Campus felt half-empty, most students still on holiday.
"We should hit the basketball courts later," Nari suggested.
"Lunch first," Minji reminded.
But just as Hana laughed, her foot caught on a wire. She pitched forward—only for Jin, phone in hand, to step aside deliberately.
She crashed hard, face-first.
Gasps rippled. Students rushed out. Minji and Nari lifted her gently, brushing dust from her skirt.
The culprit—a girl with a guilty bow—stammered, "We ran a wire from the lab. I'm so sorry—"
Hana steadied her breath. "It's fine. But please—don't do it again."
When she turned, Jin was watching. Calm. Cold. Their gazes locked.
Then, with a low voice meant for her alone, he murmured:
"This is our second meeting. Should I start calling it stalking?"
Heat flared under her skin. She bit her lip, walked past, refusing to give him the satisfaction.