First Meeting
"We'll wrap up a bit early today. Everyone's buzzing about the MT this week, right? Since you're all still recovering, we'll ramp up the pace properly next week."
The professor's announcement of an early class end was met with a wave of applause. The Clothing Design department covers everything from life sciences to various fabric materials, including chemistry and more. Design and illustration are basics, of course. It's no small workload, but I have to put real effort into school life too.
...From what I can tell, Baek Sion, who's aiming to maintain his full scholarship, will probably snag near-perfect grades. On our school's scale, that's like a 4.3? This isn't just me being lovesick or delusional—I've chatted with him about studies a few times and caught that unique vibe geniuses have. The kind where you think, 'Oh, this guy's brain works on a whole different level.' Honestly, he could've gone to med school no problem. That's how impressive he is.
Which means I have to work hard too. If my grades lag too far behind his, he'll tease me mercilessly 100%. That smug grin he hides while scratching at my nerves on purpose, that tone... It pisses me off so much once it starts. To avoid it, I have no choice but to chase good scores.
He's just handsome normally, so why does that smirk make my blood boil? ...If he stayed still, he'd be totally my type. Yeah, exactly like that.
"Hey, Yoo Seol-ah. You made it?"
"...Oh, yeah."
"Something good happen?"
Only after Baek Sion pointed it out did I realize I was smiling. Even after just a few hours apart, spotting his face from afar makes me grin... Isn't this getting kinda serious?
"...Nah, nothing."
"Class over? Head straight to the club room. Those two said they'd go ahead."
"...Won't we be interrupting if we just barge in?"
Like killing a sweet vibe or something. Sion paused to think, then shook his head.
"From what I see, Lee Seo-yeon just can't push hard enough."
"...Yeah, I kinda think the same."
She'd probably cave if she got even a little aggressive, even without going full physical assault.
"My guess? Could take her a year."
"......"
We've known each other over three years already, and another year? But with her looks and figure, if she's still that lacking in confidence... it's not impossible.
Man, why is this campus so damn huge? Not just big—full of hills too. Should've taken the shuttle bus that runs inside.
"...No one's watching right now. Can't we just teleport...?"
"CCTV's everywhere. Walk."
"My heart's pounding already. Use a little mana..."
"To satisfy your heart, I'd have to turn the whole place into a wasteland."
"...Can't even joke..."
I pouted a bit, and Sion chuckled. He knows I'm joking, but he counters every time just to tease me.
"Hate walking that much? Want a piggyback?"
"Sure."
There aren't zero people around, just few, so I figured he was joking and tossed out a casual reply.
"Hold tight."
"Hwah?... Hey!"
But he bent down and hoisted me up right after, forcing me to wrap my arms around his neck to avoid tumbling backward. He was serious?
"...You can put me down now."
"You're not heavy."
Ignoring jokes but giving a piggyback—classic Sion. His scent makes my heart race so obviously, and being pressed this close, I'm worried he can hear it. Is it the chest making my heart stick right to him? ...Bigger isn't always bad, huh.
"...Kinda heavy, though."
"...Hey."
"Kidding."
...He can kill the butterflies in an instant. What a talent.
"...Won't people stare if we walk like this?"
"They'll probably think you hurt your leg."
My hair color makes us stand out from afar anyway, but who cares if they think it's weird. No one can mess with us.
Sion carried me all the way to the club room. I was just whining about walking, but him actually doing it... I'm just grateful.
"Next time, I'll carry you."
"That'd look weirder. They'd think it's a circus."
"...True."
I could manage in various ways with magic, but with our 20cm height gap, it'd be a disaster. Princess carry might work better.
We opened the club room door, and there were Lee Seo-yeon and Doyun oppa, faces almost touching.
"......"
Did we interrupt?
I froze for a second, wondering if our timing sucked, but Seo-yeon's expression when she turned proved me wrong. Seol-ah must've thought the same, finally snapping out of her ice mode to ask.
"What were you doing?"
"Just helping her peel off something that stuck to her."
"Ah..."
...Was that her move? Seo-yeon's face wasn't red, so hard to tell if it was innocent or intentional.
"When'd you get here?"
"Not long. Killing time till you two showed."
"Computers are all set up over there. Ordered 'em with Seo-yeon last time."
"CS major, so I trust it."
"Sion, CS majors don't always build the best rigs."
Oppa Doyun's usually so chill, but anything computer science-related gets him riled. Probably all the dumb stereotypes about the department.
Makes me wanna poke at him a bit.
"Most do, though."
"...Fair."
If most are good, it's not really a stereotype.
The computers were neatly set up with plenty of table space. One wall had a projector screen—white sheet—for the beam projector. For a new club, this setup's way too solid.
"Alright, shall we kick off the first meeting?"
Oppa Doyun wrapped up the chit-chat and took charge like a proper club president.
"Sit comfy. I threw together a PPT."
"...Even a PPT?"
"I always make 'em for group projects. Better than nothing, right?"
Confident guy—he breezed through it smoothly.
It was mostly his presentation, though.
"One thing set in stone: subculture game. That's why we formed this club."
"Key is obviously Seol-ah here. Game should revolve around her illustrations."
Her signature illust blew up on the wall, huge. Millions of views, I remember. Pulling that off with an original character—not some famous IP—is insane talent.
'This is embarrassing...' Seol-ah muttered softly.
"I'm no art expert, but from a normie view, it's got a bright vibe overall."
"Right."
Her style screams bright and cute, strong on that. Somehow sexy too, even without skin.
"So, game tone shouldn't be too heavy."
"My SOS from before was dark-themed all around, but don't sweat it. I've played tons of games."
His indie dev success shines through—pure conviction in his eyes.
"First up: genre. I'm eyeing two options."
"Collection RPG or kinda visual novel. Honestly, the former looks way better."
"Same."
Everyone had ideas, but basing on Seol-ah's art pointed most to collection RPG. Subculture narrows genres anyway.
"Cool. Primary direction: collection type. But sub-decisions: pure single-player, or add user interactions?"
Bit of thought, but tastes aside, most prefer the latter. Wanting certain characters peaks when comparing with others.
"Latter for me."
"Takes way more time, but yeah, that fits. Others?"
"Guilds or whatever sound more fun. No need for PVP."
With Seol-ah and Seo-yeon agreeing, things moved fast. Could change, but today's call: mobile collection RPG. Real-time stuff's tough with our small team.
"Official activities end here for today."
Seol-ah paused mid-reach for a computer. So motivated.
"...Nothing today?"
"Gonna take years anyway—better take it slow. I'll whip up a base model; next time we build on that. Go rest."
"Gonna hit the bathroom quick."
Once Seo-yeon left, Seol-ah and I exchanged looks. We had a favor from before, and our own curiosity.
"Oppa. Anything with Seo-yeon?"
Seol-ah went straight for it, no beating around.
Oppa Doyun smiled faintly at us, then answered flatly.
"Seo-yeon... doesn't like me."
"…"
Seol-ah froze, and so did I. He said it with total certainty—not even asking us.
...He knew?