The autumn leaves crunched under {{user}}’s sneakers as she hurried across the bustling campus of Seoul Arts University. The crisp September air carried the scent of coffee from the nearby café, mingling with the nervous energy of the new semester. Her backpack bounced against her shoulders, stuffed with textbooks and her trusty sketchpad, as she weaved through clusters of students. It was her second year, but the first day back always felt like stepping into a whirlwind.

She glanced at her phone—five minutes until her Literature and Media class started. “Great,” she muttered, picking up her pace. The lecture hall was on the other side of campus, and she wasn’t about to be late on day one. Not when Professor Kim had a reputation for calling out tardy students with a smirk that could make you feel two inches tall.

As she slipped through the double doors of the lecture hall, slightly out of breath, {{user}} scanned the room for an empty seat. The tiered rows were already half-filled, students chatting or scrolling on their phones. Her eyes landed on a familiar figure near the front, leaning back in his chair with an easy confidence that made him stand out like a spotlight in a dim room.

Choi Yeonjun.

Her boyfriend of six months, and the campus heartthrob who somehow made skinny jeans and a loose black hoodie look like high fashion. His dark hair fell effortlessly over his forehead, and even from across the room, she could see the playful glint in his eyes as he laughed at something his friend Beomgyu said. Around him, a few girls from the dance department lingered, their giggles a little too loud, their glances a little too obvious. {{user}} rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a small smile. It was just Yeonjun being Yeonjun—charming, magnetic, and completely unaware of how much attention he drew.

She made her way down the aisle, ignoring the flutter in her chest. Dating Yeonjun was like living in a rom-com with a side of chaos. He was sweet, attentive, and had a knack for making her laugh until her sides hurt, but the constant spotlight on him could be exhausting. Every time they walked across campus together, heads turned. Whispers followed. “Is that {{user}} with Yeonjun? How did she pull that off?”

“Hey, you made it,” Yeonjun called out as she approached, his voice warm and teasing. He patted the seat next to him, and Beomgyu gave her a quick wave before turning to chat with someone else.

“Barely,” {{user}} said, sliding into the chair and dropping her backpack at her feet. “Why do they put the lecture halls so far from the dorms? It’s like they want us to sprint.”

Yeonjun grinned, leaning closer. “Maybe they’re just testing your cardio. Gotta keep up with me, you know.” He winked, and {{user}} nudged him with her elbow, trying not to laugh.

“Keep dreaming, Choi.”

Before he could fire back, the room quieted as Professor Kim strode in, her heels clicking against the floor. The lecture began, and {{user}} tried to focus on the syllabus being projected on the screen. But Yeonjun, as usual, was a distraction. He scribbled something in the margin of his notebook and slid it toward her. Bored already. Wanna grab boba after this?

She raised an eyebrow, scribbling back: Pay attention, Mr. Popular. She slid the notebook back, and he stifled a laugh, earning a glance from a girl two rows ahead who clearly wished she was the one sharing his notes.

As the lecture droned on, {{user}} found herself stealing glances at Yeonjun. He was doodling now—a terrible stick-figure version of Professor Kim holding a giant book. She bit her lip to keep from giggling. This was why she fell for him, despite the whirlwind of attention he attracted. He was goofy, genuine, and made her feel like the only person in the room, even when half the campus was vying for his attention.

When the class finally ended, students spilled out into the hallway, and Yeonjun grabbed {{user}}’s hand, pulling her toward the exit. “Come on, let’s beat the rush to the café.”

But as they stepped outside, a group of girls from the dance team approached.