It’s been some time ever since Irene saw Mino and Seulgi hugging. Since then they are only seen talking casually and only during in groups. Irene never saw them together again, alone. It was a relief for her, she does not know why but she felt anxious whenever they look at each other, whenever they laugh over something, Irene feel something weird inside her, yet she refuse to admit it. Like the one time he got out of the room to get coffee and he got another one for her, or that one time he carried his books for her, or the simple good mornings and candies he gives her every start of classes, she can’t help but feel butterflies in her stomach.

These were the kinds of things that preoccupied her mind whenever there is an idle time, whenever she decides on not listening to lectures; it’s always Mino, Mino, Mino, Seulgi and Mino, and more Mino. Like now, their history professor keeps on blabbering about things they need to pass on Monday, she did not mind and just get lost in her thoughts, Joy would remind her anyways, she was zoning out, both hands under her chin, she was not staring at anything particular until a face popped out right in front of him.

He placed his arms on her desk and rested his chin to his hands, imitating her stance. Their faces were inches away and Irene could feel his hot breath in her face. Mint, smell of mint, she mentally noted the smell and mentally slapped herself for doing so. She finally snapped out of her senses when he decided on flicking her forehead.

“You okay, Barbie?”

She rolled her eyes at his nickname.

“I’m not Barbie.”

“You look like one”

“I don’t”

“Fine fine fine” He dragged a chair and sat in front of her, still staring. “I can stare at you forever, Baechu.” He chuckled, she was flustered by his comment, he always say that to her. ‘you’re too pretty’, ‘you’re so good to stare at’, ‘i can stare at you forever’, and all those kinds of compliments yet she still get flustered. ‘It’s his personality Bae Joohyun get used to it’ she always tell herself.

“Excuse me; can you help me with this?” a girl in their class approached them and talked to Mino

“Sure what is it?”

“I don’t get this?”

Irene peeked at the girl’s concern and scoffed. “Do you really not know it? Or do you just want to talk to him?” she rolled her eyes once again.

“Stop being mean, she just want to clarify things.” He started explaining the math problem oh so lovingly, which Irene definitely hates. “Do you get it now?” he said while flashing the most greasy smile he could.

“Yes I do!” the girl blushed “thank you so much Mino-yah!”

“No problem” still smiling sweetly, he waved. He averted his gaze back to Irene. “What you still doing here?”

“I’m waiting for Joy and Seulgi”

“Ahhh, council duties I see.”

“And you?”

“I still have training and apparently Taehyun is still nowhere to be found so I’m waiting.”

Two girls whispering suddenly entered the room.

“Mino oppa~” said the freshman while giving him an energy drink. He took it and opened it. “Have strength on your training!” He drank it halfway and gave it back to the girl who almost fainted.

“Have strength too okay?”

“Bye~~” she almost squealed while staring at the opened bottle as if it was touche