“Everyone, listen up!” their teacher announced, clapping her hands at the front of the music room. “You’ll be working in pairs for your midterm project — a duet performance. I’ll assign partners randomly.”
Y/N froze. She hated random pairings. Every time fate got involved, it went wrong.
Kea leaned over and whispered, “Manifesting Jake.”
Maria whispered back, “Manifesting Sunghoon.”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “I’m manifesting anyone but Jay.”
As if the universe was waiting for her to say that, the teacher scanned her list and said cheerfully, “Jay Park and Y/N!”
The room erupted in giggles and gasps.
Y/N’s jaw dropped. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Jay looked over from his seat, the ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips. “Guess you’re stuck with me, Coffee Girl.”
Kea was clutching Maria’s arm, whispering, “This is a fanfic in real life. Oh my gosh.”
Maria sighed softly, “Poor Y/N. She’s never catching a break.”
---
After class, Jay sauntered over, casual as ever. “Hey, partner.”
“Don’t call me that,” Y/N said, stuffing her notebook into her bag.
“Why not? We’re partners now.”
“You’re only happy because you get to make my life miserable.”
He grinned. “That’s a bonus.”
Y/N rolled her eyes and started walking, but he matched her pace. “You sing, right?” he asked.
“Obviously. This is a performance class.”
“Good,” Jay said, nodding. “Then let’s meet after class tomorrow to practice. Studio 3.”
She blinked. “Wait, you’re actually taking this seriously?”
“Of course. I’m not about to lose to Jungwon and Sunoo again.”
“Wow,” she muttered. “So I’m just your strategy?”
Jay flashed a teasing smile. “Nah. You’re my lucky charm.”
Y/N’s heart skipped a beat—just one. Then she quickly looked away. “You’re unbelievable.”
---
The next afternoon, she showed up to Studio 3 with a notebook full of song ideas. Jay was already there, sitting on the piano bench, tapping out a melody with casual confidence.
He looked up when she entered. “You’re late.”
“I’m two minutes early,” she said, dropping her bag.
He smirked. “Exactly. Late by Jay Standard Time.”
She groaned. “Remind me why I agreed to this?”
“Because I’m talented and handsome?”
“Because it’s graded,” she snapped, but her lips twitched in spite of herself.
---
They started practicing — and to Y/N’s surprise, Jay was… good. Really good. His voice was smooth, deep, and blended perfectly with hers. When they sang together, the air in the room felt electric, like something more than just notes was connecting them.
But of course, Jay noticed.
He smirked mid-verse. “You’re blushing, Coffee Girl.”
Y/N stopped playing and threw her pencil at him. “I’m not—”
“Totally are.”
She crossed her arms. “You’re impossible.”
He chuckled, leaning back against the piano. “And you’re fun to annoy. Good teamwork.”
Y/N huffed, turning away to hide her smile.
---
Hours later, as they packed up, Jay surprised her by saying quietly, “You’re actually really good, you know.”
She blinked. “What?”
“Your voice,” he said, not looking at her. “You sing with… feeling. It’s rare.”
Y/N felt her chest tighten a little. It wasn’t the words—it was the way he said them. Like he meant it.
“Thanks,” she murmured, unsure where to look.
Then Jay’s teasing tone returned. “Don’t let it get to your head, Coffee Girl.”
She groaned. “And there it is.”
He grinned, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Same time tomorrow?”
Y/N hesitated. “Yeah. Same time.”
---
As he left the room, Kea popped her head through the doorway. “So? Did you guys fight?”
Y/N sighed, gathering her papers. “Not exactly.”
Maria joined her, smiling knowingly. “Not yet, you mean.”
Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop smiling.
For someone who was “definitely not her type,” Jay had a way of making her heart beat just a little faster every time he looked at her.
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