Hana couldn't escape Hyunwoo's gaze. He was still looking at her. The distance between them had closed so much that she had to hold her breath.
Hyunwoo tilted his head slightly, his eyes studying the expression on Hana's face. Then, suddenly, he took his hands out of his pockets and gently grasped the umbrella in Hana's hand.
"If you keep being this thoughtful," he said in a low voice, "this will be difficult, Hana."
Hana looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Hyunwoo smiled faintly. "If you keep worrying about me, it'll pull you in too."
Hana's heart quickened. Hyunwoo's hands were still holding the umbrella, his fingers lightly brushing against hers. His touch was so faint that she couldn't tell if she had really felt it or just imagined it.
"Aren't you already worried about me?" she asked in a whisper.
Hyunwoo was silent for a few seconds. Then, looking away slightly, he shrugged. "Maybe I'm overthinking."
But there was hesitation in his voice. As if he felt more than he was willing to say out loud.
Hana was about to respond when a few kids in the background called out, "Are you coming, Hyunwoo?" Their voices broke the moment, drawing Hyunwoo's attention away. He turned his head slightly toward them but quickly looked back at Hana.
"You should go," he said softly. "I'll stay here a little longer."
Hana hesitated, watching him. Standing there in the rain, he looked as relaxed as ever, yet distant at the same time.
Just then, the girls waiting at the bus stop started boarding one by one. Hana instinctively turned to look. Gaeun's friends had also gotten on, but Gaeun was still nowhere to be seen.
Hyunwoo noticed her glance. "Gaeun is waiting for you, isn't she?"
Hana nodded slightly. "Yeah, I think she'll be here soon."
Hyunwoo sighed lightly and stepped back. "Then I won't keep you any longer."
But his voice sounded as if he didn't really want her to go.
Hana hesitated for a moment longer, feeling a pull inside her to stay. But she didn't know what to say.
Just then, Gaeun's voice rang out nearby. "Hana, are we leaving or what?"
Hana flinched and turned her head. Gaeun stood there, arms crossed, wearing her usual expression—a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Hyunwoo gave Hana one last look before smiling faintly. "See you, Hana."
Hana nodded without a word and started walking with Gaeun. But deep inside, she had a feeling that this conversation wasn't over.
The rain had almost stopped, but Hana still held onto the umbrella. As she walked side by side with Gaeun, the sky darkened, and streetlights flickered on one by one.
"Today was really strange, wasn't it?" Gaeun asked, stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets.
Hana nodded but didn't know what to say. It really had been strange. Especially that moment after school with Hyunwoo—it was still lingering in her mind. Her heartbeat quickened slightly.
Gaeun glanced at Hana from the corner of her eye but said nothing. After a few more steps in silence, she stopped.
"I'm turning here," she said with a small smile. "Don't stay out too long, okay?"
Hana nodded. "Alright, text me."
After parting ways with Gaeun, Hana continued walking. As she turned the corner of the street, a café caught her eye. The dim lighting inside made it look warm and inviting, and right by the window sat a familiar silhouette.
Hyunwoo.
There were a few people with him, but Hana's eyes only focused on him. His chin rested on his hand as he stared out the window. Then, suddenly, his gaze met hers.
Hana quickly looked away, startled, but it was too late. Hyunwoo had seen her.
Not even a second passed before Hyunwoo stood up from the table. Hana, unsure of what to do, kept walking, but after a few steps, she heard a voice behind her.
"Hana."
She stopped. When she slowly turned around, Hyunwoo was already standing next to her. He looked surprised but still wore his usual relaxed expression.
"When did you guys go to the café?" Hana asked without thinking.
Hyunwoo smiled slightly. "Right after you left. So, you didn't wander around too much."
Hana tightened her grip on her umbrella. It felt a little odd that Hyunwoo had come all the way over just to talk to her.
"I was heading home anyway," she said slowly.
Hyunwoo tilted his head. "Should I walk you?"
Hana looked at him. "Are you not going to let me go by myself?"
Hyunwoo chuckled. "Whether I let you or not, you'd go anyway. But at least I can keep you company."
Hana sighed but secretly didn't mind. She nodded slightly, and they started walking together. The rain had stopped, but something lingered in the air—something unspoken, quietly growing between them.
As they walked side by side, the silence between them felt oddly comfortable. Hana unconsciously slowed her pace to match Hyunwoo's. A part of her didn't want this moment to end just yet.
Hyunwoo pulled a cigarette pack from his pocket, but when Hana shot him a warning look, he put it back and smirked.
"You always stare at me like that," he teased.
"And you always try to smoke at every opportunity," Hana countered, crossing her arms.
Hyunwoo shrugged. "It's a habit."
Hana took a deep breath. "A bad habit."
Hyunwoo glanced at her briefly but didn't respond. Her voice was firm, but something in him told him she was actually worried.
"It might be bad for you," he said finally, looking ahead, "but for me, sometimes it helps."
Hana frowned but didn't push the topic further. They walked in silence for a while.
As they neared Hana's house, she felt a strange sense of disappointment growing inside her. She didn't want this moment to end, but she also didn't know what to say.
Noticing that they had reached the end of the road, Hyunwoo slowed down. When they finally stood in front of Hana's house, a quiet pause settled between them.
"You walked all the way here," Hana said softly.
Hyunwoo nodded. "Yeah."
Hana looked at the umbrella in her hand, then slowly held it out to him. "Your umbrella."
Hyunwoo looked at her but didn't take it.
"Keep it for today," he said with a faint smile. "It might rain again."
Hana stared at him in surprise but didn't argue. She nodded slightly in the end.
Hyunwoo stepped back. "I'll wait until you go inside," he said with a playful grin.
Hana rolled her eyes but smiled. "Good night, Hyunwoo."
Hyunwoo dipped his head slightly. "Good night, Hana."
As Hana turned toward the door, her heart beat a little faster than usual. Knowing that Hyunwoo was still standing there left a warmth inside her.
The rain had stopped tonight, but something inside Hana was still quietly stirring.