chapter 3

Two Nights Later – Club Booth Prep (Late Evening)

The student center buzzed even at this hour, a strange mixture of exhaustion and energy. Half-finished banners lay across tables, cardboard signs leaned against chairs, and a giant thermos of watered-down coffee stood as the team's only fuel.

Mirae tucked her sleeves up, holding one end of the booth's banner while Noah adjusted the stand on the opposite side. Her hair was tied up messily, strands falling over her cheek.

"You've got paint on your nose," Noah said, his voice unusually soft for someone known for being the calmest in the room.

Mirae blinked. "Where?"

"Here," he said, stepping closer—his thumb brushing near her nose, pausing deliberately longer than necessary.

Mirae's hand instinctively came up to stop him. But she didn't pull away fast enough.

Just outside the prep hall, Ray stood with his team—technically on break, practically frozen in place. His jaw clenched. His hands curled in his jacket pockets.

He saw it.

The way Noah stood was just a little too close. The way Mirae lowered her gaze, unsure of what to do with the tension suddenly in the air. The way her lips parted, about to say something—but didn't.

Ray looked away.

"Something wrong?" a voice asked behind him.

It was Ren, casually sipping from a bottle of cola, leaning against a table like he'd been watching the whole thing unfold.

Ray didn't answer.

Ren's grin was lazy. "You look like someone just stole your favorite toy."

Ray didn't rise to it. "It's not like that. And she's not a toy!!"

"Mm," Ren hummed, unconvinced. "Funny. You hover around her like she's air and you're drowning. Kind of hard to miss."

Ray finally looked at him, expression cool. "And you watch me like I'm about to fall."

Ren leaned in, just a little. "Maybe I'm curious what happens when you do."

Before either of them could speak again, Mirae called from inside. "Ray?"

He turned instantly, walking back into the room without another word.

Mirae was holding the last banner sketch. "Can you help me adjust the side? Noah's handling something else."

Ray took the board from her silently. Their hands brushed—hers cold, his warm.

"You okay?" she asked softly, reading him better than anyone else could.

He nodded, but she didn't look convinced.

From across the room, Noah's eyes followed them briefly, then turned away—busy with final touches. But not unaware.

Ren, still outside, exhaled a sharp laugh under his breath.

"Everyone's pretending not to feel. How exhausting."

Later That Night – Walk Back to Dorms

The prep work had finally ended. The halls were mostly empty now, lights dimmed to half-brightness. Mirae walked beside Ray, a quiet rhythm in their footsteps.

She clutched the rolled-up banner in one hand, a tired yawn escaping her lips. "I thought I was used to late nights."

Ray adjusted his hoodie and looked over at her. "You look like you're about to collapse."

"You should see yourself," she shot back, grinning. "You look like you haven't blinked in hours."

Ray shrugged. "Kept watching to make sure you didn't trip over your own feet."

She chuckled, bumping his shoulder lightly. "You're ridiculous."

He smiled at that, just a little. But his gaze lingered on her—long enough that she noticed.

"What?" she asked, blinking.

"Nothing." Ray looked ahead again. "Just... don't get too close to Noah."

Mirae slowed her steps. "Are we really doing this?"

"I'm just saying. He's... hard to read."

"So you are," she said quietly.

Ray stopped. Turned to her.

There it was again—that small flicker. That pause between them, that always felt like something left unsaid. But neither reached for it.

Instead, he ruffled her hair like he always did, but softer this time. His fingers brushed a little longer.

"I'm serious," he muttered. "You get weird when I'm not around."

She raised an eyebrow. "Weird?"

He smirked. "Like you forget I exist."

"I never forget you exist," she said, almost too quickly.

They both stood there for a moment, the streetlight casting soft shadows over them.

Before anything else could be said, footsteps approached.

Ren.

Hands in his pockets. Head tilted slightly.

"Long night?" he asked, eyes flicking between the two of them.

Ray stiffened, but Mirae nodded. "The worst."

Ren's gaze settled on Ray. "Don't forget tomorrow's call time. I'd hate to see you miss it."

Ray's jaw tightened. "I won't."

Ren offered a low hum and walked past them. But not before his shoulder lightly brushed Ray's—intentional. Calm. Challenging.

Ray didn't move. But Mirae noticed the sharp inhale he took right after.

She looked at him, concerned. "You okay?"

He turned to her with a half-smile. "I'm always okay."

And yet, as they walked the rest of the way, the space between them wasn't wide—but it wasn't quite close either.

Just enough to make anyone watching think something was going on.

Next Day – Club Room, Late Afternoon

The club room buzzed with soft chatter and rustling papers. Posters half-hung, wires tangled near speakers, and the faint smell of marker ink hung in the air. It was

planning day—and seniors took the lead.

Ren and Noah stood near the window, flipping through the event schedule. Noah glanced at the list, his finger tracing names.

"Freshmen get paired with seniors today," he said, mildly amused.

Ren raised a brow. "On purpose?"

"Club head thinks it'll 'build rapport.'" He rolled his eyes. "Watch the chaos unfold."

At the far side of the room, Mirae walked in beside Ray, laughter echoing from something she said just before the door shut.

Ren's eyes flicked immediately to them.

They weren't touching. But they didn't need to. The way Mirae brushed Ray's arm when she leaned closer, the way Ray handed her a drink without her asking—it all looked practiced. Intimate. Familiar.

Noah followed Ren's line of sight. "They're always together, huh?"

Ren didn't respond.

The club lead began calling names. Pairs were being assigned for project planning.

"And—Mirae with Noah. Ray with Ren."

A subtle silence followed.

Mirae looked up at Ray, as if needing silent approval. Ray only gave a small nod, but his jaw was tight.

Noah stepped over smoothly. "Looks like we're partners." He smiled at Mirae, who returned it, cautiously.

Ray turned as Ren approached, leaning in just slightly.

"Don't worry," Ren murmured low enough that only Ray could hear, "I won't let her run away with him."

Ray stiffened. "That's not what I'm worried about."

"Oh?" Ren tilted his head, a glint in his eyes. "Then what are you worried about?"

Ray said nothing, but his gaze followed Mirae across the room like a shadow.

Meanwhile, Noah handed Mirae a sketchpad. "He always stares at you like that?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

Noah chuckled. "You didn't notice?"

"I guess I'm just... used to it," she said quietly.

From across the room, Ray's focus never wavered—even as Ren leaned a little too close beside him, just enough to stir something sharp in the air.

The room looked like a club prepping for an event.

But beneath the paper and plans, something much more tangled had begun.

Later That Evening – Club Studio Room

Most of the club had filtered out, but Mirae and Noah stayed behind to finish a few design drafts. The quiet hum of music played from someone's forgotten phone, bouncing gently off the windows.

Mirae leaned over the table, pencil tucked behind her ear as she sketched layout ideas. Noah sat across from her, arms folded, eyes calm but sharp.

"You're focused when you work," he said.

She looked up briefly, smiling. "And you talk a lot when you're bored."

"Maybe I'm not bored," he replied. "Maybe I'm trying to know you better."

Mirae paused, blinking slowly. "Why?"

Noah leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. "You're interesting. Quietly fiery. And you always seem like your mind is somewhere else—except when he's around."

She hesitated. "He's... always been around."

"That's not an answer," he said gently.

She gave a soft chuckle, brushing her hair back. "Maybe I don't know the answer."

Noah nodded slowly, gaze unreadable. "Fair."

Meanwhile—

Down the Hall – Tech Storage Room

Ray was organizing the props Ren had dumped on him earlier, extra mics, a tripod with a broken leg. His mood was taut, movements faster than necessary.

Ren leaned casually against a shelf, tossing a rubber cable in his hand like it weighed nothing.

"You're not subtle, you know," Ren said suddenly.

Ray didn't look up. "Neither are you."

Ren smirked. "I've been watching you watch her. It's exhausting."

Ray stopped.

Ren took a step closer. "You act like you're not jealous. But then you hover like she's your shadow. You glare at Noah like you're ready to fight him. And then you turn around and act like she's 'just a friend.'"

Ray finally turned, eyes sharp. "She is my friend."

"Then relax," Ren said with a shrug, "and stop making it look like she's the only person in your universe."

Ray opened his mouth—but said nothing. Because maybe that was the problem.

Ren's tone dropped, softer now. "You're too afraid to want her. But also too afraid to lose her."

Their eyes locked.

Ray's chest rose and fell, controlled but tight.

Then a faint knock broke the moment. Mirae peeked in.

"There you are," she said, looking only at Ray. "You didn't text."

Ray moved instantly toward her, grabbing the bag near his feet. "Wasn't that long."

Ren watched them walk away, Mirae close to Ray's side again—just like always.

And the shadow of a smirk played at his lips.

Nightfall – Near Dormitory Bulletin Board

Mirae stood by the pinned-up announcements, scanning her phone and a small notepad. Notes on available shared spaces, dormitory lists, and campus rental options filled the pages. Her brows furrowed in concentration.

Ray leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed, watching.

"You're really going through with this?" he asked.

She didn't look up. "I told you. I need something affordable. Sharing's the most practical option."

He frowned. "You could just stay with me until then."

"I don't want to be a burden, Ray."

"You're not," he said, stepping closer. "Not to me."

She finally looked up, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The glow from the hallway lights caught the edge of her expression—tired but determined.

"I just... need to figure things out on my own," she said. "Even if you're there, I don't want to forget how to stand alone."

Ray's voice dropped, quieter now. "You're not alone. I'm not asking you to rely on me for everything—just don't push me out like I don't matter."

"You matter," she said, and something in her voice almost cracked. "Too much sometimes."

Their eyes met, words tangling in the air, but unsaid.

From a short distance, a pair of footsteps echoed—Ren and Noah walking out from the club hallway, deep in casual conversation.

Ray noticed them instantly. His posture shifted, subtly—more guarded.

Ren caught sight of them. His gaze hovered for just a second longer than needed before turning away with a knowing smirk.

Noah's eyes flicked toward Mirae, curiosity lingering.

"You've got fans," Ray muttered under his breath.

Mirae raised a brow. "Jealous?"

Ray snorted. "You wish."

She laughed lightly and folded her notes. "Anyway, I'll go see two shared spaces tomorrow. One of them's with someone from Liberal Arts—Yoi recommended her."

"You sure it's safe?" Ray asked, already pulling out his phone. "Text me the address. I'll go with you."

Mirae opened her mouth to argue—then stopped. "Okay."

Ray blinked. "Wait, really?"

"I know you're gonna follow me anyway," she said, teasing. "Might as well make it official."

Ray smirked. "Glad you're finally catching on."

From a distance, Noah glanced back once more. Ren didn't even need to speak—his expression said it all: They're tangled. Deeply. And maybe they don't even know it yet.

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