The next day, the classroom was bustling as usual before the lesson started. All the students were busy chatting or preparing their books. However, the atmosphere suddenly turned quiet when Soo Jin walked into the classroom.
Soo Jin looked different. Her long hair, which was previously tangled, was now flowing beautifully, neat, and shiny after a salon treatment. Her face looked refreshed, with a hint of natural beauty thanks to the skincare she had just used. Not only that, a soft fragrance enveloped her, replacing the odor that used to make her friends complain. Soo Jin wore a clean and neat uniform, with a few simple accessories that made her look more elegant.
The class was immediately excited. Several female students were surprised to see Soo Jin's change, including Shin Hye Ri. Hye Ri, who usually looked at Soo Jin with a cynical gaze, couldn't hide her surprise.
"Oh my, is that Soo Jin? Did she go to the salon last night?" one of the girls whispered to her friend.
"She's so pretty today," added another in an admiring tone.
Shin Hye Ri gritted her teeth softly, displeased that her friends' attention was now diverted to Soo Jin. "Huh, she's just lucky. I'm sure this won't last long," she muttered in an annoyed tone, although in her heart she felt a little envious.
Meanwhile, Ji Hoon was still asleep at his desk in the corner of the classroom. He didn't care about the commotion. His head rested on his arm, and his breathing sounded low, showing how comfortable he was in his sleep. However, the noise in the classroom grew louder and louder until it finally woke her up.
"Why are you making so much noise this early in the morning?" Ji Hoon raised his head with his eyes still half open, his voice hoarse from just waking up.
Instantly his gaze fell on Soo Jin who was walking towards her desk, right next to Ji Hoon. Ji Hoon's eyes immediately opened wide, and he smiled a little. "Wow, who is this? Are you really Han Soo Jin?" he joked as he rested his chin on his hand, looking at Soo Jin with an amused expression.
Soo Jin turned to him with a slightly flushed face. "Stop joking, Ji Hoon," she said softly, sitting back in her chair.
Ji Hoon chuckled softly. "I'm not joking. You're really different today. You even got the class excited. Just look at Hye Ri, she almost fainted from jealousy," he said while glancing at Hye Ri who was indeed looking upset at her desk.
Soo Jin just shook her head, trying to ignore Ji Hoon. However, deep in her heart, she felt a little happy that her transformation had made a new impression on everyone-especially Ji Hoon.
That day, Soo Jin started a new chapter in her life at school, unaware that her change would bring more dynamics, both friend and foe, around her.
Shortly after the class started to quiet down, Soo Jin decided to walk to the library. She wanted to avoid the extra attention in class and find a quieter place to read a book. Her steps were slow, trying not to attract attention, but still some students in the hallway looked at her curiously.
Just as Soo Jin was about to reach the library door, someone rushed from the opposite direction and bumped into her accidentally. The books Soo Jin was holding fell to the floor, and her body was pushed back slightly.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" the man said in a panicked tone. He immediately bent down to help pick up Soo Jin's scattered books.
Soo Jin looked at him for a moment. The man had a handsome face with firm features, his black hair was neatly styled, and his uniform looked very neat, reflecting a polite personality. However, although the man was attractive, Soo Jin immediately realized that his aura was different from Ji Hoon. There wasn't the same overconfidence or relaxed demeanor as Ji Hoon-this man seemed more serious and reserved.
"It's okay," Soo Jin replied softly, accepting the books that the man had returned.
"I'm really sorry. I was in a hurry," the man said again. He smiled a little, showing a friendly impression even though he looked a little awkward. "My name is Kang Min Jae, class 3-B. You're only in 2nd grade, right? I often see you in the corridor."
Soo Jin just nodded slowly, not knowing what to say. "I'm Han Soo Jin," she said briefly.
"Nice to meet you, Soo Jin," Min Jae replied, smiling wider. There was warmth in his smile, but Soo Jin couldn't shake the feeling that this man was too formal, so different from Ji Hoon who was full of spontaneity and surprise.
After the brief conversation, Min Jae continued on his way, leaving Soo Jin still standing by the library door. She looked in the direction the man had gone, then sighed softly. "He's handsome, but... somehow, he's not like Ji Hoon," Soo Jin muttered to herself subconsciously, then quickly entered the library.
Little did she know, Min Jae's presence would bring a new dynamic to her life - adding color to the relationship between her and Ji Hoon.
In the afternoon, Ji Hoon decides to unwind at his favorite escape: the boxing ring. Although Ji Hoon was known as a humorous and easy-going kid at school, there was a side of him that was full of energy and hidden anger.
In a corner of the gym filled with the sound of boxing gloves hitting and fitness equipment humming, Ji Hoon stands in front of a large punching bag. He's wearing a sleeveless t-shirt that's soaked in sweat, showing off his arm muscles built up by regular training. With boxing gloves in both hands, he hit the bag hard, repeatedly.
"Hup! Hah!"
The pounding of each punch sounded heavy, showing an unusual focus and intensity. His face was serious, filled with concentration. Each punch seemed to vent something that was on his mind, something he could not express in words.
After a while, his boxing coach approached. "You were too hard today, Ji Hoon. Is there something bothering you?" he asked.
Ji Hoon paused for a moment, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a towel. He smiled a little, but his eyes showed something deeper. "It's nothing, Coach. I just want to train myself harder. That's all," he replied simply.
Coach just nodded, though he clearly knew there was something Ji Hoon was hiding.
Later that evening, after showering and eating dinner at home, Ji Hoon sat on the balcony of his spacious room. He looks out, at the glittering lights of the city, but his mind drifts to something else.
Soo Jin.
That night, Ji Hoon felt restless. Thoughts of Soo Jin kept haunting his mind. He tried to distract himself by playing his phone or watching a movie, but to no avail. Finally, he decided to go outside and get some fresh air.
"I want to go to a restaurant. Prepare the car," Ji Hoon ordered his driver in a casual tone.
After a few minutes, his luxurious black car rolled up to a small restaurant famous for home cooking. The place wasn't very fancy, but it was cozy and had a good reputation among the locals. Ji Hoon deliberately chose that place to avoid the crowds.
Arriving at the restaurant, Ji Hoon entered at a leisurely pace, wearing a hoodie and casual jeans. He didn't want to be too conspicuous, though his aura still caught the attention of some diners. As he looked for a seat, his eyes suddenly caught a very familiar figure.
Soo Jin.
She was working as a waitress at the restaurant, wearing a simple uniform with an apron. Her hair was neatly tied up, and although her face looked tired, she had a smile on her face as she served the customers. Ji Hoon was silent for a moment, unable to believe what he was seeing.
"Soo Jin?" he murmured softly, then walked over without thinking.
When Soo Jin finished delivering the food to the customers' tables, she turned around and almost dropped her tray when she saw Ji Hoon standing in front of her.
"Ji Hoon?!" Soo Jin looked shocked, her face turning red. "What are you doing here?" she asked in a nervous tone.
Ji Hoon smiled slightly, looking at her curiously. "I should be the one asking. Why are you working here? Shouldn't you be at home, with your sister?"
Soo Jin looked down, feeling uncomfortable with the question. "I... I need some extra money. My sister needs a lot of things, and I need to help her," she replied quietly.
Ji Hoon sighed, feeling something stirring in his heart. "So you left your sister home alone just to work? Are you sure it's safe?"
Soo Jin looked at him with a stern gaze though her voice remained soft. "I had no choice, Ji Hoon. I made sure everything was safe before I left. My sister understands, and she's always waiting for me to come home."
Ji Hoon wanted to say something, but he held back. He could see that Soo Jin was trying hard to live her life. There was an admiration slowly growing in his heart, but also a worry that he couldn't ignore.
"What time do you work?" asked Ji Hoon finally, trying to change the subject.
"Ten at night," Soo Jin replied. "But I can go home by myself. You don't have to worry."
Ji Hoon snorted softly. "Who said I was worried? I just don't want you to cause trouble at the restaurant," he said in a joking tone, even though he had already decided in his heart to wait for her to finish work.
That night, Ji Hoon ordered a simple meal and sat in a corner of the restaurant, silently watching Soo Jin continue to work hard. There was something about that girl that made it even harder for him to be distracted.
When the clock struck ten in the evening, Soo Jin finally finished her work. As she stepped out of the restaurant, she was surprised to see Ji Hoon still sitting in his car, waiting for her casually.
"Ji Hoon, why are you still here?" she asked confused.
"Hop in. I'll take you home," Ji Hoon replied in a calm tone.
Soo Jin initially wanted to refuse, but she knew Ji Hoon wouldn't take no for an answer. With mixed feelings, she got into the car. On the way, Ji Hoon gave her a glance.
"You really confused me, Soo Jin. You're stronger than I thought," he said softly.
Soo Jin just smiled faintly, staring out the window as she thought about her struggling days. However, in her heart, she felt a little relieved that tonight she didn't have to go home alone.