After the lunch break ended, we headed back to our classes.
Hae-wool stopped me on the way and asked if I was free that evening.
"I'm busy," I said casually. "I'm going to the park near our locality with Hanjoon."
For a split second, his expression changed — just enough for me to notice.
"Ok then" he said.
That evening, Hanjoon and I were walking around the park together. The air was calm, the lights were soft, and for once, everything felt… romantic.
We talked about our childhood — about little memories I was trying so hard to piece together. Some felt familiar, some felt completely lost, and all of it made my heart strangely warm.
I was just starting to enjoy the moment when I noticed someone walking in through the gate.
I looked again.
And of course…
It was Hae-wool.
Why did he always have to show up right when things were perfect?
He waved at me from a distance. I saw it… and pretended I didn't.
I turned away, hoping he'd take the hint.
But of course, he didn't.
Hae-wool walked straight up to us, flashing an innocent smile. "Oh, hey. I was just roaming around and happened to see you two."
Yeah. Sure.
I knew exactly what had happened.
"Would you guys mind if I joined you?" Hae-wool asked, looking way too innocent for my liking.
Before I could stop him — or before my very obvious eye signals could work — Hanjoon smiled.
"Sure. I barely got the chance to get to know you at school."
I stared at Hanjoon in disbelief.
I was literally begging you with my eyes to say no.
"Wanna ride the roller coaster?" Hanjoon asked.
Hae-wool and I both agreed instantly.
But then — out of nowhere — the two of them started arguing about who would buy the tickets.
"I will."
"No, I will."
It turned into a full-on competition, like their pride was on the line.
In the end, Hanjoon won and went ahead to buy the tickets for us.
While he was paying, something caught my eye — a small photo slipped inside his wallet. It was of a young girl, and for some reason, she looked kind of familiar.
But before I could think too much about it, he turned back toward us with the tickets in hand.
And honestly, the only thing on my mind now was the ride.
We actually had a really good time.
Hanjoon and I shared a few quiet, almost-romantic moments — the kind that made my heart feel light and warm.
But of course…
That brat, Hae-wool, managed to ruin every single one of them.
On the way back, my mind kept drifting to that photo I'd seen in Hanjoon's wallet.
Who was that girl? And why did she feel so familiar?
I tried my best to remember, digging through old memories, but nothing came back to me.