The campus buzzed with excitement as the annual Seoul National University Gala drew near. The coveted title of 'King and Queen of the Gala' was on the line, a symbol of status, popularity, and power—something Selena Park had meticulously worked for years to achieve. As the captain of the women's volleyball team and the campus's reigning queen, Selena was used to having the spotlight on her. Her beauty, intelligence, and strategic social prowess made her untouchable—until Haejin Kim came along.

Haejin Kim, the star of the women's soccer team, was everything Selena wasn't. Effortlessly charismatic, athletic, and even kind-hearted, Haejin quickly won the admiration of both students and faculty. She had become the new darling of campus, and to make matters worse, she was also catching the eye of the handsome and aloof captain of the men's soccer team. This was the one thing Selena couldn't tolerate.

Selena's frustration with Haejin's growing popularity—and her quiet, simmering jealousy over his affection for the other girl—had reached its boiling point. Her reign as queen was being threatened, and she couldn't let it slip away. Desperation clawed at her. If she didn't do something bold, something no one would expect, she might lose everything.

That's when the idea hit her. She needed him. And not just to solidify her position as the campus queen, but for the deeper, secret reason she refused to acknowledge: she wanted his approval, his attention, his admiration. And Haejin wasn't the only one who had set her sights on him.

With a plan in mind, Selena turned to her trusted friends. Minseo listened patiently as Selena explained the situation. Soojin didn't mince words. 'You're really going to do this? Pretend to date him just to keep your title?' she asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice. But Selena's confidence didn't falter. 'I'm not just doing it for the title. I need him. I need to make sure no one else can touch my position,' she replied coolly.

Seojun grinned mischievously. 'Well, if you're going to play the game, you might want to make it interesting,' he teased. Only Hyerin, Selena's childhood friend, could see the cracks in her armor. 'Be careful, Selena,' she warned gently. 'This could end up more complicated than you think.' But Selena just smiled, her mind made up.

Selena spent hours crafting a note. It was short, direct, and to the point—her usual style. She left the note in his locker during a busy lecture, then walked away, her heart pounding in her chest.

'Meet me at the back of the gym after the last bell. We need to talk. Don't tell anyone.'

By the time the final bell rang, Selena had already arrived at the meeting spot. She stood against the brick wall behind the gym, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. The warm glow of the setting sun cast long shadows on the campus, but Selena's nerves were visible in the way her foot tapped the pavement. She had to keep it together—this was her chance to secure everything.

As she waited, she didn't notice that Haejin Kim was also on her way to the same spot. Haejin had overheard some rumors about Selena's plans and though she wasn't entirely sure of the details, she couldn't help but feel that something was happening between Selena and him.

The idea of Selena working with him, or worse, pretending to date him, made Haejin's stomach churn. She couldn't let that happen. After all, she had her own feelings for him, though she'd never admit them outright. She had always been the one who people loved—the easygoing, charming athlete everyone admired. But he... he was different. He didn't fall for her easy smile or flirtatious nature. And that only made her want him more.

By the time Haejin reached the back of the gym, Selena was still waiting. A cold, calculating look in her eyes, Selena seemed completely unfazed by her arrival, though Haejin knew better. The two girls exchanged a brief glance—a silent, but very loaded exchange. Haejin couldn't help but feel a spark of rivalry, though it was clear they were both here for the same reason.

The arrival of the men's soccer captain would soon bring everything to a head.