Soon, Sa-Rang caught sight of the three of them being scolded by a teacher for running through the hallways.

She quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness...

While the teacher continued lecturing them, she seized the opportunity to slip away with Baek Eun-Woo unnoticed.

Only after they had walked a fair distance from the school building did she finally slow down.

She turned toward him with a grateful smile.

"Thank you... for helping me today."

Eun-Woo shook his head.

"I didn't really do anything."

"You did."

She smiled stubbornly.

"And I'm treating you."

Before he could refuse again, she pointed toward a nearby ice cream shop.

"My treat."

He looked at her for a moment before letting out a small, defeated laugh.

"...Alright."

The two of them walked inside.

After staring at the menu for what felt like forever, Eun-Woo finally chose a simple chocolate ice cream.

Sa-Rang couldn't help smiling.

"That's all?"

He nodded.

"I've always liked chocolate."

She laughed softly.

"It really suits you."

They left the shop and continued walking side by side, each holding an ice cream.

Their conversation drifted from one topic to another.

School.

Teachers.

The upcoming sports festival.

Homework.

Even the cafeteria's surprisingly edible lunch for once.

None of it was particularly important.

Yet somehow...

Talking with Baek Eun-Woo never felt awkward.

There was no pressure to keep the conversation going.

No uncomfortable silences.

Whenever she couldn't think of what to say, he would naturally continue the conversation.

Whenever she spoke, he listened without interrupting.

The more they talked...

The more she realized just how easy he was to be around.

He was gentle.

Patient.

Thoughtful.

The kind of person who made others feel comfortable without even trying.

Without realizing it, the corners of her lips had been lifted into a smile the entire time.

He's... such a nice person.

She couldn't help thinking that no one she had ever met quite compared to him.

Just then, her eyes landed on the large clock outside a nearby convenience store.

Her smile instantly disappeared.

"Oh no!"

She checked the time again.

"I'm late!"

She quickly turned back toward Eun-Woo.

"I have to go!"

"My parents are probably waiting for me."

She bowed slightly in apology.

"Thank you again... for everything today."

"I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Before he could say much more than a quiet goodbye, Sa-Rang had already hurried off.

Eun-Woo watched her disappear into the crowd before looking down at the half-melted chocolate ice cream in his hand.

...

By the time Sa-Rang reached home, she was slightly out of breath.

The moment she stepped inside, her parents looked over.

"You're home."

"What took you so long?"

Sa-Rang paused for a brief moment before answering.

"The track coach talked to me after school."

That part wasn't a lie.

"He asked me to join the track team."

Her parents looked pleasantly surprised, immediately asking her more about it.

Sa-Rang answered each question honestly.

She told them about the coach.

About accidentally being noticed.

About joining the team.

But that was all.

She never mentioned running away from Choi Joo-Kyung, Song Seung-Il, and Go Do-Yoon.

Nor did she tell them that she had spent the afternoon eating ice cream with Baek Eun-Woo.

Some things...

She wasn't quite ready to share yet.