His words stayed in the air.
"…I don't like seeing you with him."
For a moment—
I couldn't say anything.
My mind went blank.
I didn't understand…
or maybe—
I understood too well.
My heart was beating faster again.
Not from fear this time.
I looked at him.
He wasn't looking away this time.
His eyes were steady—
but there was something in them
I had never seen before.
"Why…?" I asked softly.
My voice barely came out.
Sihoon didn't answer immediately.
He looked at me—
like he was trying to decide something again.
"Why does it bother you?" I added, my heart beating faster.
He exhaled slowly.
"…I don't know," he said.
But it didn't sound like the truth.
"It just does."
I stayed quiet.
That answer…
only made everything more confusing.
"You shouldn't…" I started, then stopped.
I didn't even know what I was trying to say.
Because a part of me—
didn't want him to say that.
But another part…
couldn't ignore it either.
I didn't say anything.
I just looked at him.
But something inside me…
felt different.
I couldn't explain it.
Not yet.
Before I could even understand it—
"Wow," Yian suddenly said.
"Should I leave, or are you two finally going to say everything today?"
I blinked, startled.
"Yian…" I muttered softly.
He leaned back in his chair, smiling.
"I mean, come on," he added.
"The tension is so obvious now."
Sihoon frowned slightly.
"Stop talking," he said quietly.
"What?" Yian shrugged.
"I'm just saying what both of you are avoiding."
My heart skipped.
Avoiding…?
I lowered my gaze again.
Maybe he wasn't wrong.
I felt overwhelmed.
Everything felt too much.
"I'm finished," I said quietly.
Before anyone could respond—
I stood up and left the table.
I didn't look back.
I couldn't.
I walked out of the canteen quickly.
My steps felt faster than usual.
Like I was trying to run away from something.
Or maybe…
from myself.
My heart was still beating fast.
His words kept repeating in my mind.
"I don't like seeing you with him."
I didn't stop until I reached the empty corridor.
The noise from the canteen slowly faded behind me.
Finally—
it was quiet.
I leaned slightly against the wall.
My chest felt tight.
I didn't understand…
why his words affected me this much.
"I don't like seeing you with him."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
Jiwoo…
He was important to me.
Someone from my past.
Someone who always felt… familiar.
But Sihoon—
I opened my eyes slowly.
He was different.
And somehow…
that difference made my heart feel restless.
My phone vibrated softly in my hand.
I looked down.
It was Jiwoo.
"Are you free after school?"
I stared at the message for a few seconds.
My fingers hovered over the screen.
Then slowly—
I typed.
"Actually, I'm not free. I have to go to the shop for work."
I sent it.
A few seconds later—
my phone vibrated again.
"Okay… then I'll come there."
I blinked.
"We can meet there?"
I didn't reply immediately this time.
My grip on the phone tightened slightly.
Somehow…
things were becoming more complicated.
Not just outside—
but inside me too.
My thoughts felt messy again.
I could say no…
but I didn't.
Slowly—
I typed.
"Okay… you can come."
I sent it.
And immediately—
I felt something strange in my chest.
Not regret.
But not comfort either.
Just…
confusion.
The bell rang again, pulling me back to reality.
I took a small breath and walked back to class.
But this time—
everything felt different.
The café was quieter than usual.
I tried to focus on my work—
but I kept glancing at the door.
And then—
he walked in.
Jiwoo.
He smiled when he saw me.
I walked over to his table.
"You came," I said softly.
"Of course," he replied.
We talked for a while.
It felt… normal.
Like before.
Then suddenly—
"I'm going back soon," he said.
I looked at him, surprised.
"So early?"
He nodded slightly.
"I know…"
There was a pause.
Then he looked at me seriously.
"Before I go…"
"…there's something I need to tell you."
My heart skipped.
I didn't know why—
but I felt nervous.
"What is it?" I asked quietly.
He was about to speak—
My heart skipped.
"What is it?" I asked quietly.
Jiwoo looked at me for a moment.
Then he smiled a little—
but it wasn't as light as before.
"Before I go…"
"…will you go somewhere with me?"
I blinked.
"Where?"
"A movie," he said.
"Just once… before I leave."
I didn't answer immediately.
A movie…
With him.
Before I could say anything—
the café door opened.
I turned slightly.
And my breath stopped.
Sihoon…
And Yian…
just walked in.
Jiwoo followed my gaze.
His expression changed slightly.
Then he looked back at me.
"So?" he asked softly.
"Will you come with me?"
I didn't answer.
My eyes slowly moved—
toward the door.