Hyunwoo held his breath slightly as he sat across from her. At first, he didn't say anything, just focused his eyes on Hana for a few seconds. Hana saw a faint hesitation in his gaze.
Hyunwoo: "Are you alone?" he asked. His voice was softer than she had expected.
Hana remained silent for a brief moment. This unexpected closeness both surprised her and stirred a strange feeling inside her. Was there a change in Hyunwoo's cold demeanor, or was it just a passing moment?
Hana: "Yes, a little," she said with a slight smile. "Why? Did you want to come over?"
Hyunwoo gave a small nod before averting his gaze.
Hyunwoo: "I just... wanted to make sure everything was okay. Yesterday... was strange. I don't know if I upset you," he said, his voice uncertain but clearly sincere.
Hana was even more surprised that he was speaking so directly. Hyunwoo usually avoided expressing his emotions. Questions swirled in her mind.
Hana: "Yesterday… there was something, yes," she said softly. Then, taking a deep breath, she fixed her gaze on Hyunwoo. "But... am I really that important to you, Hyunwoo?"
Hyunwoo lowered his eyes for a brief moment, thinking about how to respond. But in the end, he decided not to hide his feelings and looked into Hana's eyes, nodding slightly.
Hyunwoo: "Yes, actually. You are very important."
A silence settled between them. Hana hadn't expected such an honest answer. Her heart beat a little faster. She knew Hyunwoo cared about her, but hearing it like this was different. The uncertainty and lost confidence inside her slowly started to be replaced by hope.
Hana: "Then... what do you want to do?" she asked, her voice now calmer.
Hyunwoo shrugged slightly, smiling.
Hyunwoo: "We could spend some time together. Just you and me. Want to take a walk outside?"
Hana hesitated at the offer. Still, a voice inside her told her that she should take this opportunity to understand Hyunwoo better.
At that moment, amidst the noise in the cafeteria, two familiar voices were heard.
Eunbi: "I think Hana is really cheap. After all, she can never truly understand Hyunwoo. She just falls for a few sweet words."
Aerin: "What's it to you? She lives her own life. Why do you care?" she said in an irritated tone.
Hana's insides went cold instantly. The words stabbed her heart like a knife. At first, she pretended not to hear, but a sense of unease was rising inside her. Her eyes shifted to Hyunwoo, searching for his reaction.
Hyunwoo hadn't heard exactly what Eunbi said, but he immediately noticed the change in Hana's expression.
Hyunwoo: "Are you sure you heard that right?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
Hana slowly nodded.
Hana: "I don't know. It's just... there's something between us, Hyunwoo. But maybe some things are just too complicated," she said softly.
Hyunwoo took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Hana, I'm really trying to understand you. But sometimes, even talking to you is difficult. So just... please don't feel pressured. There's no rush for this."
Hana nodded quietly. She felt a sense of relief, but at the same time, Eunbi's words echoed in her mind.
As they walked side by side in the school hallway, Hyunwoo suddenly stopped. He turned slightly toward Hana, looking like he wanted to say something.
Hana: "What is it?" she asked curiously.
Hyunwoo hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Hyunwoo: "Yesterday... I saw how Aerin treated you. I think she was a little jealous," he said, his voice firm. "It was obvious she didn't want you talking to that guy. But after being cold to you, it's not hard to understand why she felt that way."
Hana was surprised and slightly uncomfortable.
Hana: "But it's not about me, Hyunwoo. Why does she take it so seriously?"
Hyunwoo, venting a bit more, said, "I don't know, maybe she just cares about you. But... when I warned her to be more careful with you yesterday, she completely ignored me. And even this morning, she was still acting cold. I really think you should be more careful. With her, and with me too," he said, his voice slightly tense.
Hana sighed. "But what did I do to her? I really don't understand..."
Hyunwoo took a deep breath and shook his head slightly. "Sometimes, people act without knowing what they really want. But Aerin... she might be trying to show interest in you. And that's what frustrates me the most," he said.
Hana thought about Hyunwoo's words.
Hana: "So, what do you suggest I do?"
Hyunwoo smiled slightly, but there was still a seriousness in his eyes.
Hyunwoo: "Just don't push yourself too hard. Everything will fall into place over time," he said.
Hana nodded as she processed his words.
Hana: "Thank you, Hyunwoo," she said with a small smile.
Hyunwoo looked at her and winked.
Hyunwoo: "Always."
And they continued walking side by side.
After finishing their conversation, they decided to head back to school. The tension between them had completely dissipated, and they had become more comfortable with each other. Hyunwoo approached Hana once more and smiled at her gently.
Hana, feeling relieved, looked at him and said, "I guess everything will be okay."
Hyunwoo nodded, replying, "Yes, at least for now."
As they stepped inside, Eunbi and Aerin's expressions were immediately noticeable. Aerin looked at them with a mix of jealousy and surprise in her eyes, while Eunbi's face had gone pale. Both of them fell silent upon seeing Hana and Hyunwoo enter together.
"What happened? Everything okay?" Sera asked, smiling slightly. She had noticed Eunbi and Aerin's cold demeanor but didn't comment on it.
Hana smiled sincerely and said, "Yes, everything's fine. Thank you," before stepping closer to Hyunwoo.
Eunbi narrowed her eyes at Aerin, as if sending her a silent message. "Is that so?" she asked, but her tone felt more like a challenge.
Aerin muttered something angrily under her breath and turned her head away. It was clear she wasn't happy with what she was seeing.
Trying to lighten the mood, Sera said, "We're looking pretty cheerful today, aren't we? Let's sit down." She smiled, clearly trying to keep things positive.
There was a brief silence, but then Hyunwoo and Hana, seeing the smiling faces around them, felt a bit more at ease. It seemed like everything was finally settling down.
But Aerin and Eunbi remained quiet. There was a look on their faces; on the outside, everything seemed fine, but inside, a storm was brewing.
When the final school bell rang, Hana and Hyunwoo left the cafeteria together. The air between them was relaxed, with no tension left. They exchanged smiles as they slowly stepped outside the school.
Hyunwoo suddenly turned his head to look at Hana. His eyes were thoughtful. "Today felt... different," he said. "I don't know if I should tell you this, but I felt kind of at peace."
Hana smiled, seeing Hyunwoo so at ease made her feel good too. "I feel the same way."