The next few days blur together in a whirlwind of lessons, awkward silences, and quiet observations. Ah-Yumi grows increasingly accustomed to the rhythms of school, but the unresolved tension between Eeunsoo and Sunghoon continues to gnaw at her.
One morning, as she walks into the classroom, she notices that Sunghoon is sitting near the front, a rare sight. Most of the time, he sits at the back, enjoying the attention that naturally gravitates toward him. His presence makes the atmosphere feel lighter, and Ah-Yumi can't help but notice how others are drawn to him like moths to a flame. But today, there's something different in the air. The usual group of girls is scattered, their chatter quieted by something unspoken.
She sits at her usual spot, her thoughts clouded. Eeunsoo has barely acknowledged her all week, his cold stare the only thing that keeps her at arm's length. Ah-Yumi wonders if something has happened between the two boys. The contrast between Eeunsoo's harshness and Sunghoon's charm feels more stark than ever.
When the bell rings for lunch, Ah-Yumi gathers her things and walks to the cafeteria, her mind racing. As she steps into the crowded hall, she catches sight of Sunghoon talking with his friends at a table, and for a moment, their eyes meet again. This time, she doesn't look away.
Sunghoon's gaze lingers for just a moment longer than necessary, before he grins and waves her over, as though inviting her to join them. Her heart skips a beat, unsure whether she should take the invitation. But before she can make up her mind, a hand grips her shoulder, pulling her back.
It's Eeunsoo.
"You're not going to sit with them, are you?" he asks, his voice low, but with an edge of something she can't quite place.
Ah-Yumi's heart races as she feels his presence looming over her, the air between them thick with tension. She's caught between two worlds—the warmth of Sunghoon's invitation and the icy isolation that Eeunsoo seems determined to maintain.
In that moment, she realizes that the coming days might reveal more about both boys than she's ready to face. And maybe, just maybe, it's time to understand why Eeunsoo has been so distant... and what exactly Sunghoon's intentions are.