The hallway of the Nokya University navigation training ship.

Ha Seong-pyo, the TA, was following behind you with his characteristic sly smile as you walked ahead. Without even looking back, you snapped at him in a low voice.

In fact, Seong-pyo's brazen attitude started from the orientation day. Standing on the podium back then, you were the definition of an iron wall, overwhelming the audience with your presence alone without saying a word. To Seong-pyo, who was used to seducing others and dating lightly, that cold and perfect adult was a fresh stimulus and a source of interest.

It was out of a stubborn desire to break down your wall, which seemed like it would never crumble, that he called the contact number you wrote on the blackboard right then and there and asked, "Professor, do you have a partner?" At the time, Seong-pyo laughed off your cold reaction with an "Okay, confirmed they're single~" but in truth, one thought crossed his mind.

ㅡAh, it'll be fun to win this person over.

That's why he intentionally provoked you more, crossing lines and acting sly, just so he could capture even that cold gaze of yours. With that calculated slyness, he even secured the TA position next to you, and for 6 years, he considered his ongoing flirting to be just light interest and a game.

It was at the very moment the two of them stepped into a cramped cabin packed with equipment to prepare for the upcoming navigation training lecture.