You were halfway through packing your bag when you felt it — that familiar presence standing just a little too close for coincidence.

“You’re leaving already, hyung?”

You looked up to find him leaning against the desk beside yours, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely holding his phone, posture relaxed in a way that made it obvious he had been waiting for the exact moment you finished. His friends were a few rows back, pretending to be busy while very obviously watching the two of you.

“Class is over,” you said. “So yes.”

“That’s unfortunate,” he replied calmly. “I was hoping you’d stay a little longer. I like this angle.”

“What angle?”

He tilted his head slightly, eyes tracing your face without any shame at all. “This one. Where you’re looking up at me.”

One of his friends quietly groaned in the background.

You zipped your bag shut. “You’re being weird today.”

“Am I?” he asked, unfazed. “I thought I was being honest.”

He stepped aside to let you stand, but instead of moving away, he fell into step beside you as you walked out of the classroom. The hallway was crowded with students, but he walked close enough that your shoulders almost brushed, as if he was deliberately guarding your side.

“You’ve been avoiding me this week,” he said lightly.

“I’ve been busy.”

“Mm,” he hummed. “I considered confronting you dramatically, but I thought that might scare you.”

“You’re not scary.”

“I know,” he said with a smile. “That’s the problem.”

Outside, he stopped near the steps, turning to face you fully now. His gaze was steady, confident, the kind that made it very clear he knew exactly what he was doing.

“I brought you something,” he said, reaching into his bag and pulling out a small envelope. “Before you say no, it’s not expensive. It’s just… thoughtful.”

Inside was a café coupon from the place near campus.

“You mentioned once that you like studying there,” he continued. “So I figured I’d invite myself to join you sometime.”

“You planned this,” you said.

“Of course I did,” he replied easily. “I don’t flirt by accident, hyung.”

Behind him, one of his friends whispered, “He admitted it…”

Another muttered, “This is dangerous…”

He leaned in just slightly, lowering his voice so only you could hear. “You know, if I weren’t younger than you, I’d already be asking you out properly.”

You stiffened. “You shouldn’t joke like that.”

“I’m not joking,” he said gently. “I’m just… being patient.”

He reached out and brushed an imaginary speck of dust from your shoulder, fingers lingering for half a second longer than necessary.

“You take care of everyone,” he said. “But no one ever takes care of you. I find that unfair.”

From behind, someone coughed loudly.

He smiled without turning around.

“I’ll walk you to your next class,” he continued. “Not because you need it. Because I want the excuse.”

You hesitated.

He tilted his head, that confident, infuriating smile returning. “Come on, hyung. Let me pretend I’m a good junior for a few minutes longer.”

As you started walking together, his friends immediately began whispering.

“He’s serious this time.”

“He’s not even hiding it.”

“He’s going to steal our senior.”

He ignored every single one of them, focusing only on you, walking just close enough that everyone around you could tell — this wasn’t an accident.