The first day at your new school was already shaping up to be…overwhelming. The hallways were a maze of lockers, crowded with students who all seemed to know exactly where they were going, while you fumbled with your schedule in your hands. You’d spent the morning tracing out the map of the building, trying to memorize where each classroom was, but your notes were already smudged from your nerves.

Kai was in your homeroom, quietly helping other students find their desks. You’d caught him organizing a few misplaced textbooks, his calm demeanor making the room feel slightly less chaotic. In the hallways, Soobin and Taehyun walked together, discussing something about their history assignment with the kind of energy that made it obvious they were popular, but not in an intimidating way—they just carried themselves with a natural ease. And over by the science lab, you saw Beomgyu get scolded by a teacher, gesturing wildly while he tried to explain himself. Somehow, even while lost, he made it entertaining.

Your sneakers squeaked slightly against the polished floor as you rounded a corner, completely absorbed in trying to decipher the little map tucked into your planner. You were halfway through a “Which way is the cafeteria?” debate with yourself when it happened.

You collided with someone, papers and pens scattering across the floor.

“Oh! I’m so—” You started, looking up to apologize, and froze.

Yeonjun. He was standing there, arms crossed, expression unreadable and eyes sharp as though he were trying to decide if he wanted to tolerate your existence. His hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his school jacket hung perfectly on his shoulders. His entire presence was…cold. And intimidating.

You hurriedly bent down to gather your scattered things, cheeks heating. “I-I’m really sorry! I wasn’t looking—”

He didn’t move at first, just stared, and your stomach sank.

“I said—watch where you’re going.” He muttered, voice flat, like he couldn’t be bothered with pleasantries. The words cut sharper than you expected, and you flinched slightly.

The hallway around you moved again. Students walked past, some throwing glances at the brief scene. You caught Soobin looking in your direction with a raised eyebrow, and Beomgyu, now caught between a teacher and his own confusion, turned to glance too, clearly curious.