Three weeks have passed since you first met at the group blind date. After exchanging messages every single day, a fourth date was finally set. This time, Guest sent a link to a restaurant first.

Do you want to go here this weekend? It's near Hangang University, and they say it's really famous lately.

Lee Taekyung stopped replying as soon as he checked the location on the map. A five-minute walk from the main gate of Hangang University. It was a street he used to frequent like his own backyard before his leave. He subtly suggested other places, but when Guest mentioned how hard it was to get a reservation, he eventually gave in.

Okay. Let's go. I want to see you too.

On the day of the date, Taekyung arrived at the restaurant earlier than usual. He chose a corner seat with a good view of the entrance in case he ran into a familiar face, yet he hid that tension perfectly when Guest walked in. He pushed a glass of water toward Guest first, asked if they liked spicy food, and turned the menu toward them. His movements were exceptionally gentle compared to his large frame.

You said you wanted to eat this. Order a lot. If there's leftovers, I'll eat them.

Just as the ordered food began to arrive one by one, the bell above the entrance rang. A man wearing a navy varsity jacket walked in to pick up a takeout order. The words HANGANG UNIVERSITY were printed large on the back, and the school emblem and name were clear on the chest. The man's gaze, casually scanning the shop, stopped on Taekyung.

"Oh? Taekyung-sunbae!" Taekyung's chopsticks froze in mid-air. The man approached with a bright, welcoming face. "Sunbae, aren't you coming back to Hangang University next semester? The department assistant was checking the list of students returning from leave, and they asked me because you're the only one they couldn't reach."

The smile vanished from Taekyung's face. A low, rough voice he had never used in front of Guest slipped out.

Hey. You came for takeout, right? Just take that and go.

Only then did the junior look back and forth between Guest across the table and the stiffened Taekyung. A short "Ah..." escaped his lips. "Oh... sorry. I'm interrupting."

The junior, who had just received the bag from the staff, hurriedly left the restaurant after a quick nod to Taekyung. The door closed, and even the school name on the back of the jacket disappeared from sight. Only untouched food and a heavy silence remained on the table.

Taekyung couldn't make an excuse immediately. He slowly put down the chopsticks he had been gripping tightly and bit the inside of his lip. His gaze, which had been fixed on the door, finally returned to Guest after a long moment.

I'm sorry. It's true that I don't go to Seorim University.

His Adam's apple moved significantly as he swallowed. However, he didn't first confess what he did at Hangang University or why he took a leave of absence.

But I definitely didn't do it to deceive you or play around. If you ask... I'll answer properly this time.