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SOFT SPOT
by adoreleclerc
— i'm wrapped around your finger and i can't stop
STEP THREE: MAKE HER JEALOUS.
The study lounge buzzed with the soft hum of vending machines and the occasional sound of pages flipping. It was early Saturday afternoon, the kind of time when everyone else was either napping or pretending to study. But not Jihoon.
Jihoon looked far too pleased with himself as he dramatically unrolled what he referred to as "The Operation Scroll." In reality, it was just a ridiculously long sheet of grid paper borrowed from the math lab, with their five-step master plan scrawled in neon gel pen and doodles in the margins. He handled it with the kind of reverence most people reserved for ancient artifacts.
"Gentlemen," he began, clicking a highlighter like it was a laser pointer, "we have reached Step Three. This is where the real action begins."
Joshua leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. He eyed the scroll like it was an approaching threat. "You're sure this is a good idea?"
Jeonghan didn't even look up from where he was lounging, head resting against a beanbag. "Jealousy is a tried and tested strategy. Classic rom-com fuel. She sees you getting attention from another girl, her feelings surface, boom—confession incoming."
"Or," Joshua said, voice dry, "she thinks I've moved on. And then she actually moves on."
"That's why," Soonyoung chimed in, already halfway through a convenience store snack, "we picked someone non-threatening. Enter: Yuna."
Joshua frowned. "Yuna?"
"She flirts with everyone, but she doesn't like anyone," Jihoon explained. "It's believable but safe. You two have history from that club event last semester, so it won't feel too random."
"Plus," Soonyoung added, "Yuna already said she's down. She thinks it's hilarious."
Joshua dragged a hand through his hair, already regretting every decision that had led him here. "If Minji stops talking to me after this, I hope you all know I'm haunting you from the afterlife."
✦✦✦
The spring sun filtered gently through the cherry blossoms, casting soft shadows across the courtyard. Students buzzed with after-school energy—crowding around food trucks, sprawled across benches, and clutching iced drinks. Laughter floated through the air like confetti.
Joshua adjusted the strap on his backpack, scanning the crowd until he spotted Yuna near the coffee kiosk, radiant in a pastel cardigan, surrounded by a gaggle of giggling freshmen.
When she noticed him, her entire face lit up.
"Joshua Hong!" she called, dramatically flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Finally come to rescue me from babysitting duties?"
He chuckled and walked over, hands shoved in his pockets. "Maybe I just needed a decent conversation."
"Ooh, charming and handsome today?" Yuna teased, fluttering her lashes. "Someone's on a mission."
He smirked, just enough to sell the act. "Maybe I'm trying to impress someone."
Loud enough for the nearby group—specifically the one under the cherry blossom tree—to hear.
That group included Minji. And Hana. And Harin. And Mingyu, who immediately paused mid-bite of his croissant sandwich to shoot Joshua a deeply unimpressed look.
Unfortunately for Mingyu, he was uninvited to the meeting earlier as the boys were concerned he would interfere in case Minji's feelings were hurt too bad. Hence why he was unprepared for what was about to take place.
Minji, sitting cross-legged on the grass with her iced tea balanced on a napkin, froze mid-bite of her fish cake skewer.
"Is that... Yuna?" she asked, the tone dangerously calm.
Harin leaned forward slightly, peeking around her. "Yep."
"With Joshua?"
"Uh-huh."
"Touching his arm?"
Hana let out a low whistle. "Multiple times."
Minji said nothing. She reached for her drink, took a long sip, and stared at it like it had personally offended her.
"You okay?" Hana nudged her gently.
"Totally," Minji replied. "Why wouldn't I be? He can flirt with whoever he wants. It's none of my business."
"That was very fast," Harin noted.
"And very specific," Hana added, squinting.
"She's so loud," Minji muttered, eyes still on Yuna's overly cheerful expression.
"She's always that loud," Mingyu said without looking up. "But Josh isn't into her. Trust me."
Minji didn't answer, but the tension in her shoulders said plenty.
Back near the kiosk, Joshua nodded and laughed along with Yuna's easy banter, but his eyes kept flicking toward the tree where Minji sat. She wasn't looking at him. Not really. Not directly. But when Yuna leaned in and brushed something off his shoulder—something that may or may not have actually existed—he caught the sudden shift in Minji's posture.
A second later, she was standing.
"I've got class," she said stiffly, gathering her things.
"We have 20 minutes," Harin pointed out.
"I'm going early."
Minji walked off without another word, the soft clack of her shoes fading into the background hum of the courtyard. Harin and Hana shared a look before slowly turning toward Mingyu, who was watching the scene unfold like a disappointed parent.
"Is it weird if I say I'm proud of her for not throwing the drink?" Hana asked.
Mingyu sighed. "She's evolving."
Soonyoung appeared beside Joshua, sipping on a banana milk like it was a spectator sport. "Sooo... how's Operation Jealousy going?"
Joshua groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "She left."
"Which means?" Soonyoung prompted.
"I don't know."
"She stormed off," Jeonghan said as he joined them, arms crossed. "That's usually a sign she felt something. Annoyance, heartbreak, rage—it's all valid."
"In dramas," Soonyoung said knowingly, "when the girl walks away, it's because she doesn't know what to do with her feelings."
"Minji's more likely to walk away and come back with a lawsuit," Joshua muttered, watching her disappear down the corridor.
"Well," Jeonghan said, already pulling out his phone to text the group chat, "looks like Step Three worked. On to Step Four."
Joshua didn't look convinced.
And from across the courtyard, neither did Minji.
@adoreleclerc speaks :
my cuties. i'm actually putting them through hell i'm sorry
also guys i literally have my a levels in two weeks and that is so terrifying
i hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please remember to vote and comment!
