chapter two

lunch was loud, as always. trays clattered, conversations overlapped, and someone had already spilled juice near the vending machines. aeri sat with her usual group by the window, picking at her salad while yejin retold a story from chemistry class.

"i swear," yejin said, leaning in with a grin, "the guy dropped an entire beaker, and instead of apologizing, he just said 'science is unpredictable' like he was einstein or something."

sungmin snorted, nearly choking on his sandwich. "that's actually iconic."

donghyun tossed a fry across the table. "you're all missing the point. the real chaos is tonight's party round two."

aeri rolled her eyes but smiled. "you're obsessed."

"i just like watching people make terrible choices," he said, shrugging. "also, we need updates, queen. how's the wonwoo mission going?"

aeri leaned back in her chair, eyes scanning the cafeteria casually—until they landed on him.

jeon wonwoo sat alone near the far end of the room, tucked into a corner like he was part of the furniture. a book lay open in front of him, half-eaten rice on his tray, headphones around his neck but not on. he wasn't looking at anyone. just... still. quiet.

"target acquired," she said under her breath.

yejin raised an eyebrow. "you're actually doing this?"

"obviously," aeri said, already standing. "i don't lose."

sungmin gave a dramatic gasp. "queen behavior."

donghyun lifted his drink like a toast. "godspeed."

aeri didn't look back as she crossed the cafeteria. her heels clicked lightly against the tile, her stride confident, practiced. she'd walked into rooms like this her whole life—eyes following, whispers trailing behind. but wonwoo didn't even glance up.

she stopped in front of him, tilting her head slightly.

"hey," she said.

nothing.

his eyes stayed on the page. maybe he hadn't heard her?

"jeon wonwoo, right?" she tried again, adding a small smile. "mind if i sit?"

this time, his eyes lifted—slowly.

dark, unreadable.

a beat passed. then, without a word, he closed his book, stood up, and walked away.

aeri blinked.

he didn't even look back.

he just left.

no reaction. no awkward smile. no polite excuse.

nothing.

she stood there for a second, stunned, lips parting like maybe she'd imagined the whole thing. but the empty seat in front of her said otherwise.

behind her, she could already hear yejin trying, and failing, to stifle a laugh.

heat crept up her neck as she turned and walked back to their table, trying not to let it show.

"ouch," donghyun said as she sat down. "cold-blooded."

"what the hell was that?" yejin asked, grinning way too hard. "did he just walk away from you?"

"he's weird," aeri muttered, stabbing a piece of lettuce. "he probably didn't hear me."

"he looked right at you."

aeri didn't answer. her pride stung more than she expected. she wasn't used to this—being brushed off, ignored. people usually leaned in when she spoke. they smiled. they tried. even the ones who pretended not to care still cared.

but wonwoo?

he looked through her like she was invisible.

and that?

that wasn't going to fly.

"sooo," sungmin drawled. "you giving up?"

aeri looked up, eyes sharp now.

"no."

donghyun raised his brows. "oh?"

"it's a challenge now," she said, pushing her tray aside. "he wants to act like i'm not worth talking to? fine. i'll make him talk. i'll make him fall so hard he won't remember how to look away."

yejin leaned in, smirking. "that's the spirit."

aeri didn't smile back. her mind was already spinning—replaying how still he had looked, how deliberately he had shut her out.

this wasn't just about the dare anymore.

this was personal.

she would make jeon wonwoo fall for her.

and when he did?

he'd regret walking away.