag quickly—
Avoiding eye contact.
---
"…I'm leaving."
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And just like that—
---
She walked out of the infirmary.
---
Fast.
---
Kyungmin watched her go—
Still smiling.
---
"…So cute…"
---
Then he looked at his hand—
---
"…Worth it."
---
Outside—
---
Harin leaned against the wall—
Hand on her chest.
---
"…Why is my heart beating so fast…"
---
A pause.
---
"…This is just acting…"
---
But for the first time—
---
It didn't feel like acting anymore.
Elsewhere—
Far from the noise of the corridors—
Far from the laughter—
---
A quiet place.
---
Serin stood near the window—
Looking outside.
---
Her expression—
Calm.
Too calm.
---
The sunlight hit her face—
But her eyes—
Were cold.
---
"…So…"
---
She spoke softly.
---
"…You saw everything, right?"
---
Silence.
---
Someone else was there.
---
But hidden.
---
Not visible.
---
A voice replied—
Low.
---
"…Yes."
---
Serin smiled faintly.
---
"…They're getting comfortable."
---
A pause.
---
"…Too comfortable."
---
She turned slightly—
Leaning against the wall.
---
"…I don't like it."
---
The voice asked,
---
"…What are you going to do?"
---
Serin's eyes darkened.
---
"…Simple."
---
A pause.
---
"…I'll break her."
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Silence.
---
"…Harin."
---
She said the name slowly—
Like tasting it.
---
"…She thinks she can stand against me…"
---
A small laugh.
---
Cold.
---
"…Let's see how long she lasts."
---
The hidden person shifted slightly.
---
"…And Choi?"
---
Serin's expression softened for a second—
But only a second.
---
"…He'll come back."
---
A pause.
---
"…He always does."
---
Her eyes turned sharp again.
---
"…After all…"
---
A slow smile appeared.
---
"…No one takes what's mine."
---
Silence filled the space.
---
Then—
Serin picked up her phone—
Typing something.
---
"…Let's start."
---
Send.
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And somewhere—
---
A message was delivered.
---
To someone unknown.
---
Someone—
Ready to play their part.
---
Meanwhile—
Harin stood outside—
Still trying to calm her racing heart.
---
Unaware—
---
That a new game—
---
A darker one—
---
Had just begun.