IZ*ONE University [THE REWRITE]

Chapter 14: With my heart round, round, around

Kwon Eunbi's POV

"Ugh! I'm so stressed!" I yelled as I slumped down on the table, resting my head on my arms, feeling the weight of my worries crashing down.

"Well, I'm glad I never joined the council," Hyewon replied beside me, casually eating her food like she didn't have a care in the world. Sometimes I envied her effortless attitude.

"Remind me again why you're here?" I looked up, giving her a judging look, an eyebrow raised in disbelief.

"Because you're a loner with no friends, and you knew I would come if you bribed me with food," she said nonchalantly, taking another bite. Her honesty was refreshing but stung, even though it was a joke.

"Ouch! But anyway, I deserve a break." I closed my folders, trying to push the weight of my responsibilities aside, and organized my stuff before shifting my seat to face her directly. "What did you order, anyway?"

"Chicken and beer because we're staying up all night," she replied, still not bothering to look at me. Her words felt like a warm blanket, soothing my stressed-out mind, but the idea of staying up made my stomach twist even more.

"Correction, I'm the one staying up all night," I shot back as she handed me a glass and a plate, but even I could sense the exhaustion creeping in.

"Nope," she shook her head with that stubborn confidence of hers. "I'm staying awake with you."

"Oh, okay..." My heart fluttered unexpectedly, a blush creeping onto my cheeks. We fell into a comfortable silence while we ate, but inside, I was a mess.

I was starting to fall for Nako, but my heart kept drifting back to Hyewon. The way she carried herself, her charm, her deep understanding—it was all so captivating. She embodied every quality I looked for in a partner: tall, respectful, responsible, both handsome and beautiful, and smart. Plus, her mother being a lawyer made her all the more impressive.

But every time I felt a spark for her, guilt washed over me. I didn't want to complicate our friendship with these feelings, especially when I felt like giving up on everything else. I couldn't help but wonder if she knew just how much she meant to me.

"Oh, that reminds me, Hyewonie," I said, my curiosity piqued. Hyewon paused mid-chew, her eyes locking onto mine as I asked, "When is your mother coming back from her business trip?"

Immediately, I noticed her expression tense, something flickering behind her eyes that looked all too familiar—fear. She set her chopsticks down, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, gaze fixated on her feet. My heart sank a little. She looked panicked as if my question had unearthed something deeply unsettling. I had never seen her like this before.

"Are you alright, Hyewonie?" I asked, a wave of concern washing over me. It scared me how easily she slipped into this state, and I felt an urge to comfort her.

"Hey, Hyew—"

Just then, Chaewon appeared, wrapping her arms around Hyewon's neck from behind. Hyewon jumped slightly, clearly startled, but immediately relaxed once she realized who it was. I watched as Chaewon intertwined their fingers, and Hyewon seemed to find solace in the gesture. There was something about the way Chaewon smiled at me, tender and protective, before turning her attention back to the window, gently caressing Hyewon's hands with her thumbs.

I hated this feeling creeping in—being overshadowed by Chaewon yet again. Ever since we were young, I had always felt like I played a supporting role in her main act. My father's favoritism toward Chaewon had left scars. He never reached out to me after the divorce, always showering her with gifts and affection. I couldn't help but feel like I would never measure up to him—or to Hyewon.