The morning air clung to their blazers as Jisoo and Minjun stepped past the worn iron gates of Hwayang High, where the old stone walls had soaked in generations of teenage secrets. The cherry blossoms, already pale with the season's fading chill, rustled overhead as if murmuring about the newcomers. Minjun glanced up with a curious half-smile. "Looks kind of... nostalgic, doesn't it?" Jisoo didn't answer. His eyes were locked on the main building, three stories of glass and brick, standing like a quiet judge waiting to evaluate him. His grip on the strap of his backpack tightened. Their presence was immediately felt. Students in navy uniforms whispered in small huddles, stealing glances as the twins passed. It wasn't just that they were new. It was the symmetry of their faces, the unsettling way Jisoo's unreadable gaze mirrored Minjun's gentle one, like the same painting lit from opposite sides. "Class 2-3," Minjun murmured as they reached the hallway. His tone was light, but he caught a flicker in Jisoo's reflection in the window, tension held back like breath in cold air.  

 On the third floor, Haerin and her best friend Nana watched the twins walk past the courtyard below, their steps in sync like a mirror reflection. "They look like copy-paste," Nana whispered, leaning slightly over the railing. "But the one on the left? His eyes... kind of scary." Haerin tilted her head, studying both. "They're twins, but not equal. The smiling one... his energy feels different. Warmer." "Yeah," Nana said, squinting. "The intense one? Definitely has secret villain vibes." Haerin gave a quiet laugh. "Or he's just misunderstood." "You always say that," Nana smirked. "Bet one of them ends up in love with you by midterms." Haerin didn't respond immediately. Her gaze lingered on Jisoo, the serious one, whose stare hadn't wavered since stepping onto the school grounds.

  The classroom buzzed with the soft hum of new beginnings. Chalk scratched against the board, papers shuffled, and yet Nana's voice sliced through the background like it had its own spotlight. "I swear, the serious one... ? He looks like he walked out of a drama," Nana whispered loudly, leaning closer to Haerin. "But the cute one... that smile? He could totally be in a skincare ad." "Nana," Haerin hissed, eyes darting forward. "They can probably hear you." "Oh come on," she grinned. "I'm just admiring. You can't blame me... look at them. Matching jawlines? Dreamy eyes? It's genetic injustice." Minjun shifted. Haerin froze. Nana stopped mid-whisper as Minjun turned around, slow and calm, his gaze soft but unmistakably direct. His eyes met Haerin's first. "Is class distracting?" Nana bit her lip, caught between embarrassment and delight. Haerin blinked. "A little," she said, almost inaudibly. Minjun's smile was quiet, barely there. "Sorry about that," he said, and turned back around. Nana let out a strangled squeal. "Did you hear that? Apologized like a gentleman," she whispered. "You're done for." Haerin stared at the back of his head. Maybe she was.

 The teacher glanced down at the attendance sheet, then looked up, voice projecting gently above the quiet hum of classroom chatter. "We have two new students joining us today. Why don't you both introduce yourselves?" Minjun stood first, with an effortless smile. His blazer hung comfortably off one shoulder, and he tucked his hands casually into his pockets before turning to face the class. "Hey," he said, voice light. "I'm Minjun. I just transferred here with my brother. I like soccer, good food, and I'm pretty decent at math... when I try." A few giggles bubbled through the room. Nana's jaw practically unhinged. "He has a voice like honey," she whispered dramatically to Haerin. "No. Syrup. Like sweet maple syrup on a cold morning." Haerin gave her a sharp nudge. Then Jisoo stood. He didn't smile. Dark eyes scanning the room, he gave a short nod and said simply, "Jisoo." No hobbies. No charm. Just his name, cut clean from the air. Silence held for one second. Then the classroom broke. A wave of excited whispers, gasps, and spontaneous applause spread like wildfire, especially among the girls. "That's him," one whispered. "The hot one." "He's so hot and mysterious," another sighed. Minjun sat back down, his smile more sheepish now. Jisoo remained upright for a moment longer, eyes focused ahead, untouched by the noise. Then he sat, gaze blank and posture rigid. Behind them, Nana was clutching Haerin's sleeve with both hands. "I can't take this. We are not surviving this semester." Haerin watched the back of Jisoo's head. She wasn't sure she wanted to.

 Toward the back of the classroom, where sunlight pooled lazily across glossy shoes and pristine blazers, Sooyeon, known across campus as the perfect storm of beauty and brilliance, twirled her pen between her fingers like it was part of her charm ritual. Her long ash-brown hair glinted with subtle copper in the light, and her reputation practically walked ahead of her. She leaned slightly toward her sidekick, Mijin, who'd been scribbling stars in the corner of her notebook while sneakily scanning the new twins. "I like the intense one," Sooyeon whispered, lips barely moving. "That stare? Definitely my type." Mijin blinked, then nodded with urgent devotion. "He looks like he never smiles. So elite." Sooyeon smirked, propping her chin on her hand. "He won't be easy. Which makes it interesting." 

 From across the classroom, she twirled her pen and narrowed her eyes toward the seats behind the twins, where Haerin and Nana sat giggling under their breath. "Look at them," she said, voice dipped in velvet disdain. "Silly girls. I don't know how they ended up in this school." Mijin leaned closer, lips curling into a smirk. "Classless," she whispered with a dry laugh, loud enough for the remark to echo but subtle enough to feign innocence. Sooyeon didn't blink. "Let's see how long they last." Nana, oblivious, poked Haerin's arm again and whispered something about Minjun's shoulders being broad enough to block out the sun. But Haerin's gaze lingered on Sooyeon, noticing the way her mouth moved and her expression tightened. She didn't say anything.

The cafeteria buzzed with its usual midday chaos, clattering trays, overlapping conversations, and the smell of fried rice floating between tables. At their usual corner, Haerin and Nana poked at their lunches. "So listen," Nana said between bites. "If Minjun ever sits here, I swear I'll scream. Like, straight up explode." "You're already screaming," Haerin muttered, sipping her barley tea. But then, like a scene orchestrated by destiny or someone very bold, Minjun walked over. Calm. Hands tucked into his pockets. That signature half-smile blooming on his face. "Hey," he said casually. "Mind if I sit?" Neither girl responded. He pulled out the empty seat beside Haerin, flipped it, and sat down, backwards, like it was his table all along. Nana's mouth hung open. Haerin blinked twice. "Uh..." "I forgot to pack lunch," he said, peering into Nana's tray. "That looks better than anything from the line." Nana gave a strangled laugh and shoved her tray an inch closer. "Want some?" she squeaked. Across the cafeteria, Sooyeon froze mid-sip of her iced coffee. Her eyes narrowed. "How did he end up sitting with... them?" Her gaze swept the room, scanning each face. Then her voice dropped an octave. "Now where's the other twin?" Mijin barely turned her head. "He'll come here," she said confidently. "How could he not?" Sooyeon smirked. "He'd better. Some of us know his worth." But Jisoo wasn't anywhere in sight. And Haerin was still processing the fact that Minjun just stole a bite of Nana's rice roll with zero hesitation. 

 The chatter in the cafeteria wavered, then stilled, just enough for heads to swivel.  Jisoo had arrived. With his tray in hand and that signature calmness woven into every step, he cut through the noise like silence incarnate. His eyes didn't search, they selected. Steady, unreadable, unfazed by the buzz trailing behind him. Sooyeon's smile bloomed immediately. "Finally," she murmured to Mijin. "He knows where he belongs." Her fingers drummed lightly on her table, and Mijin straightened her posture, adjusting her collar. But Jisoo didn't glance at them. Didn't slow down. Instead, he passed by their table without a flicker of acknowledgment, and without hesitation, sat down at an empty table just beside the one where Haerin and Nana were eating. Close enough to hear them. Far enough not to intrude. Sooyeon's smile faded in slow motion. "He sat there?" Mijin asked, her voice barely keeping up with her disbelief. Sooyeon didn't respond. Her eyes narrowed, calculating. Haerin froze, her chopsticks halfway to her mouth. Nana stared at Jisoo like she'd just seen a character step out of her favorite webtoon. "They both sat near us," she whispered. "Is this a prank? Are we being pranked?" But Jisoo didn't speak. He simply ate, deliberate, silent, not missing a thing. And Haerin... couldn't look away.

  Minjun leaned his elbows on the table, rice roll still halfway to his mouth, and looked at the two girls in front of him with an easy smile. "So," he said, "I know I crashed your lunch, but I don't even know your names." Nana nearly choked on her tea. "I... I'm Nana!" she blurted, sitting up so straight it looked like her spine had gone rigid. "Like... banana, but without the 'ba.' Wait, no, that sounds weird... uh... just Nana!" She slapped a hand over her face. Haerin blinked, flustered. "Haerin," she said quickly, then gave a small wave. "Just... Haerin." Minjun's eyes lit up with amusement. "Nice to meet you, Nana and Just Haerin." Haerin gave a tiny groan, realizing what she'd said. Nana pointed at her friend. "Her name is Haerin! She's smarter than me, I swear. She just freezes when cute guys talk." Minjun chuckled, taking another bite of food. "Well, I feel honored. I'm Minjun. And if you freeze, no pressure... I talk enough for two people anyway." Just a few feet away, Jisoo's gaze drifted to them over his tray, quiet as ever. And at the far end of the room, Sooyeon set her straw down, eyebrows raised high. "The cool one's laughing with them," she murmured. "Actually laughing." Mijin leaned over. "Maybe they put something in his rice." Sooyeon didn't respond. But something in her eyes had shifted.

 Minjun popped another rice roll in his mouth, then gestured lazily with his chopsticks toward Jisoo's table behind them. "I'm free and fun to be with," he said with a cheeky grin. "But Jisoo?", he angled his face toward his twin, brows lifted, "He's the opposite of me in every possible way. Quiet. Mysterious. A bit terrifying before lunch." Nana let out a nervous giggle, clutching her water bottle like it was emotional support. Minjun leaned in slightly, teasing. "Still, if you want to shoot your shot and be friends with him... he'll consider." Haerin and Nana turned to glance at Jisoo, who was eating like he hadn't heard a single word, and yet, somehow, they knew he had. Then, together, they plastered on the same exact smile: slightly strained, eyes a little wide, trying to look chill but clearly panicking. It was the "Yeah... no, but thank you" smile. Or better yet, call it the "Terrified Approval". Minjun chuckled. "That's the look. Classic."

The cafeteria hum dimmed just slightly as Sooyeon rose from her table, iced tea cradled in her perfectly manicured hands. Her heels clicked softly against the tiled floor, drawing the eye without effort. She walked with the poise of someone born to dominate attention, and she knew it. Her route was deliberate. Past the rows of students, eyes trailing her like shadows. Past the boys who paused mid-bite to watch her glide through. And finally, she reached the edge of Haerin and Nana's table. There was no stumble. No jostle. Just a sudden spill, cool tea splashed across Haerin's arm and lap, darkening her uniform blouse like an ink stain across innocence. "Ohh... my goodness, I'm sorry, Haerin," Sooyeon said with practiced shock, voice silky sweet. Nana gasped. "Are you... ?!" Haerin froze, the chill making her flinch. She looked up to find Sooyeon's smile just a fraction too rehearsed, her apology landing somewhere between sarcasm and spotlight. Sooyeon dabbed lightly with a napkin, more for show than cleanup. "I should really be more careful," she added with a small laugh, her eyes flickering, not with regret, but with victory. At the next table, Jisoo paused mid-chew, gaze snapping to the scene. And across from Haerin, Minjun's smile faded, replaced with something far less playful.

 Minjun said from his seat, voice clear and steady: "Maybe next time you should be more careful." The words cut through the hum of conversation around them. Not shouted. Not angry. Just sharp enough to make heads turn. Sooyeon froze. Her lips parted slightly, and something flickered in her eyes, not surprise, not guilt. Something quieter. A crack in the mask. A pinch of pain. She hadn't expected to be called out, especially not by him, the new guy. She glanced down at the damp napkin in her hand, then back at Minjun. Her composure began to fracture. "...Sorry," she said one final time, quieter than before. Then she turned and strode out of the cafeteria, her steps quicker than her usual glide. Not poised. Not calculated. Just... gone. At the table, Haerin exhaled slowly, eyes fixed on the spill soaking through her blouse. Nana blinked. "Well. That escalated."

 The sound of tea dripping off the edge of Haerin's sleeve felt louder than any voice in the cafeteria. Nana's eyes darted from Haerin's stained blouse to Sooyeon's retreating silhouette. "Haerin," she whispered, leaning in, "Are you okay?" Before Haerin could respond, a shadow moved beside their table. A hand appeared, clean fingers holding a folded napkin, still slightly warm from wrapping meat. "Here," came the voice. Deep. Effortless. Jisoo. He

wasn't looking for attention. He just placed the napkin in front of her with calm precision, then turned back to his tray as if he hadn't just shattered the cafeteria's atmosphere with one syllable. Haerin stared at him. Her hand trembled slightly as she accepted the napkin. Minjun, still beside her, caught it all. His smile tugged softly at one corner of his lips. That kind of smile that held amusement, a pinch of surprise, and maybe just a flicker of brotherly rivalry. Nana, still dumbfounded, raised her eyebrows at Haerin and motioned dramatically, mouth open, hands mid-air, a universal gesture for "Girl. What just happened??"

Outside the cafeteria, Sooyeon stomped ahead with her iced tea cup, now empty, fingers clenched around the plastic like she wished it were Haerin's collar. "Shiibaaal... that silly girl," she snapped, her voice sharp enough to split air. "I hate her. How did she even get both twins sitting so close to her? She's not even as attractive as I am." Behind her, Mijin hesitated before saying cautiously, "Uh... Sooyeon... she actually is attractive. Like... as attractive as you." Sooyeon stopped cold. Her head turned with surgical precision, eyes wide, one brow arched high in 'Did you just insult me?' disbelief. "What?!" Mijin's hands flew up like she'd triggered a trap. "Nooo, no! Slip of the tongue! I didn't mean it like that... I swear!" Sooyeon narrowed her gaze, lips pursed. She didn't respond immediately. Mijin fumbled for a diversion. "I mean... seriously, how did she get them over there? Was it the wounded bird act?" Sooyeon crossed her arms, jaw tight. "Must be. That fake sweetness works on guys with zero depth. She's nothing special. Watch... I'll make sure they forget her by next week." 

  The cafeteria had never felt so suffocating. Eyes. So many eyes. Haerin pressed her damp sleeve to her chest, her cheeks stained pink from tea and humiliation. The murmurs weren't loud, but they were everywhere, threaded into laughter, stitched into glances. She stood slowly, head bowed, fingers clenched around the napkin Jisoo had handed her. Then she turned, and ran. Her steps quickened into a hurried escape, her bag bumping against her side, footsteps echoing against the tiled floor. But fate wasn't done with her. Just a few meters from the cafeteria door, her sole slipped, A squeak. A gasp. Haerin crashed to the ground, hands scraping against cool tile, knees bent awkwardly. Her school skirt rode dangerously high, almost flipping open, only spared by the angle and speed of her fall. A chorus of gasps followed. A few laughs. One camera flash. She scrambled up, face now crimson and eyes burning. With nothing but dignity left to salvage, Haerin walked faster, almost jogging, trying to outrun the moment like it hadn't already tattooed itself onto the memory of half the cafeteria. Behind her, Minjun watched in stunned silence. Jisoo's chopsticks froze mid-air. Nana clutched her juice box, ready to swing it at anyone who dared laugh too loud.

 Whispers were no match for fury. Nana's eyes locked onto a trio of students snickering by the juice dispenser. One girl clutched her phone, gleefully recounting the moment Haerin slipped, complete with gestures and exaggerated gasps. Nana's steps were deliberate. Her grip tightened around the now-crumpled juice box.  "Really?" Her voice cut through the hum of chatter. "You think it's funny watching someone humiliated like that?" The whispering paused. One boy stammered, "It was just a joke..." "Oh, I love jokes." Nana leaned in. "Especially ones I can shove down someone's throat when they cross the line." The tension was palpable. Even the vending machine seemed to hold its breath. Another student stepped back, muttering, "Chill, girl." But Nana was already turning, not to cool off, but to catch up. She sprinted from the cafeteria, leaving behind a trail of stunned silence and one half-crushed juice box rolling slowly across the floor. Her sneakers squeaked with urgency, echoing Haerin's earlier footsteps. The hallway stretched ahead, echoing with distant sobs.

 The restroom lights hummed faintly overhead, casting a sterile glow on the pale tiles that echoed every shuffle, every breath.  Haerin stood by the sink, gripping its edge like it was the only thing anchoring her. Her reflection stared back, mascara slightly smudged, lip trembling. She hated crying in public, but this wasn't public. This was her small, tiled collapse. The door creaked open and Nana rushed in, still slightly breathless. Her shoes squeaked against the floor as she spotted Haerin. "Haerin," she said, voice gentler now. "You okay?" Haerin didn't answer right away. She stared at her blotched blouse, the bruised knees. "I fell... in front of everyone," she said faintly. "They laughed." Nana's expression hardened. "Let them laugh. They don't have hearts, just echo chambers for whatever Sooyeon feeds them." Haerin wiped her cheek. "I shouldn't have run like that." "You had every right." Nana grabbed tissues and gently pressed them into her hands. "And for the record, that spill wasn't your fault. It was straight-up sabotage." Haerin glanced sideways. "She hates me." "She's intimidated," Nana corrected. "You sat near Minjun and  Jisoo... without any efforts." That made Haerin pause. Nana leaned back against the tiled wall and grinned. "Honestly, even I'd hate you a little if I weren't me." Haerin laughed through a sniffle. And just like that, the tiles stopped feeling so cold.

 The bell rang, echoing through the halls like a reset button on the messiness of lunch. Students shuffled back into class, some still buzzing from the cafeteria drama, others pretending nothing had happened. The teacher clapped twice. "Alright, we're starting the group assignment today. Five members per group. I've pre-arranged the teams." A soft groan rippled through the room, everyone knew this kind of grouping was a toss-up between survival and chaos. Haerin stared down at her desk, trying to disappear. Nana glanced sideways at her, whispering, "If we end up with Sooyeon I swear I'll... " "Group Three," the teacher announced, pointing at the projector. "Haerin, Nana, Jisoo..." Nana's eyes widened. "...Donghyuk, and Yuri." Yuri whispered a squeal. Donghyuk blinked like someone had thrown him into a reality show. Haerin's stomach turned. Jisoo... in their group? "Group Six," the teacher continued. "Sooyeon, Mijin, Haechan, Sunmi, and Jiwon." Sooyeon barely reacted. She was too busy side-eyeing the front of the room. She saw the names. She saw the distance. Her lip twitched. "Group One... Minjun, Taeyang, Jinwoo, Areum, and Sori." Minjun turned in his seat, eyebrows lifting as he saw the group lists finalize. He gave Haerin a playful thumbs up. She stared back, not knowing what to do with her face. Nana whispered, "We're dead. Or blessed. I can't tell." Jisoo, who hadn't spoken once since entering the classroom, glanced briefly at Haerin, then scribbled something in his notebook.

 The golden haze of late afternoon painted the school gates in warm light as students trickled out with tired chatter and clunky backpacks. Haerin and Nana walked side by side, steps dragging slightly from the emotional weight of the day. Suddenly, a sleek black Genesis G90 glided around the bend and came to a smooth stop just outside the gates. The windows were tinted, the chrome shined like it belonged in a drama scene, and even the engine sounded expensive. Two uniformed staff, one driver, one bodyguard, stepped out and opened the back doors almost in perfect sync. Minjun and Jisoo emerged, calm as ever. No visible surprise. No flaunting. But the air shifted around them like gravity had realigned. "Oh my God..." Nana stopped mid-step, grabbing Haerin's arm. "They're mad rich too?! This isn't fair, this isn't fair!" Haerin didn't respond immediately. Her lips parted just slightly, eyebrows rising in soft, stunned innocence. No jealousy. No awe. Just quiet realization, like watching puzzle pieces fall gently into place. "Let's go home, Nana," she said, voice steady, almost gentle. They turned away before the crowd could follow their expressions. Behind them, the car door clicked shut. But the echo lingered.

 The late afternoon sun trailed behind the girls as they stepped out onto the tree-lined street, the chatter of other students fading into the background. Nana was on a roll.  "I'm telling you, Minjun's smile has a gravitational pull. I almost left my soul behind in the cafeteria," she said dramatically, swinging her bag as they walked. Haerin stayed quiet, watching the sidewalk, her thoughts tangled. "And Jisoo?" Nana continued, unfazed. "He didn't even say much, but when he gave you that napkin? That was elite. Brooding yet considerate? It's giving main character energy." Haerin gave a small sigh. "Can we please not talk about them right now?" Nana blinked. "Wait, what? Why not?" Haerin looked away. "It's just... too much today. The spill, the fall, the group project, the... the everything." Nana nodded, pretending to zip her lips, but five steps later, she burst again. "But imagine if Minjun texts you, like, one day, randomly. 'Hey, Haerin. Want to study trig functions and fall in love?'" "Nana..." "Okay, okay. Last thing. Just imagine Jisoo actually speaks in full sentences during the group project. I bet it's poetry in disguise." Haerin's lips twitched. Silence settled for a few more steps, broken only by the sound of gravel crunching under their shoes. "...Okay, maybe they're a little interesting," Haerin muttered quietly. Nana grinned like she'd won the lottery.

 She suddenly gasped. "Oh my God... it's the weekend!" Haerin blinked at her, startled from her thoughts. Nana grabbed her wrist like the idea was life-saving. "Should we go shopping tomorrow? C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon! It'll be fun. At the mall. We'll walk through all the rich-people stores like we belong." Haerin was quiet, her steps slow, face unreadable. She looked straight ahead like she hadn't heard, but she had. Then, finally, her voice surfaced like a soft ripple. "...Okay, Nana." Nana squealed in victory, nearly jumping. "Yes! I'll text you tonight. Let's pick outfits that scream 'we don't care but we totally do.'" Behind them, the sun dipped lower, quietly blessing tomorrow's chaos.