So I had confided in Jessica, but her reaction was a bit eccentric. She rushed to the washroom and later informed that it had been an "emergency", and we all knew what that meant, but even so, her behaviour seemed a bit strange.

At that point in time, I would've done anything in order to stop Hae-Ri from falling for Hae-Jun, and that was going to be a tough task, seeing that Hae-Jun was fan-girled by so many. I knew that he was a year older than all of us and that he was super popular, but apart from that... nothing.

A week had gone by, and you could say that I had been eavesdropping on Hae-Ri, and yes, I sounded like a pervert, but I was desperate. Till then, I had seen that Hae-Ri and Hae-Jun hung out almost every alternate day. It was unusual for two individuals to become so friendly after just a couple of conversations.

...

At lunch:

"So, Hae-Ri Ya, have you thought about who's gonna be your partner for the Masquerade Ball, yet?" I asked, trying to sound confident.

The Masquerade Ball was an event that took place every two years in our University. It was like a Dance, except all of us had to wear masks, keeping our identities unknown to other people, making it interesting as we had to try and figure out who was present under each mask.

"Hmm...aniyo, what about you? And you, Jessica?" she said simply. (Nope)

"I haven't got anyone yet. I was hoping that someone would ask me soon," Jessica said.

"Me neither, except I should be the one doing the asking part. I admit, I've had someone in mind, but it looks like she already likes someone," I hinted.

"Oh, that's too bad. I have an idea, maybe you and Jessica should go together!" Hae-Ri exclaimed like that was the best idea she'd ever got.

There went my plan, why did she have to suggest that? Now, how could I refuse to Jessica? I looked at Jessica, and she looked back, with a glimmer in her eyes. 

She shrugged, "I think Min-Jae really wants to go with this other girl. It wouldn't feel right for me to go with him. Hae-Ri, I'll meet you later, arrasseo?", and left immediately. (Okay?)

"Well, that was a bit sudden, don't you think?" Hae-Ri asked.

"Uhm, yeah, she's been behaving a bit odd lately. Maybe you should talk to her," I said.

"Yeah. Yeah, I will," she said determinedly, "I should go Min-Jae, we have the collaboration class next, and I need to talk to Hae-Jun. Can't get late, See ya!"

I waved limply. Why was something or the other constantly reminding me of those two? I was started to get really done with this whole thing. I had a month, and no more than a month till the Masquerade Ball, and to get Hae-Ri. I just had to.

...

When I reached the room assigned for our collaboration class, I saw that Jessica wasn't sitting at our usual place, and instead, she was talking to Park Ho-Jin, Hae-Ri's elder brother who was in the same year as Hae-Jun. I was certain that she saw me, but she pretended not to. Nevermind, I thought and sat with the guys. I decided to stop thinking about Jessica's strange behaviour, and to focus on a way to get with Hae-Ri.

Since a couple of the guys knew about the recent development in my feelings for Hae-Ri, I tried asking them for advice.

"Min-Jae, you gotta attract her with your natural charm. You're the most popular guy in our year, how can she not fall for you?!"

"Bro, just confess! Treat her like a queen, girls like that!"

"If you think she doesn't like you, then there's no point embarrassing yourself by getting rejected, just get over her."

But to me, none of these tips seemed right. I mean, true, I was pretty popular and I certainly had the looks, but clearly I needed more than that. Giving up didn't seem like an option either. I thought about talking to Ho-Jin. 

As soon as the class got over, Jessica hurried out (she probably didn't want to run into me), and I made my way to have a small conversation with Ho-Jin.

"Annyeonghaseyo, we've met before,Choi Min-Jae imnida," I reminded him that we had been acquainted. (Hello, I'm Min Jae)

"Right, you're Hae-Ri's best friend, right?" he confirmed.

"Yup. I just wanted to ask you if Hae-Ri told you about Hae-Jun? They've been talking lately..." I said, hoping that he would talk his sister out of it.

"Yes, I know all about it...Hae-Jun is one of the guys in my friend group, so he's been telling me. Although, the crazy thing is that he doesn't know that Hae-Ri's my sister!" he laughed.

Well, this might not have been a good start, but unfortunately, I continued to take chances.

"So, what do you think of them? I feel like Hae-Jun might be a bad influence on her, seeing as she's generally so focussed on her work," I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Aniyo. I'm pretty happy about it , because Hae-Ri's constantly thinking about her assignments and work, whereas if she has Hae-Jun by her side, she can get a break from all that. The good thing is, he wouldn't distract her because he, himself, is one of the top students in our University. Didn't you know that?" he opined. (No)

So, the result had been the complete opposite of what I had hoped that it would be. My plan had flopped again.

...

I glumly walked back to my room. Maybe music would help me relax a bit, like it always did. I picked up the guitar case, and moved towards the music room, which was a mistake.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw something that I could never erase from my memory. Hae-Ri and Hae-Jun. Their backs were facing towards me, and they were hugging.