Out of Bounds - Part 3
IVE Yujin x IVE Wonyoung x ITZY Yuna x AESPA Karina x Male Reader
6k words
Ms. Kwon stood at the front of the room, her sharp silhouette cast against the blackboard. She straightened the stack of papers with a clinical thwack that echoed through the quiet room, her glasses glinting under the fluorescent lights.
"Clear your desks," she announced, her voice crisp and commanding. "Pencils only. You have twenty minutes for the quiz. It’s straightforward, if you’ve been paying attention in class last week, you’ll be fine."
The rustle of bags and the zipping of cases filled the air as the students settled in.
In the front row, Yuna swapped her high-energy flirting for fierce determination. She stared briefly at the empty radiator, picturing you there, before shaking the thought away. As she hit a difficult problem, she didn't panic; she remembered the specific shortcut you'd shown her on the whiteboard. Gripping her pencil, she focused on each question leaving no room for pouting.
Wonyoung maintained her graceful nonchalance in the middle row, but her eyes sharpened the moment she got the exam. Her usual bubbly personality disappeared, replaced by a focus trying to remember what you had said during the session.
By the window, Yujin worked with efficiency. She didn’t need to check the clock; to her, the quiz was simply a silent continuation of your conversation. Every problem felt like a question you had already asked her, and she was answering with the focus and execution she had during office hours.
With five minutes remaining, Yujin was already leaning back, her paper face-down, watching the dust dance in the light. She looked calm, steady, and entirely sure of herself.
"Five minutes," Ms. Kwon called out, checking her watch with a sharp nod.
When the bell finally rang, the room exhaled.
"Papers to the front," Ms. Kwon said, gesturing with a brisk wave of her hand. "Don’t forget, there will be no office hours tomorrow. The TA and I have to grade the papers. They should be done by Wednesday."
—
The atmosphere in the class was a sharp contrast to the chaotic energy of the regular math wing. Here, the only sound was the rhythmic scratching of pens and the low hum of the wall heater.
You sat in the back row, your notebook open to the day's notes, though your eyes were fixed on the front of the room. Beside you, Karina leaned back, her long hair falling over the back of her chair. She was one of the few who could actually keep pace with the lecture, which meant she could spend most of her time observing you.
"You're unusually quiet today, y/n," she whispered, her voice a low velvet that barely carried past your desk. She leaned in closer, the faint scent of her perfume cutting through the scent of pencil lead. "Are you actually worried about your students taking Ms. Kwon’s quiz right now? I didn't think you had a heart to fret with."
You didn't pause your pen. "I'm not worried, Karina. My job was to give them the logic. What they do with it during the quiz is none of my concern."
"Spoken like someone trying to convince himself," she teased, a small, knowing smirk playing on her lips. She tapped the edge of your notebook with her pen. "You’ve checked the wall clock three times since the bell rang. You're wondering if they're struggling, aren't you?"
"I'm checking the clock because the lecture is boring," you replied coldly. "If they fail, they fail. There's nothing more that could be done."
"Sure," she hummed, turning back to her own work. "But I have a feeling they’re more prepared than you think. You have a way of... leaving an impression on people."
—
As the bell rang, the usual post-quiz chatter was as frantic as ever.
"The second page was almost identical to problems he did on the board," Wonyoung murmured, adjusting her bag as she walked alongside Yujin.
Yujin nodded, her expression unreadable. "It wasn't a trick. It was just the logic he kept stressing. If you followed the steps, the answer was already there."
Wonyoung slowed her pace, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she leaned closer to Yujin. "Is that so? Because you looked a little too focused. Honestly, Yujin... were you actually solving the problems, or were you just thinking about him the whole time you were writing?"
Yujin’s pace faltered for a split second, a sudden, sharp heat climbing up her neck. "I, what? Don't be ridiculous," she stammered, her voice an octave higher than usual as she stared straight ahead. "I was perfectly normal. I was just focused on the quiz and the derivatives. I wasn't thinking about... anything else."
"Your face says otherwise," Wonyoung hummed, looking delighted.
"I’m just warm from the lecture hall," Yujin countered quickly, clutching her bag strap. "You’re so annoying, Wonyoung."
—
The rest of Monday passed in its usual, blur-like efficiency. You followed the same rigid loop you always did: finishing your final classes, heading to practice, followed by dinner and then finishing the day with homework.
Tuesday rolled by with a similar, predictable rhythm. Classes bled into one another, and before you knew it, the final bell of the day had rung, and the campus began its slow transition into the post-school rush of clubs, sports, and study sessions.
A fresh sign was taped to the door of room 1120, the bold ink leaving no room for interpretation: NO OFFICE HOURS. DO NOT DISTURB.
Inside, the room was silent, save for the rhythmic scratch of your red pen against the final few papers. You were leaning back, focused entirely on the work in front of you. There was no one else in the room; the empty chairs felt like a barrier between you and the rest of the school's noise.
The door creaked open, breaking the silence.
Yuna stood in the doorframe, her presence immediately commanding the room. She had clearly seen you through the small window, and while she definitely noticed the sign, she didn't care in the slightest.
You didn't look up immediately. You finished marking a final bracket, capped your pen with a deliberate click, and finally shifted your gaze toward her. You weren't angry, but your tone was firm.
"The sign is usually there for a reason, Yuna," you said, gesturing slightly to the door.
Instead of retreating, Yuna took a slow, deliberate step into the room, letting the door click shut behind her. She leaned her shoulder against the frame, a playful, soft smile tugging at her lips as she tilted her head.
"I know," she murmured, her voice dropping into a lower, more confident tone. She let her gaze linger on yours before looking at the stack of papers on your desk. "But it's so quiet in here, and the sign says 'Do Not Disturb.' Doesn't that just mean we won't be interrupted?"
She stepped towards the closest desk, her eyes bright with a new kind of daring. "Can't I stay for just a little bit? I'm sure you can make an exception for your favorite student."
You leaned back in your chair, your expression remaining stoic, though the air in the room seemed to shift with her proximity.
"You can’t stay, Yuna," you said, your voice steady and cool. "You can’t see the quizzes until Ms. Kwon officially releases the grades. If anyone walked in and saw you in here while the stack is still open on my desk, it would be an issue for both of us."
Yuna didn't flinch. She actually leaned in a little closer, resting her hand on the edge of the desk closest to the door, her gaze fixed on yours. "Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re so good at keeping secrets, isn't it? I won't tell if you won't."
You looked at her hand resting on the edge of the desk, then back up into her expectant, daring eyes.
She’s not going to take no for an answer, is she. The thought flickered through your mind with a hint of genuine amusement. You hadn't expected her to find this much backbone, but now that she had, it was clear that a simple dismissal wasn't going to work.
A small, almost imperceptible sigh escaped your lips, not one of annoyance, but of weary concession. Your voice lost its sharp, icy edge, replaced by a tone that was still firm, but notably softer.
"Fine," you said, gesturing with your pen toward the table she was leaning on. "Go sit over there. But if you’re staying, stay quiet. I still have the rest of the stack to finish, and I need to focus. Don't bother me while I’m grading."
Yuna’s entire face brightened, a triumphant but contained smile spreading across her lips. She didn't push her luck by saying anything loud; "Whatever you say, boss," as she slid into the chair with a newfound grace, leaning her chin on her palm as she settled in.
The silence returned, though it felt heavier now. You went back to your work, the red pen moving with practiced precision across the final few pages. Even without looking up, you could feel Yuna’s gaze lingering on you from the corner, constant and unblinking. It was a distraction, but one you chose to ignore as you finished the last mark.
You stood up, tapping the stack of papers against the desk to align them. "I’m finished," you said, your voice cutting through the quiet. "I need to head back upstairs to put these in Ms. Kwon’s mailbox so she has them tomorrow morning."
Yuna started to stand, likely to follow you, but you gestured for her to stay put.
"Just wait here," you told her, your tone level. "The halls are still busy, and I’d rather not have people seeing us walk out together while I'm holding the class results. I’ll be back in five minutes."
She sat back down, a small, knowing hum vibrating in her throat as she leaned her chin on her palm again. "Take your time. I’ll wait here just for you."
You stepped out into the hallway, the cool air of the corridor a sharp contrast to the room you just left. You moved with your usual efficiency, climbing the stairs and sliding the folder into Ms. Kwon’s narrow mailbox before turning back toward the TA room.
—
While you were making your way through the quiet upstairs corridors toward Ms. Kwon’s office, the hallway outside the TA room was far from empty.
Wonyoung and Yujin were walking toward the exit, their footsteps echoing in the hallway. They both slowed to a halt as they reached your door. The bold NO OFFICE HOURS. DO NOT DISTURB sign was impossible to miss, yet through the small rectangular window, the room wasn't empty.
Yuna was sitting at the front corner table, looking remarkably comfortable as she waited for your return.
Wonyoung’s eyebrows shot up, a mixture of disbelief and immediate suspicion crossing her face. She leaned closer to the glass. "Is that... Yuna? In there? Alone?"
"He told us he was going to be busy grading today," Wonyoung said, her voice dropping as she pointed at the door. "He literally taped a very explicit 'Do Not Disturb' warning to the handle."
"And yet, she's sitting in there like she owns the place," Yujin added, her voice flat. She watched through the window as Yuna leaned back, looking entirely too relaxed for a student in a TA's private workspace.
Wonyoung tried the handle, but it was locked. She tapped lightly on the glass to get Yuna's attention, but Yuna simply looked over, saw them, and offered a slow, deliberate wave before turning back to the room, looking entirely unbothered.
"She’s actually smirking," Wonyoung noted, her eyes narrowing with a sharp edge of annoyance.
"He said he was busy today," Yujin muttered, her grip tightening on her bag strap as she stared at the sign that apparently didn't apply to everyone.
Wonyoung turned to Yujin, a sharp, calculating glint in her eyes. "Maybe you need to start doing the same."
Yujin blinked, looking at her friend in total confusion. "What? Why?"
"Because being the 'good student' just gets you a locked door and a sign," Wonyoung said, gesturing toward the glass. "But being a distraction? That seems to get you a seat at his desk. If you want his attention, you have to stop waiting for him to give it to you."
"I don't want his attention," she said firmly, gripping her books slightly harder.
Wonyoung’s eyes narrowed as she stared through the glass at Yuna’s relaxed silhouette. "Where even is he?" she hissed, looking up and down the empty corridor. "He wouldn't just leave her in the room alone unless they were... I don't know, doing something more than just math."
Yujin didn't answer, her gaze fixed on the "Do Not Disturb" sign that seemed to mock them. The unfairness of it stung more than she cared to admit. "Maybe he's just in the supply closet," she suggested, though her voice lacked conviction.
"In the dark? Please," Wonyoung scoffed.
They stood there before the sound of your footsteps approaching from the stairwell made them jump.
Suddenly, the heavy fire door at the end of the stairwell groaned open. The rhythmic, unmistakable sound of your dress shoes clicking against the hard floor began to echo through the hallway—steady, purposeful, and getting closer by the second.
"Shit, he's coming!" Wonyoung gasped, her cool exterior vanishing in an instant.
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Yujin’s sleeve. The two of them spun on their heels and broke into a frantic speed-walk, their sneakers squeaking against the floor as they rounded the far corner into the South Hall. They disappeared from view just seconds before you turned into the corridor.
—
You arrived at the door, oblivious to the near-collision, and found the hallway empty. You fished your keys from your pocket, unlocked the door, and stepped back inside.
Yuna looked up from the corner table, her chin still resting on her hand. "That was a long five minutes, boss. Get caught up in a conversation?"
"No, just had to ask a teacher to open the door to the lounge." you replied, walking back to your desk.
You reach under the desk, pulling out your heavy school bag and then walk to the corner to grab your tennis bag.
"I'm locking up," you said, your voice echoing slightly in the now-empty room.
Yuna didn't look dismissed. Instead, she stood up with a rhythmic, easy grace, smoothing out her skirt before slinging her own bag over her shoulder. She walked right alongside you, not behind you, her presence assertive but not overbearing.
As you both begin to walk toward the exit, Wonyoung and Yujin peek out from the turn in the middle of the hall.
Wonyoung and Yujin were practically fused with the lockers, their breath hitched as they peered around the corner. From their view, they saw everything: the way Yuna matched your stride perfectly, her posture relaxed and startlingly intimate.
"Is she... walking with him?" Wonyoung whispered, her voice trembling. Her grip on the corner of the wall tightened, but she immediately glanced sideways at Yujin, her expression flickering with a sudden softness.
"Does he ever hang around after he's done with his work?" Yujin asked, her voice low and hollow. She watched as the two of you passed under a hallway light, the distance between you and Yuna looking far too small for a TA and a student.
Then, Yuna’s voice drifted back to them, clear and teasing.
"So," she said, tilting her head toward you. "You don't have practice for another half hour, and you're already done with the grading. What do you want to do? There’s still thirty minutes left."
The words drifted down the hall, making the two girls pause. Wonyoung pulled back behind the wall, leaning her head against the cool surface with a dry, frustrated exhale.
"Thirty minutes of free time," she muttered, her voice more annoyed than devastated. "And he’s spending it with her? On Thursday he definitely made it sound like he was going to be buried in work. That sign was pretty convincing."
"But I guess he finished early for Yuna," Yujin noted, her gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before she looked back up, her expression a mix of resignation and mild discomfort. It stung to see the "Do Not Disturb" rule get bent so easily, but she wasn't about to let it ruin her afternoon. To them, it felt like a bit of a snub; a door that had been firmly closed to the group but left slightly open for one person.
Wonyoung glanced at Yujin, checking her reaction with a subtle, sympathetic tilt of her head. She saw the flicker of unease in Yujin's eyes and straightened her blazer, letting out a small, huffing laugh. "Well, if he’s 'not busy' anymore, I’m curious to see just how far this special treatment goes."
You and Yuna started down the concrete staircase, the sound of your footsteps echoing in the enclosed space. The stairwell felt private, shielded from the prying eyes and ears in the main hallway above.
"I don't know," you replied, your voice losing its formal edge. "I wasn't really planning on spending the rest of my period with you."
You didn't say it to push her away. It was a rare, honest admission, a break from your usual calculated routine. You looked straight ahead as you descended, the weight of your tennis bag shifting against your shoulder, but there was a subtle looseness in your posture that suggested you weren't exactly rushing to get rid of her either.
The heavy fire door groaned as Wonyoung and Yujin slipped into the stairwell, moving as silently as they could. The concrete walls acted like a megaphone, carrying the voices from below right up to their ears.
"Well, life is full of surprises, isn't it?" Yuna’s voice drifted up, playful and echoing. "Besides, you're the one who told me to stay in the classroom alone. You basically kidnapped me."
Wonyoung froze, her hand hovering over the railing. Her eyes went wide, reflecting a mix of shock and pure indignation. Kidnapped? The word felt like a physical spark in the quiet stairwell. She looked over at Yujin.
Beside her, Yujin shifted on her feet, a cold knot of discomfort tightening in her chest. The sheer casualness in Yuna’s tone suggested an intimacy that made the air in the hallway feel stifling. She looked away, feeling like an intruder on a conversation she was never meant to hear.
Just as the two girls began to creep down the first flight of stairs to get a better look, the bottom door clicked open.
You stepped out into the crisp afternoon air, the sun hitting your face. You didn't look back at the door as it swung shut, but you did glance at Yuna, who was trailing just a half-step behind you.
"I didn’t want to have the quizzes in my hand while walking next to you, Yuna. There's a difference," you corrected, though a faint, almost invisible tug at the corner of your mouth betrayed your amusement. You weren't about to admit that your "no distraction" rule was failing spectacularly.
Behind the exit door, Wonyoung and Yujin watched the two of you walk toward the open quad. They were close enough to see that ghost of a smile on your face, the one you apparently never wore in the halls.
"He's actually enjoying himself," Yujin whispered, her voice barely audible.
Wonyoung didn't answer. She just pushed the door open a crack, watching as you led Yuna away from the main campus traffic.
As you and Yuna stepped out of the building into the main courtyard, the atmosphere shifted instantly. The quad was far from empty, and the sight of you walking side-by-side with one of the school's most pretty girls acted like a lightning rod.
"Is that him?" a girl whispered, nudging her friend. "And Yuna? I thought he didn't even talk to students outside of class."
The murmurs followed you like a low hum. You kept your gaze fixed forward, your expression neutral, though you were acutely aware of the eyes on your back.
"I need to grab something to eat before practice," you said, your voice low enough that only she could hear. "Can we head to the store?"
"Sure, whatever you want," Yuna replied
You led the way to the small convenience shop just outside the school gates. Inside, the bell chimed as you walked to the refrigerated section. You picked up a pre-made sandwich, simple, efficient, and quick. Turning to Yuna, you caught her watching you with a curious expression.
"Do you want anything?" you asked.
"No," she replied, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "I'm not hungry."
You paid and began the long walk back toward the athletic wing. Since you still had twenty minutes to spare, you chose the perimeter path, the scenic route that bypassed the crowded cafeteria. The silence between you was surprisingly comfortable until you unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite.
Yuna watched you, her eyes trailing the movement of your hand. "Can I have a bite?" she asked suddenly, her voice tilting with a hint of a flirtation.
You slowed your pace, looking down at the sandwich and then back at her. A month ago, you hadn’t even known her name; a week ago, she was just another face in the room. Even now, after this strange afternoon, you weren't exactly close.
"Fine," you muttered reluctantly. The sandwich was already sliced into two neat triangles—perfectly symmetrical, perfectly separate. To you, it was the logical solution. Letting her take a direct bite from your half felt unnecessary and, more importantly, far too personal for two people who were essentially still strangers.
You hold out the other half to her.
"No," Yuna said suddenly, stopping in her tracks. She looked at the sandwich and then up at you with a playful, expectant glint in her eyes. "I don't want a whole piece. I just want a bite."
"Just take the other half, Yuna," you insisted, lifting it out the tinfoil. You held it out to her, your expression fixed in its usual professional mask. "It’s already cut. It’s easier and less messy."
Yuna’s face immediately fell. She looked at the half in your hand, then back at the sandwich in yours, her lower lip pouting out in a visible display of disappointment. She clearly wanted the "share a bite" moment, not the "other half" moment.
"You're no fun," she mumbled, but she took the piece anyway, biting it with a dramatic, exaggerated sigh of defeat.
Behind the corner of the gymnasium, Wonyoung and Yujin were huddled together, eyes wide.
"He shared his food," Yujin whispered, her voice trembling. "He just... gave her half his sandwich."
"He’s still letting her follow him," Wonyoung added, her brow furrowed as she watched Yuna lean against the fence with such ease. "Why is he even letting her follow him all the way here?"
She looked at Yujin and saw the quiet discomfort on her friend's face. Wonyoung’s irritation shifted into a weary sort of protective frustration. She didn't want to stand there and analyze Yuna's "victory" anymore.
"Whatever," Wonyoung sighed, pulling Yujin back from the edge of the wall. She adjusted her bag, her tone turning brisk to shake off the mood. "Let him give away his food. We're wasting our time standing here in the dirt. Let’s just go to practice."
The two girls turned away and headed toward the gymnasium.
—
The afternoon sun was still bright as you and Yuna walked toward the athletic wing. The silence was comfortable, at least on her end, as she maintained that effortless, steady stride right beside you.
"So," Yuna started, her voice casual as she glanced at the bag where you’d tucked the rest of your materials. "Since I went through the trouble of ignoring your very scary sign, are you going to tell me how I did? Give me a hint. Did I pass?"
You didn't slow your pace, keeping your eyes on the path ahead. "I can't tell you that, Yuna. You’re not supposed to know your grade before it’s officially posted."
"Aw c’mon" she repeated with a small, amused huff. "You and your rules. Come on, I saw you grading them. You have to remember mine. Was it over 90?"
You stopped in the middle of the path and finally looked at her, shifting your gear bag. "Actually, I couldn't tell you even if I wanted to. Your paper wasn't in the stack I graded today."
Yuna blinked, her confident smirk faltering for a fraction of a second. "What? Why not?"
"I think mine was only the top section of the alphabet," you noted, continuing your walk toward the courts. "Ms. Kwon probably kept the rest. Since you weren’t in my pile, I never even saw your quiz."
She let out a short, dry laugh, regaining her composure as you reached the perimeter of the tennis courts. She stopped at the gate, leaning against the fence with her usual effortless, cool posture. Even without the answer she wanted, she didn't seem particularly bothered—just amused by the situation.
Yuna chuckled, tossing her hair back as she looked you over. "And here I thought I was special," she said, tilting her head with a playful, mock-disappointed sigh."
As you approached the tennis courts she offered a slow, deliberate wave, her eyes gleaming. "Go on then, get to your practice. Good luck! Fighting!"
"Bye, Yuna," you replied, finally stepping onto the court.
"See you tomorrow," she called out, already turning to head back toward the main building with a confident swing in her step.
"Wait, was that actually Yuna dropping you off?" your friend Minho asked, his voice a mix of genuine confusion and disbelief. He walked over with his racket in hand, looking past you at her retreating figure. "How did that even happen? I walked past the classroom earlier and saw that 'Do Not Disturb' sign. I figured you were locked in there like a hermit."
He nudged your shoulder with his elbow, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Is our star player finally getting a girlfriend?"
You let out a weary sigh, dropping your bag onto the bench and reaching for your racket. "What, no. She just kept following me. I told her I was busy, but she just sat down and wouldn’t take no for an answer. I couldn't exactly throw her out."
Minho laughed, tossing a ball into the air and catching it. "She just kept following you? Right. Because that happens to all of us."
—
The heavy double doors of the gymnasium groaned open as Wonyoung and Yujin walked inside. The air was thick with the rhythmic thud of basketballs and the sharp scent of floor wax. Students were scattered across the bleachers, changing shoes and chatting before the coach arrived.
Wonyoung scanned the crowd, her eyes landing on a familiar figure by the equipment rack. "Hey, Karina!" she called out, pulling a reluctant Yujin along.
Karina looked up, a playful glint in her eyes as she watched them approach. "Cutting it a bit close today, aren't you? Coach is going to have us doing laps if we aren't ready in two minutes."
"We got held up," Wonyoung said, trying to sound casual as she leaned against a nearby bench. She lowered her voice slightly. "Hey, you know y/n right? He’s our TA for math"
Beside her, Yujin’s head snapped up. She looked at Wonyoung with wide, panicked eyes, her face flushing as she realized where this was going. She gave a small, desperate shake of her head, silently pleading with Wonyoung to drop it before things got even more awkward.
Karina didn't miss the look. She leaned back against the rack, crossing her arms with a knowing smirk. "Of course I know him. He’s one of my best friends. Why the sudden interest, Wonyoung? Looking for some extra credit?"
Wonyoung ignored Yujin’s frantic signaling, leaning in closer to Karina and lowering her voice. "Not exactly. I'm just curious, you know? Like, does he even have an ideal type? Or is he actually into anyone right now? He’s always so locked in and professional, it’s like he doesn't even realize girls exist. Oh, maybe he’s dating someone already. Is he?"
Yujin felt the blood rush to her face so quickly she thought she might actually faint. Wonyoung, stop. Please, just stop, she screamed internally. What are you even saying right now? You sound so obvious! And now Karina is going to tell him, and he’s going to know we were asking. She squeezed her eyes shut for a second, her mind racing with the image of you sitting at your desk, calm and composed, while Wonyoung acted like a desperate detective. We look so pathetic right now, she thought, her fingers knotting together.
Suddenly, Karina’s eyes lit up, and she leaned forward, her face breaking into a wide, excited grin. She practically vibrated with energy as she looked between the two of them. "Wait, wait! Are you actually interested in him? Oh my god, I can totally see it! You and him?" Karina gushed, her voice echoing a little too loudly for Yujin’s comfort.
Wonyoung immediately straightened up, waving her hands in a frantic time-out gesture. "No! No, no, no. It’s not for me, Karina. I'm definitely not interested in him like that," she insisted, her voice sharp with denial.
Karina’s grin didn't fade; it just morphed into something more analytical. She shifted her gaze, her eyes landing briefly on Yujin before looking back at Wonyoung. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a low, playful hum. "Okay... so if it’s not for you, then who is it for? Because you don't just ask about a guy's ideal type for a stranger."
Yujin felt like she was standing under a spotlight. She kept her head down, her heart hammering against her ribs so hard she was sure they could hear it. Wonyoung, just walk away. Don't say anything else. Please.
Wonyoung caught Yujin's panicked vibe and gave a small, mysterious smirk to cover it up. She adjusted the strap of her gym bag, looking Karina right in the eye. "I can't tell you yet. It’s... a work in progress. I’ll give you a hint later."
Karina’s gaze shifted. She didn't look at Wonyoung anymore; instead, her eyes settled on Yujin. She watched the way Yujin was practically trying to merge with the floorboards, her ears tinted a deep crimson and her hands twisting the fabric of her uniform.
Karina was smart, she hadn't become one of your best friends by being oblivious. A slow, knowing look crossed her face. She didn't say anything out loud, but the way her head tilted as she studied Yujin’s sheer internal crisis said everything. She had clearly connected the dots between Wonyoung's "confidential inquiry" and the girl currently vibrating with embarrassment next to her.
"I see," Karina murmured, her voice softened but laced with a heavy dose of amusement. She reached out and patted Yujin’s shoulder as she walked past toward the center of the court. "Good luck with your 'work in progress,' Wony."
Then, she leaned in slightly toward Yujin, her eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and genuine support. "And don't worry too much, Yujin," she whispered, giving her a playful grin.
Yujin let out a shaky breath she hadn't realized she was holding, finally looking up as Karina walked away. "Wonyoung," she hissed, her voice a mix of a sob and a growl. "Now she thinks I like him!"
Wonyoung didn't look bothered at all. She began walking toward the locker room to drop off her extra gear, her pace casual as she glanced back at her friend.
"Don’t you like him? When will you finally admit it?" she asked, her voice stretching into a long, whiny trail. She slumped her shoulders forward, looking at Yujin with a dramatic pout. "Come on, Yujin, admit it already! My ears are going to fall off if I have to keep listening to you deny it!"
"But, I don't!" Yujin shot back, though the heat in her face told a completely different story. She hurried to keep up, her sneakers squeaking against the polished floor.
"So why were you acting like that when I was talking to Karina?" Wonyoung asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow as she pushed open the locker room door. "You looked like you were about to pass out."
"Because you’re acting like I like him!" Yujin whispered-yelled, looking around to make sure the other girls weren't eavesdropping by the lockers. "You’re making it weird!"
Wonyoung let out a light laugh and tossed her bag onto the bench. "How do you know I was talking about you? I never said your name. It could’ve been someone else."
Yujin opened her mouth to argue, but she stalled, realizing Wonyoung had technically kept it vague—even if it was blindingly obvious to anyone with eyes. She groaned, covering her face with her hands for a split second.
Wonyoung just laughed. "It’s fine Yujin. We’re her friends. She's his friend. It’s perfect, besides it’s better to have her on our side than Yuna’s."