Chapter 2: Goodwill
The man jolted in surprise at my question, his shoulders twitching as he snapped his head up.
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
He stared up at me blankly for a moment, then broke into an awkward, goofy grin, scratching the back of his head.
“My enrollment got delayed because of some circumstances.”
His smile spread wide, soft and bright.
Suddenly, my heart thumped hard in my chest, pounding wildly.
My lips trembled in panic.
“Um, if it's okay... could I maybe help you out a bit?”
“……!”
Oh no, I was so nervous I stuttered like an idiot.
Stupid! Why are you fumbling your words like this?!
I mentally slapped myself across the face a hundred times.
Objectively speaking, this looked like a total misunderstanding waiting to happen.
He was a guy, and I'd approached him first as a girl.
“Really? I'd be so grateful if you did!”
“……Huh?”
But the guy in front of me didn't seem annoyed at all. His eyes sparkled with excitement.
His face lit up like he'd found his savior, and the impact was devastating.
“This is my department.”
He cheerfully turned his laptop screen toward me.
Huh...?
Why is he so unguarded?
He even slid over to the empty spot on the bench like it was the most natural thing, making room for me.
He's saying I can sit next to him?!
My feet froze in place.
What if I sit and he gets super creeped out?!
My thoughts spiraled, and fear hit me like a truck.
“Um... what's wrong?”
He tilted his head as I stood there stiff as a robot, my face twisting through a dozen weird expressions.
“N-no! Nothing!”
I frantically waved my hands, barely snapping out of it.
No more embarrassing myself.
Calm down. Breathe. In... out.
I forced my lips into a smile.
Smile... naturally...
I carefully walked over and sat in the spot he'd cleared for me.
Then I glanced at the laptop screen he'd shown me. The moment I saw the timetable, I blurted out,
“We're in the same department! I'm a freshman too, actually...”
“……!”
As I spoke warmly, he stared at me blankly and murmured,
“Ah...”
The sight of his dazed expression sent cold sweat trickling down my back.
Oh crap.
I'm screwed! Totally screwed!
He must think I approached him for some shady reason!
I'd only thought he was a little cute, nothing impure!
“For real?! We're classmates. I don't know anyone in our year! You just saved my life!”
His smile was so radiant it practically came with a “whoa!!” sound effect. I was left dumbfounded.
And then, genuinely thrilled, he stuck out his hand to me with a beaming grin.
“I'm Lee Hajin. You?”
Kind, friendly, sweet. He was different.
“Yu Eunha...”
“Eunha! Got it!”
Hajin called my name and flashed that bright smile.
In that instant, amid a static hiss and a world bleached white, only his smile burned clear in my mind.
To me, always so worn out, Hajin felt like a miracle dropped straight from the sky.
He turned back to the laptop, his brows furrowing in distress.
The screen showed a timetable full of blanks—a total blank slate.
“Thing is... I have no idea which lectures to take.”
He scratched his cheek and let out a troubled sigh.
Wait. Isn't this... a chance?
A spark flashed in my head.
Same year, same department. No need to overthink it.
“Why not just take all the same ones as me?”
“Huh...?”
Hajin's eyes went wide in surprise.
“Then we'd have class together every day—.”
My lips ran wild, turning fantasy into reality.
Opening the classroom door every morning to see Hajin, sitting side by side taking notes, eating lunch together, walking home with him always by my side—a perfect scenario.
But maybe I'd gotten too excited.
I could see his eyes darting uncertainly.
“...Eunha?”
His low voice snapped me back.
Panicking, I babbled excuses, my tongue finally unsticking.
“I mean! Some classes have already had a couple sessions! If you take the ones I'm in, I can fill you in, show you the handouts and stuff! Wouldn't that be great~?”
I waved my hands and fired off words like a machine gun.
Please believe I'm not hitting on you.
“Genius...?”
“...Huh?”
No harsh rejection, no disgusted glare.
“I'd love that... but what's in it for you? You okay with that?”
“No no! It benefits me too!! Totally fine!!”
I shouted back, nodding furiously.
Only then did Hajin relax, flashing his signature sunshiny smile as he pulled out his smartphone.
“Could you send me your timetable then?”
“Sure!”
I sent it over right away.
Watching his fingers on the screen, I was tempted to pinch my cheek to check if this was real.
This has to be a dream. No way a perfect being like this exists in front of me.
“Wow~ You saved me. Thanks.”
Done adjusting, he stretched with a huge grin.
My heart skipped hard again at that smile.
“See you in class later?”
He shouldered his bag and stood.
I waved as he walked away, but the satisfaction swelling in my chest was overwhelming.
Has talking to a guy ever been this fun...?
Just knowing I'd see him every day made my heart overflow.
But then, Hajin stopped abruptly mid-stride.
He hesitated, then turned back to me, ears slightly red as he scratched his head.
“What's up?”
“Um... can I ask you a favor?”
His dark eyes trembled softly.
That mix of shyness and tension squeezed my heart tight.
“If you're okay with it... wanna be friends?”
Afternoon sunlight filtered through the hallway window, softly outlining his silhouette.
Wanna be friends?
I never knew those words could hit so hard.
Like a boy afraid of rejection, he reached out first with utmost humility.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My heartbeat roared so loud the world seemed to shake.
“Of course.”
My voice came out thinner, trembling more than usual. My hands clenched over my chest on instinct.
“Phew, what a relief. I don't have any friends, actually.”
Hajin grinned in relief and waved.
“Catch you later!”
“...”
The moment he vanished around the corner, I slid down to the floor.
My legs gave out. My hands, gripping my chest, shook uncontrollably.
“Haa... haa...”
Ragged breaths escaped my lips.
Blood rushed to my head, my face burning like it might explode.
My heart hammered against my ribs like a runaway train.
“What... what the hell is this...”
I cupped my face in my palms, but the heat wouldn't fade.
He's just... a prince.
Inside and out, his vibe, voice, every little gesture—perfection incarnate.
My heart raced.
Like I'd sprinted full speed, the trembling wouldn't stop.
And now, a week later.
My ominous premonition had hit the nail on the head.
Just a little distraction, and girls swarm him!
I shot a glare at Hajin walking beside me.
I stomped deliberately, but this oblivious guy had no clue about my feelings.
If I hadn't dragged him away like I was fleeing, he might've given that girl his number.
“What's wrong?”
“...Nothing.”
I averted my eyes and pouted.
He has no idea.
That's why I couldn't look away... and wanted to protect him even more.
Then Hajin stopped and blocked my path.
“Eunha, mind sticking out your hand for a sec?”
He rummaged in his bag, pulled something out, and held out his hand to me.
“My... hand?”
Confused, I tilted my head and slowly extended my right hand.
“Like this?”
As I opened my palm, Hajin smiled softly.
He gently placed a small item from his pocket onto it.
A cool, solid touch.
In my palm sat a tiny keychain with a cute cat design.
“What's this...?”
I mumbled blankly, and Hajin blushed, scratching his head shyly.
“You said this was cute last time. Saw a gacha machine on the way and... thanks for helping with classes all week, and just now too. It's a thank-you gift.”
The keychain in my palm felt impossibly warm.
“Thank you... really.”