The ride slowly came to a stop.
But my heart…
still hadn't.
I quickly pulled back, creating a small distance between us.
"I'm fine," I said softly.
My voice didn't sound as steady as I wanted.
I avoided his eyes.
Even though I could still feel his hand around mine.
For a moment—
neither of us spoke.
Then slowly…
he let go.
I stepped down from the ride carefully.
My mind was still spinning.
Why did that feel like that…?
I didn't even notice where I was walking—
until—
"Jia!"
I turned around.
Jiwoo was walking toward me.
"Do you want to go on another ride?" he asked with a small smile.
I hesitated.
Before I could answer—
Jiwoo reached out his hand toward me.
But suddenly—
another hand held mine first.
I froze.
I didn't even need to look.
I knew it was him.
"She's not feeling well," Sihoon said calmly.
His grip wasn't tight—
but firm enough.
I looked at him, surprised.
Jiwoo paused for a moment.
His hand slowly dropped back to his side.
"Oh…" he said quietly.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," I said quickly.
My voice came out softer than I expected.
Yian looked between us for a moment—
then suddenly clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright, enough of this," he said with a grin.
"There are so many food stalls here."
He pointed ahead.
"Let's go eat something. That'll fix everything."
I blinked, a little surprised.
Jiwoo nodded.
"Yeah, that sounds good."
I glanced at Sihoon for a second.
His hand was still holding mine.
"…Okay," I said quietly.
And slowly—
we all started walking toward the food stalls.
We stopped at one of the food stalls.
There were so many sweets—
colorful, warm, and tempting.
We bought a few to share.
Jiwoo picked one up and took a small bite.
Then he looked at me and smiled.
"It's chocolate," he said.
"Your favorite, right?"
I nodded slightly.
He held it out toward me.
"Try it."
I was about to take it—
but before I could—
Sihoon reached out and took it first.
I froze.
He took a bite calmly.
"…It's too sweet," he said simply.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then—
I noticed Yian.
He was watching Sihoon with a small, knowing smile on his face.
Like he understood exactly what just happened.
I felt confused.
Everything was happening so fast…
I didn't even understand what I was feeling anymore.
"You don't like things that are too sweet, right?"
Sihoon's voice broke my thoughts.
I looked at him—
then nodded slightly.
"Yeah…"
"There's a place nearby," he said calmly.
"They make spicy ramen."
I blinked, a little surprised.
"Let's go."
Before I could say anything—
he took my hand again.
My heart skipped a beat.
And just like that…
he led me away.
I didn't resist.
I just followed him.
Jiwoo stood there for a moment.
Watching them walk away.
His smile slowly faded.
"Well… that was fast," Yian said casually beside him.
Jiwoo didn't respond immediately.
His eyes were still fixed on Jia—
on the way her hand was held.
"…They seem close," he said quietly.
Yian glanced at him, then smiled slightly.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Closer than they realize."
Jiwoo looked away for a second.
His expression remained calm—
but something in his eyes had changed.
"Let's go," he said softly.
And started walking after them.
We sat there in silence.
The warm steam from the ramen slowly filled the space between us.
"Why did you do that?" I finally asked softly.
Sihoon looked at me.
"Do what?"
"Take me away like that…"
There was a short pause.
He didn't answer immediately.
Just as he was about to say something—
"So this is where you came."
We both looked up.
Jiwoo was standing there.
His expression calm…
but his eyes were fixed on us.
"You didn't even wait," he added lightly.
I felt a little awkward.
"We were just—"
"It's fine," Jiwoo said with a small smile.
"Mind if I join?"
Jiwoo pulled out the chair and sat down—
right beside Sihoon.
Yian quickly took the seat next to me, like he had been waiting for it.
For a moment…
no one spoke.
The sound of boiling ramen filled the silence.
I glanced up carefully.
Jiwoo and Sihoon sat side by side—
but neither of them looked at each other.
It felt… strange.
"So," Yian said suddenly, breaking the silence.
"This is nice."
No one responded.
He sighed softly.
"Wow. I didn't know ramen could come with this much tension."
I almost smiled.
The food arrived shortly after.
The warm steam rose between us.
"Careful, it's hot," Jiwoo said, looking at me.
At the same time—
"Don't burn yourself," Sihoon said quietly.
I blinked.
Both of them…
said it at the same time.
Jiwoo picked up a piece of chicken from his bowl.
He looked at me gently.
"Here," he said softly.
"Eat this."
I froze for a second.
Before I could react—
Sihoon glanced at Yian.
Just a look.
Nothing more.
But somehow…
Yian understood immediately.
"Oh!"
He suddenly leaned forward and took the chicken piece.
"This is my favorite part," he said casually, smiling.
Jiwoo paused, slightly surprised.
I blinked, confused.
Yian happily took a bite like nothing happened.
"Mm… so good," he added.
I slowly looked at Sihoon.
His expression was calm—
but his eyes shifted away.
I frowned slightly.
"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice more serious than before.
Yian paused mid-bite.
Jiwoo looked at me, a little surprised.
And Sihoon…
stayed quiet.
"Doing?" Yian said, trying to act innocent.
"I'm just eating."
I didn't respond.
My eyes shifted to Sihoon.
"You too," I added softly.
For a moment—
silence filled the table again.
Then Sihoon finally spoke.
"Nothing," he said calmly.
But this time—
his voice felt different.
"Just eat."
I looked at him, confused.
Something about this…
didn't feel like "nothing" at all.
No one spoke after that.
The table fell into silence again.
Only the sound of chopsticks and quiet movements filled the space.
I lowered my gaze to my bowl.
But I wasn't really eating.
My mind was full.
Too many thoughts.
Too many feelings.
And none of them… made sense.