Chapter 6
The following morning, the architecture workshop remained buzzing with its usual busy atmosphere.
James appeared as calm and composed as ever. The incident of being cornered against the worktable the previous night left behind only an invisible trace of awkwardness. Maintaining his usual calm, professional demeanor, he focused his entire attention on the pile of blueprints to keep a safe distance from the younger student.
Getting straight to work, James examined Juhoon’s floor plan draft thoroughly. Pointing his finger at a section of the design, he spoke in a serious tone:
"The space in this corner is too enclosed and lacks natural light. You focused too heavily on the massing and overlooked the air circulation."
Standing beside him, Juhoon casually observed James’s calm expression, noting how his eyes subtly avoided direct eye. He didn't snap or argue like he used to in the beginning; he merely curled his lips slightly, took back the blueprint, and uttered a brief response: "Got it."
By late afternoon, Juhoon approached James's worktable and lightly slapped the newly finished blueprint onto the wooden surface.
James looked up, his eyes instantly locked onto the sheet. Juhoon hadn't just resolved the lighting issue; he had created a remarkably clever void space integrated with a skylight. The way he handled that open space was astonishingly refined—it carried the distinct personal philosophy and design style that James had always pursued.
James froze. He looked up at Juhoon, a faint ripple of shock stirring deep within his chest. Juhoon wasn't just talented; he had studied and thoroughly understood James's architectural mindset down to every single line.
Juhoon leaned both hands against the edge of the desk, lowering himself slightly. His sharp gaze caught the flicker of surprise James hadn't hidden in time:
"I handled this void space exactly the way you always do. Senior, you always leave a gap in your designs... almost like you're always keeping an escape route open for yourself."
James stilled. Juhoon’s razor-sharp insight caused his composure to falter slightly, forcing him to gently shift his gaze elsewhere.
10 PM.
James sat alone at Martin’s place to unwind after a day of inner turmoil. Martin offered a silent smile, quietly sliding over a cup of hot coffee infused with a subtle, comforting hint of cinnamon.
The wind chime at the entrance chimed softly. Juhoon walked in, his tall frame instantly drawing attention. He strolled straight over to the bar counter without hesitation and pulled out the stool right beside James to sit down.
Juhoon placed the neatly folded, freshly washed thin jacket onto the counter:
"Here’s your jacket."
He then turned to the server and ordered the exact same cinnamon-flavored drink James was holding.
James continued to calmly sip his coffee, striving to hide the minor stirrings in his heart. But Juhoon had no intention of letting him escape. Tilting his head, his eyes arrogant and sharp, he stared directly at the senior who was trying so hard to maintain a composed face:
"Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not avoiding you."
"Not avoiding me?" Juhoon sneered lightly, his tone laced with provocative irony. "Then what was with your attitude today?"
"I'm simply fulfilling my duties as a senior."
Juhoon’s smirk faded. He hadn't expected James to throw back such a smooth, unbothered line. Looking at the senior's untroubled face, Juhoon’s pride was distinctly provoked. He leaned in slightly, narrowing the space between their stools, and dropped his voice so only the two of them could hear:
"A senior? Would a senior proactively take off his coat to cover me that night, and then get all uneasy today just because I handled a drawing using his exact style?"
James frowned subtly. He didn't pull back, nor did he display any outward fluster, calmly swirling the coffee in his cup. Turning around, his tranquil gaze met Juhoon’s burning eyes head-on:
"I covered you because you passed out in a cold studio. If it had been Keonho or Seonghyeon lying there, I would have done the same. As for the blueprint, you executed it well, so I looked at it. It's as simple as that."
It was an impeccably composed counterattack. James deliberately pulled Juhoon back to the same level as the other team members, thoroughly brushing off the "exception" Juhoon was trying to claim.
James set his coffee cup back down on the wooden counter and stood up from his stool. His composure remained intact, though his movements as he pulled out his wallet were slightly faster than usual.
"It's late. Go get some rest."
James left cash on the bar and walked straight toward the exit. The wind chime chimed softly, breaking the suffocating tension, before his tall figure quickly vanished into the night outside.
Juhoon remained seated alone at the bar, his eyes darkening as he watched the glass door swing shut.
He felt no sense of triumph, let alone satisfaction. On the contrary, a wave of sheer irritation surged within his chest.
Juhoon tightened his grip on his coffee cup. He was thoroughly annoyed by James's unflappable demeanor, by the way he dismissed everything behind the shield of "senior duty." The way the senior used smooth excuses to secure a safe retreat felt like throwing a full-force punch into a wall of cotton—no real dent made, and none of the satisfaction of conquest he craved.
Juhoon took a sip of the bitter coffee, a sharp, cold smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
So you insist on playing the perfect senior to the very end? Fine. Let's see how long that armor lasts.
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