A pigeon lands on the paved walkway in front of me. Hastily, it pecks on the crumbs of bread on the ground. Pigeons usually gather in flocks, so it makes me wonder why this one is alone.

The bird finishes its meal and hurriedly flies away; its lackluster color, beautiful against the bright sky.

I gobble up the remaining portion of my bread. I should be eating a proper meal, but with what happened last week, I just want some more time away from the other students.

I crumple the wrapper of my lunch and toss it to a nearby trash bin. There is still some time before lunch break ends. However, just like with coming or leaving school, I must traverse the corridors while the crowd is relatively thinner.

“There you are,” Lee YooJin greets me, panting.

Beads of sweat trickle down the sides of his face, glimmering against the sunlight. He sits himself on the other edge of the bench. I try to say something, but no words come out. He just laughs back at my awkwardness.

“I was looking for you,” he continues, his breaths still unstable, “I didn’t see you in the cafeteria”

“I-I just wanted some fresh air,” I am finally able to mutter.

“Understandable. You had a rough week, after all.”

He places a multi-layered lunchbox on the bench.

“Here. I brought you some food,” he tells me.

He then removes the gray lid, revealing a variety of delicious-looking dishes.

“I’m not sure if you will like it, but we can share my lunch. I cooked it myself.”

“Is that why you’re looking for me?”

He nods. He picks up a set of chopsticks and hands it to me.

“Uh, it’s ok. I already ate,” I politely refuse.

He swung his head to the trash bins. “That bread?”

I nod. “I don’t really have much of an appetite.”

“You still need to eat properly, even if you have no appetite.”

“Thank you, but I’m good.”

I really must go within the next few minutes or else I’ll have to face a stream of potential skin contact.

“You should think about your health,” he insists. “Also, you’ll have plenty of energy for the afternoon classes if you eat well.”

“Uh… I’m fine, really.”

I stand from the bench. He tries to stop me, but I jerk my hand away before he can touch me.

“Oh, sorry. Did I scare you?” he says.

“Uh. No... Sorry. It's just... I really have to go.”

I bow quickly and turn away to the school building. I shouldn’t be rude to someone showing me kindness, but what else am I to do?

“You don’t have to be afraid, MinSeok.”

YooJin’s serious tone halts me. I twist my head back at him. His gleeful aura has disappeared, replaced by something… sullen. I think it’s the first time I have ever seen him this way.

“I just want to tell you that,” he says softly.

My chest tightens at the sight. Regardless, I press on. I march to the main building, trying to shake off YooJin’s image.

His voice echoes in my head, while guilt gnaws me from within.