Hoon hasn't been able to see Soon properly since that day.
Suni's words kept echoing in my head.
…It's good?
It was bland. So bland that it almost felt like a joke.
That's why it was even harder to believe. Did she really accept Hoon's confession because she liked him, or was she just curious?
- hey
Hoon flinched at the sound of Sooni's voice coming from behind him.
I stood in front of the classroom door, mingling with my friends. I watched with interest as Hoon walked home alone, as usual.
- Yeah, uh... why?..
- Let's go together.
I just got to the point without adding anything else.
Hoon hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Was he still taking care of her because they were dating? He could feel the glances of Sooni's friends, but the fact that he was right next to her now weighed heavily on him.
The two walked down the hallway in silence.
Hoon felt awkward and fiddled with the strap of the bag he was holding.
- That… that we said we were dating…
In the end, it was Hoon who opened his mouth.
- Don't you regret it?
Sun slowed her pace for a moment. Then she looked at Hoon.
At that gaze, Hoon's heart raced for no reason.
- Why? Do you want me to regret it?
- No! No, that's not it...
Soon-eun smiled, the corners of her lips slightly raised. It was a smile that seemed truly thoughtless.
- are you okay.
Hoon felt relieved, but his heart ached. Are you okay? Not saying it's good, but are you okay? Am I just ascribing meaning to it?
From that day on, the two officially started dating.
At least on the outside.
Hoon liked Sooni so he was careful about everything.
Even sending a single message, even saying a word at school. I was worried that they might find my contacts bothersome, that they might be embarrassed to show me to their friends.
On the other hand, Soon did not contact Hoon first and did not even pretend to know him at school.
- Are you and him really dating?
Sun shrugged.
- Huh? That's right lol
- Why are you acting like you don't know?
- Didn't I tell you? You're going to play with it and then throw it away.
Sun said that and glanced at Hoon.
The sight of him standing a little way away, just watching the kids. Soon-eun chuckled to herself.
really You're so naive.
Hoon didn't know.
How transparent is the heart that loves you.
And how that transparency makes it an easy target for some.
At home that day, Hoon was holding his cell phone tightly.
I was afraid she'd contact me. I'd been doing that every day since we started dating. But not a single message came.
Did you by any chance forget to save my number? Did I give it to you incorrectly the day I gave it to you? I'm sure we exchanged numbers.
Tiring.
While I was feeling anxious, a notification sound rang. It was a familiar sound, but it seemed to resonate deeply within me.
[Sun]
Are you busy now?
Although it was only four letters, Hoon read it over and over again.
[Sun]
Are you busy now?
Sorry for the late reply. Are you ignoring me?
Ah, I was so excited I didn't even think about replying. A short, simple reply would have been enough, but I kept writing and erasing, trying to send even that one word carefully.
[Sun]
Are you busy now?
Sorry for the late reply. Are you ignoring me?
[Hun]
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
I'm not busy right now!
[Sun]
Did you do your homework?
Just take a picture and send it to me.