By Zephyria 
Haon’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. At the same time, he glanced sideways at Cha Jeong-won standing beside him and subtly raised the phone in his hand.
“You heard about Hyun-gyu introducing a part-time job, right?”
As if providing real-time proof of what he had just said.
“But we have our graduation project to work on, and we’re busy.”
As Haon hesitated, Kim Hyun-gyu pressed him.
[Not doing it? Decide quickly. I need to tell my hyung.]
“What kind of part-time job?”
It was a response that, while acknowledging they were busy, seemed open to at least hearing about it.
[At a cafe. An employee suddenly quit, so they need a substitute until they find a replacement.]
As always, Kim Hyun-gyu’s voice was urgent. The better the opportunity, the more he spoke as if being chased by something.
In other words, this was a good position they absolutely had to grab.
[The hourly wage is high. You’ve worked at a cafe before, right? Just come for a few days. Just a few days! As a substitute!]
Haon pressed his lips together, stared straight ahead, and then subtly slowed his pace.
Cafe part-time job. Money. Hourly wage.
Just those three words were enough to set the living expense calculator in his head spinning.
Since it’s still early in the semester, a few days should be fine, right?
“So when would the work be?”
The question finally popped out.
[Weekday evenings and weekend afternoons. They said they’ll adjust based on your schedule. But you have to work really well.]
“I work well.”
Even as he said that, his eyes kept involuntarily drifting to the side.
Without realizing it, his pace had slowed, and Cha Jeong-won, who had been walking beside him, was now a step or two ahead. Even though he knew Haon was on a call, he didn’t bother to wait.
Haon watched him move away but made no effort to catch up.
‘We’ll see each other in class anyway.’
Actually, it was better this way.
After parting with Cha Jeong-won, there were times when he would occasionally pop into Haon’s thoughts.
For now, it was better to be busy, chased by time.
With the phone pressed to his ear, he slowly followed from behind, asking Kim Hyun-gyu various questions.
“When do they pay?”
Even as he asked Hyun-gyu, he wondered how such a good opportunity had come up.
Was it because he was connected to Cha Jeong-won?
＊ ＊ ＊
Inside the classroom, most seats were already taken.
Haon scanned the surroundings once and walked to the seat he wanted.
Not wanting to appear as if he’d arrived late, his steps became cautious.
Still, he had a spot in mind.
A seat near the window with a clear view.
He walked there, set down his bag, and sat. A very handsome back of a head came into view.
Cha Jeong-won didn’t turn around even at Haon’s presence.
Haon also didn’t bother to engage Cha Jeong-won.
While Cha Jeong-won looked out the window, Haon chatted and laughed with others.
Both clearly aware of each other’s presence.
Soon, the professor entered. He scanned the students and paused briefly.
His gaze went to Cha Jeong-won, then shifted to Haon.
Haon sensed what that look signaled.
“Have you decided?”
Whether to do the graduation project as a team or stick to the original plan of working separately.
Haon tried to look at Cha Jeong-won’s face but failed.
Cha Jeong-won’s gaze was fixed straight ahead.
It seemed like time would just pass without anyone speaking up.
Just as Haon, unable to wait any longer, was about to raise his hand, Cha Jeong-won answered.
“We’ll do it together.”
His voice was calm.
The classroom began to buzz. As usual, Cha Jeong-won paid no attention to the noise.
Haon, who had been about to raise his hand, pretended to rest his chin on his hand, covering his mouth. The corners of his mouth threatened to lift on their own, so he had to manage his expression even more.
‘We were too busy looking for the box to have a proper conversation.’
But it was decided in this single moment.
The buzzing didn’t easily subside. More eyes were on Haon than on Cha Jeong-won. Those gazes held various emotions.
The belated realization that he was now on the same team as Cha Jeong-won weighed heavily on him.
Unable to tear his eyes from Cha Jeong-won’s shoulders, Haon imagined the two of them working together.
The professor turned toward the blackboard and continued.
“Good. Have a rough concept draft ready by the next class.”
Ah. Of course. Haon swallowed a short breath inwardly.
The professor’s words hammered down firmly. Now there was no excuse to run away.
Yet, strangely, Haon felt a part of his heart loosen.
Resting his chin on his hand, Haon leisurely admired Cha Jeong-won’s back.
He tried to recall what would happen to this man in the original story. Something he’d been attempting since leaving Cha Jeong-won’s house.
But his hand, which had been turning pages, stopped awkwardly, as if stuck between the book’s pages.
‘We keep running into each other anyway, but now we’re going to meet intentionally.’
It had overlapped too many times to be called coincidence, and now there was a reason beyond coincidence.
Even knowing it would lead to unhappiness, he couldn’t bring himself to take the box.
Now, instead of avoiding being swept up in Cha Jeong-won’s accident, he had to prevent Cha Jeong-won’s accident. His mind grew complicated.
‘And that’s not all.’
Haon ran a hand through his hair.
When the two touched, good things happened. To confirm that, he had even suggested they date, but it still wasn’t enough to be sure.
‘You have a senior, right? Do you know that when we kiss, good things happen?’
How could he possibly say that out loud?
Just imagining it felt like voluntarily stepping under an excavator.
He could guess what expression Cha Jeong-won would make upon hearing those words, making it even harder to speak.
So Haon changed direction and settled on a conclusion.
‘This time, don’t go all the way…’
Let’s be honest. Going all the way last time wasn’t about confirmation; it was just getting swept up in the mood and by Cha Jeong-won himself.
‘If necessary, just kiss…’
Then, another problem suddenly occurred to him.
‘When will the senior’s partner appear?’
Even if the original story had twisted onto a different path, wouldn’t it return to the main storyline at some point?
If the person Cha Jeong-won truly loves appears, Haon would have no choice but to step aside.
Even if they kiss, it has to be before that. And he needs to get the box quickly.
Up front, the professor’s explanation continued. Other teams were already discussing how to structure their panels.
Haon straightened his posture. The romance transmigration simulation had to pause for a moment.
Cha Jeong-won also turned toward Haon.
“Looks like we’ll be seeing each other often from now on.”
At his words, the paused romance transmigration simulation threatened to start up again.
But…
‘We have to stick together like this?’
It’s not just the graduation project?
＊ ＊ ＊
Monday afternoon.
Urban Regeneration Studio class.
In the class following the graduation project discussion, a similar yet subtle event unfolded.
“This semester’s midterm exam will be replaced by a practical project.”
Haon looked up.
A PPT was already advancing at the front, and a neatly organized table was displayed on the screen.
Team assignments. Number of members, submission deadline.
Everything was densely written.
“Teams have been assigned randomly.”
If it’s random, why are Cha Jeong-won and I on the same team?
At this level of coincidence, I’d feel sorry for other protagonists.
In a brief moment, team leaders were decided, presentation dates assigned, and instructions given for each team to decide their project concept on their own.
Within ten minutes of class starting, Haon sat dazedly, as if he’d already missed over half the lecture.
“Any questions?”
Silence.
Haon seriously debated whether to raise his hand but ultimately only raised his heart, not his hand.
Yes, I have a question. Do you have any thoughts about us being on the same team?
While the unspoken question raged in his chest, people at the front were happily greeting their teammates, pleased to be working together.
In the end, Haon forced a smile, pretending nothing was wrong.
“I look forward to working with you, Team Leader.”
Directed at Cha Jeong-won.
＊ ＊ ＊
As soon as class ended, the sound of chairs scraping back erupted from the rear of the classroom.
Haon also closed his laptop, gradually pulling his mind back to reality.
“Hey.”
A familiar voice suddenly popped up beside him. Kim Hyun-gyu approached, his bag slung over one shoulder.
“You seemed low on energy all day. You okay?”
“No, I’m low on energy and not okay.”
Even as he answered, Haon scanned the front of the classroom.
Amid the stream of students leaving, Cha Jeong-won’s back was mixed in.
Seeing him leave first, without even noticing when he got up, Haon was slightly surprised at how calm he felt.
Kim Hyun-gyu nudged him in the side with his elbow.
“You haven’t forgotten you agreed to the part-time job, right? Let’s go greet the owner.”
“Now?”
“You need a coffee transfusion right now, and it’s perfect timing to go there.”
Haon hesitated briefly, then quickly nodded.
59 – NOT 59