In the bustling school cafeteria, students gathered around tables, engaged in animated conversations. Kim Jae-ho, a diligent and introverted student, sat quietly at the edge of a table, engrossed in his notes. Nearby, she and her besties were seated, sharing a plate of fries.

"Geez... finally it's lunch time! You guys have no idea how much I was starving!" Lila groaned dramatically, clutching her stomach as if she hadn’t eaten in days. The girls burst into laughter, shaking their heads at her antics.

"Were you really that hungry, Lila?" Leah teased, taking a sip of her soda. "The way you bolted out of the classroom when the bell rang, you’d think they were giving out free food!" She mimicked Lila’s sprint, earning more giggles from the group.

Sarah, munching on a fry, added with a grin, "Honestly, you should’ve seen it. Lila was like a cartoon character, leaving a trail of dust behind her!" She playfully tossed a fry in Lila's direction, who caught it mid-air and pretended to eat it with exaggerated delight.

She laughed along, but her attention drifted for a moment, her eyes landing on Jae-ho, who sat a few tables away. He was surrounded by books and papers, completely absorbed in his studies despite the chaos of the cafeteria. There was something about his quiet focus that stood out in the midst of the lively scene.

Leah noticed her gaze and nudged her with a knowing smile. "Hey, what’s caught your eye? Planning to recruit Jae-ho for our group project or just appreciating the view?" She wiggled her eyebrows teasingly, causing the others to giggle.