“Make sure to study for tomorrow’s exams,” Mr. Park reminded the class before the school bell rang, indicating the end of day. “Anyone who fails will have to join extra remedial classes, which means you’ll miss out on our school’s festival event.”   Hyunmi watched as Woohyun groaned, dropping his body against the desk. He had been sick for nearly a week, and only decided to go to school today. This was not how he expected to be welcomed.   “I’m so gonna fail.” Seulyi was in equal slumps. The girl had played around too much, thinking she could push off studying to the last minute. Today was the last minute, and she hadn’t done anything.   “Hyunmi,” Woohyun shifted to face her, the frowns sunk between his eyebrows. “You need to tutor me.”   “No.” She adjusted the round glasses she had opted to wear for the past few days in order to get the feel of a studious student. It made reading textbooks easier as well. “You know I’m bad at teaching.”   Woohyun pouted, knowing it was a difficult request to ask. Though she excelled at acing her exams, she was a terrible teacher. First, she had an odd way of memorizing test materials that no one else managed to understand. Second, she lacked patience. Last time she agreed to help, she ended up yelling at him until he begged for forgiveness on his knees.   “Save me!” Seulyi added, scooting her chair closer to Hyunmi’s. “I never pay attention to what the teacher is saying, so I need a lot of help too.”   Kibum walked by and snickered at them. “You’re both pretty much doomed. Seems we’ll enjoy the festival without you.”   “No! That’s when all the cute guys from other schools will come to visit us,” Seulyi cried.   “What happened to you and Myungsoo?” Hyunmi asked.   “He’s too perfect. I don’t think he’ll ever like me,” Seulyi whined, puckering her lips into a sad pout.   “Aw, but opposites attract. Imperfect people complement perfect ones,” Woohyun said, grinning at her.   “Are you insulting me? If Hyunmi weren’t here, I’d smack you,” Seulyi threatened.   “Don’t mind me. Smack him for all you want,” Hyunmi said, her focus back on her notebook. Even with her legendary notes, her two friends would need extra help to pass the exams. Though she was a terrible teacher, she couldn’t risk the two of them not joining the club festival. It won’t be as fun.   Her attention was disturbed by the loud sound of both Kibum and Sungyeol playfully hitting Woohyun for the fun of it. The boy dramatized his whining, waiting with pleading eyes for her to come to his defense.   “Cut it out. He just got better,” she said.   “Oooh, don’t wanna provoke the girlfriend,” Sungyeol sang, even adding a weird dance when Hyunmi had given up on clarifying their status like she usually would.   “Hey, if you want, I could try to teach you guys,” Myungsoo suddenly offered.    Seulyi and Woohyun turned to him, seeing a bright, shining light glowing around him, as if he was an angel in disguise.   “I may not be good in every subject, but I was the top of my class in maths in my previous school,” Myungsoo continued.   “Well, isn’t that perfect? Hyunmi at math, so she could learn from you too,” Kibum said, flashing her a sweet smile.   Hyunmi’s first instinct was to decline, but then she noticed Seulyi’s hopeful look, glimmering eyes staring at her with a silent plea. If Hyunmi didn’t join, Seulyi wouldn’t dare being the only girl, but she did not want to miss spending more time with Myungsoo.   “Fine,” Hyunmi agreed, closing her notebook. “We’ll have a study session.”   ***   Myungsoo invited them over to his place after school, and once they got to the front gate, everyone’s jaw dropped open.   “You didn’t tell us you were filthy rich,” Sungyeol swallowed his saliva, ogling at the mansion before them.   Seulyi her lips, the affection she held for Myungsoo immediately rekindled. Not only was he handsome, he was also wealthy. If they got together, her future would pretty much be settled.   “Well, these are my parents’ money, not mine,” Myungsoo said, leading them through the gate that opened using an automatic censor.   The rest noisily awed at the technology like some cave people. Even the garden was ginormous, containing statues that were oddly shaped like Myungsoo.    “Do you think I could take one as souvenir?” Seulyi asked in a low whisper   “Doubt it. It’s too heavy for us to carry,” Hyunmi replied.   “Come on, he’s rich! He’ll probably have a helicopter to transport it to my place,” Seulyi said, and seeing more of the mansion’s expensive looking interior, Hyunmi could hardly argue against it.   No wonder Myungsoo had agreed when Sungyeol suggested Miyu and Hime to come along. Maerin, Taemin, and Sungjong decided to have their own study session since they were in a different year. So was Hime, but she had a strong reason to come along.   Myungsoo led them through the stairs that resembled a royal palace’s staircase, complete with a red, velvety carpet laid out over them. Then they passed a long corridor, decorated with original paintings and fancy ceramics.   “Woohyun, I heard you were sick. Are you feeling better now?” Hime asked, taking this chance to walk with him while he was stupidly pretending to admire a painting he knew nothing about.   “Yes. I got a fever because I fell in the water, but I’m all good now.” Woohyun smiled. “Why? Were you worried?”   “Of course. I wanted to call you but was afraid it’d bother you from resting,” she said, her voice turning coy.   “Don’t worry about it. Talking to you could help me recover faster,” Woohyun said, making Hime blush. He instinctively turned to his friends as if to say “see, I still got it.”   The two unfortunate souls who heard him, Hyunmi and Kibum, immediately made a face. It wasn’t that Hyunmi hated his cheesy pick-up lines, but she had heard him use a variation of the same line on different girls before. It had come to a point where she could perfectly recite his lines.   “I also got something for you. I think it could help you calm down,” Hime said, taking out a small box from her bag.   “You got me another present?” Woohyun asked, genuinely surprised. He caught Hyunmi staring and shrugged at her.   “Yes. I enjoy giving people gifts, especially when it’s something useful.” Hime handed the box to him. “It’s an aromatherapy scented candle. I always use them to relax.”   “Wow.” Woohyun looked at the box from different angles, at a loss for words. “I’ve honestly never tried it before, but I’m sure it will help. Thanks, Hime.”   Well, that went a little different. Usually he’d add something cheesy like “I’ll use them while thinking of you,” but not this time. At least he managed to look genuinely grateful, even if he wasn’t the type who liked scented candles.    Love made people change, and Hyunmi was sure it would go well between those two.   ***   When they entered Myungsoo’s room, it was like they walked into a different house altogether. There were numerous anime posters plastered on the wall, which juxtaposed the royal interior. There was a small coffee table facing the TV, a bookcase, a king sized bed, and a portable white board ready for their use.    “Whoa! It’s Boku no Hero Academia!” Hyunmi shouted when she spotted a very familiar poster of one of her favorite anime.   “You know it?” Myungsoo asked, standing beside her as he stared at the same poster.   “Of course! Deku’s the cutest,” she said, patting the 2D boy on his head, making Myungsoo laugh.   “I watch it too,” Miyu joined, drawn by the poster featuring all the main characters. “I love Bakugo.”   “Who the hell is Bakugo?” Sungyeol asked, immediately triggered.   “A hot-headed, temperamental, explosion specialist who yells at everyone to