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elryuse · 3 months ago

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Pt. 3 About Him

BABEL'S CHAINS MASTERLIST : HERE

Wonyoung's Pov

A Breath Of Fresh Air

The warm sunlight bathed the pristine walkways of Babel University as I walked alongside my group. Yujin, our confident leader, led the conversation as usual, her sharp voice cutting through the air. Beside her, Gaeul and Liz giggled at something Rei had just said, while Leeseo scrolled on her phone, only half paying attention.

"Can you believe him?” Yujin scoffed, her expression one of disdain. “Bumping into Wonyoung like that and not even apologizing? It’s just pathetic. And Karina’s group didn’t even acknowledge it. They just walked off like they own the place.”

My heart tightened at the mention of him.

I knew who she was talking about—Y/n. The quiet scholarship student who had somehow, unintentionally, thrown my entire world into chaos.

“I mean, seriously,” Yujin continued, her arms crossing over her chest. “It’s one thing for some nobody to be clumsy, but for Aespa to not step in? Unacceptable.”

Gaeul nodded in agreement, her brows furrowing. “Karina and her group think they’re untouchable. Just because they’re gorgeous and rich doesn’t mean they can act like they’re above everyone else.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re just keeping him around for entertainment,” Rei added with a smirk. “Karina probably sees him as her newest plaything.”

Their words buzzed around me like static, but I barely registered them. My thoughts were somewhere else—on Y/n.

A Quiet Obsession

It had been a week since the incident. A week since Y/n had accidentally bumped into me in the crowded hallway, scattering my books across the floor. I’d been furious at first, glaring at him as he stumbled over his words, apologizing profusely.

But then… he had knelt down to pick up my books, his hands trembling slightly. His expression had been so earnest, so genuine.

“Sorry,” he’d said again, his voice soft and sincere. “I didn’t mean to…”

It was such a small moment, barely a blip in the chaos of Babel University, but for some reason, it had stuck with me.

I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

His quiet demeanor, the way he seemed so out of place among the arrogant and flashy students of Babel—it was intriguing. He wasn’t like the guys here, who spent their nights partying and their days bragging about their conquests. Y/n was… different.

Innocent.

Soft-spoken.

A breath of fresh air.

And that terrified me.

A Mask to Hide Behind

“Wonyoung?” Yujin’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I blinked, realizing the group had stopped walking. They were all looking at me expectantly.

“What?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

Yujin raised an eyebrow. “I said, what do you think about it? About him?”

My heart skipped a beat. “Who?”

“Y/n,” Yujin said, her tone laced with annoyance. “The guy who bumped into you. Or have you already forgotten?”

“Of course not,” I said quickly, forcing a nonchalant shrug. “He’s… just some random guy. Not worth talking about.”

Yujin smirked, clearly pleased with my response. “Exactly. He’s irrelevant. Let Karina’s group play with him if they want. It won’t end well for him anyway.”

The others laughed, and I forced myself to join in, even though my chest felt tight.

What was wrong with me? Why did I care about him so much?

A Moment Alone

Later that evening, I found myself sitting alone in the campus gardens. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the perfectly manicured hedges and fountains.

I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind. But no matter how hard I tried, Y/n’s face kept appearing in my thoughts.

I didn’t understand it. I barely knew him, yet there was something about him that drew me in. His innocence, his kindness—it was like a beacon in the darkness of Babel’s cutthroat world.

But I couldn’t let myself feel this way. I had a reputation to uphold. I was Jang Wonyoung, the princess of Babel University. I couldn’t let a scholarship student like Y/n derail my carefully constructed image.

And yet…

I found myself smiling at the memory of his awkward apology, the way his cheeks had flushed when he realized who I was.

“Maybe…” I whispered to myself, “just maybe…”

But I didn’t finish the thought.

The sound of footsteps approaching snapped me out of my reverie. I quickly composed myself, slipping my mask of indifference back on.

“Wonyoung,” Yujin called, her voice carrying across the garden. “What are you doing out here?”

“Nothing,” I said, standing up and brushing off my skirt. “Just enjoying the sunset.”

Yujin gave me a curious look but didn’t press further. “Come on. The others are waiting.”

I nodded, falling into step beside her. But as we walked away, I couldn’t help but glance back at the garden, my thoughts once again drifting to Y/n.

Y/n’s POV

The library was quieter than usual, the hum of whispers and the occasional rustling of papers filling the air. I sat across from Karina and Giselle, a project we’d been assigned in full swing. Despite the peaceful surroundings, my mind was elsewhere, wandering to the events of the day and the strange attention I’d been receiving since arriving at Babel.

“Y/n,” Giselle’s voice cut through my thoughts like a knife, “are you even paying attention?”

Before I could react, she snapped her fingers right in front of my eyes. I flinched, blinking rapidly as my focus returned to the table.

“Ah! Sorry!” I stammered, rubbing the back of my neck.

Giselle chuckled, her grin mischievous. “There you are. We’re supposed to be working on this together, remember?”

Karina, sitting beside her, let out a soft laugh as well, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Don’t be too hard on him, Giselle. He’s probably overwhelmed being in such prestigious company.”

I felt my face heat up at her teasing tone. “I’m not overwhelmed,” I muttered, looking down.

Karina smiled knowingly and slid a stack of papers toward me. “Here, this might help. And take this.” She handed me a sleek, expensive-looking pen.

“Thanks,” I murmured, taking the pen and quickly jotting down the notes they’d been discussing.

The atmosphere at the table was surprisingly light. Karina and Giselle seemed relaxed, chatting easily about the project and occasionally throwing in a teasing remark. For a moment, I almost felt comfortable.

But that moment didn’t last long.

Unwelcome Interruptions

The sound of heels clicking against the polished library floor drew my attention. I looked up just in time to see Yujin and Gaeul approaching our table, their expressions sharp and unyielding.

My heart sank.

“Here we go,” Giselle muttered under her breath, exchanging a glance with Karina.

“Y/n,” Yujin said, her tone clipped as she stopped beside the table. “We need to talk.”

“Now’s not really a good time,” Karina interjected, her voice cool and calm.

Yujin’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t address Karina. Instead, she focused on me. “You owe Wonyoung an apology,” she said bluntly.

I blinked, taken aback. “An apology? For what?”

“For bumping into her last week,” Gaeul added, crossing her arms. “And for not showing proper respect to her afterward.”

“Are you serious?” Giselle said, leaning back in her chair with an incredulous look. “It was an accident. Let it go.”

“It’s not your business, Giselle,” Yujin snapped, her gaze icy. “This is between him and us.”

Karina let out a low laugh, leaning forward slightly. “You’ve got some nerve barging in here and making demands.”

“Stay out of this, Karina,” Yujin said, her tone full of warning. “We’re not here for you.”

Caught in the Crossfire

I could feel the tension in the air thickening, like a storm about to break. My stomach churned as I glanced between the two groups, unsure of what to do or say.

“I… I didn’t mean to offend anyone,” I said finally, my voice hesitant.

“An apology isn’t just about meaning well,” Yujin shot back. “It’s about showing respect. Do you even understand who Wonyoung is?”

“Enough,” Karina said sharply, cutting Yujin off. “You don’t get to lecture him like he’s beneath you.”

“Because he is beneath us,” Gaeul said, her tone dripping with disdain.

My hands clenched into fists under the table, frustration bubbling up inside me. “I don’t think anyone’s beneath anyone,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “And I didn’t mean to bump into her. It was an accident.”

Yujin scoffed. “Accidents don’t excuse rudeness.”

“Rudeness?” Giselle said, raising an eyebrow. “You’re the ones barging in here and causing a scene.”

Gaeul ignored her, stepping closer to the table. “We’re not leaving until you apologize properly.”

“Then you’ll be here for a while,” Karina said coolly, folding her arms.

Unexpected Words

I felt trapped, my mind racing for a way to diffuse the situation. Just as I opened my mouth to say something, a new voice cut through the tension.

“Enough.”

We all turned to see Wonyoung standing a few feet away, her expression unreadable.

“Wonyoung?” Yujin said, surprised.

“Let it go,” Wonyoung said, her voice calm but firm. “He doesn’t need to apologize.”

“But—” Yujin began, only for Wonyoung to hold up a hand to silence her.

“It was an accident,” Wonyoung continued, her gaze briefly meeting mine before shifting away. “And I don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”

The room fell silent, the tension slowly dissipating as Wonyoung’s words sank in.

“Fine,” Yujin said reluctantly, though her glare made it clear she wasn’t happy about it. “Let’s go.”

With one last look at me, she turned and walked away, Gaeul following close behind.

Aftermath

As the door to the library closed behind them, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“Well,” Giselle said, breaking the silence, “that was… dramatic.”

Karina chuckled, her smirk returning. “You’re handling the chaos of Babel better than I expected, Y/n.”

“Thanks, I guess,” I said, my voice shaky.

Karina’s smirk softened into a smile as she slid the papers back toward me. “Come on. Let’s finish this project.”

And just like that, the tension was gone, replaced by the comforting rhythm of work. But even as I focused on the task at hand, I couldn’t shake the image of Wonyoung standing there, her voice calm and commanding.

What was going on in this university?

The streets outside Babel University buzzed with life as I followed Karina toward her apartment. She’d insisted I come over to help cook for Winter, who was down with a nasty cold. It wasn’t exactly how I imagined ending my day, but I couldn’t refuse her request—especially after she mentioned she didn’t know how to cook.

“Do you cook often?” Karina asked, glancing at me with a curious smile as we walked.

“Not often, but I know the basics,” I replied. “Enough to get by.”

Karina nodded approvingly. “Good. Winter’s picky, but I’m sure she’ll appreciate a home-cooked meal.”

As we continued through the quiet streets, I noticed a small minimarket nestled between apartment complexes. “I’ll need to grab some groceries if we’re cooking,” I said, pointing to the store.

“Good idea,” Karina agreed. “I’ll wait outside.”

A Heated Argument

The minimarket was surprisingly empty, save for the faint hum of a fridge and a heated argument near the counter. As I moved toward the produce section, the sharp voice of a young woman caught my attention.

“What do you mean this store doesn’t accept black cards? Do you even know how much money I have on this card?”

The cashier, a middle-aged man, looked exasperated but stood his ground. “I’m sorry, lady, but we only accept cash. It’s store policy.”

“Aishh…” The girl groaned, rubbing her temples. “I don’t carry cash. And I’m thirsty as hell. Are you seriously telling me I can’t get this stupid bottle of water?”

I paused, watching the scene unfold. The girl was tall and striking, her dyed blonde hair tied in a messy bun. She wore a designer tracksuit, and the way she spoke made it clear she was used to getting her way.

The cashier shrugged. “I don’t make the rules.”

The girl sighed dramatically, muttering under her breath. She looked genuinely frustrated, and for some reason, I felt compelled to step in.

“Excuse me,” I said, walking up to the counter. “I can pay for it.”

She turned to me, her eyes wide with surprise. “Huh? No, you don’t have to do that.”

“It’s fine,” I insisted, already pulling out a few bills. “It’s just water.”

She hesitated, her pride warring with her obvious need for the drink. Finally, she relented, crossing her arms with a small huff. “Fine. But just this once.”

The cashier rang up the water, and I handed over the cash. The girl grabbed the bottle, taking a long sip before turning back to me.

An Unexpected Introduction

“Thanks,” she said, her voice softer now. “I was about to lose it back there.”

“No problem,” I replied, feeling a bit awkward under her intense gaze.

She straightened up and gave me a small bow, her expression shifting to something more genuine. “I’m Yuna. Thanks for helping me out.”

“Y/n,” I replied.

She tilted her head, studying me for a moment. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

“Uh, no. I’m a scholarship student at Babel,” I explained.

Her eyes widened slightly. “Babel? Huh. You don’t look like the type to survive there.”

I chuckled nervously. “Yeah, I’ve heard that a lot.”

“Well, Y/n,” she said, her tone turning playful, “I guess you’re alright. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

Before I could respond, she turned on her heel and sauntered out of the store, leaving me standing there in a daze.

Groceries and Questions

I quickly grabbed the ingredients I needed—some chicken, vegetables, and a few seasonings—and headed back outside, where Karina was waiting.

“What took you so long?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“There was… a situation,” I said vaguely, not sure how to explain the encounter with Yuna.

Karina gave me a knowing smile. “Let me guess. You got caught up helping someone again?”

“Maybe,” I admitted.

She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re too nice for your own good, Y/n.”

Cooking with Karina

Back at their apartment, I got to work in the small but well-equipped kitchen. Karina hovered nearby, watching curiously as I chopped vegetables and seasoned the chicken.

“You’re surprisingly good at this,” she remarked, leaning against the counter.

“Thanks,” I said, focusing on the task. “I had to learn a bit growing up.”

As the aroma of the food filled the apartment, Karina’s phone buzzed. She checked it and frowned.

“Winter’s asking if it’s ready yet,” she said with a sigh.

“Almost,” I replied, plating the food carefully.

When it was done, Karina helped me carry the dishes to Winter’s room. The sick girl looked up from her bed, her face lighting up at the sight of the meal.

“You actually cooked?” Winter asked, her voice hoarse but teasing.

“Don’t get used to it,” Karina shot back with a smirk. “It’s all thanks to Y/n.”

“Thanks, Y/n,” Winter said with a small smile.

As I sat down to eat with Karina and Giselle in the living room, my thoughts drifted back to Yuna. Something about her stuck with me, and I had a feeling our paths would cross again.

The warm glow of the apartment lights felt cozy as we finished the meal together. Winter, now looking much more energetic, leaned back against the cushions with a satisfied sigh.

“This was amazing,” she said, looking at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You’ve got some serious cooking skills, Y/n.”

“Thanks,” I replied, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly.

Out of nowhere, Winter leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on my cheek. My body froze, and I felt my face heat up instantly.

“Winter!” Karina and Giselle exclaimed simultaneously, their voices a mix of surprise and disbelief.

Winter just smirked, leaning back and crossing her arms confidently. “What? I can’t kiss the man who cooked this wonderful meal for me?”

I stammered, completely caught off guard, while Karina and Giselle exchanged an unspoken look. It was quick, but there was an undeniable tension in their gazes—something between annoyance and amusement.

“Don’t scare him off, Winter,” Giselle finally said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

“Scare him off?” Winter chuckled, making a funny face as she watched how red my face had become. “Come on, he’s fine. Look, he’s blushing like crazy!”

I sighed in defeat, shaking my head. “You’re impossible.”

Karina and Giselle burst into laughter, and Winter joined in, clearly enjoying the chaos she’d stirred up.

Where’s Ningning?

As the laughter settled, I glanced around the apartment. “By the way, where’s Ningning?” I asked.

“She had a family dinner tonight,” Karina explained, brushing her hair back casually. “Otherwise, she’d be here causing even more trouble.”

“Lucky me, I guess,” I said with a small smile, earning a playful nudge from Giselle.

“She’d probably make you cook for her too,” Giselle teased. “You’d never get out of here."

A Late Night Departure

After the meal, I insisted on helping clean up. Karina handed me a dish towel while Giselle worked on packing away leftovers. Winter sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone but occasionally tossing in snarky comments.

“You’re really something, Y/n,” Karina said as I scrubbed a plate. “Most guys wouldn’t bother helping.”

“I’m just doing what’s right,” I replied, trying to keep my focus on the task.

When the dishes were done and the living room tidied up, I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was getting late, and the thought of cycling home in the dark didn’t exactly thrill me.

“Well, I think I should head out,” I said, grabbing my jacket.

“What? Already?” Winter asked, pouting dramatically.

“You could stay a little longer,” Karina suggested, her voice light but her eyes almost hopeful.

“I’m pretty tired,” I admitted. “And I still have an early class tomorrow.”

The girls exchanged looks before reluctantly agreeing.

“Fine,” Giselle said, leaning against the counter. “But next time, you’re staying longer. No excuses.”

Winter made another funny face. “And cooking for all of us again.”

I laughed softly. “We’ll see.”

The Reluctant Goodbye

As I moved toward the door, Karina walked me out, her hands resting casually in her pockets.

“Thanks again for helping out tonight,” she said, her tone more sincere now. “It really means a lot.”

“Anytime,” I replied, smiling. “Take care of Winter. And yourself.”

She nodded, giving me a small wave as I stepped out into the cool night air. The city streets were quiet, save for the distant hum of cars. As I pedaled home, my mind replayed the events of the night.

Winter’s unexpected kiss, Karina’s subtle glances, and Giselle’s teasing comments all swirled in my thoughts. It felt like I was stepping into something I didn’t fully understand—something dangerous yet oddly enticing.

I shook my head, focusing on the road ahead. Whatever it was, I’d have to figure it out one step at a time.

To be continued

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