Quantum Entanglement Love (Series 1)

In the crowded lunchroom, Minjun sat alone at a table, uninterested in his food. Minjin spotted him, and her face lit up. She grabbed her tray and weaved through the crowd. Minjun looked up as she arrived, his expression darkening, but Minjin persisted.

She plopped across from him and slid half her freshly baked chocolate chip cookie toward him. "Here. I thought you might like some company."

Minjun glanced at the cookie and her. "Why are you doing this? I don't need your pity."

"It's not pity. It's friendship. You don't have to eat the cookie, but I'll be here anyway." Minjin said, eating her lunch. 

Minjun sighed and pushed the cookie away but remained seated. But during their meal together, Minjin discussed the latest book she was reading, her favorite movie, and a funny weekend story. But Minjun contributed little and left the cookie on the table.

###

One afternoon, Minjun struggled with math homework in the library while feeling frustrated. Minjin noticed and saw an opportunity to help. She quietly sat at his table and opened her notebook to solve the same problems at his pace.

Minjun looked up, annoyed. "What are you doing?"

Minjin smiled. "I thought we could study together. Two brains are better than one."

Minjun rolled his eyes. "I don't need your help."

"Okay. I'm staying here. You can ignore me, but I'll be here if you change your mind." She said, unfazed.

In the next hour, Minjun worked while occasionally glancing at Minjin's notebook. He saw she was quickly solving problems and writing clear explanations.

Without realizing it, he asked her. "How did you get that answer?"

Minjin smiled softly without looking up. "I'll show you," she said while turning her notebook to him. But this time, he didn't push her away.

###

On a rainy afternoon, Minjun stayed late at school to practice in the music room. Playing the piano calmed him. He was playing a soft, melancholic tune. He looked up and was expecting a teacher but saw Minjin instead.

She stood in the doorway, drenched from the rain, and her uniform clung to her skin. She wore a bright smile when she saw Minjun. "Oh, sorry! I didn't know anyone was here," she said.

Minjun sighed and turned back to the piano. "What do you want now?"

"I was just passing by. I didn't know you played." Minjin replied while stepping into the room."

Minjun focused on the keys and ignored Minjin while she sat nearby and listened intently. After a moment, she began to hum softly while perfectly matching his melody and harmonizing beautifully.

Minjun glanced at her, nearly smiling, before masking his expression and looking away. "Stop that."

Minjin giggled. "Sorry, I couldn't help it. Maybe we could play together sometime?"

Minjun remained silent.

###

Minjin moved through the bustling hallways during lunch break. Minjin was looking for Minjun because she hadn't seen him all morning.

As she turned a corner, a breathless classmate rushed up. "Minjin! You need to hurry! Some upperclassmen are bullying Minjun in the backyard!" the girl gasped, clutching her side.

Minjin sprinted down the hallway, ignoring students' curious glances. When she reached the back of the school, she saw a crowd around Minjun, with three upperclassmen jeering and pushing him.

Minjin pushed through the crowd, approaching Minjun to confront the bullies. Her fierce expression and steady voice declared, "Ya! Leave him alone!"

The bullies then laughed. A tall boy with a smug grin sneered at her.

"Oh, look at this. The little girl thinks she's tough," he mocked.

Minjin squared her shoulders. "I'm not just a little girl. I take Taekwondo, and I am not afraid to use it."

The bullies shared amused glances and did not take her seriously. A shaved-head boy smirked and reached to touch her arm mockingly. Minjin swiftly grabbed his wrist and twisted it in a practiced Taekwondo move, sending him stumbling back with a yelp.

The crowd gasped while some students stepped back. The bullies' leader glared. But before he could retaliate, hurried footsteps echoed. A group of students and a teacher quickly assessed the situation.

"Stop this at once! "All of you, come with me to the teacher's room. Now!" the teacher said with his voice firm.

The teacher's room was tense. The bullies wore sullen expressions as Minjun kept his head down. Meanwhile, Minjin stood tall with her eyes on the teacher. After hearing the witness accounts, the teacher decided to punish the bullies.

The teacher gently asked Minjun, "Please don't tell your father about this incident. It might cause more trouble, and we want to avoid escalating the situation."

Minjin protested, "That's not fair! They should be held accountable!"

The teacher sighed, glancing at the bullies and then at Minjin. "I get your point, Minjin-ah, but there are bigger issues. Please, trust me."

Minjin felt frustrated.

But Minjun remained quiet while staring at the floor until he nodded reluctantly. "Fine."

As they left the teacher's room, Minjin caught up with Minjun. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked.

Minjun gave a small nod while still looking down. "I'm fine."

Minjin knew Minjun's family was influential. But she hadn't realized how much until now. "Your father... He must be someone important." She asked cautiously.

Minjun glanced at her. "Something like that."

Minjin nodded slowly. "I promise I won't tell your father."

For the first time, Minjun looked at her with a hint of something other than irritation.

"Why do you care so much?" He asked her

Minjin smiled softly. "Because that's what friends do."

Minjun didn't reply. But there was a flicker of something that wasn't outright rejection.