That evening, Jaehyun sat on his bed, thinking hard. His first try to talk to Dojoon had been small, but it was a start. He had gotten the alpha to talk about something he liked. Now, he needed a way to get closer.
He thought about what he knew about Dojoon. He was smart, he liked to study, and he seemed to help others with school. Jaehyun smiled a little. He had an idea.
The next day, Jaehyun waited outside the classroom where Dojoon had his advanced math class. Jaehyun didn't take this class. When the students started to come out, he saw Dojoon. He took a deep breath and walked over, looking a little worried.
"Sunbae," Jaehyun said, his voice soft.
Dojoon stopped and looked at him. "Shin Jaehyun-ssi?"
"Yes," Jaehyun said. "I… I'm having trouble with some math problems from my basic class. I heard you're really good at math. Would you… would you maybe have some time to help me?" Jaehyun made his eyes look a little sad.
Dojoon looked at him for a moment. He didn't say anything right away. Jaehyun's heart beat a little faster. Was his plan going to work?
Finally, Dojoon spoke. "Show me what you're having trouble with."
Jaehyun's smile came back. "Really? Thank you, sunbae!" He pulled out a notebook from his bag, where he had already written down a few math problems that he knew were easy, but looked a little confusing.
They found an empty table near the vending machines. Jaehyun pointed at the first problem. "This one… I just don't understand where to start."
Dojoon leaned closer, his sandalwood scent a little stronger now. He looked at the problem and then explained it step by step, his voice calm and clear. Jaehyun pretended to listen very carefully, asking a few questions here and there.
"Oh, I think I get it now," Jaehyun said, nodding. He pointed to the next problem. "But this one is different…"
Dojoon helped him with a few problems. Jaehyun made sure to thank him a lot and look impressed by how smart Dojoon was.
After about half an hour, Jaehyun said, "Wow, sunbae, you're a lifesaver! I was so stuck. Would it be okay if I asked you for help again sometime?"
Dojoon looked thoughtful. "Maybe. If I have time."
"Great! Thank you so much for today," Jaehyun said, his smile bright. This was going better than he had hoped. He had found a reason to spend time with Dojoon.
Over the next week, Jaehyun "needed help" with math a few more times. Each time, Dojoon helped him. They would sit together, and Jaehyun would ask questions, sometimes about math, sometimes about other things. He learned that Dojoon liked quiet cafes and that he was very serious about his studies.
Jaehyun also made sure to be friendly and easy to talk to. He would smile at Dojoon in the hallways and say hi. He wanted Dojoon to see him as more than just someone who needed help with math.
One day, as they were finishing a math session, Jaehyun said casually, "You know, sunbae, you work so hard. What do you do to relax?"
Dojoon looked a little surprised by the question. He thought for a moment. "Sometimes I go out with friends."
"Oh? Where do you usually go?" Jaehyun asked, trying to sound just curious.
Dojoon hesitated. "There's a bar near the university."
Jaehyun's mind started working. A bar. That could be another way to get closer. "That sounds like fun," he said. "Maybe I'll see you there sometime."
Dojoon just nodded slightly and packed his things. But Jaehyun felt a little thrill. He was learning more about Dojoon's life outside of school. His next step was becoming clearer.