Ding-Ding! Ding-Ding! Ding-Ding!

Out of nowhere, my supposedly silent phone started blowing up with notifications.

Checking what's up, I saw messages popping in the group chat we set up for our group project.

-Jang Min-hyuk: Hey everyone! The problem we need to solve is out. I'm attaching a screenshot for y'all to check out.

-Jang Min-hyuk: Screenshot1.jpg

-Seo Arin: Damn, that was fast. How'd you catch that so quick?

-Jang Min-hyuk: Got the heads-up from a classmate. But, looks like the problem's a tough one.

-Jang Min-hyuk: It's only early May, but considering we gotta study for finals, looks like we've got about a month. Should we meet up and plan things out? What do you guys think?

-Seo Arin: I'm down! Better sooner than later.

-Park Woo-jin: I agree.

-Shin Ah-young: Me too.

After about 10 minutes, Shin Ah-young, last to read the messages, also agreed.

Everyone seemed motivated, which was a relief.

Way better than those who bail out or ghost the chat.

-Jang Min-hyuk: So when should we meet? I'm booked this week so how about Saturday or next week?

-Seo Arin: I'm free all week! Weekend works for me too.

-Park Woo-jin: Anytime works for me.

-Shin Ah-young: I’d prefer this week too. Weekend's fine by me.

-Jang Min-hyuk: How about this Saturday at the Life Café near school? What time's good? I’m free after lunch.

-Seo Arin: How about 1 pm? It’s hot, let’s chill in the café with some AC!

-Park Woo-jin: 1 pm sounds good. I'm in.

-Shin Ah-young: Works for me.

-Jang Min-hyuk: So it's settled, this Saturday, 1 pm at Life Café. See you all there.

-Seo Arin: See ya then!

-Park Woo-jin: Understood.

-Shin Ah-young: I’ll be there on time.

With that, the buzzing stopped.

I scrolled up to download the screenshot Jang Min-hyuk had posted.

"Fuck, what the hell is this?"

A complex circuit that made you swear in awe.

Included even the solution process and questions asking why it was solved that way.

Never expected an easy ride with group projects, but this was tougher than anticipated.

The worst part? It involved concepts that are in our finals.

Looks like we're being forced into a nasty mix of pre-study and revision.

Still, got time till Saturday, so I opened my textbook to get a head start. Can’t show up clueless, right?

=====

Saturday, 12:30 PM.

I checked the chat for the meetup details again before leaving home.

Normally, arriving 10 minutes early is basic courtesy, so I left a bit early.

Under the almost summer-like weather, I reached the café first, or so I thought. Jang Min-hyuk had already snagged a table for four.

"Hello, you're early."

"Not really, just got here."

After a quick hello, we both just stared at our phones until Seo Arin arrived with a cheerful greeting.

"Hey, everyone! I'm here. You guys are early too!"

She sat next to Jang Min-hyuk and started chatting. They seemed close, judging by their casual banter in the chat.

Two minutes before the meet, Shin Ah-young made an entrance. Her wide-legged black slacks and a gray cardigan over a white tee matched the spring vibe.

"Hello, looks like I'm the last one. Sorry about that."

"No worries! It’s not even 1 o'clock yet."

She naturally took the seat next to me.

As soon as she sat down, a fresh scent hit me.

No matter how many times you’ve had it through a onahole, being this close felt different.

The gap between her stern look now and the faces she makes during sex was almost enough to doubt she was the same person.

As everyone gathered, the atmosphere got a bit awkward, which Seo Arin broke with a clap.

"Shall we order something to drink first? I'll have a macchiato!"

After her lead, everyone voiced their drink preferences.

With the table arrangement, Shin Ah-young and Seo Arin went to order.

Left with just the guys, the table went quiet.

Looking out the window, Jang Min-hyuk broke the silence.

"You mentioned you’re a returning student, right? I remember from last time."

"Yeah, back from the military, 17th batch, 24 years old."

"Ah, so you're a senior then. I haven’t enlisted yet, 19th batch, 22 years old."

As I raised an eyebrow at his mention of still being a junior without military service, Jang Min-hyuk added more to his story.

"I had a surgery, so my back’s not great. Just waiting to see if it gets worse before deciding on the military."

"That’s tough, having surgery and all."

As we were exchanging these pleasantries, Shin Ah-young and Seo Arin returned with our coffees.

With a thank you, we started sipping our drinks and slowly eased into a meeting mood.

"Shall we get started?"

I pulled out the printed problem set from my bag and laid it on the table.

Although everyone had supposedly reviewed it, seeing the actual problem prompted quiet groans.

"Uh... isn’t this from a later chapter? There are some new symbols here..."

"Maybe we should wait till the professor covers this?"

Seo Arin and Jang Min-hyuk sounded unsure.

However, Shin Ah-young had a different view.

"I think we should start early. It’s part of the finals anyway, might as well get a head start and aim for good grades."

I nodded in agreement since I was on the same page.

It turned into a 2 vs 2 scenario, but the mention of grades seemed to sway Seo Arin and Jang Min-hyuk, and they soon agreed.

With a rough direction set, I took the opportunity to share my plan.

"It seems like I'm the only one who studied in advance. Let's just sketch out a general plan for now. Looking at the problem now won’t solve it."

"Before that, I actually have a question. Are you a returning student?"

Seo Arin suddenly echoed Jang Min-hyuk’s earlier question, probably having half-listened when I first mentioned it.

Before I could respond, Jang Min-hyuk chimed in again.

"Maybe we should all introduce ourselves properly? We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other until the semester ends."

No one objected, so he continued.

"I'll start then. I’m Jang Min-hyuk, Electrical Engineering, batch 19, 22 years old."

"I’m Seo Arin, same department and batch, also 22."

"I’m Park Woo-jin, returned this semester, batch 17, 24 years old, also Electrical Engineering."

"And I’m Shin Ah-young, same department and batch as the others, 22 years old."

After introductions, all eyes were on me.

Expectant glances all around.

"Looks like the odd one out was indeed the returning student..."

A slightly uneasy atmosphere hinted I might end up leading the group.

Being the eldest and a military returnee somehow made me the most reliable by default.

Not wanting to back down and feeling the mood, I ventured a suggestion.

"So... maybe I should take the lead as the group leader?"

"Yes!"

"I’m fine with that."

The consent was almost immediate, as if they were just waiting for me to step up.

Determined to make a solid impression, I began outlining what I’d studied.

"In fact, I’ve already covered some material. This part will be discussed in class next week, and this is from the book..."

As I detailed my plan, everyone looked surprised.

They hadn't expected anyone to come so prepared.

"I just really want us all to get good grades, so I hope everyone keeps up."

It felt like I was tutoring a group of students.

"We’ll study up to here for next week’s problem, and the following week..."

"Wow! We sure picked the right leader! So, we meet once a week to review and study together?"

"Yes, but it’s a feasible plan only if everyone does their part. Are we all good with that?"

"Yes!"

With everyone in agreement, my presentation came to an end.

As we finalized our overall strategy, everyone relaxed, chatting and sipping their coffees.

Time passed and as the coffee cups emptied, Shin Ah-young stood up.

"I’ll just run to the restroom."

As she disappeared from view, Seo Arin suddenly changed the topic.

"Hey, did you hear the rumor?"

"Which one?"

"About Shin Ah-young. Heard she broke up with her boyfriend?"

"Oh! I heard that too but thought it was fake news?"

"I checked her boyfriend’s Insta, and all their photos together are gone."

"Really? I saw him at school before, handsome guy, tall too. But why?"

"Don’t know, but he’s smart, comes from a good family, pretty much perfect. Maybe it’s because she’s out of his league?"

"Or maybe he’s just not packing enough down there?"

"Dude, are you nuts? Hahaha."

As I quietly listened to their banter, the story of Shin Ah-young’s breakup seemed intriguing.

Not long ago, they had a date at Seoul Grand Park.

I wanted to hear more, but the sound of Shin Ah-young's returning footsteps silenced everyone, and we all quickly shifted to other topics.

After a while, having finished our coffees, we agreed to meet next week and started to disperse.

Should I swing by today?

~~~~

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