• The classroom buzzed with chatter as students settled into their seats.

Hana quietly walked in, hugging her books against her chest. She glanced around for an empty seat.

“There’s one next to Sunghoon,” someone whispered.

Her smile immediately faded.

Park Sunghoon.

The coldest guy in class.

Top grades. Captain of the basketball team. Rich. Handsome. And known for never smiling unless he was mocking someone.

Hana hesitated before walking over.

“…Is anyone sitting here?”

Sunghoon didn’t even look at her.

“No.”

She carefully sat down.

Silence.

She tried to ignore the uncomfortable atmosphere while taking out her notebook.

A few minutes later, the teacher walked in.

“For this semester, everyone will have a permanent seat partner.”

The entire class groaned.

Hana blinked.

Permanent… partner?

She slowly turned her head toward Sunghoon.

He looked just as annoyed.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” he muttered under his breath.

Hana forced an awkward smile.

“I’ll try not to bother you.”

Sunghoon finally looked at her.

His expression was unreadable.

“You already are.”

The words hit harder than she expected.

The classroom suddenly felt much colder.

Hana quietly looked away, pretending his words didn’t sting.

The students around them exchanged glances.

“Poor Hana…”

“She’s stuck with him.”

Sunghoon ignored everyone and rested his head on one hand, staring out the window as if nothing had happened.

Hana swallowed the lump in her throat.

This semester is going to be a nightmare.*