That night, Soo Jin looked at Ji Hoon who was standing in the doorway casually. Her face showed fatigue, but Ji Hoon didn't seem to care.
"I forgot to give you this earlier," Ji Hoon said, handing a packet of bread into Soo Jin's hand. "I bought it for your sister. She must be hungry after studying, right?"
Soo Jin looked at the bread for a moment, then sighed. "You came here just to give me this?"
"Of course," Ji Hoon replied with a big smile. "I'm very considerate."
Soo Jin let out a long sigh. "Thank you," she said as she accepted the bread. "Now, go home. It's getting late."
However, Ji Hoon still stood where he was, not moving an inch. Instead, he leaned his body against the door frame as he glanced into the house. "Your house is simple, but cozy," she commented casually.
"Ji Hoon, I'm serious. Come home," Soo Jin said again, this time in a stern tone. "My sister is studying. Don't disturb him."
Ji Hoon looked at Soo Jin for a moment, then raised his hands as if giving up. "Okay, okay, I'm going home," he said as he slowly backed away. However, before actually leaving, he looked back and said, "But remember, Soo Jin, I'm always here if you need anything."
Soo Jin just rolled her eyes, holding back her annoyance. "Thanks for the bread. Be careful on the road," she replied quickly before closing the door.
Ji Hoon relented and walked away, but a small smile was still plastered on his face. For some reason, upsetting Soo Jin gave him a sense of satisfaction.
Inside the house, Soo Jin saw her sister, who was staring at the bread with a small smile. "This is from Ji Hoon," Soo Jin said as she handed him the bread.
The boy nodded with a smile, then started eating the bread with gusto. Soo Jin couldn't help but shake her head, thinking about Ji Hoon's behavior that was always full of surprises.
That night, after giving Min Joon some bread, Soo Jin returned to the living room to organize the scattered items. At times like this, the house felt quieter, but also peaceful. She sat on the sofa, thinking about what had just happened. Ji Hoon, although often annoying, turned out to have a more caring side than she imagined. Maybe that's the reason why she feels a little confused when she thinks about him.
Outside, Ji Hoon walked home at a leisurely pace, though his mind was still focused on Soo Jin. "I'll definitely come back tomorrow," he muttered to himself with a smile. There's a curiosity he can't deny about Soo Jin-about who she really is behind her stubbornness.
Meanwhile, Soo Jin is sitting in the living room feeling a little uneasy. Although she had told Ji Hoon to go home, there was a feeling that she couldn't shake off. Remembering the little attention Ji Hoon showed to her sister, she can't help but feel curious about the reason behind his annoying behavior.
Suddenly her cell phone vibrated, a message from her close friend came in. "Soo Jin, there's an event at school tomorrow, don't forget to come!" her friend wrote.
Soo Jin replied to the message and put her phone on the table. "Looks like I'll have to deal with Ji Hoon a little longer," she whispered to herself with a small smile. She knew that tomorrow would bring new stories.
Soo Jin looked back at her sister who was now sleeping peacefully, and she gently stroked her sister's hair. "I hope tomorrow is better," she says softly, praying that everything will go smoothly, especially with the feelings that are getting harder and harder to control.
Outside the house, Ji Hoon is already on the main road, walking through the silent night. Thoughts of Soo Jin continued to plague him, but he also knew that tonight he had done something different. Something that made him feel a little closer to Soo Jin.
"Tomorrow I'll see what happens," Ji Hoon thought, and he quickened his pace towards home.
The next morning, the atmosphere of the school was different. Ji Hoon, who was usually cheerful and relaxed, looked more serious as he entered the school gate. He tried to mask his feelings with a faint smile, but there was a sense of anxiety hanging over his heart. He didn't know what would happen today, but he felt he had to get closer to Soo Jin.
In class, Soo Jin sits in her seat quietly, preparing textbooks. She doesn't know that Ji Hoon is sitting at the back, watching her silently. There's a strange feeling that she can't explain, a feeling that arises every time she interacts with Ji Hoon, even though she tries to ignore it.
The bell rang, and the class was noisy again. However, Ji Hoon still seems focused on Soo Jin, although he occasionally glances out the window to avoid his friends' gazes.
"Ji Hoon!" called out his seatmate, Kim Seok, who was sitting next to him. "You look strange. What's wrong?"
Ji Hoon just shrugged, trying to mask the tension within him. "Nothing," he replied with a big smile, though it felt fake.
As the lesson began, Ji Hoon occasionally glanced at Soo Jin, who seemed focused on her notebook. Suddenly, he felt awkward. Why is he so interested in her? In fact, he often bothered and teased her.
However, as the lesson continued, Ji Hoon's curiosity grew stronger. He couldn't stop himself from asking Soo Jin about the things that he had been keeping in his mind.
When the break comes, Ji Hoon decides to approach Soo Jin. He approached her desk with slow steps, trying to hide his nervousness. "Soo Jin," he called in a low voice.
Soo Jin turned to Ji Hoon, a little surprised to see him. "What's wrong?" she asked in a flat tone.
Ji Hoon hesitated for a moment, then said, "I... want to talk a little."
Soo Jin raised her eyebrows, not knowing what Ji Hoon wanted to talk about. "Alright, hurry up. I have to pick up my sister after this," she replied briefly.
Ji Hoon pulled out a chair and sat in front of Soo Jin. "I just wanted to say... thank you for putting up with me. I know I'm annoying sometimes."
Soo Jin was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Yes, you are a bit annoying, Ji Hoon. But... maybe it's also a part of you that I accept," she replied in a gentle tone, despite her slight confusion.
Ji Hoon smiled widely, relieved to hear Soo Jin's answer. "I know I can't always be nice, but... maybe I want to protect you, Soo Jin."
Soo Jin looked at Ji Hoon with an expression that was hard to read. "Protect me? From what?"
Ji Hoon shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe from myself," he replied with a faint smile, trying to change the subject.
Soo Jin felt there was something different in Ji Hoon's demeanor today. "I have to go," she said, trying not to think about the conversation any further. "Don't bother me too much, Ji Hoon."
However, as he turned to leave, Ji Hoon said in a soft voice, "I'll wait here after school. You're not going to pick up your sister alone, right?"
Soo Jin paused for a moment, then continued her steps without saying anything. In her heart, she felt that something was starting to change.