The morning sunlight spilled lazily across the classroom, warm and golden, but for Kang Daewon, it felt almost oppressive. He kept his gaze low, pretending to focus on the teacher's instructions, but his fingers fidgeted with the edge of his notebook. Today was the day of the new group project, and he already felt that subtle tension in his chest - the kind that only appeared when Yoo Aera was near.
The teacher clapped his hands. "Alright, everyone. I've assigned new partners for this project. You'll be working in pairs, and the goal is to design a small presentation about local culture and traditions. Remember, teamwork is key."
Daewon's stomach twisted as the teacher began reading names. "Kang Daewon… Mina Lee."
Mina, who had been leaning against the wall chatting with friends, turned and grinned widely. "Looks like we're stuck together, sparkler-boy!" she teased, her tone playful but teasing enough to make Daewon's face heat.
"Y-Yeah… let's do our best," he said, trying to sound casual, though his mind was already racing.
Across the room, Aera's name was paired with Jihoon Park. She blinked in mild surprise but smiled politely. Daewon's heart tightened - jealousy rising like a sudden wave. It was strange, even painful, but he couldn't deny it. Seeing her paired with someone else made his chest ache.
As the classroom buzzed with murmurs and laughter, Daewon and Mina got to work. She leaned close to show him some notes, and he could feel her warmth brushing against his arm. He tried to focus on the project, but every glance at Aera sent his heart racing.
Aera, on the other hand, seemed perfectly composed, smiling politely at Jihoon and exchanging ideas. But Daewon noticed - or thought he did - a small hesitation in her voice, a slight tension in her shoulders whenever she caught his eyes wandering toward her.
Mina nudged him. "Earth to Daewon! You're spacing out again."
He blinked. "Huh? Oh… yeah, right. Sorry."
She smirked knowingly. "Thinking about someone else, huh?"
Daewon groaned. "N-No! I'm just… concentrating."
Mina laughed, clearly unconvinced, but returned her attention to their project.
Meanwhile, Aera and Jihoon were arranging their ideas carefully. Jihoon suggested a design for their presentation board, and Aera tilted her head thoughtfully, her fingers brushing his briefly. Daewon's chest tightened so sharply it was almost painful. That tiny touch, so innocent, made a wave of protectiveness and jealousy surge through him.
He shook his head, trying to push the feeling aside. "Focus, Daewon. It's just a project," he muttered under his breath.
By lunchtime, both pairs had made significant progress. The classroom was filled with quiet conversations, laughter, and the soft scratching of pencils. Yet Daewon found his eyes constantly drifting to Aera. Every time she laughed, every time Jihoon's hand brushed hers, it felt like a punch to his chest.
Mina noticed and leaned closer, her voice low. "You know… you look jealous. Don't tell me you care that much."
"I… I don't!" Daewon blurted, immediately regretting it.
Mina raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Uh-huh. Sure. Keep telling yourself that, sparkler-boy."
Meanwhile, Aera was feeling a quiet stir of her own. She found herself glancing at Daewon, noticing how focused he was on Mina, how his brows furrowed slightly whenever something went wrong in their project. Her chest ached in a way she couldn't quite name, a mix of worry, irritation, and something softer - something that made her heart skip.
The afternoon arrived quickly, and it was time for the presentation. Each team was called to the front of the classroom, displaying their projects. Daewon and Mina's board was colorful and well-organized, but he felt distracted. All he could think about was Aera.
When Aera and Jihoon's turn came, the presentation was smooth, their chemistry as partners seamless. Aera's eyes sparkled as she explained a section, and her hand brushed Jihoon's lightly when she pointed at the chart. Daewon's jaw clenched subtly; he felt the familiar pang of jealousy twist inside him.
"Breathe, Daewon. It's just a project," he muttered under his breath, but his chest continued to pound.
After all the presentations, the teacher announced the results. "Excellent work, everyone. Both teams did equally well - it's truly a tie today!"
The classroom erupted in chatter and applause. Daewon's friends teased him relentlessly. "Told you! You're totally distracted by Aera!"
"I - I'm not!" Daewon protested, his face heating further.
Aera walked past him, carrying her board back to the table. Their fingers brushed accidentally, and a quiet, unspoken tension passed between them. Her cheeks were faintly pink, and she looked away quickly.
Later, during the short break before the next class, Daewon found a quiet moment in the hallway. He leaned against the lockers, trying to calm his racing heart. "Why does it hurt so much just to see her with someone else?" he murmured.
Aera appeared a moment later, leaning casually against the opposite locker. "You were… very focused today," she said softly, a small smile on her lips.
Daewon's eyes widened. "I - um… thanks."
For a heartbeat, they just looked at each other, the air thick with emotions neither dared to speak aloud. Then the bell rang, pulling them back into the flow of school life, leaving the quiet tension lingering like an invisible thread between them.
As the day ended and students poured out of the classroom, Daewon found himself walking beside Aera. They didn't speak at first, just letting the comfortable silence settle. Every so often, their shoulders brushed, and a warmth spread through him that he could no longer ignore.
Finally, he spoke, voice low. "Today… I felt… weird."
Aera tilted her head. "Weird?"
He swallowed hard. "I… I don't like feeling jealous. But seeing you with someone else… it made my chest hurt. And I think… that means I care about you more than I realized."
Her eyes softened, and for a moment, the bustling street around them seemed to vanish. "Daewon…" she whispered, a smile blooming on her lips. "I think… I feel the same."
Their hands brushed again, this time intentionally. Fingers intertwined, warmth flowing between them. The tension melted into something softer, sweeter - the quiet acknowledgment of feelings that had been there all along.
Behind them, the city moved on, unaware of the small, heart-skipping moment that had just passed. But for Daewon and Aera, it was a beginning - a promise that, even amidst jealousy and awkwardness, their connection was growing stronger, weaving the first threads of a romance that would only deepen in the days to come.