I asked as if I was indifferent, but inside I was already in a state of turmoil.
Hayoon hesitated for a moment and then spoke.
“...Jeong Da-hae. She’s your close friend, right?”
Royoung's heart thumped.
Tell him no. Tell him you were just mistaken because we were in the same class.
But reality has always been brutally accurate.
“She’s pretty. She has a good personality too… What should I say, she’s so bright that my eyes keep going to her.”
At those words, Royoung smiled.
Even if it's forced. That way, Hayoon won't notice.
“...Yes, if you do it all. Of course.”
Royoung bows her head
During break time, Jeong Da-hae asked.
“Royoung, Hayoon keeps talking to you. Are you interested?”
Royoung shook her head forcefully.
“No. I just need… some help.”
“What~ You don’t think Hayoon likes you, do you?!”
Those words almost took my breath away for a moment, but I laughed it off.
“No. She likes someone else.”
“Who is it?”
"...secret."
After lunch, Royoung sat alone in the hallway.
The sun was warm, but my heart was cold.
Then someone approached.
“Do you like being alone?”
Raise your head, Lee Do-young.
Hayoon's friend who is always playful and talkative.
“...I’m just taking a breather.”
“There are times when people are the ones who take your breath away.”
Unexpected empathy.
Royoung pretended not to care and smiled slightly.
“But you know, I find it a bit unfair that you’re holding back like that.”
Royoung looked at Doyoung in surprise.
“...What am I putting up with?”
"What I like. Helping others quietly, without being able to say anything. That's the only thing that gets hurt."
Doyoung's eyes were not playful.
The moment he saw those eyes, Royoung was shaken for the first time.
Iroyoung Lee: STAYC Aisa
Kang Ha-yoon: BOYNEXTDOOR Han Tae-san
Lee Do-young: Park Sung-ho of BOYNEXTDOOR