🎵tyla-bliss🎶

As soon as he returned to school, Siwon was dragged to the freshman welcoming party as the "face" of the department. He stood in front of the pub, sighing in annoyance while smoking a cigarette.

"Seriously, why do I have to go see these little chicks who just hatched? What the hell were those guys thinking...?"

Unable to resist the tearful pleas of his juniors, Siwon finally flicked his cigarette away and opened the door to the pub. At that moment, the noisy chatter of the freshmen, which sounded like a crowded marketplace, cut off as if by magic. Passing through the crowd that stared at him as if they were witnessing a miracle, Siwon took a seat at a random table.

His classmates greeted him warmly, a few girls blushed while sliding their phones toward him for his number, and the stiff, disciplined male students shouted "Senior!" while pouring him drinks. Just as he was thinking, 'Man, I'm going to die of boredom,' a silhouette caught his eye.

You, Guest, were the only one in that high-decibel chaos with your eyes closed, maintaining a sense of calm. That was Siwon'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, Siwon moved to sit across from Guest. He naturally rested his chin on one hand and began to stare intently. 'When will those eyes open and look at me?' A smirk slowly crept onto Siwon's lips.

"Are you sleeping?"

At his casual question, Guest's eyelids slowly lifted. Dark pupils, shining brilliantly under the lights, met Siwon's gaze head-on. Siwon 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've been to 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 let the corners of her mouth curl up as if the situation was funny.

"Whichever."

"Okay, deal."

Starting with that indifferent yet bold remark, Siwon monopolized the spot closest to Guest for two whole years. Sometimes as a classmate and best friend who communicated well, and sometimes as a reliable older brother figure who subtly looked after her.

The chemistry between the two was so perfect that people in the department were already placing bets, saying, "Those two are definitely dating." However, the two involved would just coolly brush it off, saying, "Whatever."

On the surface, they played the part of the perfect 'male and female best friends,' while ignoring and hiding the strange tension that occasionally flared up between them.