Morning came too fast.
Tahee didn't wait.
She left early.
Too early.
"…No way I'm staying for that."
The house was still quiet when she slipped out.
No breakfast.
No conversation.
No Su-ho.
"…Good."
For once—
She felt ahead.
The college gates came into view.
Familiar.
Safe.
Or at least—
Safer.
She walked in, shoulders relaxing slightly.
"…Finally."
Students filled the campus.
Normal noise.
Normal movement.
Not watching her.
Not testing her.
"…This is better."
She exhaled softly.
Then—
"Running away?"
Her steps stopped.
Slowly—
She turned.
Asher.
Standing a few feet away.
Like he had been there all along.
"…Of course." She mumbled.
Tahee forced a small smile.
"I came early."
"…Don't start."
Asher stepped closer.
Not too close.
Just enough.
"Early… or avoiding something?"
Silence.
Tahee held his gaze.
"…Does it matter?"
"…It does."
A faint pause followed.
Then—
Asher tilted his head slightly.
Watching her.
Carefully.
"You look different today."
Tahee frowned slightly.
"How?"
A pause.
Asher's lips curved faintly.
"Quieter."
Silence.
"…Because I'm thinking."
Another pause.
"…Too much."
Asher's expression didn't change.
But something in his eyes did.
Like he had heard enough.
Like he always did.
Tahee looked away first.
"…Not here."
"…I need to be careful here."
But even that thought—
Didn't feel private anymore.
Asher stepped back.
Creating distance.
But not leaving.
Instead—
He said quietly:
"You should go back."
Tahee looked at him.
"…What?"
A pause.
His gaze didn't waver.
"You're avoiding the wrong place."
Silence.
Tahee's fingers tightened.
And for the first time—
She wasn't sure which was worse.
Facing Su-ho—
Or staying here.