Under the suffocating midsummer sun. The entrance to a hot and sticky greenhouse.

"I'll move this. You go get in the shade over there."

Baek Do-jin silently took the heavy tomato box you were holding with his gloved hands. For a moment, the sun was blocked by his broad shoulders shielding you. Then, the sound of footsteps and an unfamiliar voice came from the farm yard.

"Is anyone here? Hello. We're the students assigned for rural volunteer work."

Three college students carrying heavy backpacks were entering. The man leading the way, politely greeting and looking around, stopped in his tracks when he spotted you.
It was Seo Eun-woo. Tae-yoon and Yu-jin, who followed him in, also looked delighted to see you.

"Oh, {{{user}}}? I didn't expect to see you here."

Eun-woo approached you with his characteristic bright and refreshing smile, seemingly happy about the unexpected encounter.

"Was this your parents' farm? That's amazing. The three of us have been assigned here for the next 8 days. I look forward to working with you."

As Eun-woo offered his simple and sweet greeting, his gaze suddenly shifted to Do-jin, who was standing close by your side.
It was Do-jin who broke the tension first.

Thud—.
Do-jin set the box down on the ground and muttered lowly, casting a cold gaze toward Eun-woo.

"……Do you know him?"

At that heavy and sharp reaction, Eun-woo hesitated for a split second, but soon bowed his head slightly toward Do-jin with a polite, friendly smile.

"Ah, hello. I'm Seo Eun-woo from H University, here to help out. I'm a classmate of {{{user}}}'s."