Seong ah blush as she listen to his words
Later they walk towards the basketball court room as jiho see them " what's this ? Are you both dating ?" He asks " no--" seong ah words cut off gyeonwoo speak " yes we are dating , seong ah there is no turning back and keeping hide the truth" he says as jiho eyes enlarge
Jiho's eyes widened so much it seemed like the entire world had stopped spinning for him. The basketball slipped from his grasp and bounced away, the echo filling the silent court. He stared at Gyeonwoo, then at Seong-ah, disbelief and hurt flashing across his face.
"Dating…?" Jiho repeated, his voice trembling between anger and heartbreak. "Tell me you're joking."
Seong-ah's lips parted, panic flickering in her eyes. "Jiho, it's not—"
But Gyeonwoo stepped forward, his expression calm but unyielding. His hand slipped into Seong-ah's, holding her fingers firmly. "I meant what I said. We're together. There's no reason to keep it in the shadows anymore."
Seong-ah's heart raced—her face flushed red, caught between embarrassment and the strange thrill of hearing Gyeonwoo's bold declaration. She wanted to say something, to soften the blow for Jiho, but her tongue tied itself in knots.
Jiho's breathing quickened, his fists clenching at his sides. "Seong-ah…" His voice cracked as he searched her face, desperate for denial, desperate for her to shake her head and laugh it off. But she didn't. Her silence screamed louder than words.
"You let this happen?" Jiho asked, his tone breaking into a bitter laugh. "After everything we've been through… you let him take your hand?" His eyes burned with a mix of betrayal and sorrow, darting to where Gyeonwoo's hand rested protectively over hers.
Seong-ah's chest tightened with guilt. "Jiho… I never wanted to hurt you. I—"
But Jiho took a step back, shaking his head, his voice rising. "Don't. Just don't." His eyes glistened with unshed tears as he muttered, "I should've known. From the way you looked at him… the way you always chased after him… I was just—" He swallowed hard, unable to finish, before turning sharply, his footsteps echoing as he stormed out of the court.
Seong-ah instinctively took a step after him, her lips trembling. "Jiho—"
But before she could move, Gyeonwoo's grip tightened around her hand, pulling her back. His voice was low, steady, almost commanding. "Seong-ah. Don't go after him. He has to face this truth on his own."
Her heart twisted painfully, torn between the sorrow of Jiho's broken expression and the warmth of Gyeonwoo's firm hand holding her in place. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "You were too bold… Gyeonwoo."
He leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered with quiet conviction, "Sometimes the truth needs to be bold. I won't let you hide what we are anymore."
Her cheeks flushed crimson again, her heart thudding wildly, as the heavy silence of the empty basketball court wrapped around them.
Jiho stormed out of the basketball court, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the empty hallway like thunder. His heart was burning, but not just from heartbreak—it was anger, betrayal, and something darker he hadn't felt in a long time.
Outside, he leaned against the cold wall, running a hand through his hair, his breathing ragged. How could she… how could she choose him over me? His chest tightened, and for the first time, Jiho felt something unsettling—an unfamiliar weight pressing on his spirit, whispering poisonous thoughts.
---
Back inside the court, Seong-ah stood frozen in Gyeonwoo's arms. The warmth of his grip comforted her, but guilt gnawed at her heart.
"Gyeonwoo," she murmured, glancing toward the doors Jiho had disappeared through, "he… he's my friend. I didn't want him to find out this way."
Gyeonwoo looked down at her, his eyes steady but softened. "Seong-ah, sometimes hiding the truth hurts more than telling it. Jiho would have known eventually."
"But…" She hesitated, biting her lip, her voice trembling. "He looked so broken… like I stabbed him in the back."
Gyeonwoo gently tilted her chin so her eyes met his. "And if you kept pretending? You would've hurt him more in the end. At least now… he knows where your heart belongs."
Her face warmed at his words, but before she could respond, a sudden shiver ran through her body. The air felt colder, heavier, as if the school itself was holding its breath.
---
Meanwhile, Jiho stumbled into the stairwell, gripping the railing tight. His vision blurred with rage and despair. That was when he heard it—a low, mocking voice slithering through his mind.
"Pathetic, isn't it? Watching her smile for someone else…"
Jiho froze, looking around, but no one was there.
"You gave her everything… and she still chose him. Do you want her to regret it, Jiho? Do you want him gone?"
The shadows in the corner of the stairwell seemed to pulse and shift. His chest heaved as the voice grew clearer, more tempting.
"You don't have to stay powerless. Take my hand… and I'll give you the strength to take back what's yours."
Jiho's fist clenched. His mind screamed at him to resist, but his heart—his broken, bleeding heart—longed for relief, for vengeance. Slowly, trembling, he reached toward the shadows.
Jiho sat alone on the stairwell steps, his chest still heaving from everything he had just witnessed. His thoughts spiraled in circles, and then—his lips curved into a faint, bitter smile.
"But he was cool," Jiho muttered to himself, almost like he was trying to convince his breaking heart. "Always calm, always smiling, always the one people looked at… Gyeonwoo was the kind of guy Seong-ah couldn't resist."
The words tasted sour as they left his mouth. He tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling, his throat tightening.
"But what about me? I was always by her side. I protected her, laughed with her, carried her worries like they were mine…" His fists clenched. "And yet… she never looked at me the way she looks at him."
The memory of Seong-ah's blush, the way her lips parted when Gyeonwoo hugged her, pierced straight into his chest.
That same mocking voice returned, low and slick like oil dripping into his ear.
"Because you were never enough, Jiho. You tried so hard, but in the end, you were just her shadow. Do you want to be her shadow forever?"
Jiho shut his eyes tightly, nails digging into his palms. "No… I don't…" he whispered hoarsely.
"Then stop admiring him. Stop calling him cool. Crush him. Show her who really deserves her heart."
For a moment, Jiho's heart raced as if caught between two cliffs—one side whispering rage, the other side whispering loyalty. His breathing grew sharp, heavy, unstable.
Slowly, his lips curved into a broken smirk. "Maybe… maybe it's time I stop being the nice guy."
The shadows around him stirred, faintly rippling as if they had been waiting for his answer.
The street was quiet as the evening sun painted the sky in shades of orange and purple. Gyeonwoo and Seong-ah walked side by side, their fingers still laced together until she tugged slightly, her cheeks flushed.
"Gyeonwoo… I think we can separate our hands now," Seong-ah murmured softly, glancing around as if worried someone might see.
For a moment, Gyeonwoo just looked at her, his grip lingering as though reluctant to let go. Then, with a small exhale, he loosened his hand from hers.
"Alright," he said quietly, though his voice carried a faint trace of disappointment.
The warmth of his hand left her palm, and Seong-ah instinctively rubbed her fingers together, almost missing the comfort. She quickly looked away, pretending not to notice the small pang in her chest.
"See?" she said, forcing a light tone. "It's better this way. If people see us, they'll really start spreading rumors."
Gyeonwoo tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly. "So… are you worried about the rumors? Or… are you worried because it's me?"
Seong-ah froze for a second, her lips parting but no words coming out. She bit her lower lip, searching for an answer, but Gyeonwoo just gave a faint smile, stepping ahead of her.
"Don't think too hard," he said, his voice gentler now. "Even if our hands let go… I'm not letting you go that easily, Seong-ah."
Her heart skipped, and she slowed her steps, watching his back as he walked toward his home. A small, shy smile curved on her lips.
Gyeonwoo's arm was firm around Seong-ah's waist, pulling her just close enough that her breath caught. Their faces inched nearer, hearts racing, the world narrowing to just the two of them—
When the screech of tires tore through the air.
Jiho's bicycle wobbled wildly before toppling to the ground with a clang. He stumbled, scraped but determined, and rushed toward them, panting heavily. His eyes locked on Seong-ah, desperation written all over his face.
"Seong-ah!" he called, his voice breaking.
Startled, she stepped slightly away from Gyeonwoo, though his hand still hovered protectively at her side.
"What happened, Jiho? Are you okay?" she asked, concern flickering across her face.
Jiho's chest heaved, his fists clenching as he blurted out, "I wanted to tell you something before it's too late."
Both Gyeonwoo and Seong-ah froze, their eyes fixed on him.
Jiho swallowed hard, his voice trembling but firm as he took a step closer.
"I love you, Seong-ah."
Her eyes widened, shock rendering her speechless.
"…What?" she whispered, almost not believing she heard right.
Jiho's gaze wavered but he pushed on, louder this time, his emotions spilling out.
"I said I love you! I've loved you for a long time, Seong-ah. Not as a friend, not as just someone I grew up with… but more than that."
The air turned heavy between the three of them. Gyeonwoo's expression darkened instantly, his jaw tight as he pulled Seong-ah subtly closer to his side. Seong-ah's heart thumped erratically, caught between shock and confusion.
Jiho's eyes, however, were filled only with her. "Please… tell me I still have a chance."
Later that evening, the heavy tension from earlier hadn't completely faded. Seong-ah found herself sitting across from Jiho in a quiet corner of the park, where the breeze carried the soft rustle of leaves. Gyeonwoo wasn't around—he had left them alone after Seong-ah insisted she needed to hear Jiho out.
Jiho sat hunched forward, elbows resting on his knees, his hands fidgeting nervously. His eyes stayed fixed on the ground before he finally lifted them, his voice quiet but filled with raw honesty.
"Seong-ah… from the very first day I met you, I knew you were different. The way you spoke, the way you smiled… it just… it stayed with me."
Seong-ah blinked, her lips parting slightly, unsure of how to respond.
Jiho let out a shaky breath, pressing his hand against his chest.
"I fell in love with you then. But I—" he paused, his throat tightening, "I was scared. Scared that if I told you, I'd lose you forever. You were more than just someone I liked. You were my closest friend. And I couldn't risk breaking that."
His words hung in the air, heavy with years of unspoken feelings. Seong-ah lowered her gaze, her heart aching at the vulnerability in his voice.
"Jiho…" she whispered softly.
He leaned closer, his voice trembling as he continued, "I thought maybe, if I stayed by your side, it would be enough. That maybe someday… you'd notice me. But then I saw you with Gyeonwoo, and—" his voice cracked, "it felt like the ground was slipping away beneath me. I couldn't hold it in anymore."
For a long moment, silence lingered between them. Seong-ah could see the sincerity in his eyes, the years of bottled-up emotions spilling over now. Her heart was conflicted—she didn't want to hurt him, but she couldn't ignore the truth either.
She finally exhaled, her voice soft but steady.
"Jiho… I never knew you felt this way. You've always been so kind, so protective. But…" she hesitated, glancing down at her hands, "things are… complicated now."
Jiho's expression faltered, but he nodded slowly, bracing himself for the words he feared most.
Seong-ah's eyes widened as Jiho's words sank in. She slowly turned her head, and there he was—Gyeonwoo, standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable. His hands were tucked into his pockets, but his sharp gaze was fixed on Jiho, and the air grew thick with tension.
Jiho gave a small, bitter laugh, shaking his head. "See? The situation is at its worst. I confessed to you… right in front of him." He glanced at Gyeonwoo, then back at Seong-ah, his voice trembling. "Have you ever seen a second lead confess in front of his rival? It's pathetic, isn't it? I must look like the biggest fool right now."
Seong-ah's chest tightened at his words, her heart pounding as she glanced between the two boys. "Jiho…" she murmured softly, not knowing what to say.
Gyeonwoo finally stepped forward, his tone calm but edged with something deeper. "You don't look like a fool, Jiho. You just look… late."
Jiho's jaw clenched, his knuckles tightening around his knees. "Yeah… late. That's exactly what I am, isn't it?" His voice cracked with the weight of frustration and regret.
Seong-ah looked down at her hands, feeling the storm brewing between them. She wanted to ease the pain in Jiho's words, but at the same time, she couldn't deny the way her heart had already chosen Gyeonwoo.
Jiho leaned back, letting out a shaky sigh. "You don't have to say anything, Seong-ah. I already know the answer. I just… couldn't keep it inside anymore. Even if it makes me look stupid in front of him."
The silence that followed was heavy, the three of them bound by the truth none of them could escape.
Seong-ah dusted her skirt as she stood up with a dramatic sigh.
"Okay, enough of this! We'll talk again after we deal with Bongsu. Then maybe the situation will finally calm down."
But in the process of standing, her hand slipped free from Gyeonwoo's. The sudden distance made Gyeonwoo frown slightly, though he didn't say anything.
Bongsu, leaning lazily against the table with a smirk, clapped his hands. "Wait, wait, wait. Shaman—give me just ten minutes here." His eyes flicked toward Jiho, who was still sulking like a kicked puppy. "Jiho, you think you're a fool, right? Wrong! You're not a fool… you're a massive pushover."
"WHAT?!" Jiho's face turned red like a tomato, and he immediately sprang to his feet, fists clenched. "Say that again, you punk!"
"Oh-ho, look at this," Bongsu taunted, putting his hands behind his back like a teacher scolding a student. "About to fight a spirit? With those chicken arms? You can't even do ten push-ups without crying!"
Jiho's eyes nearly popped out. "I'll show you push-ups—on your face!" He charged forward, ready to swing, but before his fist could fly, Seong-ah panicked.
"Ahhh! Not again!!" she squealed, grabbing Gyeonwoo's wrist. Without another word, she yanked him with surprising strength and bolted around the table, dragging him behind her.
"Seong-ah! Wait—" Gyeonwoo stumbled, nearly tripping over a chair as they looped around. "Can we not turn this into a marathon?!"
"Shut up and run!" Seong-ah shouted, her braid flying behind her like a flag.
Behind them, Jiho chased after Bongsu, who was casually sidestepping every punch like he was in a dance competition. "Left, right, left—oh! Too slow! Even my grandma hits harder than this!" Bongsu jeered, laughing hysterically.
Jiho growled in frustration, lunging again. Meanwhile, Gyeonwoo and Seong-ah kept circling the table in chaos, knocking books and pens onto the floor.
"Are we training for the Olympics or escaping from a ghost?" Gyeonwoo complained, still being dragged in circles.
"Both!!" Seong-ah yelled, sweat forming on her forehead.
Finally, Bongsu hopped up onto the table, grinning down at the chaos like a king watching peasants scramble. "This is amazing! Who needs TV when I have you three clowns? Seong-ah dragging Gyeonwoo like a ragdoll, Jiho flailing like a broken windmill—ah, truly, the drama of youth."
"BONGSU!" Seong-ah snapped mid-run, glaring at him while still pulling Gyeonwoo along. "If you don't shut up, I'll—AHHH!" She tripped on a chair leg and tumbled forward, dragging Gyeonwoo down with her in a comedic heap.
Both landed on the ground, groaning. Gyeonwoo rubbed his head. "Seong-ah… this is the worst battlefield strategy ever."
Bongsu clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he nearly fell off the table. "Oh man, I take it back—you're not clowns. You're a whole circus troupe!"
The classroom had that sleepy, after-lunch vibe. Hyerii was up front with her pointer stick, enthusiastically explaining her slides on "The Importance of Ancient Traditions," while half the class pretended to take notes.
Meanwhile, in the back row—Seong-ah and Gyeonwoo were in their own little bubble.
"Psst," Gyeonwoo whispered, leaning closer. "Your handwriting looks like hieroglyphics."
Seong-ah gasped. "What?! These are perfectly legible hearts and stars! Don't disrespect art!"
They both giggled quietly, their heads almost touching. Jiho, sitting diagonally behind them, narrowed his eyes. Great. Just great. Lovebirds in their own romantic drama while I'm stuck in a tragedy. He tapped his pen aggressively, glaring at the back of Gyeonwoo's head like it was his mortal enemy.
Up front, Hyerii finished her slide with flair. "—and that concludes why rice cakes are the ultimate cultural symbol. Thank you!" She bowed, then smoothed her skirt.
As the bell rang, she strutted confidently toward Do Doyeon, who was busy doodling in her notebook. Hyerii stopped dramatically in front of her.
"Do Doyeon."
Doyeon blinked, confused. "Uh… yes?"
"Thank you for today." Hyerii placed a hand on her shoulder, her tone dropping to something that sounded like a K-drama goodbye scene. "But we must never see each other again."
The whole class froze. Even Jiho, still sulking, glanced up.
"And yet—" Hyerii leaned closer with a mischievous smile. "I want to give you a goodbye gift."
Doyeon tilted her head. "What gift—AHHHHHHHHHH!" she yelped as Hyerii suddenly grabbed her hair and started splitting it into two ponytails.
"Why don't you ever tie your hair up? It stinks—literally. I can't sit behind you without gagging!" Hyerii declared, pulling a rubber band from nowhere and yanking one side tight.
"YAHHH! My scalp! This is scalp abuse!!" Doyeon flailed, trying to escape, but Hyerii had the strength of ten determined hairstylists.
The class erupted into laughter, some students chanting, "Pigtails! Pigtails!"
Just then—the classroom door slammed open.
Kim Jun-ung entered, looking like a man haunted. His eyes scanned the room, unfocused, until they landed on Doyeon. His jaw dropped.
"…Bok-i…?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
Before anyone could react, he sprinted forward like an Olympic athlete, shoving Hyerii aside so hard she stumbled into the whiteboard.
"HEY!" Hyerii shrieked.
But Jun-ung didn't hear. His eyes were locked on Doyeon, whose freshly made pigtails bobbed helplessly. He grabbed her shoulders, shaking her dramatically.
"It's you! You're back! My Bok-i!" Tears streamed down his face like a burst faucet.
"WHAT?! Who's Bok-i?! I'm Do Doyeon! And stop shaking me, I'm not a maraca!!" Doyeon squealed.
Ignoring her, Jun-ung dropped to his knees, clutching his chest. "Even your wallpaper—!" He snatched up Doyeon's phone from her desk, showing the screen to everyone. "It's Bok-i! Look! They're the same!!"
The class gasped. Some students leaned closer, whispering like it was the biggest gossip of the decade.
Meanwhile, Doyeon tried to pry him off, her new pigtails sticking out like antennas. "HELLO?! Security?? This crying man is harassing me!!"
Jun-ung suddenly hugged her waist tightly, sobbing into her uniform. "Don't leave me again, Bok-i!!"
The class roared with laughter, desks shaking. Even Jiho forgot his sulking and nearly choked on his water bottle.
Seong-ah leaned over to Gyeonwoo, whispering through her giggles. "This is better than Netflix."
Gyeonwoo smirked. "Nah. This is better than our love story."
Seong-ah punched his arm lightly, blushing. "Yah! Don't say that!"
And in the corner, Hyerii, still rubbing the spot where she got shoved, muttered darkly, "First my hairstyle gets stolen, now my dramatic moment. Ugh. I need new classmates."
The classroom was already in chaos. Half the students were on their desks filming with their phones, the other half were screaming and laughing.
Do Doyeon, her pigtails wobbling, tried to pry Jun-ung off. "I SAID I'M NOT BOK-I!! LET GO OF MY WAIST BEFORE I FILE A COMPLAINT!"
Jun-ung only sobbed louder, snot and tears dripping. "Lies!! Your hair! Your face! Even the way you roll your eyes—it's all Bok-i!!"
"WHAT KIND OF COMPLIMENT IS THAT?!" Doyeon screeched, dragging herself across the floor with Jun-ung still clinging to her like a baby koala.
Hyeri stomped her foot furiously. "YA! KIM JUN-UNG! You ruined my dramatic scene! And you shoved me in front of everyone! Do you know what that does to my reputation?!"
Jun-ung ignored her, still crying. "I lost you once, I won't lose you again!!"
At that point, the teacher walked in—Mr. Kang, already exhausted from dealing with this class every day. He stopped at the doorway, staring blankly at the sight:
Hyeri fuming with one broken pigtail elastic in her hand.
Doyeon crawling across the floor with a grown boy glued to her waist.
Jun-ung bawling like a toddler.
Jiho choking with laughter while Seong-ah tried to cover his mouth.
Half the class screaming "KISS! KISS!" like this was some cheap reality show.
Mr. Kang rubbed his temples. "...It's third period. Why do I feel like I've lived through three seasons of a K-drama already?"
"TEACHER!" Doyeon shrieked, reaching out desperately. "SAVE ME FROM THIS LUNATIC!"
Mr. Kang sighed. "Kim Jun-ung. Hands off your classmate. Now."
Jun-ung looked up, eyes wild. "But, sir! She's Bok-i! My long-lost—"
"Hands. Off."
With the aura of a scolded child, Jun-ung finally let go. Doyeon scrambled to her feet, dusting herself off, her twin ponytails sticking out in opposite directions like broken antennas.
"Look what you did to my hair!!" she yelled, pointing at him.
The class roared even harder, some students clutching their stomachs.
Jun-ung, however, was still unconvinced. He sniffled, pointing at her wallpaper again. "No one can convince me otherwise. You are Bok-i."
"NO, I'M DO-DOYEON! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY IT?!"
Just then, the bell rang for break time. Before anyone could escape, Jun-ung stood dramatically on a desk, pointing at Doyeon.
"FROM TODAY—DO DOYEON IS MY DESTINY! WHETHER SHE ACCEPTS IT OR NOT!"
The class erupted into wild cheers and laughter. Doyeon nearly fainted from embarrassment. Hyeri stormed out, muttering curses under her breath. Jiho wheezed so hard he fell off his chair, while Seong-ah and Gyeonwoo clapped like it was the best show on earth.
Even Mr. Kang, pinching the bridge of his nose, muttered, "I should've become a farmer instead."
Meanwhile, far from the noisy school corridors, the atmosphere turned heavy and sacred.
Yeomhwa sat on her knees in front of the Mother Goddess's altar, her shoulders trembling as silent tears streamed down her face. The dim light of candles flickered against the stone walls, shadows of the deity's statues stretching long and haunting. The scent of burning incense thickened the air, wrapping the room in a solemn stillness.
The Mother Goddess, robed in white silk with golden embroidery, raised her hands above Yeomhwa's head. Her voice rang deep and steady as she chanted ancient incantations, the rhythm of her words echoing like a heartbeat.
The ceremonial drum at her side pulsed slowly—thoom... thoom... thoom—matching the racing of Yeomhwa's heart.
"Child of destiny," the Mother Goddess intoned, sprinkling sacred water over Yeomhwa's bowed head. "Your tears carry the weight of lifetimes. But know this—suffering does not shatter you, it sharpens you. The heavens are listening."
Yeomhwa sobbed harder, her palms pressed tightly together. "But Mother... why me? Why do I bear this burden? Why must the past chains follow me into this life?"
The Goddess placed a gentle hand on her hair, her eyes glimmering with both sorrow and divine fire. "Because, Yeomhwa, you are the thread that binds fate. Without you, both love and tragedy will fall into chaos."
Yeomhwa lifted her tear-stained face, trembling. "Then... am I doomed to lose everything again?"
The candles flickered violently as though the question itself angered the heavens. The Goddess's lips curved into the faintest of knowing smiles.
"Doomed? No. Tested? Yes."
The drumbeat quickened, the flames rising higher. The Mother Goddess closed her eyes, chanting stronger, and Yeomhwa felt a surge of warmth flooding her chest, like the very heavens had kissed her heart.
Her tears slowed, but her fear remained.
And far away, unknowingly tied to her fate—Gyeonwoo and Seong-ah's laughter echoed through the school halls, oblivious to the storm about to weave their lives together.
The candles dimmed after the last chant, smoke curling into strange shapes. Yeomhwa wiped her tears with the sleeve of her robe, her breath still unsteady. Just then, the sound of wooden beads clinking echoed from the doorway.
Do Ryeong stepped in slowly, his staff tapping lightly against the floor. His sharp eyes softened as they landed on Yeomhwa.
Do Ryeong: "So… the Mother Goddess has finally revealed a piece of your fate, hasn't she?"
Yeomhwa (startled, glancing at him): "Ryeong… how long have you been listening?"
Do Ryeong (smirks faintly): "Long enough to know you're still doubting yourself. You always do." He walks closer, circling her like he's studying her aura. "But the heavens don't make mistakes, Yeomhwa. You were chosen."
Yeomhwa (voice trembling): "Chosen? Or cursed? Tell me honestly, Ryeong. Why me? Why is it always me who carries the burden? Why must I be tied to their fates—Gyeonwoo, Seong-ah, Jiho? None of them even know the weight I bear."
Do Ryeong lowered his staff, his expression shifting from teasing to solemn.
Do Ryeong: "Because… you are the bridge. You're not meant to live an ordinary life. Without you, the cycle cannot break." He leaned closer, his tone quieter, almost pained. "And yet… I hate it. I hate that you suffer for a destiny none of us can control."
Yeomhwa's eyes widened at the rare crack in his calm demeanor.
Yeomhwa: "Ryeong… are you saying you pity me?"
Do Ryeong chuckled under his breath, shaking his head.
Do Ryeong: "Pity? No. I respect you. More than anyone. But if fate ever asks me to choose between watching you break… or breaking fate itself…" He paused, his eyes locking with hers, dark and burning. "…then I'll choose to defy the heavens."
Yeomhwa gasped softly, her chest tightening—not with fear, but with something she hadn't felt in a long time.
The silence between them thickened, broken only by the faint crackle of the candles.
Yeomhwa (whispers): "You'd risk everything… for me?"
Do Ryeong (leans back with a sly grin, masking his seriousness): "Tch. Don't flatter yourself, Yeomhwa. I just like making the gods angry."
But his eyes betrayed him—he meant every word.
The classroom was buzzing with chatter, but in the corner seat by the window, Gyeonwoo and Seong-ah had made their own little world. Their fingers were laced together on the desk, and though they tried to act casual, the small smiles on their faces betrayed them.
Seong-ah tried writing notes with her free right hand, but the tug on her fingers made her glance at Gyeonwoo.
Seong-ah (teasing): "You can let go for just a second, you know."
Gyeonwoo (shaking his head stubbornly): "No. If I let go, someone else might steal you away."
Seong-ah laughed under her breath, cheeks warming. She looked at his notebook and nearly burst out laughing. His left hand scrawls looked like tangled worms.
Seong-ah: "Wow, are you trying to write or invent a new language?"
Gyeonwoo (pouting): "Hey! I'm left-handed-handicapped, alright? This is true love—struggling just to write the date next to you."
She shook her head, amused, and leaned over, guiding his hand with hers, their joined fingers moving across the page. Their classmates sneaked glances, some whispering, some smirking.
By lunchtime, the two were still glued together. They sat across from each other in the cafeteria, trays between them, but their hands stubbornly stayed linked.
Seong-ah (trying to lift her spoon awkwardly): "This is ridiculous. How are we supposed to eat like this?"
Gyeonwoo (grinning): "Easy. I'll feed you, and you feed me."
Before she could protest, he scooped a bite of rice and held it to her lips. Her eyes darted around at the stares, but she opened her mouth anyway, chewing while glaring at him.
Seong-ah: "You're enjoying this way too much."
Gyeonwoo (softly, leaning closer): "Of course. I get to hold your hand and make you smile at the same time."
Seong-ah looked down quickly, her ears turning red. Meanwhile, Jiho, sitting a few tables away, dropped his chopsticks in defeat.
Jiho (thinking bitterly): "Not only am I the third wheel… I'm going to starve just watching this drama unfold.
The cafeteria buzz grew louder as people noticed the "handcuffed couple" trying to survive lunch. A group of students at the next table started whispering and giggling.
Classmate 1: "Are they seriously eating like that?!"
Classmate 2: "That's not love, that's… survival training."
Classmate 3: "At this point, even married couples would've given up."
Seong-ah groaned and buried her face in her hand, but Gyeonwoo only smirked proudly, raising their joined hands like a trophy.
Gyeonwoo: "What can I say? Commitment."
At that exact moment, Jiho slammed his tray on their table and sat down dramatically.
Jiho: "For the love of kimchi… can you two at least pretend you're in public? People are choking on their food over there!"
Seong-ah tried to pull her hand away out of embarrassment, but Gyeonwoo only tightened his grip, glaring at Jiho with a victorious grin.
Gyeonwoo: "Why? Are you jealous?"
Jiho (snorting): "Jealous? Ha! I'm not jealous. I just don't want to be the guy who dies from secondhand cringe. That's all."
Seong-ah bit her lip, trying not to laugh, while Gyeonwoo leaned across the table with mock seriousness.
Gyeonwoo: "It's okay, Jiho. Not everyone can find true love. Some of us… just get to watch it happen."
Jiho stabbed at his food aggressively.
Jiho (thinking): This guy is enjoying making me miserable.
Then, just to make things worse, Gyeonwoo took a piece of meat, held it up to Seong-ah's lips, and said loudly:
Gyeonwoo: "Say ahhh~"
Seong-ah blushed furiously as the entire table erupted in "Oooohs" and laughter. She quickly ate it to make him stop, but that only made things worse—classmates started clapping and whistling.
Meanwhile, Jiho stood up, exasperated.
Jiho: "That's it. I'm transferring schools. No, I'm moving to another country!"
He stormed off dramatically, but not before tripping over someone's bag and face-planting, sending the cafeteria into hysterics.
Seong-ah covered her face, torn between embarrassment and laughter, while Gyeonwoo leaned closer and whispered with a grin:
Gyeonwoo: "See? Even the universe ships us."