The rain tapped lightly against the classroom windows, a quiet rhythm that should've been
calming. But for Ji-eun, it only deepened the pit in her stomach.
It had been three days since the note on her desk.
Three days of whispers behind her back. Of accidental bumps in the hallway that didn't feel
so accidental. Of Min-ho's eyes tracking her like a shadow she couldn't shake.
She hadn't told anyone about the note not even the teacher. Deep down, she feared it
wouldn't matter. Seoul High was the kind of place where silence was safer than attention.
"Ji-eun," her homeroom teacher said as the final bell rang. "You've been paired with Min-ho
for the literature project."
Her breath caught.
The class snickered.
Even Min-ho, slouched at his desk, raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
The teacher ignored him. "You two will meet in the library during study period. No excuses."
As Ji-eun gathered her things, her hands trembled. Not from fear but from the pressure of
keeping it all inside.
The library smelled like dust and ink. Rows of shelves loomed like silent watchers, casting
long shadows in the golden afternoon light.
Min-ho arrived late.
Of course he did.
He strolled in like the world owed him something, his uniform jacket unbuttoned, his hair
tousled with careless rebellion. He dropped into the chair across from her with a loud sigh,
not bothering to hide his annoyance.
"This is a waste of my time," he said, flipping open the book with a flick of his fingers.
"You're not even going to be here long enough to finish the project."
Ji-eun stiffened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Min-ho didn't look up. "Girls like you transfer in, cry for a week, and disappear. It's a
pattern."
Her voice cracked, but she forced the words out. "I'm not going anywhere."
He looked up then, slowly, his eyes cold and sharp. "Maybe you should."
Silence fell between them like a dropped blade.
Ji-eun clenched her fists beneath the table. "Why do you hate me so much? You don't even
know me."
He scoffed. "I don't need to know you. You're already trying too hard. You walk around like
this school's going to magically accept you if you smile enough. It won't."
She swallowed her anger. "You act like you own this place. But you're just… angry. All the
time."
That hit something.
For a split second, something flashed in his eyes pain, maybe. Or something darker. But it
vanished just as quickly, replaced by his usual smirk.
"You don't get to talk about me," he said, standing. "Finish the stupid project yourself. Or
don't. I don't care."
He turned to walk away, but Ji-eun found her voice.
ou act like no one can hurt you. But I think you're just scared someone will try."
He froze.
The words hung between them, sharp and real.
Without a word, he walked out.
Ji-eun stayed behind, heart pounding, staring at the pages of the open book.
And from the far corner of the library… someone watched.
To be continued…..