Ara had always been good at ignoring things—background noise, unnecessary drama, and most especially, unnecessary attention. But lately, it was getting harder. 

Because lately, Jungwon had stopped being subtle. 

If he ever was in the first place. 

During class, he’d poke her arm when she was too focused on taking notes. When she looked up, he’d just grin, acting innocent. 

During breaks, if she happened to be alone, he’d show up out of nowhere, plopping down beside her like it was the most natural thing in the world. 

And the worst part? People were noticing. 

“So… you and Jungwon, huh?” 

Ara barely looked up from her book as Jisoo, another classmate, slid into the seat across from her in the library. 

“There’s no ‘me and Jungwon,’” she said flatly. 

Jisoo raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because he kinda acts like there is.” 

Ara frowned. “He’s just… friendly.” 

Jisoo snorted. “Right. *Friendly*. If that’s the case, why doesn’t he act like that with everyone else?” 

Ara didn’t have an answer to that. Because, well… Jisoo had a point. 

She thought back to earlier that day when Jungwon had leaned closer than necessary to check her worksheet, his voice low as he commented on how neat her handwriting was. 

Or the way he had casually stolen her pen just to make her chase him for it, laughing the entire time. 

Or how, when she caught him staring, he never looked away first. 

Jungwon was confusing. 

And annoyingly persistent. 

Later that afternoon, as they were packing up to leave, he turned to her with that same unreadable expression he always had before saying something unexpected. 

“You should smile more, Ara,” he said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. 

She blinked. “What?” 

He grinned. “You look nice when you do.” 

Ara opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out.

Before she could even think of something to say, he was already walking ahead, leaving her standing there—confused, slightly annoyed, and maybe a little flustered.