The fourth-floor library wasn't exactly popular.
Tucked above the main stacks, it was a small reading room - dim lights, low ceilings, dust motes in the air like secrets too old to speak. A few students drifted in and out, but by the time Sera arrived, only two tables were occupied.
Jisoo was already there.
He sat by the window, hoodie up despite the warmth, a single pen in his hand, twirling it between his fingers with detached precision.
Sera hesitated at the door.
He hadn't seen her yet.
She could leave. Pretend she forgot. Say she was sick. Say-
"Sit."
His voice was quiet, but it cut clean through her panic.
Sera blinked, then walked over without a word, pulling out the chair across from him.
For a while, the only sound was the rustle of papers and the far-off whir of the heater.
Sera reached into her bag and pulled out a copy of The Metamorphosis. Their assignment: write a joint essay analyzing emotional isolation through literature.
"You read it yet?" she asked.
"Twice."
She looked up, surprised. "You don't even take notes in class."
"I don't need to."
Sera frowned. "That's-arrogant."
"No," he said, eyes flicking up, "that's accurate."
Sera stared at him.
He stared right back.
And then-he smirked.
It was small. Brief. Gone in a breath.
But it lit something up in her chest she didn't know how to name.
Just as she opened her mouth to respond-
"Whoa, library date already?"
Taeyang.
Of course.
He strolled in with two iced coffees and dropped into the seat beside Sera like he belonged there.
"I brought caffeine, scholars. You're welcome."
Sera sighed. "We're working."
"Sure you are." His grin widened, flicking from her to Jisoo. "Looks intense."
Jisoo didn't respond.
Didn't even glance at him.
The silence stretched uncomfortably until Taeyang leaned in toward Sera, voice low.
"You okay being alone with him?"
Sera gave him a look. "He's not a monster, Taeyang."
Taeyang leaned back, clearly unconvinced. "Well, if he stabs you with that pen, blink twice."
Jisoo's pen paused mid-spin.
He looked at Taeyang for the first time - and smiled.
Not a soft smile. A sharp one.
Almost... amused.
"I don't stab," he said, voice even. "Too messy."
Taeyang blinked.
Sera covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
Taeyang stood, mock-offended. "I'm leaving. Good luck surviving, Sera. Call me if you need backup."
And then he was gone, trailing dramatics in his wake.
The silence returned.
But it was different now. Warmer. Edged with something electric.
Sera flipped open her notes.
Jisoo tapped his pen once against the table.
"You're close with him," he said.
"Taeyang? We've known each other since middle school."
He didn't answer right away. Just nodded.
And after a pause, asked-
"Why are you doing this with me?"
She blinked. "The project?"
"No," he said quietly. "Not avoiding me. Not treating me like a rumor. Why?"
Sera hesitated.
Then said, softly, "Because you don't talk like everyone else. You don't pretend."
Jisoo looked at her.
Really looked.
And something in his expression shifted.
For the first time, he looked... vulnerable.
Like no one had ever said that to him before.
They worked in silence after that, scribbling notes side by side, the storm outside echoing softly against the windows.
But inside that quiet little room, something had shifted.
Not loud.
Not sudden.
But real.