The sky was doing that soft, peachy sunset thing when Ha-Joon showed up at Hana's doorstep, project folder awkwardly tucked under his arm. He shifted from foot to foot, lowkey nervous even though it was "just" homework stuff.
Hana opened the door, hair tied up messily, wearing an oversized hoodie that practically screamed comfort over everything.
"You're late," she teased, but her smile was a soft welcome.
"Got lost," Ha-Joon muttered, following her inside, pretending not to notice how his heart was tryna breakdance in his chest.
As they set up their notes at the living room table, something caught Ha-Joon's eye — a little trinket on a nearby shelf.
It was the old, worn-out bracelet — a clumsy thing made of colorful beads — the exact one he had given his childhood friend years ago before they had lost touch.
His brain froze. His soul was doing backflips.
He pointed at it, casual as a cucumber (even though inside he was S C R E A M I N G):
"Hey... what's that?"
Hana glanced at it and smiled, all nostalgic. "Oh, this? It's from a really important friend... someone I met when I was little. I never forgot about him."
WHAM.
Right there, Ha-Joon's heart detonated like a firework factory explosion.
She's the one.
She's been here this whole time.
But he didn't tell her. He swallowed the truth like a secret candy, too sweet and too scary to spit out yet.
Instead, he said something stupid like, "Cool," and Hana laughed because he looked SO awkward, poking at the bracelet like it was gonna bite him.
Cue the cutest mini chaos:
Hana accidentally spilled her juice.
Ha-Joon yelped and jumped back like she'd thrown lava at him.
Hana laughed so hard she snorted, covering her face in embarrassment.
Ha-Joon grinned like an idiot, handing her tissues but missing and dropping the whole box on her head.
"Smooth," Hana said, fake glaring at him.
"You're welcome," Ha-Joon deadpanned, totally milking the moment.
---
Meanwhile...
Across the street, lurking in the shadows like some nosy drama villain, Si-Hun watched Ha-Joon walk into Hana's house.
He clenched his fists, chewing on jealousy like it was old gum.
"What's that guy doing with Hana?!"
---
The Next Day: (Café Scene Time Baby)
After school, Hana and Ha-Joon decided to hit a cozy little café to work more on their project.
It was one of those indie places with fairy lights and lo-fi beats humming through the air.
They snagged a booth by the window. Hana leaned in to show Ha-Joon something on her laptop, and without realizing it, their faces got stupidly close.
Like. STUPIDILY CLOSE!!
Hana's breath tickled his cheek. Ha-Joon's brain pulled the emergency brake.
Abort mission. ABORT. TOO CLOSE.
He blinked down at her, the sunlight hitting her eyes just right, turning them into literal galaxies.
"You've got... uh..." he said, awkwardly pointing at her lip.
Hana blinked. "What?!" She frantically wiped her mouth with her sleeve, full panic mode activated.
Ha-Joon bit back a laugh and leaned in even closer, heart hammering like a drum solo.
"There," he whispered, tapping the corner of her mouth with his thumb... lingering for a split second too long.
Time straight-up froze around them. The universe was just vibing at this point.
Hana sat there, wide-eyed, cheeks blooming like roses on steroids.
Ha-Joon cleared his throat, sitting back, trying to look chill while his insides were playing a whole rock concert.
"I... think we need coffee," Hana mumbled, diving for the menu to hide her face.
Ha-Joon just smiled, knowing — knowing — that whatever this thing between them was?
It wasn't just a childhood memory anymore.
---
Later...
Si-Hun cornered Hana at school, jealousy practically radiating off him.
"You didn't tell me Ha-Joon came over," he said, eyes narrowing.
Hana blinked, confused. "I didn't know I had to report my life to you?"
"Seriously, Hana? You let him into your house?"
"It's for a project!" she shot back, getting defensive.
"You barely even know him—"
"Maybe you don't know him. Or me," Hana snapped, slamming her locker shut.
Si-Hun looked like she slapped him with a dictionary.
Hana walked away, heart pounding — partly from anger... partly from something else she didn't wanna admit yet.
Behind a corner, Ha-Joon watched it all unfold, a complicated storm brewing in his chest.
This... was gonna get messy.
_______________________
END OF EPISODE EIGHT