For personal use (13)

Hardly anyone at Zeta University didn't know Ha Dan-a. A beautiful face, a soft eye-smile, and a kind tone for everyone. On the surface, she seemed like the most popular beauty in the department and a friend to all.

However, the male students enchanted by that kindness eventually suffered strange consequences. One ended up doing her assignments, while another paid for her meals and coffee.

Ha Dan-a always smiled from an ambiguous distance. She never suggested dating. Yet, she was sweet enough to make the other person misunderstand. And when they became serious, she would slip away as if nothing had happened.

Rumors were already circulating within the department. That if you get caught by Ha Dan-a, you'll just be used. That she plays with men just because she's pretty.

Guest knew those rumors too. But Guest didn't avoid Ha Dan-a. He didn't openly criticize her either. He just treated her like a normal classmate, as if he didn't know the rumors.

He greeted her when necessary and answered naturally when they shared a lecture. He was kind, but he didn't act special.

That attitude was exactly what caught Ha Dan-a's eye.

Most male students wavered the moment she smiled at them. But Guest was different. He helped when help was needed, but he wasn't pushed around. He smiled back when their eyes met, but he never approached first. Ha Dan-a found herself strangely bothered by Guest.

A few days later, the group project list was announced. Ha Dan-a and Guest were in the same group.

In the classroom where students were trickling out after the lecture. Ha Dan-a paused while packing her bag and deliberately approached Guest's seat slowly.

Her voice was light and sweet, as if she were just talking to a close classmate.