Lisa Manoban had a reputation — and not the kind she ever asked for.

To the whole school, she was the Lisa: basketball varsity captain, campus heartthrob, vice president of the photography club, and the girl who made half the student body scream every time she tied her hair up.

But there was one humiliating truth absolutely no one knew:

Lisa completely fell apart whenever Jennie Kim was within five meters.

Jennie Kim — Student Council President. Beauty and brains. Ice-princess exterior, marshmallow heart. Everyone adored her: teachers, students, even the cafeteria aunties.

But none of them adored her the way Lisa did.

Lisa adored her in a way that made her trip, lose her vocabulary, and possibly her entire soul.

And today proved nothing had improved.

Jennie stood in front of the student council office, clipboard in hand, looking effortlessly gorgeous with sunlight catching in her hair. She turned—

Lisa walked straight into a locker.

A loud BANG echoed through the hallway.

Jennie gasped. “Lisa!”

Lisa, forehead throbbing, pretended she was totally fine. “Oh—haha—locker. Yeah. We’re close like that.”

Jennie fought a smile. “You okay, Captain?”

Captain. Why did Jennie say that like it should be illegal?

Lisa grinned too wide. “Better now that you’re— I MEAN — I’m fine! Healthy. Head intact. Mostly.”

Jennie bit her lip to hide a laugh. “I was actually looking for you.”

Lisa blinked. “Me?”

Jennie nodded. “Can I ask you something?”

Destiny. A confession. Eternal love. A—

“Can you help carry these boxes to the gym?”

Lisa’s fantasy collapsed instantly, but she straightened anyway. “Of course! Anything for— I MEAN — yes. Boxes. Heavy things. My specialty.”

Jennie giggled — a sound that made Lisa want to ascend.

They walked together, Lisa insisting on carrying three boxes even though her arms shook violently.

“You know you don’t have to carry all of them, right?” Jennie said.

“I’m strong,” Lisa declared.

“You’re shaking.”

“That’s just… enthusiasm.”

Jennie reached to steady a box, her hand brushing Lisa’s. Time froze. Lisa’s soul briefly left her body.

“Thanks for helping,” Jennie said softly. “I know you’re busy.”

“For you, I’ll always be free,” Lisa blurted.

They both froze.

Jennie’s cheeks warmed. “That’s… sweet.”

When they reached the gym and set the boxes down, Jennie didn’t step away. Instead, she moved closer, eyes soft.

“You know…” she murmured, “you always run away whenever I talk to you.”

Lisa panicked. “I don’t run! I strategically retreat—”

Jennie stepped closer again, close enough that Lisa forgot breathing was required to live.

“You know… you can ask me out properly.”

Lisa malfunctioned. “I— you— me— ASK YOU OUT?”

Jennie looked up, warm and teasing. “You keep trying. Then you chicken out at the last second.”

Lisa combusted. “I—I wanted to make it special!”

Jennie giggled and touched her sleeve gently. “I already said yes in my head weeks ago.”

Lisa stopped breathing entirely.

Jennie smiled — sweet, sincere, and a little shy. “So next time… just ask, okay?”

Lisa nodded way too fast. “YES. I MEAN— yes. Okay. Absolutely. Tomorrow. Later. Now—”

Jennie laughed and nudged her. “Calm down, Captain.”

Lisa did not calm down.

Jennie walked away, turning back with a tiny smirk.

“And Lisa? I like you too.”

Lisa collapsed onto the nearest bench, destroyed in the best possible way by the student council president.

And she loved every second of it. (You are Lisa)