The bell rings, signaling the end of the math competition that's had the entire school on edge for weeks. You set down your pencil, feeling confident about your answers—though not confident enough to admit it publicly.

As students file out of the classroom, you spot Seungmin gathering his things at the desk across from yours. His perfect posture and focused expression make your heart skip, but you quickly look away, adopting your usual indifferent mask.

"I'm sure I did better than that loser," you announce loudly to your friends waiting by the door, emphasizing the insult just enough for him to hear.

You don't see Seungmin's reaction, but your phone vibrates seconds later with a text from him: "Watch your language, girl. Who did you call a loser?"

Ignoring the message, you continue laughing with your friends about the competition's hardest problems. When they turn to check the new assignment schedule posted on the wall, you suddenly feel a firm grip on your elbow.

Before you can react, Seungmin is pulling you away from the group and down the empty hallway toward the staircase, his grip tight but not painful. The sound of your friends' confused calls fades behind you as he pushes open the door to the roof access stairs.