When Hana saw Aerin in front of her, she raised an eyebrow slightly. Aerin usually wouldn't come over unless she had something to say. Hana had a feeling this conversation might be about Hyunwoo, but she still waited.
Aerin shoved her hands into her pockets and said casually, "I need to ask you something."
Hana crossed her arms. "Go ahead."
Aerin glanced down for a moment before looking back at Hana. "Are you really happy with Hyunwoo?"
The question stirred something strange inside Hana. "Of course," she answered, but her voice didn't sound convincing.
Aerin tilted her head, a slight smile on her face. "Really? Because you haven't seemed that happy lately."
Hana sighed softly. "What are you trying to say, Aerin? Is there something wrong with Hyunwoo?"
Aerin shrugged. "I think you need to ask yourself that. Is he really the right person for you?"
Hana couldn't answer right away. Lately, some of Hyunwoo's behaviors had been bothering her, but she hadn't spoken about it. Did she really love him?
Aerin took a step closer, her voice softer now. "Just don't lie to yourself, Hana. If something's not right, you have to accept it."
Hana took a deep breath and looked at Aerin. "Why are you saying all this? Is there something I don't know about Hyunwoo?"
Aerin gave a faint smile, but it seemed a little bittersweet this time. "No, it's not about him."
Hana furrowed her brow. "Then what is it about?"
Aerin stayed silent for a few seconds before looking away and giving a small laugh. "Never mind. I was just thinking that sometimes, people can get attached to the wrong person."
A strange feeling stirred within Hana. "Aerin... do you—"
Aerin suddenly turned around. "Forget it, Hana. I was just being thoughtful."
Without wasting any more time, she walked away. Hana stood there, watching her leave, left with new questions forming inside her.
Was she really happy with Hyunwoo? And... why was Aerin acting so differently?
As Hana walked into the school gate, she yawned and adjusted her bag on her shoulder. She was tired. Last night, she had intended to watch just one episode of a show before going to bed, but... she ended up watching four.
Her eyes instinctively scanned the surroundings. Hyunwoo was usually at the school entrance in the mornings, but today, he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Acting like she didn't care, she pulled out her phone. But there were no messages, no calls. She shrugged and paused for a moment. It hadn't been like this before, had it?
Just then, she overheard a few girls from her class:
"Did you notice? Hyunwoo came to our class again."
"He's messing around with Yeji a lot. I think there might be something between them!"
Hana's steps slowed down. She felt a slight squeeze in her chest but quickly shook it off. "That's ridiculous," she muttered to herself. "Just because he talks to someone doesn't mean anything."
As she was battling these thoughts, something nudged her shoulder. Aerin had come up beside her.
"Are you sleep-deprived, or did you do something bad?" she asked with a suspicious expression.
Hana frowned. "Why would I do something bad?"
Aerin shrugged and kept walking. "I don't know, but you look like you've been caught."
"Maybe I feel guilty when I see you?" Hana said dramatically, placing a hand over her chest.
Aerin laughed. "Guilty? Did you accidentally like my posts while stalking me last night and then un-like them?"
Hana rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, I was definitely stalking you."
Aerin smirked. "I'm sure you were."
They both laughed as they entered the classroom. As soon as they stepped inside, Hana scanned the room for Bomin, but she wasn't there. She felt a slight relief as she sat down.
Eunbi was sitting at her desk. When she saw Hana, she hesitated for a moment but then raised an eyebrow. "You look like a mess today."
Hana sat down in her chair and yawned. "I watched four episodes of a show last night," she confessed.
Eunbi rolled her eyes. "You love sabotaging yourself, don't you?"
Just then, Aerin lightly tapped Hana on the head. "You're doing this on purpose," she said.
Hana grimaced and rubbed her head. "Ah, be careful!"
But Aerin's mind was already elsewhere. The moment her fingertips brushed Hana's hair felt like it lasted too long. She quickly pulled her hands back. Even though she acted like she was scolding Hana, her eyes lingered on Hana's face just a little too long.
Hana went on defense. "No! The episodes were shorter than I thought, and before I knew it, it was morning."
Eunbi and Aerin both shook their heads at the same time.
"You're a disaster," Aerin said, laughing.
"I know," Hana muttered to herself.
The three of them smiled faintly, but Aerin glanced at Hana with a look that suggested she was thinking about something, though Hana didn't question it for now.
When the bell rang, a few students were still in the classroom, but most had already left. Hana was straightening the books on her desk when she heard the door open. She looked up and saw Hyunwoo walk in. They locked eyes for a moment, but just as Hana was about to say something, Eunbi interrupted.
"Hyunwoo! Why did you ignore me this morning, huh?" she asked, pretending to pout.
Hyunwoo grinned and turned to her. "Ignore you? You were talking enough for both of us, so I didn't get a chance," he said playfully.
Eunbi slapped the table and pretended to sulk. "What, so I talk too much?"
Hyunwoo laughed. "Did I say that? You said it yourself!"
Eunbi pretended to get mad, grabbed her bag, and lightly hit him with it. "Now get out of here before you drive me crazy!"
Hana watched them and smiled faintly, but she felt a strange unease. Hyunwoo was as playful as ever, but for some reason, the guy who hadn't sent her a message that morning was now chatting cheerfully with Eunbi.
Just as Hyunwoo seemed ready to turn back to Hana, the door opened again. Aerin walked in, and Hyunwoo's attention immediately shifted to her.
"Aerin! I've been waiting for you," Hyunwoo said, walking over to her.
Hana paused for a moment. The Hyunwoo who had been joking with Eunbi was now showing interest in Aerin? She had already been keeping her distance, not wanting to ask about this morning, but now she wasn't sure what she was feeling.
Hyunwoo briefly turned to Hana and said, "We'll talk later," as if he hadn't come in to speak with her just moments ago.
Hana gave a small nod but felt something slowly changing inside her.