checkmate. | pi hanwool

Chapter 18

Gamin grinned. "You know I always get what I want."

Gaeun sighed in defeat. "Fine. But if I see one cockroach, I’m leaving."

And just like that, the study group’s first real challenge began—cleaning up their so-called ‘room.’

The study group wasted no time getting to work. Though they had complained at first, they were now determined to turn the dusty storage room into a proper study space.

Jiwoo and Sehyun worked on removing all the junk—stacks of old books, broken chairs, and random clutter. Heewon battled the cobwebs, swinging a broom aggressively in the corners.

"This is disgusting," she muttered, her face scrunched up in horror.

"Careful," Jun teased. "You’re gonna wake up some ancient spider king."

"Don’t even say that!" Heewon shrieked.

Meanwhile, Gaeun and Jun were tasked with carrying out the recyclable trash. They hauled a heavy bag filled with discarded papers, bottles, and cardboard down the stairs, grumbling the entire way.

"Why am I doing this again?" Gaeun muttered.

"Because teamwork builds character," Jun said, grinning.

"If I wanted to build character, I’d read a book," she shot back.

After dumping the recyclables into the bin outside, the two of them made their way back up the stairs.

But before they could reach the next landing, someone stepped in their way.

Gaeun barely had to glance up to recognize him. Hanwool.

Her brows furrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line.

Jun, standing beside her, raised a brow. "Uh… should I leave you two alone?"

"Yes," Gaeun answered immediately.

Jun gave her a look but shrugged. "Alright, alright. Try not to kill each other." With that, he continued up the stairs, leaving them alone.

Gaeun crossed her arms and met Hanwool’s gaze. "What now?"

Hanwool’s sharp gaze trailed over her, and then his lips quirked into a smirk. "You look like shit."

Gaeun blinked, then scoffed. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Hanwool said casually, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "You’ve got dust in your hair, your face is smudged, and—" He squinted. "Is that cobweb on your sleeve?"

Gaeun’s eyes widened slightly before she quickly patted herself down, shaking off any lingering dust. "We’ve been cleaning, you idiot!"

Hanwool chuckled. "Sure. But you look like you fought a vacuum and lost."

Gaeun scowled at him. "And you look like a stray dog who just crawled out of an alley, but you don’t see me pointing it out."

Hanwool raised a brow. "A stray dog?"

Gaeun smirked, satisfied with her insult. "Yeah. You always look like you’re about to get into a fight or brood in some dark alley. Real mysterious delinquent vibes, y'know?"

Hanwool let out a dry chuckle. "Better than looking like a walking dust bunny."

Gaeun gasped. "You—!" She huffed, glaring up at him. "Do you ever say something nice?"

He shrugged. "Depends on who I’m talking to."

She rolled her eyes. "Wow, how charming."

Hanwool’s smirk faded slightly, and he tilted his head. "So, you’re really okay with this?"