Hana entered her room and set her bag aside. The thoughts that had been bothering her all day still wouldn't leave her alone. Hyunwoo's words, Seoyun's attitude, and what Hyunwoo's friend had said… Everything felt like it was piling up.
After lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling for a while, she received a message from Gaeun:
Gaeun: "Shall we do something after class tomorrow? It'll take your mind off things."
Hana smiled slightly. As always, Gaeun was the one who understood her best.
Hana: "Sure, good idea. We'll talk at school tomorrow."
She put her phone aside and closed her eyes, thinking about the moment when Hyunwoo had handed her the chocolate. Just then, a notification sound made her open her eyes again. A message from Hyunwoo:
Hyunwoo: "Are you asleep?"
Hana hesitated for a moment before replying:
Hana: "Not yet. You?"
Hyunwoo replied within seconds:
Hyunwoo: "Not yet. I was just wondering… Did I really upset you today?"
Hana paused. Had she really been upset? What she felt was a mix of jealousy and worry.
Hana: "A little. But I guess you made up for it with the chocolate."
Hyunwoo's response came immediately:
Hyunwoo: "Just with chocolate? Are you that easy?"
Hana rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling.
Hana: "Of course not. But you can keep trying."
Hyunwoo didn't reply for a few seconds, then another message popped up:
Hyunwoo: "Then let me walk you home tomorrow. As a way to make it up to you."
Hana's heart skipped a beat. She liked that Hyunwoo paid attention to small things like this.
Hana: "Okay, but don't say anything ridiculous on the way."
Hyunwoo's response was quick:
Hyunwoo: "I can't promise that."
Hana laughed as she read the message and put her phone aside. The uneasiness inside her had been replaced by a pleasant excitement. Maybe everything would be okay.
The Next Day
Hana groggily opened her eyes when her alarm rang. Rubbing them, she pulled back the curtains—the sky was a bit cloudy, but it didn't look cold. She quickly got ready and went downstairs to the kitchen. Her mother was making breakfast.
"How's the weather today?" her mother asked.
Hana glanced outside. "Cloudy, but it doesn't seem like it'll rain."
Her mother smiled. "Then don't forget to take your umbrella, just in case."
Hana nodded, grabbed her bag, and left the house. On her way to school, she met up with Gaeun.
"I'm so sleepy today," Gaeun mumbled, yawning.
Hana laughed. "Just don't fall asleep in class and get caught."
Both of them chuckled as they continued walking to school. When they reached the entrance, a crowd caught their attention.
"What's going on over there?" Gaeun asked.
Hana looked toward where the students had gathered. It seemed like someone was arguing, but she couldn't see who.
Just as she was about to continue walking, a familiar voice called out.
"Hana!"
She stopped in her tracks and turned toward the voice. Standing there was someone she hadn't expected to see. Her heart suddenly sped up.
Aerin.
He was tall, his black hair slightly messy, yet he still carried his usual cool aura. His school uniform was worn loosely, and his hands were in his pockets. His face held its usual calm and slightly indifferent expression, but his eyes were locked onto Hana.
"We need to talk," Aerin said, his voice as serious and commanding as ever.
Hana hesitated. Aerin usually didn't interact much with others, often seeming lost in his own world. But now, he had directly stopped her to talk.
"Why?" she asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Aerin took a deep breath and glanced around. "Not here. Let's go somewhere quieter."
A strange feeling settled in Hana's chest. Why did Aerin want to talk to her privately? Was this about Hyunwoo, or was it something completely different?