After finishing the morning exam, I met up with Min Siheon and visited the academic affairs office. I gave my student ID number and name and asked about the results of my vacation training program application.
“Business Administration, 000000, Cha Jungwoo… Ah, here you are. Hmm, it looks like you were pushed back due to your attendance score. Sometimes right before the training starts, spots open up because of cancellations or additional openings. You’re high on the priority list—would you like us to keep you registered as a candidate for now?”
Fortunately, I was told I hadn’t made it. It seemed my worries had been for nothing.
So they’d looked at attendance scores for this program. Back then, when I couldn’t get my head straight, I’d skipped a few classes in a restless mood. It seemed that had ended up saving me now.
“No, that’s okay. Thank you.”
I immediately shook my head at the offer to register me as a candidate. I’d barely managed to escape—how relieved did I have to be for the strength to drain from my arms and legs like this?
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
I nudged Min Siheon with my elbow, signaling that we should leave.
He didn’t show it outright, but judging by the faint curve at the corner of his lips, he seemed pleased inside.
After I tugged on his arm and closed the office door behind us, I caught sight of his grin and let out a small laugh. Is it really that great? Honestly, I was happier than he was.
“Ah, I survived.”
“Did it bother you that much? I told you, I could’ve just bought a ticket and followed you.”
“I said stop talking about that. My heart’s racing. And this was my fault, wasn’t it? I’m really sorry. I was careless.”
Noticing my slumped shoulders, Min Siheon naturally placed a hand on me and guided me along. I let myself be led, half-moved by his strength.
“That’s a lot of money saved. I should use it to eat something good with you. Even if we spend three meals a day together all through break, it won’t be enough, so you’ll have to see me often, okay?”
“Hey, it’s good not to spend it. Why are you so determined to use it all?”
I played along with his joke. Of course, I knew he meant every word.
I hadn’t known Min Siheon for just a day or two. I could see right through him.
With that weight lifted, we started talking about grabbing lunch.
But why did it feel like I was forgetting something? Even as he led me along, an uneasy feeling lingered. I counted things off on my fingers, organizing what I had to do.
I’d taken the morning exam, and before that, I’d met Min Siheon and told him about the training program. Since I hadn’t been accepted, there was nothing more to discuss.
“…Damn.”
Then I realized I’d overlooked something else. I was supposed to meet Lee Chae-won.
I’d definitely remembered it before leaving the house. We’d already set a rough time and place.
This morning, after getting fully ready for school, I’d figured we’d see each other before noon and replied to the message she’d sent the night before.
[Sorry for the late reply. I have my last exam at ○○ o’clock in Building ○○. Is that okay?]
As if she’d been waiting for my message, my phone vibrated in less than a minute. As expected, it was from Lee Chae-won.
[Yes, that’s fine. I’ll finish earlier, so I’ll wait behind Building ○○.]
I remembered hesitating at the subtle pressure I’d felt. But it wasn’t like I could refuse now, so I had to go.
She’d been waiting ever since the club room, saying she had something to tell me. I just hoped it wasn’t anything serious, shaking my head at the thought.
[Okay. See you later.]
After sending that reply, I’d resolved to tell Min Siheon once I met him. But maybe because the training program weighed so heavily on me, I completely forgot to mention it.
There was still some time left before the appointment, but the fact that I hadn’t told him made me anxious.
If someone’s partner had to meet alone with someone of the opposite sex, no one would be thrilled. I thought I should hurry and explain it now.
Honestly, judging from what happened this morning, I probably didn’t need to worry too much. Even after I’d dropped a much bigger bomb, Min Siheon had handled it fairly maturely.
Mature was the right word, wasn’t it? Since he hadn’t reacted emotionally, maybe he did have a gentle side. Thanks to that, I didn’t hesitate long before bringing it up.
“Hey, Siheon. After everything’s over today, I have someone I need to meet for a bit.”
The moment I finished speaking, Min Siheon came to an abrupt stop. Since I’d been half-dragged along by him, I had no choice but to stop too.
What’s with him? He’d been laughing and chatting just moments ago, so the shift in mood felt strange. When I glanced sideways, the eyes hidden beneath his bangs gleamed coldly.
I flinched, my shoulders twitching, and he rolled his eyes down to look at me. …Was I imagining it? When I looked again, he was smiling softly, the corners of his lips lifted.
“…Someone? Who? Ah, is it Heemin or In-ho?”
“No, not them. If it were them, I wouldn’t even bother telling you.”
Even if the hallway was relatively empty, standing around in the middle of it like this was awkward. I tugged at the hem of his clothes first. Our footsteps overlapped as we walked down the corridor.
Just as we were nearing the exit—
Should I not have told him? Maybe I should’ve just gone quietly. Well, even if it was nothing, I’d planned to wrap it up quickly.
What’s done is done. I turned back, telling myself there was nothing to be done. A strange silence had settled between us. It felt almost like a silent protest directed at me.
“…You know Lee Chae-won, right? She suddenly contacted me. You saw it too—she’s been wanting to ask me something for a while now. I guess she wanted to settle it before break. She asked if we could meet today. Of course, it won’t be long. Maybe ten minutes? I’m planning to join you right after….”
“…….”
Damn. He’s sulking. Min Siheon kept his mouth shut as if it didn’t matter how long I rambled. I didn’t dare turn fully to look at him.
…Should I not go? Seeing his reaction, I wavered again. She was my junior, sure, but if I had to rank priorities, Min Siheon came first.
Yeah, he hates this much. I decided I’d apologize and tell her I couldn’t make it.
I fumbled for words, thinking I should smooth things over first, scratching the back of my head.
“Um, the timing’s kind of awkward anyway. I’ll just decline. Sorry. I forgot to tell you this morning. I didn’t even think to ask you before replying.”
Even after apologizing, he didn’t seem much happier.
Well, if I were in his position and he suddenly said he had to meet someone, I wouldn’t be thrilled either.
Since I understood that, I decided to change my choice.
Then Min Siheon spoke in a low voice. His tone was rather blunt, but what he said went in a direction I hadn’t imagined.
“…No. Chae-won, you said? She’s seemed like she wanted to tell you something for a while. You should hear her out before it’s too late. Instead, Jungwoo, would it be okay if I waited nearby? It’d be tiring to move around for nothing.”
“Huh? Yeah. I don’t mind. I’ll ask her just in case.”
“Okay.”
Min Siheon was far more mature than I was. The sharp line of his eyes curved gently. Seeing his flickering gaze, I decided to pass the message along to Lee Chae-won.
Whatever it was, things seemed to be working out smoothly.
***
At last, the afternoon exam ended, and the semester was officially over. I’d just come out after turning down Yoo In-ho’s suggestion to grab drinks.
Leaving Go Heemin behind, who said he’d contact me later, I joined Min Siheon, who had come ahead to wait for me.
I thought I heard someone clicking their tongue behind me, but I rubbed my ear, assuming I’d imagined it.
I’d contacted Lee Chae-won before the final exam. Since Siheon had been so considerate, if things didn’t work out, I’d planned to cancel the meeting.
[I have plans with Siheon. Would it be okay if he waited nearby? Like I said this morning, I won’t be able to talk long. Sorry.]
But I received a fairly cool reply. As expected—maybe I’d just been overly sensitive last night.
[It’s okay. If you have plans, you can come together. I only need a moment of your time, so you don’t have to feel burdened. I’m the one who contacted you suddenly—thank you for coming.]
It seemed whatever she wanted to tell me wasn’t a big deal after all. Lee Chae-won readily agreed.
Now that she’d gone this far, I couldn’t refuse anymore. Min Siheon didn’t look particularly displeased either. Everything seemed neatly settled.
When we arrived at the designated spot, I saw Lee Chae-won standing alone behind the lecture building. Did she have plans? Every time I saw her, she was dressed refreshingly well—like she had something important going on. Or maybe she was meeting friends? I speculated to myself.
I spotted her standing in the shade, looking at her phone, having stepped back from the heat. I told Min Siheon beside me to wait.
“I’ll just listen and come right back.”
“Yeah.”
Seeing him smile leisurely reassured me. I started walking over when, from behind, Min Siheon called my name softly.
“Jungwoo.”
“What?”
Perhaps Lee Chae-won had heard it too, because she turned toward us. Spotting both of us, she lowered her head with a somewhat serious expression.
I waved, signaling I’d be there in a moment. Min Siheon glanced briefly in her direction, then lifted the corner of his lips with a relaxed look.
“Nothing. Just come back quickly.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
Was this an extension of the teasing from earlier at lunch? Min Siheon didn’t look it, but he had a mischievous side.
I smirked back and fully turned away. I reached Lee Chae-won, who’d been waiting ahead.
I greeted her and apologized for being late, but she shook her head, saying it was fine. As she moved, her carefully styled hair fluttered softly.
Avoiding her gaze awkwardly, I could hear the tension in her voice. Honestly, I was more nervous than she was.
Was it because I knew Min Siheon was watching? My back prickled. Wanting to finish quickly, I apologized again and made some small talk.
“Is this a bit uncomfortable? Sorry, I forgot I had plans.”
Though truthfully, I’d almost decided not to come because I was worried about him.
“No. I’m just grateful you came. …Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t.”
“Huh? Me?”
I fanned myself, saying it was hot, and asked what she’d been so curious to talk about. When I tilted my head, Lee Chae-won pressed her lips together once and took a deep breath.
“I like you, Jungwoo sunbae.”
“…What?”
For a moment, I thought I’d misheard. I blinked, and the same words followed from her lips.
“I like you.”
So it wasn’t something trivial after all. What did I just hear? I couldn’t gather my thoughts at all.
