For a moment…
she didn't say anything.
She just looked at me.
Her eyes were still slightly red from crying…
but there was something else in them now.
Something softer.
Something warmer.
My heart started beating faster again.
Did I say something wrong?
Was that too sudden?
Why is she not saying anything?
I was already panicking inside.
Then…
very slowly…
she nodded.
"Yes…"
My mind went blank.
For a second…
I thought I imagined it.
But then she spoke again.
"…I would like that."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"But…" she added softly, looking down.
"I'm not really good at talking to people."
I blinked.
Then, without thinking, I replied,
"Same."
She looked up at me again.
And for the first time…
we both smiled at the same time.
It felt… strange.
But nice.
Very nice.
A few seconds passed.
Then a few more.
And suddenly…
it became awkward again.
We both looked at each other…
then looked away.
Then looked back again.
Then looked away again.
"Umm…"
I tried to say something.
But nothing came out.
"Uhh…"
She also tried.
Same result.
Silence.
I cleared my throat.
"So… friends?"
I awkwardly extended my hand.
She looked at it for a second.
Then gently shook it.
"Yes… friends."
Her hand was warm.
My brain stopped working again.
Why is her hand so soft?
I quickly pulled my hand back before I started acting weird.
"Okay… so…" I said, trying to act normal.
Another silence.
This was going great.
"Nice weather today," I said.
Why did I say that?
She looked outside the window.
"It's evening."
"…Right."
I wanted to disappear.
She covered her mouth slightly…
trying not to laugh.
And that somehow made it even more embarrassing.
But also…
a little cute.
"Anyway," she said, finally changing the topic.
"Let's finish the drawing."
"Yeah… right."
We both sat down.
This time…
something felt different.
She didn't take out her phone immediately.
Instead…
she looked at the drawing.
"Can I try?" she asked.
I paused.
Then smiled.
"Of course."
She picked up the pencil carefully.
Her movements were slow…
like she was scared to mess up.
"Relax," I said.
"It's just a drawing, not an exam."
She looked at me.
"You say that like exams are easy."
"I never said that."
"Hmm."
She started drawing.
A few seconds later…
she stopped.
"This looks weird."
I leaned closer.
"It's not weird… it's just… unique."
She looked at me suspiciously.
"That means it's bad, right?"
"…Maybe a little."
She lightly hit my arm.
"You're supposed to encourage your friend."
"I did!"
"No, you didn't."
We both laughed.
It wasn't loud.
But it was real.
After that…
we continued working together.
This time…
she actually helped.
Sometimes she asked questions.
Sometimes she made mistakes.
And sometimes…
she just looked at me, waiting for help.
And every time…
my heart reacted in the same way.
Fast.
Uncontrollable.
After a while…
the drawing was finally done.
"We did it," she said.
"We?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, we," she replied confidently.
"Okay… fine."
She smiled.
Then stood up.
"I should go now."
"Yeah…"
She walked towards the door.
Then suddenly stopped.
And turned back.
"Chi-Ho…"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For today."
I didn't know what to say.
So I just nodded.
She smiled again.
Then left.
The room felt quiet again.
But not empty.
I sat down on my chair.
And stared at the drawing.
Then at my hand.
The same hand she held.
The same hand she shook.
I smiled.
"Friend, huh…"
I picked up my phone.
Opened Instagram.
A new message.
From Somi.
"Did you reach your room safely?"
I blinked.
She just left…
Still, I typed—
"Yes. You?"
A reply came instantly.
"Yes."
Then another message.
"Good night, friend :)"
I stared at the screen.
And smiled like an idiot.
"Good night…"
I typed slowly.
"…Somi."
For the first time…
it didn't feel distant.
It felt close.
Very close.
But somewhere…
deep inside me…
a small voice whispered—
Is this really just friendship…?
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