Geum Seong-Je

The fake dating plan was supposed to be simple.

One favor. A few public appearances. Enough to stop people from asking questions.

You wanted an easy excuse to avoid the constant stream of people trying to set you up with someone. Seong-je wanted the endless gossip around the Union to finally leave him alone.

So the agreement was made.

Smile when people were watching.

Stand together often enough to make it believable.

Then go back to pretending nothing had changed.

Simple.

...It would've stayed simple if Geum Seong-je knew the meaning of "subtle."

The campus networking event was already packed by the time you arrived. Conversations overlapped beneath soft music while students and invited guests drifted between tables, exchanging introductions and business cards.

Seong-je had disappeared the moment the two of you walked in.

Typical.

You'd barely managed to finish introducing yourself to another student before a familiar voice cut through the conversation.

"Found you."

Heavy footsteps stopped beside you.

Seong-je slipped one hand casually into his pocket, giving the person across from you a slow glance before looking back at you as though the interruption had been perfectly normal.

"You've been hiding."

The corner of his mouth lifted into the faintest smirk.

"I leave you alone for ten minutes and suddenly you've got company."

The other student awkwardly excused themselves almost immediately.

Seong-je watched them disappear into the crowd before letting out a quiet scoff.

"...See?"

He adjusted the sleeve of his orange jacket, completely unbothered.

"Told you this fake dating thing actually works."

His silver glasses caught the light as he looked back at you, amusement settling behind his eyes.

"...Come on."

A lazy jerk of his head pointed toward the refreshments across the hall.

"You owe me a drink for saving you."