Kyung smirked, crossing her arms. "You know, you spend all your time vaping, and at this rate, you're going to end up as the first YouTuber to go viral for coughing up your entire lung on camera."
Yeri burst out laughing, giving her a playful shove. "Hey, I'm working on my brand, okay? Don't mess with it."
She took another long drag of her vape, deliberately exhaling a giant cloud of smoke in Kyung's direction.
Kyung waved it away with a dramatic gesture, still smirking. "You'll be the first to get a sponsorship from an oxygen company at this rate."
Yeri shot her a mischievous grin, poking her in the side. "Don't worry, Kyung, one day I'll find you someone who'll make your heart race the way Seulgi's making Jaeyi's heart race. That'll be your 'vaping moment,' huh?"
Kyung froze for a moment, her face flushing ever so slightly at Yeri's teasing.
She quickly shifted, crossing her arms again, trying to hide the fact that her heart was, indeed, doing some kind of fluttering of its own.
"Not everything is about romance, Yeri," Kyung muttered, focusing her attention back on the campus building.
Yeri raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Yeah, sure, but don't act like you're not keeping an eye on what's going on with those two. You'd be the first to play matchmaker if you could."
Kyung didn't respond, her attention drawn back to Seulgi's retreating figure, but this time, she couldn't help but notice the tiny pang in her chest.
Yeri suddenly paused mid vape, eyes narrowing as she replayed Kyung's words in her head.
Then, a slow, mischievous grin spread across her lips.
"Wait a second," she said, turning to fully face Kyung. "Did you just say you're worried about my lungs?"
Kyung's expression faltered for a split second before she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I didn't say that."
"Oh, but you did," Yeri pressed, poking Kyung's arm repeatedly. "You care about me, don't you? You don't want me to wither away from my 'terrible vaping addiction.'"
Kyung opened her mouth to deny it, but nothing came out.
She could feel the heat rising to her face, and the fact that Yeri was staring at her like a cat playing with its food wasn't helping.
"You look so pretty all flustered," Yeri teased, leaning in slightly with a wicked grin.
Kyung groaned, covering her face for a second before regaining composure.
Instead of responding with her usual sarcasm, she let a small, proud smile creep onto her lips.
"Of course I look pretty," she said smugly. "I always look pretty."
Yeri chuckled, shaking her head before giving Kyung a light slap on the back. "Alright, love, don't get too cocky."
Kyung laughed, finally relaxing as they started walking again. "Too late."
Yeri just smirked, taking another slow drag from her vape before exhaling dramatically. "Still, it's nice to know you care."
Kyung shot her a side glance, the corner of her lips twitching upward. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get used to it."
Kyung strolled through the hallway, phone pressed against her ear as she talked to Yeri.
"So, what's the plan? Are we actually eating real food today, or are you going to make me watch you survive off caffeine and vibes again?" Kyung teased.
Yeri scoffed. "Listen, my diet is none of your concern. Maybe I just enjoy the thrill of living on the edge."
Kyung rolled her eyes, about to fire back when something caught her attention, a blur of motion speeding down the hallway.
Jaeyi.
She was walking way too fast for someone who usually carried herself like she owned the world.
In her hand was a plastic bag, swinging slightly with every step.
Kyung slowed her pace, watching in curiosity as Jaeyi made a sharp turn toward Seulgi's classroom.
Before Kyung could even process what was happening, Jaeyi emerged moments later, now holding Seulgi's hand as they walked together toward the exit.
Both of them were smiling.
Not the kind of hesitant, guarded smiles Kyung was used to seeing from Seulgi, this was different.
Softer.
Easier.
"Um... Yeri?" Kyung said into the phone, still staring after them.
"What?"
"So... Jaeyi just pulled a whole ass K-drama protagonist move and literally grabbed Seulgi's hand and left the building with her."
There was a brief silence before Yeri spoke, her tone utterly unimpressed.
"Damn, she finally left that damn office?"
Kyung huffed a laugh. "That's what you're focusing on?"
"I mean, her workaholic ass finally decided to do something good," Yeri said. "We should celebrate. Maybe throw some confetti or something."
Kyung shook her head, watching as Jaeyi and Seulgi disappeared around the corner. "Honestly? Yeah. I gotta respect it."
Yeri chuckled. "Told you. Love makes people do crazy things."
Kyung snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Speaking of crazy, let's get lunch. I'm skipping my next class."
"Ooh, bad influence energy. I like it."
Kyung smirked. "Of course you do."
She hung up, already heading toward the exit to meet Yeri.
CHAPTER 11: JUST A RIDE
Start from the beginning
