I didn't go back to their table again.
I stayed busy.
Or at least… I tried to.
Taking orders.
Cleaning tables.
Moving around like everything was normal.
But it wasn't.
My mind kept going back—
to what happened earlier.
His words.
His tone.
And the way everything suddenly felt… different.
I didn't understand it.
Or maybe—
I just didn't want to.
After a while,
I finally gathered enough courage to look.
The table—
was empty.
I paused.
Just for a second.
I didn't know why…
but something in my chest felt strange.
Lighter—
and heavier at the same time.
I was about to turn away—
when I saw him.
Sihoon.
Standing near the entrance.
Alone.
I blinked in surprise.
Why did he come back…?
For a moment,
he didn't move.
His eyes found mine almost immediately.
Like he was already looking for me.
My heart skipped.
Then slowly—
he started walking toward me.
Each step felt heavier than it should.
I didn't move.
I couldn't.
He stopped right in front of me.
For a second,
neither of us said anything.
The silence felt different this time.
Not awkward—
just… intense.
"Can we talk?"
he asked quietly.
I hesitated for a moment.
Then…
"Okay," I said softly.
He looked at me for a second—
like he was choosing his words.
"Are you really going to the movie with Jiwoo?"
I nodded.
"…Yeah."
"We're friends," I added quietly.
"And he's leaving soon… so I thought I should."
He didn't reply immediately.
His gaze shifted slightly—
not at me,
but somewhere else.
Like he was holding something back again.
"…Okay," he said.
Just one word.
But it didn't feel simple at all.
Then after a pause—
"I'll take you home."
I looked at him, slightly surprised.
But I didn't say no.
We walked side by side.
Not too close—
not too far.
The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable…
just quiet.
After a few steps,
he suddenly spoke—
"Let's eat something first."
I looked at him, a little surprised.
"My treat," he added.
I blinked.
"You don't have to—"
"I know," he cut in gently.
"I just want to."
For a moment,
I didn't know what to say.
Then slowly—
I nodded.
"…Okay."
We stopped in front of a small convenience store.
The soft light from inside spilled onto the street.
"Here?" I asked.
He nodded.
"It's enough."
We walked in together.
The quiet hum of the refrigerator filled the space.
I moved toward the shelves—
but stopped.
I didn't know what to pick.
Without saying anything,
he reached out and grabbed something.
"You don't like things that are too sweet," he said.
placing it in my hand.
I looked at it—
then at him.
"…You remember?"
He didn't look at me.
"Of course I do."
We sat down quietly.
The small table felt too close somehow.
I tried to focus on the food—
but I could feel his gaze on me.
I looked up.
He was already looking at me.
Then his eyes shifted slightly—
toward my hair.
Before I could ask anything,
he stood up.
"Wait—"
I didn't understand what he was doing.
He picked up a pair of chopsticks from the counter.
Then came back—
and stood behind me.
My breath caught.
Gently—
he gathered my hair.
His fingers brushed against my neck for a second.
My heart skipped.
Then he carefully tied it up using the chopsticks.
I froze.
I didn't know what to do.
Or what to say.
Something like this…
had never happened to me before.
"It was getting in your way,"
he said quietly.
Like it was nothing.
But it didn't feel like nothing at all.
I didn't move.
My hands stayed still in my lap.
I could feel it—
my face getting warmer.
Too warm.
He sat back down across from me.
Then paused.
His eyes stayed on my face.
"…You're red," he said quietly.
Before I could react—
he reached out.
His fingers brushed lightly against my cheek.
Just for a second.
"Do you have a fever?"
I froze.
My heart started beating even faster.
I shook my head quickly.
"…No."
My voice came out softer than I expected.
He looked at me for another moment—
then pulled his hand back.
"It just felt warm," he said.
It suddenly felt… awkward.
Not uncomfortable—
just different.
I looked down at the table.
Pretending to focus on nothing.
Across from me,
he didn't say anything either.
I could feel it—
he was avoiding my eyes too.
The quiet between us grew.
But somehow…
it didn't feel empty.
I picked at the food slowly.
Not really eating.
Just… doing something.
My fingers were still a little unsteady.
My heart hadn't calmed down yet.
And I didn't know why.
Or maybe—
I did.
We walked side by side again.
But this time…
it felt different.
Quieter.
Closer.
Neither of us said anything.
But I could feel it—
that strange awareness between us.
I glanced at him for a second—
and quickly looked away.
Then suddenly—
a car passed too close.
Before I could react—
he grabbed my hand.
Everything happened so fast.
I lost my balance—
and the next second,
I fell against him.
My hands pressed lightly against his chest.
His arm was still around me.
Holding me steady.
Too close.
My heart stopped for a second—
then started beating faster than before.
I didn't move.
I couldn't.
"Are you okay?"
His voice was low.
Closer than it should have been.
My heart stopped for a second—
then started beating too fast.
I didn't move.
Neither did he.
For a moment—
we were just standing there.
Too close.
And I didn't know how to step away.