Taehyun’s euphoria over being back in the theater hall wasn’t at all dampened by the close pairs of eyes watching her, posing as students and fitting in remarkably well. To her left, were the usual couple together. To her right, another usual couple together. Ding, ding, ding! Everyone that said Jongdae and Minseok, and Minho and Taemin wins a special virtual hug from me! You get a hug! You get a hug! Everybody gets a hug!

When Jonghyun told her that he’d be paying closer attention to her, she didn’t expect it to be like this.

Also, she didn’t expect for other people’s attention to be substituted for his own.

“The roles are simple,” Jonghyun said, “I’m your distant cousin. So are Krystal, Taemin, and Minho. Krystal goes to an all-women’s university at wherever the nearest all-women’s university actually is. Taemin and Minho and exchange students. I’m your cousin that works as a fashion consultant at wherever the nearest fashion consultancy department actually is.”

“And I’m Uncle Suho,” Suho said, “Distant Uncle Suho.”

“No,” Jonghyun disagreed, “You’re Manservant Suho.”

Minho and Taemin, the Could-Pass-As-Twins Brothers, were now not only Taehyun’s “cousins” but also her new classmates.

The five of them were seated towards the back, watching their newest delegated director talk about the premise of their next project. The whole time, Taehyun wished she could roll her eyes to the back of her head and back, because she definitely would’ve. She disliked the new director. Partly because he only took on the role of director since Taehyun had dropped out. Mostly because ‘he was a .’

“So,” the director said, “I’ll be cast as the main protagonist, of course. Opposite to me, the very important, but not quite as important role, will go to Jinki.” At the very front, there was applause and people cheering for Jinki to get on the stage. At the very back however, the critique began.

“Duh,” Taehyun commented, “He’s the best candidate in here. Why is everyone still so surprised?”

Minseok imitated the sound of a phone ringing, and placed his makeshift ‘hand’-phone to his ear.

“Hello?” he said, “Yes, you’ve reached Unrecognized Talent.”

“He’s an average actor at best,” Jongdae said, “The only role he can play is a boyfriend.” Taehyun groaned, throwing her hands up in defeat. She muttered angrily: “Stop trying to make it happen.” Jongdae threw his arms around Minseok and Taehyun, smiling apologetically at her.

“Sorry,” he said, “You looked so pretty back then, always smiling at that wannabe doctor-turned-actor.”

“Back then?” Taehyun retorted, “I think I’m hot now, too.” Minseok placed his head on the crook of Jongdae’s neck. Jongdae placed a quick, sweet kiss on Minseok’s cheek. Taehyun couldn’t help but smile at them. Part of her also couldn’t help but want to puke at the sight of their public displays of affection.

“I’m like trying drop hints that I want you two to get back together,” Jongdae explained, “I want you two to get back together.” Taehyun immediately lost that smile, and shot him an unamused look. He continued: “I’m not trying to make it happen, it never ended in the first place.”

“You there,” the director suddenly said, pointing to the five in the back. All eyes were on them.

“Wow, Jjong’s gonna love this,” Taemin whispered, “Our first day and we’re already in trouble.”

“All because we sat beside Taehyun.” Minho added. Taemin nodded in agreement.

“Tell me,” the director continued, “What’s the new film about? I’m just curious as to see if you were listening, since you looked real busy back there.” this would’ve been the epitome of an ‘oh- moment’, but Taehyun had no more s left to give. Minho and Taemin, on the other hand, were actually trying to remember what the director was blabbering about, while as Jongdae and Minseok knew it was completely useless either way.

“Easy,” Taehyun said loudly. Eyes flickered towards her. Jinki knew the tone of voice she was using. He listened intently.

“It’s the story of you, Park Chanyeol,” she began, “The most handsome man to ever walk the face of the Earth.” Chanyeol nodded in agreement, but was not quite content with her answer.

“That’s an obvious given,” he said, “And?”

“And?” Taehyun echoed, “Well, it follows you, the living reincarnation of Narcissus—let’s call you Chan-cissus—but, the funny thing here is that the actual Narcissus was the hot , drop dead gorgeous; it justifies why he fell in love with himself. You, however, are above average at best; trying to compensate for something down there, with that disastrous mop of hair up there.” There was an eruption of murmurs and stifled laughter. A laugh escaped from Jinki’s lips. Upon feeling Chanyeol’s gaze on him, he quickly shut his mouth and looked away.

Chanyeol was as red as his hair, which was shockingly red.

The four beside Taehyun didn’t even bother to hide their amusement. Minho and Taemin were grabbing at each other, laughing loudly, while Jongdae and Minseok were giving her a round of applause.

“Sounds like an amazing idea,” Chanyeol said, biting back his anger, “Why don’t you direct it?”

“Oh?” Taehyun quickly remarked, “Sure! But you won’t be cast as Narcissus. I’m going to give the role to Minho here.” She jerked her thumb towards Minho, who had surprise plastered on his face.

“Your cousin? Really?” Chanyeol retorted, “Isn’t that being a little biased?”

“Oh no, not at all,” Taehyun said, “Ladies and gentlemen, raise a hand if you think that my cousin here has Narcissus-worthy looks.” She motioned for Minho to stand, which he did after being pushed up by Taemin. Everyone laid their eyes on the tall, handsome Minho. Taehyun had unknowingly knocked Jinki off of the Top 1 spot of their University’s Most Handsome list. All the hands in the theater hall were raised, apart from Chanyeol.

And that was how Taehyun reclaimed her directing rights.

“A landslide victory for Cho Taehyun!” Minseok exclaimed, as they exited the hall. Taehyun curled her arm in between Jongdae and Minseok’s.

“I can already see the headlines,” she said, “Humanities major burns Local to a crisp. No amount of aloe or cold water can remedy his fifth degree burns.” Jongdae laughed. Beside them, Taemin and Minho were channeling their inner kindergarteners, excitedly waiting to tell Jonghyun all about the ‘star’ they received on their first day. In this case, the “super suave, important role Minho somehow got on his first day”.

“We have to get to Heechul’s class,” Minseok said, “You free at six?”

“Can’t,” Taehyun replied, “Uncle Suho said it’d be best for me to stay in for a while. Plus I have so much to catch up on.” She waved at them as the pair left, hand in hand.

Fate must’ve been feeling pretty cheeky since, by coincidence, Jinki was now walking closely in the same direction. Taemin caught a glimpse of him, and by the looks of it, he assumed that Jinki wanted to approach Taehyun. So, he decided to part ways with her as naturally as he could.

Taemin ripped Minho from Taehyun’s side and began sprinting away, screaming. Minho looked over to Taehyun for help, but as soon as he saw Jinki he began screaming too; increasing his pace, he was now the one dragging Taemin. Taehyun turned around, and was tempted to run away as well.

“They really needed to get to their next class,” she explained to Jinki, who was a good meter away from her, “It’s Jeongsu’s class. Heard he has a nasty temper.” Jinki nodded, although he couldn’t quite understand the relationship between their looks of terror towards him, and Mr. Park Jeongsu. Did he remind them of Jeongsu? Were they actually afraid of him? Who knows.

“You have a free period now, right?” Jinki asked. Taehyun rose a brow, and crossed her arms.

“Still keeping tabs on me, Jinki?” she asked, feigning coyness. He scratched the back of his head, grinning in embarrassment.

“You knew?” he asked. Taehyun nodded.

“I have my sources,” she said, “And they all agree that a certain Mr. Lee Jinki has checked in on how I was on several occasions.”

“I’m a concerned citizen,” Jinki replied.

“Right,” Taehyun said, “Just a concerned citizen?”

“No,” Jinki said, without missing a beat, “Not just any concerned citizen.”

“Listen, Tae, there’s actually something that I wanted to ask you,” he continued. Taehyun said nothing, allowing him to finish.

“Do you really not love me anymore?”