The day began with morning sunlight shining softly through Sayu's window. On the bottom bunk, Rin slept soundly, wrapped in her blanket like a sleepy burrito.
'This girl... Is she planning to stay like this until afternoon?' Sayu thought, amused.
Then she remembered — Rin had said she didn't have any classes today. Envious, Sayu wished she could sleep the rest of the day too.
But then she recalled how Rin had drunk with her the entire night. A brief flicker of gratitude softened her expression as she gently pulled the blanket over Rin's exposed legs. Sayu glanced at her alarm clock — she still had about an hour left until class.
Trying not to wake her, Sayu quietly slipped out and closed the door behind her, stepping into the hard day she was about to face.
Click.
As she walked through the streets, she couldn't shake the weight behind her eyes — the exhaustion, the hangover, and the sting of yesterday's memories.
Hans...
She didn't want to think about him anymore.
That's when her eyes caught a familiar coffee shop: SunDol.
Just seeing the name lifted her mood a little. A nice latte — that was exactly what she needed.
Ding.
The bell above the door chimed as she stepped inside.
Warm aromas of coffee and pastries swirled through the air. The gentle hum of conversation, the clinks of cups, and the hiss of steamed milk wrapped around her like a cozy hug. Some customers sat quietly with headphones and laptops; others giggled over cakes and frothy drinks.
Sayu sighed.
Making her way to the back of the short line of four or five people, she muttered, "I wish I could just sit here, listen to music, and eat something sweet,"
But life had its own rule: No pain, no gain.
"Why can't it be: Just rest, no test?" she added dryly under her breath.
Then, correcting herself and her lazy-ism philosophy with a sigh: "Maybe I'm just being lazy these days…"
As her inner monologues wandered, the line moved forward. She blinked, realizing she was now second.
In front of her stood a boy — probably her age — wearing a crisp white sweater under a long checkered coat, paired with clean sneakers and a leather watch. His hair was styled effortlessly, but his posture screamed: rich kid.
He fumbled through his pockets.
"I—I'm sorry, miss. I must've forgotten my wallet."
The cashier frowned. "Sir, you already ordered. Can you pay or not?"
She added firmly, pointing behind him, "If you can't, please step aside. You're holding up the line."
The boy looked genuinely flustered, glancing between the tray of drinks and the line. He turned, ready to walk out and leave the drinks behind.
Before he could, Sayu stepped forward.
"Excuse me," she said calmly, "I'll take my latte… and I'll pay for his too."
He turned toward her, stunned. "Huh?"
"It's fine. It happens," she said with a faint smile, handing her card to the cashier.
He stared at her, surprised and grateful. After the payment went through, he gave her a polite bow.
"Thank you so much, miss. You saved me today."
Sayu waved him off. "It's nothing, really."
Just as she turned to leave, he quickly asked, "Wait—may I ask your name?"
She paused at the door. "Sayu."
His gaze drifted toward her bag, where a book poked out from the half-open zipper. The corner of a sticker read faintly: Sakura Univ—
"Oh! Are you from Sakura University, by any chance?" he asked, pointing to it.
Sayu glanced down and nodded. "Yeah. First year. You too?"
He smiled. "Park Dae Woo. Second year. And don't worry — I'll make sure to repay you someday!"
Sayu blinked.
'Park...Dae Woo..?'
Of course, she recognized the name. How could she not?
The guy who had once rented out an entire venue during the party — that she was forced to ask out, because of a stupid dare, — And then, almost reflexively, her mind flashed to someone else. Hayato… and his dumb patting gesture. She shook her head.
'Oh no. Not again. You can't get involved with another rich boy, Sayu,' she reminded herself, her face stiffening at the thought. 'They're calamity magnet.'
"If you're going there, Can I offer you a ri—?"
Before he could finish, Sayu cut him off.
"Sorry, I have to be somewhere else."
She gave a polite bow and walked out without another word, as a thin plastic rectangular card fell from her bag and onto the ground.
* * *
Outside, she put in her earphones and hit play. Her favorite lo-fi playlist hummed in her ears as she sipped her latte, walking through the sidewalk.
Just as the caffeine started to take effect, a sharp ding vibrated from her pocket — a notification.
She opened it casually… and her heart dropped.
[
Dear, Student:
Tuition for next semester has not been paid. Please settle within 3 months. ]
She stared at the screen. Her coffee suddenly felt bitter.
"I can't believe this… How am I supposed to…" she muttered, swiping through her balance. Her bank app opened, revealing an amount far too small.
"I need to cut some expenses this month..." she thought grimly.
Still sipping, still tired, and still half-dazed from the hangover — Sayu didn't notice the red light ahead.
The crosswalk.
Feet away.
The traffic light Flashing.
She kept walking.
"I'm going to have to find a job or—"
Screeeeech!
Time slowed.
From the corner of her vision, headlights blurred into view. A truck, too close, too fast, screeched as its tires fought the pavement.
Her body froze. Her legs wouldn't move. She couldn't run. She couldn't think.
It all happened in a blink.
A strong hand yanked her backward — her body spun, stumbling off-balance.
She crashed into someone's chest.
The truck rushed past, blaring its horn. Her world tilted as her thoughts caught up.
Sayu looked up.
And there he was — Park Dae Woo — arm still around her shoulder, his breathing fast and shallow.
Their eyes met.
Her latte cup lay on the ground behind them, its contents spilled like a forgotten dream.