The next morning arrives far too quickly.
Eun-ji is barely awake as she walks across campus, her coffee cup warm between her hands.
The sunlight is gentle, the air crisp, students chatting as they pass.
Normal.
Everything should feel normal.
But it doesn't.
Her mind keeps replaying the same thought from last night.
Why do I feel like something's wrong with you, Ji-ho?
She sighs and pushes the thought away.
"Overthinking again," she mutters.
Then she spots him.
Across the courtyard.
Kang Ji-ho is standing near the stairs outside the lecture building, one hand in his pocket, looking exactly like he always does.
Calm.
Composed.
Dangerously handsome.
And absolutely infuriating.
Her heart does the usual annoying flip.
She rolls her eyes at herself.
"Get it together," she whispers.
Still, she walks toward him.
He notices her immediately.
His eyes soften for half a second.
Then he looks away.
Classic.
Eun-ji stops beside him and lifts her coffee.
"Morning, pumpkin."
His lips twitch slightly.
"…Morning."
They stand there awkwardly for a moment.
Which is ridiculous considering they used to talk nonstop.
Eun-ji studies his face.
"You look like you fought a ghost," she says.
"I didn't sleep much."
"Why?"
"Studying."
She raises an eyebrow.
"Liar."
Ji-ho exhales quietly.
Before he can answer—
A loud shout erupts from behind them.
Two male students are arguing near the basketball court.
One of them shoves the other.
The second guy stumbles and crashes into the metal fence.
The sharp edge slices across his hand.
Blood immediately begins dripping down his fingers.
The smell hits Ji-ho instantly.
Iron.
Warm.
Fresh.
His body reacts before his mind can stop it.
Every muscle goes rigid.
His vision sharpens.
The world narrows.
He hears the blood hitting the concrete.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
Eun-ji turns toward the commotion.
"Whoa—someone's bleeding."
The moment she says it, Ji-ho moves.
Fast.
Too fast.
One second he's beside her.
The next second he's already halfway across the courtyard.
Eun-ji blinks.
"…What?"
Her brain struggles to process it.
Did he run?
Teleport?
She didn't even see him move properly.
Ji-ho reaches the injured student first.
He grabs the guy's wrist and pulls it away from the bleeding hand.
"Wrap it," he says sharply to the other student.
His voice is colder than usual.
Controlled.
But his eyes…
For a split second they darken.
Almost glowing.
Then he looks away quickly.
The moment passes.
By the time Eun-ji walks over, Ji-ho has already stepped back.
Too far back.
Like he's avoiding the blood.
Her eyes narrow slightly.
"Ji-ho?"
He doesn't meet her gaze.
"I have class."
And just like that—
He turns and walks away.
Again.
Eun-ji stands there, staring after him.
Her heart is beating faster now.
Not because of the drama.
Because of what she just saw.
Her mind replays the moment.
One second he was beside me…
The next second he was there.
That wasn't normal.
Not even close.
Her phone buzzes in her pocket.
A message from Seo-yeon.
Seo-yeon:
Did you talk to vampire boy yet?
Eun-ji stares at the text.
Then slowly types back.
Something weird just happened.
Three dots appear instantly.
Seo-yeon:
WEIRD HOW
Eun-ji looks toward the direction Ji-ho disappeared.
Her stomach twists slightly.
I think…
She hesitates.
Then finishes the message.
I think I'm going to start paying closer attention to him.
Her intuition is buzzing now.
Something about Kang Ji-ho doesn't make sense.
And Eun-ji has officially decided one thing.
She's going to figure out what it is.