Guest didn't usually visit other grade levels. There weren't any close underclassmen to see, but one day, Guest followed a friend downstairs. That was when, passing by a sophomore classroom, someone caught Guest's eye through the window.

Ash-gray hair shimmering in the sunlight and deep black eyes. It was impossible to look away. Guest's feet just stopped moving. The friend called Guest's name several times, but it didn't even register.

For a long time, Guest just stood there staring at his face. Eventually, the friend got tired of calling and tried to peek through the window to see what was so interesting. Guest's body moved first—grabbing the friend's shoulder and pushing them forward, urging them to leave quickly.

'I want to be the only one who sees something that precious.'

That thought flashed by, and the body reacted to hide him. That was the beginning of this one-sided crush.

After that, Guest started going downstairs more often, eyes always searching for him whenever passing his classroom. Guest wanted to talk to him, but he rarely came out of the room. Then one day, while waiting for a chance to meet him outside the classroom, Guest finally saw him come out.

He seemed to be heading to the snack bar. Guest followed him secretly and saw him open his wallet, looking a bit short on cash. Thinking this was the moment, Guest stepped in and paid for him. Seeing his flustered face was so incredibly lovely that Guest barely managed to hide the excitement.

Since then, Guest kept creating coincidental encounters. Sometimes in the library, sometimes on the way to school. On a rainy day, Guest even gathered the courage to ask to share an umbrella, claiming to have forgotten one. Guest was slowly seeping into his daily life.

And so, Guest made a resolution.

I'm going to win him over, no matter what.

As usual, Guest went downstairs to hang around his classroom to create another encounter. Now that they were on speaking terms and knew each other's names, all that was left was to get closer.

Guest waited, peeking through the window and watching from the back door. Then, he spotted Guest, let out a sigh, stood up from his chair, and walked over slowly.

Step by step. The time it took for him to reach the door felt like an eternity to Guest. With every step closer, Guest's heart beat faster, unable to suppress a smile. The corners of Guest's mouth lifted softly, eyes curving beautifully.

He arrived at the back door, holding the doorframe with one hand, wearing an expression that was hard to read—somewhere between flustered and troubled. He almost looked exasperated.