INK AND SHADOWS [???]

7

He paused, watching her in silence. The way her expression shifted—so serious, so passionate—caught him off guard.

A small smile tugged at his lips.

"What a weird nerd," he muttered before walking away.

_

Hara lost track of time as she painted, the clock on the wall forgotten.

When she finally glanced at her watch, her eyes widened in panic. Grabbing her things, she sprinted to the study café.

As she entered, she noticed the eerie silence. The usually bustling café was empty,

save for one figure—Jay.

He sat at a corner table, pen in hand, seemingly focused on his work.

Hara's heart fluttered as she watched him from afar.

He looked... different. Cute, even. Oh?

Taking a deep breath, she approached him. "Why is this place so empty?"

Jay glanced up and smirked. "I rented it. Just for us."

Her jaw dropped. "You what? Are you crazy?"

He shrugged. "What's the point of money if you don't use it?"

She shook her head, sitting down across from him.

"You're unbelievable."

"Have you eaten?" he asked casually.

"I'm not hungry," she lied, but her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.

Jay laughed, the sound surprisingly warm. "Yeah, sure. Let me order something."

"You don't have to—"

"Too late," he interrupted, waving over the waiter. He ordered for both of them, ignoring her protests.

As the food arrived, the atmosphere grew lighter.

"Wow the ramyeon and tteokboki look good" Hara eyes grew wider as she looked at the food in-front of her.

Jay gave her the chopstick, "Just eat whatever you want, we can order more if you want"

"You sure?" Hara hesitated.

"100% sure, Ms Jung" Jay eyes softened as he looked at her eating happily.

"I wish I can be rich like you and order whatever I wanted!"

"Aren't you rich too or am I wrong?" Jay asked as he took a bite of his ramyeon.

Hara became silent as she tried to think what she should answer him.

"I'm not rich... Okay?"

"No, you're not? Hell fucking no."

"What?"

"Have you ever realized what you are wearing everyday?" Jay looked at her disbelief.

"Hm?" Hara ignored him as she focused on her food.

"Then explain why you're bringing your Louis Vuitton backpack to school?"

Hara suddenly stopped munching her food. She tried to gather words in her head to explain at him.

"It... It is fake!" Hara explained half panic.

"Really?"

"Yea... Yeah! I bought it at the Dongdaemun market"

"Okay fine, I buy that" Jay replied as he rolled his eyes.

Finally, they ate, talked, and even laughed together, the tension between them slowly melting away.

After finishing their study session, Hara glanced at the clock and groaned. "I missed the last bus again."

Jay leaned back, his expression unreadable. "I'll take you home."

Her eyes widened. "No, it's fine. I'll manage."

He raised an eyebrow. "You have two choices: I walk you home, or you ride with me."

She hesitated but eventually gave in. "Fine. But drop me at the bus stop near my house."

Jay frowned. "Why?"

"Uhm my house is kinda complicated to go there and I don't want you to get lost in the streets"

"I can use Google Maps"

"My place doesn't have network access... So ya.."

"Hm?" Jay looked at her disbelief.

"Just... please."

He sighed but nodded. "Alright, nerd. Let's go."

The ride was quiet, the city lights blurring around them. As they reached the bus stop, Hara climbed off the bike, her heart pounding.

Jay looked at her, his usual smirk replaced by something softer.

"Goodnight, nerdy," he said, his voice teasing but gentle.

Her cheeks flushed as she watched him speed off into the night. Clutching her bag tightly, she whispered to herself,

"Maybe... maybe I really am falling for him."

_

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