When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

Chapter 51

The school grounds hum with life under the afternoon sun, golden light filtering through the trees, casting speckled patterns on the concrete. The basketball court is alive with shouts and laughter, sneakers squeaking against the polished surface. A game is in full swing—students darting back and forth, some playing seriously, others just goofing around. A group of girls sits nearby, cheering every time their friends score.

Cheonga doesn’t pay much attention to any of it.

She sits on a worn-out wooden bench at the edge of the court, a carton of strawberry juice in her hands, the straw lazily tucked between her lips. The cool breeze plays with the ends of her hair as she leans back slightly, watching the sky—soft, endless blue. It’s peaceful. For once, she’s actually enjoying her lunch break.

Then, just as the universe loves to remind her that peace is temporary, Minhwan plops down next to her.

“Yo.”

She doesn’t turn. Doesn’t acknowledge him. Just keeps sipping.

Minhwan leans in slightly, peering at her drink. “Strawberry, huh?” He hums. “Cute choice.”

She gives the smallest side-eye but says nothing.

Minhwan grins. “What, ignoring me now?”

Sip.

“I get it, I get it,” he nods, dramatic.

“You’re too cool to acknowledge me.”

Sip.

He watches her for a second before smirking. "You know, if you ignore me too much, I might start thinking you like me."

She pauses. Then, very slowly, she turns her head, eyes flat. "I would rather drink expired milk."

Minhwan gasps, placing a hand over his chest. "Ouch. My fragile heart."

Cheonga looks away again.

Minhwan leans back on the bench, stretching his arms. "You know, I actually appreciate how consistent you are. Most people at least pretend to tolerate me."

"I’m not most people."

"No, you’re definitely not," Minhwan agrees. Then, smirking, he nudges her foot with his. "You like watching basketball?"

"It’s better than listening to you."

He chuckles. “You wound me, Cheonga.”

She doesn’t respond, just keeps sipping her juice.

Minhwan watches her for a few seconds, then randomly says, “You know, you sip that juice like a little kid.”

"And you exist like a little parasite."

He lets out a soft laugh, amused. "That’s a new one."

Cheonga rolls her eyes. "I’m convinced you wake up every morning and actively choose to be annoying."

Minhwan grins. "It’s a talent."

They sit in silence for a while, the sounds of the basketball game filling the air. Minhwan kicks at a small rock on the ground, absentmindedly rolling it back and forth with his foot.

Then, out of nowhere, Cheonga turns to him, clearly irritated. "Alright. What do you really want?"

Minhwan’s eyes widen dramatically as he slaps a hand over his mouth, gasping. "Oh my God. She spoke to me first."

Cheonga stares at Minhwan, waiting for him to follow up with another dumb comment, but then—

She sees it.