17 DAYS TO GO | KWON SOONYOUNG

7

Hana

"He told me about your dad," Jun replied, his voice filled with a mix of concern and curiosity. "I don't have anything to talk about him" I immediately strided away from him, not giving him a chance to speak on his behalf.

"You don't have to tell me anything, but let me just apologize to you," Jun said, his voice filled with sincerity.

I halted in my steps, surprised by his words. "Apologize for what?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
His gaze remained fixed on the ground as he spoke. "Kim Jihye. She treated you badly because of me."

I waved my hand dismissively, not wanting to dwell on the past. "She has always been a pain in my ass," I replied, brushing off his concern. I continued on my way, but Jun kept up with my steps.

"What now?" I asked, growing slightly annoyed by his persistence.
He looked at me earnestly, his eyes filled with determination. "Let me treat you to a snack after school," he pleaded.

I hesitated at first, unsure of his intentions. But something in his eyes made me trust him. I nodded, giving in to his request.

The rest of the lectures went by in a blur. Jun was seated right ahead of me, and he kept looking back from time to time, passing me silly smiles. It made me smile too, feeling a warmth in my heart that I hadn't felt in a long time.

As the final bell rang, I stood by the door of the classroom, waiting for Jun to arrive. It dawned on me that having Jun by my side could make saving Soonyoung easier. He could help me get closer to him, to understand him better. I needed to establish a connection with Jun, even if it was just as acquaintances.

Soon enough, Jun arrived, his hands swaying by his side. I waved him over. "My friend owns a cafe nearby, let's go there" We walked side by side in silence. He kept looking infront of him while I gazed upto him, time from time.

His eyes were droppy, his eyelashes long and thick. The bridge of his nose very high. He looked etheral with the setting sun flashing on his face. Get a grip, Kang Hana. You should be focusing on Kwon Soonyoung right now.

The bell hanging on the door of the cafe, rung as soon as Jun opened it. "Welcome" A friendly, female voice welcomed us. Her smile immediately brightened after seeing Jun, "Oh Jun-ah" He embraced the women.

"Wonwoo will arrive home late today. He informed me about his art classes today" I stood there without uttering a single word as the two warmly conversed with each other.

"You have a friend over today! That's lovely! Go take a seat" Wonwoo's mother lead us to secluded area, overlooking the street through the window. I bowed at her respectfully before taking a seat opposite to Jun.

"What would you like to order?" a boy looking our age, came upto us for asking our orders. "What do you want to have?" Jun asked me, his eyes fixated in the menu. "I don't drink coffee, so a chocolate milkshake would suffice" He then placed his own order, an iced americano.

The warm, cozy atmosphere of the café enveloped us as we sat by the window, waiting for our order. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and it's sweet scent filled the air, creating a comforting ambiance that made it easy to forget about the bustling world outside.

I decided to break the silence and engage in conversation. "So, this is Wonwoo's café, huh?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. Jun nodded, his eyes scanning the place with a hint of nostalgia. "Yeah, they've been in business for a long time. It's one of my favorite spots to unwind."

The café's walls were adorned with photographs and artwork, giving it a unique and personal touch. Soft, mellow music played in the background, creating a soothing ambiance. The sound of the bell above the door chimed intermittently as new customers entered, adding to the café's lively atmosphere.

Lost in the comforting surroundings, I found myself opening up to Jun. "I don't have many friends either, except for my close-knit group, my members," he confessed, a tinge of vulnerability in my voice. Jun's eyes crinkled, his smile growing wider though. "Life's easy with them by my side"

Our conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by giggles and laughter. The more we talked, the more I realized how easy it was to connect with Jun. It felt like we had known each other for years, not to mention how he was trying to making me smile so hard.

Just as Jun was about to ask me something, our order arrived. We thanked the boy who served us, his polite bow reflecting the café's excellent service. As I took a sip of my milkshake, the rich, velvety sweetness danced on my taste buds, momentarily distracting me from Jun's question.

"What were you saying?" I asked, my eyes closing in satisfaction. The milkshake was a perfect blend of flavors, providing a momentary escape from the world outside.

Jun's voice was soft and hesitant as he repeated his question, "Do you wanna be my friend? Like, get closer?" His vulnerability mirrored my own, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in my heart.

I smiled at him, the nostalgia of childhood friendships flooding my mind. "Sure, why not?" I replied, my voice filled with genuine excitement. In that moment, it felt like time had rewound, and we were transported back to a simpler time when making friends was effortless and worry-free.

"I'm glad" that smile...