The next morning, Ji Hoon woke up with unbearable laziness. The sun was already high enough to pierce through his curtains, making the messy room look even brighter. Ji Hoon ruffled his hair while muttering, "Ah, school again... my life is really hard."
After showering and getting ready, Ji Hoon went downstairs to the dining room for breakfast. He sat down at the dining table, while his household aunt swiftly served him a bowl of soup and toast. "Young Master, have some breakfast before you leave," the aunt said.
Ji Hoon nodded lazily as he took a bite of bread.
After finishing his breakfast lazily, Ji Hoon glanced at the clock on the wall. "Ah, it's almost late," he muttered. He grabbed his bag lying on the sofa and walked out of the house towards the garage.
"Hopefully today won't be too boring," he said as he started his sports bike. The sound of the roaring engine filled the garage, lifting his spirits even a little. Ji Hoon drives his bike to school leisurely, enjoying the fresh morning breeze.
Arriving at school, Ji Hoon immediately parked his motorcycle in the usual spot. He saw his friends already gathered in the corner of the schoolyard, joking around while holding a basketball. Ji Hoon decided to join them for a moment before entering class.
"Ji Hoon! You're late again, aren't you?" asked one of his friends, Min Hyuk, in a joking tone.
Ji Hoon just chuckled as he patted his friend on the back. "Life is too short to rush, Min Hyuk."
They laughed together, then started playing basketball for a few minutes. Ji Hoon felt a little better after that. However, the school bell finally rang, forcing them all into their respective classes.
Inside the classroom, Ji Hoon took his usual seat by the window. He rested his head on the desk and stared out the window, his mind drifting to the events of last night. Occasionally he smiles to himself, thinking about how hilarious his life is full of unexpected things.
As the lesson begins, Ji Hoon tries to focus, although as usual, he's more likely to daydream or draw something in his book. However, that day felt quieter than usual, like something was missing. Unconsciously, he missed those little moments where he could annoy someone, making his day more exciting.
One thing Ji Hoon realized was that, even though his life seemed free and fun, there was an empty feeling that he couldn't explain. He leaned his back against the chair, looked up at the blue sky outside the window, and muttered softly, "Maybe I need something new."
Break time comes, and Ji Hoon, as usual, walks casually towards the cafeteria. His friends are already waiting for him at their usual table in the corner, chatting about their weekend plans. Ji Hoon pulled out a chair and sat down, crossing his legs casually.
"Hey, Ji Hoon," Min Hyuk called as he took a bite of his sandwich. "Do you want to come to the tennis court this weekend? Some kids from the next class said they wanted to play."
Ji Hoon sighed and looked at Min Hyuk with a lazy expression. "Tennis? Come on, it's a sport that requires too much energy. I'd rather sleep at home."
"You lazy bastard," Min Hyuk retorted with a laugh. "But seriously, when are you going to join normal activities, huh?"
Ji Hoon just shrugged without answering. He grabbed a drink from the cafeteria and sipped it while looking around. Unconsciously, he went back to daydreaming, his mind still filled with strange feelings from the morning.
His other friend, Sun Woo, nudged his arm. "Hey, Ji Hoon. What are you daydreaming about? Don't tell me you're thinking about someone?"
Ji Hoon shook his head quickly and looked away. "Me? No way. You're fantasizing too much, Sun Woo."
However, Sun Woo looked incredulous. "You really don't have anything on your mind? You've been looking strange since this morning."
Ji Hoon scratched the back of his neck nervously. "I was just... bored. That's all."
"Sure?" Min Hyuk joined in the teasing. "Not about Soo Jin?"
Hearing that name, Ji Hoon immediately glared at Min Hyuk. "Don't talk nonsense. It has nothing to do with her."
However, Min Hyuk and Sun Woo just laughed contentedly at Ji Hoon's reaction. "Okay, okay. But if you need a confidant, you know where to find me," Sun Woo said with a wink, making Ji Hoon snort in annoyance.
After lunch, Ji Hoon went back to his class. He picked up a notebook and pretended to write, though he was actually just drawing random shapes in the corner of the page. His mind drifted back to last night, when Soo Jin was angry with him.
"Why am I still thinking about her?" muttered Ji Hoon quietly.
However, before he could finish his thought, a classmate knocked on his desk. "Hey, Ji Hoon, you were called by the gym teacher. He said he wants to talk about the boxing match next week."
Ji Hoon sighed heavily. "Why does that teacher never let me live in peace?" he muttered, then got up and walked out of the classroom to the gym.
Ji Hoon stepped into the gym reluctantly. Along the corridor, he had imagined a long lecture from his coach about discipline and responsibility. Arriving at the gym, the coach was waiting with his arms folded across his chest, his gaze sharp like a hawk ready to attack prey.
"Ji Hoon," the coach called in a stern tone. "Who do you think you are? How many times have I told you, boxing matches are no joke. You've already missed two practices this week, and I won't let you ruin it."
Ji Hoon smiled wryly, trying to ease the coach's anger. "Sorry, Coach. I've been really busy lately. Lots of schoolwork," he argued, though he knew the excuse sounded very unconvincing.
The coach snorted. "Schoolwork? Ji Hoon, I know you're smart enough to complete your assignments while still practicing. Don't make cheap excuses." He pointed at the boxing ring. "Now get in the ring. I want to see how much you lose your rhythm."
Ji Hoon had no choice. Reluctantly, he took off his school blazer, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and climbed into the ring. The coach tossed him the boxing gloves, which he immediately put on.
"Fight your shadow. Show me your punch combinations," the coach ordered.
Ji Hoon began to move, throwing punches into the air. Although his body was quite flexible, the trainer could see that his speed and accuracy had decreased slightly. After a few minutes, the trainer stopped the exercise.
"You're losing focus, Ji Hoon," the coach said in a serious tone. "I know you have great potential, but you need to be more disciplined. Don't let the problems out there interfere with your performance."
Ji Hoon took a deep breath, then nodded. "Okay, Coach. I'll try to do better."
Coach patted his shoulder. "Don't try. Just do it. I want you to come to the training session this afternoon. No excuses."
"Okay, I'll come," Ji Hoon replied, though he was a little annoyed that he had something planned for the afternoon.
After finishing talking to the coach, Ji Hoon returned to his class. On the way, he rubbed his face, feeling tired of all the pressure coming from all directions-family, school, sports, and, for some reason, Soo Jin.
"Why is my life so complicated?" he muttered, shaking his head. However, as she passed by the school garden, she saw something that stopped her in her tracks.
Under a big tree, Soo Jin was sitting with Kang Min Jae. They were seriously discussing something while chuckling. Ji Hoon felt his chest tighten a little, though he didn't know why.
"Huh, them again," he muttered under his breath, trying not to show any expression. "Why should I care? It's none of my business."
However, unconsciously, his steps moved closer to them. Ji Hoon stopped a few meters from where Soo Jin and Min Jae were, pretending to read a message on his phone while eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Min Jae, I think you should stop pushing yourself. I can't," Soo Jin said in a soft yet firm tone.
"But why? I really mean it, Soo Jin. I think we're compatible," Min Jae replied.
Soo Jin smiled a little, then shook her head. "You're a good person, but I... I don't have that kind of feeling for you."
Hearing that, Ji Hoon suddenly felt a strange sense of relief. His lips curved upwards, forming a small smile.
"At least she knows her limits," Ji Hoon muttered to himself, then turned around and returned to his class without a word.
In class, Ji Hoon sat in his place with his chin propped up. His gaze was blank, but his lips still wore a small smile. Soo Jin's words to Min Jae kept ringing in his mind. Although he tried not to think about it too much, somehow his heart felt lighter.
A few minutes later, Soo Jin entered the classroom. She looks calm, as usual, and immediately sits in her place without realizing that Ji Hoon is watching her. Ji Hoon tapped the desk lightly, drawing Soo Jin's attention.
"Hey, you looked serious at the park," he said in a teasing tone. "Are you deciding on someone?"
Soo Jin looked at Ji Hoon with a flat stare. "Why do you care?"
Ji Hoon shrugged casually. "I don't care, just curious. You know, I'm a person who likes to observe interesting things."
Soo Jin sighed softly, then opened her book again. "Then, don't observe too much. Just focus on your own business."
However, Ji Hoon, with his stubborn nature, didn't give up so easily. "You know, Soo Jin," he said as he leaned back in his chair, "you've really caught the attention of a lot of people. But I don't think they really know who you are."
Soo Jin stopped reading and looked at Ji Hoon with raised eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
Ji Hoon smiled, then leaned forward. "I mean, you're like a book with a beautiful cover but an enigma inside. Not everyone can read it, let alone understand it."
Soo Jin was silent for a moment, then shook her head slowly. "I don't know if that's a compliment or just your weird ramblings."
Ji Hoon chuckled. "Probably both."
Soo Jin refocused on her book, trying to ignore Ji Hoon. But in her heart, she couldn't help but smile a little. Ji Hoon was annoying, but there was a side of him that made Soo Jin feel... different.
When the dismissal bell rang, Ji Hoon put his things away casually. He turns to Soo Jin, who is still busy putting her books into her bag. Without hesitation, Ji Hoon walked over.
"Are you going home now?" he asked.
Soo Jin nodded. "Of course. I have work to finish."
Ji Hoon smiled widely. "How about I drop you off? I don't have any plans this afternoon anyway."
Soo Jin rolled her eyes. "I don't need a ride, Ji Hoon. Thank you."
"That's okay. Think of it as me being a good citizen," Ji Hoon replies as he steps out of the classroom, as if ignoring Soo Jin's rejection.
Outside, Ji Hoon started his sports bike and waited in front of the school gate. Soo Jin, not wanting to prolong the argument, finally got on Ji Hoon's bike.
"Okay, but no reckless driving," Soo Jin said firmly.
"Yes, Miss Han," Ji Hoon replied in a teasing tone, and rode the bike slowly out of the gate.
On the way, the afternoon breeze was cool. Soo Jin remained silent while Ji Hoon relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere. Without realizing it, Ji Hoon slows down the bike when they pass a small park on the side of the road.
"Are we stopping for a while?" Ji Hoon asked suddenly.
"What for?" Soo Jin replied.
"Because I'm hungry. And I'm sure you are too," Ji Hoon replied as he pulled the bike over near a small stall. Without waiting for an answer, he got off the bike and ordered two bowls of fried noodles. Soo Jin just sighed and followed Ji Hoon.
"Sometimes, you're really unpredictable, Ji Hoon," Soo Jin muttered as she sat down.
Ji Hoon chuckled. "That's what makes me interesting, right?"
Soo Jin just shrugged, not commenting on Ji Hoon's statement. She felt a little surprised, how Ji Hoon could always act so relaxed in every situation. While he, who always tried to keep things organized, found it difficult to let go of the tension.
The fried noodles come quite quickly, and the two begin to eat in silence, despite the strangeness between them. Ji Hoon occasionally glanced at Soo Jin with a small smile, as if observing her.
"Why the silence?" asked Ji Hoon after a few minutes. "Usually, you talk a lot."
Soo Jin smiled slightly. "Sometimes it's better to be quiet."
Ji Hoon chuckled. "You're really hard to understand, Soo Jin. Sometimes I feel like you have more secrets than meets the eye."
Soo Jin just nodded slowly, staring at her noodle bowl without saying much. For some reason, she felt a little calmer with Ji Hoon by her side, even though this guy was sometimes too impulsive and annoying.
After finishing their meal, Ji Hoon paid for their food and took Soo Jin back on the road.
"Okay, I'll take you to your house," Ji Hoon said as he put on his helmet and started the bike.
Soo Jin nodded, though a little reluctantly. "You really can't keep quiet, can you?"
"Why be quiet when you can have fun?" replied Ji Hoon in a cheerful tone.
The ride home this time felt lighter. Ji Hoon drove carefully, and although Soo Jin seemed more reserved than usual, there was a growing sense of comfort between them.
Arriving in front of Soo Jin's house, Ji Hoon stopped the motorcycle and took off his helmet. "Come on, I'll take you to the front door," he said.
Soo Jin stepped off the bike, a little hesitant. "No need, thank you."
Still, Ji Hoon stood there, looking at her seriously. "You know, Soo Jin... I'm not just an annoying person. I can also be a friend if you want."
Soo Jin was silent for a moment, her eyes turning to Ji Hoon who looked more serious than usual. "I know," she replied quietly, then quickly turned around and walked toward the door.
Ji Hoon just stood where he was, watching her leave without saying another word. There was a strange feeling in his chest, as if the feelings he had been trying to hide had finally surfaced.
With slow steps, Ji Hoon got back on his bike and left Soo Jin's yard. Although he felt a little empty, there was something in him that said that their relationship, although complicated, was starting to go in a different direction.