“Your face… what is this?”
That was the moment.
Sanghyuk was startled and pushed Haena's hand away.
Stronger than you think.
“Don’t touch.”
His voice was firm, and his eyes were closed.
Hannah took a step back. She was momentarily taken aback.
I felt awkward for no reason, and that made me even more annoyed.
“…What are you talking about? I was worried about you…! Do you want to die??”
Hannah shouted louder for no reason.
He stood with his arms crossed, but his fingertips were shaking slightly.
It was frustrating to be pushed out, but I was also annoyed at myself for worrying about it.
“Okay. I was the fool who talked to you all morning.”
Hannah, who had said this casually, returned to her seat.
I sucked so hard on the chocolate milk straw that the paper straw got wrinkled.
Sanghyuk, who was by the window, said nothing.
I just open a book and look out the window like I always do.
But Hannah felt it.
Sanghyuk's shoulders are a little stiffer than before,
I don't know what's going on, but I can't turn the pages of the book I usually turn.
**
"Okay, everyone, take your seats. Class is starting."
The first period has begun,
Haena couldn't concentrate all day because she was staring at Sanghyuk.
'Why did you come here so hurt? And what the hell is wrong with worrying about me? Seriously;'
Even though I was thinking harsh thoughts inside, my gaze kept turning towards the window at the end of the row next to me during every class.
As Haena watched Sanghyuk, she found that he was silent all day.
Even during break time and lunch time.
Just like always, I just stayed in the same place silently.
The other kids seemed completely uninterested.
Hannah asked her partner.
"Hey, Lee Sang-hyeok... Don't you know anything?"
"Lee Sang-hyeok? Oh, that quiet kid? He's the one who studies hard."
"Do you know anything else?"
"Are you there?"
"No..."
"What are you saying, are you interested in Lee Sang-hyeok? Haha"
"What the heck!! Are you crazy? F*ck.. I'm going to quit. I have to go sit down.."
‘… Seriously, why doesn’t anyone know? They have no presence at all.…'
***
That day, when school was over, Hannah left home a little late on purpose.
In fact, I was waiting because I was curious about when Sanghyuk would leave.
Sanghyuk was the only one left in the classroom, and he seemed to be the last to leave.
Hannah spoke absentmindedly.
“…Why didn’t you come yesterday… You little punk. Do you still not want to talk?”
Sanghyuk didn't answer.
“…You didn’t fight with anyone, did you?”
After a moment of silence,
He opened his mouth quietly.
"No matter what I do, it's best if you don't know. Don't act like we're close."
At those words, Hannah was speechless for a long time.
“…Wow. Is that something you say to your friend?”
He raised his head,
This time, I didn't avert my eyes.
"So, don't worry about it. Just don't pay attention to me and just focus on your school life."
Hannah looked at Sanghyuk with a pouty face, then turned around and ran out of the classroom.
Sanghyuk stared at her back for a long time.
***
That night.
Hannah lay there unable to sleep.
Sanghyuk's words kept coming to mind.
“Just don’t pay attention to me and just focus on your school life.”
There was a feeling that ‘school’ was not everything in those words.
'What do you mean, just school life? Do you have any other life?
What are you doing? Are you doing some part-time job?'
***
The next morning.
Hannah arrived at school earlier than usual and sat down at the window seat.
In the spot where Sanghyuk used to sit.
He put down his bag and looked out the window, just like Sanghyuk was looking at.
"What are you looking at here all the time, Lee Sang-hyeok?"
Every day, the same warm morning sunlight, the empty playground,
and-
At the corner of the alley beyond the school wall,
There stood someone in a black hooded costume with his head bowed low.
The moment Hannah looked out the window intently,
The suspicious person raised his head slightly and looked straight at the second floor classroom window.
Hannah froze in place for a moment,
In the eyes of a stranger looking at you intently
Before I knew it, I collapsed under the window.
My heart was pounding.
What did I just see…? Who is that person? Why me…?
Hundreds of questions flashed through my mind at the same time,
In the meantime, I hid like an idiot
I didn't even have time to realize how stupid I was.
That was when.
The sound of the door opening quietly behind me,
And a familiar, low, neat voice.
“…Kang Hae-na. What are you doing there?”
It was Sanghyuk.