Days later.
Moon university sent a mandatory message to every students to join at-least one club in the university.
Rin mammon 19, she has a fair skin and a warm, easy smile, her hair was a curly bangs a braided ponytail and a buzzled sides.
She was one of the students selected by the student council to lead and create a new club. Inspired by her favorite song, Rin named it "Firefly's"—a symbol of quiet connection and light in the dark.
The club's goal was to build a digital platform: a student-run webspace for communication, collaboration, and creative interaction across the university.
Rin spent the afternoon handing out flyers and pitching the concept to anyone who'd listen. But after more than three hours, she had only two sign-ups—while other clubs were bustling with new members.
Her confidence faltered the moment she passed by the Catalyst Club booth, where a swarm of students gathered around Jingfing Kwon—a well-known trainee from a major entertainment company. Jingfing, her longtime singing rival since middle school, had continued chasing the spotlight while Rin chose to explore tech and student advocacy.
As Rin watched the crowd, doubt crept in. Maybe no one cares about a quiet little club like this, she thought.
But just as she was about to pack up, Jingfing walked toward her.
Rin instinctively tried to sidestep Jingfing, hoping to blend into the crowd. But it was useless—the moment she heard her name called out, she froze. With a reluctant sigh, she turned around to face her.
"Rin Mammon? Wow, it's been a while, two years, right?" Jingfing greeted, her tone just a little too bright.
"Yeah. Around two years," Rin replied, her voice flat with a hint of dry sarcasm.
"I've always wondered what happened after you transferred in middle school. Are you into art now or something? I didn't expect to see you here of all places, but hey, it's nice running into you. Are you also starting your own club?"
"Yeah. Student council gave me the assignment," Rin said, crossing her arms. "Bit of a hassle, but you know how it is—orders from the seniors."
"Ah, makes sense." Jingfing nodded. "So, how's it going? How many members have you got so far?"
Rin hesitated, her expression faltering for a moment, but before she could answer, one of Jingfing's members waved her over from their crowded booth.
"I should get back," Jingfing said, flashing a confident smile. "My club's swamped and my members need me. Good luck recruiting. It's… not exactly fun, huh?"
As she turned and walked away, all grace and confidence, Rin forced a polite smile.
You smug little witch, she thought bitterly, her eyes narrowing as she watched her rival disappear into the crowd.
Rin returned to her station and continued handing out flyers to passing students, her energy already worn thin. The crowd had started to thin, and despite her efforts, no one seemed interested in the Fireflys club.
Meanwhile, not far from the entrance gates, Achylys walked slowly across the university grounds. His back still ached from the injury he sustained days ago, and each step sent a dull throb up his spine. He had no intention of walking around all afternoon just to find a club.
His plan was simple—stop at the first booth he came across and sign up, regardless of what it was.
Unluckily—or perhaps fatefully—that first booth happened to be Fireflys.
As he approached, his sharp features and distant gaze turned more than a few heads. Students whispered to one another, drawn in by his striking appearance and cool, unreadable aura. Rin didn't notice at first. She was too busy trying to offer a flyer to a passing student who barely glanced her way.
Then she caught sight of her two new members, standing stiff as statues, eyes wide. Confused, she followed their gaze—and froze.
A tall young man stood silently in front of their poster, his expression unreadable, eyes scanning the description with vague interest. There was something unsettlingly calm about him, like a storm that had already passed but left the wind behind.
"…You interested in joining?" Rin managed to ask, snapping back to her role.
Achylys didn't look at her. "This the first booth I saw," he said plainly. "Good enough."
Rin blinked, thrown off. "W-What? You don't want to check the others first?"
"No," he said, finally glancing at her. His tone was flat, eyes half-lidded. "Walking hurts."
"…Oh."
He reached for a pen and signed his name on the form without another word. Then, without a smile or even acknowledgment, he turned away slightly, though not far leaning lightly against the booth wall as if resting.
The two club members stared at Rin, speechless.
She stared at the form, then at Achylys.
"…What just happened?"
Meanwhile, Frances made her way through the club booths, effortlessly drawing attention as students gathered around her like moths to a flame. With her poised demeanor and reputation as the heiress of SongInt, she held a celebrity-like status on campus—everyone wanted a moment, a selfie, a smile.
Among the crowd, Jingfing quickly spotted her and seized the moment.
"Frances? Hey, do you remember me? It's me, Jingfing Kwon! We were in the same middle school, I used to sit behind you!"
Frances blinked, politely confused. Jingfing's name didn't ring a bell. But with eyes all around them, Frances offered the kind of smile that only looked genuine. "Right, middle school… I remember."
Jingfing launched into small talk, clearly thrilled by the reunion, but Frances's attention was elsewhere. Her eyes drifted past the rows of booths—until they landed on someone unexpected.
There, handing out flyers with all the enthusiasm of a ghost, was Achylys.
Seriously? That annoying guy? Frances thought, her brows raising slightly. But standing next to him was a familiar face she hadn't expected. Rin Mammon!
Frances, Rin, and Jingfing had all attended the same middle school. But Frances had only spent a year there before transferring abroad. Rin, however, wasn't just a former classmate—she was a childhood friend.
Jingfing continued to chatter, but Frances had already tuned her out. Without warning, she excused herself.
"Sorry, I see someone I know. Catch you later."
Before Jingfing could even respond, Frances was already weaving through the crowd.
"Hey, busy girl," Frances called out with a smirk.
Rin turned at the familiar voice—and her face lit up. "Frances? When did you get back?!"
"Not too long ago. I've only been here around three weeks," Frances replied, casually flipping her hair over one shoulder.
As the two talked and caught up, Frances kept glancing sideways at Achylys, who stood silently nearby like an uninterested bodyguard.
"So, you're in Fireflys?" Frances asked, motioning toward the banner.
"Yup. I started the club—kinda a programming project. We're building an interactive platform for students. Like a digital hub to connect everyone on campus."
Frances smiled, impressed. "Huh… that actually sounds useful."
Without another word, Frances stepped forward and wrote her name on the sign-up sheet.
The ripple effect was immediate.
Word spread like wildfire: Frances Song had joined a club. Students who were once in line at Jingfing's Catalyst booth began shifting their attention, eyes wide with curiosity. Before long, the once-empty Fireflys booth was buzzing with new recruits.
Jingfing, who had been enjoying the spotlight all afternoon, watched in disbelief as her crowd migrated away.
By the end of the day, Rin's club had more sign-ups than she'd dared hope for. To celebrate, she treated all the new members. Including Achylys and Frances to a meal at a nearby restaurant. They laughed, bonded, and shared ideas until every seat was taken.
It was the perfect start to something bigger than Rin had ever imagined.
By coincidence…or maybe Rin's subtle arrangement, Achylys and Frances found themselves seated beside each other again, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Frances crossed her arms. Achylys didn't even glance her way.
Rin, sensing the awkward vibe, clinked her glass and raised it high.
"Alright! To Fireflys and unexpected friendships!"
Everyone laughed and cheered. Plates clinked, food was passed around, and conversations bloomed. Except for Achylys, who sat still, chewing quietly and saying nothing.
"Hey," Rin leaned toward him with a smile. "You've been quiet. What made you join Fireflys, anyway?"
Frances, casually sipping her drink between them, turned slightly, curious too.
"Aren't clubs like this… not really your thing?" she asked coolly.
Achylys, without missing a beat, replied in his usual low, expressionless tone,
"Because the name wasn't pathetic like the others."
There was a beat of silence.
Then laughter erupted around the table. Even Rin nearly choked on her drink.
Achylys blinked. "…What's funny?"
"You're just so blunt!" Rin said between laughs. "Wow, that's very… candid of you. Cool, actually."
"He's so deadpan serious!" one of the members whispered to another.
"I think I like him already," another giggled.
Achylys just stared at them, visibly confused. "What kind of answer were you expecting?"
Their reactions only deepened his blank expression, which somehow made the group laugh harder. Rin patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. That's your charm."
Frances, however, didn't say anything. She merely stared at him from the side, lips pressed slightly, as if holding back a reaction even she couldn't understand.
A moment later, she stood up.
"I'm going to the restroom," she muttered.
"I'll come with you," Rin said cheerfully.
As they walked to the sink area, Rin leaned on the counter. "You really saved me today, you know."
Frances dried her hands. "What are you talking about?"
"Come on, Frances. Since you showed up, people just kept lining up. You basically tripled our members in minutes."
"They joined because the club is unique. Not because of me," Frances replied with her usual nonchalance.
"Well, either way, I'm still grateful." Rin grinned.
Then, lowering her voice, she asked, "Isn't that cold guy really good-looking?"
Frances froze for half a second. "Huh? I don't know what you're talking about."
"I mean the guy beside you, Achylys, right?" Rin said teasingly. "That aura? So serious and straightforward. I heard he's a top student too—Computer Science major too, Class A. You two already knew each other?"
Frances didn't answer.
"Hmm… the way you kept sneaking glances at him… I can read you like a manga page." Rin nudged her with a grin.
Frances turned to reply, but accidentally she spilled water onto her skirt.
Rin burst into laughter. "Whoa! That face! Why are you glaring at me like I just leaked your diary?"
"I'm Frances Song," she said sharply, dabbing at the spill. "Do you seriously think I'd be interested in someone that… ordinary? Don't be ridiculous."
"Okay, okay," Rin chuckled, raising her hands. "Relax, Queen Song. Let's go back."
As they returned to the dining hall, Achylys was already surrounded by women trying to know him.
"How pathetic," Frances thought to herself. Her mood changes as she told them to move away.
"Excuse me, can move and go back to your table, Frances asked, but it seemed that nobody was paying attention to her, which only serve to increase her irritation. "HEY!" she shouted, capturing everyone's attention.