The next day at school, the atmosphere was buzzing with talk about the upcoming exams. Soyoung found Chaewol at his locker, flipping through a stack of textbooks with a thoughtful expression. He looked up as Soyoung approached, his face lighting up with a warm smile.
“Hey, Chaewol,” Soyoung greeted him. “How’s the studying going?”
Chaewol sighed, closing his locker. “It’s going... okay, I guess. I’ve been trying to go over everything, but it feels like there’s so much to cover.”
Soyoung nodded sympathetically. “I know the feeling. Exams can be really overwhelming. Hey, I was thinking—why don’t we study together with Mina? It could make things a bit easier.”
Chaewol’s eyebrows knitted together as he considered the idea. “Study with Mina? I mean, it sounds like a good idea, but isn’t that going to be a bit... chaotic? Mina can be pretty lively.”
Soyoung laughed softly. “True, Mina can be a bit of a whirlwind, but she’s also really smart. And having a study group can make things less stressful. Plus, it’ll be more fun.”
Chaewol hesitated for a moment, clearly torn. “I guess it could be helpful. I just usually study better on my own.”
Soyoung reached out and gently touched his arm. “I understand. But it might be nice to have some company while we study. And it could be a good opportunity to bond more with Mina.”
Chaewol looked into Soyoung’s eyes, seeing her genuine enthusiasm. He let out a reluctant chuckle. “Alright, you’ve convinced me. Let’s give it a try. When do you want to meet up with Mina?”
Soyoung’s face brightened with relief. “Great! How about this Saturday? We could meet at the library and then grab some coffee afterwards. Mina will probably be excited about it.”
Chaewol nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. “Saturday works for me. I’ll make sure to bring my A-game. And I guess it will be nice to have some company.”
Soyoung grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Awesome! I’ll let Mina know about the plan. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.”
As they walked to their next class together, Soyoung glanced at Chaewol, her heart swelling with affection. “Thanks for being open to this, Chaewol. I think it’ll be a good change of pace.”
Chaewol smiled, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “No problem, Soyoung. I’m glad you suggested it. It’ll be nice to have some support while studying.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the school bell, signaling the start of their next class. They parted ways, Soyoung heading to her classroom with a cheerful skip in her step and Chaewol going to his with a thoughtful expression.
Later that day, Soyoung met up with Mina in the cafeteria. She was bubbling with enthusiasm as she recounted her conversation with Chaewol.
“Mina, guess what?” Soyoung said, practically bursting with excitement. “Chaewol agreed to study with us this Saturday!”
Mina’s eyes widened with surprise and delight. “Seriously? That’s awesome! I was starting to worry I’d have to drag him into studying with us.”
Soyoung laughed. “No need for dragging! Chaewol seemed a bit hesitant at first, but he eventually came around. I think he’ll actually enjoy it.”
Mina’s grin grew wider. “Great! I’ve got a ton of notes and flashcards ready. We’ll make this study session a blast.”
Soyoung nodded in agreement. “Exactly! And we’ll grab coffee afterwards to celebrate our hard work.”
Saturday arrived, and the library was buzzing with students preparing for their exams. Soyoung and Mina arrived early, setting up a study area with books and notes spread across a large table.
As the clock ticked closer to their meeting time, Chaewol arrived, looking a bit out of place amidst the academic bustle. He spotted Soyoung and Mina and walked over with a tentative smile.
“Hey, Soyoung, Mina,” Chaewol greeted, adjusting his bag. “I’m here. Where should I set up?”
Soyoung waved him over enthusiastically. “Just sit here! We’ve got everything ready. Mina has some great notes, and we’ll tackle the toughest subjects first.”
Chaewol took a seat, his initial apprehension slowly melting away as he looked around at the organized setup. “This looks pretty organized. I guess it’s not as chaotic as I imagined.”
Mina flashed him a bright smile. “We aim to please! And don’t worry, we’ll make sure to get through this material efficiently.”
The study session began, and as the hours passed, Chaewol found himself getting more comfortable. Soyoung and Mina’s cheerful banter and collaborative approach made studying feel less like a chore. They took breaks to discuss tricky concepts and quiz each other, with Mina’s lively personality adding a touch of fun to the otherwise intense study session.
During a break, Soyoung nudged Chaewol, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “See? I told you it would be more fun with us. How’s it going so far?”
Chaewol chuckled, stretching his arms. “You were right. This isn’t so bad. I guess having some company makes it easier.”
Mina chimed in, munching on a snack. “I knew you’d come around. And look at us—teamwork makes the dream work!”
As the study session drew to a close, Soyoung gathered up her materials, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “Great job, everyone! I think we made some real progress.”
Chaewol nodded, packing up his notes. “Definitely. Thanks for convincing me to join. It was actually pretty productive.”
Mina grinned and gave Chaewol a thumbs-up. “See? I told you it’d be fun. And now, we get to reward ourselves with some coffee!”
Soyoung and Chaewol exchanged smiles as they headed out of the library with Mina, their mood light and their spirits high. The study session had not only been productive but had also strengthened their bond.
As they walked to a nearby café, Chaewol turned to Soyoung with a grateful smile. “Thanks again for suggesting the study group. I really appreciate it.”
Soyoung returned his smile warmly. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s always nice to have some company while studying. Plus, it’s more fun with friends.”
Chaewol looked at her with affection. “Yeah, it definitely is. And it’s nice to know that we can count on each other for support.”
As they arrived at the café and settled into a cozy booth, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, and the laughter resumed. The day had turned into an enjoyable outing, with the study session adding a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie to their friendship.
As they sipped their coffee and chatted about their plans for the upcoming exams, Soyoung and Chaewol shared a comfortable silence, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.