Chapter 23
The morning after the festival felt like the world had slowed down.
No deadlines. No last-minute prints. No brushes clattering in panic. Just the faint hum of Yura's music and the soft glow of sunlight spilling through our dorm window.
Yura sat cross-legged on her bed, scrolling through her phone with a grin so wide it made me suspicious.
"What are you smiling at?" I asked, yawning as I pulled the blanket over my head.
She didn't answer — just turned the screen toward me.
My sleepiness vanished instantly.
A photo of Soo-min and me from the exhibition had exploded across the campus board. The caption read:
> 'The winning duo—Eun-ji & Soo-min's art piece steals the show!'
Below it were comments:
> "They look so good together 😭💘"
"Couple goals, but make it artistic."
"Someone tell them to just date already."
I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. "Tell me this is a nightmare."
Yura laughed. "A very public nightmare. You and Soo-min are trending."
"Why would anyone—? Ugh!"
"Relax," she teased, tossing a pillow at me. "Everyone loved your painting. That's what matters. Also…" She smirked. "You two looked kind of adorable."
I peeked at her. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Absolutely."
---
By lunchtime, I'd gathered enough courage to face the world — or at least, the cafeteria.
Hye-jin and Mirae were already seated, waving me over.
"There she is! Our celebrity artist!" Hye-jin announced loud enough for the entire floor to hear.
"Please," I muttered, sliding into the seat beside her.
Mirae smiled warmly. "You really did amazing, Eun-ji. The colors, the story—it felt alive."
I smiled back. "Thanks, Mirae. That means a lot."
"Also," Hye-jin added, taking a bite of her sandwich, "you and Soo-min basically wore matching tones. Was that on purpose?"
I blinked. "Wait—what?"
"Brown and cream. Totally coordinated."
"Coincidence!" I said quickly.
Yura appeared behind me like a summoned spirit. "Coincidence my foot. It was fate."
"Yura!"
"What? Everyone's thinking it," she said innocently, sitting down and stealing a fry from my plate.
Mirae giggled. "You two have good chemistry, though."
I rolled my eyes, though I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. "You're all impossible."
But deep down—
when I remembered the way Soo-min had smiled last night under the fairy lights—
I didn't exactly mind.
---
Later that afternoon, I slipped into the art room to pack up leftover supplies. The air smelled faintly of paint and dust, the quiet almost sacred after days of noise.
Soo-min was there. Of course she was.
She stood by the window, sleeves rolled up, tying a box of brushes with neat precision.
"Hey," I said softly.
She turned, and her smile was instant. Easy. "Hey."
For a second, I just stood there, watching the sunlight cut across her hair.
"You're early," I said, walking over.
"Couldn't sit still," she admitted. "Guess I missed the smell of paint thinner."
I laughed. "You're weird."
"Takes one to know one."
Her grin made something flutter deep in my chest.
---
We fell into a comfortable rhythm — cleaning, stacking, taping up sketchboards.
The silence wasn't awkward anymore. It felt like something we'd earned.
Then, out of nowhere, she said, "My parents called last night."
I froze mid-motion. "About the exhibition?"
"Yeah. They saw the photos online."
I hesitated. "Oh."
"They said they're proud of me." Her tone was steady, but her voice wavered slightly. "And they… apologized."
My eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yeah." She gave a small, almost disbelieving laugh. "Guess seeing me smile with everyone—seeing me happy—made them realize things."
"That's… huge, Soo-min."
She nodded. "Yeah. I didn't expect it."
Then her eyes flicked toward me. "You were part of that, you know."
"Me?"
"You and the others," she said softly. "You gave me people who make me want to try."
The words sank deep, quiet and heavy.
I didn't know what to say, so I didn't. I just smiled — the kind that felt like a thank you without words.
Soo-min's gaze lingered, warm and steady. Then she reached out and brushed a paint mark from my wrist.
"You're still messy," she teased gently.
"You're one to talk."
Her fingers didn't move away immediately. My heart started to trip over itself.
She finally withdrew, clearing her throat. "Sorry."
"It's fine," I murmured, a little too quickly.
We both laughed softly after that — awkward and fond all at once.
---
When we stepped outside, Yura and Mirae were waiting near the steps, looking suspiciously smug.
Yura crossed her arms. "So… how was your private art date?"
"It was cleanup," I said firmly.
"Sure," she replied. "That's what all couples say."
Mirae sighed, though she was smiling. "Yura, don't tease too much."
"I'm not teasing," Yura said, eyes sparkling. "I'm just observing."
Before I could come up with a comeback, Hye-jin jogged up, waving her phone. "Dinner! My treat."
I blinked. "Your treat?"
She groaned. "Yura tricked me into a bet."
"What bet?" Soo-min asked, amused.
"Whether Eun-ji would admit she likes you before the semester ends," Yura announced.
"YURA!" I nearly choked on air.
Mirae covered her face. "You really don't know when to stop."
Yura laughed and darted off down the path before I could grab her. "Love you too, bestie!"
Soo-min was laughing so hard she had to lean on the railing.
"I didn't say anything," she said between giggles.
"Don't you dare say a word," I warned.
She raised both hands in mock surrender, still smiling. "Okay, okay. But for the record…"
"For the record what?"
Her voice dropped, quieter. "You fluster really easily."
I scowled, but my face was already betraying me. "Shut up."
She grinned, walking beside me as we followed the others toward the dorms.
Our arms brushed once, twice—
and this time, I didn't pull away.
---
Dinner was chaos, the kind that only our group could manage.
Hye-jin argued over who ordered more fries, Mirae tried to take aesthetic photos of everything, and Yura loudly declared herself the "Cupid of the century."
"You're the chaos of the century," I muttered, stealing her soda.
"Same difference," she said cheerfully.
Soo-min sat across from me, chin resting on her hand, quietly watching the group with that small smile of hers — the one that made her eyes softer, gentler.
When our gazes met, she didn't look away.
Neither did I.
---
It was late when we finally left the café. The campus was quiet, wind brushing through the trees.
"I'll walk you guys back," Soo-min said.
"You don't have to—" I started, but she was already walking beside us.
Yura smirked knowingly and skipped ahead, "I suddenly forgot something in the vending machine. You two go ahead!"
I glared at her retreating back. "Traitor."
Soo-min chuckled. "She's not subtle."
"Never has been."
We reached the dorm steps, and I turned to her. "Thanks… for walking us."
"Anytime."
The night air was cool, but her gaze made it warmer somehow.
She hesitated, then smiled faintly. "See you tomorrow, Eun-ji."
"Yeah," I whispered. "See you."
She waved once and turned to leave, her figure fading under the lamplight.
I stood there a little longer than I should have, watching until she disappeared.
---
Later, lying in bed, I traced the silver bracelet on my wrist — the one she gave me for my birthday. It caught the moonlight, glinting softly.
Yura was already asleep, one arm dangling off the bed.
I stared at the ceiling, smiling without meaning to.
Maybe Yura was right.
Maybe I did like her.
And maybe—
just maybe—
she liked me too.