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The weekend arrived, bringing with it a mix of excitement and nervousness that I couldn't quite shake. Saturday's movie night with Hyun-woo was the highlight of my week, and as I walked to the theater, I replayed moments from our recent interactions in my mind. My thoughts were a jumble of hope and anxiety.
Hyun-woo met me at the theater entrance, his smile reassuring. "Hey, Eun-ji! Ready for the movie?"
"Yeah, let's go," I said, trying to mask my nerves.
We settled into our seats, and as the lights dimmed, I tried to focus on the screen. Despite the captivating plot, my mind kept drifting to Hyun-woo's presence next to me.
After the movie, we stepped out into the cool night air. Hyun-woo suggested grabbing a late dinner at a nearby café. As we walked, the city lights reflected in the windows, casting a soft glow on the streets. The café was charming, with warm lighting and an inviting atmosphere.
Over coffee and dessert, our conversation flowed effortlessly. We laughed, shared stories, and talked about our interests. Hyun-woo's easy charm made me feel comfortable, and by the time we finished, I was reluctant to say goodbye.
As we walked back to our meeting point, Hyun-woo hesitated. "Eun-ji, I… I really enjoyed tonight. Would you be interested in doing this again sometime?"
Before I could respond, our hands brushed once more as we adjusted our bags. The brief contact sent a shiver down my spine. I looked up to see him watching me, his eyes filled with an intensity that made my heart race.
"I'd like that," I managed to say, feeling the warmth of his hand lingering near mine.
We parted ways with a lingering glance and a sense of anticipation for what might come next. The excitement of the evening left me with a fluttering heart and a smile that wouldn't fade.
Sunday brought a quieter pace. I spent the morning organizing my notes for the upcoming week, and as the afternoon approached, I prepared for my study session with Joon. Our plans had been set, and I was curious to see how our tutoring session would go.
Joon arrived promptly at 3 PM, carrying a stack of textbooks and looking a bit nervous. We settled down in the living room, surrounded by our study materials. The air was filled with the rustling of pages and the occasional murmur of frustration as we tackled math problems together.
"I'm really struggling with this section," Joon said, rubbing his temples in frustration. "I just can't seem to get it."
"Let's go through it step by step," I suggested, leaning closer to show him the problem on his worksheet. As I pointed out key details, our hands brushed lightly. The touch was brief but it was so sudden. I glanced at Joon, who looked up with a startled expression.
"Sorry, didn't mean to—" I began, but Joon interrupted with a sheepish smile.
"It's fine. It's just that… math can be a bit overwhelming sometimes," he said, his voice softer than usual.
As the study session progressed, the tension between us seemed to shift. We both became more focused, and our interactions grew more comfortable. Joon's gratitude for my help was evident, and I found myself genuinely enjoying his company.
Around 5 PM, we decided to take a break. We sat back, sipping on some juice and chatting casually. The atmosphere was relaxed, but there was an undercurrent of something more—an unspoken connection that neither of us fully acknowledged.
Joon suddenly looked thoughtful. "Eun-ji, I know we've only just started hanging out. I hope this isn't too forward, but I really enjoy spending time with you."
I was taken aback by his honesty, feeling surprised I answered "I've enjoyed it too, Joon. I'm glad we're getting to know each other."
As the sun began to set, Joon packed up his things and prepared to leave. He thanked me again for the help, and we shared a brief but meaningful hug at the door. The contact was warm and lingering, and as he left, I was left with a swirl of emotions.
As the day wound down. I thought to myself
The week ahead is promised to be busy,