five

The dorm room was a mess of half-folded laundry, textbooks stacked like little towers, and a faint smell of instant noodles lingering in the air.

A single desk lamp cast a warm glow over Y/N's sketchpad as she doodled absentmindedly, while Jisoo sprawled on her bed, phone in hand.

"So," Jisoo began, voice teasing, "what's the deal with that new guy? The one who kept hovering around you at the party? You know, Mr. Charming Transfer Student?"

Y/N didn't look up. "He's annoying."

Jisoo grinned. "Annoying or interesting? Because trust me, he was definitely interested."

Y/N finally met her roommate's eyes. "I'm... complicated right now."

Jisoo flipped onto her side. "You mean still hung up on Seong-je complicated?"

Y/N sighed. "It's not that simple."

"Of course it isn't." Jisoo smirked. "But you have to admit, being a glorified project partner isn't quite the same as being his girlfriend. And that's where the plot thickens."

Y/N gave a small laugh. "Plot thickens or heartache intensifies?"

"Both." Jisoo wiggled her eyebrows. "Look, you don't owe anyone anything. Not Seong-je, not the new guy, not even yourself. But maybe... just maybe... it's okay to want something different."

Across campus, the dorms were quiet, save for the faint hum of late-night study sessions.

Seong-je sat on the edge of his bed, a crumpled photo of Y/N clenched loosely in one hand. The past felt like a weight pressing down, but it was the present that twisted tighter in his chest.

His phone buzzed. A message from a classmate: "Did you see the new transfer guy hanging around Y/N? Think he's trouble."

Seong-je frowned.

He had noticed him too, the way the new guy smiled a little too much, lingered a little too close. Protective instincts stirred, but so did hesitation.

Was this really his fight anymore?

Later, Y/N was heading back from the library when the transfer student caught up with her.

"Hey," he said, flashing a disarming smile. "I'm Minjae. We haven't talked much."

She nodded cautiously. "Y/N."

"Listen, I know you've got a lot going on. But if you want to hang out sometime, maybe get to know each other better..."

She hesitated, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach.

"Thanks," she said finally, stepping past him.

Behind her, Minjae's smile faltered just a little.

Seong-je watched from a distance, unseen. His jaw clenched.

This wasn't over.