#eunji x reader

She sighed then took something out and pushed it towards me before heading out of the room.

I took a moment before looking down and seeing a small white piece of paper. I reached out and flipped the paper around, it was a photo of no one other than...

Jung Eun-ji

I lied to Bomi a bit and said that we were classmates in school but our past goes much further than that. We were childhood friends, I always knew her parents werent the best and thats why I would make it my mission to be there for her. Then one day i realized maybe i liked her a bit more than just the best of friend.

But that was then, this is now. Back then was the sweet, funny, caring Eunji, and now its an Eunji that is a wanted criminal, terrorizing the street.

I set the photo back down and leaned back against my chair, my eyes looking at the ceiling. Letting out a big sigh, I stood up and headed to Bomi's office.

Knocking lightly and a soft come in, I opened the door. She looked up at me, expectantly. I gave her one small nod and i received a small grin in return.

"Start heading out the party is going to start soon." Bomi stood and handing me a folder, containing where Eunji was going to and some requirements. "and dont forget your mask." With a pat on my shoulder, i turned and headed out.

*mini time-skip*

With my driver reaching the mansion to a stop, I briefly composed myself. I reached into my suit pocket and pulled out the invitation and made my way inside.

I took a moment to briefly look around. This was not going to be easy considering it was a masquerade ball, but maybe that meant i didn't have to get involved with Eunji.

I took one more glance before making my way to the bar. There wasnt much space besides next to a women dressed in a slight glittery navy long dress. 

"e-excuse me, is it okay if i sit here?" I nervously told her, kinda scared because i didnt want to make her uncomfortable. She turned to look at me and I dont know but it seemed her eyes widened a bit, but i couldnt really tell thanks to the masks. 

"y-yeah go right ahead."she said with a smile. I gave her one in return before sitting down and ordering my drink. 

Once receiving it, i turned to look at the crowd of people, observing to see anything.

"Soooo what is your name stranger?" i turned back to the women, who now had a smirk on her face. I was about to answer when something just felt oddly familiar. With a small look of confusion on my face, she giggled, "what cat got your tounge?" then it clicked

"I'm pretty sure you know my name." i chugged my drink, now getting nervous from being this close to her again. Sometimes feeling dont just go away. "i would be pretty hurt if you didnt." I looked back at her after placing my drink down on the counter.

She smirked widened, "i dont think I would be a good best friend if i didnt, right y/n?"

"what are you doing here?" I leaned in a bit closer to her, whisper-yelling.

"Gosh somethings never change, huh, like your scoldings. But if you must know these people are wealthy as you could see, and i dont know if you know this but wealth equals moneyyy." she leaned back with a wink.

"same goes for you and your snarky remarks and you do realize that there are other people here that want to turn you in for that reward right." i shook my head slightly in disbelief. I took a glance at the crowed and right away noticed a pair of eyes latching onto Eunji.

"yeah but then why are you here." I looked back at Eunji, she narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, starring straight at me.

"Look i didnt want to here, do you know how long ive been avoiding all of this?" I let out with a sigh, silently asking the waiter for a refill

"Why? why avoid me?" she leaned close to me, her eyes never leaving my face.

"Because I care about you, Eunji. I-i  don't know why you chose this path but something tells me theres something more to this. It might not be the right way to go about things buti know you and i know you had a reason for all of this. As much as its my job to do certain things i just cant do that to you. Not for my job, not for some stupid reward. " I chugged my drink, before taking a deep breath and look back into her eyes.

She had an unreadable expression on her face then suddenly she stood up and grabbed my hand, pulling me away from the crowed place. She pulled me into an unoccupied room before locking the door.

"What are you doing?" I turned back to look at her. Her eyes gave a hint of saddness in them. She took a small breath before walking past me to sit on the bed, patting the area next to her. I slowly made my way to her, sitting down where she wanted me.

She reached up and took off her mask, i couldnt help to admired her face before taking my own mask off. I set it aside before looking down to 

"Its crazy to think that even after all this time i feel like you still could read me so easily,"she let out a soft chuckle then reached up and took off her mask, i couldnt help to admired her face before taking my own mask off. I set it aside and turned my head to fully look at her. She looked like she was struggling a bit to stay composed.

"Well theres no easy way to say this, you always know i had problems with my parents. Then suddenly everything went worse. Mom passed and step-dad threw me out out, of my own house. I f-felt like i had no other choice. I couldnt get hired due to some stupid requirement. Then i realized how easy it was to steal and trade it in for easy money...I k-know we made a promise that no matter what we would follow our dreams but reality is.....i c-cant."

A single tear ran down her face. I couldnt help but brush it away with my thumb, making her look at me with glossy eyes.

"w-why didnt you tell me?" It broke me seeing her like this. How could i call myself her best friend when i wasnt there for her when she needed someone.

"because y/n you had everything going for you, you didnt need me to come crashing your life and causing problems." she let out another tear, i shook my head.

"you know that you were never a problem, not for me, not ever. i-i knew you had a reason for all of this, because this isnt you." I leaned in a kissed her forehead. I felt her hand and wrap it around my wrist. I looked down to meet her gaze.

"I miss you." 

"me too." 

Her gazed moved to my lips before meeting my eyes again. I took the cue and leaned in closer. She licked her lips and met me haftway. It felt like everything i have ever imagined. The kissed was filled with many emotions. She pulled back and locked her eyes with mine. I took this moment to take her in. She looked amazing, her eyes were slightly hooded, lips apart, and breathing a bit hard.

She leaned back in, this kiss feeling a bit more different. It felt like everything we wanted to confess to each other. She kissed me harder and slowly made her way on top of me. My body being held down by her, her legs at my sides. I ran my hands from her thigh up to settle on her waist, gripping on it slightly.

Her hand reached the back of my neck, tugging on my hair as she started moving her hips to moving against mine. A soft sigh escaped her lips and entered mine. I held down her hips to press her harder against me.

She let out a moan and moved her head to lean it against my shoulder. I used this to kiss down her neck, leaving a small trail of marks. Her moans started to become louder as she scratched the back of my neck, grinding faster.

*KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK

The sudden noise made us stop our movement. We looked at each other for a second.

"Miss Eunji, we know your in there. We just have a few question." the sound of a man come through the door.

"it those guys that were eyeing you earlier." i whispered to her. She took a moment to think before looking around the room.

*KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK

She got off of me and headed towards the window, she looked back at me and gave me approval of the window. Meaning that was the way out. The knocks turned into pounding. 

"come on" she whispered yelled while moving her hand towards me. I stood up but my movements became hesitant as i approached her. She noticed it and a flash of hurt entered her eyes, that look alone was enough for me to follow her,

As soon as we escaped the door to the room flung open, we heard faint voices as we ran, giggling like a couple of idiot kids, just like before. We stopped to rest by a near by alley, taking the moment to catch our breathes and finish laughing. I leaned against the brink wall with my eyes closed.

"you know..."i opened my eyes once i felt a hand touch my chest. my eyes automatically starting back at Eunji's, "my place isnt too far from here." she smirked as she played with the buttons on my shirt. "but i wonder what your going to tell your boss?"

"I'll just say you cant really distinct people at a masquerade ball." I smiled at her, "but the truth is this gorgoues women swept me off my feet and her name was Miss Jung Eun-ji." I wrapped my arms around her waist bring her closer to me

“Do you hear that?” Mr Kim’s mistress whispered, pulling away from his embrace with a look of panic reflecting in her eyes. He quickly shook his head, too caught up in the moment, rushing back to press his lips to her once more, addicted to the taste of her lips. But she pushed him back, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip with growing concern, glancing around the area. The faint whistled tune in the distance alarming her, eyes widening as she shooed him away, forcing him to take a look.

Upon hearing their panicked whispers, you picked up your pace, rounding the corner of an old school building. Assessing the area with a sense of panic, your eyes flickered towards an conveniently opened window glancing into one of the abandoned classrooms. Upon hearing what was undoubtedly Mr Kim’s heavy footfall as his shoes scuffed along the dirt path, leaves crunching beneath his feet, your brows furrowed contemplatively. Heaving a sigh, you reluctantly climbed through the window, rushing to pull it shut and duck out of sight just before Mr Kim could reach you. You released a breath of relief upon observing him wander past carelessly, completely unaware of your presence.

Once you were sure the coast was clear, you reached forwards to push the window back open, but much to your dismay, it wouldn’t budge. Taking a moment to glance around the room, you scrunch your nose up at the dust covered desks and cobwebs that had crept out from the corners. “Gross,” you muttered upon catching sight of magnets swarming around what looked to be rotten fruit and someone’s mouldy old sandwich. Pausing, you debated options, opting against breaking the door open, that would draw too much attention. Inhaling sharply, you traipsed towards the classroom door, prepared to further explore the building.

Your brows raised in curiosity upon catching sight of a faint change in dust patterns along the tiled floor. Head tilting in confusion, you squinted in the darkness, eyes lighting up in realisation. Someone had been here recently. Following the indistinct trail, you found yourself venturing further into the old building, ignoring the eerie silence. The faint flicker of light that inconsistently lit up under the door of a locked storage room raised the hairs on the back of your neck. Picking up the pace, you skipped up the stairs, struggling to follow the near invisible footprints in the darkness. You resisted the urge to shout in surprise as quiet music crackled to life on the speakers.

Briskly walking up the final steps, you arrived in front of a barricaded door that led to the roof. Only the wood was broken by an undeniably strong force, wind blowing the door ajar with a loud creak that left you wincing. You hesitantly stepped forward, slipping through the gap and coming face to face with a cloud of smoke. Suppressing a cough, your gaze darted to the source, brows furrowing as you were greeted by a familiar leather jacket clad back. “Jeon Soyeon?” You questioned into the darkness, approaching your classmate who sat on the ledge, legs dangling in the breeze.

“Kim Y/n,” she hummed in acknowledgement, not sparing you a glance as she stared into the distance, joint between her lips. “I thought I told you that was bad for your health,” you muttered, swinging your legs over the edge, occupying the space beside her. “You did,” Soyeon merely turned to you with an uninterested stare, lips parting as she blew the smoke into your face. Scrunching your nose up in dissatisfaction, you shook your head in amusement, holding your hand out expectantly. Huffing, she handed over the joint, her mouth tugging up in a proud smirk as you brought it to your lips. 

She chuckled in amusement, punching your shoulder with her ring clad fingers. “What about all that health crap?” She asked, shoving her hands into her pockets as the wind picked up.  “It’s bullshit,” you huffed, gently massaging your throbbing forehead. “I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses,” Soyeon smirked, tugging the joint from your lips. “Just when I was beginning to think you were boring,” she hummed, ignoring the faux offence that graced your face. “Rude,” you grumbled, crossing your arms over your chest. You perked up at the faint sound of rustling leaves, forgetting all previous thoughts.

Glancing down to the ground, you squinted, struggling to make out a faint silhouette in the darkness. “What is it?” Soyeon asked, following your gaze curiously. “Not sure yet, hand me your phone.” She rolled her eyes at the absurd demand, but nevertheless she passed over the battered device. Tapping away at the screen, you open the text chain between you and Soyeon before clicking the camera icon. Leaning over the edge eagerly, you zoomed in, snapping a picture and sending it to yourself. A rough grip on your collar pulled you back, keeping you from toppling over the edge in your excitement.

“Idiot,” Soyeon muttered, snatching her phone from your grasp, gazing at it intently. Swinging your legs over the ledge, you planted your feet on the roof, wandering towards the opposite edge of the building. “Hey Y/n?” Soyeon called after you, hands stuffed into her pockets as she followed after you. “Yeah?” You hummed, glancing up at the tree that towered above the roof. “How did you know my password?” She questioned, brows raised inquisitively. “Lucky guess,” you excused with a shrug, carelessly climbing onto the ledge. “Until next time, Jeon Soyeon,” you saluted with a smile, stepping backwards to gracefully fall over the edge.

Soyeon’s eyes widened as she blinked in shock, rushing towards the ledge, curiously leaning over. She let out a relieved laugh upon seeing you dangle from a feeble branch by one arm, waving up at her with the other. “You’re fucking insane Kim Y/n,” she chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. “You know there's a ladder, right?” She asked, watching you nod dumbly, wondering what possessed you to suddenly jump from a roof. Letting go of the branch, you landed on the ground with a thud, dusting off your uniform before casually strolling away, hands stuffed into your pockets. “I was wrong, you’re far from boring,” Soyeon muttered to herself as you disappeared into the darkness.

~~

Sooyoung stared perplexed as you held your phone up to her face, brows furrowing at the blurry image. “What does a photo of Kim Yerim have to do with any of this?” Your roommate huffed, plopping down on your bed with a confused grumble. “The photo of Mr Kim and his mistress, she took it the night this photograph was taken.” You explained simply, shrugging nonchalantly as you flopped down beside her. “That still doesn’t explain why you have it,” she groaned, abruptly gripping you by the shoulders, attempting to shake some sense into you. “I made a new friend,” you grinned, paying no mind to Sooyoung’s bewilderment.

“And she just handed you a photo of your teacher with his tongue down a student's throat?!” She yelled in disbelief, forehead creasing as she tried to wrap her head around the perplexing situation. “Well, I’m simply borrowing it for the time being,” you uttered, glancing down at the crumpled photograph. “For fucks sake! you stole it, didn’t you?” Sooyoung accused, eyes narrowed as she awaited your answer. Carefully contemplating, you tilted your head to the side, scratching your head thoughtfully. “I suppose so,” you muttered with a nod, wincing as Sooyoung landed a slap on the back of your head. “Idiot,” she grumbled, falling back against your mattress.

“I still don’t understand any of this,” Sooyoung complained, raking a stressed hand through her long dark locks. “You don’t need to,” you muttered, leaning back against the wall. “I want to though,” she huffed, briefly letting her eyes flutter closed as she tried to piece together this unique puzzle. “You always do weird shit like this, I’m just finally curious,” Sooyoung mumbled, by weird she meant suspicious. “I’m doing someone a favour,” you revealed, watching as the gears in her head began to turn. “A favour? For who? Why?” She questioned rapidly, abruptly sitting up straight. “I received an anonymous letter on the first day of school, I thought I’d play along for a little fun.” You explained calmly, staring out the window and into the starry night.

“Just what have you gotten yourself into, Y/n?” 

~~

Students flocked around the auditorium doors, flooding inside as excited chatter bounced from the walls. You shuffled mindlessly through the crowd, arm linked with Yerim’s, who had caught you by the arm amidst the sea of students, dragging you past endless bodies. “Best seats in this fancy old building,” Yerim declared as she plopped down on the red velvet chairs. “I’m not so sure,” you muttered doubtfully, pointing a lazy finger to the private balcony above, reserved for various significant figures within the academy. “I beg to differ,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest defensively.

“Shouldn't you be up there with them, miss student council historian?” You teased, eyes swirling with curiosity as she gazed longingly at the balcony above. Hints of red and gold accents travelling up the pure white walls, historical patterns adorning each pillar supporting those who sat above all others. “That privilege is reserved for senior council members,” Yerim mumbled with a wistful sigh. The students all quietened down at the steadily paced clacking heels that captured the attention of the entire student body with a mere eight twelve steps. The headmistress cleared her throat before leaning forwards to speak into the microphone that sat atop a podium perfectly centred on stage.

“I know you’re all excited, but I’d appreciate it if I could have your attention.” Taeyeon requested, patiently awaiting the stall of hushed chatter. “I’m sure you’re all well aware of the upcoming annual sports festival,” she paused, quirking a smile at the excited cheers that echoed through the auditorium. “The board and I have been discussing factors for a while now, and I’m pleased to announce that there will be an additional incentive this year!” The headmistress declared proudly, prompting cheerful claps from those on the lower seats, while the privileged merely sat stoically above. “The champions of the rigorous battle between homeroom classes will earn an advantage in the next competition.”

Taeyeon’s announcement earned a rally of cheers and joyous shouts. While academics were incredibly important values to an advanced academy, they also believed in challenging their students in ways most schools couldn’t dream of. The school year consisted of several advanced trials that tested the students' individual capabilities and teamwork throughout the years. The academy’s annual sports festival was only the beginning of this year's various trials; you could only assume there would be plenty of twists and complexities to come from such a highly regarded school. You’d only heard whispers of challenges from the past years, but the serious nature in which the seniors viewed it told you there was much to anticipate.

“Thank you all for your time, you may now head back to your regular classes.” Your eyes wandered to the crowd as Taeyeon droned on, curiously flickering up to the loges in which the esteemed bunch were seated. The President sat stiffly, eyes hardened as he stared ahead. A stark contrast to the Vice President seated beside him, her shoulders relaxed, an easy-going smile adorning her lips. Your eyes then found the familiar face of your Swim Captain, who nodded along with the headmistress's words, listening attentively. Lastly your gaze landed on Kim Jennie, her arms and legs crossed, expression reading as uninterested.  

You blinked in surprise as her intimidating cat-like eyes met yours, her brows raising as she tilted her head upwards ever so slightly. Daring to hold her gaze, you stared blankly at the girl who matched your expression, inquisitively raising a perfectly sculpted brow. It was as if the devil herself had challenged you to a staring contest, one you couldn’t bring yourself to look away from. Jennie’s sharp features staring back at you with an unreadable expression, one you tried tirelessly to decode, but to no avail. Brought back to the real world by a soft tug on your blazer, you briefly glanced away, looking curiously at Yerim. 

“Everyone’s leaving,” she grumbled, pushing you out of your seat to follow after the bustling crowd. Stumbling forwards, you craned your neck to glance back at the balcony in wonder. Your brows furrowed as your eyes landed upon the now empty chair that Kim Jennie was seated in mere seconds before. Interest peaked within you at the strange encounter with the Student Council Treasurer, blindly following behind Yerim as your mind wandered back to the exchange. Something about the feline eyed girl was oddly familiar, but you couldn’t quite place your finger on it. A harsh tug on the back of your collar yanked you from Yerim’s grasp, tugging you through the crowd as you struggled in protest.

“What the fuck,” you exclaimed, shrugging off their hand before whipping around to face them. “Watch your language,” Kim Hyoyeon scolded, shaking her head in disappointment. “Watch my language?! You just dragged me by the neck and I’m not even allowed to swear?” You seethed, glaring up at your professor and swim coach in disbelief. “I had no choice, you weren’t replying to any of my messages.” She reasoned, voice lowering as she glanced around the corridor cautiously. “I was busy,” you huffed incredulously, feigning ignorance to the numerous messages you’d received days prior. “What did you say to Taeyeon?” She questioned, arms crossed over her chest authoritatively. 

“Straight to the point as always,” you rolled your eyes, leaning against the nearest wall. “Just answer the question, Y/n. I don’t have time for your games today,” she gritted her teeth, lips drawn into a scowl. “No fun,” you whined sarcastically, a faux frown plastered on your features. Hyoyeon shot you a warning glare, taking a menacing step closer. “You're worried,” you observed, brows furrowed pensively. “Something’s off, I haven’t seen her like this since..” Hyoyeon trailed off, biting her tongue as she watched your jaw clench in vexation. “Whatever the problem is, it hasn’t got anything to do with me.” You grumbled, spinning on your heel, but Hyoyeon caught you by the wrist with a firm grip.

“It has everything to do with you,” Hyoyeon pressed, releasing your wrist as you slowly turned to face her, eyes narrowed. “Let me rephrase. It’s not my problem to deal with, she can fix it herself.” You seethed, hands curled into tight fists. “But you know she won’t,” Hyoyeon tried to convince you, but to no avail. “I don’t owe her anything,” you didn’t fold under her now pleading gaze. “Now if you’d excuse me, I have to get back to class Professor Kim.” You spoke formally, releasing a sigh of relief when she didn’t stop you. But just as you were about to round the corner, Hyoyeon tried one last time to sway you in her favour. “She’s your sister, Y/n,” her voice echoed throughout the corridor, but you didn’t bother to face her this time.

“No she’s not. Not anymore.” You whispered, but Hyoyeon heard you loud and clear, her shoulders sagging in defeat.

You absentmindedly twirl the fountain pen between your fingers, staring out the large glass windows in boredom as the professor droned on. The hushed whispers of your classmates didn’t go unnoticed by the strict professor, who tilted her head, raising her brow, challenging them to continue. Under her fierce gaze, they were quick to quiet down, straightening their posture and focusing all their attention on her until she was seemingly satisfied by their obedience. “Am I boring you, Y/n?” Ms Jung addressed you, crossing her arms over her chest, unimpressed by your attitude.

“Of course not, Professor Jung,” you assured, swiftly halting the spin of your pen. Hissing as the tip sliced the palm of your hand without any resistance. Professor Jung squinted at you, clicking her tongue in disapproval as specs of red began to drip onto the crisp white paper before you. “You should head to the infirmary,” She sighed, ushering you to the front of the class. You avoided the burning gazes of your fellow students as you made your way past them, careful not to let your blood spill on the white marble floor. Jung Eunji graciously opened the door for you, stepping outside and closing it behind the two of you.

“Take this,” she pulled a fresh handkerchief from her blazer, wrapping it around your injured hand. “Thank you,” you muttered, watching as red instantly began to seep through the fabric snowy white. “You best be on your way,” Professor Jung nodded her head down the hall. “Stop by my office after class to collect today's assignments,” she reminded, earning a displeased mumble of agreement from you. She watched as you walked through the halls, shaking her head in amusement as you stumbled slightly, before turning on her heel and returning to the class.

It wasn’t long before the nurse released you, allowing you to attend your regular classes with a bandaged hand and strict instructions not to strain it. You took great effort in tugging down your sleeves in hopes of concealing your wound to avoid questioning. Sighing, you raised your hand to knock on Professor Jung’s door, making your presence known. “I thought I told you to stop by after class had concluded, not during your schedule.” She scolded, leaving the door open as an invitation to enter, she plopped down in her leather chair.

“Lovely to see you too, Professor,” you greeted sarcastically, closing the door behind you. Taking a seat on the couch opposite her, you lazily kicked your feet up on the couch, earning a scowl from her. Flicking through a few papers on her desk, she slipped multiple into a clear file before tossing it your way. “Won’t you spare me, just this once?” You pleaded, face scrunched up at the sight of all your assigned work. “No,” she deadpanned, folding her arms over her chest. “Not even for your favourite student?” You groaned, forehead creased in a frown.

“That would be considered unethical, and I’m not interested in losing my job,” Eunji informed. “No one would even have to know,” you whined, huffing as she shook her head. “Taeyeon would be on my ass about nepotism and you know it,” she chuckled as your shoulders sagged. “The headmaster is hardly any better,” you retorted under your breath, eyes narrowing at the several assignments resting atop your lap. “You spoke with her?” Professor Jung asked, mild surprise crossing her features. “It’s not like I did so willingly,” you insisted, frowning at the memory. Eunji raised an inquisitive brow at your statement.

“Stupid Mr Kim practically threw me out the door,” you elaborated further, grumbling profanities under your breath. Professor Jung chuckled at your colourful choice of language, leaning forwards in her chair with sudden interest. “What did the Headmistress say?” She asked, curiosity reflecting in her gaze. “It was nothing,” you mumbled, a frown set on your features. “Clearly not, nothing wouldn’t put you in such a bad mood,” Eunji dismissed your previous words easily. You huffed in frustration, glaring pointedly at your professor. “Fine, I won’t pry,” she raised her hands in surrender.

“That’s why you’re my favourite professor in this academy,” you grinned, as Eunji chuckled at your mood swings. An obnoxiously loud buzz crackled through the academy’s speakers, indicating the beginning of your next scheduled commitment. “Alright, you’ve been here long enough.” Ms Jung announced, rising to her feet. “I’m not wasting my free period listening to you complain about homework,” she declared, leaving no room for arguments. “Mrs Cheon is going to throw a fit when she sees my hand,” you laughed, referring to your piano teacher. Eunji snickered, practically pushing you out of her office.

“Y/n,” Ms Jung called out to you before you could make it too far down the maze like hallways. You hummed, glancing over your shoulder. “I may not pry, but please don't hesitate to come and find me if you ever need someone to speak to,” she spoke, forehead creased in notable concern. “Will do,” you smiled, “but I promise it’s nothing to worry about,” you assured, traipsing down the corridor without another word. Eunji sighed, watching you disappear round a corner, the faint whistle of a cheery tune only getting further and further away.

With one final glance Eunji began the journey to the faculty break room, in desperate need of a strong coffee. She carelessly pushed the door open after scanning her key card, rushing straight towards the kitchen cabinet. “I can’t imagine such a large consumption of caffeine is good for your health” Professor Kim Hyoyeon remarked with a chuckle, seated on a chair around the breakroom table. “How else do you suggest I deal with spoiled brats and sleep deprivation?” Eunji retorted, the two sharing a look before breaking out into laughter.

“They’re not that bad, you just have to scare them a little,” Hyoyeon smirked, sipping on her hot tea. Eunji hummed in agreement, taking a seat at the table, sparing a glance at the Headmistress, who sat cooped up by the window, worn book in hand. “And yet they still come crawling to my office during my precious breaks.” Eunji groaned, an expression of faux annoyance plastered on her face. “Y/n, again?” Hyoyeon asked, brows furrowed as she placed her mug on the table.

Nodding her head, Eunji took a sip of her steaming coffee, breathing a sigh of relief as the liquid met her tongue. “Is everything alright with her?” Hyoyeon questioned nonchalantly, trying to mask her concern with curiosity. Ms Jung hummed in contemplation, “I don’t know, but something’s definitely off with her,” she deduced. “How so?” Professor Kim Hyoyeon pressed further, attention focused solely on her colleague. “Like she’s got a lot on her mind, spacing out in class and what not. Even got herself hurt because of it,” Eunji shook her head in disappointment.

Taeyeon, who had been quietly listening, abruptly rose to her feet, slamming her book shut. Both professors snapped their heads in her direction, startled by the sudden outburst. The Headmistress wordlessly stormed past them, eyes clouded as she hurried out the door. “I’ll be right back,” Hyoyeon muttered, rushing after the older woman hastily. She called out after her, Taeyeon halting, but not turning to face her. “Where are you going?” Hyoyeon asked, by her side in an instant, concern written on her face.

“You know exactly where I’m going,” Taeyeon grit out, glaring at the younger woman. “Okay, but I don’t know what you’re thinking. If you’re going to something you might regret,” Hyoyeon trailed off, the older one calming slightly at the genuine worry. “I have to go, I’m sorry.” The Headmistress said, tone desperate. “Fine, I trust you. At least tell me how everything goes,” Hyoyeon compromised, lightly patting the shorter woman's shoulder. “I promise I will,” Taeyeon assured, smiling briefly before continuing walking. “Do you even know where she is?!” The younger woman yelled after her.

“I always know where she is.”

~~

The soft melody floated through the room, enchanting your fingers as they graced over keys. Your jaw was firmly clenched, hands aching as you repeated the same piece several times, working tirelessly to achieve perfection. Your wound throbbing as you threw caution to the wind, only worsening your fresh gash, but you couldn’t find it in you to care. One slip of your finger had your hands moving with a mind of their own, slamming down on the keys in frustration, you winced at the unpleasant sound. You wanted to scream into the silence, but instead merely heaved a sigh, gazing at the sheet of music that glared back at you.

Your hand ached in protest, blood was bound to be soaking through the carefully wrapped gauze. Gaze hardening, you let your fingers glide across the keys with what looked like effortless precision. Gritting your teeth as you played, the familiar composition bouncing off the walls. “Y/n..” A voice laced in worry called out, but you remained blissfully ignorant. Disregarding the specks of red that began to taint the pure white, your eyes darted between the sheet and piano with extreme focus. “Y/n!” The voice yelled, falling deaf in your ears, letting the music guide you.

Just as you began to approach the song's peak, the satisfaction of success you craved was ripped from your grasp. An unidentified force jerked your arm back in desperation, saving you from inevitable destruction, but that’s not how you viewed it. “Why would you do that?!” You yelled, seeing red, anger boiling hot within you. “You were hurting yourself, Y/n!” Taeyeon shrieked, her grip on your arm firm, much like the expression adorning her face. “I almost had it, I would have done it if it weren't for you!” You seethed, trying to rip your hand free of her grasp.

“You were hurting yourself,” she repeated, tone desperate, eyebrows furrowed in concern. “I can take care of myself,” you grunted, refusing to meet her gaze, fist clenched in anger. “Really?” Taeyeon questioned, grasping your hand on her own, uncurling your fingers carefully. She revealed your red stained hands, eyes brimming with concern at the state you were in. “Stop,” you uttered, tugging your hand away and reaching for your music sheet, crumpling it in your palm.

“Why are you here, Taeyeon?” You asked coldly, eyes narrowed at her. “I’m here for you,” she confessed, eyes filled with sincerity, but you refused to play the fool. “Cut the bullshit,” you sneered, beginning to pack up your things. “I can see that you’re hurting, please let me help you,” she begged before you, taking a tentative step forward. “I don’t need your help!” You shouted, only further enraged by her words. “Why not? Why can’t you just accept my help?!” She questioned incredulously, meeting your volume.

“Why not?! Why not? Because you’re the damn reason everything’s so fucked in the first place! It’s all your fault and I hate you!” You yelled, a stray tear running down your cheek. “That’s not fair, Y/n..” Taeyeon muttered, utterly defeated by your words. Her heart ached in her chest, thrashing against her ribs. You hated her. The words replayed in her mind like a broken record. “How isn’t it fair? You left me..” an involuntary sob escaped your lips. “You left me,” you repeated the words, hating how broken you sounded, how fucked you were without her.

“I’m trying, Y/n. I’m trying to be there for you now..” She said, reaching out to you hopefully. “Acting like everything is fine doesn’t fix what happened,” you spoke, tone firm. “Please just let me help you now,” she pleaded, gently grasping your wounded hand. “I know it doesn’t fix anything, but you can’t expect me to make up for my past mistakes if you won’t even let me try.” Taeyeon looked into your eyes, chocolate orbs swirling with nothing but care. Huffing, you shook your head adamantly in refusal. “I have to meet someone,” you grumbled, brushing past the older woman. The headmistress helplessly watched you slip out of the studio with a sullen expression, lips sucked between her teeth thoughtfully.

~~

Your eyes were unfocused as you trudged through the pristine halls, mind clouded with unease. Absent-mindedly fiddling with your loose tie as you approached the photography club, you pulled out your phone to send Yerim a quick message. Waiting patiently outside the door, a familiar beep pulled you from your thoughts, Yerim’s head popping out the door, a bright grin adoring her lips. “You made it!” She cheered, ushering you inside eagerly. Upon entering, your shoulders instantly tensed, Student Council President Kim Seokjin was standing stiffly in the room you’d presumed empty. “I didn’t know you had a guest,” you muttered, sending the stoic male a tight lipped smile.

“Feel free to explore the dark room while the President and I finish discussing the upcoming event.” Yerim lazily pointed towards the smaller door covered in vintage photos. Nodding curtly, you waltzed inside without a second thought, uncomfortable under Seokjin’s cold gaze. As you clicked the door shut behind you, their hushed voices became muffled. You purse your lips pensively, wondering why someone of such importance was loitering in a measly club room. Pushing the thought away, you glanced curiously around the room lit with red. A smile tugged at your lips when your eyes landed on a photograph that hung in the centre of the room.

Before you was the image Yerim had taken the previous evening, cherry blossoms falling while you sat blissfully unaware on the bench below. A brief smile tugged at your lips before your eyes travelled to another photograph in the far corner, brows raising in curiosity. Taking an inquisitive step forward, you squinted at the displayed image, a smirk rising to your lips. Due to its faded, hazy nature, you were certain to be the first to see it. It had only just been developed after all. The sound of light footfall had you rushing to pluck it from its place, quickly folding the paper and slipping it into your blazer pocket.

“Sorry about that,” Yerim apologised upon entering the room, sending you a bashful smile. “It’s not a problem,” you assured, glancing back at the photograph of yourself. “What do you think?” She asked nervously, following your gaze to the image she’d claimed was her best. “I think you’re very talented,” you uttered sincerely, hands clasped behind your back. “Really?” She grinned sheepishly, shifting her weight from one leg to another as she scratched the back of her neck. You merely hummed in response, eyes glued to the expertly taken photograph. “Come with me,” she dragged you from the room by your arm, suddenly overcome with a burst of confidence.

You chuckled in amusement as she sat you down before a blank white canvas, her smile blindingly bright. “Have you ever painted before, Y/n?” She questioned, a mischievous glint in her eyes as you shook your head. “You seem like the type to have never gotten messy,” she muttered. You glanced down to your crisply ironed uniform, a stark contrast to Yerim’s crumpled shirt that was stained with paint. Stalking off to a nearby shelf, she came back with various coloured paints.. “Take your pick,” she held them up to you expectantly, pleased when you complied.

Handing you a brush, she began to squeeze the coloured paint onto a palette before presenting it to you. “What am I supposed to do?” You asked dumbly, staring at her with furrowed brows. “Anything,” Yerim encourages with a gentle smile, watching intently as you bring your hand up to the canvas. You let your hand guide you, uncertainty present with each brush stroke. “You’re too tense,” Yerim observed, carefully eyeing the canvas with squinted eyes. “Then what do you suggest I do?” You asked, gazing up to her expectantly. “I think you need to get a little messy,” she smirked, dipping her finger into some dark red paint. Not a second later her hand was flying towards your face, finger swiping across your nose and a proud grin adorning her lips.

You screeched at the cold sensation, nose scrunched as you stared at Yerim in utter disbelief. The smiling girl raised her hands in surrender as a smirk began to creep onto your lips, hand reaching for the paint. A loud squeal ripped from her lips as you copied her previous actions, dipping your hand into a purple paint and ruthlessly smearing it across her face. The two of you stared blankly at each other for mere seconds before breaking out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, closely followed by Yerim chasing you around the room with red stained hands. Melodious laughter bounced from the walls, the student council historian launching herself at you with a cheerful giggle.

Her red hands landed on your shoulders as the two of you toppled over, Yerim landing atop you with a thud. You winced as your back hit the marble floor, but a wide smile spread across your face at the sight of her toothy grin. Her dark locks fell perfectly around your face, chocolate brown orbs swirling with delight as she gazed into your eyes. With glossy pink lips sucked between her teeth, she traced your features with her purple finger tip, smiling giddily as you complained about the ticklish sensation. Yerim gulped harshly upon realising how your faces were now only mere inches apart, blinking owlishly as she pushed herself off your with an awkward smile.

Clearing your throat, you rose to your feet, Yerim avoiding your gaze at all costs. “I think I’d better get going,” you announced, dusting off your clothes. The historian hummed absentmindedly, staring thoughtfully at the canvas. “I hope we can do this again sometime Yerim. I had fun,” you admitted, slipping out of the room without waiting for a response. Upon catching sight of your paint stained uniform, you breathed out a heavy sigh, knowing it would be troublesome to clean. Scurrying off to your dorm silently, you shoved your hands into your pockets as you trudged down the familiar stone path.

A sudden grin broke out on your face as your fingers met a piece of crumpled paper hidden within your blazer pocket. Your mind raced with endless thoughts on the journey back, whistling a cheery tune as you approached your room, running to paper between your thumb and forefinger. Pushing the familiar numbered door open after scanning your key card, you stumbled into your room, pulling the paper from your pocket excitedly. You scanned the paper carefully, squinting at the image before you as you tried to make out every blurred detail. Tensing at the feeling of two strong arms wrapping around your torso, you shrieked in surprise.

“Sooyoung!” You yelled incredulously at the tall girl who rested her chin atop your shoulder. “Where were you?” She whined, pulling you impossibly closer. “Nowhere,” you managed to stutter out, trying to conceal the photograph in your pocket, but Sooyoung was quick to snatch it from your hand. “What’s this?” She questioned, eyes widening by tenfold upon closer inspection of the image. “It’s nothing!” You squeaked out, trying to snatch it back, but she held it just out of your grasp. “Y/n.” Sooyoung spoke, voice eerily calm. “Would you care to explain why you have a photo of Mr Kim kissing-” You slapped your hand over her mouth with wide eyes, hearing a light footfall just outside your dorm door.

“I promise I’ll explain, just promise you can keep a secret.”

Your lungs burned as you kicked your legs in a desperate attempt to rise to the surface. ‘Just a bit further,’ you thought, pushing your aching muscles to their limit. Your eyes fluttered shut in relief as your head rose above the disturbed body of water. Tiredly reaching out to the tiled floor, you heaved yourself out of the pool, planting yourself on the edge as you caught your breath. Your shoulders slumped in exhaustion as an obnoxiously loud whistle left you wincing, while reluctantly rising to follow the source of the sound.

“Y/n!” A voice called from behind you, followed closely by an arm draping loosely over your shoulder. Looking up to the girl who towered over you, a brief smile flickered across your face. She reflected it with a brighter one of her own, tinted red lips parting to reveal her perfectly straight pearly whites. “You’re getting faster every day, you’ll be winning gold before you know it.” Sooyoung praised you, effectively pulling you from your daze. “We both know I’ll never be as good as you,” you dismissed her claim.

“Alright, enough chit chat!” Your swim coach shouted now that everyone had gathered before her. “As I’m sure you all know, next week we’ll be selecting the participants for the relay race.” Hyoyeon paused, gaze flickering over the group, ensuring that she had everyone’s attention. “The top four individuals with the fastest time for the one-hundred metre races will be selected. You should all be training more than usual given the circumstances, I expect the best from each and every one of you.”

With that, she turned on her heel, dismissing the team with a lazy flick of her finger. The tension among the group left idly standing there was so thick that one could slice it with a knife. It became abundantly clear it was every person for themselves by the darkened gazes of the swimmers. ‘So much for being a team,’ you thought, rolling your eyes as you resisted scoffing. “I’ll leave the pool unlocked tonight for those of you who would prefer to get some practice in after classes.” Bang Chan, you swim team captain said, ushering everyone into the changing rooms.

You followed the girls into the changing rooms, keeping quiet as they chucked about god knows what. Brushing past them, you made a beeline for the showers, the chill of the droplets that lingered on your damp skin leaving you shivering. You breathed a sigh of relief as the steaming hot water cascaded down your body, rinsing the chlorine from your hair. Blocking out the muffled chatter from Sooyoung and Yves, you shut your eyes, momentarily succumbing to the darkness your body longed for.

The faint ringing in your ear alerted you of the start of class, huffing, you begrudgingly turned off the steam of flowing water. You swiftly pat your body down with a white towel, rushing to pull on the fitted uniform. Stumbling out of the changing room as you fiddled with the last few buttons of your shirt. You were so busy fiddling with your tie that you almost failed to notice the discarded duffle bag atop one of the benches. Glancing over your shoulder, you searched for any lingering teammates. The sight of an eerily still pool greeted you, no one in sight.

Upon closer inspection, you instantly recognised the bag, now able to identify its owner. A shining metal in its side pocket catches your eye, shimmering in the luminescent lights. Groaning, you gazed at your watch, ‘I’m gonna be so late,’ you accepted defeat. Giving the area another once over, you decided to make your way to class, leaving the duffle bag in its place. Enjoying the peaceful silence of the academy without any students in sight, you took your time strolling to class.

Arriving in front of the door of your class, you knocked softly on the large oak door. It swung open not a minute later, the eyes of your peers burning holes into the side of your head. “Mr Kim,” you greeted with a nod, arms hanging loosely by your side. “Is there a reason for your tardiness, Miss Kim?” He questioned, raising an unimpressed brow. Peering over his shoulder, you caught sight of your teammate Sooyoung, who’d managed to make it to class perfectly on time despite practice running late.

Sighing, you simply shook your head, crossing your arms over your chest. “I’ll let Headmistress Kim have the pleasure of dealing with you,” he said, handing you a slip of paper before slamming the door in your face. You narrowed your eyes, glaring at the place he once stood. Your eyes skimmed over the scribbled handwritten note on the paper, addressed directly to your Headmistress. ‘Inability to be punctual and breaking the school dress code,’ you scoffed at the words, scowling as you shuffled down the hall.

Upon reaching the Headmistress’s office, you made your way over to her secretary. “Name and note,” she said monotonously, not even sparing you a glance as she continued to tap at the keys of her computer. “Kim Y/n,” you stated, sliding the slip of paper across her desk. “Have a seat, Headmistress Kim will be with you shortly.” Following her instructions, you dropped your bag by your feet, plopping yourself down on one of the several empty chairs. Scanning the room, you couldn’t help but roll your eyes at the sight where dozens of pretentious awards hung on the walls.

You strained your ears at the sound of muffled shouts, unable to fight off your curiosity. Much to your disappointment, no distinct words could be made out through the school's thick walls. Just as your interest began to fade, the double doors dramatically slammed open, revealing an extremely displeased Jennie Kim. As if sensing your gaze, she snapped her head in your direction, glaring daggers at you. “What are you looking at?” She growled, seething with anger as she stormed off without another word. The Headmistress then peaked her head out, eyes finding you in a matter of seconds.

“Miss Kim, to what do I owe the pleasure?” the Headmistress spoke politely, leading you through the same doors a certain brunette has just charged through. “My apologies for keeping you waiting,” she sent you a smile, closing the doors behind you for some privacy. Pearching herself on the edge of her desk, she motioned for you to sit down. “What’s got her all riled up?” You questioned, refusing her offer to be seated. “I’m afraid I can’t disclose that information,” Taeyeon said sternly, a frown forming on her face.

Glancing at the slip of paper her secretary handed her, the Headmistress looked at you with furrowed brows. “It says your disobedience caused a scene, interrupting Mr Kim Heechul’s class.” She read the note aloud, crumpling it up before carelessly tossing it in a nearby bin. “I’ll let you off with a warning this time, just make sure it doesn’t happen again.” She ordered, leaning over to tug on your tie, adjusting it to sit neatly around your neck. Her actions urged a flurry of repressed memories of the past to swarm your mind.

“Please stay out of trouble, Y/n,” she begged, chocolate eyes swirling with concern. “Whatever you say Headmistress Kim,” you recovered, the light stutter going unnoticed by the older women. “Don’t call me that,” she frowned, hurt reflecting on her features. “What else am I supposed to call you,” you began retreating, ignoring her hopeful stare. “You used to call me Taeyeon unnie,” she reminisced, suddenly blinking back tears that threatened to fall. “That was a long time ago, Headmistress Kim,” you muttered emotionlessly, slipping out of the office wordlessly.

~~

You lay aimlessly on your back, arms floating by your side. Gazing up at the night sky, you couldn't help but admire the shining stars. The moon illuminated the swimming centre, its dull glow glimmered against each ripple of water. Letting your head fall back, the water began to engulf your body as you sank to the pool floor. It was always peaceful down here, granting your mind a rare moment of peace from the world. The silence gave you an escape, allowing you to let your guard down.

Feeling your throat begin to constrict from the lack of oxygen, you blow out a puff of air, bubbles rapidly rising above you. Kicking yourself off the tiled floor, you follow the bubbles to a source of life, gasping a breath of air upon reaching the surface. Paddling to the edge, you clung onto it for dear life, your heavy breathing echoing throughout the empty swimming centre. Finishing up evening practice, you swam over to the ladder, the cold air of the night sending a chill down your spine.

Far too exhausted to complete your usual routine, you skipped the shower, knowing you’d regret it when you would awake with tangled hair the next morning. For now, your mind was set on diving into nothing but your bed as you tugged a hoodie over your head. Your damp hair tickled your neck, a puff of air passing through your lips as you pushed the glass door open. The breeze left you shivering, stuffing your hands into your pockets in search of warmth. To make matters worse, the dorms were on the opposite side of campus.

Increasing your pace as the temperature began to drop, you followed the dimly lit path across campus. The trees waved in the wind, leaves rustling as they shook on their feeble branches. The sound of hushed whispers and faint giggles drew your attention away from nature, straining your ears to better make out the voices. Stepping off path, you followed the murmurs, coming to a stop near the languages building. Peaking around the corner, you caught a glimpse of two people, before quickly retreating, eyes wide in shock.

Mr Kim Heechul had a young female pressed against the building's wall, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Fighting the urge to gasp at the scandalous sight, you covered your agape mouth. What caught you off guard wasn’t your teacher partaking in such acts on school grounds, but the person he was with. Although you couldn't make out her face, the familiar plaid skirt paired with the academy's signature blazer was a dead giveaway. Mr Kim was having an affair with a student.

Giving the area a once over, you quickly found that there were in fact no security cameras behind this particular building. Unfortunately, they weren’t smart enough to keep quiet and hadn’t accounted for curious students much like yourself. If you were anyone else, this would’ve been captured on camera and spread through the school like wildfire. ‘Knowledge is power,’ you thought to yourself, a sinister smile spreading across your face. Oh the things you could do with this newfound information, the only problem being that you had no proof.

Inconveniently, you’d opted not to bring your phone with you this morning, leaving you deviceless for the day. ‘Lucky them,’ you thought, they’d be glad to know their little secret was going nowhere. You chuckled at the thought, whistling cheerily as you strolled away from the scene with a pep in your step. A new found interest in Mr Kim sparked within you, he’d always irritated you, but you had a feeling that would soon come to a halt.

“Do you hear that?” Mr Kim’s mistress whispered, pulling away from his embrace with a look of panic reflecting in her eyes. He quickly shook his head, too caught up in the moment, rushing back to press his lips to her once more, addicted to her taste. But she pushed him back, sinking her lips into her bottom lip in concern, glancing around the area. The faint whistled tune in the distance alarming her, eyes widening as she shooed him, forcing him to take a look.

His mistress squeezed her eyes shut in fear, heart beating a mile a minute as she anxiously awaited the results of his inspection. Heechul sauntered back to her, laid back a smile on his lips as he affectionately pecked her cheek. “Nothing to worry about, darling.” He grinned, his mistress breathing out a relieved sigh. “Now, where were we?” He questioned, connecting their lips once more, but she just couldn't seem to shake off the lingering feeling of unease.

~~

The buzz of your blaring alarm jolted you from your deep slumber, heart racing in your chest. Huffing, you snoozed it, rolling onto your side and tugging the covers over your head. “Come on. You’re going to be late again,” all warmth was suddenly ripped away rather harshly, your blankets lay strewn on the floor. “That’s not fair!” You whined, rubbing the sleep from your eye before turning to glare at your roommate. “Don’t give me that look, I’m only saving you from another scolding from the Headmistress.” She held her hands up in defence, going back to making her own bed.

“Why do they have to make class so early at private academies?” You groaned, reluctantly rising from your comfortable mattress. “You better get ready, or I’ll leave without you again,” Sooyoung threatened, tossing a clean uniform at you. Catching it with your face, you scowled at the tall girl before scurrying off to the bathroom. Quick to finish your morning routine, you stepped out of the bathroom, checking your watch with a triumphant smile. “I think this is the earliest I’ve ever been!” You cheered, a chuckle escaping Sooyoung’s lips as your antics.

“No time for chit chat, you know how Professor Jung is about punctuality.” She stepped out the door swiftly, leaving you to stumble behind her like a lost puppy, scrambling to lock the door and keep up with her. “How are you so fast?” You complained, jogging to catch up to her. “It’s the long legs,” she grinned, smoothly wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “Shall I start referring to you as a giraffe?” You joked, yelping as she pinched your shoulder. “Call me babe instead,” Sooyoung leaned down to whisper in your ear, her breath leaving goosebumps on your skin.

“You’re such a flirt!” You groaned, pushing her away, hoping that the heat rising to your cheeks wasn’t visible to her. The pleased look paired with the smirk that rested on her lips, told you she knew the effect of her words. Laughing at your miserable attempt to act unfazed, she linked her arm with yours pulling you along to Professor Jung’s class. She managed to get you there a full ten minutes early, excusing herself to greet some of her friends. You lingered in the hallway outside the class, two figures in the distance catching your attention.

Mr Kim was alone with a student, it only brought you right back to the night before, you squinted your eyes to see if she shared any similarities to his mysterious mistress. Upon closer inspection, you realised just who it was, Yoo Jimin. Although she shared similarities to his mistress, her hair was considerably longer, shinier even. Besides, she looked uncomfortable just speaking with Mr Kim, you noted. “Jimin!” You called her name without a second thought, seeing a look of relief wash over her face. Smiling, she waved you over, ignoring the look of irritation on Mr Kim’s face.

“Come on, class is about to start!” You reminded, pulling her away from Mr Kim without another word. ‘He sure does have a type,’ you thought, shaking your head in disbelief. Jimin uttered a small ‘thank you’ before entering the class, ashamed to be saved from such a situation. You merely sent her an assuring smile, waiting for her to leave before glancing over your shoulder. Your eyes met Mr Kim’s from across the hall, his eyes narrowed as he openly glared at you, a look of disgust plastered on your face. Rolling your eyes, you turned on your heel, entering the classroom just mere moments before Professor Jung arrived.

~~

The day breezed by in the blink of an eye, before you knew it you were taking the familiar path back to your dorm room after yet another late night swim practice. The faint hum of music from your headphones was briefly interrupted by a buzz of your phone, alerting you of an upcoming schedule. Slowing to a stop, you took a seat on a stray bench below a cherry blossom tree, your favourite. Withdrawing your phone from where it resided in your jersey pocket, you glanced at the screen lit up with notifications.

Huffing, you silenced your phone, ignoring the rapidly flowing messages regarding grades, test dates and more. Instead you focused on the untouched natural beauty of the academy, your seat giving you a perfect view of the campus gardens. A smile graced your lips at the sight, it was so captivating, allowing you to forget about your troubles for a fleeting moment of peace. You could’ve sworn it was hypnotising, finding yourself unable to look away. Adding to the picture perfect scene before you, the stars twinkled brightly in the cloudless sky, moon lighting up the gardens with its dim glow.

A sudden blinding flash of light pulled your attention from outer worldly sight, blinking in confusion as you turned your head in search of its source. Kim Yerim stood awkwardly, camera in hand and blushing profusely. Tilting your head, you raised an inquisitive brow, watching with an amused grin as she realised what she’d done. “I’m sorry, it’s just.. You’re really pretty and the cherry blossom petals are falling around you..” She rambled, your body shaking with a mirthful chuckle.

Yerim’s cheeks reddened further at your melodious laughter, ducking her head in embarrassment, eyes glued to the stone path, insistent on avoiding your gaze. Calming down from your fit of giggles, you rose to your feet, taking a step closer to the abashed photographer. “What brings you here at this hour?” You changed the topic, feeling remorseful. Taking a moment to compose herself, the flustered girl before you finally looked up to meet your gaze, a pink tint lingering on her cheeks.

“It’s the best time to take photos since there’s usually no one about this late,” she answered, anxiously fiddling with the straps of her camera. “My apologies for interrupting,” you teased, Yerim immediately shaking her head. “No! You didn’t interrupt at all, if anything I should be glad I saw you, this is by far one of my best shots this week.” She began to ramble once more, only pausing once she noticed the smirk that tugged at the corner of your lips. She sent you a sheepish grin, running a hand through her hair at the thought of embarrassing herself further.

“So you’re always out here taking photos this late?” You questioned, looking at the photographer with curiosity dancing in your eyes. “Yup, same time every night,” she nodded enthusiastically, passionate about pursuing photography. “So, do I get to see this ‘best shot of the week’?” You questioned, leaning tauntingly closer to her. “I have to develop the photos in the photography club's darkroom, which isn’t unlocked this late. If you don't mind waiting, you’re welcome to stop by anytime..” Yerim offered, a shy smile adorning her features.

“That sounds good, I’ll stop by after class. Are you heading back to the dorms now?” You asked, lifting your finger to point to the nearby building. Nodding in affirmation, Yerim gave you a questioning look as you began walking off. “Are you coming?” You inquired, looking over your shoulder to witness her scrambling to catch up with you. Slowing your pace, you waited for her to fall into step with you, stuffing your hands into your pockets. Entering the building side by side, you took the elevator, discovering that you shared the same floor.

“Well, this is me,” Yerim mumbled rather begrudgingly, stopping before one of the numerous identical doors. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Yerim.” You said, amused by the way her face lit up at the mention of it. “Goodnight, Y/n,” she waved at you, a giddy smile stuck on her lips. “Goodnight,” you replied, beginning to walk towards your own room. “Yerim!” You called suddenly, catching her just before she closed the door. “One more thing..” You started as she gazed at you, curiously awaiting your continuation.

“You’re also really pretty.”

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