When class ended and I was leaving the lecture hall, Wonbin came down the hallway with his friends.
I naturally made eye contact with Wonbin.
"Noona."
"Class over?"
"Yeah. What about you, Noona?"
"Me too."
We talked like we always had, but we didn’t stand too close to each other.
We kept a proper distance in front of people from the same department.
That was the way we’d agreed to keep our secret relationship.
"Then I’ll go first."
"Mm."
Wonbin walked off first with his friends.
A little later, my phone rang.
Noona.
Yeah?
Are you going to the café today?
You’re asking something obvious.
Then I’ll contact you after class.
I snickered.
Acting so naturally at school.
He was the type who made it obvious more than anyone when it was just the two of us.
*
After all the classes were over.
We met Wonbin at a café near the school.
As soon as we sat down, Wonbin slid a drink in front of me.
"This."
"It’s mine?"
"Yes."
"How did you know?"
"You always drink this."
I took the cup and smiled.
"You really remember things like that well."
"I remember what’s yours well, Noona."
My heart felt strangely ticklish.
A little later, Wonbin held out his hand over the table.
I looked around once, then took it.
"People can see us, you know?"
"There’s no one here but us."
"Still."
"Do you hate it?"
"No."
Wonbin smiled as if satisfied.
"Then it’s fine."
*
A few days later.
A department drinking party was arranged to celebrate the end of the semester.
This time, quite a lot of people showed up.
Wonbin was talking with his classmates, and I was sitting at a different table with my friends too.
It didn’t look all that different from before we started dating.
Just that whenever our eyes met, we smiled at each other.
And every time, I’d end up feeling oddly happy.
It was when the drinking had gotten pretty lively.
As people naturally shifted seats, Wonbin ended up next to me.
I looked at Wonbin.
He seemed too busy talking with his friends.
Seeing his glass empty, I opened my mouth without thinking.
"Bin, drink some water."
At that instant.
Wonbin lifted his head.
And a few people nearby turned to look at me at the same time.
"..."
Only then did I realize what mistake I’d made.
At school, I called him Wonbin.
Only when it was just the two of us, or when I sent him messages, did I call him Bin.
But of all times, it had to be in front of everyone.
"Wait a second."
The female classmate next to me looked at me.
"What did you just say?"
"Huh?"
"You said Bin."
I forced a smile.
"Ah, well..."
"But why do you call him Bin?"
"Because we’re just close."
I tried to brush it off, but the girl didn’t let it slide easily.
"We’re close too, but nobody calls each other that."
At that, people around us started paying attention one by one.
"Yeah, true."
"Did Wonbin have a nickname?"
"This is the first I’m hearing of it."
"Park Wonbin, you’re called Bin too?"
Questions poured in all at once.
Wonbin just kept looking at me.
I fidgeted with my water cup for no reason.
Then Seongchan, who was sitting nearby, looked back and forth between me and Wonbin.
"Wait."
"What?"
"What’s going on between you two?"
"What do you mean?"
"No, it’s weird."
Seongchan pointed at Wonbin.
"This guy usually doesn’t pay much attention no matter what the girls say."
Then he looked at me.
"But he’s been so comfortable talking to you from the start."
I couldn’t say anything.
"And calling him Bin is weird too."
"I’m telling you, we’re just close."
When I brushed it off, Seongchan snorted.
"Close?"
Then suddenly his eyes went wide.
"Don’t tell me."
"Tell you what."
"Are you two dating?"
In an instant, the area went quiet.
Really, like a lie.
Everyone who’d been talking just a moment ago was looking our way.
I couldn’t say anything and just looked at Wonbin.
Wonbin was looking at me too.
Normally in a situation like this, I’d have been too nervous to say a word.
But this time was different.
After looking into my eyes for a moment, Wonbin slowly nodded.
"Yes."
"What?"
"We’re dating."
The table exploded at once.
"Holy shit!"
"It was true?"
"Since when?"
"Hey, Park Wonbin, why didn’t you tell anyone?"
"Since when have you two been dating?"
"So that’s why you kept meeting separately all the time?"
My face got hot, and I couldn’t say anything.
Especially that female classmate from earlier was staring at Wonbin with a stunned expression.
"Seriously...?"
"Yes."
Wonbin answered briefly.
Then Seongchan laughed in disbelief.
"Damn, you really hid it well."
"Noona told me to keep it secret."
"Noona?"
Someone reacted right away.
"Did he just say Noona?"
Wonbin shut his mouth for a moment.
In the end, I burst out laughing.
"Why are you so flustered?"
"I mean..."
Wonbin’s face was getting redder and redder.
Seongchan saw that and burst out laughing.
"Hey, Park Wonbin, this is the first time I’ve ever seen your face turn red."
"Please stop."
"No, seriously, it’s just so funny."
As everyone kept teasing him, Wonbin lowered his head and just fiddled with his drink.
Watching him, my heart started to tingle again for no reason.
Then, carefully, I reached my hand out under the table.
My fingertips touched the back of Wonbin’s hand.
Wonbin looked at me.
I smiled a little.
It meant it was okay.
Then Wonbin smiled back, just a little.
And without anyone noticing, he took my hand.
This time, there was no need to hide it.
Even after the drinking party ended, people kept teasing us for a while.
"Hey, Kim Yeoju, take good care of Park Wonbin."
"Take good care of what?"
"No, I mean, that prince barely talked to us, but he’s totally different with his girlfriend."
Hearing that, I laughed.
Prince.
Even when I first met Wonbin, people called him that.
A handsome face and always neat clothes.
Quiet, and someone who didn’t easily mingle with others.
At first, I really thought he was that kind of person too.
But the Wonbin next to me now.
"Noona."
"Hmm?"
"Let’s go home together today."
"Of course."
He was naturally holding my hand.
I looked up at Wonbin and smiled.
"But your prince image is over now."
"Why?"
"Just the fact that your face turned red today."
"Because of you, Noona."
"Still."
"I’m fine with it."
Wonbin squeezed my hand a little tighter.
"Because I like being your boyfriend more."
I couldn’t help laughing.
People called Park Wonbin a prince.
Cold, prickly, and someone who didn’t get along with anyone.
But the Park Wonbin I came to know was completely different.
He was someone who got misunderstood because he was shy around strangers,
someone who was clumsier than anyone in front of the person he liked,
and someone who was sincere to the very end with the person he liked once he’d fallen for them.
And now.
"Bin."
"Yes."
"Let’s go."
"Yes."
He was my boyfriend, walking with my hand in his and smiling.
At first, I thought he was a prince.
But it turned out he was the person I liked most.
Finally, it’s complete!!
I was worried because this was my first time writing a long story...ㅎㅎㅎ but I’m glad it seems like it wrapped up wellㅎㅎ
Then I’ll come find you again with another work🫶🫶
