Breaking Point ➨ Sim Jaeyun

𝟕.

Jaeyun's pov:

"So... how's it going?"

That was the first thing out of Leeho's mouth the moment I sat down at our table in the canteen.

I dropped my tray onto the table and slumped into the seat. "What do you think?"

Sunghoon smirked. "Judging from that face, either she rejected you or you're catching feelings."

"None," I said flatly, stabbing at my rice with the spoon. "Just tired."

"Tired?" Jeehun repeated, dragging the word out with a mocking grin. "You? The guy who never gets tired of this game?"

"Bro, it's been what—two weeks? You're already slowing down," Leeho added, leaning forward. "So, what happened? Did she even look at you?"

I wanted to say something. Something snarky.
But instead, I just stared at my food for a second too long.

Because yeah, she looked at me.

And it wasn't like the others. It wasn't shy, or impressed, or flirty. It was real. Like she actually saw me — not the guy everyone talks about, not the name that gets whispered around the halls. Just... me.

And I didn't know how to handle that.

"She's not like the others," I muttered before I could stop myself.

That shut them up.

Sunghoon tilted his head. "Not like the others, huh? That's a first coming from you."

"Don't fucking start," I warned, shoving a spoonful of rice into my mouth.

But of course, they didn't listen.

"Damn, the all-time playboy Sim Jaeyun catching feelings," Leeho laughed. "Never thought I'd live to see the day."

"Shut up."

"Face it, man," Jeehun said. "You're actually into her. Maybe we should change the bet."

I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. "There's no need. I said I'd do it, and I will."

My words came out firm, but even I could hear the hesitation underneath.
And I hated that they could too.

Because the truth was...

 for the first time 

I wasn't sure if I wanted to win.

Sunghoon was about to say something else when I heard laughter — light, genuine, the kind that hits before you can stop it.

I didn't even have to look to know who it was.

Stella walked past our table with Yunjin and Hanni, iced coffee in her hand, her hair catching the sunlight streaming through the canteen windows. She wasn't even looking my way — just laughing at something Yunjin said, eyes curved, cheeks slightly flushed from the heat.

And damn...

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

It wasn't the usual kind of pretty I was used to. It wasn't the "I know I look good" kind of look. It was effortless — messy hair, oversized uniform, scribbles on her sleeve. But there was something about it that pulled me in anyway.

Something real.

She brushed past me without even noticing, her laugh fading as she walked further away.

And it stung — just a little.

Because for once, I wasn't the center of attention.

I wasn't even part of her world.

The table went quiet for a moment. I could feel the boys' eyes on me, waiting for me to say something, crack a joke, anything.

Instead, I just stared at the spot she left behind.

What the fuck was that?

Why did she look like—

And then it hit me.

What the fucking hell was I doing?

This wasn't supposed to get complicated. 

It never was supposed to. 

It's just a bet. 

A challenge.

And I never lose.

So I forced the thought out of my head, straightened up, and smirked.

That's right. I wasn't here to fall for her.

I was here to make her fall for me.

That's the goal.

Her heart.

Nothing else.

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 ♡ :

its been almost a 3 months break I'm so sryyy :c i was dealing for exams n now i can finally write hehe :3. I'll try to post occasionally but i hope yall can recommend this story to other readers tysmmm i hope u like the story for niow byee :D