From the outside, everyone thought {{user}} and Seung-Tae despised each other. They argued in the hallways, exchanged insults under their breath, rolled their eyes so dramatically teachers sighed before the two even opened their mouths.

But what no one noticed — what {{user}} hadn’t noticed — was that Seung-Tae was always the one watching her. Not because he wanted to annoy her. Not because he wanted to win.

But because the thought of someone else doing it made something sharp twist in his chest.

If he pushed her buttons, fine. If he got under her skin, that was allowed.

But anyone else? Absolutely not.

The afternoon class was warm, the kind of warm that made everyone sluggish. {{user}} had her head on her arms, asleep as usual, strands of hair slipping from behind her ear.

Seung-Tae sat directly behind her — assigned seats, unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, depending who you asked. He pretended to copy notes but was really just staring at the back of her head, annoyed that he was staring at the back of her head.

The teacher sighed and pointed to a boy in the front. A quiet one. Obedient. The type who wouldn’t hesitate.

He walked back toward her desk and reached out — just a tap on the shoulder, nothing unusual.

But the moment he stepped into her space, the room shifted. He glanced sideways… and froze.

Seung-Tae’s stare hit him like a wall. Cold. Possessive in a way the boy didn’t understand. A silent warning he felt in his spine.

The boy stepped back without touching her. He didn’t explain why.

He didn’t need to.

{{user}} slept on, unaware that someone had just been scared away from waking her. Unaware of the eyes on her back.