NEXT DAY

Eun Shin walked to school with her head down, lost in thought. Seung Jee spotted her from a distance, quietly hoping she'd look up and notice him. But she didn't. A faint smile crossed his face as he stepped toward her. She bumped into his chest.

"Ow!" she exclaimed, startled. Her eyes lifted—and widened when she saw him. "Seung-oppa?"

"What were you thinking about? You didn't even see me," he said gently.

She paused, unsure how to respond.

"Seung-oppa... I..." she stammered.

He gave her a small, bittersweet smile.

"If it's not about me... you don't have to explain," he said, cutting her off softly.

Eun Shin's eyes welled with tears. Even in his own quiet hurt, he was still gentle with her. She smiled through the ache and reached for his shirt, hiding her face against it.

"It's... it's not about you," she murmured.

Seung Jee exhaled, a soft relief in his breath, and wrapped his arms around her.

"Want to skip today? Let's head to the bleachers," he offered.

She let out a muffled laugh, sniffling.

"I'd like that."

He nodded, warmth radiating from his smile. They walked side by side, their hands brushing occasionally but never quite holding, both resisting the pull of what they wanted.

When they reached the quiet spot under the bleachers, Seung Jee slipped off his backpack and sat down. He turned to her, smiling, and reached out his hand.

"You can lay your head on my lap," he said.

Eun Shin hesitated a moment, then slowly walked over, setting her backpack down beside his. She lay her head on his lap, and he gently draped his jacket over her legs.

"Thank you..." she whispered.

Seung Jee softly stroked her hair.

"Always."

They sat together in silence, ignoring the bell. Seung Jee didn't move, letting her rest until she was ready.

Hours had passed.

Eventually, Eun Shin sat up. He was still smiling, patiently waiting. She smiled back.

"Ready?" he asked quietly.

She nodded, then hesitated.

"Can I... come to your place?"

Seung Jee nodded slowly.

"Yes. Anytime. It's always open for you."

They left campus long after most students had gone. Eun Shin kept glancing at his hand, aching to reach for it. Just before they reached the gate, Seung Jee turned, caught her gaze, and smiled. Then, without a word, he looked down and gently took her hand in his.

Eun Shin inhaled sharply, surprised. Her eyes flicked to their linked hands, then back to his face. He smiled again, soft and warm.

"Let's go inside," he said.

She nodded, letting him lead her.

Instead of heading to the couch, he guided her straight to his room. She blinked, realizing he was shielding her—from the places that still held pieces of her trauma.

He gestured to his bed.

"Huh?"

"Sit," he said simply.

Eun Shin looked at him, touched. She nodded and sat down slowly, absorbing the small kindness.

"Thank you," she murmured.

As she settled in, she glanced around the room, her eyes scanning for something to spark conversation—photos, mementos, anything that would help her learn more about the boy who kept offering her quiet safety.

Seung Jee left the door open and headed to the kitchen. He returned with a cup of water and handed it to her. She bowed slightly as she accepted it.

As she drank, he knelt before her, his gaze fixed on her.

Though nerves tightened her chest, her heart fluttered—shy, startled, and unable to meet his eyes for long.

As dinner neared, Eun Shin told Seung Jee she had to head home. He walked beside her, staying close as the sky dimmed. The stores around them were beginning to close, and the sun dipped low behind the rooftops. He quietly slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

She accepted it with a stiff nod, trying to act like this was just a normal walk—but her heart thudded, loud and unsure, and her mind wouldn't settle.

When they reached the corner near her house, she hesitated, then turned to him.

"You... You can walk me to the front gate if you want," she said softly.

Seung Jee looked at her and smiled, bright and uncomplicated. "Okay."

She nodded awkwardly and continued walking, the air thick with something unspoken.

At the gate, she turned, biting her lip. With a bashful smile, she slipped off his jacket and held it out to him.

"Thank you," she said, sincere.

Seung Jee looked at the jacket, then at her.

"You can keep it. It'll be cold going inside."

Eun Shin hesitated. "No, I'll be okay. You'll need it more on your way back."

He chuckled lightly. "I'm fine. Get inside safely."

With that, he turned and waved, giving her no chance to argue. She flushed and waved back, her fingers gripping the jacket tightly.

"Bye..." she murmured.

He raised a hand above his head in a final wave before disappearing around the corner.

Eun Shin stood still for a moment, heart fluttering, then stepped inside. In her room, she laid the jacket on her bed and smiled down at it.

I can't believe he actually gave it to me... the one he always puts on me.

She touched the fabric gently, like it was the softest thing in the world. After folding it with care, she tucked it inside her closet and smiled once more. Then she headed downstairs for dinner alone.

Her parents were gone—again.

But for once, she didn't feel alone.

Eun Shin lay on her bed, eyes fixed on her phone, waiting. She tapped on Seung Jee's name, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Then, suddenly—his chat bubble appeared.

Typing...

She bolted upright, clutching her phone to her chest.

Seung Jee: "Although the night is dark, the light still shines. Let even one light keep your hopes alive"

A laugh escaped her, breathy and warm. Hugging the phone tightly, she inhaled deeply, steadying her racing heart.

Eun Shin: "Thank you, my guiding starlight. Goodnight"

Seung Jee glanced at her reply, smiling.

Seung Jee: "Goodnight :)"

Eun Shin fell back onto her bed, eyes drifting to the ceiling above. The faint glow of the screen lingered in her peripheral vision.

"It's almost time... I know it," she whispered to herself, sure of what tomorrow would bring.

With that thought tucked inside her like a secret, she slipped into sleep—hopeful, comforted, and no longer alone.

Autumn leaves drifted gently to the ground as students began preparing for winter. Despite Jae Vin's efforts to pull them apart, Eun Shin and Seung Jee remained quietly tethered to each other. Min Ying, too, had grown more open, anchored by Seok Jun's steady presence. Among the four of them, a quiet ease had formed—one that gradually led Seok Jun to drift away from his original crowd.

"Oppa!" Min Ying called out.

Seok Jun turned, smiling as she held up a leaf.

"What did you find this time?" he asked, amused.

"This leaf..." she twirled it between her fingers, then placed the stem to her ear. "It'd make a pretty earring."

Seok Jun chuckled.

"The color suits you. Warm, like your skin," he said.

She nodded proudly. "Right? Imagine two of these."

They exchanged a soft look, unspoken affection passing between them. A few girls walking nearby slowed, whispering.

"Isn't that the girl dating Jun-oppa?"

"Yeah. The nobody."

"Did she steal him from Eun Shin?"

"Please. Eun Shin is with Jae Vin. Everyone knows that."

"Then maybe she's just a rebound... until Eun Shin's single again."

Min Ying stiffened. She heard every word—and didn't bother hiding her glare. Before Seok Jun could respond, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him down into a bold kiss. His eyes widened, stunned. The girls fell silent mid-snicker, frozen in disbelief.

When Min Ying pulled away, her eyes sparkled with quiet triumph.

"Oppa, Eunnie's waiting for us!" she said with a teasing grin.

Seok Jun blinked, then smiled. He took her hand, only to pause—then pulled her back into a deeper kiss. One that left no room for doubt. The girls' belongings slipped from their hands as tears welled in their eyes.

Releasing her slowly, Seok Jun whispered, "Let's go."

This time, Min Ying stood speechless, cheeks flushed. Unable to speak, she let him take her hand. He held it tight as they walked away—toward Eun Shin and Seung Jee—together, unbothered.

When they finally found Eun Shin and Seung Jee sitting under a tree, Min Ying quickly let go of Seok Jun's hand and rushed over.

"Come with me... please," she whispered urgently.

Eun Shin blinked in surprise but nodded. "Okay."

She stood and followed Min Ying toward the school building. Seok Jun chuckled as he watched them go. Seung Jee looked confused.

"Where are they going?" he asked.

Seok Jun leaned back with a relaxed smile.

"Hiding. Talking."

Seung Jee didn't quite understand, but nodded slowly.

"I see..."

He returned to his notebook, pen in hand. Seok Jun studied him for a moment before speaking again.

"How's Eun Shin?"

Seung Jee paused, setting his pen down.

"She seems okay... but there are things going on at home," he replied carefully. Seok Jun's smile faded. He nodded in understanding.

"I see... well, at least now she has you."

Seung Jee's cheeks turned red.

"Yes..." he started, then did a double take. "Wait, what?"

Seok Jun chuckled.

"I'm just glad she's opened up to someone—and that someone happens to care about her deeply."

Seung Jee blinked, stunned and flustered.

"I..."

"I'm not going to say anything else. Jae Vin's issues are his own. You? You're steady. You wait. So I hope when the time comes, you'll choose her fully."

Seung Jee smiled, the weight of those words settling gently in his chest.

"She'll always be first in my eyes," he said softly.

Seok Jun smiled, then lay back in the grass.

"Let me know when the girls return."

Seung Jee shook his head with a smile, eyes drifting to the treetops.

Behind the school building, Min Ying pulled Eun Shin to a secluded corner.

"Oh my gosh..." she muttered, glancing around to make sure Seok Jun wasn't nearby.

"What's wrong?" Eun Shin asked, curious.

Min Ying was breathless, face bright red.

"I... I just kissed him!" she squealed, covering her face. Eun Shin's eyes widened.

"You what?"

"And then he kissed me back!" Min Ying blurted, breathless with disbelief. Eun Shin laughed, nearly cracking up.

"Minnie, you're dating. That's kind of expected."

Min Ying pouted.

"The girls were badmouthing us. And you. I had to show them who's boss. And then... he showed them who's boss."

Eun Shin laughed even harder.

"Jun-oppa really likes you. Genuinely."

Min Ying blushed furiously, pressing her hands to her cheeks and trying to catch her breath.

"I can't believe I just lost my first kiss... to someone I've loved since junior high," she said, exhaling between every word like it helped her process the moment.

Eun Shin looked at her affectionately and pulled her into a hug.

"Now I see why Jun-oppa finds you so adorable."

Min Ying melted into her arms, beaming.

"I hope you find someone who's just as cute. Or someone who'll love you forever!"

Eun Shin smiled softly and leaned her cheek against Min Ying's. "Thank you."

After their conversation ended, Eun Shin and Min Ying made their way back to Seung Jee and Seok Jun. Min Ying clung to Eun Shin's hand, reluctant to go to Seok Jun, who was already laughing and waiting for her.

Seung Jee smiled as Eun Shin approached. She smiled back.

"Hi," he said softly.

"Hello," she replied, her grin widening as she sat beside him.

"I figured out the answer," he said, holding up his paper.

Eun Shin leaned in, her shoulder brushing against his fingers. Seung Jee tensed, a flush creeping into his cheeks. She glanced at the paper, then looked up—only to find their faces much closer than expected.

She inhaled sharply, freezing for a moment as her breath caught in her throat.

"Hm... wow," she murmured, quickly turning away.

Seung Jee looked down at his notes, forcing his gaze elsewhere. "Yeah..." he mumbled, cheeks burning.

Across from them, Min Ying watched with a grin, nibbling a Pocky stick. She turned to Seok Jun, who beamed at her. He gave her a single nod—then another, just to admire her.

Blushing, Min Ying tugged on Eun Shin's sleeve, trying to hide her face behind it.