"Prestigious schools sure are big," said Ryu Jiwoo, glancing around the cafeteria.

But Haru wasn't interested in discussing the size of the cafeteria. The question that had been bothering her most slipped out of her mouth.

"...Where were you?" 

"I already said when I introduced myself... I was in Suwon." 

"...."

An awkward silence filled the air. Four years had passed, and those four years couldn’t have gone by without changes. Everything was different now.

"You didn’t tell me you were leaving," she tried to protest.

"I didn’t tell anyone. It was urgent, and honestly, I thought I wouldn’t be coming back."

...Changed? Now, he seemed colder... or maybe just more indifferent with her.

Why?

Realizing that her questions would only irritate him, she stepped back.

"I see..." she said more quietly.

No, this is just the beginning. Everything can go back to how it was.

"So, where are you living now? Maybe we could go home together..." she reached out, almost grasping at straws.

"Listen, Haru..." He paused, his eyes drifting away for a moment. "I don’t think... things can go back to how they were." His words hung in the air, as if he wasn’t even sure himself. "I mean, I’m here if you need me, of course. But maybe... maybe it’s best not to cling to the past, you know?" His tone softened, almost like he was trying to convince himself as much as her.

The past? Did he mean we should go our separate ways? Did he not want to spend time with me anymore?

"Yeah, you're right... Maybe." She tried to keep her face straight and smile.

Does my face look natural? Smile, just smile...

Keeping up the facade was painfully hard.

Why? I don’t understand... Did I do something wrong? Does he not even want to stay distant friends anymore? But why?

"Well, I’ll be going now. See you!" He seemed relieved, as if he had finally said what was on his mind, and cheerfully said goodbye.

"Alright, bye..."

A few minutes passed. Anger and confusion continued to grow inside her. She grabbed her head.

"Why?! Why did he even come back!?"

This wasn’t what I wanted.