What's with this manhwa bullshit!!?!

Chapter 6: Old Faces, New Realities

"Hmmm, I don't think he wants something from you," Sowol murmured, his eyes still fixed on the road. "He might have just mentioned you so he could have a conversation with me."

"Hmm, that makes sense," (Name) replied from the backseat, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Who wouldn't want a 'genius Doctor' on his side?"

"By the way, Oppa," she continued, changing the subject, "how are you? How was work at the hospital?"

"I'm fine," Sowol responded flatly. "But the Director wants me to go to a different location."

"Eh? But why, though?" (Name) asked, genuinely surprised.

"....It might be because I always call to leave early, or I was dozing off in my office," Sowol admitted, a hint of weariness in his voice.
".....I did expect that response, but still....." (Name) trailed off, looking at Sowol with a worried expression reflected in the rearview mirror.

"Don't worry about me. Worry about your new school year; it starts a week from now, right?" Sowol said, his voice firm.

"Hmm~ whatever you say, Oppa," (Name) replied, trying to sound dismissive.

"...I'm serious, (Name). I don't want you to get involved with that Yoojin nerd. I don't want you to get involved with his illegal work." Sowol's voice was stern now, and he gave her a sharp, direct look in the rearview mirror.

'Ohhh... I guess he isn't fully emotionless,' (Name) thought, a warmth spreading through her. 'I'm glad he still cares for his family.'

".....Of course, Oppa. I won't," she said, a small, genuine smile gracing her lips.

. . . .

"You know, Oppa, you're really bad at acting," (Name) giggled, breaking the serious mood.

"Haaa... what am I going to do with you," Sowol whispered to himself, but a small smile, almost imperceptible, touched his lips. He paused a bit before continuing, "......By the way, I made your favorite."

"YAY!! You're the best, Oppa!!!" (Name) cheered, instantly forgetting their earlier conversation.

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A week later, the familiar routine of school was upon her.

"Remember what I told you? Don't get—" Sowol's voice was cut off by (Name)'s impatient groan.

"Ughhh, yeah, yeah, 'don't get involved with the know-it-all nerd.' You've repeated that like a hundred times today. Now go, you still have to go to J-high. Your first day of being the new Doctor of the clinic!" (Name) shooed him away, already walking towards the front gate of the private school.

"Noona!" A second-year student, Yeonwoo, ran up to (Name) as she entered the school grounds.

"Hello, Noona! Did you have fun in summer break?" he asked, his youthful face beaming.
"Oh! Yeonwoo, hello," (Name) replied, smiling back.

'Yeonwoo... the person who admires (Name) because of her "doing the things she wants" attitude, even though her parents are strict. I feel bad for him... he reminds me of me, when my parents were strict about my grades even though I usually got an 87 to 89 average... but whatever, I really don't care,' (Name) thought, a strange mix of empathy and indifference swirling within her.

"I did have fun. My friends invited me to hang out before I came back here," she told him.

"That's good," Yeonwoo said, a hint of longing in his tone.

"Well, it's nice to see you again, Yeonwoo. Let's eat lunch later, okay?"

"Alright, Noona! See you at lunch," Yeonwoo replied, smiling widely as he headed off to his own class.

(Name) was comfortably reading a novel in her classroom, waiting for the teacher to arrive, when a figure suddenly sat down next to her. She didn't even need to look up to know who it was.

" (Name), I guess we're seatmates again, what a coincidence," Yoojin said, a confident smile in his voice.

(Name) glanced at him briefly, her eyes, framed by her glasses, holding no warmth, before returning to her book. "Uhh, yeah, I guess so."

. . .

'Well... this is more awkward than seeing my ex,' (Name) thought, a dry amusement stirring within her.

"...Would you like to have lunch with me, (Name)?" Yoojin asked, breaking the silence.
".....Sorry, Yoojin, I already have someone to eat lunch with," she replied, her voice polite but firm.

"Hmm, that's too bad. My brother really wants to have lunch with you."

"Hmm, I think the teacher is coming," (Name) said, subtly changing the subject as she heard distant footsteps.

".....I guess you're right," Yoojin conceded, leaning back in his chair.

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Lunchtime found (Name) and Yeonwoo sitting on a bench in the school garden, the soft sunlight filtering through the trees.
"Oh! Noona, you brought your own lunch," Yeonwoo observed.

"Hmm? Oh! Yeah! Oppa made it, and it's my favorite!" (Name) exclaimed, opening her lunchbox to reveal neatly packed food.

"Oh, so you love fried chicken?" Yeonwoo asked, looking at the crispy pieces.
"Yeah! And it's my mom's recipe! And tofu sisig!"

"Oh, but isn't sisig usually pork?"
"Yeah, I don't really like pork that much," (Name) admitted. "Oh! But I do love chicharon!" She paused, looking at Yeonwoo. "Yeonwoo, would you like to try my lunch?" (Name) offered, a genuine smile lighting up her face.

"Ehh?! Uhhh, Noona, is that really okay?" Yeonwoo stammered, his cheeks tinged with a faint red.

"Hehe~ Of course, I did offer it to you," (Name) teased, feeling a bit amused. 'Why do I sound like a pick-me?' she wondered.

"Here, try the tofu sisig!" (Name) used her chopsticks to pick up a small, bite-sized piece of tofu and offered it to Yeonwoo. "Say ahh~"

"

Uhhh, umm, o-okay. Ahh~" Yeonwoo opened his mouth, taking the piece. His eyes widened instantly. "It's delicious, Noona!"

"Hmm~ I know, right!" (Name) grinned, a bright, unfeigned smile.

"I wish time could stop," Yeonwoo whispered to himself, so quietly that (Name) almost missed it.

"Did you say something, Yeonwoo?" (Name) asked, tilting her head.

"O-oh, uhh, i-it wasn't that important, Noona," Yeonwoo stammered, looking flustered.

"Hmm, if you say so," (Name) just shrugged it off, taking another bite of her lunch.

To be continued......