The courtyard was loud again, chaos of voices, sneakers scuffing concrete, the faint smell of fried food drifting from the cafeteria.
I moved through it like always, hands deep in my pockets, head down. But today, something made me slow my pace.
Ji-Won.
She sat under the shade of a tree near the edge of the courtyard, notebook open, pencil in hand. She wasn't hiding, but she wasn't drawing attention either.
She was just... watching.
I froze for a heartbeat, aware of her gaze even without looking directly.
I kept walking, careful not to meet her eyes.
Min-Soo, as usual, was beside me.
"You've got an audience," he said casually, nodding toward her without breaking stride.
I didn't reply.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't want to acknowledge it.
Ji-Won's eyes widened slightly as we passed nearby. She snapped her notebook shut and looked away quickly, like she'd been caught.
I kept moving, my steps deliberate. Something about her gaze was different, quiet, careful. Not fear, not judgment, not curiosity the way most people looked at me.
Min-Soo nudged me lightly. "Hey, you're staring. Don't tell me someone actually... catches your attention."
I didn't answer.
She shifted again, keeping her distance.
Not following, not leaving.
Just observing.
Min-Soo, of course, didn't leave it alone. "She's been watching you for a while. Bet you didn't even notice."
I glanced at him sharply. "Don't care" I muttered.
He laughed knowingly. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say, loner."
I ignored him, letting my shadow stretch across the courtyard.
Ji-Won peeked from behind her notebook again. Her gaze was brief, cautious, almost apologetic, but she didn't look away completely.
I hated feeling noticed and yet, the fact she was here, quietly paying attention it stuck in my mind.
Min-Soo grinned. "Ah... finally noticing someone besides me, huh?"
I didn't answer. I didn't need to.
Some things, I would let myself notice. Some things, I would keep at a distance.
Ji-Won continued watching, just far enough to not interfere and I kept walking, hands in pockets, head down, maintaining my solitude.
And for the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of curiosity.
Not trust.
Not friendship.