“What? Min Yeoju, are you even smoking now? Haha.”
Yena glanced around to make sure no one was around before sneering at Yeoju.
Her sharp tone was a little irritating, but... well, this was still cute enough.
Yeoju looked down at Yena with cold eyes and replied.
“Oh? Doesn’t smoking suit me?”
Yena’s pupils shook as if waves had hit them at Yeoju’s unexpected response.
Of course, it was only natural—Yeoju had never once failed to react to Yena’s provocations.
But I’m Woo Jehee.
Someone like you doesn’t faze me, little one.
Just as tension crackled between Yeoju and Yena, the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs echoed.
As soon as she heard it, Yena widened her eyes dramatically, screamed, and slapped her own cheek.
“Kyaaaah—!”
Bang!
At the perfect timing, Yeoju was just about to clutch her cheek and collapse when the door swung open.
Judging by the urgent footsteps, the person must have been quite startled.
“He…!”
There lay Kim Yena, collapsed, with me—Min Yeoju—standing in front of her.
The scene was more than enough to create a serious misunderstanding.
So… that’s exactly what she was aiming for.
“What do you think you’re doing, Min Yeoju?”
Seokjin, who had checked on the crouching Yena, gently cupped her reddened cheek with a look of concern. Then, he lifted his head to glare at Yeoju.
But Yeoju only smirked, unfazed.
“Yena, your knight in shining armor has arrived! I guess it’s time for this intruder to step aside.”
“I saw what you did—just hope you don’t get caught.”
At Yeoju’s chilling gaze and eerie tone, Yena flinched, while Seokjin yelled at Yeoju, demanding an explanation.
Ignoring them, Yeoju turned to leave.
As Yena reassured Seokjin in a sweet voice that she was okay and forgave Yeoju, Yeoju paused at the rooftop door. She pulled out her phone—plain, with only a simple black case—and waved it.
“Yena, today was so much fun.”
“What?!”
Yena’s body stiffened as Seokjin shot to his feet in rage. He was about to charge at Yeoju when Yena quickly grabbed his arm, pretending to be delicate and weak.
Yeoju chuckled at the sight before flipping her phone screen toward them.
[Recording in progress]
“Oh my, looks like we have a lot to talk about, don’t we? Hehe.”
Yeoju covered her mouth and laughed as Yena’s face twisted in horror.
Ah, Kim Yena.
You’re making me want to break you all over again.
Crunch, crunch.
Yena nervously bit her nails as Taehyung, her desk partner, noticed and grabbed her hand in concern.
“Yena, what’s wrong? You’ve been biting your nails nonstop.”
“Huh? Oh, nothing… hehe.”
Yena forced a smile, but Taehyung’s worry only deepened.
Then, as if coming to a realization, his expression hardened.
“…Is it because of Min Yeoju?”
“Huh…?”
“Are you acting like this because of Min Yeoju?”
“I-It’s not—”
Yena was about to deny it, but then a thought struck her.
If Taehyung confronted Yeoju, maybe she could use that chance to steal the phone.
So, she quickly changed her words, lowering her head with teary eyes.
“Yes, Taehyung… I’m struggling so much.”
A single tear slid down Yena’s cheek.
That was all it took.
Taehyung immediately shot up from his seat and stormed toward Min Yeoju.
Watching him go, Yena smirked.
Completely unaware that someone was watching her.
“…Things are getting interesting.”
Bang!
Taehyung slammed the classroom door open with enough force to crack the glass window.
Then, without hesitation, he grabbed Yeoju by the collar just as she was quietly organizing her books.
“What the hell did you say to Yena?”
“…What nonsense are you spouting?”
Despite being grabbed by the collar, Yeoju remained still and simply spoke.
Taehyung scoffed.
“Hah—”
“Is this another pathetic way to get attention? You torment someone behind their back and act indifferent in front of others?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
Taehyung ignored her response and continued.
“If you’re so obsessed with us, just shut up and stay quiet. Why mess with Yena?”
“…What?”
“Wow… You’re really shameless. Are you really going to deny it until the end, you—”
“Shut up.”
“Do you seriously think I—like you?”
“…What?”
“You followed us around like a lost puppy at the beginning of the semester. Did you forget that?”
“…What the hell are you talking about? I don’t like you guys.”
For a person devoid of emotions, a sociopath, love was an utterly foreign concept.
To Yeoju—no, Jehee—love was nothing more than a useless feeling.
For someone like her, the idea that she was secretly in love with them was not only ridiculous but offensive.
But Taehyung, unaware of this, thought Yeoju was just refusing to admit her mistake.
“You little—!!”
Blinded by rage, Taehyung raised his hand to strike Yeoju.
Just before his palm connected with her cheek—
A firm grip caught his wrist.
“What do you think you’re doing, Kim Taehyung?”
“…What? Park Jimin?”
Seeing that it was Jimin who stopped him, Taehyung let out a sigh and relaxed his expression.
“Hey, perfect timing. Min Yeoju’s at it again—wait, are you here because of that too—”
“What do you think you’re doing, Kim Taehyung?”
Jimin’s tone remained eerily calm as he stared at Taehyung with a blank expression.
“…What are you trying to say, Park Jimin?”
“Oh, nothing much. Just wondering—how could Min Yeoju harass Kim Yena when she was with me the whole time?”
“…What?”
Shock flashed across Taehyung’s face as he turned to Yeoju.
“…Is that true, Min Yeoju?”
I was just as surprised as him.
But if someone’s willing to back me up, why should I refuse?
“Yeah. I was with Park Jimin.”
Jimin grinned at my answer, looking strangely satisfied.
For the first time, Yeoju thought to herself—
Maybe… he’s even crazier than I am.