* * *

Jeongseo’s eyebrows drooped.

He had carefully chosen a university that seemed within his academic reach, yet he hadn’t expected his teacher to immediately say it would be difficult.

“…Is it really that hard?”

As Jeongseo’s mood sank, the teacher let out a troubled sigh and looked back down at the counseling sheet.

The university Jeongseo had written down wasn’t a top-tier school, but it was still located in Seoul and ranked somewhere in the mid-to-upper range.

It had science and engineering programs, including a college of engineering, a school of natural sciences, and an interdisciplinary department.

However, looking at Jeongseo’s second-year grades alone, it was clear that this was an ambitious choice.

The teacher hesitated, wondering how to phrase things.

High school seniors were incredibly sensitive, and even a careless remark could deeply wound them.

“Well… your grades improved a lot in your second year, but your first-year grades were quite low. So if you only apply here, it would be considered a reach. You should probably switch to a safer option. Is there a specific reason why it has to be this school?”

There was a reason, of course, but it felt embarrassing to say it out loud.

Jeongseo hesitated, blinking, and the teacher took a deep breath.

“I see. You have your reasons. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“I was looking at the rural special admission track… Wouldn’t that work?”

The rural admission track was available to students who had lived in designated rural areas for six or twelve years.

Jeongseo knew the general admissions process would be tough, so when he found out about this option, it seemed like the perfect fit.

After all, he had lived in Dangang County his whole life.

The teacher muttered, “Rural track…?” before furrowing his brows in confusion.

“But Jeongseo, I thought you graduated elementary and middle school through the GED. Am I wrong?”

“I did…!”

The teacher gazed into the air for a moment, then folded his hands under his nose and leaned forward.

The sudden shift in mood made Jeongseo instinctively lean in as well.

“Jeongseo, don’t be shocked, but if you graduated through the GED, you don’t qualify for the rural track. You have to graduate from a school located in a rural area for it to apply.”

Jeongseo’s eyes widened. Judging by his reaction, the teacher was certain he hadn’t known.

He hadn’t properly checked the requirements and had completely missed this condition.

So that’s why the teacher said it was difficult.

Jeongseo sank into gloom, wondering if he should look into other schools.

But this university was the closest to Korea University, and he couldn’t shake his disappointment.

Seeing his shoulders slump, the teacher quickly tried to console him.

“But look, your grades did improve in your second year, and your most recent practice test scores weren’t bad. You could apply to another university in Seoul that’s within a safer range, or consider a national university in another region.”

“…Okay. I understand.”

No student ever walked out of a college counseling session feeling great, but the teacher still wanted to encourage him as much as possible.

While racking his brain for another option, his eyes landed on one of the universities Jeongseo had listed.

Jeonghan University – Department of Sports Science

It would be difficult to get in through the student record admissions track, but if he prepared well for the practical exam and the national college entrance exam (CSAT), he might have a shot.

The teacher recalled hearing about Jeongseo from the P.E. teacher last year during a school trip.

Now that he thought about it, Jeongseo wasn’t just quick on his feet—he had good physical endurance too.

The P.E. teacher had lamented that they should have recruited him for the track or table tennis team in his first year.

Jeonghan University was known for its difficult practical exams, but…

The teacher’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Jeongseo, who was just about to leave the counseling office.

“Jeongseo, if you’re serious about this school, I think there’s a way.”

“Really?!”

Jeongseo immediately perked up and sat back down.

The teacher explained his idea.

Since being admitted through early decision would prevent him from applying during regular admissions, he should take the risk and apply for early decision, while simultaneously preparing for the practical exam and CSAT.

If this was the only school he had his heart set on, then it was worth the gamble.

The thought of preparing for both the practical exam and CSAT at the same time was nerve-wracking.

Sensing Jeongseo’s tension, the teacher reiterated:

“You’ll have to keep up your grades, but more importantly, you’ll need to train for the practical exam and study for the CSAT. If you slack off, you’ll either have to give up on this school or take a gap year to try again. Talk it over with your parents and let me know by the end of the week. If you’re serious, I’ll ask the P.E. teacher for help with the practical exam.”

“Yes! Thank you so much!”

Jeongseo bowed deeply before finally leaving the counseling office.

He would talk to his parents, but his mind was already made up.

For the first time, he had a solid reason to study.

If he wanted to graduate and stay close to Pyo Yoontae, he needed good grades—starting with the upcoming midterms, which were only a month away.

Clenching his fists, he braced himself for the challenge ahead.

✿°❀•°❀°•❀°

Pyo Yoontae thought the world was absolute shit lately.

Being seated next to Seo Jeongseo in class was great.

But in chemistry, they had to move to the lab, and seating arrangements were reshuffled.

Last year, students were free to sit wherever they wanted, but for some reason, the chemistry teacher had assigned seats this time.

The result?

The classroom had four large tables where students sat in groups, and Jeongseo ended up at the very front, near the aisle—while Yoontae was stuck in the farthest back corner by the window.

The distance itself wasn’t the worst part.

What pissed Yoontae off the most was—

His golden eyes, burning with jealousy, locked onto Jeongseo and Hayan, who were whispering and chatting like old friends.

That little rat was sitting next to Jeongseo, which meant they were getting even closer.

For some reason, they had a lot to talk about during class.

Since Yoontae was too far away, he couldn’t hear a single word.

And worst of all, despite being blatantly stared at, Jeongseo never once glanced his way.

Yoontae was barely holding himself back from losing his shit.

He knew Jeongseo would never develop romantic feelings for anyone, but Hayan was a different story.

No matter how much that nerd was obsessed with studying, if Jeongseo kept smiling at him like that and treating him so warmly, he might start getting ideas—just like that bastard Ha Sumin did.

As Yoontae glared daggers at the two, the guy next to him, Hyun Junhyun, suddenly leaned in and whispered.

“Even a chaebol heir can’t keep his boyfriend in check, huh? You’re gonna lose him. Or… are you aiming for both? That Hayan kid’s got white hair—your type, right?”

Junhyun snickered at Yoontae’s obvious death glare.

When Yoontae slowly turned his head, his cold stare sent a shiver through Junhyun’s eyelids.

“…Just don’t target me.”

Even while intimidated, Junhyun couldn’t stop running his mouth.

Yoontae scowled.

Of all people, why was this idiot the one sitting next to him instead of Jeongseo?

When class finally ended and they returned to their usual seats, Jeongseo sat beside Yoontae again.

Yoontae leaned his chin on his hand, sneaking glances at him.

But Jeongseo was too focused on taking notes to pay him any attention.

These days, Seo Jeongseo had been paying close attention in class, so Pyo Yoontae didn’t want to interrupt him too much.

But this cold indifference was just too much.

Slowly, Yoontae reached out and lightly scratched the back of Jungseo’s hand as he jotted down key points.

Jungseo flinched, his hand stopping in place, and at last, his gaze turned to Yoontae.

The moment their eyes met, Yoontae turned his face completely toward him, only for Jungseo to look away as if nothing had happened.

That made something stir painfully in Yoontae’s chest.

Sure, Jungseo was focused on class, but just earlier during chemistry, he had whispered so obviously with Hayan.

How could he treat Yoontae like this?

Scowling, Yoontae lightly poked Jungseo again.

If he’d just looked at him once and asked, “What’s wrong?” his frustration would’ve eased, but Jungseo was clueless.

As Yoontae kept prodding him in frustration, Jungseo suddenly scowled and smacked Yoontae’s hand like he was swatting a bug.

The sharp sound rang through the classroom, making even the teacher at the podium flinch and turn toward them.

“What was that?”

“Oh, there was a bug! Sorry about that!”

Jungseo even lied so smoothly, then shot Yoontae a glare before scooting his chair closer to the wall.

The harshness of it left Yoontae stunned, his tingling hand clutched in his other, staring at Jungseo in shock.

* * *