[Ham Seoyeon]

Insistence doesn't cut it. Watching from afar won't either. Does this mean I'm ready to give up? Of course not. Duho may think I'm a creep, but I'll make him change his mind, even though this means I have to resort to something

At the end of an intense study session, I single my friends out and we find a secluded corner somewhere in the campus where we can discuss my progress, or better say the lack of it, in the plan to conquer Duho's heart.

"Okay, Duho isn't completely indifferent to me. He showed me his notes at the latest council meeting." As I brief my friends over recent events, I notice puzzled looks on their faces. They don't seem to fully understand what's going on.

I continue before they can even ask a single question. "But, it turns out it isn't enough. He says I'm not his type."

Yujin intervenes. "So, what do you plan to do now?"

"Will you give up or will you try again?" adds Sangcheol, making me even more confused. What am I supposed to do?

"Maybe if I leave him be, he'll become naturally attracted to me." Put under this perspective, it may be an extreme strategy. However, if it works, it'll grant me a chance with him. So, why not try? It doesn't cost anything.

"What do you mean?" asks Chaeyoung, who doesn't grasp my newest plan.

"You said he plays hard to get. Then, I'll give him a dose of his own medicine—let's see who caves first between me and him." I chuckle as Chaeyoung finally understands what I mean. Yujin and Sangcheol also seem to catch the point now.

"Good. Now that I laid out the plan, all I have to do is wait and see the results. I'm confident this option works because, if it doesn't, I'll have to be even more creative." The conversation ends with my desire to succeed reignited, as well as a bunch of not so funny jokes about Sangcheol's dating life.

***

Every time I suspect Duho's gaze is crossing mine, I avert it. Since he doesn't like when I stare at him for no specific purpose, then I have to play smart and beat him at his own game. Hopefully, he'll be distracted by something else before he realizes what he's missing.

When he intervenes in class or asks questions, I don't listen to him. I zone out, thinking about anything but him or the topic that's discussed at the moment. To my surprise, no-one notices, not even the lecturer on duty.

During lunch break, I catch up with Yujin. She's with Seolha and Ji Hyoeun, a Journalism major. The latter greets me warmly. "Seoyeon! What a pleasure! It's been a while since we last saw each other."

"Yeah, at that country club party." I shrug. "It was dreadful, you know. But at least the booze was good."

"You can say that out loud!" After some small talk, Hyoeun hits the head of the nail and asks me a question I dread, "How are you holding up? Is there anyone you're into so far?"

I just mention the disaster at Seolha's pool party, with Seolha echoing my negative sentiment towards Seungyeol. "I haven't crossed paths with him since," I add. "He apologized, though."

"Ouch... That sucks," comments Hyoeun. "But it doesn't really look like you've been affected that much. I'm impressed that you managed to move on so quickly."

"Yeah, I did. Right now, I want to focus only on myself." It's a lie, of course. Yujin knows, so she plays along. On the other hand, Seolha is unaware I'm playing tricks with Duho to pass off as uninterested.

Fortunately for me, neither Seolha nor Hyoeun question my statement and just offer me encouraging words. "Make sure you find the perfect balance between your heart and your mind," says indeed the latter. I hope I can follow through the advice or I'll never attain my goal.

***

It looks like ignoring Duho, acting as if I don't even know him, isn't working as I expected. However, this is a strategy that requires time and patience. It's about reading signs, catching unusual behavior from him, seeing through what he thinks in contrast to what he does.

I find out he's headed to one of his club activities. I'm not sure which one, though. He's joined so many over the years. I hope he's involved in the party committee today. What I know is that I have to attend, too, because I have to plan somehing for the coming days.

However, I've been told not to reveal anything and keep it secret. Considering how bad I am at that, I fear I'll let something spill, especially if I come across Chaeyoung or Yujin. No, I have to keep my word and keep my lips sealed for once.

The moment I enter the building where the committee usually reunites, I realize I'm late. Everyone else is here, including Duho. This means more silent treatment, more pretending not to know him, more playing hard to get. I don't care how long it takes—I'll make sure he'll fall in my trap.

Since there aren't many available seat left due to my tardiness, I have to squeeze myself between Kil Saeha and his new batshit crazy girlfriend, Jang Jeongyeon, mostly known as JJ. They believe there's a corruption ring within the higher ups' offices.

As much as I'd like to listen to their theories, they're allegations void of evidence. How can they prove the Dean is entrenched in such heinous schemes without anything showing he's part of them? This can easily be slander unless there's solid proof.

They bring up the topic again and I have to stop them, especially Saeha. In fact, I admonish him. "I understand your worries, Saeha. I truly do, but I wish you wouldn't keep up spreading that rumor. If proven false, you may be liable for severe defamation and libel."

This is enough to scare him. "Oh, no, it's not like that... I can find evidence. I'll find it, no matter what it takes."

I shake my head. "I admire your perseverance, Saeha. But you need to know when you're crossing boundaries and stop." He frowns at me, unconvinced by my warning; therefore, I push forward with my argument. "Well, if you're confident you can prove the Dean and other higher ups took bribes, then go ahead. Remember that I warned you, though."

Both Saeha and JJ bow their heads in gratitude. The latter thanks me for the advice. "We'll both take your words into account. The truth will come out one way or another." I want to be hopeful and believe JJ is right; still, there's one of side of me that thinks this whole situation is crazy.

My persuasion mission has kept me so busy that it takes me ten whole minutes to notice that Duho is sitting in front of me. He also happens to have listened to our conversation. He sighs out of relief—he must've dealt with the couple of weirdos for much longer than me.

This is a great chance for me to exchange words with him; however, I make an incredibly stupid decision. I keep ignoring him, following my plan. As a result, he goes back to minding his business. I bang my head on my desk four times.

What the fuck have I just done?