The light inside Taehyun's dorm room glowed softly, casting long shadows on the floor as he sat cross-legged in front of his desk, a sketchpad in hand. Pencils scattered like soldiers around him, half-done drawings peeked from underneath each other—silhouettes, outfits, models—but one page stood out.
It was her.
Without even realizing it, his hands had started sketching Ara Jeon.
Her soft jawline.
Her timid eyes.
Her posture that made her seem like she wanted to disappear into the walls—and yet, there was something captivating in that vulnerability.
He didn't know why, but she kept coming back to his mind. And now, onto his paper.
"She'd fit this design perfectly…" he murmured with a faint smile, tilting his head as he shaded the flowing sleeves of a sheer blouse.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips.
His mind wandered back to the classroom—when they worked on the project together. She barely looked him in the eye the entire time. And the moment they finished, she ran straight to the professor like a startled mouse, leaving him holding their file with a raised brow.
He remembered the way she'd clutched the paper and darted off.
"…Cute," he whispered under his breath.
"Cute? What are you saying 'cute' for all of a sudden?"
A voice cut through his thoughts like a blade.
"Damn it, Woonhoo," Taehyun muttered, jumping slightly at the sudden interruption.
Woonhoo, his roommate and design partner, stood behind him with a smirk, holding a water bottle.
"Were you that deep in concentration that you didn't hear me come in? That's rare." He laughed, plopping down on his bed.
Taehyun glared, straight-faced.
Woonhoo raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Alright, alright—just asking, man. What masterpiece got you so zoned out that you forgot the world exists?"
"New sketches," Taehyun replied calmly, flipping a page like it was no big deal.
Woonhoo leaned in. "Is this… the sketch of a girl?"
Taehyun paused.
"…Just another model," he said, keeping his voice even.
"Oh sure, another 'imaginary muse'? Looks awfully realistic for something from your head," Woonhoo teased, nudging his arm.
Taehyun's expression didn't change, but a slight cough betrayed him. "She fits my designs. That's all."
Woonhoo laughed again. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, bro. Just don't fall for your muse, or you'll be sketching wedding gowns next."
Before Taehyun could reply, his phone buzzed. He sighed when he saw the caller ID.
"Mother," he muttered.
He answered with polite detachment. "Yes?"
Mrs. Chaebol's voice was elegant but firm. "Taehyun, you'll take Arianna out to dinner tonight. She and her friends are expecting you."
He exhaled slowly. "I don't think that's necessary. She can go with her friends. I'm working—"
"No excuses. It's important. The Park family has always supported ours, and you know the media likes these small appearances."
She paused. "You're going."
"…Fine," he said, defeated.
The call ended. He stared at his sketch again—the lines of Ara's figure still fresh, unfinished. He brushed his thumb over the curve of her neck drawn in pencil.
"Just wait for me a little… my muse," he whispered.
He stood up and changed into a black tailored suit. Simple, crisp, elegant. He didn't try to look good—but he always did. The fabric molded to his frame like it was made for him. He ran a hand through his hair, not bothering to check the mirror.
Woonhoo returned from the bathroom. "Again? Arianna?"
Taehyun rolled his eyes. "Mother's request."
"You two look like you're dating at this point."
"We're not. Just childhood acquaintances. Nothing more."
Woonhoo shrugs. "Still, the way your families push it — it's pretty serious."
Taehyun doesn't reply. His mind drifts — not to Arianna, but to another girl. A fleeting moment resurfaces — when Ara bumped into him in the corridor, her things scattering across the floor. He had helped her gather them, but what truly held him in place was her eyes. Deep, warm, innocent — a silent pull that stopped time.
He snaps back to reality, grabs his phone and keys.
"See you later," he says, leaving the dorm.
Luxury Restaurant
At a high-end restaurant bathed in soft lighting and crystal elegance, Arianna sits with her friends, poised like royalty. Her makeup is flawless, her dress expensive and tailored, and her confidence unmatched.
"You look absolutely stunning, Arianna," one of her friends says.
"She always does," Jina adds, sipping from her glass. "She's already a supermodel."
The group laughs.
They start discussing Taehyun — his cold, magnetic charm, his sharp looks, his designer future. The room is buzzing with their admiration.
"Taehyun and Arianna… a designer and a model. Perfect duo, right?"
"Maybe she's already his muse."
Arianna smiles faintly. She doesn't deny it — not because it's true, but because… part of her wishes it was.
Finally, Taehyun arrives.
The moment he steps into the restaurant, it's like the air changes. Heads turn. His black suit molds to his form with casual perfection, and his quiet charisma radiates through the room.
Arianna's friends gasp dramatically.
"Oh my God. Is it just me or is it hot in here?"
"Shh, stop drooling," Arianna says, rolling her eyes.
Taehyun approaches, greeting the group politely. He offers a brief nod — enough to be respectful, but distant enough to show he's not emotionally invested. His seat is next to Arianna, but even then, his gaze rarely lingers.
They chat, eat, laugh lightly. Arianna tries to make conversation, but Taehyun's responses are careful and minimal. His stoic face remains intact, though polite.
He's aware. If he shows too much friendliness, people might start assuming things — just like Woonhoo said.
As the dinner ends, Arianna's friends take their leave, waving and teasing as they walk away. Now only Arianna and Taehyun remain outside the restaurant, under the city lights.
A sleek black car is on its way to pick her up.
Arianna turns toward Taehyun, brushing her hair back.
"How was class today?" she asks softly. "Sorry I didn't come by… I had a ton of presentations and assignments."
"It's fine," Taehyun replies calmly. "You don't need to see me every day, Arianna."
He pauses, then glances sideways, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips — but only in his thoughts.
"It was a good day," he said softly, watching the traffic.
"Actually… kind of exciting."
There it is again — her face. Those eyes. That quiet, innocent presence that keeps coming back to him no matter how far he tries to push it away.
Something is shifting inside Taehyun.
His heart stirs in a way it never does around Arianna.
Arianna steps closer. "It was nice seeing you tonight."
"Me too."
The black car pulls up.
She lingers for a moment, watching his face — waiting for a sign, a flicker, something. But Taehyun only smiles politely.
She sighs inwardly, nods, and gets in the car.
As it drives away, Taehyun exhales.
His mind drifts again.
Not to Arianna's smile…
…but to Ara's eyes.
Soft. Brown. Curious.
And somehow, they've taken up permanent space in his heart.