Chapter Text
Sullyoon never understood why Bae was so popular.
It wasn’t that she disliked her—Bae was just a mystery. She wasn’t at the top of their class, wasn’t the most responsible student, and yet, everyone seemed drawn to her. Professors gave her leniency on late assignments, students flocked to the basketball courts whenever she played, and even their friend group seemed to find her utterly endearing.
Maybe it was the way Bae was always smiling—bright and warm, like she had never known a bad day in her life. Or maybe it was how she made people feel at ease, always ready with a joke or a playful nudge. Either way, Sullyoon never understood it.
And she certainly never expected to find herself at the center of it.
___
The cafeteria was loud as usual, filled with the hum of conversation and the occasional clatter of trays. Sullyoon sat in her usual spot, across from Lily and Jiwoo, absentmindedly picking at her food as she skimmed through her notes.
“Are you seriously studying right now?” Jiwoo nudged her. “Lunch is sacred. Put the books away.”
“I’m just reviewing,” Sullyoon muttered, but she shut the notebook anyway.
From the other end of the table, Haewon laughed. “She’s always reviewing.”
Sullyoon ignored her and reached for her drink—only to stop when a sudden thud landed beside her.
“Heyooo~”
She didn’t have to look up to know who it was.
Bae had arrived, grinning as she plopped onto the bench beside Sullyoon, her tray full of food she would inevitably spend more time talking over than eating.
Kyujin slid in next to her, stealing a fry from Bae’s tray before Bae could protest. “Coach is making us do extra drills this week,” she grumbled. “Something about us getting too comfortable.”
“Sounds like you problem,” Haewon teased, resting her chin on Lily’s shoulder.
Lily patted Haewon’s cheek, amused. “Sounds like an all of you problem.”
Bae pouted dramatically, turning to Sullyoon. “Sully, back me up here.”
Sullyoon barely blinked. “I don’t play basketball.”
“Exactly,” Bae whined. “You’re the only one here who understands my pain.”
“I really don’t.”
Bae gasped, clutching her chest like she had just been betrayed. “Cold.”
Kyujin snickered. “She got you there.”
Sullyoon sighed, stirring her drink. She wasn’t sure how she had ended up surrounded by such loud, dramatic people. If it weren’t for Lily and Jiwoo, she wouldn’t be here at all. But ever since Lily started dating Haewon, their groups had merged into this chaotic mess.
And somehow, Bae always ended up sitting next to her.
___
The pairing announcement came later that day in their business communications class.
“You’ll be working in pairs for this next project,” the professor announced, glancing at the paper in her hands. “I’ve already assigned the groups, so there’s no switching.”
Sullyoon barely reacted. As long as she got someone competent, she had no reason to care.
Then she heard it—
“Sullyoon and Bae.”
She stilled.
Across the room, Bae immediately perked up, eyes shining as she turned toward Sullyoon with an excited grin.
“Lucky me!” she chirped.
Sullyoon, on the other hand, wasn’t sure she shared the sentiment.
___
They met at the library for their first study session, Sullyoon having insisted on it. If she was going to be working with Bae, they needed to be productive.
Bae, of course, was late.
Sullyoon checked her watch, exhaling slowly. Ten minutes. She wasn’t even surprised.
Just as she was debating whether to text her, a familiar voice rang out—
“Sully! I made it!”
Bae practically bounced into the seat across from her, setting down her things with a triumphant smile.
“You’re late,” Sullyoon said.
“Yeah, but I brought snacks.” Bae slid a small bag of chocolates toward her like a peace offering. “So that makes up for it, right?”
Sullyoon eyed the chocolates. Then Bae.
“No.”
Bae pouted. “Wow. Tough crowd.”
Sullyoon sighed, pushing her notes toward her. “Let’s just get started.”
Bae hummed, finally looking at the papers in front of her. Sullyoon half-expected her to tune out, but to her surprise, Bae was listening—asking questions, making notes in the margins.
She wasn’t just nodding along. She was paying attention.
And for the first time, Sullyoon wondered if maybe she had misjudged her.