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As Jay and Jake strolled toward the café, Jay's eyes wandered across the busy quad, scanning the familiar faces of students heading to their next class or lounging on the grassy lawn. That's when he spotted Jungwon.

Dressed in his usual hoodie and sneakers, Jungwon walked with purpose, a bag slung over one shoulder and his headphones in. His expression was as neutral as ever, but there was a slight furrow in his brow, as if something was bothering him.

A grin spread across Jay's face. "Hang on, Jake. I'll catch up."

"Uh-oh," Jake muttered. "Don't do anything stupid."

Jay waved him off, quickening his pace to catch up with Jungwon. As he got closer, he called out, "Hey, Jungwon! Fancy seeing you here."

Jungwon didn't even glance his way. He just kept walking, his pace steady.

Undeterred, Jay jogged to his side, leaning in slightly. "Ignoring me? Come on, that's no way to treat your favorite classmate."

Finally, Jungwon slowed, turning to glare at him. He tugged one earbud out, his voice sharp. "Leave me alone, Jay."

"What, no witty comeback today?" Jay teased, tilting his head. "Rough day?"

Jungwon rolled his eyes and picked up his pace again, but Jay wasn't about to give up so easily.

"Seriously, what's up with you?" Jay asked, walking beside him.

Jungwon stopped abruptly, turning to face him. His eyes flashed with annoyance, and for a moment, Jay was caught off guard by the intensity in them. "I said, leave me alone. Go back to Jennie or whatever it is you do."

Jay blinked, surprised. "Jennie? What does she have to do with this?"

Jungwon scoffed, crossing his arms. "Oh, don't act clueless. Everyone's talking about it. You and Jennie Kim, the perfect couple. Why don't you go focus on her instead of bothering me?"

Realization dawned on Jay, and he couldn't help the laugh that escaped him. "Wait, you think I'm with Jennie?"

"I don't think anything," Jungwon snapped. "I don't care."

Jay's grin widened. "Oh, you definitely care. Are you jealous, Jungwon?"

Jungwon's cheeks reddened, and he turned on his heel. "You're impossible," he muttered, walking away quickly.

Jay watched him go, his hands in his pockets, a smirk playing on his lips. Jealous, huh? Interesting.

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As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Jay leaned casually against a lamppost outside the campus dance building, fiddling with his phone. He had no real reason to be here—except for the fact that Jungwon would have to pass by on his way home.

Jay smirked at the thought. Jungwon's reaction earlier had been... amusing, to say the least. The idea that Jungwon might actually care about him—even if only out of irritation—was enough to make Jay's day a little brighter.

The dance building's door finally swung open, and a group of students emerged, chatting and laughing. Among them was Jungwon, his bag slung over his shoulder, his hoodie slightly damp from the practice session. He didn't notice Jay at first, his eyes focused on the path ahead.

Jay straightened up, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Jungwon!" he called out, his tone light and teasing.

Jungwon froze mid-step, his head turning toward the familiar voice. His expression shifted from surprise to exasperation in an instant. "What are you doing here?"

Jay pushed off the lamppost, falling into step beside him. "Walking you home, obviously."

Jungwon scoffed, quickening his pace. "I don't need you to walk me home."

"Too bad," Jay said, keeping up with him effortlessly. "It's a nice evening, and I figured you could use some company."

"I have plenty of company," Jungwon retorted. "It's called myself."

Jay chuckled, unbothered by the sarcasm. "Wow, must be lonely in that little bubble of yours. Let me fix that."

Jungwon groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why are you so annoying?"

"It's a gift," Jay replied with a grin.

They walked in silence for a moment, the sound of their footsteps filling the space between them. Jungwon kept his gaze straight ahead, determined to ignore the taller male beside him. But the silence didn't last long.

"So, about earlier," Jay began, his voice softer now. "You really thought I was with Jennie?"

Jungwon clenched his jaw. "I said I didn't care."

Jay hummed thoughtfully. "But you clearly did care. I mean, you looked ready to throw hands."

"Drop it," Jungwon snapped, his cheeks flushing.

Jay tilted his head, studying Jungwon's profile. "You're kinda cute when you're mad, you know that?"

Jungwon stopped abruptly, turning to face Jay. "Will you stop messing with me? What do you even want from me?"

Jay's playful expression faltered for a moment, and something unreadable flickered in his eyes. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I think I like getting to know you."

Jungwon stared at him, caught off guard by the sudden honesty. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Then, with a shake of his head, he turned and started walking again.

"Goodnight, Jay," he called over his shoulder, his tone firm but not unkind.

Jay watched him go, his smirk returning. This is going to be more fun than I thought.

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