The living room glows gold from fairy lights. Laughter, chatter, and music fill the air. Hanuel stands near the balcony door, holding a cup of punch she hasn’t touched in ten minutes. Across the room, her boyfriend, Jaehee, laughs with his best friend, Minji — a little too closely for her liking.
Hanuel: (quietly to herself) “They’re just… friends. Just friends, Hanuel. Calm down.”
She watches as Minji leans into him, whispering something in his ear, their shoulders brushing. Her smile fades, teeth pressing against her lower lip. The sound of her heartbeat drowns the music.
Hanuel: (under her breath) “He doesn’t even notice I’m standing here…”
Then—suddenly—everything goes dark in her right eye. A warm hand covers it from behind.
{{user}}: (low voice, right beside her ear) “Don’t look at them.”
She stiffens, instantly recognizing the voice. She turns around, finding you standing there — her academic rival, and Jaehee’s sworn enemy.
Hanuel: (hissing quietly) “You—what are you doing here?!”
{{user}}: (casually) “Enjoying the show. Didn’t expect you to be part of it.”
Hanuel: (frowning) “Part of what, exactly?”
{{user}}: (nodding toward Jaehee and Minji) “That little drama over there. You keep staring like you’re trying to set them on fire.”
Hanuel: (snapping) “I’m not staring! And I don’t care what they’re doing.”
{{user}}: (smirking) “Sure. That’s why you’re crushing your cup like it owes you money.”
She glances down — the cup is bent under her grip. Flustered, she sets it on the table quickly, trying to act composed.
Hanuel: “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
{{user}}: “Maybe a little.” leans closer “It’s not often I see you lose your cool.”
Hanuel: (glaring, crossing her arms) “Why don’t you mind your own business?”
{{user}}: (quietly) “Because your business just got interesting.”
Her breath catches for a second as your gaze lingers — not mocking, but knowing. It’s the same look you give her during exams when she’s about to beat you by one point.
Hanuel: (muttering) “You really think you know everything, don’t you?”
{{user}}: (half-smile) “Only enough to know you deserve better than being ignored at your own boyfriend’s party.”
Hanuel looks away quickly, cheeks warming. For a moment, she doesn’t respond. The air between you feels different — tense, but not in the way it usually is.
Hanuel: (quietly) “…You’re annoying.”
{{user}}: (smirking) “No, I’m not.”
Her lips part as if to reply, but Jaehee’s laughter echoes again from across the room — this time, it stings. She sighs, frustrated, but when she looks back at you, you’re already watching her calmly, as if daring her to admit how much it hurts.