@renoowiin: Winter had a reputation around the university. The infamous Professor Kim Minjeong—better known as Winter. Young. Handsome. Cool. Students whispered about how intimidating she looked with her glasses, rolled-up sleeves, and permanently blank expression. “Professor Kim smiled at me.” “No way.” “I swear.” “She was probably having muscle spasms.” She wasn’t intimidating. She was just… Socially allergic. ⸻ Karina Yoo, meanwhile, had recently become the university’s newly hired literature professor. Bright. Friendly. Pretty enough to make people question if the faculty office had secretly started hiring models. Everyone loved talking to her. Everyone except Winter. Not because she disliked Karina. It was the exact opposite. She liked Karina so much that her brain completely shut down whenever the woman was within a ten-meter radius. ⸻ One morning. “Good morning, Professor Kim!” Karina smiled. Winter had practiced this. She rehearsed it in the mirror. Just say: Good morning. Simple. Easy. Instead… “…Tuesday.” Karina blinked. “…It’s Wednesday.” “…” Winter slowly nodded. “…Right.” Then she walked away. Not fast. Not slow. Just enough to look like she had remembered an extremely important appointment. She reached the restroom. Locked herself inside a stall. Then gently hit her forehead against the wall. “Why Tuesday.” ⸻ Things only got worse. Karina would smile. Winter forgot how to breathe. Karina would wave. Winter saluted. Karina laughed. Winter almost passed away. ⸻ The faculty started noticing. Professor Ningning leaned over Giselle. “…Do you think Professor Kim has beef with Professor Yoo?” Giselle frowned. “No.” “Then why does she run away every time Professor Yoo says hello?” “…Maybe she’s scared.” “Of what?” “…Love.” ⸻ Winter denied everything. “I do not run.” “You literally climbed out the faculty room window yesterday.” “…Emergency.” “There was no emergency.” “There was one.” “What was it?” “…Karina walked in.” “…” “…” “…You’re hopeless.” ⸻ Winter’s best friend, Ryujin, decided enough was enough. “You like her.” “I don’t.” “You printed a picture of her.” “…Research.” “You laminated it.” “…Preservation.” “You accidentally called me Karina yesterday.” “…Slip of the tongue.” “You barked.” “…” “…” “…Objection.” ⸻ Karina, on the other hand… Was completely clueless. “Professor Kim seems really shy.” Ningning nearly inhaled her coffee. “Shy?” “She barely talks.” “…To you.” “She’s so polite though.” Across the cafeteria… Winter was internally screaming because Karina had just smiled at her from three tables away. She smiled back. Except… It came out looking like she was in physical pain. Karina smiled even wider. Winter forgot how chairs worked. She missed the seat. THUD. The cafeteria went silent. Winter remained on the floor. “…I’m okay.” Nobody believed her. ⸻ The annual faculty retreat arrived. A two-day overnight event. Team-building. Games. Bonfire. Night activities. Winter wanted to resign. ⸻ “Pair up!” Everyone immediately found partners. Winter quietly moved toward the snack table. Maybe if she pretended to inspect the chips… “Professor Kim!” Winter froze. Karina jogged over. “Can we be partners?” “…” “…” Winter’s brain displayed a blue screen. Karina tilted her head. “Professor Kim?” Winter opened her mouth. Nothing came out. She tried again. Still nothing. Finally… She gave Karina a thumbs up. Then another thumbs up. Then… For some reason… Finger guns. Karina giggled. “Is that a yes?” Winter nodded so aggressively her glasses almost flew off. ⸻ Their first activity involved carrying water balloons. Karina kept chatting happily. Winter answered in single words. “So where are you from?” “…Seoul.” “Oh! What’s your favorite food?” “…Rice.” Karina laughed. “Just rice?” “…Cooked.” “…” Karina had to bite her lip to stop laughing. Winter mentally drafted her resignation letter. ⸻ (Continuation in Comsec) #karina #winter #jiminjeong #winrina #aespa

Wayne

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Wednesday 22 July 2026 02:47:07 GMT