When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

Chapter 41

The room was quieter than usual, but the moment Cheonga stepped in, she could feel the heaviness in the air. 

Ji Woo, Ga Min, Jun, Hui-Won, and Se-Hyeon were all seated at their usual table, their books open, but no one seemed to be reading. 

Cheonga walked over, feeling a strange unease settle in her chest. She slid into her chair, trying to appear normal. 

"Finally," Jun muttered, tapping his pen on the table. "I thought you weren’t coming." 

"Sorry," she said softly, looking at the table instead of meeting their eyes. 

Ji Woo sighed. "Let’s just start. The other exams are close, and I don’t have time to waste." 

She sounded irritated, but not at anyone in particular. Just exhausted. 

Jun rubbed his temple. "Yeah, well, it’s kind of hard to focus when we have that walking around like he owns the school." 

Cheonga blinked. "Who?" 

Hui-Won leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Minhwan. He was near the teacher’s office earlier." 

Se-Hyeon clicked his tongue. "Its all because of Pi Han Wool." 

The mention of Han wool sent a jolt through her, but she kept her expression neutral. 

"We should take steps to block his moves," Ji Woo said. "I can't stand that guy, i swear!." 

Ga Min looked down, he seem angry, but controlled in a good way.

Cheonga swallowed hearing all of them.

She shifted in her seat, uneasy. 

Was she really so different? 

She was keeping secrets too. 

If they knew she had been meeting Han Wool… If they knew she was close to him… 

Would they still look at her the same way? 

"You’re quiet," Hui-Won said suddenly, tilting her head. "Something wrong?" 

Cheonga forced a small smile. "No, just thinking." 

Jun stretched his arms behind his head. "Don’t overthink it. We already have enough stress with exams." 

She nodded, trying to focus, trying to ignore the anxious feeling curling in her chest. 

And then— 

The doors creaked open. 

Footsteps. Slow, casual. 

A familiar presence filled the space, like a shift in the air, a sudden disruption in the balance of the room. 

Ma Minhwan. 

Dressed like he had no real place to be, his jacket slung over one shoulder, a lazy smirk on his lips. His hands tucked into his pockets as he strolled in, completely unbothered. 

As if he belonged here. 

As if he hadn’t just walked into a room full of people who hated him. 

"Wow," Minhwan drawled, stopping at their table. "The infamous study group. All gathered here like some elite council. Should I feel honored?" 

Silence. 

Ji Woo exhaled sharply, not even looking up from her book. "What do you want, Minhwan?" 

Minhwan placed a hand over his chest mockingly. "Me? Want something? Can’t a guy just visit his lovely friends?"