INK AND SHADOWS [???]

The air in the teachers' lounge was heavy with concern. Mr. Han, the head of the academic committee, adjusted his glasses and sighed.

"Exams are just around the corner, and Park Jongseong's grades are nowhere near passing."

Ms. Choi, the literature teacher, leaned forward. "We can't afford for him to fail. His parents are significant donors to this school. If they find out, it won't just be Jongseong who's in trouble—it'll be all of us."

Mr. Han nodded. "We need to take action. He's not responding to our usual methods. Maybe we can pair him with someone who can tutor him."

"What about Jung Hara?" Ms. Choi suggested.

"She's one of our top students, and I think she's patient enough to handle someone like Jongseong."

_

Hara sat frozen in her seat as Mr. Han explained the plan to her after class.

"You've always been an exemplary student, Hara. We're asking you to help Jongseong prepare for the exams," he said, his tone firm yet pleading.

Hara's heart sank. The idea of spending time alone with Jay made her stomach churn.

What if he recognized her? What if he remembered?

"Mr. Han, I... I don't think I'm the right person for this," she stammered.

"Hara," Mr. Han said, leaning forward, "you're the best candidate. Jongseong needs someone like you. Please think about it."

Jay's reaction was no better when he heard the news from Ms. Choi.

"You've got to be kidding me," he scoffed, crossing his arms.

"You want me to study with her? Hara's the biggest nerd in school."

Ms. Choi's patience was wearing thin.

"This isn't up for debate, Jongseong. If you don't improve your grades, there will be consequences."

"Fine," Jay muttered, slouching back in his chair.

"But don't expect me to enjoy it."

_

The first tutoring session was awkward, to say the least.

They met in the library after school, the silence between them broken only by the rustle of papers and the scratch of pens.

Jay leaned back in his chair, tapping his pencil against the table, clearly uninterested.

"If you're not going to take this seriously, why are we even here?" Hara snapped, finally breaking the silence.

Jay smirked. "Because the teachers are forcing me to."

Hara sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Look, I don't want to be here either, but if you fail, it's going to cause problems for everyone. Can you at least try?"

Jay's smirk faltered. He didn't respond but picked up his pen and started scribbling half-heartedly on his worksheet.

Over the next few days, their sessions continued in the same strained manner. Hara's patience wore thin as Jay's rebellious attitude persisted.

"This is pointless," Jay said one evening, pushing his books aside.

"You're the one making it pointless," Hara shot back, her voice rising. "Do you think this is fun for me? I could be doing a million other things, but I'm here, trying to help you. And you don't even care!"

Hara gasped, shocked by her own outburst. She quickly covered her mouth, her eyes widening as she realized what she had just done.

Lowering her head, she mumbled, "Sorry" hoping it would diffuse the tension.

Her heart pounded as a new fear crept in–had he seen her tongue piercing?

Jay's smirk faded into something unreadable.

For a moment, he stared at her, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he didn't say anything about it.

Instead, he leaned back in his chair again, twirling his pencil between his fingers.

"Whatever" he muttered, through his tone lacked its usual edge.

_

It was late when they finally wrapped up.

Hara glanced at her watch and groaned. The last bus had already left.

Gathering her things, she muttered a quick goodbye and started walking home.

Jay watched her from the library's window, his jaw tightening.

He stepped outside, straddling his superbike, the engine roaring to life.

From a distance, he saw her walking alone, her small frame illuminated by the streetlights.

For a brief moment, he considered offering her a ride.

But his ego got the better of him.

"She'll be fine," he muttered under his breath, speeding off into the night.

Yet, as the wind rushed past him, he couldn't shake the image of her walking alone from his mind.