Past 9 o'clock at night the school holds only the most determined of students, or those unable to afford the private academies. The campus is hushed, almost hollow, the empty corridors echoing from occasional footsteps to and from the water fountain or bathroom. Outside of the school building there’s only silence surrounding teen Seo-jin as she walks slowly across the illuminated courtyard.

She passed that same trash can from earlier in the day. Her steps faltered, and she paused, looking down.

The letter still lay inside, crumpled, faintly stained by what might have been rain or the contents of a discarded drink bottle, but still remarkably whole.

With a soft intake of breath, she reached in, her fingers brushing the discarded paper, and carefully pulled it out. She smoothed it against her chest, as if trying to press out the creases of a missed opportunity.

For a long moment, she stood still, caught between regret and a nascent resolve.

Finally, she slipped the letter into the front pocket of her school blazer, tucking it close, a silent vow that the words, though unread by him, would not be entirely lost.

Without looking back, she walked off down the empty path, the secret of the letter now a quiet weight against her heart.