Hannah arrived at the classroom at 7:30 again today.
Starting school early has become a strange routine that is now a bit embarrassing to even call a habit.
Hannah glanced at the window seat, put down her bag, and sat down, then quietly checked her watch.
[7:42]
“I’ll be back soon, right?”
[7:45]
Tick tock-
[7:50]
Sanghyuk's seat was very awkwardly empty.
“What… is this kid really absent?”
A strange sense of emptiness washed over Hannah.
The classroom felt so empty, even though the silent robot was missing.
Hannah felt something was strange, so she went out into the hallway and looked for her homeroom teacher.
"Teacher, Lee Sang-hyeok... What's wrong? The kid who always comes at 7:45 isn't here."
“Oh, Sanghyuk? He called this morning saying he couldn’t come today because he was sick.”
“…Does it hurt?”
“Yeah. He said it felt like a cold.”
“Ah… Yes, thank you.”
'It hurts...'
Hannah nodded and turned around.
I snorted without realizing it.
“…Ha. Seriously, why am I like this? Why do I care that he’s sick!?!?
"I guess you've grown fond of that bastard... Patience."
Even though she said that, Haena was a little worried about Sanghyuk in her heart.
***
The next day, Hannah arrived at 7:30, just like an automatic train.
‘You keep your mother’s words so faithfully. Is this what they call growing up? Haha, you’re amazing, Kang Hae-na.’
Early morning, I go to school early and sit down to study.
Now it was almost like a natural part of life.
[7:45]
“....Here he comes.”
Hannah whispered.
The door opened, and Sanghyuk came in. As usual, he was silent.
...but it was a little different than usual.
There was a slight wound on Sanghyuk's nose, and a faint scar on one side of his lip.
There was also a slight tear on the knee area of the school uniform pants.
Hannah suddenly jumped up from her seat.
“Hey…ah!!!! What are you??”
When Sanghyuk raised his head, Haena approached him with slightly surprised eyes.
Then, he reached out absentmindedly and grabbed Sanghyuk's cheek.
“Your face… what is thishey?"
That was the moment.
Sanghyuk was startled and pushed Haena's hand away hard.
“...don't touch.”