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Ji-won stormed off the football field, pointing an accusing finger at his own reflection in a nearby window. "Yo, you idiot! You actually thanked the guy who hit you!" He groaned and slapped his own hand in frustration.

"Ow... that's so incredibly embarrassing!" Ji-won covered his burning face with both palms, wishing the ground would swallow him whole.

From a distance, Park Tae-oh watched the display, clearly amused by Ji-won’s antics. He squinted, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "What an idiot," he muttered, shaking his head before turning away.

Ji-won’s phone rang just as he reached the academy. "Noeul, I don't think I can make it today. I'm heading home," Ji-won said into the receiver, his voice sounding defeated.

"Alright, take a rest. See you tomorrow at school," Noeul replied supportively.

Ji-won hung up and continued his trek home. Meanwhile, from a window in the building above, Park Tae-oh watched him walk away until he disappeared from sight.

Once home, Ji-won stood before the bathroom mirror, gazing at his reflection. He leaned in to examine the dark bruise blooming on his cheek and scowled.

"What a rude jerk," he muttered, his fingers gently stroking the sore skin.

The next morning, the sun rose, and Ji-won's alarm blared to life. He woke with a violent start, fumbling for his phone to check the time.

"Seven-thirty? No way! I'm doomed!" Ji-won scrambled out of bed and rushed toward the bathroom.

He got ready in a frantic haste, muttering angrily under his breath, "All because of that jerk... I didn't get any sleep because of this pain, and now I'm late."

Ji-won stormed out of the house and sprinted toward the bus stop. To his horror, the bus began to pull away just as he arrived.

"No! Come on!" Ji-won sprinted, waving his arms, but the bus disappeared down the road without him.

He sighed heavily, trudging back to the curb. "Forget it, I'll just take a taxi," he thought, checking his wallet.

He flagged down an approaching taxi, but as it pulled over, a young lady stepped forward with a hopeful smile.

"May I take this taxi? I have an important interview," she requested politely.

Ji-won, unable to say no to someone in need, smiled back. "Go ahead."

He stepped aside, allowing her to claim the cab. Ji-won stood on the sidewalk, waiting for another light to appear.

A taxi passed him by, occupied. Suddenly, a man on a sports bike—dressed in a black jacket and a dark helmet—honked loudly at him.

Ji-won looked up, assuming he was blocking the way, and stepped back toward the wall.

The man honked again, clearly trying to get his attention. Ji-won pointed a finger at his own chest inquiringly.

The rider nodded.

Curious and slightly defensive, Ji-won walked toward the bike. "Excuse me, why did you call me?" he asked formally, though his expression betrayed his growing annoyance.

The man reached up and pulled off his helmet, revealing a very familiar face.

"Hey, it's you," Ji-won said, his voice dropping an octave in irritation.

"Yeah, that's right, it's me. Hop on," Tae-oh replied, tossing his spare helmet toward Ji-won’s chest.

Ji-won narrowed his eyes, catching the helmet awkwardly. "Huh? Why should I?"

"Haven't you realized you're running late for school?" Tae-oh asked, checking his watch.

"No, I'm fine. I'll take a taxi," Ji-won responded flatly.

Tae-oh scoffed. "A taxi? You think you'll find an empty one during rush hour? We have exactly twenty minutes until the gates close."

"I'll take care of it. Mind your own business," Ji-won snapped.

"Are you sure, Mr. Perfect?" Tae-oh asked, staring Ji-won down. After a moment, he shrugged. "Alright, suit yourself."

Ji-won hesitated, watching Tae-oh prepare to ride off. He thought to himself, Fine, let him make up for what he did to my face.

"Hey! Alright, I'll go," Ji-won said reluctantly.

Tae-oh grinned behind his visor. "Hop on."

Tae-oh started the bike with a sudden, powerful jerk. Instinctively, Ji-won grabbed Tae-oh’s shoulders to keep from falling off.

Tae-oh glanced sideways in the mirror. Sensing the contact, Ji-won quickly withdrew his hands and sat back, creating as much distance as the small seat allowed.

As they waited at a red light, Tae-oh called out over the roar of the engine. "Hey!"

Ji-won leaned forward, confused. "Huh? Did you say something?"

"Remember when you helped that lady earlier?" Tae-oh asked. "Do you think you actually helped her?"

Ji-won’s confusion deepened. "What do you mean?"

"She does that all the time," Tae-oh revealed. "I saw her do the exact same thing to someone else the day before yesterday."

Ji-won’s eyes widened. "How do you know? How can you be so sure?"

"I know she works in a building near my house," Tae-oh replied casually. "It’s a trick."

Ji-won fell silent for a moment, absorbing the fact that he’d been played. "Anyway," he responded flatly, "she asked for help, and I helped. That’s all that matters."

Tae-oh chuckled, shaking his head. "Never mind. Forget I said anything."

He twisted the throttle, and the bike roared forward.

Tae-oh pulled into the school district and parked the bike in a discreet spot, hidden from the main view of the faculty. They both dismounted.

"Don't tell anyone I gave you a ride to school. Keep it a secret," Tae-oh requested, fixing his hair.

Ji-won smirked. "And what if I don't?" He shoved the helmet back at Tae-oh and began walking away.

Tae-oh looked confused for a second before locking the helmet to the bike and catching up to Ji-won. "Hey, don't you think you owe me now?"

Ji-won stopped and turned, staring Tae-oh in the eye. "Don't you think you owe me an apology?"

Tae-oh pointed at himself, feigning total innocence. "Did I do something?"

Ji-won rolled his eyes and continued toward the school gate.

Tae-oh kept pace with him. "Why are you only rude to me? You're all smiles with everyone else."

"Who says I'm like that? I'm always like this," Ji-won replied without looking back.

Tae-oh shrugged. "Bye, then."

He lengthened his stride, walking past Ji-won and through the school gate first.

Ji-won took a few more steps, then stopped. He turned his head slightly. "Hey... thank you."

Tae-oh met Ji-won’s gaze for a brief, silent moment. He didn't say a word, but as he turned to continue walking, a small, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

He strolled casually into the building, exuding his usual air of nonchalance.

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