The days passed quickly, and finally the long-awaited festival arrived. The atmosphere at the school is festive, with decorations and booths adorning every corner. The students are busy preparing for the big event, and Ji Hoon, who was previously reluctant to get involved, is now starting to feel a little enthusiastic.
On the other hand, Soo Jin is also busy preparing for her performance. Together with his school band, he will be performing on the main stage. Although she looks calm on the outside, there is a hidden nervousness inside her. For her, this is a great opportunity to showcase her talent in front of her friends, including Ji Hoon.
As the festival began, Ji Hoon only observed from a distance. He prefers not to be too conspicuous, although his heart can't escape Soo Jin who is now on stage. Seeing Soo Jin singing confidently, Ji Hoon felt proud, though he maintained a nonchalant attitude outside.
However, when it was Soo Jin's band's turn to perform, Ji Hoon felt something was different. When Soo Jin started singing, there was a kind of glint in her eyes that made Ji Hoon realize how much she meant to him. Not only was he amazed at her talent, but also at Soo Jin's courage and determination that always seemed to remain calm despite the challenges she faced.
After the performance is over, Ji Hoon looks for a way to get to Soo Jin. When he finds her in the crowd, he feels that there are feelings he wants to express. But for some reason, he couldn't just say it.
Soo Jin, who had just gotten off the stage, looked a little tired but happy. She saw Ji Hoon approaching, and although she felt a little awkward, she smiled.
"You were great," Ji Hoon said, trying to sound casual.
Soo Jin smiled embarrassedly. "Thank you, Ji Hoon. But I just did my best."
Ji Hoon nodded. "I know. I see you really enjoy performing on stage."
Soo Jin nodded slowly. "Yes, it's fun. But it's even more fun when there's support," she said with a small smile at Ji Hoon.
Ji Hoon felt his heart flutter a little at that, but he could only smile back. "You don't have to worry, Soo Jin. I always have your back."
That night, even though the festival was almost over, Ji Hoon's feelings for Soo Jin became clearer. He could no longer cover up the feelings that were starting to grow in his heart.
That night, Ji Hoon felt free. With his parents out of town, he enjoyed the quiet house and the time he had to himself. No one bothered him, and he could do whatever he wanted without restrictions. However, that freedom didn't last long.
Suddenly, the aunt who worked in the house came in and started cleaning the living room and rooms. Ji Hoon only gave her a quick glance. He knew that, with or without her presence, the house still had to be clean. However, after the aunt finished cleaning, Ji Hoon realized that soon after, the clean house was a mess again after he passed through the living room with the shoes he had just worn out.
"Ah, looks like I need to help auntie more often," Ji Hoon thought lazily, even though he knew that keeping the house clean was not his priority that night.
Shortly after that, his phone rang. Ji Hoon picks it up, and his friends' voices can be heard on the other end. They ask him to go to a karaoke place to have fun that night. Ji Hoon smiles, feeling like there's something fun in store for him.
On his way out to the garage, Ji Hoon glanced at his sports bike that was neatly parked. "Ah, I haven't used this bike in a long time," he muttered with a big smile, referring to the bike he bought with the winnings from his boxing match last month. It symbolized his freedom-a world of his own making, away from the pressures of family.
With a leisurely stride, he approached the bike and unlocked it. As the engine started, the buzzing sound made Ji Hoon feel more alive, as if signaling that tonight would be an exciting adventure. He didn't need to hesitate or think about anything else, just enjoy every second.
Although Ji Hoon was known as an independent child, that night he chose to be with his friends, enjoying the carefree freedom, forgetting for a moment any problems that might exist in his life.
On the quiet streets, Ji Hoon felt the night breeze sweeping across his face, giving him a refreshing feeling. Tonight, he just wants to be himself, enjoying every moment without anyone controlling him.
Ji Hoon sped through the deserted night streets, savoring every second as his sports bike whizzed by under the moonlight. The street lights passed quickly on his left and right, giving him a sense of freedom that he couldn't get anywhere else. He felt like the world around him belonged only to him that night.
Arriving at the karaoke place, her friends were waiting for her. They greeted him with loud cheers and laughter. Ji Hoon smiles faintly, ignores the crowd and sits down casually at the reserved table. Cheerful songs began to play, and the atmosphere instantly turned into a joyful one.
"Ah, finally relaxing!" said Ji Hoon as he took a sip of the drink in front of him. His friends began to take turns singing, but Ji Hoon just sat there enjoying himself, occasionally laughing at their silliness.
However, even though it looked like he was having fun, his mind occasionally drifted. He thought of Soo Jin. For some reason, she kept haunting his mind. Since the incident at the festival, their relationship had grown closer, even though Ji Hoon couldn't express his feelings clearly.
"Soo Jin..." he muttered softly, barely audible to his friends.
One of his friends, who was sitting next to him, noticed the change in Ji Hoon's expression. "Hey, Ji Hoon, why are you suddenly so serious?" she asked.
Ji Hoon quickly averted his eyes, scratching his nape awkwardly. "Ah, it's nothing. Just... thinking about some things."
His friend laughed. "Don't tell me you're thinking about girls, Ji Hoon. It's been so long since we've heard anything about that."
Ji Hoon only smiled slightly, and then rejoined the hubbub at the karaoke table. Although his heart was slightly affected by feelings he didn't yet understand, he knew tonight was his time to enjoy some rare freedom.
When Ji Hoon's turn to sing came, he didn't hesitate. Confidently, he took the microphone and started singing. The loud and passionate voice seems to be a way for Ji Hoon to let go of everything in his head.
However, underneath all the laughter and fun that night, Ji Hoon knows that something bigger is waiting for him-and it has to do with Soo Jin.
The night is getting late, and the karaoke atmosphere is getting more exciting. Ji Hoon's friends can't wait to take a picture together. They gather in one corner of the room, teasing each other with silly expressions, making the perfect moment for a group photo.
Ji Hoon, who usually doesn't like these kinds of photos, is enthusiastic this time. He held up his phone and said, "Let's take a selfie!"
His friends immediately surrounded him, posing in strange styles. Ji Hoon smiled widely and pressed the shutter button, capturing their moment together. The phone screen shows their cheerful faces, with a background full of colorful lights from the karaoke lights.
After the photo was taken, Ji Hoon quickly opened his Instagram and uploaded it to his story. He wrote a short caption that adequately described the atmosphere of the night: "An unforgettable night! #KaraokeTime #FriendsTrue #LifeFree".
His friends also commented on the story, laughing and giving laugh-out-loud emojis. However, Ji Hoon looked at the photo for a moment. Suddenly, he felt like sharing it with Soo Jin too, though he didn't know why.
With a little hesitation, he touched his phone screen and sent the story to Soo Jin via direct message. After pressing the send button, Ji Hoon felt a little awkward. Why did he feel this way? Wasn't this just a photo with a friend?
However, as soon as his phone went silent, Ji Hoon knew one thing: these feelings, these growing feelings for Soo Jin, he couldn't hide forever.
One of Ji Hoon's friends, named Jae Hyun, suddenly piped up with excitement. "Since it's the weekend tomorrow, how about we go to a nightclub? We haven't hung out together in a while. It'll be fun!" he said with an impatient expression.
The other friends immediately nodded in agreement, enthusiastic about the idea. They had been stuck in the routine of school and work for too long, and that night seemed like the perfect opportunity to have some fun.
Ji Hoon, who wasn't too keen on the idea, started to rethink. A nightclub? Maybe this could be a way to release all the stress that had accumulated. After all, they didn't have anything scheduled this weekend.
However, in Ji Hoon's heart, there was a slight hesitation. "Maybe after this, I need a little alone time," he muttered to himself. But, looking at his impatient friends, he finally smiled and nodded. "Okay, let's go. The nightclub should be fun."
After agreeing, they started planning the time and place. Jae Hyun had already started looking for a good place for them. "I know a good place, guys. We can celebrate the weekend in style!"
Ji Hoon felt a little awkward, but on the other hand, he also knew this was a chance to have fun with his friends. On the way to the place, his mind occasionally drifted to Soo Jin. He wondered what she was doing right now. However, the night seemed to be hers to enjoy the freedom.