Chapter 1: The Transfer Student
It was the first Monday of spring semester, and the cherry blossoms outside Hanseo High were in full bloom — not that Hana noticed. She was too busy running late, toast in her mouth, backpack bouncing on her shoulders, and her skirt a little uneven from dressing in a panic.
"You're late again, Hana!" her best friend Minji called out as she slid into her seat.
"I blame the toast," Hana mumbled, chewing as she tried to smooth her hair.
Just as the teacher entered, a tall figure followed behind him. He had silver-dyed hair, headphones slung around his neck, and an expression like he couldn't care less about anything in the world.
"This is Lee Jisoo. He's transferring from Seoul International Academy. Take care of him."
Whispers immediately filled the room. "Isn't that the school for rich kids?""He's so cold-looking!"
"Jisoo, take the empty seat next to… Hana."
Hana froze mid-bite. Of course. Fate had to mess with her again.
He didn't say a word. Just sat down, pulled out a notebook, and stared out the window as if the world bored him. Hana took a deep breath. Okay. Just survive the semester.
Chapter 2: Detention for Two
Two weeks later, things hadn't changed. Jisoo was still cold, barely spoke, and always left school exactly at 4 PM. That is, until he and Hana both got caught passing notes during math class. (It was Minji's fault — she asked Hana if she liked Jisoo.)
Now they were stuck in after-school detention together.
"Great," Hana muttered, tapping her pencil. "Thanks a lot, mystery boy."
Jisoo didn't respond.
"You know, you could at least say something. It's weird sitting next to a statue every day."
Finally, he turned his head. "You talk too much."
Hana blinked. "And you're rude."
He smirked. Was that a smile? No. Couldn't be.
Silence returned. Then — "You're not like the others," he said quietly.
"…What does that mean?"
"You're not pretending."
That was the first time Hana realized there was more behind his cold eyes. Loneliness, maybe. Or something deeper.
Chapter 3: The First Smile
Over the next few weeks, something strange happened. Jisoo started… talking. A little. He even shared his lunch with Hana once — and then immediately denied it when Minji saw them.
He still didn't laugh much. But one afternoon, after Hana tripped over a soccer ball and landed face-first in grass, he let out a short chuckle.
"You're hopeless," he said, helping her up.
"I made you laugh. That's basically true love."
He rolled his eyes. But he didn't let go of her hand.
Chapter 4: The Rumors
Nothing good stays quiet for long at Hanseo High. Soon, rumors spread.
"They're dating.""She's just using him.""He's not even that rich anymore."
Hana overheard it all. And so did Jisoo.
He avoided her for three days.
On the fourth day, she marched up to him in the courtyard and said, loud enough for everyone to hear:
"Stop running away. You're not the only one who hates this."
He looked at her for a long time. Then, in front of the entire school, he pulled her close.
"They're not worth our time," he said.
And just like that, the cold prince smiled — for her.