MT day.
The group chat had been noisy since morning.
'The bus leaves at 9.'
'If you're late, we'll leave you behin.'
I headed toward the front of the school with just one backpack.
In front of the student union, people were already gathering in little groups.
"Yeoju!"
Sujin waved.
"You're late?"
"I'm not late."
As I talked with my friends and waited for the bus, I spotted Wonbin walking over from far away.
A black hoodie and a backpack.
He was standing there awkwardly, glancing around, just like the day he'd first come to school.
"Wonbin."
When I walked over first, Wonbin's expression softened a little.
"...Noona."
"Glad you made it."
"...Yes."
"Were you nervous?"
"...A little."
"Just a little again?"
"...A lot."
I couldn't hold back my laughter.
"You're really honest."
Wonbin looked like he might laugh too, but in the end only his ears turned red.
"You won't run away today, right?"
"...Yes."
"And try to get along with the others a little too."
"Understood."
"Don't just answer me."
"...I'll try."
That answer somehow made him seem so endearing that I lightly patted Wonbin on the shoulder.
"Good job."
Even after that brief praise, Wonbin's ears turned red again.
*
As soon as we arrived at the MT venue, everything was chaos.
Unpacking, sitting by team, and even getting ready for the recreation games.
Everyone seemed to get friendly fast.
At first, Wonbin had only stood in a corner, but as we played the team games, he gradually started talking more.
"Park Wonbin's funnier than I thought."
"Right?"
"He's fine once he starts talking."
When his friends laughed, Wonbin scratched his head awkwardly.
I watched from afar and felt pleased to myself.
'Thank goodness.'
'Looks like he's getting used to it now.'
*
Afternoon recreation.
A team mission game started, where we had to go outside and buy snacks.
Our team representatives were Minseok and me.
"We'll be back!"
As we walked to the convenience store, Minseok snorted with a laugh.
"Hey."
"What."
"Your underclassman."
"...Wonbin?"
"Yeah."
"He's cuter than I expected."
I laughed.
"He is cute."
"Setting cute aside,"
Minseok playfully nudged my side.
"He's really attached to you."
"He's just really shy around people."
"No."
"Feels like it's only like that with you?"
"Aw, come on."
I waved my hand right away.
"That's just how he is."
"Am I the only one who thinks that?"
"I'm telling you, no."
Minseok didn't say anything more.
Instead, while choosing a drink at the convenience store, he suddenly asked,
"But."
"Hmm?"
"Why don't you have a boyfriend?"
"...Out of nowhere?"
"A pretty girl like you."
"And you don't even go on blind dates."
I picked up a drink and shrugged.
"Too much trouble."
"That's all excuses."
"It's true."
"Is your type just too high?"
I thought for a moment.
"I don't know."
"One thing I do know."
"What's that?"
"I'd like someone older than me."
Minseok laughed.
"Oh."
"Why?"
"Didn't expect that."
"Why is that surprising?"
"I thought you'd like younger guys."
I shook my head.
"I want someone who'll take care of me a little."
"Someone dependable, I guess."
"Someone I can lean on."
Minseok chuckled.
"Want me to set you up with someone?"
"No thanks."
"There's a really great guy, though."
"I said I'm not going."
"Just meet him once."
"Actually, he said he wants to be introduced to you."
"No."
"Hey."
"Forget it."
I laughed and walked ahead first.
*
[Wonbin's POV]
At that moment.
In front of the vending machine across from the convenience store.
Wonbin, who had come out to get some water, accidentally overheard the two of them talking.
At first, he hadn't meant to listen on purpose.
He'd only turned his head because Minseok's voice sounded familiar.
"...I'd like someone older than me."
"...I like someone who can take care of me a bit."
The bottled water in Wonbin's hand crumpled slightly.
"..."
After that, Yeoju and Minseok walked back toward the lodging.
Wonbin stood there in the same spot for a long time.
Older.
Someone to take care of him.
The opposite.
He was one year younger.
If anything, it was noona who had been taking care of him.
For a moment, the past few weeks flashed through his mind.
'Cute.'
'Our Wonbin's all grown up.'
'Dummy.'
The things Yeoju had said came back to him one by one.
'...Yeah.'
A laugh leaked out like a mutter.
It was a bitter smile.
After all.
Before it had even started, it was already over.
With his head slowly lowered, Wonbin headed back to the lodging.
Like nothing had happened.
With an expression that looked calm and unaffected.
