𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈

The classroom was bathed in the fading light of late afternoon, the golden hues streaming through the large windows and pooling across the wooden desks. Dust particles floated lazily in the sunbeams, as if frozen in time. The once-lively chatter of students was now muffled, distant, a faint echo coming from the hallway. Inside the nearly empty room, Minju sat at her desk, her arms folded tightly across its surface, her chin resting on them.

Her eyes lingered on the scene outside the window. A boy and a girl stood by the lockers, talking and laughing freely. The girl tugged lightly at the boy's sleeve, her smile radiant and carefree. The boy leaned in, his expression warm and attentive. Their interaction felt natural, effortless, as if the world around them didn't matter.

Minju's gaze dropped to her hands, her fingers curling slightly into fists. Her breath hitched, and her lips trembled as she exhaled, her chest heavy with unspoken frustration.

"I was so close..." the thought gnawed at her mind. Her face grew warm at the memory of her hand hovering so close to Y/N's. She could still feel the nervous energy coursing through her, the way her heart had raced faster than she thought possible. And then, just like that, the gym teacher's voice had shattered the moment. She'd darted away like a startled bird, too embarrassed to even glance back at him. Her nails pressed lightly into her palms as her shoulders tensed. "Ugh... I can't."

She shut her eyes for a moment, willing herself to suppress the bitter wave of emotions swelling within her. But when she opened them again, her gaze was drawn back to a couple outside, their lighthearted exchange tugging at something deep within her.

"I wish I could behave like that," she thought wistfully, her expression softening. A faint pang of envy flickered in her chest before it was drowned out by the familiar ache of self-doubt.

The sound of the door creaking open broke her reverie. Startled, she straightened, her heart skipping a beat as footsteps approached. She didn't need to look up to know who it was. The rhythm of his steps was too familiar.

Y/N's tall figure came into view as he walked toward her desk. His dark hair caught the golden light, giving him an almost ethereal glow. Yet, his expression was as calm and composed as ever, the slight furrow of his brow the only indication of his intent.

"Minju-ssi," he said softly, his voice cutting through the quiet air like a gentle breeze.

Minju blinked, her hands fumbling as she hurriedly reached for her bag. "Oh, sorry! I'll get ready to go..." Her words came out rushed, her tone uneven.

But Y/N's tone didn't waver. "I'm sorry..."

"...Could you... go home without me today?"

Minju froze. Her hands stilled on her bag's strap, and she finally looked up at him. His gaze was steady, unwavering. She tilted her head slightly, her eyebrows knitting together in concern. "Huh...? Why?"

. "Our teacher asked me to help him with something," Y/n said, his voice came soft, in hope of trying to convey his sincerity. "I don't know when I'll be finished with that."

Minju's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to protest, but she said nothing. Instead, her gaze softened, though a flicker of disappointment clouded her expression..

"I wanted to go home with you, but..." Y/n's voice trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging in the air.

Minju forced herself to meet his eyes, though it felt like the hardest thing she'd done all day. "Don't worry," she said, her tone too bright, too unnatural. "Come on, you should go."

For a moment, he lingered, his hesitation palpable. His mouth opened as if to say something more, but then he closed it again, nodding slightly.

"Okay, then," he said softly, the faintest trace of a smile touching his lips. "Minju-ssi. See you tomorrow."

With that, he turned and walked toward the door. His steps were measured, deliberate, the faint sound of his shoes against the wooden floor echoing in her ears. She watched him until he disappeared through the doorway, her heart sinking as the noise of the hallway swallowed him up.

The room felt impossibly still in his absence. The golden light, once warm and inviting, now seemed heavy and oppressive. Minju slumped back in her seat, her shoulders sagging as her hands fell limply to her lap.

"...He's gone," she whispered to herself, the words barely audible, carried away by the stillness of the empty room.

The late afternoon light was fading fast, painting the hallway in soft golds and deep shadows. Y/N's figure grew smaller in the distance as he walked away, his deliberate steps echoing faintly in the quiet.

Her heart thudded painfully in her chest, his words ringing in her ears like a haunting melody.

"I wanted to go home with you, but..."

She bit her lip, her brows furrowing as she hugged her bag tightly to her chest. The way he had looked at her—earnest yet distant, as if holding something back—lingered in her mind. Her fingers trembled as they gripped the strap of her bag. The warmth in his voice, the softness of his expression, the slight hesitation in his words... it was all so clear now.

Her chest tightened. Why didn't I say anything? Why did I let him leave like that?The regret was suffocating, clawing at her insides until she couldn't stand it anymore. She took one shaky step forward, then another, her breaths coming faster as her legs moved on their own.

Before she knew it, she was running.

The hallway felt endless, the sound of her hurried footsteps bouncing off the walls and mingling with the fading echoes of Y/N's. Her heartbeat roared in her ears, drowning out everything else. The weight of her emotions pushed her forward, even as doubt whispered cruelly in the back of her mind.

What am I doing? What if he doesn't want to hear it?

But the memory of his expression—the faint sadness in his eyes as he turned away—pushed her onward. She couldn't let this end here. She wouldn't.

"Y/N!" she called out, her voice loud and trembling as it cut through the stillness of the empty corridor.

He stopped.

The sound of his footsteps ceased, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Slowly, he turned to face her, his dark eyes wide with surprise. The golden light streaming through the windows framed his figure, making him seem almost unreachable.

Minju threw her herself unto Y/N, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Minju clinged unto Y/n's arm, her knuckles white as he tugged the fabric of his uniform. Her hair, slightly disheveled from the sudden sprint, framed her flushed face as she looked up at him.

"Minju-ssi?" he asked softly, his voice laced with concern, while his expression was calm but questioning.

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat. Her heart pounded so loudly it drowned out her thoughts. For a fleeting moment, her courage wavered, and she looked down, her gaze fixed on the floor.

But then she clenched her fists, forcing herself to meet his eyes. "Y/N," she said, her voice shaky but determined. "I... I changed my mind."

He blinked, his brows furrowing slightly. "Changed your mind?" he echoed, his tone cautious.

Minju's cheeks burned, but she pressed on, her voice growing steadier with each word. "I'll wait. For however long it takes, I'll wait until you're finished." Her grip tightened as she stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. "I don't care how long it is. I'll wait for you."

Y/N's eyes widened, his composure faltering. His lips parted slightly, but no words came. He simply stared at her, as though trying to process the weight of her confession.

"I... I want to go home with you, Y/N," she added, her voice barely above a whisper now. Her hands trembled at her sides, but her gaze never left his. "I'll wait for you. So... don't leave me behind."

Silence hung in the air, stretching between them like a taut string. Her breath hitched as she started to second-guess herself. Had she said too much? Was this too sudden? Minju's heart hammered in her chest as she held her breath, waiting for him to say something—anything.

Y/N finally exhaled, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came at first. He adjusted his glasses, his movements slow and deliberate, as if trying to buy himself time. "Minju-ssi..." he began, his voice soft, almost hesitant. "What are you saying all of a sudden?"

Minju's heart pounded so loudly, she was sure he could hear it. Her hands tightened their grip, and her gaze darted to the floor as her mind raced. "Wh-what?! I mean—!" she stammered, her voice rising in embarrassment. "Forget I said that! I didn't mean it like that! Or maybe I did, but—!"

Her words tumbled out in a frantic rush, and she clasped her hands over her mouth, her face burning with mortification.

Y/N's lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile as he watched her flustered reaction. Her honesty, her vulnerability, it was all... endearing. He reached out, his hand brushing against hers. The simple gesture was enough to make her freeze.

"Minju-ssi," he said gently, his tone steady, like a quiet anchor in the chaos of her emotions.

.

.