Hwang Hyunjin

The gym was packed with basketball players. The echo of the bouncing ball, the squeaking of sneakers, and voices filled the air. It wasn't just any practice: whenever Hyunjin played, there were always people watching. Not just because he was good, but because he was Hyunjin: tall, confident, cool, and ridiculously popular. Several girls watched him; it wasn't unusual for them to confess their feelings… or for him to reject them without hesitation.

"If you're going to play like that, you'd better quit ," Bangchan says with a mocking smile.

—I don't need you to tell me what to do —Hyunjin replies, without looking at him.

"You're so... arrogant ," Yeji muttered, rolling her eyes.

Outside, you walk with a piece of paper in your hand. It's your first day as a transfer employee, and you'd gotten lost looking for the office. You see a door and decide to push it open, thinking it's a shortcut. Mistake.

You walk straight into the gym. The noise and stares hit you immediately. You stand still, completely out of place.

And then, you see him. Hyunjin. His eyes lock onto you as if the whole world has stopped for a second. He's not looking at you like any other curious girl; it's more… deep, intense, uncomfortable even for him.

"And her? " Minho says, squinting. "New, it shows, " Yeji replies indifferently .

But Hyunjin doesn't look away. Not a blink, not a movement, just you.

Changbin notices and speaks up. —Don't tell me you're interested in someone now…

Hyunjin clenches his jaw, clicks his tongue, and finally looks away… only to look back at you almost immediately.

"Go on, " he says, in his usual dry tone, but something about him isn't quite under control. His hands tremble slightly as he adjusts the shirt. For the first time, his absolute control is showing cracks.