"Hey."
Irina turned to the voice.
A girl stood there holding a neatly folded gym uniform.
"Gym uniform… want to borrow mine?"
Irina's eyes widened. "Really!? Thank you!! I'll wear it carefully!!"
"Yeah," the girl Hai-an nodded casually.
"When's your next P.E. class?" she asked as Irina carefully took the uniform from her hands.
Irina held it like a treasure. "Want me to wash it before I return it to you?"
"Nah, it's okay," Hai-an waved it off.
Irina thanked her again, practically bowing, then ran out to the hallway, waving the uniform above her head.
"Seolhyo!! I got one!! Hurry up and change!"
Inside the classroom, Hong Aera watched her go, then slowly shifted her eyes to Hai-an beside her arms crossed, brow raised.
"…Why?" she asked.
"Huh?" Hai-an blinked.
"Why bother lending it to her? You're not even close with her, yet…"
Hai-an just shrugged, a tiny smile tugging at her lips.
. "…She looked pitiful."
Hong Aera scoffed. "Huh? Seriously, Hai-an… you're disgustingly kind."
-
Weekend came.
Kwangwoon stood in front of the full-body mirror, tugging at the collar of his light-colored short-sleeve polo. The striped trimming brushed his neck uncomfortably.
I should wear this. The collars are a bit uncomfortable though.
He sighed, smoothing the fabric anyway.
Cargo shorts, neat hair, clean sneakers.
"...It's the clothes Rina likes. I'll just endure it."
As he turned, a familiar cardboard tube on the floor caught his eye.
He picked it up, unrolled the poster carefully.
Dust scattered into the air.
Inside was the many congratulatory note for their 100th day signatures, messages, and a well drawn of him and Irina together in the center.
He stared at it quietly.
It's already been over a hundred days… I was really touched when she gave this.
His grip tightened on the edges.
..Lets just think about Rina.
..Eyes only on Rina.
..Only Rina.
Just then
BZZZT.
His slider phone vibrated in his pocket.
He glanced at the caller ID, recognized the number, and his face stiffened not nervous, but… slightly flustered.
Meanwhile, in Irina room
Irina admired her reflection, turning left and right in front of the mirror.
She wore a white T-shirt under a sleeveless denim pinafore dress, the deep blue color.
"Hehe! It looks pretty, right? Good purchase as expected!" She twirled lightly.
BZZZZT.
She froze, head snapping toward her flip phone on the desk.
"Ah Is that oppa? Is he done getting ready?"
She flipped it open with a smile…
…and the moment she saw the message, her bright mood turned downcast in an instant..
Her fingers, still holding the phone, slowly lowered.
-
Not long after, Irina called Seolhyo and Jinkyung to hangout.
Jinkyung lounged on the couch, legs stretched out, while Irina sat cross-legged beside her, hugging a stuffed toy.
Irina grumbled, cheeks puffed out. "Ugh… Seolhyo said she's with Seojin. Must be nice…"
Jinkyung mumbled under her breath, "Now that she has a boyfriend, she's ditching us."
Then she shot Irina a sideways glance. "Anyway must be a bummer, huh? Not being able to go on your date today."
Irina swung the stuffed toy onto her lap with a pout. "Exactly! But what can I do? He said his grandma's sick."
Jinkyung raised a brow. "There's seriously no one else to take care of her except him?"
"I… don't know," Irina muttered. "I didn't ask for the details. He's probably really worried."
She pushed herself up from the couch."I'm starving. Let's go eat jjajangmyeon."
-
Kwangwoon glanced at Hai-an as they walked together.
"…Where are we going? Did you eat yet?" he asked
"Not yet," Hai-an replied brightly. "Let's go eat!"
Kwangwoon nodded, though his stomach twisted with guilt.
What am I doing…? I was supposed to go on a date with Rina today.
"Don't you want to eat anything in particular? There's gotta be something you're craving."
"Anything's fine," Hai-an shrugged. "Really. I'll eat whatever."
Kwangwoon's thoughts churned.I lied… said my grandma was sick. If I hang around Yongin today, someone might see me.
I even considered going all the way to Suwon Station just to be safe…What the hell am I doing?
"Hm… then choose between Rabokki and spaghetti," he said, trying to stay focused.
"Then…" Hai-an smiled softly, "the one oppa likes."
"No pick one," he muttered.
"Uhh… then spaghetti?" she decided.
Hai-an sneaked a glance at his hand.
Her cheeks reddened as she hesitated, fingers twitching.
Slowly she reached out, her fingertips brushing the back of his hand.
"If I hold his hand while walking… is that going too far?"
Kwangwoon flinched slightly, heart jumping.
His face turned red instantly, and he swallowed hard.
"…Do whatever you want," he muttered under his breath.
Hai-an's fingers closed around his hand.
And he didn't pull away.
-
Meanwhile.
Seolhyo glanced at her flip phone, that keep vibrating nonstop with calls and messages.She frowned. "…Why does she keep calling and texting me?"
She finally answered, irritation spilling through her voice."What do you want Im busy?"
While she talked, I carefully blew on the steaming kimchi jjigae, cooling down a spoonful before raising it toward her lips.
She ended the call with a sigh, then leaned forward and opened her mouth without thinking.
I watched her eat the spoonful, then asked,"What did Irina say?"
"She said she wants to hang out," Seolhyo muttered, already annoyed.
"Then let's go after we eat."
She blinked at me. "…Is that okay? We're on a date."
I chuckled and leaned in, noticing a bit of broth at the corner of her lips.
I wiped it gently with my thumb before she could react.
"We're just walking around anyway," I said. "It's fine."
Her cheeks reddened just a little.
Then, trying to cover it up, she scooped up a piece of tofu, blew on it softly, and held the spoon out to me.
"Okay… try this."
I leaned forward and obediently opened my mouth, which made her lips twitch into a tiny smile before she looked away.
-
Irina sat at the park bench with Jinkyung in front of them are Park Dong and Suwon.
"Billiard hall?"
"We've never been there," Jinkyung said immediately.
"Arcade then,"
Irina slumped back, twirling a strand of hair. "It's always the arcade. And there's nothing new to play."
"Then its the karaoke, I guess?"
Irina shot her a deadpan look. "Do you want to destroy our eardrums?"
Park Dong's eyebrow twitched. "What the fuck, then? Why did you even call us here? What do you even do when hanging out together, huh?"
"We just hang around"
Park Dong, arms crossed "What the hell We should have just go to the pc bang as planned with our classmates, this is a waste of time"
"Then go home," Irina muttered flatly, eyes glancing at him. "I don't care. Do whatever you want."
…I can't get his stupid boobs out of my head.
Park Dong suddenly paused."…Wait. Where's Seolhyo?"
Irina grumbled and stretch her hands up. "She's with Seojin. Apparently they're on a date or something. But she said they're done and on their way here."
Park Dong clicked his tongue.
"Tch… should I get a girlfriend too?" He secretly glance at Irina.
Irina immediately scoffed, leaning back with a smug smirk."You? A girlfriend? Who would even like you?"
Park Dong shot up, face turning red. "HEY. THE FUCK YOU MEAN BY THAT?!"
We finally arrived at the park.
I lifted a hand and called out,"Hey, guys!"
Irina perked up a little. "Oh, they're here."
Seolhyo walked over, brushing her hair behind her ear."So? What's up with you suddenly wanting to hang out?"
Jinkyung snorted before Irina could even answer."Her boyfriend ditched her."
Irina whipped her head toward her, eyes blazing."He didn't ditch me! He had to take care of his grandma!"
"Yeah, yeah," Jinkyung chuckle.
Seolhyo sighed and fanned herself."Hey, isn't it hot? Let's go to Canoa and get some bingsu."