Chapter 35: New Semester, New Classes

Monday | January 8th, 2024 | 12:23 PM

Unlike others, I was actually excited for the start of the new semester. Finding nothing to do besides work and hanging out with friends over the winter break was becoming tedious and boring. Not that I was complaining, but it felt repetitive. At least with school in the background, there was homework or classwork that'll take up some of my time and attention. And with last semester's flunk looming over my head, it'll give me the push to not do it again.

My schedule this semester was similar to my last one. Most of my classes were all bunched on my Mondays and Wednesdays, with just a single class on Tuesday and Thursdays so I have time for work later in the day. Speaking of which, I was finally arriving at my first class of the day, Sociology, or what I call, 'the easy A'.

As long as I knew how to bullshit my way around why society acts the way society does, I was pretty much guaranteed a passing grade. Or at least, that’s what I heard from Jinho and Wooyoung, who took the class together last semester.

Walking into the class, the lights were bright and the lecture was already set up. As usual, the class was held in a massive lecture hall with rows of chairs and stairs. Taking a seat at the topmost row, I could see everyone slowly trickle into the room as they moved past me and filled up the seats.

For as big of a classroom as this was, the size is a bit deceiving since there's barely fifty people in the room, including the professor who strutted in a few minutes before class began. He was an older gentleman, tall and broad-shouldered. He wore a button-down and slacks, and his hair was greying. I was staring at my phone, watching the time countdown until the first class begins.

That was when my neck started to prickle and there was a feeling that I needed to look up and examine the room. I had no clue why I felt this, maybe a gut instinct, or just the feeling that I needed to. So I turned my head around, looking and scanning the room. But as I turned my head and looked down at the rows of chairs, a familiar face stood out amongst the rest. A student sitting at the edge of the room, about seven rows under me and eight seats away.

Her closed off expression, the stoic and neutral demeanor compared to the two girls she was sitting with, the brown hair tied in a ponytail. There was no mistake. I would know her anywhere, any time, and any place. My first class of the semester and the first person I recognize is Haerin.

I stared at her for a moment longer, my gaze lingering. There was an odd feeling that washed over me, something akin to shock, mixed with a touch of excitement. Sitting to her side was Hanni and Danielle, who I expected would've been in classes with Haerin, and the three of them were quietly chatting and talking amongst themselves. Haerin's attention was focused on the front of the lecture hall ahead of her.

There was a small pause, and a brief moment where I felt myself getting lost in the sight. She had her legs crossed and her arms folded. I felt like I should go say hi, maybe even sit with them and talk. I gathered my things and stood up, moving down the stairs towards the friend group.

Getting closer, I willed a friendly and calm demeanor, keeping the pace and speed at a normal and steady level. With each step down the stairs, I could feel my heart beating faster. As soon as I was one row away from them, my feet came to a halt behind them when Danielle's eyes turned and met mine.

The girl had her hair down and wavy today and her cute features were prominent. She was looking at me with a friendly and welcoming smile, her eyes were bright and energetic. It was almost infectious, and a smile was already finding itself on my face.

"Oh my gosh, Minjae!" Danielle's bubbly greeting alerted Hanni and Haerin to look back at me. Haerin's mute and flat expression shaped into a small and warm smile, while Hanni had a big and excited grin.

"Hey guys, I didn't know you guys were going to take sociology this semester," I said, trying to sound casual and nonchalant.

"We can say the same about you," Hanni laughed. "Come, sit." Looking down, the only available seat was next to Haerin, which I happily will take. Haerin scooted her stuff closer to her and gave me some room to put my bag down. "I'm glad we're all taking this class together," She added as I sat down.

I nodded and replied, "Yeah, me too." Haerin bounced her head and turned back towards the front of the class. I could tell she was wearing lip gloss and some eyeliner, but not enough to make it seem like she was trying to impress anyone.

"Is anyone else in this class?" Danielle asked out loud.

"Hmm, no one that we know," Hanni murmured as she started moving her head around the room. "Unless Minjae knows anyone?"

"Oh, no, I only recognized you guys," I answered, and Danielle smiled and nodded.

"What'd you do during the winter break?" Hanni asked, leaning over Haerin's desk to get closer to me.

"Uh," My mind was spinning as I tried to summarize my bland break, "Work, work, and work. And then went out with friends. But, besides that, nothing."

"That sounds fun," Hanni chuckled, "Over the break, Danielle and I started volunteering at pet shelters and local soup kitchens."

"Woah," I exclaimed, "That's really cool."

"At first, we were just there to play with the dogs and cats but we just got really into it and stuck around," Danielle explained, "Working at the soup kitchens are pretty fun too. I mean, we're not the ones cooking, but the people there are always nice and the conversations they have are fun."

"You'd be surprised how rewarding it is, and how much it makes you appreciate the things you have," Hanni stated. I nodded along and hummed. Hanni and Danielle are probably two of the most positive and happy people I've ever met, so seeing them working at a soup kitchen is very fitting and wholesome.

"You should come with us sometime," Danielle gasped, "I promise it'll be fun."

"We tried convincing Haerin to come, but the girl wanted to stay home over the break," Hanni nudged Haerin, who didn't react and just continued staring at the front.

"Well, I'll think about it," I chuckled, looking over at Haerin, "I'll go if Haerin goes." Haerin looked at me, and our eyes met. Her gaze was strong and unwavering, and a small and soft smile formed.

"Yeah, I guess," She said, and then turned away. A coy response, but her voice was light and happy. Hanni gasped and leaned her head onto Haerin's shoulder, the quiet girl simmering with a warm smile.

"I've been looking forward to this," Danielle's giddy voice chirped, "It's going to be so fun. I'll let you know the details when they come Minjae, I promise!"

"Cool," I replied, nodding. Haerin turned to me and her eyes were sparkling, and the corner of her lips curved into a slight smirk. The sight sent shivers down my spine, and there was a warmness in my chest. The chatter between us grew as more people entered the classroom. Danielle was sitting straight and her posture was perfect as she talked to us, her head swiveling around as she looked back to the front to make sure the professor wasn't saying anything too important.

Hanni was just like Danielle, minus the ADHD symptoms. The girl was smiling a lot, her face bright and her gestures lively. Haerin, meanwhile, surprised me the most. Maybe it was because I still have this idea that she's just a quiet girl who was always shy and introverted. However, her attitude towards the conversation was different, it was more lively. She was laughing and adding onto the banter, and she wasn't holding herself back.

I was reminded of one of our first deep conversations we had and how she admitted to wanting to be a bit more open. Looks like she's following through on that, and I was pleasantly surprised. It's nice to see her be so expressive and confident, even if it's a small amount.

Our conversation continued even as the professor was lecturing. He was explaining the syllabus and his expectations of us. Though, I couldn't care less about that. Sociology was a pretty simple subject and the material was easy. All we needed to do was read the textbook and the class materials, and pass the final and a couple of exams.

"What's your schedule looking like, Minjae?" Hanni whispered, her eyes shifting to the front. "Are you free after class? We were planning on grabbing lunch together."

"Shoot, that sounds like fun," I responded. "But, I have two classes right after this. So, unfortunately, I can't."

"Next time then," She answered with a slight pout, her lower lip jutting out. Haerin's eyes met mine, and she gave me an exaggerated frown. I couldn't help but smile and chuckle a little, finding their disappointment cute.

"Next time," I nodded, "I promise."

"Good," Danielle chimed in, "So, what classes do you have after this?"

"Uh, biology II and this intermediate computer science class."

"Wait, Bio II," Haerin repeated, "I have that too, on Tuesdays and Thursday though." She gave me another exaggerated frown followed by a comical sigh. "We should've coordinated our schedules," She whined.

"That's the problem with GenEds, no one plans them, and they just kind of happen," Danielle commented.

"True, it's unfortunate." I murmured, giving Haerin an apologetic look.

"Don't worry about it, we'll always be studying together, we'll see each other enough," Hanni comforted.

"I see you too much as it is," Danielle sighed and shook her head, bumping her shoulder against Hanni.

"Hey," She nudged her back. We laughed, and Haerin covered her mouth as her laughter grew.

"Okay, okay, let's pay attention," Haerin whispered and leaned back, her shoulder pressing against mine.

"Mmm," Danielle grumbled, a sly smile spreading across her face, "I guess so."

"Alright, alright," Hanni agreed, and her posture straightened, and her head tilted towards the front of the lecture hall.

I took a quick glance at Haerin, and she was already focused on the professor. Her attention was on him and her expression was serious, changing instantly as she locked in. I followed her lead, turning my attention towards the professor as he was going on and on about the course and expectations.

Time seemed to slow down, and it was a drag to be paying attention. This class was only an hour, and there wasn't much that the professor could do within a limited amount of time. Thankfully, the professor was wrapping up his spiel about the syllabus and letting us out early. We were free to go and the three girls were talking amongst themselves as they started to gather their stuff.

I awkwardly started packing up, not finding a feasible way to place myself into their conversation. Haerin's head suddenly popped into my view, and her hand was pressed onto the armrest. Our faces were inches apart and the closeness sent my heart into a frenzy. Her brown eyes were piercing and intense, her expression was a bit flat but her face was soft and round.

Behind her, Danielle and Hanni were already shuffling out of their seats and heading towards the exit. I blinked, and Haerin smiled a little, her eyes squinting.

"You pack slow," She stated.

"Well, you know, gotta keep things neat and orderly," I joked. She slowly nodded, standing up straight, her hands affixed on her backpack straps.

"That's fair." Haerin watched me, waiting for me to stand up until I eventually did. She turned on her heel and started walking up the stairs, following the crowd as I chased after her towards the exit.

"You're not in a rush?"

"No, I have my next class in an hour and a half. What about you, are you going to be late?" She asked, glancing at me.

"Nah, not really, it's just computer science. I think I can be fashionably late." She moved her head around as we exited the lecture hall and entered the hallway, the building was flooded with students in the middle of transitioning between classes.

"Hmm, Dani and Hanni must've already left, their car is back at the Student Village," Haerin mumbled.

"Damn, should you run after them before they leave you behind?" I suggested.

"No, no," She shook her head, "I'm sure they'll wait for me. They don't have another class until later as well." Haerin glanced at me, a grin spreading across her face, "Hey, how about I walk you to your next class in the meantime. I wouldn't want you to be late."

"Uh," The offer was surprising, but the shock wore off almost instantly, and a smile was growing on my face. "Sure, why not."

"Great," She nodded and gestured for me to walk, and I obliged, walking by her side and making my way through the crowds of students. The two of us didn't have much to talk about, but that wasn't the point. The conversation would've just been background noise while I devoured myself in the moment. I was having fun just hanging out and walking with her. 

It's hard to explain, but she had this vibe around her. There was a tranquility to her, a sort of peace. She wasn't the same girl from a few months ago. It was subtle, but she was a bit more open and friendly. It was as if she was opening up a little and not being so afraid of social interaction, which made her even more endearing.

As we were walking, I would sneak a couple of glances at her, watching her reaction as I tried cracking jokes. She would smile and giggle a bit, sometimes snort, and that alone was rewarding. I've been wanting to hear her laugh and enjoy herself, and she seemed to be doing just that.

"You know," I paused the silence, my eyes drifting towards the sky as we walked to another building. "I know the semester is just beginning, and yet, I just know it's going to be a great one."

"You think?" She murmured, tilting her head slightly.

"I hope it is," I said, and she turned towards me, the breeze catching a couple strands of her hair and sending it over her face.

"Yeah, I hope it's great too," She murmured. The two of us entered the computer science building, or the building that is the closest thing we have to a computer science building, and headed up down the hallway to my lecture hall.

"Alright, well, here we are," I stopped and faced her, she was just a step behind. "Thanks for walking with me."

"Anytime, I'll see you later?"

"For sure," I answered.

"Alright, see you," She replied and started backing up, like she was looking at me for a bit longer before she turned around and walked back the way we came.

"Bye." I watched her for a second longer before heading inside, her words lingering in my head. It's a bit surprising, but it was getting easier to talk and banter with her. Don't get me wrong, at the start of our friendship, it was awkward and hard to talk with her. I think it was mainly due to my own attraction towards her and the way she acted around me. But, now, it's different, I was in a relationship and we were friends. It wasn't hard anymore.

There's a weird sense of satisfaction and happiness from the progress we made and it was nice to know that Haerin wasn't being as closed off and was actually opening up. The fact that she's able to show her true self and laugh around me, is really, really nice. And the thought of getting to know her more, and being her friend, is amazing.

God, I've been saying 'friend' so much that the word's lost all meaning, but the point still stands. It's fun, and she's really nice and sweet. I enjoy being around her, and if I have the chance to see her more, then, I'm taking it.

With a satisfied hum, I went into my lecture hall and found an empty seat, near the back of the hall, of course. Sitting down, I unpacked and pulled out my laptop. Taking a second, I glanced up and looked at the rest of the class.

Most students were trickling in and finding a spot to sit, the room was filled with chatter and murmuring. Hmm, I recognized no one. Well, that's not too bad. It's not like I didn't know how to make friends.

The last few students trickled in and the professor soon arrived, he was a younger man with a stack of papers and books in his hands. He was dressed in a button-down and khakis, with a tie wrapped around his neck. He walked down the steps and went up to his desk, putting everything down.

He took a deep breath, and there was a nervous twitch to him. He looked young and nervous, completely different from the seasoned and well-respected professors that I've had so far. But, hey, everyone's gotta start somewhere.

"Uh, hi, everyone, good morning," He greeted, his voice shaking, "My name is Mr. Baek and welcome to data structures and algorithms. This is an important class and topic for those of you going into computer science." His gaze wandered and he looked a little overwhelmed. There was a bit of tension in the air, and his shoulders were rising.

"Alright," The professor cleared his throat and began, his voice was a little shaky. "Today, we'll just be doing introductions, and afterwards, I'll go over the syllabus and what this class will cover in the coming semester. It's a bit boring, I know, but, please bear with me," He laughed and rubbed his nose.

"To start, why don't you talk to your nearest neighbor, and just get to know each other, and what's brought you to this class," Mr. Baek instructed, "Take around fifteen minutes or so, and introduce yourself."

Everyone was shuffling around and moving closer to the person beside them. The room was buzzing, and the murmurs filled the space. A couple of students were standing up, and everyone was talking. I sat in place, not moving or doing anything until I heard a soft, "Hi," next to me.

I turned my head and saw this girl, from two seats away from me, leaning over. She had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. Her skin was a little pale, and she had a thin and petite body. Her hands were on her desk and her shoulders were raised, her posture stiff and upright. She had a nervous look on her face, and her smile was crooked.

"Hi," I responded back.

"Sorry to bother you," She apologized, "I just wanted to introduce myself and ask what your name was."

"Oh, it's no bother," I shook my head, waved my hand, and adjusted myself in my seat. I was planning on doing nothing, but the least I can do is entertain her for a bit. "And, my name is Hwang Minjae, yours?"

"My name is Park Minju," Her voice was a little hoarse, but she covered her mouth with her hand and coughed a bit, clearing her throat. "Sorry."

"It's alright." I stared at her and smiled politely, trying to get a read on her. She was a bit awkward and her demeanor was nervous. Maybe she's one of those types that's anxious in front of new people and can't talk much. Reminded me of a certain someone.

"Are you a sophomore?" She asked, breaking the silence between us.

"Yeah, are you?"

"Ah, yes, same for me."

"Cool," My response was a bit dull, but I'm not sure what to say. This girl seemed timid, and the last thing I want is to come off as rude and scary. "What's your major?"

"Computer science," Her answer came quickly, and her head tilted, "What about you?"

"Me too," I nodded and leaned back. "What got you into that field, if you don't mind me asking."

"Video games," She smiled sheepishly.

"I see," I laughed, finding her response endearing.

"Yeah, I just really liked playing video games and I wanted to work on them, maybe," Minju explained, and her shoulders dropped a bit. Her hands moved to her lap, and she intertwined her fingers together, her thumb rubbing against her knuckles, "It's a little embarrassing to admit."

"Hey, it's not a big deal," I assured, waving my hand. "I got into coding for the heck of it since I heard that computer science majors tend to make a lot of money, which isn't the best reason, but it's the one that stuck. At least you're into it because you genuinely like it."

"Yeah, thanks." She giggled and her expression relaxed, a genuine smile spread across her face. Minju's eyes wandered and her smile faded. She let out a small cough and cleared her throat again.

"So," I broke the silence. "What games do you play," I asked, trying to keep the conversation going. I'm not as avid of a gamer like Jinho or Wooyoung were, but I had an interest in gaming and I could talk about it.

"League of Legends," Her answer came again quickly.

"Ah," I nodded. "I used to play it back in high school, but I haven't really touched it since then."

"Really? I think it's my most played game," She asked, her eyes lighting up and a smile on her face. Her posture was loosening, her shoulders dropping a bit. Looks like I've touched a topic that she was comfortable with.

"Yeah, it's a fun game, and my friends love it too," I continued. "I haven't kept up with it though. I barely remember most of the champions, plus there's like a whole bunch of new ones I never heard about." Minju chuckled at that, and her shoulders moved slightly, and her face was less nervous.

"Ah, I get it," She answered, her lips curving up, "Well, what champions are you best at? If you've played."

"Hmm, I think his name was Darius? He had like this massive axe," I replied. "I think, and this is a long time ago, I played him in ranked, and it was my worst time playing."

Minju sweetly laughed, it was quiet and cute. Her hands were clasped together, and her smile was a little larger. "Yeah, Darius can be tough," She agreed. "I mainly play Katarina, and I've tried other champs, but I stick to her the most."

"Oh, I've never played her," I remarked. "How is she? Is she hard to play?"

"Oh, um, people say she's pretty difficult but I have no problems," She answered. "She's fast and relies on her abilities and her ability combos." The tone in her voice changed, and she seemed a bit more confident, and her words flowed. It was cute how passionate she was about the game, and her voice was soothing to listen to.

"Interesting," I smiled.

"I'm sorry, I'm probably boring you with this," She apologized and looked away. "I know it's not that exciting, but I can't stop talking about it," Her eyes met mine again, and she smiled, though a bit forced.

"It's no big deal, really," I chuckled and leaned back, waving my hand, "You're making it sound interesting, and honestly, you make me want to get back into games again."

"Thank you, and maybe you should," Her smile grew a bit and her hands rested on the desk. "If you want, I can teach you some tips and tricks. You could even try out Katarina."

"Maybe I will," I smiled. Minju nodded and returned the gesture, her teeth showing. She was cute, and it was nice to have someone I can build a new relationship with. Maybe we could talk more and become better friends.

"Alright," Mr. Baek interrupted, his voice loud and clear. Everyone quieted down and their attention went towards him. "Thanks, for today. Hopefully, you guys can all become friends and can support each other." He paused and rubbed his chin, "Anyway, let's continue, shall we? First, we'll go over the syllabus."

Minju and I shared a quick look and we turned to the front of the classroom, listening to our professor and getting ready for class.

As expected, it was a boring lecture and explanation, and all we did was listen. The time seemed to move slowly and my head was resting in the palm of my hand. My head was turned at the girl next to me, Minju. She was listening attentively, her body slightly shifted, and her face was facing the professor. Her expression was focused, and her hands were resting in her lap.

Hmm, she seems nice. She was a bit shy and timid, but that's understandable since we're both new to each other. At least, that's how I'd like to look at it. She was a cute and polite girl, and I wouldn't mind being friends with her. She really did remind me of Haerin in a way, a little less introverted though and easier to talk to.

Sheesh, Haerin was crazy hard to make conversation with during our first interactions.

Class had finally finished, and the students were filing out of the room. The classroom immediately became noisy and everyone was talking and moving. Getting up from my seat, I picked up my backpack and swung it over my shoulder.

"Ah, Minjae, can we exchange numbers?" Minju asked as I walked past her desk. I stopped and turned to her. She had her phone in her hands and her fingers were hovering above the screen. "We could help each other with assignments or something," She murmured, her eyes slowly dropping down from looking up at me.

"Yeah, sure, of course," I smiled and pulled out my phone.

"Great," Her face lit up and her shoulders relaxed, her head nodding slightly.

"Here," I unlocked my phone and handed it to her.

"Ah, okay," Her fingers hovered for a moment and she slowly typed in her information. Handing my phone back to me, I saw a new contact and she was already typing on her phone. "There you go," She announced, giving her phone to me.

I saved my information on her phone and we swapped back. "Thank you," I thanked her, pocketing my phone.

"Thanks, Minjae, have a good day," She nodded, smiling.

"You too," I smiled back and turned around. Walking away, I started to leave the classroom. Pulling out my phone, I checked the time, and saw that I had about fifteen minutes before my last class of the day. It was only a short walk away, so, I was in no rush.

I let out a tired sigh, feeling the drag of syllabus week hit me. I don't mind classes or doing work, but it just felt like a waste of time to attend class just to hear the same thing in each one. Homework, classwork, exams, when stuff was due, what was to be expected from us the students, it was the same stuff in different fonts between teachers.

Stepping outside, the sky was a brilliant shade of blue and there were a few clouds scattered about. The wind was blowing and it was a pleasant breeze, cool and refreshing. Students were everywhere, and everyone was walking. It was a busy and full day, probably because of, of course, syllabus week.

The walk to my next class was nice and relaxing, and it was a bit calming to just take the time and enjoy the scenery. As I approached the building, there were more and more people, and they were entering the building. The hallway was bustling and a bit cramped.

Finding my classroom, I opened the door and entered. Yet again, another lecture hall and another seat that I'll take all the way in the back. Finding a spot, I sat down and put down my bag. Checking the time, I saw that it was a couple of minutes until the lecture started.

Letting out a breath, I sat back and relaxed. The seat next to me was empty and a bit of silence and peace surrounded me, or as much as I could with the class beginning to fill. The hall was buzzing with murmuring and soft chatter.

As I waited, a voice caught my attention.

"Minjae! You're here too?" I looked up at Kazuha's smiling face. Her arms were crossed, and her backpack was dangling from her shoulder. Behind her was Minji, her black hair in a ponytail, and she had a stoic smile on her face.

"Oh, hey, what's up," I greeted, scooting my bag towards the side. Kazuha and Minji took the seats next to me.

"You're a bit early," Kazuha observed, pulling out a notebook.

"I'm always early," I replied, shrugging.

"You are, aren't you," She smiled. Minji joined the conversation and said, "I didn't expect to see you in Bio II, I thought you were a computer science major?"

"I am, but, it's apart of my science circuit," I explained. Minji nodded her head and leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms.

"Makes sense," Minji said.

"Did you have any classes before this? How were they?" Kazuha asked, putting her notebook on her desk.

"They were okay, nothing special, just introductory and stuff," I shrugged, waving my hand, "How were your's?"

"They were good," She hummed. "Minji and I both had stats earlier, and our professor was so old," She exaggerated a whine and stuck her tongue out. Minji snorted and shook her head.

"That was true, he was really old," Minji added. "I could've sworn that he'd pass out while teaching."

"Oh, wow," My eyebrows rose. "Well hopefully, this class gets a younger teacher, or we'll have to worry about that here also."

"Actually, from what I heard, our professor just got hired. I think we're their first class," Minji mentioned. As if the gods were listening, the door to the class opened and a young woman shuffled in. She had long brown hair that went a little below her shoulders, and was wearing a beige bodycon dress with a white cardigan over it. In her hands were a stack of books, and a briefcase hung on her wrist. She was walking awkwardly and the way her legs were positioned made her look like a penguin.

The class had their eyes on her, and the noise and chatter had gone silent.

"Hi, everyone, welcome," Her voice was soft and sweet, and she looked to be a little shorter than Kazuha. Actually, she kind of resembled her too. There was a nervous smile on her face, and she was smoothing out her dress, taking out the wrinkles. She looked young and fresh-faced, and her posture was straight and rigid. She cleared her throat and continued, "Apologies for the late start. My name is Professor Bae Suzy, and I'm your biology professor for the year."

A couple of students muttered a 'hello' back, and there was a low rumble. Kazuha, Minji, and I just nodded and waved. We definitely lucked out, a young, inexperienced teacher? Not to mention, she was super pretty as well, and looked like she'd be really nice. Professor Suzy smiled and her face was a light pink. Her head ducked down and her hands were fiddling with her cardigan.

"I, uh, have to go over some things," She announced. "It won't be long, and hopefully, you can all have a good first semester here," She laughed a little, rubbing the back of her neck. She grabbed a stack of papers and a small box, which contained small strips of paper.

"To start, let's do a small icebreaker, just so I can learn all of your names," She proposed, passing out the strips of paper down the rows of desks and placing the box in the center of the desk. "Each of you should have a strip of paper, and what I would like for you to do is to just write your name at the top and one fun fact about you! It could be a hobby, or a fun interest, whatever is fine," Her eyes were wide and she had a small smile.

"Please take ten minutes or so and write something, then pass the paper back. Afterwards, we'll do a quick introduction. Sounds good?" She asked, her smile was growing, and her hands were clasped. There was a softness to her and a sweetness that was hard not to like.

I was scribbling on the piece of paper, and Kazuha was writing with ease, and Minji was focused. As I finished, I read it over.

'Hwang Minjae, Sophomore. I enjoy volleyball.'

Passing it along, I waited and listened to the class, and there was some chatter amongst everyone. There was a mix of nervous laughs and conversations between students, and Kazuha and Minji were chatting as well. I just stayed quiet and waited, listening and enjoying the peace.

"Alright, thank you everyone, now let's do the introductions," Professor Suzy said, her voice a bit louder while she leaned against her desk. In the box was all of the folded strips of paper, and she picked up the box and sat it in her lap. "I'll draw a paper and whoever's name is on it, please come up to the front and introduce yourself to the class."

Professor Suzy reached her hand into the box and shuffled around, a small smile on her face. She pulled out a paper and unfolded it, and read aloud.

"Lee Sangmin," She announced. A boy a few rows ahead of us raised his hand.

"Hello," His voice was a bit nasally and he waved around as he stood up from his seat. Professor Suzy smiled brightly and returned the gesture, waving him down to the front of the class. Sangmin made his way down and stood beside the professor, facing the rest of the class.

"Nice to meet you, Sangmin," Professor Suzy responded. "It says here that you like to play soccer," She mentioned.

"Yeah, it's a bit tiring, but I enjoy it," He answered.

"Great, well, hello everyone, Sangmin," She laughed and gave a little wave. The boy was put on the spot, but he smiled and waved back, returning the gesture. The next few introductions went smoothly, and some students were a little awkward or shy, but overall, it was a pleasant introduction.

"Ah, Kazuha Nakamura, Japanese?" Professor Suzy asked, tilting her head. Kazuha smiled and waved her hand as she stood up from her chair. It was a long and awkward walk to the front, something that we had to watch Minji do when she was called up earlier. It was super inconvenient for us to have to go all the way to the front but everyone else was doing it so might as well.

"Yes, I was born there," She answered, "I moved here a couple of years ago though, so my Korean is fluent."

"Awesome, I hope you're liking Korea," Professor Suzy's smile was wide and her eyes were twinkling. "It says here you regularly do ballet," Her eyes scanned the paper, and she had her head slightly tilted.

"I do," Kazuha giggled, "It's a fun hobby, and I really enjoy it."

"Can you give us a little move, or a spin, if you could?"

"Oh, yeah, sure," She chuckled and nodded, turning towards the class. Her left foot came in front and she placed her hands by her head, and a graceful leap followed, and her foot was stretched. She landed and spun around, finishing her move. There were a few whistles and claps, and a bit of excitement, and even Professor Suzy's mouth was agape.

"Wow, that was beautiful," Professor Suzy smiled. Kazuha giggled and bowed her head around before shuffling back towards the back of the lecture hall. I gave her quiet claps as she took her seat, "That was awesome."

"Thanks," She giggled and covered her mouth, her face a light pink. "It's kind of embarrassing to be put on the spot like that."

"Yeah, but she seems really nice," I remarked.

"Very," Minji agreed.

"Hwang Minjae?" The sound of my name caused my body to perk up, and I straightened in my seat. Suzy must've noticed my reaction because she turned her attention to me. "Ah, there you are, hello!" She greeted me with a wave. I stood up from my spot and started walking to the front of the class.

Standing next to her and facing the class, I understood what Kazuha meant. Seeing all those faces looking at me was a little nerve wracking, but it wasn't anything bad, I didn't have stage fright or anything. Suzy smiled at me before holding up my paper, but it dropped out of her fingers.

"Oops!" She tried catching it as it twisted and glided to the ground but it evaded her hands. She sighed and bent over at the hip and reached her arm down, trying to grab it. As she did, I couldn't help but draw my eyes to her ass, and it was right there in my view.

She was wearing a bodycon dress, so it was tight and outlined her butt and thighs but that wasn't all. It was like the fabric was stretched over her ass causing it to be semi-sheer. I could easily see the floral pattern of the panties she was wearing underneath her dress. A simple pair of briefs with flowers adorning every inch. They were cute, and the way they hugged her hips made them look bigger, and her ass was round.

"Here we go," Suzy said and plucked the piece of paper off the ground, her head raising and a smile on her face. I averted my eyes back to the class, hoping no one realized I was standing straight at our teacher's ass. "Oh, you like volleyball, that's pretty cool," She commented as she read my slip. "I actually really enjoy volleyball, and I played during high school and college. Do you play or are you a fan?" She asked, her head tilting a bit.

"I play casually, my team actually won the volleyball intramurals last semester," I explained.

"Really?" Her voice rose and her eyes grew wide, a smile on her face, "Wow, congrats, that's really cool," She remarked, nodding.

"Thank you," I nodded back and smiled.

"Alright, I look forward to seeing you again, Minjae, thanks," She gave a quick bow, and I returned the gesture. Turning back to the class, I shuffled my way back to my desk. She giggled as I walked off, and my cheeks were a bit warm. Sitting down, I breathed a quiet sigh of relief and relaxed. That was a bit nerve-wracking and unexpected, but thankfully, it didn't go that badly.

Professor Suzy introduced a few more people and then continued the lecture, starting by explaining the syllabus and going over the class. It was a bit boring and mundane, and all I did was listen. Well, to be fair, I wasn't just listening. I was admiring Suzy as she talked. Her hands were moving and her eyes were lit up, a sweet smile on her face. She was definitely young, and I'd assume she was a recent grad, probably still a couple of years older than me though.

I took further notice, like that dress that she had on revealed how slim and slender her body was. She was gorgeous, and her face was pretty, and her skin was smooth. She was a total beauty, and I'd be lying if I didn't find her attractive. On top of that, she's definitely cute in the ditzy clumsy way, and her personality was really endearing. I'd like to be a student favorite of hers.

To my side, Kazuha was drifting in and out of focus, and Minji was diligently writing down notes. It was a nice dynamic, and Kazuha's sleepy nature was quite the opposite from Minji's serious demeanor.

"Any questions?" Professor Suzy's voice pulled me back, and I realized that I wasn't listening. The class murmured and there was no one talking. "Alright, I've been there. Syllabus week is always tough to get through, so don't worry. For today, just relax and have a good rest of the day. Class is dismissed. Have a good day, everyone!" She exclaimed, waving a small goodbye.

As the class was leaving, Kazuha stretched and yawned. Minji was packing her things and stood up.

"Zuha, you're a mess," Minji teased, patting her friend's back.

"Yeah, yeah," Kazuha pouted, "Let's go."

"Alright, I'll see you guys later. I'm going to my dorm and taking a nap," I said, slinging my backpack on.

"You do that," Kazuha snorted and waved.

"Have a good one, Minjae," Minji smiled and waved, "See you next class."

As they left, my attention went back to the professor. She was packing up and putting things away, her hands fumbling with a couple of folders and her laptop. Geez, remind me to never skip this class.

Leaving the lecture hall, the walk to my dorm wasn't a long one, and it was a nice walk. In the middle of it, a notification sounded off, and I pulled out my phone. Seeing that I got a new message, I smiled and stopped in place when I saw it was Chaewon:

Chaewon

hows are your classes going

I started walking and typed up a reply message:

it was alright, kinda boring but not too bad

i'm on my way back to my dorm right now

waht about you?

Chaewon

didnt seem bad

well that was until i found out i managed to get the worst professors possible for two of my classes

oh no, sorry

Chaewon

its ok

just wanna go home now

ughhh im already dreading this semester

most of my classes have 3 exams scheduled, not including the midterm and final

isnt that crazy??

holy shit, really?

Chaewon

YEAH

18 credits and 6 classes is already gonna be a nightmare

yeesh

but you got it, i know it

dont worry

Chaewon

your encouragement means a lot

no sarcasm

I frowned as I stepped to the side, letting a couple walk by. I looked back at them, before turning to my phone:

can i come over this weekend?

we can hang out before this semester starts to kick us both in the ass

Chaewon

ha, true

and of course you could

A grin formed on my face and I started typing:

okay great

cant wait

Chaewon

me neither

ill text you later

im about to meet up with Yunjin

okay

have a good day

Chaewon

you mean a better day

that too

lol

Chaewon

lol byeee

Smiling, I put my phone back in my pocket and continued towards the Student Village. My day was pretty uneventful, but it was a productive and relaxing start to the semester. Hmm, my classes so far were fine and had potential considering the classmates I lucked out with.

Now, time for a nap.

Tuesday | January 9th, 2024 | 8:02 AM

It was early in the morning. I was exhausted. I could barely keep my eyes open. I regretted taking an 8am class, and my body was already hating me. It was my own fault. I stayed up last night, getting back into League of Legends and playing a bit. Something about Minju's words sparked an interest, and I wanted to give it another shot.

At the sake of my sleep, I stayed up and played, and I got into a few games and was improving a little. Maybe, with enough practice, I'll become decent at the game. I'd regret that later though when it took longer than expected to get to class because of how much willpower it took to crawl out of bed.

I ended up being a bit late, but thankfully, class hadn't started yet. Entering the room, my eyes were a bit droopy and my posture was slumped. Damn it, most of the seats in the back were taken, and the only available one was a row or two closer to the front.

Sighing, I slowly approached and sat down. Placing my backpack on the desk, I yawned and rested my arms on the table. My eyes were heavy, and they were barely staying open. I could barely make out the professor and his outline.

The room was mostly quiet, and the air was a bit cold. The windows were closed, and there was a small breeze. It was calming and refreshing, and made it easier to fall asleep.

"Hello, everyone, welcome to Special Studies for Literature and Language," The man said in a slow, drawn out tone. His voice was monotone and deep, and sounded bored. "I'm Professor Kim Junmyeon, but just call me Junmyeon."

Shit, maybe I should've just skipped class. It's just a syllabus day. And it's a reading class, how hard can reading be. I groaned and placed my head in my hand, and tried to stay awake and focus. The cold air, the boring ass professor, my already exhausted head, sleep was just getting easier and easier.

"So, today, we'll be going over the syllabus and just doing some introductory activities, just so I can get to know who's who," He said, his voice a bit dull. He seemed really... Boring. There was no real passion or excitement in his voice. To be fair, the subject matter probably didn't help, and honestly, I couldn't blame him. I can't imagine what it's like to have a literature and language class.

I barely noticed the pencil drop next to me, but I somewhat flinched when I saw the person next to me reach for it. Looking over, it was a girl with brown hair, and she was wearing a black cap and a baggy jacket over a simple white shirt. My eyes drifted down her jean shorts and her pale legs. Her legs were bare and she was wearing stylish sneakers.

My attention was quickly pulled back up and I met her gaze. At that moment, I understood the claim that women can have a refreshing beauty. For as much I was bitching about being tired, it was gone in an instant and my eyes were wide open.

"Sorry," She whispered, grabbing the pencil and leaning back. Her eyes were doe-like and her long eyelashes complimented her almond-shaped eyes. She had a cute nose, and her skin was smooth. She was gorgeous.

"It's okay," I replied, giving a small nod.

"Thanks," She smiled a bit, and her voice was gentle and smooth. I watched her as she sat back and began listening, and my eyes lingered on her. Damn, she's really pretty, and her features were so elegant and nice. She was definitely the type of girl that'd catch your eye if she walked past you in public.

I should've looked away before she turned back and noticed my staring, but I didn't, and we locked eyes. Fuck, her eyes are so beautiful.

"I'm Cho Miyeon," She spoke softly, tilting her head. Oh fuck, oh shit, oh no, fuck, fuck. My face was hot and my cheeks were warm, and my heart was pounding. I'm so embarrassed.

"Hwang Minjae," I responded, nodding and smiling a bit. Miyeon perked up a bit, and her eyes grew, "You sound familiar."

"Do I?" I asked, confused. She nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, I can't put my finger on it," She murmured. Shrugging, I leaned back a bit.

"Do you know Kim Jennie? Or Shen Xiaoting?" Miyeon questioned, her fingers tapping on the desk.

"Ah, yeah, I'm friends with them," Miyeon's lips formed an 'o' and she nodded, understanding.

"Okay, I see. I'm close to both of them," She mentioned, giggling a little, "I'm a fashion major, and we often run into each other when we're working on our designs. They mentioned your friend group, you guys call yourselves the Goofy Goobers?"

"Yep," I confirmed. Miyeon covered her mouth and laughed, a little louder this time but still quiet enough to keep it under the professor's monologue, but then clapped her hands. Wow, it was like a wave of warmth ran through my ears and down my body when she started laughing. How can a girl be so refreshing?

"How long have you been friends with Jennie and Xiaoting," She brought up, a sweet smile on her lips. It's almost unfair how pretty her smile is.

"Since the start of last semester, we became pretty close pretty fast," I explained.

"Ah, am I right to assume you're also a sophomore like them?"

"Yep, they're both the same age as me."

"Hmm, then you're my junior, since I'm a senior," Miyeon mused.

"Wait, you're a senior? Are you sure?" I raised an eyebrow and chuckled a little. Miyeon gasped and covered her mouth, a smile on her lips and her eyes were wide, but she quickly giggled.

"What's that supposed to mean? Do I look younger?"

"Ah, no, no, not at all, you look quite mature," I explained. She tilted her head and giggled a bit, her cheeks turning pink.

"So what is it? Am I young or mature?" She asked, tilting her head.

"No comment," I said, a small smile forming.

"Good answer," She remarked, leaning back in her seat. "But, yes, I'm a senior, and this class is just one of the requirements that I'm not too happy about having."

"I'd rather be sleeping right now," I murmured, rubbing the bridge of my nose. Miyeon nodded in agreement, "Same here. I stayed up last night drawing up my designs for a new dress."

"That sounds fun, I'm assuming it's for a class?"

"No, it's for our end of year fashion show, and there are a lot of opportunities with it, so a lot of students are putting a lot into their projects," She answered. "I bet if you ask Jennie or Xiaoting, they'd probably say the same thing."

I hummed in agreement and nodded.

"It's nice to meet you, by the way, Minjae. Hopefully we'll get along," Miyeon remarked.

"Are we not already? I mean, we've been talking and ignoring class," I noted, chuckling a little.

"Ah, you got me there," Miyeon covered her mouth again and chuckled, her smile so sweet. She turned her head away, showing off her perfect side profile, her sharp jaw and her smooth skin. Miyeon is... She's a beauty. I've only known her for a few minutes and she's already on my mind. She's like a breath of fresh air.

I seemed to get extremely lucky this semester with my classes, huh? How is it, I end up in class with someone as pretty and cool as Cho Miyeon? And not just her, but Professor Suzy and Park Minju too. Kazuha and Minji. Don't forget having Haerin, Hanni, and Danielle also? Damn, I hit the jackpot. If the semester went the way I was thinking, then I can expect some new additions to my growing list.

The start of the semester begins... And there's the introduction of a few new characters! I couldn't help myself, taste and likes change as I get older and I regret not adding them sooner! Minju from ILLIT has been becoming a recent favorite, shooting to the top of my overall bias list. She got that dorky gamer girl thing going and I'm a total sucker for characters like that. Alright, less doting on IRL and talk more about this fictional world. New classes, new classmates, more options, Minjae's slow, slow, SLOW, acceptance of his fetish, this semester is going to be jam-packed! As always, leave feedback or comments! Thanks for reading! - PI