One month had already passed since Karina got herself tangled up in the big life of her new friends Yeji, Ryujin, and Lia.

Four of them used to stroll about campus freely with effortless camaraderie and an unmistakably unique charm. To cut a long story short, they became pretty popular as a foursome-especially at school-at times making that popularity slightly inconvenience.

This is a warm afternoon, nearing lunchtime. Karina straightened up, enjoying a chance to rest, just as Yeji suddenly put her arm through hers; Karina turned to face her, a little caught off guard, but still, all Yeji has done is flash a cheerful smile and tug her over. There was something in the loose hold of this easy-going Yeji as if warmth and energy together took everything just a little light.

"Let's go find the others!" Yeji chimed, almost dragging Karina along with her as her animation proved contagious. Karina smiled, moving into place beside her and feeling her own tension dissipate where Yeji seemed to install ease around her.

Inside the cafeteria, they found Ryujin and Lia already standing by the door, chatting away. Ryujin noticed Karina first and sent her a playful wink, earning an eye roll from Karina, though she couldn’t quite hide her smile. It was becoming Ryujin’s trademark—her subtle flirting that Karina had come to find amusing.

"Lia, mind keeping your friend in check?" Yeji quipped as she hugged Karina's arm a little closer, donning a mock-serious expression.

Lia arched her eyebrow, hands on hips, and sent an over-the-top look at Ryujin.

"Note taken. Ryujin, ease it down one notch," she laughed while nudging Ryujin, who merely shrugged at her, smiling.

"Okay, okay. I'll try to keep the winks to an absolute minimum... unless absolutely necessary," Ryujin said with eyes glinting with mischief.

Yeji's eyebrows furrowed, her hand tightening around Karina by a small fraction of an inch.

"That means no smirks, Ryujin," she shot back, teasing.

Their laughter became one, and they stepped to a table and sat. The ease of teasing and jokes lifted up their spirits. Heads turned as they walked through the cafeteria; a few admiring glances and murmurs followed them. But none of them noticed—until a tall figure cast a shadow over their table.

Min Sung, a senior who’d been watching their group for weeks, finally decided to make his move. His striking features and confident smirk were impossible to ignore as he cleared his throat, instantly silencing the group. Each of them looked up, expressions shifting from surprise to guardedness.

Yeji narrowed her eyes, instant wariness settling into the depths. Ryujin leaned back, crossing her arms and giving him a look saying she pegged him in trouble already. Lia's face went chilly, clearly unmoved, while Karina blinked in surprise and met his gaze with something like uncertain politeness.

His eyes locked upon Karina. He started staring at her, with the intent that made her instinctively look away. An arrogant smile played on his lips as he moved forward, ignoring the rest of the group.

"Min Sung," he said confidently, speaking a little louder than one would. Still, not taking his gaze off of Karina.

"And I'm oppa to you, beautiful," he finished, the smirking growing wider on his lips as he winks at her.

Lia rolled her eyes and didn't even pause.

"And? What do you want?" she demanded, her voice as unimpressed as her expression.

He did not smile less as he leaned into Karina, the gap between them growing uncomfortably small.

"Dinner tonight?" he asked, ignoring the rest of the table, his tone making it sound like more of a command than a question.

Karina froze, her eyes reflecting the flicker of discomfort. A moment later, when Yeji's grip on her arm tightened silently in support, she could smile pleasantly.

"Thanks, but... I'm not interested."

Min Sung's smirk faltered for a moment, then back again, bolder this time, as if only her rejection had made him more intent.

"Not interested?" he repeated, his voice dropping lower.

"You don't even know me yet. I don't give up that easily."

Dark shadows crept over Ryujin's features, and Lia stepped forward, standing firmly between Karina and Min Sung.

"You heard her," Lia said decisively, her tone flat and unyielding.

"She said no. Take a hint."

A flicker of irritation crossed his face as he glanced at Lia, but he didn't question her. Instead, he refocused on Karina with one last lingering glance before saying, "I'll be back," and flashing a smug wink into her face before turning around and walking off.

As he walked off, an uncomfortable silence settled over the group. Ryujin let out a huff, rolling her eyes. “Seriously, what’s with that guy?”

Lia stroked her hair with an agitated hand, the frustration and resignation in her voice now mingling with it.

"He's... really persistent, for one," she said.

"We knew each other's families. Old family friends." She curled up her lip, faintly distasted there.

"He has this reputation about getting whatever he wants. Believes he is irresistible simply because of his family money. I mean, wouldn't one know when to quit?"

Karina took a shuddering breath as she tried to compose herself and then plastered on a polite smile trying to push the experience aside.

"Well, he can keep waiting."

Yeji put a gentle hand on Karina's shoulder. Her eyes had softened yet were fiercely protective in their tone.

"You did great," she said with a warm smile as she nudged her playfully to lighten the mood.

"Guys like that, they need a reality check."

Ryujin grinned devilishly. "Or perhaps he simply needed to understand that you were already taken."

She added , clearly enjoying the chance to lighten the tension. “Or maybe next time we’ll just let Yeji scare him off.”

Lia smiled. "Actually, Ryujin's right. With all this protective energy around Yeji, he could scare that guy off forever. All right, though, but if he harasses you again, we have your back."

Karina’s smile softened as she looked around at each of them, a surge of gratitude warming her heart. “Thanks, guys. Really.”

Tho back in her mind she knows it's far from over.