BEFORE SUNEUNG

Students across the country were preparing for their suneung, hoping to excel in every subject. Seung Jee and Eun Shin often studied together at a quiet café near his place.

During one of their sessions, Eun Shin rested her head on the table. Seung Jee glanced over and noticed she had fallen asleep. A soft smile tugged at his lips. The orange glow of the setting sun filtered through the café window, casting warm light across her face.

He leaned in, hesitating before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His gaze lingered on her long lashes and soft, tempting lips. His heart pounded as he inched closer, unable to stop imagining what it might feel like to kiss her.

Just once... maybe? He swallowed hard, frozen mid-thought.

Suddenly, Eun Shin's phone rang.

She stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open—and froze. Seung Jee's face hovered inches from hers.

He jolted upright, feigning composure as he lightly brushed her hair again.

"There was dust," he said casually, retreating to his seat and pretending nothing had happened.

Eun Shin blinked, cheeks flushed, and sat upright. She grabbed her phone and answered quickly.

"Abeoji?"

"How's my daughter doing? Make sure to eat something—your brain needs fuel!" Yung Ji's warm voice came through the speaker. A small smile tugged at Eun Shin's lips.

"I'm doing okay—studying at a café with a friend," she replied.

"I'm glad to hear that. Fighting!" he cheered.

Eun Shin chuckled softly. "Fighting! I got this!"

"I just wanted to check in. Keep going," he said warmly.

"Okie," she replied with a smile.

After the call ended, Eun Shin sat still for a beat, cheeks still tinged with pink. She avoided Seung Jee's gaze. He turned red himself, regret flickering across his face.

"I..."

"Thank you..." she cut in quickly, then paused. "I'm going to take a restroom break."

She stood up abruptly and rushed toward the restroom, her breath short. Left at the table, Seung Jee closed his eyes, covering them with one hand as he let out a quiet laugh.

"How can I not like you when you're this adorable?" he muttered, grinning as he returned to his books.

Inside the restroom, Eun Shin burst into a stall, gasping. She slapped her cheeks with both hands, trying to steady her racing thoughts.

He... He was so close. He was definitely about to kiss me. A silent scream echoed inside the small stall.

Nearly thirty minutes later, she returned, composed. She sat down beside him, deliberately avoiding his eyes.

"Let's continue," she said, inhaling deeply.

Seung Jee held back a smile and nodded.

"Okay," he said, his voice gentle.

Seung Jee and Eun Shin studied late into the night, until the moonlight shimmered alongside a scattering of stars. They paused, gazing out the window, both caught in the quiet beauty of the autumn evening. Then their eyes met, and they shared a soft smile.

"Should I walk you home?" Seung Jee asked gently.

Eun Shin nodded with a small, grateful smile as she began packing her notebooks and school supplies.

"Sure."

Seung Jee slid his own materials into his backpack and stood. Together, they exited the café, offering a polite bow to the owner as they passed. At the door, Seung Jee held it open for her. She slipped through, eyes lowered, a faint blush warming her cheeks.

The walk to Eun Shin's house was quiet. She said nothing, but her presence radiated a quiet gratitude. Seung Jee glanced at her from time to time, subtly checking that she was warm enough, that she was okay. His fingers fidgeted at his neck as he fought the nerves rising in him.

As they neared her home, a car came into view, parked in front of her gate. Eun Shin came to an abrupt stop, her breath catching.

From the car, Lim Rin stepped out—and kissed a man under the shadows of the streetlight.

"Drive safe," Lim Rin whispered. The young man smiled and wrapped his arms around her in a lingering hug.

"I'll see you again."

Lim Rin chuckled, like a girl in love, then turned and entered the house. The man got into the car and drove away.

Eun Shin stood frozen, her chest tightening as the sight sank in. Her heart cracked. Seung Jee watched her quietly, then reached out and took her hand—firmly, without hesitation.

"Would you like to come rest at my place tonight?" he asked, his voice careful, calm.

Eun Shin turned to him, eyes glassy as she tried to hold back her tears.

"I..." she faltered.

Seung Jee didn't wait.

He pulled her into a strong embrace.

She gasped, then closed her eyes and finally let go.

Her sobs were raw and unrestrained, echoing softly in the corner of the night.

Eventually, Eun Shin calmed, sniffling softly against Seung Jee's chest. She looked up at him, eyes red, feeling exposed—ashamed that he had witnessed her mother's secret, her flaw.

Seung Jee offered a gentle smile and brushed his fingers across her cheek.

"I'll wait until you're safely in your room. And if you change your mind... I'll be right here. Just call me," he said softly.

Eun Shin drew in a deep breath and gave him a small smile.

"Thank you... I'll head inside first," she replied.

He nodded, then carefully tucked her hair behind both ears. His forehead rested lightly against hers. Eun Shin's cheeks flushed.

"Remember," he whispered, "I'll always be your light when the world turns dark."

Embarrassed, she lowered her gaze—but her heart pounded, each beat loud and unrelenting, as if letting go of him would tear something inside her apart. When Seung Jee began to pull away, she reached for him instinctively, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her hands trembled.

"Can we... just stay like this for a while?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He froze, stunned, then looked into her eyes—still shimmering with emotion. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he closed his eyes.

"Whenever you're ready," he murmured.

Eun Shin pressed herself against him, resting her head on his chest.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He wrapped his arms more tightly around her shoulders, anchoring her in his quiet warmth.

"You got this," he said with quiet certainty.

Eun Shin closed her eyes, letting his words sink deep into the corners of her heart. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

The night stretched on, but eventually, Eun Shin returned home. She slipped inside quietly, careful not to disturb her mother. Seung Jee waited outside, eyes on Eun Shin's room window, until her message came through.

Just as he turned to leave, a figure emerged from the shadows—a woman stepping directly into his path.

He stopped cold, jaw tightening.

"Madame," he said flatly.

She stood there in the stillness, her voice low but laced with frustration as she tried to sway him. But Seung Jee responded only with cold, clipped words, each one laying another brick in the wall between them.

He seemed weary—as though this wasn't their first encounter, nor would it be the last. At last, he turned back once, casting a lingering glance at Eun Shin's house. Then he closed his eyes and stepped past the woman, murmuring a final remark before vanishing into the quiet streets.

SUNEUNG

Every student was anxious yet hopeful, determined to do well on their suneung. Inside the exam room, Eun Shin and Seung Jee sat side by side, eyes glued to their papers. Seung Jee, however, couldn't help but steal the occasional glance at Eun Shin—captivated by her calm focus and quiet grace, as if no pressure in the world could shake her.

When the timer finally ran out, chairs scraped against the floor as students rose one by one to submit their exam sheets and exit the classroom. Eun Shin and Seung Jee turned to each other and exchanged a small, relieved smile.

Outside the building entrance, Seok Jun and Min Ying waited for them, faces lit with excitement. Min Ying shot her arm high into the air, waving enthusiastically.

"Eunnie!" she called out, beaming.

Eun Shin chuckled and waved back before Min Ying pulled her into a hug.

"How was the suneung?" Seok Jun asked.

"It was okay," Seung Jee replied with a nod.

"I think I got a higher score than you," Eun Shin teased, glancing playfully at him.

Seok Jun laughed and gently tugged Min Ying back by the wrist.

"I'm pretty sure I beat everyone," he bragged, then turned to Min Ying. "Right, Minnie?"

Min Ying blushed, avoiding his gaze. "I don't know... Your mom said Eun Shin is smarter."

Seok Jun chuckled and leaned in to rest his forehead on hers. "Really?" he said, continuing to tease her.

Eun Shin burst into laughter and nudged Seung Jee, tugging at his sleeve to pull him closer.

"She met his mom," she whispered, grinning.

Seung Jee raised a brow and smiled. "So, that means their relationship is officially approved?"

Min Ying overheard and turned bright red.

Argh! He got me to say it. Now they know I met Oppa's parents...

She covered her face in embarrassment as the others broke into laughter. Seok Jun wrapped his arm around her shoulders, smirking fondly, and the four of them walked together through the school gates, the tension of the exam behind them, joy and teasing filling the air.

They headed to the café Eun Shin and Seung Jee often visited, ready to celebrate the end of suneung. Each wore a quiet smile, but Seung Jee's eyes rarely strayed from Eun Shin. Seok Jun and Min Ying noticed the way he looked at her and exchanged knowing glances, choosing not to say a word.

As night fell, Seok Jun offered to drive Min Ying home. Meanwhile, Eun Shin and Seung Jee continued walking toward her house.

Seung Jee glanced at her, but Eun Shin turned her head, cheeks tinged with pink. He smiled softly, then gently reached for her hand, stopping her mid-step. Her gaze slowly lifted to meet his, blush deepening.

"I... I won't be here after the results," he began, voice unsteady, hands trembling slightly. "I'll be..."

Before he could finish, Eun Shin intertwined her fingers with his. The unexpected gesture made him pause, stunned.

He looked down at their joined hands, then back at her.

"Eun Shin?"

"I'll see you after winter break," she whispered. "I... can wait."

Seung Jee searched her eyes, his expression slowly melting into a smile of quiet relief. The unspoken understanding between them said more than words could.

He pulled her into his arms, holding her close. His cheek brushed gently against her hair.

Eun Shin closed her eyes, content, wrapping her arms around him.

"I'll come back," he murmured. "I definitely will."

While waiting for their suneung results, Seung Jee and Eun Shin spent their time studying together, focusing on improving their language proficiency.

"You can say, 'Although my team members disagree with me, I can ask for their opinions and see if our disagreement can help us find a better compromise,' for that kind of question," Seung Jee explained calmly, adding with a small smile. "It sounds complicated, but you'll get it."

Eun Shin stared at him, utterly mesmerized—fangirling in silence.

He glanced at her and smiled. "Yes?"

"Your English is so good. Who taught you how to speak English?" Eun Shin asked, switching to English.

Seung Jee chuckled. "I learned it as a child. My grandfather made sure I was bilingual. However, my uncle was the one who taught me," he replied, also in English.

Eun Shin clasped her hands together and tucked them under her chin. "Wow... this is the first time I've heard you talk about your family," she said gently.

Seung Jee paused, a distant look flickering across his face before he gave a bitter smile. "Yes... it was difficult before," he murmured, almost too softly to hear.

Eun Shin reached out and took his hand, offering a warm smile. "Well, I'm glad to hear that you're open about it now," she said brightly.

Seung Jee felt the sincerity in her touch, her hand honest and warm. He looked at her, holding her gaze.

"Let's continue tomorrow... I want to spend more time with you before I leave," he said firmly, but gently.

Eun Shin beamed and nodded. "Okay!"

They began packing up their books, slipping them into their backpacks before heading to Seung Jee's place. Once there, Seung Jee set his backpack down by his room, then turned toward her and held out his hand for hers.

Eun Shin slid her backpack off her shoulders and handed it to him without a word.

Seung Jee took Eun Shin's hand and led her through the mall, their eyes drawn to the Christmas decorations sparkling all around them. With every step, Seung Jee turned to glance at her, his smile matching the glow of the festive lights and the warmth of the holiday season.

Soon, they made their way onto the ice rink, joining the crowd of skaters gliding across the frozen surface.

"I don't think I can ice skate," Eun Shin said, her voice tinged with nervousness.

Seung Jee laughed gently and tightened his grip on her hand. "I'll guide you. Just go slowly."

Eun Shin nodded, eyeing her skates cautiously. She clutched both of his hands, afraid to let go. Bit by bit, Seung Jee began sliding backward, keeping his eyes on her as she started to skate on her own.

Her lips curved into a wide, joyful smile.

"I can skate! A little," she laughed.

"I saw. You're doing well," Seung Jee encouraged with a proud smile.

Determined, Eun Shin picked up speed, weaving through the crowd to reach him. Seung Jee chuckled and reached for her hand, gently slipping it into his coat pocket as they skated side by side.

I'm going to come back here... I have to. I'll tell my mother I don't want to stay with them. Eun Shin, wait for me.

As they left the rink, Seung Jee stole one last glance at her, soaking in the radiance of her smile.

I... I really love you.