chapter 2

Library Lawn – An Hour Later

The sky dulled into a soft gray, transforming the campus into a golden haze, making it feel calmer. Mirae and Ray had moved to the library lawn, claiming their usual spot beneath the leafless cherry tree.

Ray stretched out on the grass, eyes squinting up toward the clouds. Mirae leaned against the trunk beside him, flipping through her notes, half-distracted.

"I think I'm skipping dinner."

"You always say that before ordering ramen," Ray replied, arms behind his head.

"I mean it this time."

"Mm-hm."

She nudged him with her foot. He caught it lightly, grinning.

"You're annoying," she said.

"You're welcome."

Across the path, Ren stood alone now. His clubmates had moved on, but he hadn't. From where he was, he could see them clearly—Mirae's quiet stillness, Ray's untamed ease. People mistook that stillness for coldness. They mistook Ray's ease for flirtation.

Mirae is grateful to have Ray in her life.

The way he always knew what Mirae was thinking. The way he listened—not just to her words, but her silences.

"Cute girl," someone said nearby.

Ren didn't look. "Yeah," he answered absently.

Club Orientation Day – Auditorium

The auditorium was a flurry of movement—first-years shuffled from table to table, voices tangled in an indistinct hum. Club leaders barked instructions, upperclassmen hovered with clipboards, and everything felt too loud, too rushed.

Ray and Mirae stood side by side near the back, as if the noise couldn't touch them there. He stood with his hands in his pockets, watching her the way someone might watch for a storm—quietly, knowing it was always coming but still never quite ready.

Mirae exhaled softly. "If we get separated, you're not allowed to make that pouty face."

"I don't pout."

"You do. It's your default when I'm not around."

He smirked, just a little. "Then don't leave."

"Not in my control, genius."

And it wasn't. Seconds later, the coordinators began calling names.

"Mirae Yun. Group Two. Logistics. Noah, a third-year senior, will brief you."

Mirae stiffened slightly. Ray didn't miss it.

He turned toward the staff table. "Wait, is there a—"

"Ray Han," the voice cut him off. "Group Three. Event Setup. Under Ren."

Mirae gave a short, knowing sigh. "Figures."

Ray looked at her, expression unreadable. "You, okay?"

"Ray."

"I'm serious."

"I'll live," she said, but her voice was too soft for the noise around them.

He hesitated, watching her retreat as she moved toward her assigned team. The instant she was a few steps away, his head turned automatically, eyes following her like muscle memory. He didn't even try to hide it.

Across the room, Ren leaned casually near a side wall, arms folded, eyes flicking lazily between students. But as Mirae passed through the crowd, his gaze stilled—watching her.

She moved like someone who didn't care who was watching—but still always drew eyes.

Ray was still looking.

"Your group's this way," a smooth voice said beside him.

Ray turned, surprised to find Ren beside him now, clipboard in hand, watching him with a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"You're with me."

Ray gave a reluctant nod, but as they walked, he kept glancing back—always toward Mirae.

Ren noticed.

He didn't say anything. But there was the faintest twitch at the corner of his lips.

"Is she your girlfriend or your shadow?" Ren asked offhandedly, voice low enough to sound casual.

Ray didn't answer, but his jaw ticked.

Ren looked away, chuckling under his breath. "Guess I'll find out eventually."

And like that, he turned and walked ahead,

leaving Ray to follow.

From across the room, Mirae paused for a moment too long as Noah explained something. Her eyes scanned the crowd—not obviously, not intentionally—but still, they found Ray.

Just once.

Then she looked away.

Orientation Hall – Late Afternoon

The energy in the hall had shifted. Group activities were underway—loud music, folding tables, stacks of flyers, and cardboard displays being rushed into place. The chaos was layered and sharp.

Mirae stood near the logistics booth, her hair tied up hastily, sleeves rolled as she carried a stack of folded banners. Noah, the senior leading her team, barely spoke—just nodded in approval occasionally. He seemed more curious than commanding.

Ray was across the hall, eyes trailing Mirae every few seconds despite Ren handing him a heavy crate and rattling off instructions.

"You've looked back at her five times in one minute," Ren said quietly, without glancing up.

Ray didn't respond.

"She'll be fine," Ren added. "She looks like she's bitten people before."

Ray managed a dry smile. "She has."

Suddenly—a slip.

Mirae, stepping back with her arms full, didn't see the coiled mic wire behind her. Her heel caught. The stack in her hands tilted. She stumbled—too quick, no time to recover.

But there was a blur before the fall.

Ray—crashing past a table and skidding in without thought—arms around her before she could even gasp. The banners scattered, forgotten. All noise in the room seemed to pause, stunned by the movement.

Ray's body shielded hers, his hands steadying her by the waist, forehead almost touching hers. His breath was fast, her eyes wide.

"You, okay?" he breathed.

Mirae blinked. "I didn't see it..."

"I did."

They stayed like that for a beat too long. Not touching beyond what was necessary—but close enough for the air between them to crackle.

The room around them exhaled. A few whispers. A girl near the booth whispered, "That's lovely right there."

"God, they're like... inseparable," someone else added.

Noah watched with mild interest. Ren stood

farther back, unreadable—but his gaze didn't leave Ray.

Ray finally let go and took a half step back. Mirae straightened her shoulders, brushing dust from her skirt like nothing happened.

"You didn't have to jump like a hero," she mumbled.

"You were falling," he said. "What was I supposed to do, let you faceplant?"

Mirae avoided his eyes. "Still. Don't make a scene."

Ray shrugged. "Then stop making me worry."

He turned to walk back to his team, but not before glancing one last time to make sure she was steady.

Mirae watched him go, face unreadable—but her fingers had curled slightly into her palm.

Later That Evening – Campus Courtyard

Evening settled like watercolor across the sky—muted purples, soft golds, and fading warmth. The hum of orientation day still echoed faintly through the campus, but the crowds had thinned, giving way to smaller, quieter clusters of students.

Ray stood alone near the vending machine, two bubble teas in hand. He didn't even glance at the drinks—his eyes were locked across the plaza.

There she was.

Mirae emerged from the activity hall, a bit disheveled but composed as ever. Sleeves pushed up, strands of hair escaping her messy ponytail, and that usual unreadable look in her eyes. A pen was still tucked behind her ear.

She scanned the area—and spotted him. No smile. No wave. Just... made her way toward him, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Ray met her halfway, holding out one of the drinks.

"You drank mine again," she said, arching a brow.

"Safety check. Someone has to make sure you're not poisoned."

"I should be charging you for being this dramatic."

"You'd be broke. I'm priceless."

Without a word, she took the drink and made a beeline for the tree near the courtyard's edge, settling into the grass with ease. Ray dropped down beside her, close—close enough that their arms touched for a heartbeat.

"I saw you sketching during the club talk," he said, peering over. "Were you drawing me again?"

Mirae didn't answer. Instead, she flipped her sketchpad and passed it to him silently.

On the corner of a half-drawn scene—students, banners, the club stage—was a quick, sharply detailed sketch of Ray. Mid-laugh. His head tilted slightly, expression caught in a moment he didn't know she'd seen.

He blinked. "You drew me."

"I draw interesting faces."

He smirked. "You think I'm interesting?"

"I think you talk too much. Keeps your face moving."

Ray leaned sideways until his head rested lightly against her shoulder. Mirae didn't flinch, didn't shove him off.

"You're warm," he said softly.

"You're heavy."

"You didn't push me off."

"You didn't spill my tea."

A beat passed. Then another.

From across the courtyard, a few upperclassmen walking by slowed down. A couple of first-years at the vending machine tilted their heads, whispering as they pointed—pretending not to stare.

"I swear they're dating."

"Look at him leaning on her."

"She's drawing him?"

"They're like... obsessed with each other."

"They have to be together."

Ray caught a few of the looks and didn't bother hiding his grin. "We're causing a scene again."

"We're sitting under a tree," Mirae said.

"You're drawing me like one of your French boys."

"I'm ignoring you."

He nudged her gently.

She didn't answer immediately. Just kept shading the curve of a sleeve in her sketch.

Ray tilted his head up to look at her.

Mirae glanced at him sideways, lips barely twitching.

And yet, she didn't move his head off her shoulder.

And Ray didn't move away.

From the outside, it looked like love.

From the inside... maybe it was something more complicated than that.

The Next Morning – Outside Computer Science 101

Campus mornings had their rhythm—bike wheels spinning on dewy pavement, vending machines humming, and students pretending they weren't late.

But this morning buzzed with more than just caffeine. It carried whispers, giggles, and poorly disguised stares.

Mirae kept her hood up and headphones in, cutting through the noise like she didn't hear any of it.

She heard everything.

"Main characters for real."

"They were under the tree. Like a scene."

"She drew him."

"He leaned on her."

"Must be nice..."

She hadn't checked the posts, but Yoi had sent one to her phone anyway. A candid photo from last night—Ray leaning on her shoulder, both of them smiling faintly like the world wasn't watching.

Too close to be "just friends," the caption read.

Mirae didn't open it.

Yoi caught up with her at the steps to their lecture building, hair half-braided, tote bag slung across her chest, holding a paper coffee cup from the art building café.

She studied Liberal Arts but always found her way to the STEM side. Mirae never questioned it.

"Miss Mirae Future-Love-Interest, good morning."

"Yoi, don't start."

"I've been waiting for this moment. All those years of watching you push people away—then bam, our girl gets shoulder-cuddled by the campus favorite."

Mirae sighed. "It wasn't like that."

"Right. You draw everyone's faces like that. With soft shading and sketchbook affection."

"I was practicing expressions."

Yoi raised an eyebrow. "And let him nap on your shoulder because...?"

"He was tired."

"Mirae."

Silence.

Yoi smiled, but her voice softened. "Look, I'm not teasing to be mean. I just think maybe you're not as unaffected as you pretend."

Mirae gripped the strap of her bag tighter.

"That's the problem."

Yoi blinked. "Problem?"

Before Mirae could answer, her eyes flicked ahead—Ray, walking toward them like he belonged at the center of every hallway. He was in his usual loose shirt and lazy confidence, holding two coffees.

One was always hers.

"Oii Yoii.. stealing my girl?"

"This one's mine, though," Yoi smirked.

"Liberal Arts is still corrupting your brain, huh, Yoi?" he said, offering Mirae the drink without missing a beat.

"She could do worse than us tech nerds," Mirae replied.

Ray turned to Mirae. "Black, no sugar, extra shot. Told you I remember."

Mirae accepted the cup, their fingers brushing just long enough to freeze her breath. "I didn't ask."

"You never do."

Yoi stepped back a little, watching them like an audience member unwilling to miss a single line. "You two realize you've gone viral, right?"

Ray sipped his drink, unconcerned. "Good lighting under that tree."

"Better chemistry," Yoi quipped.

Mirae didn't respond. She was still replaying last night—not the crowd, not the whispers—but the way he had leaned on her like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And the way she'd let him.

She should've pushed him off. She normally would've.

But she hadn't.

"Class is starting," Mirae said, her voice steadier than she felt.

Yoi gave her a knowing look. "Right. Go sit next to your definitely-not-boyfriend."

Ray held the door for them both. "You jealous?"

"Of her? No. Of you? Maybe." Yoi smirked as she walked away down the hall to her building.

Mirae rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. Ray caught it.

They walked into the lecture hall—shoulder to shoulder, coffee in hand, like two people who belonged.

And maybe, just maybe, they did.

Computer Science 101 – Lecture Hall

The classroom wasn't anything special—rows of tired desks, buzzing projector, and whiteboards that looked like they'd seen decades of equations.

But when Mirae and Ray walked in together, it might as well have been a stage.

Eyes turned. Whispers began again, low and obvious.

"They're here."

"Look at how he looks at her."

"She didn't even smile like that with anyone else."

"Honestly, they're couple goals."

Mirae didn't flinch this time. She simply slid into her seat near the window, the one she always chose, and pulled her tablet from her bag.

Ray dropped into the seat beside her—like it was his.

No words exchanged, just that comfortable silence between people who didn't need to try.

But under the calm... it was different today.

Ray leaned in, just enough to bump her arm. "You okay?"

Mirae didn't look at him. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You didn't finish your drink earlier."

She paused, fingers still on the stylus. "...Wasn't thirsty."

Ray gave a quiet huff of breath. Not quite a laugh, not quite frustration. "You've been sketching circles for the past five minutes."

She finally turned to him. His gaze held hers—soft, curious, just a little concerned.

Too concerned.

That's the thing about Ray. He noticed the smallest things. She wasn't used to that.

And that's what scared her most.

Before she could deflect again, the door at the back creaked open.

Heads turned.

Ren.

One of the most well-known Business major third years on campus. People whispered about him like he was carved from marble and wrapped in elegance. Tall, sharp-jawed, always in black—like he knew he didn't need color to be noticed. But why is he here?

He walked down the steps with a casual grace and sat toward the back,

headphones half-on, not even pretending to care about the curious glances.

But his eyes? They flicked once.

Toward Mirae.

Then Ray.

And lingered.

Just long enough to smirk.

Ray caught it. His expression didn't change, but his posture did—leaning subtly closer to Mirae, one arm draped lazily behind her seat.

He didn't know why Ren had looked at them like that.

But something about it made his chest twist.

Mirae raised a brow.

He shrugged, looked away, hiding the stupid grin threatening his face.

The professor finally arrived, and the lights dimmed for the slideshow. The lecture began.

But neither of them heard a word.

Back Row – Ren's Perspective

He watched the two silhouettes at the front row—how close they sat, how Mirae's shoulder barely leaned toward Ray when she laughed softly, how Ray kept glancing sideways even while pretending to take notes.

Ren tapped a pen idly against his knee, his smirk growing.

Everyone thought they were a couple.

Everyone wanted them to be a couple.

Which made this... more entertaining.

Classroom – Mid-lecture

The professor's voice droned in the background, words blending into static as Mirae tapped her stylus distractedly against her screen. Ray, beside her, was leaning back with one leg casually crossed over the other, gaze forward—but his mind elsewhere.

He stole a glance at her.

Her brows were furrowed again.

Not angry. Just... overthinking. Again.

He tilted his head slightly. "Stop thinking so loud."

Mirae looked at him, caught off guard. "What?"

"You're drawing the same flower for the fourth time."

She looked down. The petals were messy,

a little darker than usual. Her lips pressed into a flat line.

"Didn't know you counted."

"I always count," he murmured, softer now.

Mirae glanced sideways at him—longer this time. She didn't smile. But her eyes lingered.

From the back row, Ren leaned forward slightly, resting an elbow on the desk. His gaze flicked between them. The tilt of Ray's body. The soft edges in Mirae's expression. The way their words were too quiet for anyone else to hear.

It was subtle.

But Ren didn't miss subtleties.

The corner of his mouth lifted.

Lovers, huh? he thought lazily, though something about that didn't sit quite right.

Break Time – Just Outside the Lecture Hall

The hallway buzzed with students pouring out, chatting, laughing, rushing to vending machines or next classes.

Ray stayed behind Mirae like always, like a quiet shadow. His presence wasn't loud, but somehow constant—like the space beside her always belonged to him.

Ren stepped out a moment later, phone in hand, half-pretending to text.

Mirae turned toward Ray. "We've got club activities after next class, right?"

Ray nodded. "Yeah. Planning committee thing."

She groaned. "That's not fair. We got roped into that."

"You got roped in. I volunteered."

She blinked. "You what?"

Ray shrugged. "Someone has to keep you from getting kidnapped by paperwork."

Mirae rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth tugged upward.

Behind them, Ren watched it all—the way she smiled differently at Ray, like the world melted a little. And the way Ray looked at her, almost unaware that his gaze was softer than usual.

"Cute," Ren muttered, barely audible.

Mirae caught the word. She turned slightly.

"You said something?"

Ren slid his phone into his pocket. "Nothing at all. Just admiring the school's best couple in action."

Mirae's face didn't change.

Ray, however, took a step forward—just slightly closer, unintentionally blocking Mirae with his shoulder.

"You good?" he asked her, without breaking eye contact with Ren.

Mirae touched Ray's wrist gently, a silent signal. "Let's go. We'll be late."

They walked off, side by side again. But this time, something hung in the air between them—something unspoken.

Ray's hand brushed against hers once.

She didn't pull away.

After Class – Club Hallway

The club list had finally gone up. Fresh assignments for the semester, each pair marked clearly. Mirae leaned in to read, Ray just a step behind her, his eyes scanning faster.

Silence.

Ray felt the grip in his chest before he could even name it.

Mirae tilted her head. "Huh. Noah?"

Ray didn't say anything. Not at first. But she could sense the subtle shift in him—his shoulders stiffer, voice quieter.

Noah walked up beside them, calm and confident. "Looks like we're partners, Mirae."

She gave him a polite nod. "Seems like it."

Ray finally spoke, his voice smooth but clipped. "What's the task?"

"Booth coordination for the inter-department fest," Ren chimed in from behind, clearly enjoying himself. "And guess what? Separate locations. Different timings. All week."

Ray turned slightly, jaw tightening. "Great planning."

Ren grinned. "I try my best."

There was a beat of silence. Mirae looked between the names again. "It's just a week," she said to no one in particular. Maybe to herself. Maybe to Ray.

Ray didn't answer. Instead, he turned to her and gently pulled her aside, out of earshot.

"You sure you're okay with this?"

She gave him a small smile. "You think I'll get lost without you?"

He didn't smile back. "Not lost. Just... I don't like it-"

She blinked. Her voice dropped. "Ray..."

He exhaled, frustrated. "Forget it. Just... don't skip your breaks. Text me."

She studied him for a long moment, lips parted like she wanted to say more—but the moment passed.

From a distance, Ren leaned against the wall, arms folded. Watching. Waiting.

Then came the jab. "She's not yours to worry over, you know."

Ray turned slowly. "You want to test that theory?"

Ren raised his brows, amused.

But before anything could stir further, Mirae called softly, "Ray."

His gaze snapped back to her. She looked calm, but her eyes held that quiet ache he knew too well.

"You'll be okay, right?"

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I'll manage."

Later That Day – Club Activity Zones

The open courtyard had transformed into chaos. Teams working everywhere, laughter and commotion, distant music playing from someone's speaker.

Mirae sat on the bench with her sketchpad, going over design ideas for the booth. Noah leaned beside her, close but not invasive.

"You draw fast."

"Years of practice," she replied lightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Must be nice," Noah murmured. "Having someone always watching your back."

She glanced at him, surprised by the shift in tone.

"I mean, Ray," he added casually. "He watches you like you're glass."

Mirae smiled faintly. "He always does."

"Not scared he'll shatter you by mistake?"

She turned back to her sketch. "He won't."

Across the courtyard, Ray stood with his team, eyes darting in her direction more times than he realized. His fists clenched loosely at his sides.

She was laughing at something Noah said. Not loud. But enough.

Enough to make his chest feel too tight.

Evening – University Commons

The sky had softened to dusky purple, the streetlamps flickering on one by one. Students still lingered around the benches, some laughing over takeout, others hunched over laptops. It was that hour between chaos and calm.

Ray sat at one of the stone ledges, a half-finished drink beside him, headphones around his neck, though nothing played. He wasn't looking for her—but he was always aware of her.

And then—

Footsteps.

He looked up just as Mirae walked into view, tote bag slipping off her shoulder, her fingers brushing hair from her cheek.

Their eyes met. Pause.

No words at first.

"You done for the day?" Ray asked, his voice soft.

Mirae nodded, adjusting the strap on her bag. "Noah walked with me halfway. He left for the library."

Ray didn't reply. Just looked down at his drink, then back at her. "You look tired."

She offered a small smile. "I am. These people are not easy to work with."

"You handled them."

"Barely."

There was a silence, but not an awkward one. Just heavy.