Still Into You

2 - First Encounters

Yunah’s POV

“Good morning, Ma!” I greeted warmly, throwing my arms around her in a hug.

“Good morning, anak,” she replied, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. Her familiar scent of vanilla and lavender wrapped around me like a blanket, instantly grounding me.

“You’re up early, Ma. Where’s Papa?” I asked, reaching into the fridge for the carton of strawberry milk. The kitchen was alive with small sounds—the gentle clinking of glass, the faint hum of the refrigerator, and the rich aroma of coffee drifting through the air.

“He left early. He’s got a lot to take care of today,” she said, arranging slices of freshly toasted bread on a plate.

“What about Yaz? Is she still asleep?” The smell of her golden French toast was enough to make my stomach growl in protest.

“Your father dropped her off already,” she said with a glance at the clock. “Now hurry up and eat, it’s almost eight-thirty.”

I smiled faintly. Mornings like this were rare—a breakfast together, the gentle hum of home. But they never lasted. By mid-morning, both my parents would be gone again. That had been our rhythm for as long as I could remember.

Yaz and I had learned to live with it. They always came back, but the spaces in between felt like small eternities. So when they were here, I held on to every second.

The drive to EAC was mercifully smooth—no traffic today. By 8:30, I was on campus. Clare’s class started around the same time, but Aliyah’s wouldn’t start until ten. Our schedules rarely aligned, but they’d promised we’d meet later at the canteen. I wasn’t exactly sure where that was, but with the campus tour scheduled for today, I figured I’d find it soon enough.

Business Management Building, BLDG. 6, Room 108.

Following the signboards, I made my way through the flow of students—some rushing with papers in hand, others laughing in tight-knit circles under the shade of sprawling trees. The campus felt alive, buzzing with energy that was both intimidating and intoxicating.

I reached the admin office at exactly nine. The short orientation was mostly formalities—introductions, ground rules, reminders to come to the office for any concerns. But then came something unexpected.

“You’ll have someone assisting you today,” the admin officer, Ms. Laine, announced. “He’s your blockmate, so it’s a good chance to get to know each other.”

Before I could respond, the door swung open.

“Ma’am Laine! Sorry, I’m late! I forgot my ID.”

A tall guy stepped in, sheepish, scratching the back of his head.

“Again, Mr. Kim?” Ms. Laine sighed, clearly used to this scene.

“Sorry, Ms. Laine, I swear it won’t happen again,” he said with an awkward grin.

“Be thankful they still let you in. You know the rule—no ID, no entry,” she replied with an eye roll.

I stifled a laugh. Maybe I should make friends with the security guard too, just in case I forgot mine someday.

“Oh, and this is Ms. Harrington,” Ms. Laine continued, gesturing toward me. “She’s a transfer student from New York City. You’ll be giving her the campus tour.”

The guy turned toward me, his lips curling into a friendly half-smile. “I’m Justin. Nice to meet you.”

I took his hand, offering a polite smile in return. “Yunah.”

Nobody warned me he was this... singkit.

“Orientation’s done, right? Can I start showing her around?” he asked eagerly.

“Yes. She’s been waiting for you,” Ms. Laine said pointedly.

“Sorry! Let’s go,” Justin said quickly, practically escaping before she could scold him further.

Outside, he took a deep breath, like he was bracing himself for some kind of grand quest. “Let’s start from the main gate.”

Seriously? That’s so far from here.

“You and Ms. Laine seem pretty close,” I remarked as we walked.

“She’s kind of like my godmother,” he said casually. “Anyway, here’s the entrance.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Obviously. I came through here this morning.”

He laughed. “Wow, the sarcasm.” Then, with a sweep of his arm, he launched into his tour guide mode. He pointed out the Friendship Oval, the lobbies, the west wing’s canteen, the main building’s labs and offices, and every department from Medicine to Maritime.

By the time he finally stopped talking, my brain was buzzing with too many directions and department names.

“What was your name again?” I asked without thinking.

“Ouch! Already forgot?” He clutched his chest dramatically.

I laughed. “Sorry.”

“Justin Kim. Third-year, Business Administration, Marketing major, half-Korean, half-handsome—”

“Half-handsome? Really?”

He grinned. “Also not a ghoster, in case you’ve heard the rumors about Business students.”

Eventually, we ended up on a bench in Lobby 1. The noise of the growing lunch crowd filled the air.

“Got lunch plans?” he asked.

“Yeah, with my friends,” I said, glancing at my phone.

“Friends? I thought you were a loner,” he teased.

I raised a brow. “Do I look like a loner to you?”

“Want me to set you up with someone?”

I smirked. “You’re refusing without even knowing who they are.”

“Not interested,” he said firmly, changing the subject. “So where are you meeting them?”

“The main building.”

“Let me walk you there,” he offered.

“No, it’s fine—”

“Come on, it’s on my way,” he insisted. And so, against my better judgment, I let him.

When we reached the lobby of the main building, he waved goodbye. “Alright, I’m off.”

“Thanks,” I said, adjusting my bag. His phone rang then, and he answered immediately.

“Hello? Rai? Yeah, I’m on my way. Wait up!” He flashed me a quick smile and headed off.

I froze.

Rai.

My pulse quickened, my chest tightening at the name.

It couldn’t be... could it?

No. I didn’t want to go down that road again.