A low groan filled the room, Taehyun slowly opened his eyes, immediately regretting it as a sharp headache hit him.
"Ahh…" he winced, pressing a hand to his forehead. "My head…" He sat up carefully, squinting at the bright light coming through the window.
"What happened last night…?" His voice was hoarse, confused.
Then his eyes landed on Aran, who was already awake, sitting quietly on his bed, scrolling through his phone.
"…Aran," Taehyun called weakly. "How did I get home?"
Aran didn't answer.
Taehyun blinked. "Hello?" still nothing, suspicious.
"…Did I do something?" Taehyun asked slowly.
Aran glanced at him briefly then looked away.
That silence was enough. Taehyun's eyes widened slightly. "Wait....what did I do?"
Aran sighed, finally putting his phone down "You messed up a lot yesterday."
Taehyun froze. "…How bad?"
Aran looked at him, expression calm but slightly unimpressed.
"Ai khwaai." The words came out smoothly.
Taehyun blinked. "…What does that mean?"
Aran looked away again. "Nothing."
"That doesn't sound like nothing," Taehyun said, narrowing his eyes. Aran didn't respond.
Taehyun groaned, falling back onto his bed. "You're hiding something."
"I'm going to the library," Aran said, standing up.
Taehyun turned his head slightly. "Library…? This early?"
"I have things to do."
Taehyun stared at the ceiling for a moment.
Then suddenly sat up again, ignoring the headache.
"Wait. I'm coming too." Aran paused, looking at him. "You should rest."
"No," Taehyun said stubbornly, already getting out of bed. "If I stay here, I'll just keep thinking about what I did."
Aran raised an eyebrow slightly. "…You should."
"Aran," Taehyun groaned, grabbing his head again. "Don't do this to me." A small smile tugged at Aran's lips.
Just slightly, "Get ready," he said.
Taehyun sighed dramatically. "You're so strict…"
A few minutes later, the room was quiet again as they prepared to leave Taehyun still looked half-dead.
Aran looked completely fine.
As they stepped out of the dorm, Taehyun glanced at him again.
"…You're really not going to tell me what 'Ai khwaai' means?"
Aran kept walking. "…No."
Taehyun groaned. "You're a bad friend."
Aran didn't reply.
The library was quiet almost too quiet Pages flipped softly, keyboards clicked in the distance, and the air carried that calm, focused atmosphere.
Aran sat at the table, completely immersed in his book, eyes scanning each line carefully.
Beside him Taehyun was… not studying at all.
His head slowly tilted to the side then dropped asleep.
Aran paused mid-reading and glanced at him. "…Seriously?"
He shook his head slightly, a small sigh escaping him before returning to his book.
Hours passed the sun shifted and Taehyun? still asleep.
"Taehyun." No response.
Aran nudged him lightly. "Taehyun."
Taehyun jerked awake suddenly.
"Oh!" he said loudly, earning a few annoyed looks from nearby students. He quickly lowered his voice. "…Oh."
He stretched, looking around like he had just accomplished something great. "Wow," he said proudly. "I read a lot today."
Aran stared at him. "…You were sleeping."
Taehyun blinked. "Was I?"
"Yes." A pause.
"…That explains why I don't remember anything."
Aran shook his head in disbelief.
As they packed their things, Taehyun suddenly brightened.
"Aran, let's go out today." Aran paused. "Out?"
"Yeah. Let's look around. Explore a little."
Aran frowned slightly. "I'm tired. I need to prepare for tomorrow's lecture."
Taehyun clasped his hands together dramatically. "Please?"
"No."
"Please."
"Taehyun"
"Please."
Aran sighed. "…Fine."
Taehyun's face lit up instantly. "Yes!"
The rest of the day felt… different they walked through busy streets, visited small shops, tried random snacks, and laughed over little things. Taehyun pointed out everything like a tour guide.
Aran, at first reluctant slowly relaxed. For the first time since arriving he felt less like a stranger.
Later, they sat on a quiet bench, each holding an ice cream.
The sky had softened into warm evening colors for a moment, neither of them spoke just enjoying the calm.
"Aran," Taehyun said suddenly.
Aran glanced at him. "Hm?"
"…Do you sometimes miss your family?"
Aran's expression softened he nodded slowly. "…Yeah."
The answer was quiet but honest.
Taehyun looked down at his ice cream, then back up.
"Why did you come to study here?"
Aran exhaled deeply, his gaze drifting ahead.
For a moment, he didn't answer then... "I wanted to fulfill my mum's wish."
Taehyun turned to him, listening.
"She always wanted to study here," Aran continued softly. "When she was younger." "But she couldn't afford it."
His grip tightened slightly around the ice cream.
"So… I had to make her dream come true."
Taehyun watched him for a moment then smiled gently.
"That's really brave of you."
Aran didn't respond but his expression softened.
After a short silence, Taehyun spoke again.
"I only have my grandma," he said quietly. "My parents died in an accident." Aran's eyes shifted to him immediately.
Taehyun gave a small shrug, trying to act like it didn't affect him. "She's the only one I have."
Aran didn't say much he just reached out slightly and gave Taehyun a small, comforting pet
Taehyun smiled faintly."Thanks."
The sky grew darker lights began to flicker on around them.
Taehyun stood up, stretching his arms.
"Let's go before it gets too dark," he said. "We have early morning lectures tomorrow." Aran nodded, standing up as well. "Yeah."
As they walked back the city felt warmer now more familiar.
And somewhere in Aran's mind for the first time, Korea didn't feel so far from home anymore.
Morning came too quickly, Aran was already dressed, adjusting his bag in front of the mirror, making sure everything looked neat. He glanced at the time then at Taehyun. Still asleep.
"…Taehyun." No response.
Aran walked over and nudged him. "Wake up. We're going to be late." Taehyun groaned, burying his face into the pillow. "Five minutes…"
"No," Aran said firmly. "Now."
Taehyun peeked one eye open. "…You're so strict."
"And you're slow." That did it.
Taehyun sat up immediately. "Okay, okay! I'm up!"
Not long after, they rushed out of the dorm together, moving quickly across campus.
"Why didn't you wake me earlier?" Taehyun complained, trying to fix his hair while walking.
"I did."
"You didn't try hard enough."
Aran shook his head. "Walk faster."
They reached the classroom just in time students were already settling in.
"Over here!" Jaekyung waved from the middle row.
"You saved seats?" Taehyun said, relieved as they hurried over.
"Of course," Jaekyung replied with a grin.
Aran nodded. "Thanks."
They sat down quickly, catching their breath just as the lecturer walked in perfect timing.
The lecture began, At first, it felt overwhelming new environment, new teaching style, unfamiliar pace.
But Aran focused, carefully, determined.
Beside him, Taehyun tried and surprisingly stayed awake.
An hour later, the lecture finally came to an end.
Students began packing their things, the room filling with chatter again.
Taehyun stretched. "That felt longer than an hour."
Jaekyung laughed. "Welcome to university."
Aran closed his notebook neatly, standing up.
"I have to go," he said.
Taehyun looked at him. "Where?"
"The Great Minds meeting."
"Ohhh," Taehyun nodded. "Already?"
Aran adjusted his bag. "Yeah."
Jaekyung gave him a small smile. "Good luck."
"Don't let them stress you too much," Taehyun added.
Aran let out a small breath. "I'll try."
He paused for a second then nodded at them "See you later."
"Bye!" Taehyun waved.
"Later," Jaekyung added.
As Aran stepped out of the classroom, the noise behind him faded the hallway stretched ahead.
Quiet, focused.
The Great Minds....Which meant he was about to see Minjae again.
Aran exhaled slowly. "…Let's just get this over with."
But deep down he knew it wasn't going to be that simple.
The hallway felt quieter than usual, Aran checked the room number again, standing in front of a slightly closed door.
Great Minds Meeting Room. He exhaled softly.
"…Let's just go in." He pushed the door open.
The room wasn't big just a long table, a few chairs, and large windows letting in soft daylight. A few students were already seated and at the far end....Minjae.
Leaning back slightly in his chair, one arm resting on the table, expression calm as ever like he had been there for a while.
Aran paused for a second then stepped in fully.
"Ah, you're here," the student president said, looking up. "Good." Aran nodded politely. "Sorry if I'm late."
"You're right on time," he replied.
The other winner a girl "So Young" was already seated, offering Aran a small smile as he walked in he nodded back briefly.
Then there was only one empty seat left, right beside Minjae.
Aran stared at it for a second. "…Seriously?"
"Take a seat," the president said, unaware or pretending not to be. Aran had no choice he walked over pulled the chair and sat down.
Minjae didn't turn immediately but Aran could feel it that awareness.
"So," the president began, clapping his hands lightly. "Welcome to The Great Minds." The room settled.
"This team is focused on academic excellence. You'll be working closely on projects, competitions, and research."
Aran listened carefully trying to focus.
"You'll also be guided by our senior members," the president continued. "Including Minjae."
Aran stayed still.
"Let's start with introductions," the president said.
One by one, names were said courses mentioned.
Short greetings exchanged.
Then it was Aran's turn he straightened slightly.
"I'm Aran… from Civil Engineering." His voice was calm.
A small pause.
Then...."I'm Minjae."
The voice came from beside him low, steady, familiar.
Aran didn't 't turn but he felt it that slight shift in the air.
"I think we've already met," Minjae added.
There was something in his tone subtle but intentional.
A few students glanced between them curious.
Aran finally turned his head slightly.
Their eyes met. "…Unfortunately," he replied.
A beat of silence then a faint smirk appeared on Minjae's lips.
The president cleared his throat lightly, bringing attention back. "Right… moving on."
As the meeting continued, tasks were assigned.
Notes were taken, plans were discussed.
Then came the part Aran wasn't ready for.
"Pair work," the president announced. "You'll be working in teams of two."
Aran's grip on his pen tightened slightly.
"Minjae," the president continued, "you'll be paired with…"
A pause then...."Aran."
Taehyun's voice echoed in his head "You'll make lots of friends"
Aran closed his eyes briefly. "…Of course."
Beside him Minjae leaned back slightly completely unfazed.
"Looks like we'll be seeing each other a lot," he said quietly Aran didn't respond but his expression said everything.
And just like that, this wasn't just coincidence anymore.
It was the beginning of something unavoidable.
The meeting finally came to an end, Chairs shifted, papers gathered, and students slowly began to leave the room.
Aran packed his things quickly, not bothering to look beside him. "I'll see you next time," someone said.
He gave a small nod in response and stood up, As he stepped out into the hallway footsteps followed.
"Are you going home?" Aran stopped.
He didn't need to turn. "…Yes."
Minjae walked up beside him, hands casually in his pockets.
"I'll give you a ride."
Aran scoffed immediately. "I can take care of myself."
His tone was sharp clear, final.
Minjae didn't react the way most people would.
Instead he leaned back slightly against a nearby table, watching him. "Why do you hate me?"
The question came out simply but directly.
Aran turned this time brows slightly furrowed, "I don't hate you," he said.
A pause then "You're just rude. And arrogant."
Minjae tilted his head slightly processing then
"Ai sat." The words slipped from Aran's lips under his breath.
Minjae's eyes widened slightly. "Hey.." he straightened. "Thai boy, what does that mean?"
Aran didn't answer he turned and started walking away.
"I'm guessing it's a curse word," Minjae called after him.
Still no response. Aran kept walking steady and unbothered.
Behind him, Minjae watched for a moment then a small smile crept onto his face. Not annoyed or offended just Interested.
"You can't hate me forever," he said, his voice carrying just enough to reach him. Aran slowed slightly
"One day," Minjae continued, "your heart will soften."
Aran stopped and turned halfway, Eyes sharp.
"Never..in your dreams." Then he walked away.
Minjae let out a quiet breath, shaking his head slightly.
"…We'll see."
And for the first time what started as simple curiosity…was slowly becoming something else.