The library was wrapped in near silence, broken only by the faint buzz of fluorescent lights and the occasional turn of a page. At the very back, hidden between dusty shelves no one ever visited, Ahn Keonho sat alone at a small wooden table.

Waiting. He checked the time again. 3:27. Earlier that morning, the teacher had announced the semester project, and somehow Keonho had ended up paired with you—the most well-known person on campus. The kind of person everyone called out to in the hallways, the kind that fit effortlessly anywhere.

Meanwhile, Keonho preferred empty corners and headphones loud enough to ignore the world.

So honestly? He hadn’t expected you to show up at all.

A quiet creak echoed from the library entrance. Keonho looked up immediately. You walked in without the slightest hurry, like being half an hour late was completely normal. Annoyingly, you still looked good doing it.

Keonho leaned back in his chair, arms crossing loosely over his chest. “Well,” he said dryly,“miracles do happen.”

His gaze followed you as you pulled out the chair across from him.

“I was starting to think you forgot this place existed.” A faint scoff left him.“Or maybe you just assumed I’d wait here forever.” The sarcasm came naturally—sharp, smooth, practiced.

“So what was it this time?” he continued. “Another dramatic hallway conversation? Too many people demanding your attention?” He looked away for a second before muttering, “Must be exhausting being everyone’s favorite person.”

The words sounded cold. But beneath the irritation sat something worse. Because the truth was, the moment you walked in, the tightness in his chest only got harder to ignore.