As they stepped out of the staff room, Aera caught up with In-su, her eyes fiery with determination.
"Let's study together. All of us," she said, walking beside him. "We'll get above 80. Make Mr. Kim eat his words and apologize."
In-su stopped, looked at her, and scoffed. "What do you want? It's my problem. Mind your own business."
And with that, he turned and walked away.
Aera stared at his back, mouth slightly open. "mInD yOuR oWn bUsInEsS," she mimicked in a mocking mumble, rolling her eyes. "Ugh, emo much?"
Back in the classroom, she told everyone what happened, how Mr. Kim insulted them, how Mr. Dev stood up for them, and the ridiculous challenge about scoring 80+.
Most of the class just blinked at her. One girl even gasped, "80+? On chemistry? Girl, we're just trying not to get negative marks."
"It's not impossible!" Aera said, more to herself than them. But inside, she wondered… Is it really that hard here?
That evening, she called In-su, her voice firm. "Come to the library. We're starting group study. Be there."
He didn't argue. Lia, overhearing, nodded. "Count me in."
Jake, who never missed a chance to be around Lia, perked up. "Oh, study group? I'm in too!"
One by one, more classmates joined in, encouraged by the buzz.
But when they reached the library, it was already closed.
Jake shrugged, smirking. "You all can come to my place. My parents are out, and we've got space."
Aera quickly called home. "I'm not coming for dinner, Mom. Staying at a friend's house."
"WHAT?! Whose house? Is it a boy?! What are you doing—"
"Don't worry," Aera cut her off. "Hanging up now. Byee."
Click.
At Jake's place aka rich kid mansion, they all gathered in the living room. Books and snacks were everywhere. Aera took charge, explaining concepts like a mini-professor.
But midway through a sentence, she paused, feeling someone's eyes on her.
She looked up.
In-su was staring at her. Intensely. Like really staring.
She narrowed her eyes. "Why aren't you paying attention?"
"Explain what I just said then," she challenged.
In-su leaned back with a smirk. "You said the solubility of a salt increases in an acidic medium if it has a basic anion blah blah Le Chatelier, basically, I got it."
Her jaw dropped. "So you were just messing with me?"
He chuckled a soft, genuine sound she hadn't heard before. It was beautiful. His usual cold face lit up.
"You should laugh more often," she said before she could stop herself.
Lia fake coughed loudly. "Ahem, lovebirds, maybe after we survive Chemistry?"
Jake, ever the flirt, chimed in, "Don't worry, Lia. If you're jealous, I'm free!"
The room burst into laughter.
Aera smiled, her heart quietly full. I always dreamed of moments like this… and I'm getting them before I die. I'm lucky.
In-su noticed the shift in her eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.
She shook her head, brushing it off. "Nothing."
But he didn't look convinced.
Later that night, they all crashed in the guesthouse since Jake's parents were out and there were enough rooms. Aera shared one with Lia and another friend.
But she woke up thirsty. Padding down quietly for water, she saw a figure on the couch in the dim moonlight.
It was In-su.
She stepped closer. "Can't sleep?"
He didn't turn. "Mmhm."
She walked over and stood beside him, looking out the window. "Isn't the moon beautiful?"
He finally glanced at her and said softly, "Not as beautiful as you."
Her heart skipped.
"Hey, why so romantic, sir?" she teased, playfully elbowing him.
"Nothing," he muttered, suddenly emotionless. "Let's go sleep. Good night."
He walked off before she could say anything else.
Aera stared at his retreating back.
Sometimes he's moody. Sometimes he's a whole romantic drama hero. Is he pregnant or something?
Shaking her head with a little laugh, she went back to bed.