It Can't Be.

No, it's simply impossible.

She looked at the new student as if she were seeing a ghost.

"I am Ryu Jiwoo. I just came back to Seoul from Suwon. Actually, I’m from here! Nice to meet you all! I really hope we can become friends."

The whispers in the classroom didn’t die down—they erupted into applause. A ripple of laughter spread through the room as students exchanged excited looks. Someone whistled from the back, and a few others quickly followed suit, unable to hide their amusement. Jiwoo soaked it in, standing tall as if he belonged on a stage. His confidence seemed to electrify the room.

"Wow, my class is so energetic!" he exclaimed.

"Alright, quiet!" the teacher raised his voice. "And Ryu Jiwoo, first hand over those headphones. You can get them back after the lessons are over."

“Oh, I forgot how strict schools are around here...”

He reluctantly handed over his headphones.

"Sit at that second desk over there," the teacher gestured with his paper.

...He didn’t notice? Didn’t recognize me?! No, how could such a coincidence even be possible? Of all the schools in the city, of all the classes, it had to be ours?

The teacher started the lesson, but the whispering didn’t stop.

"Hey, isn't he the one who threw stones at pigeons this morning?" one of the girls giggled.

"Haha, yeah, that’s him! He’s so weird, but cute!"

And yet, when not-so-attractive Jiho simply fed the birds, he was just called “weirdo”...

No, that’s not important. What matters now is figuring out what’s happening.

Click, click, click, click.

She kept clicking her pen, as if trying to knock the answers out of it.

The lesson dragged on surprisingly slowly. Jiwoo, as always, listened to the teacher and took notes.

Gradually, confusion and embarrassment turned into the question, "What should I do next?"

Finally, the bell rang.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she saw Jiwoo leaving the classroom. 

Not wanting to miss her chance, she rushed after him.

"Um! Wait!"

He turned around.

"Are you talking to-?"

His calm expression changed to one of surprise and confusion, just like hers an hour ago.

"Haru?"

!!!

"Yeah, it’s me—"

" Jiwoo, why are you standing there?!” someone suddenly called, snapping him out of his surprise.

...When did he even have time to make friends?

"Um, sorry, I’ve got to go. You’re free after school, right? Let’s talk then."

"Alright..."

Hearing the expected answer, he hurried towards the classmate Haru found so irritating.

...

Standing there for a few more seconds, she returned to her seat.

Her mind was still blank, but one thing was clear.

Today was definitely not an ordinary day.