Chapter 25
Morning light crept through the curtains, warm and too bright for the way my heart still hadn't calmed down.
I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt it again—the warmth of her hand, the sound of rain, the kiss that refused to fade no matter how many times I turned my pillow over.
---
Morning Chaos
Yura's alarm went off before mine, as usual. She groaned, rolled over, and mumbled something about skipping class and moving to the moon.
I sat up slowly, trying to hide the smile tugging at my lips.
"You're way too cheerful this morning," Yura said without opening her eyes. "What happened? Did you win the lottery?"
"Maybe," I said, stretching my arms.
She cracked one eye open. "No. You've got that look. The same one you had after Soo-min's surprise birthday party. Don't tell me—"
"Nothing happened," I said too quickly.
Yura sat up fully now, hair sticking out in every direction. "Oh my god, something did happen."
I covered my face with my hands. "It's not what you think."
"Eun-ji," she said, voice deadly serious, "you're smiling like a lovesick high schooler in a K-drama."
I groaned into my pillow. "Please stop."
She gasped. "You kissed!"
"Yura!"
Her scream turned into laughter so loud that someone in the next room banged on the wall.
"I knew it!" she whispered dramatically. "So, how was it?"
"I'm not talking about it," I mumbled, heading to the closet to find a clean shirt.
"Oh, that means it was good."
"Yura!"
Her laughter followed me all the way to the bathroom.
---
In Class
By the time I got to campus, I was still flustered—and of course, fate had to make it worse.
Soo-min was already in the lecture hall.
She waved casually when our eyes met, but I swear my brain short-circuited. The memory of last night hit me like a fast replay—the rain, the kiss, her hand on my cheek.
I sat down beside her, pretending everything was normal.
"Morning," she said, voice soft.
"Morning," I replied, trying not to sound like a malfunctioning robot.
She leaned closer. "Did you sleep?"
"Define sleep."
She grinned. "Me neither."
Her voice dropped lower, just enough for me to feel it in my stomach. "You kept me up, you know."
I froze. "Wh-what—"
"Thinking," she added, smiling mischievously. "What did you think I meant?"
I glared at her. "You're insufferable."
She chuckled, resting her chin on her hand. "But you like me that way."
I didn't answer. Mostly because she was right.
---
After Class
When the lecture ended, Hye-jin and Mirae joined us.
"Hey, we're grabbing lunch," Mirae said. "You two coming?"
Soo-min looked at me like she was waiting for permission.
"Sure," I said quickly, trying not to make it awkward.
But Yura's words from earlier echoed in my head: You're smiling like a lovesick high schooler.
And now, sitting across from Soo-min in the cafeteria, I realized I probably still was.
---
The Lunch Table
Mirae and Hye-jin were arguing about which club event had better free snacks. Yura was too busy scrolling through her phone to join in.
And Soo-min… kept staring at me.
Every time I lifted my fork, she'd glance up. Every time I met her eyes, she'd look away—smirking.
Finally, I whispered, "Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?" she whispered back.
"Like you know something I don't."
"Maybe I do."
I sighed. "You're impossible."
"Still not denying you like me," she murmured, lips curving.
I glared. "You're enjoying this too much."
"I am," she admitted. "You're cute when you're flustered."
Mirae looked up suddenly. "What are you two whispering about?"
"Nothing!" I said way too fast.
Yura choked on her juice trying not to laugh.
---
Walking Back
After lunch, we split off. Hye-jin and Mirae headed to their next class. Yura went to meet a group project team.
That left just me and Soo-min walking toward the courtyard.
I tried to focus on the sound of our footsteps, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot. But her hand brushed mine again. And again.
Finally, she caught my fingers and held them properly this time.
I stopped. "Someone might see."
"So?"
"So… people talk."
She looked at me for a moment, her expression softening. "Let them talk. I don't care anymore."
I hesitated—but the quiet certainty in her voice made something loosen in my chest.
So I didn't pull away.
---
The Bench
We sat under the big maple tree by the courtyard, the one that always turned red first in autumn.
The world around us moved like background noise—students laughing, sneakers squeaking, a soccer ball hitting the fence.
She tilted her head. "You're quiet."
"I'm thinking."
"Dangerous."
I smiled faintly. "About us."
Her eyes softened. "What about us?"
"How it feels real now," I admitted. "And terrifying. But… good."
She leaned closer, resting her shoulder against mine. "You don't have to be scared, Eun-ji."
"I know," I whispered. "But I still am."
"That's okay," she said gently. "I'll wait until you're not."
My chest ached in the best way possible. I turned slightly, enough to meet her eyes.
And suddenly, I was back in the art room again—rain, silence, and her warmth everywhere.
I wanted to kiss her again.
But I didn't.
Not here, not now.
Instead, I squeezed her hand, and that was enough.
---
Evening in the Dorm
Yura was waiting for me when I got back.
She was sitting cross-legged on her bed, arms folded, like she'd been rehearsing this interrogation.
"So?"
"So… what?"
"Don't you so what me. You disappeared right after class. Spill."
I flopped onto my bed. "You're dramatic."
"I'm invested," she corrected. "It's called friendship."
I groaned. "Fine. We talked. We walked. It was… nice."
"Nice?" she repeated. "That's all you're giving me?"
"Yura," I said, turning to face her. "I don't know how to explain it. It's like—everything finally makes sense. You know?"
Her teasing softened. "Yeah," she said quietly. "I think I do."
She smiled then, the kind of smile that said she was genuinely happy for me. "Just… don't let fear ruin it, okay?"
"I won't."
"Good. Because if you do, I'll personally drag you back to her."
I laughed. "Noted."
---
Later That Night
When the dorm lights went out and Yura's breathing slowed into the rhythm of sleep, I lay awake again.
My phone buzzed once.
Soo-min: Are you awake?
I smiled before I could stop myself.
Eun-ji: Maybe.
Soo-min: I can't stop thinking about you.
My heart skipped.
Eun-ji: You're supposed to be asleep.
Soo-min: Can't. Too flustered.
I covered my face, grinning into the pillow.
Eun-ji: Goodnight, idiot.
Soo-min: Goodnight, my idiot.
I stared at the screen for a long time before finally putting it down.
For the first time in a long while, I fell asleep smiling.
---
The Morning After
The next morning, I woke up to sunlight and the smell of Yura's coffee.
"You look disgustingly happy," she said.
"I'm just… in a good mood," I said, trying to hide the smile that refused to leave my face.
"Mm-hmm," she said, sipping her coffee. "You're so whipped."
"Yura!"
Her laughter filled the room again, and somehow, everything felt lighter—like I'd stepped into a version of my life that finally fit right.
And maybe I had.