The next morning—
everything felt normal again.
Or at least…
it looked normal.
I walked into the classroom quietly.
My eyes immediately found him.
Sihoon was already there.
Sitting in his usual seat.
I hesitated for a moment…
then walked over and sat beside him.
He glanced at me briefly.
"Morning," he said calmly.
"Morning…" I replied softly.
There was a short silence.
Then I took a small breath.
"What was going on yesterday?" I asked.
He looked at me.
"Why were you both acting like that?"
"Does it matter to you?" he said quietly.
Then after a pause—
"…You seemed pretty close to Jiwoo yesterday."
I froze for a moment.
I didn't expect that.
"He's just…" I hesitated.
"We grew up together."
My voice softened.
"He's important to me."
Sihoon looked at me.
His expression didn't change—
but his eyes did.
"…I know," he said quietly.
There was a short silence again.
Then he looked away slightly.
"That's why I asked."
"Why does it matter to you?" I asked softly.
For a moment—
he didn't answer.
He just looked at me.
Like he was thinking about something.
Then—
he took a small breath.
"Because I—"
"Good morning!"
The voice came suddenly.
We both turned at the same time.
Yian dropped his bag onto the desk with a grin.
"Wow," he said, looking between us.
"You two look serious this early in the morning."
I blinked, still processing.
Sihoon leaned back slightly.
Whatever he was about to say—
he didn't finish it.
I frowned slightly.
"What were you going to say?" I asked, a little frustrated.
Sihoon didn't answer immediately.
He just looked away.
"Nothing," he said quietly.
That only made it worse.
Before I could say anything again—
"Alright, enough serious mood this early," Yian said cheerfully.
He placed two bottles of milk on our desks.
"I brought breakfast," he added.
"You both look like you didn't eat."
I blinked, surprised.
"You didn't have to…" I said softly.
"I know," he grinned.
"But I did anyway."
I glanced at Sihoon.
He picked up the bottle quietly.
Like nothing had happened.
But I knew—
it wasn't nothing.
Just then—
the classroom door opened.
The teacher walked in.
"Good morning," he said.
The class quickly settled down.
Books opened.
Pens moved.
Everything returned to normal.
Or at least…
it looked like it did.
I tried to focus on the lesson.
I really did.
But my mind kept drifting.
Back to his words—
"Does it matter to you?"
And the answer he never gave.
I glanced sideways for a moment.
Sihoon was looking at the board—
calm, like always.
Like nothing had happened.
But somehow…
that only made me think about it more.
The entire class felt longer than usual.
I tried to focus…
but my mind kept going back to him.
To what he almost said.
And what he didn't.
Finally—
the bell rang.
Lunch time.
Before I could even gather my things—
Sihoon stood up.
And left the classroom.
Without saying anything.
I blinked, a little surprised.
"That was fast," Yian muttered beside me.
I watched the door for a moment.
"…Did you notice?" I asked quietly.
Yian glanced at me.
"Yeah," he said.
"He's been like that since morning."
I frowned slightly.
"He seems…"
I paused.
"…angry."
Yian didn't deny it this time.
"Maybe," he said lightly.
"Or maybe he's just bad at saying what he feels."
I didn't think too much.
I just stood up and followed him.
Yian came with me without saying anything.
When we reached the canteen—
I saw him.
Sitting alone at a table.
His head slightly lowered.
Like he didn't want to talk to anyone.
I hesitated for a second…
then walked toward him.
We sat down across from him.
He looked up.
Just for a moment.
Then looked away again.
"You left early," I said softly.
He didn't reply.
That silence again.
It felt heavier this time.
I looked at him, my voice a little firmer this time.
"Are you avoiding me?"
He didn't answer.
That silence again.
It made something inside me tighten.
"Then tell me," I added, a little more softly.
"What were you going to say earlier?"
He finally looked at me.
Our eyes met.
For a moment…
it felt like everything around us disappeared.
Yian, who was sitting beside me, stayed unusually quiet.
Sihoon took a slow breath.
Like he was deciding something.
"I was going to say…"
He paused for a moment.
Then looked straight at me.
"…I don't like seeing you with him."
My breath caught.