The next morning, my heart reacted first when I saw Yoon Jeong-han standing in front of the main gate.
Even after receiving the message yesterday, I half-doubted he'd actually come, but he was indeed there. He was fiddling with his phone, wearing only his school uniform shirt and one strap of his backpack, and when he saw me, he looked up.
“You’re here.”
The tone of voice was as if he had been waiting for it.
“Why did you really wait?”
“Just. I was wondering if you were coming or not.”
Jeonghan took a step towards me.
“But why do you look like that? Didn’t you sleep well?”
“How do you know?”
“I can see it all when I look at your face.”
Those words made my heart sink. Was I really that easily exposed? But her eyes were strangely gentle, and I couldn't say anything.
As soon as we entered the classroom, Eun-jeong started muttering again.
“Hey, did you come in with Yoon Jeong-han today?”
“No, I just ran into you.”
“We met, so why are we coming in together?”
I had no answer to that question, so I threw my bag on the desk. Then, Jeonghan, sitting next to me, smiled slowly and said,
“It’s not a coincidence.”
"…what."
“I was waiting.”
The children all turned their heads. For a moment, I felt suffocated.
“Hey, are you crazy?”
I lowered my voice.
“Why? It’s true.”
Jeonghan took out his textbook as if nothing had happened. His attitude made me even more embarrassed.
By lunchtime, the rumor seemed to have already spread.
“Hey, are you guys really dating?”
“What? No!”
While I was waving my hand, Jeonghan calmly sat down in front of me and put down his lunch tray.
“Can’t we just say we’re dating?”
"what??"
“Rumors are going to spread anyway, so why insist on saying no?”
I was momentarily stunned by those words. I couldn't tell if he was joking or if he was serious.
As we ate, Jeonghan's gaze felt strangely drawn. As if he had made up his mind. Then, suddenly, he spoke.
“Come out for a bit after you finish today.”
“Why again?”
“I have something to say.”
After class, Jeonghan, who was waiting in front of the classroom, put his bag over one shoulder and put something in my hand.
“What is this?”
“Candy. My sister gave it to me, but I’ll give it to you.”
“…Why are you doing this to me?”
“I think you’ll feel better if you eat it.”
My heart started racing again.
“Hey, why do you keep saying things like this?”
“Because you keep running away.”
Jeonghan looked straight into my eyes. His gaze was so serious that it took my breath away.
“Do you think I’m joking?”
“No… but…”
“Then don’t run away now.”
Jeonghan said, gently pressing the candy in my hand.
"You said you were confused about me, right? But I'm not confused. I like you."
I stood there speechless. My hair turned white. But strangely, I didn't dislike it. In fact, those words felt like the answer I'd been waiting for.
Jeonghan took a step back and smiled lightly.
"I'll give you time to think about it. But don't worry too long."