Converging Hearts

SIX POINT ONE: STRANDED

The lecture hall was unusually quiet, a stark contrast to the storm raging outside. Heavy raindrops battered against the glass windows, the sound a relentless drumbeat that drowned out the usual hum of chatter. Students shuffled into their seats, glancing nervously at the dark clouds looming over the SNU campus.

The air felt thick with anticipation, each person shifting slightly in their chairs, eager for the distraction from the tempest outside. Rows of sleek wooden desks stood in stark relief to the dim, flickering lights overhead.

At the far back of the hall, Oner adjusted the brim of his cap lower, pulling the edges of his mask up to cover his face. He slouched slightly in his chair, trying to blend in with the students around him. His presence was inconspicuous enough—if you didn't count his nearly 6-foot frame or the occasional glance students shot his way, curious about the tall, lean figure lurking at the back.

"Great timing," he thought, tapping his fingers against the armrest, his eyes never leaving the front of the room where Khynny stood. She moved confidently, pacing the stage with an effortless grace. Her voice, steady and clear, cut through the sound of the rain, immediately commanding attention.

"And now, let's talk about everyone's favorite topic—history and heists. Specifically, the Goryeo celadon vase that almost got stolen a few weeks ago." A cheeky grin pulled at her lips as she leaned on her podium. The students perked up, their curiosity piqued despite the storm's fury outside.

Khynny's teaching style was magnetic. It wasn't just the content—though he could see why students liked her; she made history feel like storytelling, not a string of dusty dates. "Now," she continued, "some people might've panicked during that whole debacle..." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "I, however, was busy saving a priceless vase, thank you very much."

A ripple of chuckles echoed through the room, cutting through the storm's gloom.

Oner leaned forward in his seat, fascinated by the ease with which she navigated her class. She wasn't just teaching; she was weaving in humor and wit, bringing history alive, mixing in the heist that had nearly turned their world upside down not long ago.

"And the criminals? Not the brightest bulbs in the chandelier," she quipped, crossing her arms and shaking her head with exaggerated disbelief. "Honestly, they should've done more homework. You'd think they'd Google 'what's the most valuable Korean artifact?' but nope, not even that much effort."

From a few rows ahead, Hye Jin turned slightly and caught Oner's eye, raising an eyebrow and smirking. He gave her a small nod, lips tugging into a smile beneath his mask. They both knew how close that heist had come to spiraling into real danger.

"Now, the Goryeo dynasty," Khynny continued, her voice dipping into a more serious tone, "was famous for its celadon ceramics, which were revered not just for their beauty but for the intricate techniques used to create them. So, losing such a piece would have been a huge cultural blow—imagine if the vase was really stolen!" She paused, giving a dramatic gasp before breaking into another grin.

As she spoke, the rain intensified, lashing against the windows with a ferocity that mirrored the tension of her story. The students were enraptured, caught between the storm outside and the vivid narrative unfolding in front of them.

Oner couldn't help but smile beneath his mask. Khynny's ability to hold their attention was magnetic, even as the world outside threatened to wash away their focus.

The lecture wound down, and Khynny shifted her tone back to the importance of the artifact. "At the end of the day, the Goryeo celadon is more than just a pretty vase—it's a symbol of Korea's artistic and cultural legacy. And that's why, no matter how much chaos was going on, it was worth fighting for."

She gave a final smile, and the students began packing up, a murmur of chatter filling the air once more. Slowly, the room emptied, leaving only Hye Jin, Oner, and Khynny.

"I came to drop off some supplies for your project, but then I got stranded here," Oner said, pulling down his mask now that most of the students had gone. "Torrential downpour outside."

Khynny raised an eyebrow. "Stranded? That's not good."

"Yeah, I was just going to wait it out here," he shrugged, trying to sound casual. But he couldn't ignore the truth—being stuck in this lecture hall, watching her command the room, made the inconvenience more than tolerable.

"You're seriously good at this," he continued, his gaze steady on her. "I think you just made me care about ceramics."

Khynny grinned, walking over to them. "Well, miracles do happen. Who knew the MVP jungler would show interest in ancient pottery?" She crossed her arms, a playful glint in her eye.

Hye Jin snorted, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Trust me, the only thing he ever studied in school was his keyboard shortcuts."

"Hey, I studied strategy!" Oner defended, raising his hands. "And maybe if more teachers were like you," he turned to Khynny, "I'd actually have shown up to class. I might even go back to school now."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, gamer boy," Khynny teased, shaking her head but blushing slightly. "Besides, I'd make you sit in the front row."

He feigned a look of horror. "The front row? That's cruel and unusual punishment."

The playful banter flowed easily between them, lightening the mood after the intensity of the class. Hye Jin watched the two of them with an amused smile, enjoying the back-and-forth.

"Seriously though," Oner said, his tone softening slightly as he looked at Khynny, "you were amazing up there. The way you teach... it's impressive. You've got a way of making people care about stuff they didn't even know they cared about."

Khynny blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. "Thanks. That... means a lot." She cleared her throat, trying to mask the warmth rising to her cheeks. "I try, you know? I mean, history can be boring if you don't give it some flair."

"Flair?" Hye Jin chimed in. "She means dropping in sassy comments every five minutes. We, her students, live for it."

"Guilty as charged," Khynny laughed, adjusting the strap of her bag. "But seriously, I'm glad you came. It's not every day a professional gamer sits in on my history class."

Oner gave her a sheepish smile. "Had to see what the hype was about."

"Ah, so you're only here for the hype, huh?" Khynny shot back, mockingly offended. "Not because your sister dragged you along?"

"Okay, okay," Oner raised his hands in surrender, a grin breaking across his face. "Maybe it's a little bit of both. But hey, now that I've seen you in action, I'm a fan. You've rekindled my interest in learning."

"Does that mean you'll come back to class next week?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Not a chance," he said, laughing. "But I'll take the cliff notes if you've got them."

"You wish." Khynny shook her head, grinning. "Maybe I'll quiz you next time we hang out instead."

"Deal," Oner said, his tone light, but his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary.

As the three of them left the classroom together, the easy conversation carried on. The warmth of their connection was undeniable, their banter flowing naturally as they walked down the bustling university halls. With every step, Oner's admiration deepened. He couldn't help but feel a pull toward Khynny—not just for her brilliance, but for her unwavering passion for her work. He wanted to be the man she would stand beside, the one who would support her in her journey, and maybe even find a place in her story.