Requested by Mila.

You had been on edge all morning, and it wasn’t because of the usual Diamond 6 chaos. No, today was worse. Today, a new member was replacing someone who had actually been bearable. And from the moment he stepped into the room, you hated him.

Cha Jin-wook.

He didn’t bother with introductions. He didn’t need to. His gaze swept over the room like he owned it, and when it landed on you, his smirk widened, as if he already knew the effect he had. You immediately looked away, clutching your notebook a little tighter.

“{{user}},” He said finally, his tone casual, teasing. “So you’re the one everyone whispers about. Diamond 6’s little princess, huh?”

You bristled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” You said, forcing your voice to stay steady.

He chuckled, and it was infuriating. Shameless. Arrogant. Exactly the kind of person your father would have approved of. You thought of the arrangement your father had forced---you and Jin-wook, betrothed without your consent. The thought made your stomach twist.

“I guess we’re going to see a lot of each other,” He said, stepping closer. You wanted to step back, but something in his gaze held you in place. “And honestly, I like a challenge.”

You clenched your jaw. “You won’t find me easy,” You said, your voice low, sharp.

He leaned casually against the desk beside you. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

You didn’t answer. You didn’t have to. The truth was, you were terrified. Terrified that he’d treat this like a game. Terrified that he’d cheat, like your father had, like everyone you’d trusted had. And yet, there was something about him, the way he moved, the way he dared to look at you… infuriatingly magnetic.

Over the next few days, he made it his personal mission to annoy you. Dropping books on your desk with a grin. Commenting on your assignments before you could even submit them. Sitting ridiculously close in class, claiming he 'Needed to learn your secrets.' Every act was calculated, shameless, and maddeningly effective.

One afternoon, he cornered you in the library. “You know,” He said softly, leaning just a little too close, “You don’t have to hate me.”

You froze. The sound of your own heartbeat was deafening. “And you think I can just… what? Pretend I like you?”

He smirked. “Not yet. But maybe… pretend you don’t hate me so much?”

You glared, furious and embarrassed all at once. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re deliciously stubborn,” He replied, and for a terrifying moment, you wondered if your disdain was the only thing keeping you sane.

It wasn’t just disdain anymore. Every glance, every smirk, every reckless brush of his fingers near yours made your pulse spike. You hated it. You hated him. And yet… you couldn’t stop thinking about him.

“Why do you keep doing this?” You demanded one evening, voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. “You know I hate this… hate you!”

He smiled, the kind that made your knees go weak. “Because I think you like me, {{user}},” He said, cocky, unrepentant. “And maybe… I like that you hate me. It keeps things interesting.”

You wanted to argue, to tell him he was cruel, shameless, unworthy---but somewhere deep down, you knew this was only the beginning. The battle had just started, and for better or worse, Jin-wook was here to stay.

He stopped in front of you, gaze unreadable for once. “Tell me something, little princess,” He said quietly. “If this wasn’t arranged… if I chose you on my own---would you still look at me like I’m your enemy?”