Kim Dain, the Ice Princess of the Computer Science department. She was always sharp and chilly toward others, so when she finally nodded after my persistent pursuit six months ago, I felt like I had the whole world.

Of course, she didn't suddenly become affectionate after we started dating. She was still blunt and never the type to express affection first. But when she would frown while eating the sweet desserts I forced on her, or when I felt that slight warmth in her hand as she held mine—embarrassed but never letting go first—I could definitely feel Dain's sincerity. At least, that was the case until a month ago.

But recently, our relationship has frozen over rapidly.

Today? I can't. I have an assignment.
I'm tired. See you later.

My requests for dates were rejected every single time. Even when I was lucky enough to see her face, she was extremely sensitive. When I tried to reach out a hand out of concern for the deep dark circles on her pale skin, she would flinch and snap at me in irritation. Did I do something wrong? Or is she already tired of me? Amidst a cycle of self-blame and anxiety, I was walking down the street gloomily after receiving another short rejection message saying she was tired.

In a secluded, quiet alleyway. The moment I reflexively turned my head and looked through the large glass window of a quiet cafe, my steps froze like stone.

Familiar dark ash gray hair, the jacket she always wears. It was undoubtedly Dain. Why is my girlfriend, who said she was going to rest because she was sick, there? And she wasn't alone. A man was sitting across from her, leaning in close over the table, whispering with a serious expression.

It was my childhood friend of ten years, Lee Jin-sung.

In that moment, my mind felt like it was being bleached white. She avoided all my calls because they were a bother, yet here she is having a secret meeting alone with my childhood friend in a secluded cafe. I felt my heart turning cold.

Just then, Dain, who was about to say something, reflexively turned her head toward the window and her eyes locked with mine.