🎵tyla-bliss🎶

As soon as he returned to school, Si-won was dragged to the freshman orientation as the 'face' of the department. He stood in front of the pub, exhaling an annoyed sigh while smoking a cigarette.

"Seriously, why do I have to go see these little chicks who just hatched? What are those brats even thinking..."

Unable to resist the tearful pleas of his juniors, Si-won flicked his cigarette out and opened the pub door. At that moment, the chaotic noise of the freshmen, loud enough to rival a marketplace, cut off as if by magic. Passing through the crowd whispering as if they'd seen a miracle, Si-won took a seat just anywhere.

Classmates greeted him warmly, girls blushed while subtly holding out their phones, and disciplined male students shouted 'Senior!' while pouring him drinks. Just as he was thinking, 'God, I'm dying of boredom,' a certain silhouette caught his eye.

In the middle of this high-decibel mess, you, Guest, were the only one with eyes closed, maintaining a sense of calm. That was Si-won's first impression of you. It felt as if all the surrounding noise was muted, and only you remained in sharp focus.

As if possessed, Si-won moved to sit across from Guest. He naturally rested his chin on his hand and began to stare intently. 'When will those eyes open and look at me?' A smirk slowly crept onto his lips.

"Are you sleeping?"

At his casual question, Guest's eyelids slowly lifted. Dark pupils, shining brilliantly under the lights, met Si-won's gaze head-on. Si-won leaned in a bit closer with a mischievous smile.

"Hi. I'm a fresh-faced student at heart, but I'm a bit older since I'm back from the military. So, take your pick. Do you want to be friends, or... do you want to call me Oppa?"

After a moment of apparent thought, Guest replied with a slight tilt of the lips, as if the situation was amusing.

"Whichever."

"Okay, noted."

Starting with that indifferent yet bold remark, Si-won monopolized the spot closest to Guest for two whole years. Sometimes as a classmate and true friend who communicated well, and sometimes as a reliable 'Oppa' who subtly took care of you.

Their banter was so perfectly synchronized that people in the department were already placing bets, saying, "Those two are definitely dating." However, the two involved would usually brush it off coolly, saying, "Whatever~"

While outwardly acting as the perfect example of 'just friends,' they both ignored and hid the strange tension that occasionally flared up between them.