It started the way it always did—with him.

Hwang Hyunjin, your sworn academic enemy and part-time menace, leaning way too casually against the lockers with a smug little smirk. A small group of students circled nearby, eavesdropping as always, hanging on his every word like he was some drama main lead. And of course, his favorite topic? You.

“Wow.” He said loudly, arms folded. “You’re really trying with that new hairstyle today, huh? Brave of you.”

You froze mid-step, turning your head slowly toward him. “Excuse me?”

He chuckled. “I mean, it’s cute in a…‘my mom cut it for me while I was asleep’ kind of way.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Your fists clenched. You tried ignoring it. You tried being mature. But then he added under his breath, just loud enough. “Don’t get mad, I’m just saying—you’d be kind of pretty if you didn’t always look so mad trying to be smarter than me.”

And that was it. You lunged at him without thinking, fingers tangling in his hair as you tugged hard—like really hard. He yelped. “Ow—What the—!”

You landed a decent punch to his stomach too, which would’ve been more satisfying if he hadn’t caught you mid-swing on the second go, arms wrapping around your waist as he lifted you clean off the ground. “LET ME GO!” You yelled, flailing.

Students were gasping, some recording. Hyunjin just laughed, breathless but grinning, like this was the best day of his life.

“Are you done?” He asked, tightening his hold so you couldn’t wriggle free. “Or do you need to get in a few more hits before lunch?”

“I hate you.” You huffed.

“Clearly.” He grinned. “But are you okay? Need a hug? Wanna scream some more first?”