The class started, but Hoon couldn't hear the teacher's voice properly.
The tip of the pencil just hovered over the notebook.
On the other side of the table, Sun-eun was laughing and exchanging notes with her friend.
He was so happy that he couldn't hold back his laughter and even swayed his body while lying down.
Hoon dropped his gaze for no reason.
Pretending not to know... I guess that's just how it is
Between the sound of paper turning and chairs being dragged
Suni's faint laughter could be heard clearly.
When break time came, the children all stood up from their seats at once and naturally mingled with their friends.
Hoon didn't get up from his seat and just organized his notebook.
I was hoping that Sooni might come.
… didn't come.
Instead, someone leaned against the desk.
- hey
When I raised my head, it was a kid from my class.
A kid who often sticks around with Sooni.
- Are you really dating him?
Hoon was momentarily speechless at the sudden question.
- …huh
I answered quietly, almost inaudible, but the child chuckled.
- That's amazing.
Those words struck me strangely.
Why is it strange?
Before Hoon could ask anything else, Soon's friend shrugged and walked towards Soon, as if he'd said everything he wanted to say.
All that was left for Hoon was an uneasy feeling.
At lunchtime, Hoon was looking for a seat with his lunch tray when he spotted Soon from afar.
They were chatting and laughing among their friends.
His voice was loud and his expression was bright.
He seemed like a completely different person from the short speech I saw in the message last night.
I tried to pretend not to see him and sat alone at the end of the seat quite a distance away from him.
I picked up the spoon, but I couldn't taste it very well.
At that moment, someone suddenly sat down in the seat across from me.
-Why are you sitting here alone?
He was the class president of our class.
Hoon opened his eyes wide in surprise.
- Ah… just…
We weren't people I usually talked to, and we weren't particularly close, except for the fact that we were in the same class.
I naturally sat in front of Hoon and had a friendly conversation.
Oh, did the teacher tell me to do this again?
Last year, because Hoon was so quiet, the teacher asked the class president to take care of Hoon.
Although he was kind on the outside, he went around badmouthing Hoon behind his back, so Hoon's image actually got worse.
- Are you originally a quiet person?
It was so natural that Hoon was momentarily stunned.
I couldn't believe that the kid I'd been acting like a stranger to until yesterday was suddenly sitting in front of me.
But it was too sweet to be acting.
Both her innocent, gentle eyes and soft smile were directed at Hoon.
When have I ever been treated like this?
It was just a single word, but a whole novel opened up in Hoon's mind.
- Yeah, I'll be quiet…
When Hoon answered cautiously, the class president tilted his head and smiled.
- So... you don't have to worry about me... If the teacher told you to do it, then it's okay... !
- I came here because I wanted to get to know you.
Has anyone ever approached me like this? Not at school... or in my life, I don't think.
- You read a lot of books. I've been watching you for the past few days, and I think we'd be a good fit.
- Oh, do you like books?
You've been watching me? Since when?
Didn't you notice because all my attention was focused on Sooni?
- Yeah, I like it. I don't think you have any from the Teen Series, starting with Seventeen. Should I lend you some?
- Really..? Is it okay if you lend it to me?
- Well, if you're okay with it, then of course it's okay!
My heart fluttered for no reason at the kindness I received after such a long time.
- … thank you
It was a pleasant lunch after a long time.
I looked back in the direction where Sooni had been, wondering if she had already left the cafeteria.
I was looking at Hoon.
When Hoon's eyes met, he quickly looked away.
Hoon left Soon behind and walked towards the waiting class president.
Suni's gaze seemed a bit sharp... Am I mistaken?
I had just arrived at the classroom when I heard the door slam open.
It was in order.
Soon approached Hoon with quick steps.
- Wait for me today.
