The class was over, but no one moved. Our group still had to decide how we'd work on the project. The atmosphere felt casual, but under the surface… I was boiling with curiosity.
I looked at Yuna. She knew exactly what I was thinking.
"Should we?" I whispered.
She gave a sly grin. "Oh, we definitely should."
Ryu clapped his hands suddenly. "Okay, people! Boring project or fun project?"
"Define fun," Taemin said lazily.
"I mean," Ryu shrugged, "how about we start with a little game? Loosen up the tension."
Yuna leaned in to me and whispered, "He just walked into his own trap."
I smirked. "Let's make it Truth and Dare."
"Wait, for real?" Joon asked, blinking.
"Yup," Yuna said brightly. "It'll help us know each other better. And maybe dig up a few secrets." She winked.
"Count me in," Taemin said, already stretching like he was preparing for battle.
Ryu grinned. "I like this energy."
Seo-Jin, though? He just sighed, clearly not thrilled. But for some reason… he didn't walk away.
We all sat in a rough circle at the back of the classroom, still surrounded by half-open textbooks and project files. The game had begun.
Yuna spun a pen on the table.
It pointed at me.
"Oh wow," she said dramatically. "Starting strong. So-yeon… Truth or Dare?"
I paused for a second. Then said, "Truth."
Yuna grinned. "Alright. Do you have a crush on anyone in this group?"
My breath caught. Everyone leaned in.
I smiled slyly. "Yes."
Gasps. Fake drama. But no one got an answer to who.
Next spin.
Ryu.
Taemin grinned. "Ryu, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
Taemin smirked. "I dare you to flirt with the person you actually like in this group."
The room went dead silent.
Even Seo-Jin looked up.
Ryu chuckled, stood, walked around the circle—and stopped right behind…
---
Ryu chuckled, stood up slowly, and walked around the circle like a hunter circling his prey.
Every step made my heart beat louder.
And then—he stopped.
Right behind me.
I could feel his presence before I even turned. Warm. Close. Way too close.
He leaned down, just near my ear, his voice low and teasing.
"Hey, sweetheart," he whispered, "if you keep looking this beautiful every day, how do you expect the rest of us to focus?"
Gasps.
Laughter.
Even a dramatic whistle from Taemin.
I froze.
My entire face heated up. I didn't know whether to roll my eyes, smack him, or sink into the floor.
He wasn't done.
Ryu moved in front of me, kneeling slightly so we were eye level.
"I know I flirt a lot," he said softly, "but with you… it kinda feels real."
Dead silence.
Even Yuna's jaw dropped.
My lips parted, but no words came out. My brain completely short-circuited.
Then Ryu gave me that stupid wink and sat back down like he didn't just wreck my mental peace.
"Next," he said, cool as ever.
But I was still sitting there, stunned, burning inside.
And when I finally dared to glance at Seo-Jin…
He was staring straight at me.
Expression?
Unreadable.
But his eyes?
Burning.
--
As I sat there, my heart still racing from what Ryu said, I felt my phone buzz softly in my hand.
No way I could speak out loud right now. Everyone was watching, especially Seo-Jin. His eyes were glued to me like I'd just betrayed him in some silent war.
So, I did what any confused, overthinking girl would do in that moment.
I pulled out my phone and messaged Yuna under the table.
> Me:
Is Seo-Jin jealous???
She looked down at her phone and choked on her own laugh, trying to cover it up with a fake cough.
She typed back fast.
> Yuna:
Girl yes 💀
Either he's jealous… or he's ready to rip Ryu's face off
I bit my lip, fighting a laugh.
I typed again:
> Me:
Just confirm they're gay and I'll shut up
Yuna glanced over at the two boys sitting across from us—Ryu still acting chill, and Seo-Jin clearly not.
Then back at me. Her eyes were sparkling with evil delight.
> Yuna:
Not confirmed...
But I smell drama. 👀
I stared at the two of them again.
Ryu? Smiling.
Seo-Jin? Fuming.
Oh yeah.
This Truth and Dare game was just getting started.
---
It was Seo-Jin's turn.
Before anyone could even spin again, Seo-Joon—who had been quiet this whole time—suddenly spoke up.
"I'll join too," he said calmly, walking over and settling down right beside me.
Okay. What was happening?
Now we were seven. And things were heating up fast.
Yuna smirked. She and I exchanged one glance, like we were telepathically screaming the same thing.
Ask Seo-Jin. Now.
She leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Seo-Jin... truth or dare?"
My gaze was locked on him. My heart thumping.
Please say truth.
Please say truth.
Please say truth.
He looked around slowly, his face still emotionless—but his jaw clenched. He knew we were waiting.
"…Truth," he said at last.
YES.
Yuna looked at me.
I nodded.
She smiled like the devil.
"Alright," she said sweetly, "Here's your truth—"
Her pause was evil. Everyone leaned in.
"Are you jealous of Ryu flirting with So-yeon?"
---
Everyone leaned in, waiting for Seo-Jin's answer.
His gaze stayed steady—calm, unreadable.
And then, he said it.
"I don't want to share Ryu."
…
Silence.
Dead. Freaking. Silence.
My mouth fell open. Yuna choked on her own breath. Even Taemin stopped chewing his gum.
What the actual—
My brain exploded with questions all at once.
Is he serious?
Was that a joke?
Was this a confession?
WAIT—did he just confirm they're GAY??
I blinked at Yuna, who looked equally shocked. She mouthed, "What the fuck?"
I mouthed back, "EXACTLY."
Ryu, meanwhile, didn't say a word. He just looked at Seo-Jin with a soft smirk.
LIKE IT WAS NORMAL.
LIKE THIS HAPPENED EVERY DAY.
My soul left my body.
Even Seo-Joon, the new guy who barely spoke, just raised his brows like he hadn't expected that either.
And me?
I was trying to remember how to breathe.
---
😏