I wake up more tired than usual. It's only my second day working last night, and I already feel it. I sit up slowly, running a hand through my hair.
...I guess teaching gets tiring too.
I'm physically tired, but I'm happy.
I get up and start getting ready for my first class. Halfway through, the door opens, and my roommate—Silk—walks in.
She's a fourth-year—already close to graduating. She studies at the senior campus, so I only really see her in the mornings. By the time I get back at night, she's already asleep. She's always been nice to me.
"Good morning, Ms. Popular," she says casually.
"...Huh?"
She points toward my desk. I follow her gaze—chocolates, roses, stuffed toys all piled on top.
I chuckle lightly. "...I forgot about those."
Silk walks over, eyeing everything. "Are you going to eat all that?"
"...No. Go ahead—feel free to take some." I pause, then point at one box—a small one shaped like a quarter moon. "Oh—wait. Just not that one."
"That's yours?"
"Yeah. Don't touch it."
She raises a brow, smirking slightly. "Oh? Who's that from, huh? Someone important? A crush?"
"...Ahh... yeah." The word slips out softer than I expect, but then I shake my head. "...But I think they made a mistake."
"A mistake?"
"Yeah. They probably meant to put it in the locker next to mine. Mira's."
"...You sure?"
"...I mean... I'm new. It's only my third day here. I got that yesterday morning. By then... we hadn't even talked yet."
I glance at the box again, then look away. "...So I'm sure it's just a mistake."
"...Besides, the way Mira talks about her... it sounds like they're already close enough."
"...So it just makes more sense that it's hers, not mine."
I glance down, then away. "...Like I said, we barely even know each other."
Silk hums softly. "...Maybe they're kind of into each other without even knowing."
"...You think so?"
She shrugs slightly, tilting her head. "I mean... what you said makes sense. Mira's one of the popular ones here—she's basically near the top. So yeah... it kind of adds up."
She pauses, then glances at me, a small grin forming.
"...Although, you're not bad either, Luna."
...Eh?
Where did that come from?
She lets out a light laugh. "If anything, I'd probably pick you over Mira," she adds jokingly. "So don't lose hope. I'm rooting for you."
"Alright, I'm heading out. See yah."
The room falls quiet again. I glance back at the box.
—
The hallway is quieter this time—or maybe it's just me.
I walk toward my next class when—
"Luna!"
Huh?
I glance back.
...Mira.
"Luna," she calls again, already catching up to me. "So about Eline—"
"Girl—" I exhale. "You're at it again. Give me a break."
"Come on," she says, already beside me. "I'm serious. Please help me out."
...Why doesn't she just make a move herself? Aren't they close enough?
...If she only knew.
They're probably lowkey crushing on each other anyway.
We reach the classroom, and students are already gathered.
"...What's going on?" Mira mutters.
Then I see her.
Eline... sitting in the second row.
"Wait—did she switch to this class?" one student whispers.
"Omg... the campus goddess is here," another says.
Mira freezes for half a second—then immediately pushes through the crowd and drops into the seat right next to Eline, like she's been waiting for this moment her entire life.
Damn... she's not even trying to hide it.
I head to the back near the window—my usual spot—and sit down.
There's an empty seat beside me.
It used to be Mira's.
Now... it's not.
Class starts, and I lean back, looking outside.
There's a small shift beside me.
I ignore it—
until a light tap lands on my shoulder.
I turn.
...Eline.
She's sitting next to me.
Huh... did she just move seats?
"Hi," she says, quieter this time. "Do you... have an extra pen?"
"...Yeah."
I reach into my bag—and then I see it.
The keychain.
Oh—
I quickly cover it, grab a pen, and hand it to her.
"Thank you." She's still smiling.
"...Yeah. For sure."
Oh man. Did she notice? I hope not.
...Let's not worry about it for now.
I turn, remove the keychain from the zipper, and slip it into my bag.
——
I want to talk to Luna more. Okay, think... what should I do?
...Ah yes, her notes from yesterday.
I grab a loose sheet of paper.
We start passing notes to each other.
Eline:
Hi again!
Do you mind if I copy your notes from yesterday? :)
Luna:
OF COURSE I DON'T!
PROBLEM IS...
I DIDN'T EVEN TAKE NOTES YESTERDAY XD
THIS CLASS MAKES ME SLEEPY... IT'S TOO BORING >_<
Eline:
I can tell! I noticed you were just looking out the window most of the time :)
Luna:
AHHH, NOW YOU'RE MAKING ME EMBARRASSED >_<
MAYBE I SHOULD DROP IT?
Eline:
Drop it? Nooooo. I just got here. Don't leave me suffering by myself :(
Luna:
HEHE, OK. WE'LL SUFFER TOGETHER :D
...We'll suffer together.
Why does that sound like that?
It's just a sentence. Just a casual reply.
But it doesn't feel casual.
Something in my chest tightens, warm and sudden, and I have to look down, letting my hair fall just enough to hide my face. My grip on the pen shifts slightly, tighter than before.
...Calm down.
It's nothing.
And yet—
We'll suffer together.
Why does that make me feel like this?
...Oh my.
I think I'm getting weak.
...Someone help me.
—-
I face forward again—and from the corner of my eye, I see Mira.
Mad-dogging me.
Wait... is she mad-dogging me?
What the hell—is she serious? What's her problem?
...Maybe Eline is just shy and doesn't want to sit next to her.
This girl is actually unhinged.
Great. This is starting to feel like some K-drama jealousy scene.
---
The class ends, and I don't wait. The moment the professor dismisses us, I grab my things and head straight for the door.
"See you later, Eline."
"Wait—Luna!"
...Huh?
Did Eline just tell me to wait?
Ugh—nope. I really want to, but I'm not dealing with Mira's bullshit today.
I step into the hallway and start walking—fast, then faster—until I hear footsteps behind me.
I glance back.
...Damn. It's Mira.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
"Hey—Luna!"
Nope.
I turn forward and pick up my pace, but she's getting closer. I don't even think about it—I just start running.
"Luna!"
Her voice echoes behind me as I turn a corner, then another. I glance back—Mira is running.
"...Oh my god."
Then I hear another set of footsteps.
Different. Faster. I look back again. Huh? Eline.. She is running too???
What the heck is going on?
I slow down for a split second, staring at both of them—then immediately start running again.
Nope. Absolutely not.
I am not getting caught in whatever this is.
"Luna—!"
"Wait—!"
Both of them. Chasing me.
This is insane.
I keep running until finally I stop and look back.
No Mira.
I exhale.
Then I start laughing—quiet at first, then louder.
I'm glad the class was far enough. Mira got tired.
What a weakling.
I'm laughing like a maniac, and as I start walking, trying to catch my breath, I look up—and freeze.
Right in front of me...
Eline is already there.
Smiling.
Damn. Is she a track star or something? Wait.. No way! Did she just see me howling and laughing my ass off?
Ah crap! Quick. Stay collected.
I straighten up immediately and pretend like nothing happened. Besides, I'm a Scorpio anyway. Time to channel my cool-head energy.
She looks at me. "Are you okay? Why did you start running?"
"...Ah," I say casually, "I was just trying to get someone off my back."
"Oh... I see."
Then it hits me.
Ah—but I saw her running too. I think about it for a second. Then—
"Oh—the pen?" I say. "Geez, Eline, you didn't have to run like that. You could've just given it to me in Biochem."
She chuckles softly.
I don't think too much about it. I just start walking toward my next classroom. Then I notice something.
She's following me.
...Why is she following me?
I step inside, head for my seat, and sit down.
And then—
she sits next to me.
...Wait. What?
"...Uh, what are you doing?" I ask.
She looks at me, calm as ever. "Ah," she says, "this is my class too."
Huh? Her class? Did she really switch to this one too?
...Maybe she's doing all this for Mira. Yeah... that makes sense.
Before I can even process that, students start gathering around her again—whispers, stares, attention.
Then Mira shows up, catching her breath. She stops at the entrance, scanning the room—then her eyes land on me.
We make eye contact.
No shit. She looks like she's ready to kill someone today. I follow her gaze. Then it hits me..
Eline is sitting next to me. Oh boy..
I glance around quickly and spot an empty seat at the other corner near the door. I don't say anything—I just stand up and move, slipping away while everyone's still gathered around her.
No scene. No explanation.
I sit down in the new spot. From there, I can see everything.
Mira walks over, sees Eline—and just like that, her expression changes.
Gone. She's mesmerized again. Like nothing happened.
She takes the seat. My old seat. Right next to her.
The professor walks in not long after.
This time, every seat is taken. No more moving. I guess we're locked in now.
This class is Poetry and Prose.
"Open your books to Chapter 2," she says. Pages flip around the room.
"We read this story yesterday. I'd like to know how everyone feels about it. As a recap, it's about a young woman who fell in love with a young man. They loved each other deeply, but later she discovers that he belongs to a clan she hates—a clan responsible for assassinating some of her distant relatives, including her grandfather. The woman was torn. Her family was against it. Her clan was against it. So tell me—if you were in her position, would you fight for that love or obey your family and your clan?"
This question is something. For some, it would be very serious—something they shouldn't take lightly at all. I lean back slightly. But for someone like me, this question is easy. A no-brainer.
Mira raises her hand. "Yes, Mira?" says the professor.
"She should leave him," she says confidently. "Family and clan always come first. Blood is thicker than water. They're the ones who raised her, fed her, gave her everything—she owes them that much. She carries their name. Even if she loves him, that doesn't change where he comes from. Being with someone tied to their enemy would only bring conflict. It's better to let it go and choose someone more suitable—someone who fits her standing and her family."
I watch her.
...How typical.
Trying to impress Eline.
Yeah, I know where Eline comes from. Mira pretty much talks about her all the time—even while we're eating lunch. A place where rules are absolute.
Students nod.
"That's a good answer," the professor says. "Does anyone else think she should stay?"
Silence. No one moves. No one dares.
I raise my hand. "You—stand up." "Why should the woman stay?"
"Because love... doesn't give up easily. If she truly loves him, then what his clan did wouldn't change who he is to her. He's still him. Just because he's part of that clan doesn't mean it defines him. Like they say—the sins of the father are not the sins of the son. People might see it differently, but... she should choose him for who he is. See him for herself. And if she ever walks away, it should be because of that—not because of others. Because if she truly loves him... then she would stay. She would keep choosing him, no matter what... and never let him go."
The room falls silent. Then—a clap. More follow.
"Wow, Luna—you're so cool."
"She's wifey material."
"Damn, that's impressive."
The professor smiles. "That was a very refreshing answer. I've asked this question many times, and this is the first time I've heard that kind of perspective."
The lecture resumes, but I don't really pay attention anymore. Not after that. Not after everything.
By the time class ends, I'm already near the door, so I leave right away.
Finally. Lunch.
I exhale quietly as I walk down the hallway.
I need a break. That was exhausting. Nope—not the cafeteria. Definitely not. I need some peace and quiet—away from Mira.
I think for a second—then—ah.
The rooftop.
That should be quiet.