[Soon Duho]

Another Monday, another council meeting. I should've got the gist of it; still, there's this uneasy feeling that gets the best of me when I have to deal with her. Yes, that one girl. Ham Seoyeon is also a member of the student council.

When she sits next to me, it's clear as the sun that I have to get out of this mess as swiftly as possible unless I want to get burnt. I have to be straightforward, but without hurting her feelings—her friends might make sure I pass off as a monster.

No, I can't afford that. I already have to deal with Yongho's insistence on my possible feelings for Seoyeon—which are actually non existent, and he knows—and the stupidity of several other male students who use their hormones to reason instead of their brain.

We spend the entire hour dedicated to the meeting taking notes as I carefully avoid her gaze. Despite that, she doesn't take her eyes off me. Her glance makes me feel uneasy. Too bad I can't leave, because I'd do so otherwise. I can't tell her to stop staring at me either.

When the hour passes, everyone quickly leaves except Seoyeon and I. Just she and I, face to face, with no distractions. The moment I try to leave, she stops me with a simple gesture. "Can we talk, Duho?" she also asks, making me feel more awkward than usual.

"Oh, you want to talk, then. Is it about the meeting? I've taken a lot of notes. I can show them to you if you have any questions." Seoyeon finds my offer so intriguing that she accepts, much to my shock. I expected her to decline it.

After five minutes of going through my notes, Seoyeon has another request. "Actually, what I want to tell you is something way... deeper." Deeper? What does that mean? Is there anything upsetting her? I'll try to be a good confidant, but without sounding invasive.

"So, tell me."

She hesitates. "Oh, thanks, I guess... By the way, I'd like to invite you somewhere. It's up to you. It's like... I want to know you better." She gradually loses her composure as she speaks, which makes everything embarrassing. Not just for her, but also for me.

She insists on the latest point. "Yeah, I'd really like to know you better. You're such a polite, charming and level headed guy." She flatters me, kind of, but this is stuff I've already heard lots of times before. As much as I appreciate her effort, I don't think her attempt to flirt with me is working.

I sigh and run a hand through my hair. "Look, Seoyeon... You have a lot of energy. You know your way around people, you enjoy parties... For these reasons, I don't think we can work well together."

"But I-"

"Please, don't insist. Just leave me alone, okay?" Only after she's out of the hall, I realize I've been a little too cold to her, no matter how hard I've tried to be polite. Her feelings may be hurt, but I'm confident she'll recover.

***

If there's something I'm going to learn the hard way is that I can't trust PB or his gang. They insist I reciprocate Seoyeon's feelings, which is not true. I've already set boundaries with her. If she understands, she'll move on and pursue someone else.

So why can't these idiots stop shipping me with her? We're not two random fictional characters, we're two people with different interests and personalities that simply don't match. It happens. They must understand this concept now unless they want to keep making shitty figures with women.

Right now, they're discussing this topic, as well as others, with Saeha and JJ. There's also another girl with them, but I'm not sure I recognize her. I pass by the table they're sitting at, hoping they don't notice me, and walk as fast as possible.

The moment I let out a cough, however, I'm toast. They all notice me. Especially the girl I don't recognize. The latter, in fact, waves at me so that I can reach the group and sit with them. I don't want to, but it'd be rude of me to reject the offer.

I greet them, trying hard to hide my embarrassment. "Hello, people. How are you?" Taehyung and Duhun chuckle, making me want to dig a hole as deep as Hell, but I force a smile to shut down my negative thoughts.

The two of them leave room for me, so I have to sit between them. After a moment of hesitation, Duhun answers, "I'm fine, but now I feel even better because you're here, and I can tell you the news." What news? Has he got a huge opportunity awaiting him somewhere? Has he got a job? He can't leave me hanging!

Duhun points at the girl sitting exactly in front of me, the one whose name I can't remember. "Duho, do you remember Ban Sorim?" Oh, that's her. Now I do. I had to defend her from a false accusation of plagiarizing a project back in freshman year.

Instead of going down the memory line, I limit myself to saying hello. "What's up?"

"Oh, the usual," she answers, maintaining a certain level of distance based on her tone. There has to be something going on with her. She's usually a bubbly, cheerful person. Like Seoyeon... Damn, I'm not supposed to think of that girl!

To dissipate my doubts, Sorim makes it clear there's no romantic involvement with anyone. "We're just here to catch up as good friends," she explains indeed. I'm tempted to add, 'and possibly listen to Saeha's conspiracy theories,' but prefer not to.

I go back to Duhun to ask him about the so-called "news." If he thinks he's off the hook despite what he claimed he'd announce, he's wrong. "So? You said you have something to tell me. Since Sorim denied it has to do with love, then it must be something else."

He scoffs. "Oh, my God, you're so impatient!" This causes the rest of the group to chuckle, making me uncomfortable. I have to admit this was a faux pas on my part. Fortunately, Duhun doesn't hold a grudge against me, so he continues. "Anyway, Taehyung and I have been called at a huge party in the most 'in' club at Hongdae."

"We'll host a DJ set there," adds Taehyung with a tone dripping cockiness and overconfidence. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing. If he and Duhun are good at DJing, then why should they hide behind false restraint? As long at it doesn't mean they act arrogant but fail to match their attitude with their performance, I don't see a problem here.

I congratulate with the duo for the achievement, before Taehyung reveals. "It's not just the two of us. Saeha and Seungyeol will join us." Oh, good. Mr. 'I see corruption everywhere' and the idiot who humiliated Seoyeon at Seolha's party over a lap dance... Why am I still surprised?

Okay, I have to stop pretending I don't care about her. Even if I'm far from having feelings for her. There's a side of me who's willing to give her a chance... But my mind says, rightfully so, she isn't my ideal type. Which part should I take into account?

What I'm sure of, this isn't something I can discuss with the people sitting at this table. They wouldn't understand the exact feeling I'm struggling to navigate.